Esgobaeth Bangor yn dathlu siwrne 10 o bobl arbennig yn ei gwasanaeth ordeinio blynyddol
Mae’r dydd Sadwrn sy’n dod (24.6.2017) yn ddiwrnod arbennig yng Nghalendr yr Eglwys, gan mai hwn ydy’r diwrnod mae’r Eglwys yn dathlu geni Ioan Fedyddiwr, y ffigwr Beiblaidd a baratôdd y ffordd i Iesu a chyfeirio pobl tuag ato.
Fe fydd hi hefyd yn ddiwrnod arbennig i Esgobaeth Bangor. Am 3 o’r gloch, yn Eglwys Gadeiriol Deiniol Sant ym Mangor, bydd 10 o bobl yn cysegru eu hunain i ddilyn yn ôl traed Ioan Fedyddiwr a chyfeirio eraill tuag at Iesu, yn y gwasanaeth ordeinio blynyddol, a fydd dan arweiniad Esgob Bangor, y Gwir Barchedig Andrew John.
Hwn hefyd fydd y tro cyntaf i Ddarllenydd (person lleyg a hyfforddwyd i arwain addoliad a phregethu mewn gwasanaethau) gael ei drwyddedu ochr yn ochr â’r rhai hynny sydd i’w hordeinio fel Diaconiaid ac Offeiriaid. Tra bo swyddogaethau a chyfrifoldebau Darllenydd, Diacon ac Offeiriad yn dra gwahanol, mae llawer o’r hyfforddiant ar eu cyfer yn cael ei gynnal ar y cyd.
Dywedodd y Parch Susan Blagden, Tiwtor Esgobaeth Bangor yn Sefydliad Padarn Sant yr Eglwys yng Nghymru, “Mae Sefydliad Padarn Sant yn falch o allu argymell yr ymgeiswyr yma ar gyfer eu hordeinio a’u trwyddedu.
Fe fuon nhw’n ymwneud yn gadarnhaol â’r broses ffurfiant ar gyfer y weinidogaeth gyhoeddus ac wedi cwblhau gofynion hyfforddiant angenrheidiol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru. Fe fydd hi’n achlysur gwych o ddathlu, wrth i Esgobaeth Bangor fod yn dyst, am y tro cyntaf, i ordeinio clerigwyr a thrywddedu gweinidogion lleyg o fewn yr un gwasanaeth.
Llawenhawn gyda’r ymgeiswyr, gan eu sicrhau o’n gweddïau.”
Wrth edrych ymlaen at y gwasanaeth, meddai Esgob Bangor, y Gwir Barchedig Andrew John, “Mae’n hi’n fraint fawr i esgob cael trwyddedu neu ordeinio pobl i rolau penodol o fewn ein Heglwys.
Mae i bob unigolyn ei stori unigryw am ddilyn llwybr galwad Duw i wasanaethu. Penllanw eu pererindod alwedigaethol cyn belled fydd cael eu hordeinio neu’u trwydded, yn ogystal â bod yn ddechrau ar ran newydd o’u bywyd a’u gweinidogaeth Gristnogol.
Mae eu hanes nhw hefyd yn stori newydd a gwerthfawr ym mywyd ein Heglwys, ei thystiolaeth a’i gweinidogaeth Gristnogol. Gweddïwch wnewch chi dros y ten person neilltuol yma, eu teuluoedd a finnau yn y gwasanaeth arbennig hwn.’
Y deg person a fydd yn cael eu trwyddedu fel Darllenydd neu eu hordeinio fel Diacon neu Offeiriad ydy (cliciwch ar yr enw i ddarllen rhai meddyliau oddi wrthynt) :
Darllenydd
- Sandra Wheeler Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy (Machynlleth, Mallwyd a’r cyffiniau)
Diacon
- Jen Evans Diacon Parhaol, Curad Hunangynhaliol : Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy (Machynlleth, Mallwyd a’r cyffiniau)
- Llewellyn Moules-Jones Curad : Bro Deiniol, (Bangor)
- Lesley Rendle Curad Hunangynhaliol: : Bro Tysilio (Porthaethwy, Pentraeth, Benllech a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
- Sara Roberts Curad : Bro Enlli (Pwllheli, Llanbedrog ac Aberdaron a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
- Allan Wilcox Curad Hunangynhaliol :Bro Eryri (Llanberis, Penisarwaun, Deiniolen a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
Offeiriad
- Alison Gwalchmai Curad : Bro Arwystli (Llangurig, Llanidloes, Trefeglwys, Carno a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
- Caroline John Curad : Bro Deiniol (Bangor)
- Jon Price Curad a Gweinidog Arloesi : Bro Arwystli (Llangurig, Llanidloes, Trefeglwys, Carno a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
- Martin Pritchard Curad : Bro Celynnin (Conwy, Caerhun a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
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Sandra Wheeler i’w thrwyddedu fel Darllenydd a bydd yn gwasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy (Machynlleth a Mallwyd a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
“Cefais fy nghonffyrmasiwn yn yr Eglwys Anglicanaidd gan Esgob Aston pan yn 21 oed ac wedi bod yn weithgar o fewn yr Eglwys ers hynny: captain y Geidiaid, athrawes ysgol Sul, côr y plwyf, gweithgareddau cenhadol a chefnogi fy ngŵr, John a oedd yn Ddarllenydd trwyddedig.
Trwy gydol yr amser hwn, fy ffydd yng Nghrist fu’n arwain fy mywyd. Am 6 mlynedd, wedi ymddeol yn gynnar fe fues i’n anhwylus a bu’n rhaid imi gael sawl llawdriniaeth cyn imi allu cerdded eto heb gymorth a daeth gwelliant yn fy iechyd. Fe ddaethon ni i fyw i Ganolbarth Cymru ac yn Eglwys Sant Idloes, Llanidloes fe dderbyniais i’r alwad i fod yn Ddarllenydd, gyda chefnogaeth y Parch Lynda Cowan.
Dwi’n credu ei bod hi’n hanfodol i fod yn ymwybodol o ddiwylliant a chefndir weithiau’r Beibl er mwyn deall yn well y ffordd mae’r Drindod yn gweithio yn a thrwy Ei bobl. Roedd Ein Harglwydd Atgyfodedig yn adnabod y Beibl Hebraeg mor dda a byddai’n aml yn cyfeirio ato wrth addysgu.
Mae fy lleoliadau ym Mro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy wedi cynyddu fy nealltwriaeth o rôl ddatblygol y Darllenydd oddi fewn i’r Eglwys yng Nghymru. Mae’r Parch Ganon Kath Rogers wedi bod yn fy herio i a’m harwain i hefyd. Arweiniodd her Caffi Eglwys wythnosol trwy gydol y Grawys at gais gan y rhai hynny fu’n mynychu i barhau gyda’r fenter. Dwi’n credu bod yr Ysbryd Glân yn arwain pobl i ddod ynghyd i adeiladu eu dealltwriaeth a’u perthynas â Duw cariad a thrugaredd a dawn gras.
Mae’r cynulleidfaoedd yn ardal fy lleoliad, wedi agor eu calonnau imi ac edrychaf ymlaen at weinidogaethu iddyn nhw ac i’r her o daenu Efengyl Crist a chariad Duw i’r rhai hynny sy’n byw ac yn gweithio o fewn cymuned Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy.”
Jen Evans i’w hordeinio’n ddiacon parhaol ac am wasanaethu Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Cyfeiliog & Mawddwy (Machynlleth, Mallwyd a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
Wedi ei geni a’i magu ym Morfa Nefyn ar aelwyd gwbl Gymraeg, roedd yr Eglwys yn rhan annatod o’i magwraeth. Dechreuodd Jen chwarae’r organ yn 12 oed yn Eglwys y Santes Fair, Morfa Nefyn ac yn Eglwys Dewi Sant, Nefyn ac mae’n parhau yn organyddes. Mae cerddoriaeth yn dal yn rhan allweddol o’i bywyd ysbrydol.
Yn athrawes wrth ei galwedigaeth, bu’n dysgu ym Mhwllheli ac Aberteifi cyn iddi hi a’i gŵr, Hywel symud i fyw i Lanbrynmair ar ddiwedd y ‘70au. Wedi cyfnod o fagu dau fab, Siôn a Rhun, ail-gydiodd yn ei gyrfa fel athrawes a hynny yn Ysgol Llanbrynmair, ac yno daeth yn Bennaeth yn ddiweddarach, cyn symud ymlaen i swydd ymgynghorol blynyddoedd cynnar gydag Awdurdod Addysg Powys hyd ei hymddeoliad yn 2011.
Mae ei diddordebau yn cynnwys cerddoriaeth, garddio a chymdeithasu. Ond yn bennaf oll yr hyn sy’n bwysig iddi hi yw ei theulu ac mae hi a Hywel yn ffodus iawn bod eu meibion a’u partneriaid yn dal i fyw ym Mro Ddyfi. Mae bod yn nain i Gethin Prys, sy’n 5 oed, hefyd yn rhoi llawer o fwynhad a hwyl iddi.
Mae’n aelod o Dîm Gweinidogaeth Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy ac yn Arweinydd y Tîm Bugeiliol. Yn y blynyddoedd diwethaf cafodd y fraint o gael ei dewis yn Gyd-gadeirydd Lleyg Cyngor yr Esgobaeth.
Wedi cyfnod o ofalu am ei mam a fu’n dioddef o ‘dementia’ yn ei blynyddoedd olaf, hyd ei marwolaeth yn 2004, teimlodd Jen yr awydd cryf i ymgymryd â gwaith bugeiliol ac i wasanaethu Duw mewn ffordd ddyfnach. Wedi ei hymddeoliad gwyddai mai dyna’r amser priodol i ystyried hyn o ddifrif.
Dros y blynyddoedd diwethaf wrth fwynhau bod yn Arweinydd Addoliad a gweinyddu’r Cymun yn y cartref, teimlodd ei bod yn cael ei galw i rywbeth mwy ond heb fod yn hollol sicr beth yn union oedd hynny. Cafodd ei hannog i gynnig ei hun i’r Ddiaconiaeth Barhaol, rhywbeth a oedd yn gwbl ddieithr iddi. Ond wedi hir drafod a thrwy ddarllen a dysgu llawer am rôl diacon parhaol, roedd yn sicr mai dyma’r weinidogaeth roedd Duw yn ei galw ati.
Gan edrych ymlaen at ei hordeinio, bydd yn amser cyffrous ac o gyflawni dyhead wrth iddi barhau i weinidogaethu yn ei hardal a gwasanaethu pobl Bro Cyfeiliog a Mawddwy. Ond o hyn ymlaen mewn ffordd wahanol, fel diacon ordeiniedig, gyda sêl bendith yr Esgob, yr Esgobaeth a’r Ardal Gweinidogaeth.
Ar un llaw mae’n teimlo’n nerfus am y gwasanaeth ordeinio gan y bydd yn amser emosiynol iawn iddi hi a’i theulu, ond ar y llaw arall bydd yn amser i lawenhau.
Meddai hithau, ‘‘Duw sydd wedi fy ngalw i’r weinidogaeth benodol yma a gallaf bod yn sicr o’i gariad a’i nerth i fy nghynnal yn y cyfnod newydd hwn yn fy mywyd.”
Llewelyn Moules-Jones i’w ordeinio’n ddiacon ac am wasanaethu Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Deiniol (Bangor)
“Yn frodor o Ynys Môn, ac o linach hir o ffermwyr ar yr ynys, fe’i haddysgwyd ym Mhrifysgolion Bangor, Y Drindod Dewi Sant a Chaerdydd.
Yn dilyn cyfnod hir ym myd addysg uwch yn dysgu Amaeth a’r Gymraeg, penderfynais bedair blynedd yn ôl, na allwn i osgoi ragor yr alwad i wasanaethu ‘fy Arglwydd a’m Duw’.
Rwyf yn ei hystyried hi’n fraint o’r mwyaf cael fy nerbyn ar gyfer hyfforddiant i’r Offeiriadaeth, rwy’n edrych ymlaen yn eiddgar i ymuno â thîm Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Deiniol.”
Lesley Rendle i’w hordeinio yn ddiacon ac i wasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Tysilio (Porthaethwy, Pentraeth, Benllech a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
“Dwi’n dod yn wreiddiol o Gilgwri, gan weithio yno fel gweithiwr cymdeithasol gyda gofal plant cyn symud i Droitwich yn Swydd Caerwrangon. Wedi gweithio fel darlithydd astudiaethau gofal plant am gyfnod byr fe gefais fy mhenodi yn Ymgynghorydd Plant Esgobaethol, swydd y bûm yn dal am 10 mlynedd. Rôl galluogi oedd hon, yn gweithio gyda phlwyfi ac ysgolion i ddatblygu eu gwaith gyda phlant. Roedd hefyd yn golygu gweithio gydag asiantaethau cenedlaethol a lleol i sicrhau bod llais yr eglwys yn cael ei glywed ar y lefel strategol mewn materion yn ymwneud â phobl ifanc. Dychwelais i Gilgwri yn 2008, gan weithio am 3 mlynedd arbennig o fuddiol fel caplan ysgol cyn symud i Ynys Môn.
Dwi wrth fy modd ar Ynys Môn, yn mwynhau bywyd gyda 6 chi, 9 o eifr bach, 4 alpaca, 3 o foch ac ambell iâr. Faswn i’n hoffi dweud fy mod yn “tyfu fy llysiau fy hun” ond er mod i’n llwyddo gydag ychydig o domatos, mae’r twnel blasting yn yr ardd yno yn fwy mewn gobaith na llwyddiant. Fodd bynnag, dwi’n mwynhau coginio a gwnïo (yn enwedig clytwaith a chwiltio), ac yn ddiweddar llwyddais i weu siwmper allan o wlân yr alpacas.
Cefais fy nhrwyddedu fel darllenydd yn 2001, gweinidogaeth sy’n fraint ac sydd wedi dod â llawenydd mawr imi. Teimlais yr alwad i’r weinidogaeth ordeiniedig rhyw 5 mlynedd yn ddiweddarach. Roedd hi fel pe bawn i ar symud tŷ pob tro y cododd y mater, ond bellach, a finnau wedi cyrraedd Ynys Môn, mae’n ymddangos mai dyma’r adeg iawn i ymateb i’r alwad.
Mae’n gyffrous edrych ymlaen at yr ordeinio a’r her o ddatblygu fy ngweinidogaeth mewn cyfeiriadau newydd a gwahanol. Fel offeiriad digyflog, fe fydd llawer o’m gweinidogaeth oddi allan i’r eglwys, yn y gymuned ehangach ac edrychaf ymlaen at weld lle fydd Duw yn f’arwain yn y rôl a’r weinidogaeth newydd hon. O fewn i’r eglwys, mae penderfyniad yr Eglwys yng Nghymru i ganiatáu plant sydd wedi’u bedyddio i brofi’r cymun yn un arbennig o gyffrous i mi gan fy mod yn gweld hyn fel her go iawn i eglwysi i ganfod ffyrdd i ddwyn plant fwyfwy i fywyd yr eglwys, fel rhan o’r Ewcharist a thu allan i hynny.”
Sara Roberts i’w hordeinio yn ddiacon ac i wasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Enlli (Pwllheli, Llanbedrog ac Aberdaron a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
Magwyd Sara Roberts ym Mhenrhyndeudraeth a darganfod ei ffydd yn Eglwys y Drindod Sanctaidd yno pan yn oedolyn ifanc. Fe’i hyfforddwyd fel Darllenwraig Lleyg a chafodd ei thrwyddedu yn 2001. Gwasanaethodd ym Mro Moelwyn am yn agos at 15 mlynedd cyn i’r alwad i’r weinidogaeth ddod i’r amlwg. Erbyn hyn mae’n hyfforddi ym Mro Enlli ac yn mwynhau yr ardal arbennig hon o’r Esgobaeth. Mae’n ddiolchgar iawn am y cyfle yma i wasanaethu bobl Dduw.
Allan Wilcoxi’w ordeinio yn ddiacon ac i wasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Eryri (Llanberis, Penisarwaun, Deiniolen a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
Fe’i ganed yn Llundain, astudio Saesneg ym Mhrifysgol Birmingham (lle cyfarfu â’i wraig) a dysgodd yn Birmingham, Swydd Caint, St Helens, Lerpwl (lle ganwyd eu dau fab) a Groningen, yn yr Iseldiroedd, am yn agos at dri deg a phump o flynyddoedd cyn ymddeol yn 2006 a dod i fyw yng Ngogledd Cymru. Roedd wedi amau ers talwm bod galwad arno i’r weinidogaeth ordeiniedig ac arweiniodd hynny ato’n cofrestru ar gwrs MA Astudiaethau Crefyddol ym Mhrifysgol Bangor, bron cyn gynted ag y symudodd yma.
Bu ei daith tuag at Ordeinio yn un maith, a chafwyd ambell rwystr ar hyd y ffordd, felly mae’r petruster anorfod sy’n dod gyda chyfrifoldeb dwfn y rôl hon hefyd yn cael ei leddfu gan deimlad o ryddhad cyfatebol a chyffro disgwylgar.
Wedi ei Ordeinio yn Ddiacon, fe fydd Allan yn Gurad di-gyflog yn Ardal Weinidogaeth Bro Eryri, lle mae’n byw a lle bu’n gwasanaethu fel Darllenydd am yn agos at wyth mlynedd.
Alison Gwalchmai i’w hordeinio yn offeiriad ac i wasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Arwystli (Llanidloes, Trefeglwys, Carno a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
Yn ystod fy mlwyddyn fel Diacon symudais o fod yn hunangynhaliol at weinidogaeth gyflogedig llawn amser, a oedd yn eithaf annisgwyl, ond rwyf yn mwynhau’r sialens.
Dwi wedi mwynhau gweithio ochr yn ochr â’m cydweithwyr yn ardal gweinidogaeth Bro Arwystli, rhai lleyg ac ordeiniedig – mae hi wedi bod yn fraint.
Edrychaf ymlaen at greu cydberthnasau newydd gyda phobl rydyn ni’n eu gwasanaethu yn yr ardal gweinidogaeth.”
Caroline John i’w hordeinio fel offeiriad ordeiniedig ac i wasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Deiniol (Bangor)
Fe’m ganed yn Middlesex ym 1964 a byw yn Surrey hyd nes o’n i’n naw, cyn symud i Swydd Gaer. Fe astudiais Ddiwinyddiaeth yng Ngholeg Emmanuel yng Nghaergrawnt a’m derbyn fel ymgeisydd am y weinidogaeth yn fy mlwyddyn olaf yn y brifysgol. Ym 1988, dechreuais hyfforddiant yng Ngholeg Sant Ioan, Notttingham, lle wnes i gyfarfod â’m gŵr, Andy. Ym 1990 cefais f’ordeinio yn Ddiacon yng Nghadeirlan Dewi Sant. Fues i’n gwasanaethu curadiaeth yn Aberteifi a churadiaeth fer yn Aberystwyth, cyn geni ein plentyn cyntaf ym 1991.
Yn ystod y 1990au we wnes i waith achlysurol i’r Eglwys, gan gynnwys rhywfaint o gaplaniaeth gyda ward plant Ysbyty Bronglais a phan roedd yr amser yn briodol, fe es i waith secwlar, yn cynnal Adran Gwybodaeth, Cyngor ac Eiriolaeth gydag Age Concern Ceredigion.
Dychwelais i’r weinidogaeth ordeiniedig llynedd pan ymunais ag Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Deiniol.
Wedi imi fod yn un o’r Diaconiaid hiraf ei gwasanaeth, fe fyddaf yn cael f’ordeinio yn Offeiriad, 27 o flynyddoedd wedi imi gael fy ngwneud yn Ddiacon gan y diweddar Archesgob George Noakes. Mae hi wedi bod yn siwrne ryfedd a rhyfeddol. Nôl ym 1977, pan gafodd merched eu hordeinio gyntaf fel Offeiriaid yng Nghymru, roeddwn i’n disgwyl ein pedwerydd plentyn ac roedd bywyd yn dueddol o gylchdroi o amgylch y plant – eu cludo i’r ysgol, ymweliadau â’r meddyg a newid clytiau! Bryd hynny dwi’n cofio dweud y baswn i’n fodlon mynd yn offeiriad petai’r alwad yn dod, ond prin y meddyliais i y deuai’r cyfle eto.
Felly doedd neb yn fwy syfrdan na mi pan, bron i 20 mlynedd yn ddiweddarach, y daeth yr alwad yn gwbl glir. Un o’r pethau rhyfeddaf am Dduw ydy ei fod yn ein galluogi ar gyfer y dasg mae’n ein galw, nid yn unig â’r nerth a dderbyniwn ganddo ond yr awydd i’w gyflawni hefyd .
Wrth imi bellach ateb galwad Duw i’r Offeiriadaeth, mi rydw i’n ymwybodol o’r fraint fawr o alluogi pobl trwy gyfrwng y Cymun, i gyfarfod â’r Duw sy’n eu caru fel pechaduriaid sydd wedi cael maddeuant, i ganfod iachâd am y gorffennol, llawnder ar gyfer y presennol ac i gamu ‘mlaen tuag at y dyfodol trwy fywyd a waredwyd.
Gyda theimlad o barchedig ofn, gostyngeiddrwydd, rhyfeddod a chyffro, dwi’n edrych ymlaen at gael f’arwain gan Dduw, yn sicr yn y ddealltwriaeth y bydd yr Arglwydd, sydd wedi f’arwain mor amyneddgar a ffyddlon hyd yma, yn parhau i weithio Ei ryfeddodau.’
Martin Pritchard i’w ordeinio yn offeiriad ac i wasanaethu yn Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Celynnin (Conwy, Caerhun a’r cymunedau cyfagos)
“Mae rôl Diacon yn un werthfawr ac mae hi wedi bod yn fraint i gael datblygu’r rôl hon yng Nghadeirlan Bangor, gan ddysgu gan y Deon ac arweinydd Ardal Gweinidogaeth Bro Deiniol, Kathy. Galwad Diacon ydy i weithio ar flaen y gad yn y weinidogaeth, yn ymwneud â phobl oddi fewn i’r eglwys, pobl allan yn y gymuned a’r rhai hynny sydd ar gyrion cymdeithas. Mae Bro Deiniol wedi bod yn le da i osod y ffocws hwn ac mae fy mlwyddyn fel diacon wedi’i lunio wrth imi ymhél ag amrywiaeth helaeth o wasanaethau ledled yr ardal gweinidogaeth, mewn sawl achos fel diacon ar yr allor. Mae llawer o’r ffocws wedi bod ar ymweliadau bugeiliol hefyd gyda rhywfaint o gyfle i addysgu. Mae hi wedi bod yn ddechrau gwych yn y weinidogaeth ordeiniedig, yn gosod sylfeini gweddi, ceisio dwyfol a chydnabyddiaeth o gariad Duw yn y Byd.
Dwi’n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at gael f’ordeinio fel Offeiriad ac yn teimlo mai dim ond dyfnhau gall y teimlad arbennig hwnnw o wybod eich bod yn cyflawni’r hyn y’ch galwyd i wneud ac i fod i wneud, gan ymestyn y Llawenydd hwnnw a brofir o wasanaethu Crist a’i bobl ar y cam nesaf hwn a thu hwnt.”
Diocese of Bangor celebrates the journey of 10 special people at its annual ordination service
This Saturday (24.6.2017) is a special day in the Church Calendar, because it is the day on which the Church celebrates the birth of John the Baptist, the biblical figure who prepared the way for Jesus and pointed people towards him.
It will also be a special day for the diocese of Bangor. At 3pm the Cathedral Church of St. Deiniol, Bangor, 10 people will commit themselves to follow in the footsteps of John the Baptist and point others towards Jesus at the annual ordination service, which will be lead by the Bishop of Bangor, the Right Reverend Andrew John.
It will also be the first time where a Reader (a lay person who is trained to lead worship and preach at services) will be licensed alongside those who are being ordained as Deacons and Priests. Whilst the roles and responsibilities of Reader, Deacon and Priest are distinct, much of the training for them is now carried out together.
The Rev’d Susan Blagden, Tutor for Bangor Diocese within the Church in Wales St. Padarn’s Institute, said, “St. Padarn’s is delighted to recommend these candidates for ordination and licensing.
They have engaged positively with the process of formation for public ministry and completed the necessary Church in Wales training requirements. It will be a great occasion of celebration, as the Diocese of Bangor witnesses, for the first time, the ordination of clergy and licensing of lay ministers within the same service.
We rejoice with the candidates and assure them of our prayers.”
Looking forward to the service, the Bishop of Bangor, the Right Reverend Andrew John, said, “It is the great privilege of a bishop to license or ordain people to particular roles within our Church.
Each individual has their own story of following the path of God’s call to service. Their licensing or ordination will be a culmination of their vocation pilgrimage thus far, as well as being the start of a new part of their Christian life and ministry.
Theirs is also a new and valuable story in the life of our Church and her Christian witness and ministry. Please do pray for these ten special people, their families and me at this very special service.’
The ten people who will be licensed as a Reader or ordained as Deacon or Priest are (click on their name to read some thoughts from each of them) :
Sandra Wheeler Bro Cyfeiliog & Mawddwy (Machynlleth, Mallwyd and surrounding Area)
Deacon
- Jen Evans Permanent Deacon, Non-Stipendiary Curate : Bro Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy (Machynlleth, Mallwyd and surrounding Area)
- Llewellyn Moules-Jones Curate : Bro Deiniol, (Bangor)
- Lesley Rendle Non Stipendiary Curate : Bro Tysilio (Menai Bridge, Pentraeth, Benllech and surrounding communities)
- Sara Roberts Curate : Bro Enlli (Pwllheli, Llanbedrog and Aberdaron and surrounding communities)
- Allan Wilcox Non Stipendiary Curate : Bro Eryri (Llanberis, Penisarwaun, Deiniolen and surrounding communities)
Priest
- Alison Gwalchmai Curate : Bro Arwystli (Llangurig, Llanidloes, Trefeglwys, Carno and surrounding communites)
- Caroline John Curate : Bro Deiniol (Bangor)
- Jon Price Curate and Pioneer Minister : Bro Arwystli (Llangurig, Llanidloes, Trefeglwys, Carno and surrounding communities)
- Martin Pritchard Curate : Bro Celynnin (Conwy, Caerhun and surrounding communities)
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Sandra Wheeler to be licensed as a Reader and will serve in the Bro Cyfeiliog & Mawddwy Ministry Area (Machynlleth and Mallwyd and surrounding communites)
I was confirmed into the Anglican Church by the Bishop of Aston at the age of 21 and have been active within the church ever since: Guide captain, Sunday school teacher, parish choir, mission activities and supporting my husband, John who was a licensed Reader.
My vocation after being a ‘stay at home’ mother for 13 years was one of service and care, as nurse, midwife and finally a health visitor, being alongside people in all types of situations and ages; birth, death, tragedy and happiness, from the cradle to the grave.
Throughout all this time my faith in Christ led my life. For 6 years, after taking early retirement I was unwell and required several operations before I could walk again unaided and my health improved. We had come to live in Mid Wales and it was at St. Idloes’ Church, Llanidloes where I had a calling to be a Reader, and was supported by the Rev’d Lynda Cowan.
I believe that it is imperative to be aware of the culture and background to the writings of the Bible to more fully understand the Trinity working in and through His people. Our Risen Lord knew the Hebrew Bible so well and often referred to it when teaching.
My placements in Bro Cyfeiliog & Mawddwy have increased my understanding of the developing role of Reader within the Church in Wales. The Rev’d Canon Kath Rogers has challenged and guided me. The challenge of weekly Café Church throughout Lent led to a request by those attending to continue. I believe the Holy Spirit is leading people to come together to build their understanding and their relationship with the God of love and mercy and the gift of grace.
The congregations, in my placement area, have opened their hearts to me and I look forward to ministering to them and to the challenge of spreading the Gospel of Christ and the love of God to those who live and work within the community of Bro Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy.
Jen Evans to be ordained as a deacon and will serve the Bro Cyfeiliog & Mawddwy Ministry Area (Machynlleth, Mallwyd and surrounding Area)
Born and bred in Morfa Nefyn, in a Welsh-speaking home, the Church was an integral part of her upbringing. At 12 years of age, Jen started to play the organ at St. Mary’s Church, Morfa Nefyn and St. David’s Church in Nefyn and continues to be an organist. Music still forms a vital part of her spiritual life.
A teacher by profession, she taught at Pwllheli and Cardigan before she and her husband, Hywel, moved to live in Llanbrynmair at the end of the ‘70s. After a period of raising their two sons, Siôn and Rhun, she rekindled her career as a teacher, this time at Ysgol Llanbrynmair, where she later became Headteacher, before moving to an early years’ advisory post with Powys Education Authority until her retirement in 2011.
Her interests include music, gardening and socialising, but above all what is most important to her is her family and she and Hywel are very fortunate that their sons and their partners still live in Bro Ddyfi. Being a nain to Gethin Prys who is 5 years old also gives her much joy and pleasure.
She is a member of the Bro Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy Ministry Team and is the Leader of the Pastoral Team. During the last few years she has had the honour of being chosen as Lay Co-chairperson on the Diocese Council.
Following a period caring for her mother who endured dementia in her latter years, until her death in 2004, Jen felt the strong desire to undertake pastoral work and to serve God in a deeper way. After her retirement, she knew that this was the appropriate time to give this serious consideration.
Over the past few years, whilst enjoying being a Worship Leader and serving Communion at home, she felt being called to something higher, although not entirely sure as to what that might be. She was encouraged to offer herself to the Permanent Diaconate, something that was completely alien to her. However, after much discussion and through reading and learning much about the role of a permanent deacon, she was sure that this was the ministry to which God was calling her.
Looking forward to her ordination, it will be an exciting time as well as fulfilling a desire as she continues to minister in her area and serve the people of Bro Cyfeiliog and Mawddwy. But from now on in a different way as an ordained deacon, with the affirmation of the Bishop, the Diocese and the Area Ministry.
On the one hand, she feels nervous about the ordination service since it will be a very emotional time for her and her family, but on the other hand, it will be a time to rejoice.
She says, “God has called me to this specific ministry and I can be sure of His love and strength to uphold me in this new period of my life.”
Llewelyn Moules-Jones to be ordained as a deacon and will serve in the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area (Bangor)
“A native of Anglesey, and from a long pedigree of farmers on the island, I was educated at the Universities of Bangor, Trinity St.David’s and Cardiff.
Following a long period in higher education teaching Agriculture and Welsh, I decided, four years ago, that I could no longer resist the calling to serve ‘my Lord and God’.
I consider it to be the greatest privilege to have been accepted to train for the Priesthood, and I look forward eagerly to join with the Ministry Team in the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area.”
Sara Roberts to be ordained deacon and to serve in the Bro Enlli Ministry Area (Pwllheli, Llanbedrog and Aberdaron and surrounding communites)
Sara was raised in Penrhyndeudraeth and discovered her faith in Holy Trinity Church there when a young adult. She trained as a Licensed Lay Reader and was Licensed in 2001. She served in Bro Moelwyn for nearly 15 years before the call to ordained ministry came along. She is now training in Bro Enlli and is enjoying this special area in Bangor Diocese.She’s very grateful for this chance to serve all God’s people.
Allan Wilcox to be ordained deacon and to serve in the Bro Eryri Ministry Area (Llanberis, Penisarwaun, Deiniolen and surrounding communities)
He was born in London, studied English at Birmingham University (where he met his wife, Helen) and taught in Birmingham, Kent, St Helens, Liverpool (where their two sone were born) and Groningen, the Netherlands, for almost thirty-five years before retiring in 2006 and coming to live in North Wales. A long-suspected calling to ordained ministry led him to enrol on the Bangor University MA in Religious Studies almost immediately upon arrival here.
His road to Ordination has been a long one, and there have been hiccups on the way; so the inevitable trepidation that comes with taking on such a profound responsibility is tempered with a sense of equally profound relief and growing excitement.
After Ordination as Deacon, Allan will be a non-stipendiary Curate in the Ministry Area of Bro Eryri, where he lives and has served as a Reader for nearly eight years.
Alison Gwalchmai to be ordained priest and to serve in the Bro Arwystli Ministry Area (Llanidloes, Trefeglwys, Carno and surrounding communities)
During my year as a Deacon I moved from being NSM to full time stipendary ministry, which was quite unexpected, but I am relishing the challenge.
I have enjoyed working alongside my colleagues in the ministry area of Bro Arwystli, both lay and ordained, it has been a privilege.
I am looking forward to forging more new relationships with the people that we serve in the ministry area.
Caroline John to be ordained priest and to serve in the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area (Bangor)
“I was born in Middlesex in 1964 and lived in Surrey until I was nine, before moving to Cheshire. I read Theology at Emmanuel College Cambridge and was accepted as a Church of England ordinand in my final year at university. In 1988 I began training at St John’s College Nottingham, where I met my husband, Andy. In 1990 I was ordained Deacon in St David’s Cathedral. I served a curacy in Cardigan and a very short curacy in Aberystwyth, before the birth of our first child in 1991.
During the 1990’s I did occasional work in the Church, including some chaplaincy with the children’s ward in Bronglais Hospital and when the time was right I moved into secular work, where I ran the Information, Advice and Advocacy Department with Age Concern Ceredigion.
I returned to ordained ministry last year when I joined the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area.
After being one of the longest serving Deacons on record I shall be ordained Priest 27 years after being Deaconed by the late Archbishop George Noakes. This has been a strange and wonderful journey. Back in 1997, when women were first ordained Priests in Wales, I was expecting our fourth child and life seemed to revolve around school runs, doctors’ visits and nappy changes! I said that I would be priested if ever there was a clear call but at that time I don’t think I ever believed it would happen.
So no one was more astonished than me when, almost 20 years later, that call came loud and clear. One of the many amazing things about God is that He equips us for the task he calls us to, not just with the strength He gives us but in the desire to do it.
Returning to ordained ministry has been a huge joy for me. Working with the team and ministering to the people of the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area has been a privilege and delight. It has been immensely humbling to walk with people in their journeys and my faith has been strengthened and inspired by the lives I have come alongside.
As I now answer God’s call to Priesthood, I am mindful of the great privilege of enabling people in the Eucharist to meet with God as forgiven sinners loved by Him, to find healing for the past, wholeness for the present and to go forward to the future in a redeemed life.
It is with a sense of awe, humility, wonder and excitement that I look forward to being led by God, certain in the knowledge that the Lord, who has led me so patiently and faithfully to this point, will continue to work wonders.”
Caroline John to be ordained priest and to serve in the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area (Bangor)
“I was born in Middlesex in 1964 and lived in Surrey until I was nine, before moving to Cheshire. I read Theology at Emmanuel College Cambridge and was accepted as a Church of England ordinand in my final year at university. In 1988 I began training at St John’s College Nottingham, where I met my husband, Andy. In 1990 I was ordained Deacon in St David’s Cathedral. I served a curacy in Cardigan and a very short curacy in Aberystwyth, before the birth of our first child in 1991.
During the 1990’s I did occasional work in the Church, including some chaplaincy with the children’s ward in Bronglais Hospital and when the time was right I moved into secular work, where I ran the Information, Advice and Advocacy Department with Age Concern Ceredigion.
I returned to ordained ministry last year when I joined the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area.
After being one of the longest serving Deacons on record I shall be ordained Priest 27 years after being Deaconed by the late Archbishop George Noakes. This has been a strange and wonderful journey. Back in 1997, when women were first ordained Priests in Wales, I was expecting our fourth child and life seemed to revolve around school runs, doctors’ visits and nappy changes! I said that I would be priested if ever there was a clear call but at that time I don’t think I ever believed it would happen.
So no one was more astonished than me when, almost 20 years later, that call came loud and clear. One of the many amazing things about God is that He equips us for the task he calls us to, not just with the strength He gives us but in the desire to do it.
Returning to ordained ministry has been a huge joy for me. Working with the team and ministering to the people of the Bro Deiniol Ministry Area has been a privilege and delight. It has been immensely humbling to walk with people in their journeys and my faith has been strengthened and inspired by the lives I have come alongside.
As I now answer God’s call to Priesthood, I am mindful of the great privilege of enabling people in the Eucharist to meet with God as forgiven sinners loved by Him, to find healing for the past, wholeness for the present and to go forward to the future in a redeemed life.
It is with a sense of awe, humility, wonder and excitement that I look forward to being led by God, certain in the knowledge that the Lord, who has led me so patiently and faithfully to this point, will continue to work wonders.”
Martin Pritchard to be ordained priest and to serve in the Bro Celynnin Ministry Area (Conwy, Caerhun and surrounding communities)
The role of a Deacon is a precious one and it has been a privilege to develop in this role at Bangor Cathedral learning from the Dean and Ministry Area leader of Bro Deiniol Kathy. The call of the Deacon is to work at the forefront of ministry, engaging with people in the church people out in the community and those on the margins. Bro Deiniol has been a good place for this focus and my diaconal year has taken shape as I have been involved in a vast array of services across the ministry area, in many cases the deacon at the altar. Much focus has been on pastoral visiting too and some opportunity to teach has been in place. It has been a great start in ordained ministry, laying down foundations of prayer, divine searching and recognition of God’s love in the World.
I look forward immensely to being ordained as a Priest and feel that the genuine good feeling of knowing you are doing what you are called to and supposed to be doing, can only grow deeper and enhance the Joy of serving Christ and his people at this next stage of commitment and beyond.