Ad Clerum
Oddi wrth yr Esgob/From the Bishop
Easter 2015
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Confirmations
Please note that forms relating to the details of Confirmation Services should be returned to the Bishop’s Office at
least three weeks before the date of the service. This gives me the opportunity to look over the details in plenty of
time. I would remind all Clergy that I have Service Books for Confirmation and Confirmation with Baptism and an
electronic version is available from my Chaplain. If Clergy wish to create their own booklet or order of service, the
content must be agreed with my Chaplain three weeks beforehand.
Parish Visits – In the Footsteps of St David
I am just over a third of the way on my pilgrimage around the Diocese having visited 114 of the 330 churches within
it. My thanks to those clergy and parishes who have welcomed me so far on my journey. Can I please remind all
clergy who have agreed to the visits scheduled for the remainder of this year to return the forms to my Chaplain three
weeks before any visit in order for me to be able to adequately prepare, please also pay close attention to the briefing
notes. If you have any questions please direct them to my chaplain in the first instance.
Extraordinary Diocesan Conference
There will be an extraordinary meeting of the Diocesan Conference on Saturday 6 June at Bronwydd Village Hall
from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm to discuss the matter of Same-Sex partnerships. The Governing Body via the Doctrine
Commission has asked :
Which of these three options do you think the Church in Wales should adopt?
1) Maintain that the union of one man and one woman is the only definition of marriage recognised by the
Church in Wales, and make no liturgical provision from recognising same-sex relationships.
2) Make provision for the blessing of same-sex relationships (i. e. civil partnerships or state-recognised
marriages), but not carry out same-sex weddings.
3) Conduct marriages for same-sex couples.
There will be three archidiaconal consultation evenings held prior to this on Tuesday 5 May.
Archdeaconry of St Davids
7.30 pm
St Martin’s Church Hall, Haverfordwest
Archdeaconry of Cardigan
7.30 pm
Holy Trinity Church Hall, Aberaeron
Archdeaconry of Carmarthen 7.30 pm
St Peter’s Civic Hall, Carmarthen
Further details together with papers highlighting the issues to be considered will be produced prior to the
consultations.
The aim is to consult as widely as possible. The Diocesan Conference is asked to give its views on this matter, which
may then be considered by the Bench of Bishop and the Governing Body.
Self Supporting Ministers (Local)
I have re-classified all of my Self Supporting Ministers (Local) or SSM(L)s as Non Stipendiary Ministers (Local) or
NSM(L). As a result of this it should bring them in line with the recognised categories of Ordained Ministry by the
Representative Body and therefore this nomenclature should avoid any further confusion.
Current Suspended Vacancies
Lampeter Velfrey & Llanddewi Velfrey & Eglwys Gymun; Aberporth w Blaenporth w Betws Ifan; The Maenordeifi Group;
Grouped Parish of Parish of Lampeter & Maestir & Silian & Betws Bledrws & Llangybi; Gorslas & Crosshands & Llanedi w
Tycroes & Saron; St Clears w Llangynin & Llanddowror & Llanfihangel Abercywyn;; House for Duty St Dogmael’s &
Monington & Nevern & Beifl(though other expressions of interest welcome); Cynwyl Gaeo w Llansawel & Talley &
Abergorlech (though other expressions of interest welcome). For initial enquiries please contact the Secretary of the
Nomination Board, Revd Canon Paul Mackness (in confidence)  01267 236597 or [email protected].
There are also a number of vacancies that will shortly be advertised, some are currently subject to pastoral re-organisation. If
you wish to express an interest in a parish please contact the Secretary (as above).
Appointments
Charles Revd M Cecilia, Vicar, Borth & Eglwys-fach & Llangynfelyn; appointed Priest in Charge of Gwendraeth
Fawr, 18 January 2015
Wight Venerable Dennis M, Archdeacon of St Davids & Diocesan Director of Ministry; to also serve as Diocesan
Warden of Ordinands, 12 January 2015
Mackness Revd Canon Paul R, Chaplain to the Bishop & Honorary Canon; to serve also as Assistant Diocesan
Warden of Ordinands (administration), 12 January 2015
Y Gwir Barchedig/The Right Reverend Wyn Evans, Llys Esgob, Abergwili, Caerfyrddin SA31 2JG
Johnson Revd Dr Rhiannon M M, NS Priest in Charge of Walwyn’s Castle & Diocesan Course Director for
Exploring Faith; to serve as NS Priest in Charge of Robeston West whilst also remaining as NS Priest in Charge of
Walwyn’s Castle & Diocesan Course Director for Exploring Faith, 1 February 2015
Bookless Revd Andrew P, Incumbent of Hubberston; to serve as Priest in Charge of Herbrandston whilst also
remaining Incumbent of Hubberston, 21 January 2015
Witt Revd Canon Bryan D, Incumbent of St Clears w Llangynin & Llanddowror & Llanfihangel Abercywyn; appointed
Priest in Charge of Llanarthne & Llanddarog & to remain as Diocesan Director of Education, 5 March 2015
Grace Revd Alexandra, Curate in Charge of Manorbier & St Florence; to serve also as Vocations Advisor for the St
Davids Archdeaconry, 20 January 2015
Parsons Revd Canon Dr Jennifer A (Jeni) (Permission to Officiate); appointed half time Diocesan Social
Responsibility Officer, 1 January 2015
Jones Revd Canon Sian E, Priest in Charge of the Parish of Llanelli & Acting Area Dean; appointed Priest in Charge
of the United Benefice of Catheiniog & to remain as Area Dean, 30 April 2015
Ratcliffe Revd Peter G B, Priest in Charge of Llanpumsaint w Llanllawddog; appointed Priest in Charge of Cilgerran
w Bridell & Llantwyd & Eglwyswrw, 26 April 2015
Barton Revd Dr Allan B, Permission to Officiate, Diocese of Norwich; appointed University Chaplain for the
University of Wales, Trinity St David, Lampeter Campus, 6 May 2015
Resignations
Reid Revd Gareth M, Priest in Charge of Llandysul w Bangor Teifi w Llanfairorllwyn w Llangynllo & Diocesan
Warden of Ordinands; resigning as Diocesan Warden of Ordinands but remaining as Priest in Charge, 12
January 2015
Collins Revd Bruce C, NS Associate Priest in the United Parish of Catheiniog; to continue with Permission to
Officiate, 20 February 2015
Retirements
Morley-Jones Revd A Roger, Priest in Charge of Cydweli and Llandyfaelog, 30 June 2015
Barnes Revd Brian, Vicar of Llanwnda & Goodwick St Peter w Manorowen & Llanstinan, 3 May 2015
Rees Revd Canon Michael L, Incumbent of Betws w Ammanford, 31 May 2015
Chambers Revd Lynn, NS Priest in Charge of Brechfa & Llanfihangel Rhos y Corn; Area Dean of Llandeilo
Deanery; to continue with Permission to Officiate, 26 March 2015
Sickness
I hold in my prayers those who are sick, together with those who continue in illness.
Bereavements
I assure everyone of my prayers and best wishes, including: the Revd Paul Boyle following the death of his mother;
the Revd Matthew Hill following the death of his father; the Revd Andy & Mrs Sara Herrick following the death of
Sara’s father; the family of the Revd Eric Edmunds; the Revd Chancellor Patrick & Mrs Helen Thomas following the
death of Helen’s mother; the Revd Don & Mrs Jayne MacGregor following the death of Jayne’s mother; the Revd
Paul Nash following the death of Paul’s mother; the family of the Revd D B G Davies; the family of the Revd Canon
& Mrs Alan Craven; the Revd Harri Williams following the death of his grandfather.
This comes with the assurance of my continued care, support and prayers together with my very best wishes for a
Blessed Easter.
Y Gwir Barchedig/The Right Reverend Wyn Evans, Llys Esgob, Abergwili, Caerfyrddin SA31 2JG