THE E u r o p e a n A n g l i c a n

N o r t h e r n l i g h t s S p o t l i g h t o n S c a n d i n a v i a

I n t h e f i r i n g l i n e A n x i o u s t i m e s i n A t h e n s

W e l c o m i n g t h e D e a n G i b r a l t a r c a t h e d r a l ’ s n ew l e a d e r

E a s t e r n g l o r i e s R e s t o r a t i o n i n I s t a n b u l

O r d i n a t i o n s a n d o p e r a i n I t a l y S o u n d i n g o u t t h e G o s p e l

FREE N o . 4 1 SPRING 2 0 0 9 2 ANGER OVERFLOWS ON ATHENS S t REETS

THE E u r o p e a n A n i g h t A n g l i c a n t o r e m e m b e r The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, Worth, Crawley RH10 7RT Tel: +44 (0) 1293 883051 Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 Email: [email protected] The Suffragan Bishop R i o t s c o n t i n u e i n The Rt Revd David Hamid Postal address: Diocesan Office A t h e n s a n d a c r o s s Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 G r e e c e Email: [email protected] The Diocesan Office 14 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QZ Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 Greek riots: Students Email: diocesan.office@europe. v o w f o u r t h d a y o f c-of-e.org.uk p r o t e s t s Diocesan Secretary Mr Adrian Mumford Tension on the streets of Athens during the riots of December 2008. Picture courtesy of Danylo Hawaleshka and the Athens News Assistant Diocesan Secretary Mrs Jeanne French Although there has been a About 10.00pm last night I traveled Finance Officer across to the Church, somewhat Mr Nick Wraight­ resurgence of violence on concerned because Philellinon and Diocesan Website the streets of Athens early Amalias (local street names) were the www.europe.anglican.org in 2009, the memories and centre of some action. Whereas every building around the church has Editor and Diocesan scars of the events of several Communications Officer been damaged, St Paul’s remains The Revd. Paul Needle days of rioting are fresh untouched. The Kathemirini shop Postal address: Diocesan office in the minds of church opposite of the road was torched Email: members of St Paul’s in which sadly has damaged the coffee [email protected] shop of our friend Theo, he is not Tel: 0034 662 482 944 Greater Athens and their insured and has to find Euros 3,000 Design Chaplain Canon Malcolm to restore his cafenion. Adept Design, Norwich Bradshaw. All windows of buildings around the church have been broken. Printer There have been three buildings Norwich Colour Print In his church magazine torched in Filellinon one of which was Distribution he noted some of his still smoking this morning. Most of the CoDEStorm plc thoughts and reactions as buildings/shops in Filellinon have been Cover photo: damaged and the same goes for the Jesus said “unless you change and he watched events unfold in buildings in Syntagma and Amalias become like little children, you front of him . . . – largely window damage. Last night, will never enter the kingdom of after the struggle the place looked like heaven”. These children pictured a war zone. The chairs of the Oasis with Archdeacon Patrick Curran in were strewed across Amalias. There is Christ Church, Vienna, after their Christingle service reflect the fun, not a rubbish bin left – all burnt. joy, fellowship and generous welcome that comes with life in Christ. PRAYERS AND CHALLENGES FOR 3 CHURCH MEMBERS

C h r i s t i a n s f a c i n g t h e c h a l l e n g e s h e r e a n d n o w G r e e k b o y ’ s f u n e r a l marred by violence A quarterly publication like the European Anglican cannot easily reflect news and current affairs events in the same way as newspapers, radio and television. G r e e k r i o t s : B a n k s But recent weeks have seen financial and economic a n d c a r s b u r n e d b y news stories bringing concern, fear and shock to

G r e e k m o b people around Europe almost on a daily basis. These developments were reflected in our Diocesan Bishop’s address at the installation of the new Dean at Gibraltar’s Anglican Cathedral. Tension on the streets of Athens during the riots of December 2008. Picture courtesy of Danylo Hawaleshka and the Athens News

I met up with a group of 20 wild Economic uncertainties were one of Even in Spain, where Winters are youths entering the Kolonaki end of the reasons offered for the violence milder, the San Antonio bonfire Karneadou. They passed down at and destruction on the streets of the outside a village Roman Catholic speed towards Kolonaki, through the Greek capital during December. church provided plenty of warmth as square and then into Skoufa damaging While many of us watched on pictured here – even if the following banks as they rushed through, television members of the Athens day’s Sunday services were briefly in breaking shop windows with hammers congregation watched as fire bombs doubt as the flames licked round the and torched the lower floor of a bank were hurled and looters threatened to church exterior! The light and in Skoufa. The speed was incredible. invade buildings in the area around warmth brought by Christ’s gospel No sign of any forces of law and order. the church and parsonage. As fellow seem to offer a safer option. We just pray that their fury is now Christians prayed for the congregation spent – certainly there does not seem its Chaplain and members asked Paul Needle, Editor to be any more damage that can be themselves how they could respond to The European Anglican done between Omonia and Syntagma. a pastoral crisis on their doorsteps. We prayed for Greece at today’s Damage caused in moments can Holy Communion Service take months or years to put right, and in this issue we also feature the results of painstaking restorations in St Helena’s Chapel in Istanbul which was badly damaged in a terrorist attack six years ago. And we turn the spotlight onto Scandinavia and the Baltic as church members there look to the easing of winter chills and enjoy the warmth of God’s love and blessings in Finland and Sweden. St Paul’s Church, Athens 4 a COMMON WORD BETWEEN YOU AND US

L o v e o f G o d a n d L o v e o f N e i g h b o u r

Archbishop Rowan has asked me to message from Muslim scholars which – A C o m m o n assist him in the ongoing dialogue acknowledges so clearly the sacred o r d o f which has developed from A Common quality of the Holy Bible. It may W Word, and with other initiatives come as a surprise for many Christians o p e f o r which originate from the Muslim to hear from Muslims that they H world itself. It is an assignment that I recognise within our own scriptures h r i s t i a n s consider to be a privilege and which that the teaching about love of God C I believe to be vitally important. and love of neighbour is central, a n d u s l i m s The significance of the and that they recognise that this is M ? Common Word initiative cannot be common ground between us. What On 13 October 2007, 138 Muslim overestimated. It gives hope for a a gift it is for Christians to see in scholars addressed a letter to Christian new tone and manner of engagement Muslims, and for Muslims to see in leaders entitled A Common Word among leaders of our two great Christians, that in both our scriptural Between You and Us (see www. religions in the 21st century. In the traditions human beings are called acommonword.com). In this West, certainly in the media, it is still to be grounded in a love oriented remarkable document Christians are a common view that our two great towards God and our neighbour. invited to engage in a new dialogue religions are intolerant of each other. While not side-stepping distinctive with Muslims which is unprecedented Many people assume, particularly and even diverse teachings on some in at least three ways. First of all it is when they hear immoderate voices important matters, Christians and an initiative which comes from the on both sides, that our religions Muslims can begin to share this Muslim world itself; second, because are not about love, but about the common ground as a solid basis for this initiative invites engagement with opposite, about hatred, exclusion a fresh approach in our relationships. our respective scriptures; and third and violence. One of the blessings We can approach each other with because the particular scriptural focus of A Common Word initiative is that a respectful, mutual challenge to that this initiative deals with is the it reclaims space for proper, deep go even deeper into our own teaching of love – love of God and and respectful engagement between scriptures and search for the profound love of neighbour. Christians and Muslims, based on a theological meaning of God’s will that A Common Word Between You rediscovery of a common value in we love Him and love our neighbour. and Us has been welcomed by our faith – love of God, and love For a variety of reasons, including a Christians and Christian groups. of neighbour. lack of understanding and a suspicion Over 400 church leaders, church The Common Word dialogue is about each other, Christians and councils, seminaries, and individual an exchange of some very valuable Muslims have often shied away from theologians have engaged seriously gifts between our two communities. dialogue with the other. We now with the text and made a response. Christians and Muslims have not have a new bridge between Muslim The World Council of Churches always approached each other with and Christian worlds based on a has a programme to discuss the gifts, and certainly not with the common scriptural understanding of document and a forum of dialogue offering of spiritual gifts. Yet perhaps God’s love for us and our response has been initiated by the Vatican to among the most valuable gifts we to that love: loving God and loving consider the text. The Archbishop have to offer are the treasures of the our neighbour. When we approach of Canterbury himself has made a teachings of our own scriptures. each other we can be confident that substantial response which has been Christians can recognise that it we are not sidestepping our religious well received in the Muslim world. is a gift to receive an authoritative convictions or diluting them, but that B ishop D avid reports 5

our approach springs directly from process opens up to us is deepening these deep convictions. our understanding of the Peace of A second gift which Christians God and its relation to the Love of and Muslims have given each other God, and how we might teach the through this new phase of dialogue world together that to love one’s is a space for fruitful and positive neighbour means to reject ways of encounter. The generous and violence, and to uphold the dignity respectful tone of A Common Word of every human being. Between You and Us encourages us to In some countries of our diocese, sit together and listen attentively to Islam is the majority faith. In most each other. Christians and Muslims other countries Muslims are a have not always engaged with each significant minority, frequently the other on the basis of respect and second religion after Christianity. trust, and our interwoven histories Recent figures in France, for are full of examples of harmful and instance, give an estimate of 10% even violent engagement. The press of the population as Muslim. Given and some others continue to generate global geo-politics, Christian – anxieties between communities and Muslim relations are increasingly find it easy to encourage distrust, important in Church life. Perhaps suspicion of other religious groups, Christians in our diocese can find a suspicion which at times is even ways to open conversations with difficult to distinguish from racism. Muslims in the countries where In the West, sadly it is still true that we serve, on the basis of this new we often deal with caricatures of understanding of some common Islam, that it is a religion of violence scriptural ground. and hatred. Sadly it is also true that A Common Word Between You Christianity is seen among some and Us is not intended to be a final Muslims as simply the face of an word. It enables us to focus on love immoral, colonialist, West. Christians and based on this common scriptural and Muslims have now been given teaching to look with hope to a gift through this Muslim initiative develop points of a future common which calls us to reflect on our agenda. I am hope that Christians scriptural teaching on love. We have might have a bold vision about what been given a gift of a safe and trusted might be built on this generous environment for meeting together, initiative from the Muslim world. free from stereotypes, and within the +David Hamid framework of love for each other. In this new space of trust we might deal with our real disagreements and the great questions that divide us, but within a framework of mutual respect and understanding. A third gift is not only to each other’s communities but is perhaps a gift to the world. Our understanding of love of neighbour can lead Muslims and Christians together to address the needs of those in our societies and in the world who are marginalised: the poor, the minorities, children, women, those suffering from endemic disease, migrants, refugees. As an expression of love of neighbour we can unite behind those who are in positions of weakness, who have no voice, but for whom we have a duty of care, as we are taught by our faiths to love our neighbour. The theological challenge that the Common Word 6 CHAPEL RESTORATION after terror attac k

I s t a n b u l r e j o i c e s a t c h a p e l r e s t o r a t i o n Visitors to Istanbul often St Helena´s Chapel adjoins the British diocese and re-opened for worship. Consulate in Istanbul on land which The repairs included work to comment that they are was gifted by the Turkish Sultan restore a courtyard area between overwhelmed by the city’s Selim III to the British crown in the chapel and Mesrutiyet Caddesi, beautiful architecture. Recently 1801 and specifically set aside for the so people visiting the chapel can purpose of . now gain access directly from impressive renovations In November 2003 two lorries the street. This also provides an inside one church used by the containing explosives were used by independent access to the Chapel Anglican congregation in the terrorist suicide bombers in an attack and avoids restrictions on its use which left 30 people, including the for worship. city have been unveiled and Consul General Roger Short dead The Bishop, Canon Ian their beauty and craftwork are and 400 more injured. Sherwood and members from delighting visitors. In 2006 the Foreign and Christ Church with St Helena Commonwealth Office confirmed are delighted that the venue is they had agreed with the diocese on being used again for worship. The a programme of repairs to St Helena’s renovation has been welcomed by Chapel. Once they were completed Mrs Victoria Short whose husband the building was leased back to the died in the attack six years ago.

I s t a n b u l b a p t i s m

Canon Ian Sherwood, Chaplain in Istanbul, recently found himself traveling in the steps of St Paul for many miles to officiate at the baptism of Aubrey McCosh in the Chapel of St Annanias in Damascus. He was assisted by a Syrian Catholic Father Emmanuel. TIMELY WARNING FOR THE NEW DEAN 7

A n n T u r n e r I nstallation One of the first duties for Dr C a t h e d r a l John Paddock was, with due legal ceremony, to install Ann Turner, Lay Vice President of the Diocesan Synod and a member of General Synod, as a n d D i o c e s e a Canon of the Cathedral in Gibraltar. we l c o m e a n ew D e a n

As he began his new work as the sea. The fall of Wall Street may be as significant as the fall of the Berlin Dean of the Cathedral the Wall in changing the world and the Reverend Dr. John Paddock Europe in which we live. The financial was told by the Bishop of situation will certainly have an impact on the many to whom we minister in the Gibraltar in Europe that his Diocese and therefore on the role is to be a Jeremiah. Diocese itself.” The service was attended by the The Installation in the Cathedral Governor of Gibraltar who read a of the Holy in Gibraltar lesson, the Chief Minister and the in December was attended by Roman Catholic Bishop of Gibraltar representatives of the Diocese and as well as some of the Archdeacons the Gibraltarian community. The and lay leaders from around the Bishop preached about the prophetic Diocese. The new Dean has wide ministry of Jeremiah – passing on the pastoral experience after ministry in words of God – and addressing the the armed forces, in education and topics of the day, including the global in parish ministry. He has moved financial crisis, telling Dr Paddock. to Gibraltar with his wife, Jennifer, “The Dean, as Senior Priest of the who had a career in the United Diocese, has a calling to advise with his Nations and as a Member counsel, and to speak the truth in love. of HM Foreign and He is part of the Bishop’s ministry of Commonwealth Office. oversight and pastoral care. He is to be a voice of support, and sometimes of challenge for the Diocese, as he is to be a voice of encouragement and care for the Cathedral congregation here and within the community of Gibraltar. Jeremiah was assured that the Lord had put his words into his mouth – there was a gift of speaking to the collapsing world of the Jewish people in Jeremiah’s own day. Our world today is a world of collapsing confidence, where a recession has come with the suddenness of a tsunami caused by the shaking of foundations beneath 8 W hen in I taly even priests sing

A r o u n d a n d a b o u t

A r i a f o r n ew S t a i r w a y s t o c h u r c h l i g h t s p a s t u r e s n ew ?

Father Lawrence MacLean, Every successful conference needs Chaplain in Florence, followed its group photograph and the Italian tradition with rousing arias Vocations Conference to enable at a fundraising supper and auction. and encourage ordinands looking He gave a lusty rendition of Noel to work in ministry in the diocese Coward’s ‘The Stately Homes of found a cheery bunch of bishops, England’, ‘Don’t put your Daughter clergy and postulants. Photo location on the Stage’ and ‘Mad dogs and is everything and this group are Englishmen” while visitors tucked obviously hoping to move onwards into freshly baked Tuscan hams. The and upwards! evening helped raise funds for a new lighting system for the church.

A r c h d e a c o n ’ s a w o w w i t h b a c o n b u t t i e s

Members of St Andrew’s Chaplaincy on the Spanish Costa del Sol were impressed to find their Chaplain, apparently unaffected by his elevation to Archdeacon during the year. The Venerable , ably assisted by Jim Marshalla, turned his hand to frying the bacon butties at their annual Christmas Fayre and helped raise 2,738 Euros for Chaplaincy funds. Very important in a diocese where local churches have to pay for and house their clergy. S wiss confirmation , 9 licensing and engagement

A f a i t h a f l o a t

The canals of Venice provided a novel setting to celebrate the ordination of Sampson Ajuka who originally helped to set up the Anglican Church in Padova. After testing his vocation Sampson trained for the priesthood and was made a deacon in the first Ordination service in St George’s Anglican Church in Venice in front of a congregation including 24 visiting clergy.

D o n o t p a s s g o i n M o n a c o

Members of the Anglican Church in Monaco exchanged the Avenue Princess Grace, Boulevard Albert 1 and Boulevard de Jardin Exotique for Mayfair, Fenchurch Street and Angel, Islington in their recent annual Monopoly contest. The tournament raised 600 Euros for the church. The Very Rev Walter Raymond, Chaplain of St Paul’s Monaco observed that the many competitors might not be so eager to risk real money in the current economic climate!

D i f f e r e n t e n g a g e m e n t f o r a B i s h o p

When Suffragan Bishop David visited Zurich for a Confirmation and the Licensing of a new Assistant Chaplain, Rev Dan Morrow, he was delighted to find the occasion included the announcement of Dan’s engagement to Teresa Morris. The wedding is due to take place in Teresa’s home in North Carolina in April. 1 0 NORT h E R N L I G H T S

A p o e t , p r i e s t a n d p o l i t i c i a n v i s i t s S t A n d r ew ’ s G o t h e n b u r g

More recently Ernesto Cardenal has Nuclear war can never be a just war. A been in conflict with Daniel Ortega and just war is the defence of an attacked the present Nicaraguan authorities. At people – a war of liberation. The St Andrew’s church he was interviewed principle of a just war is defence. St by the Chaplain, Rev Barbara Moss, Thomas Aquinas said a soldier who herself a poet whose MA thesis died in a war is a martyr if he dies in a “Inspired by the Psalms” compared just war. Daniel Berrigan’s Uncommon Prayer and Cardenal’s Psalms. Now if we go on to the Psalms, where there is a great deal of I described you as a poet, priest violence and cruelty. Did you know and politician. Do you remember anyone else who had written these when you first became a poet? as poems? I am not a politician, I am a No. The Trappist monks recite the revolutionary. I was appointed Minister psalms 10 times a day and that of Culture after the revolution. made me reflect on their reality at the Revolution is meant to change society. current time with prisoners, the torture I wrote poetry even as a child. My chambers and the exile. I thought that Ernesto Cardinal in conversation religious life started when I was in one could translate the psalms for with Rev Barbara Moss. my early thirties, when I became a another generation – a kind of echo. I Trappist monk. have also reflected on the creation and For the last three years St Andrew’s the galaxies and the cosmic wonders of the universe in The Cosmic Canticle. Church has entertained a special What was it like working with guest at the Gothenburg Book Fair, Thomas Merton? What is your current relationship an international event attended by This was the most important thing with the Catholic Church? over 100,000 writers, publishers, in my life. I experienced a sudden I have been prohibited from celebrating journalists, artists, musicians, librarians conversion and wrote directly to Mass by the Vatican. and book-lovers. Merton and asked if I could join A Nicaraguan poet, 83 year old the monastery and was accepted. What does being a priest mean Ernesto Cardenal had been involved in This completely changed my life. to you? the April Rebellion against President I was a traditional catholic and Contemplation. I became a priest Somoza in 1954 before moving Merton converted me into being because of the contemplative life as to the USA to enter a Trappist a revolutionary Catholic. He was a monk and the remarkable record of monastery where Thomas Merton himself very revolutionary. I returned the community. I wrote a book called was Master of novices. Later he to Nicaragua and started a small The Gospel in Solentiname (1976) moved to a Benedictine monastery community with a revolutionary translated into English in 1977. in Mexico, and helped translate the political aspect. Slowly I became psalms from Hebrew into Spanish. conscious of the need for revolution. Back in Nicaragua he founded a Does liberation theology flourish in Nicaragua? lay community on the island of You started off believing in non- No, it was attacked by Pope John Paul Solentiname which was to become violence, but came to think that in II and this has continued under Pope a cell of the revolutionary Sandinista certain circumstances violence is Benedict XVI. Many of the revolutionary movement. Cardenal spent two years necessary? activities connected with the church in exile before returning to serve as One had to differentiate between have been forbidden. The theology of Nicaragua’s first Minister of Culture just violence and unjust violence. I liberation is no longer a danger. from 1979 to 1987. After resigning was very much influenced by Gandhi, “Jesus was not religious. He didn’t in 1988, he completed his Cosmic for example with his refusal to help belong to a religious rule. He preached Canticle a 500-page poem tackling the British army in their fight against about social justice and the need to questions such as; ”Who are we? Hitler. Merton also admired Gandhi. Why are we here? and Where are love your neighbours, the liberation of the poor. He was in favour of the poor we going?” In May 2005 he was There is the Catholic tradition of and the sick and the prostitutes. God is nominated for the Nobel Prize the “Just War” – is there a tradition a mystery and the Cross is a Mystery.” for Literature. of the “Just Revolution?” By Nancy Fjällbrant sagas from scandinavian 1 1 congregations

H o w A n g l i c a n s e r v i c e s c a m e t o

R e y k j a v i k by Rev Bjarni Þór Bjarnason and Thor Lawrence

Back in 1995 a British Anglican well supported by the British followed by an interview with the priest, Rev. Steven Mason, came Embassy, are simple, reflecting the national broadcasting service, before to Iceland where he served the austere gothic feel of the church and a last minute dash to the airport. English-speaking community for nine of Icelandic Lutheranism. There is Christmas was a little different this months, with Anglican services in the usually a crucifer and two acolytes. year, with its long-standing tradition Cathedral in Reykjavik until it was We have the benefit of the church’s of a Service of Nine Lessons with decided that there was insufficient organ and excellent organists, often Carols, hosted in rotation by the support to maintain an ‘official’ supported by a singer. Afterwards Embassies of Canada, UK and USA. priest here. When he left the parish there is coffee and cakes in the parish Previously we had considerable priest of Hallgrímskirkju, Rev. Karl room – a very important element in participation from the NATO Sigurbjörnsson, continued the services the community spirit. base at Keflavik, but their sudden from 1995 to 1997. Following his The congregation ebbs and flows decampment meant the service this elevation to the Bishopric of Iceland, with the seasons. In summer, we get Yuletide was smaller than in the there was a break in the English- a lot of tourists, but in winter the past. It is held in Hallgrímskirkju language services. Rev. Ingthor regulars form the mainstay with a and followed by a reception by the Indridason, who had served the small group who attend most services hosting embassy and draws together Icelandic Lutheran community in – a joyful source of community and a wider group of English speakers, Winnipeg, Canada, provided some continuity. Christmas and Easter see helping to maintain a broader sense Anglican services around the turn of congregations of about 100, while 30 of community. the millennium. to 70 is usual at other times. Rev. Bjarni Thor Bjarnason We get official support from had served in an English parish the Deaneries of West and East in Scunthorpe before returning Reykjavik, the Office of the Bishop home where he first sung Holy and the Parish of Hallgrímskirkju Communion in Hallgrímskirkju in provide facilities and the services of November 2001. Since then Anglican the church staff. Eucharists have been celebrated at 2 In November 2008 the Bishop pm on the last Sunday of the month. of Gibraltar in Europe stopped off In January 2007 the services on his way to present a lecture became an official part of the in the United States about the in Europe, Anglican Communion. He took the with the Porvoo Agreement. The Rt opportunity to visit our congregation Rev David Hamid, Suffragan Bishop informally and to address the in Europe, came to Iceland and Theology Department of the installed Rev Bjarni Thor as a Priest University of Iceland. We lunched in Germany and Northern Europe to and then went into the country to serve the Anglican congregation in visit Skalholt, one o f the ancient sees Reykjavík. of Iceland, where the Rt Revd The services use the traditional Sigurd Sigurdarsson, Suffragan language form, with bible readings Bishop of Skalholt, was our host, and intercessions read by a member of and introduced the cathedral the congregation, very often by Thor and its history. Lawrence, an Anglo-Icelander who On the Sunday, Bishop has become a stalwart of the group Geoffrey attended an since his return from Rome, where Icelandic (Lutheran) he had been active in the life of All parish communion Saints for many years. service in The services, which have been Hallgrímskirkju, L ent helps children ’ s 1 2 pro j ect in S outh A frica

Every year Lent provides us with a time for looking B i s h o p ’ s at our lives and our life- styles in the light of the love of God shown to us in the L e n t A p p e a l , Cross of Christ.

There the arms spread wide and pinioned to the Cross show the 2 0 0 9 embrace of the Divine Compassion, a love which comes down to the lowest part of our need. The spiritual stripping down, which has always been part of Lenten discipline, is something inseparable from the way in which our lives are lived; indeed if it is not related to the everyday world and its needs and the political and economic situations in which we find ourselves then it is a false and unreal spirituality. So it is important that we see the current economic hard times as a challenge to our way of life under God. Christians are always called to turn to prayer in the places in which they find themselves; among their families, their local community, and the world of which we are part, with all its mess and conflict, and with all its potential for glory. The tough economic times we are facing can therefore give us fresh perspectives on the many blessings that God has freely given us. During Lent 2009 therefore, I would like to encourage you to take time to think about those many people around the world who do not even have the basic necessities of life – and to reflect on what it means to live thankfully in today’s world. By working together and each playing our part we can make a real difference to people who face hardships beyond anything we could imagine. Please make Lent count this year, through the money you give, through the prayers you offer and through the actions you take. And remember in particular what I have asked the Diocese to support this Lent – the work of Thanadanani in South Africa, which helps children affected by HIV.

With my prayers and every blessing, A n E nglish C emetery in 1 3 F lorentine I taly

A n d h e r e a m o n g t h e E n g l i s h t o m b s

I n T u s c a n g r o u n d we l a y h e r

W h i l e t h e b l u e T u s c a n s k y e n d o m e s

O u r E n g l i s h w o r d s o f p r a y e r .

E l i z a b e t h B a r r e t t B r o w n i n g , E p i t a p h f o r L i l y C o t t r e l l , 1849

Sister Julia Bolton Holloway uncovers an important piece of history within the diocese

A Swiss church purchased the land Knapp, Connolly, etc. We record the and Rosselini Expedition to that for a cemetery in Florence from the ’s presence in country and Egypt. It is a beautiful Grand Duke in 1827. Prior to that Tuscany. place filled with history though it has time non-Catholics and non-Jews Also buried here are great poets been neglected for a long time. dying in Florence could only be and writers, Elizabeth Barrett Recently, much help has been buried in Livorno (Leghorn). All that Browning, Walter Savage Landor and given to restore its garden to the before motors and refrigeration. six other members of his family, beauty and fragrance it had in the August would have been a nightmare. Arthur Hugh Clough, Frances nineteenth century, planting box, The Swiss next opened their lovely Trollope and four other members of roses, irises (the wild Florentine cemetery, nestled against the medieval her family and household. Mary purple lilies), lavender and Dutch wall, for burials to the Anglican and Somerville, responsible for the bulbs amongst its cypresses and its Russian churches in Florence as well invention of the computer (she tombs sculpted or designed by great as other Protestant groups. Then the discovered two planets, taught Ada sculptors and artists, Lorenzo Cemetery was closed in 1877 when Lovelace, Lord Byron’s daughter, Bartolini, Odoardo Fantacchiotti, the walls were torn down by mathematics), buried her husband William Holman Hunt, John Giuseppe Poggi at the Risorgimento William here. Eighty Americans are Roddam Spencer Stanhope, Lord seeking to make Florence like Paris buried here, including the sculptor Leighton, Hiram Powers, and others, with great boulevards. Napoleonic Hiram Powers, whose ‘Greek Slave’ in white Carrara marble. Already we law forbids cemeteries in cities for was at the centre of the 1851 Crystal have restored the iron work and now hygienic reasons. Here were buried Palace Exhibition. EBB wrote a we seek to restore and clean the many Anglican priests who served in powerful sonnet against slavery on tombs. Some years ago the city of Livorno, Lucca and Florence or who this statue. She herself came from a Florence gave permission for the came here for their health: Hugh slave-owning Jamaican family. Cemetery to be re-opened for the James Rose who started the Oxford Frederick Douglass the ex-slave burial of ashes. In Italy burials are Movement, Hall, Robbins, Crossman, visited the tomb of Theodore Parker only for a limited time. The ‘English’ Dewdney, Tennant (whose wife here. And, buried with great honour Cemetery is a historical monument founded Clewer), while its archives under an Orthodox cross, is and thus its loculi for ashes in the and those in the Guildhall Library Nadezhda, whose inscription in ground are almost perpetual. All note the burials conducted by many Cyrillic tells us she had come to proceeds from these burials go more, Yelverton, Pendleton, Florence at 14, a black slave from towards its much-needed restoration Tottenham, O’Neill, Hutton, Keir, Nubia, the year of the Champollion and maintenance.

Sister Julia Bolton Holloway, H.F., the Cemetery’s Custodian, and editor of Elizabeth Barrett Browning for Penguin, has created a large website, http://www.florin.ms/cemetery.html which catalogues in further files all the tombs (descendants find these and give us further information), and also a weblog: http://piazzaledonatello.blogspot.com for raising funds for the project. She works as a volunteer for its owners, the Swiss Evangelical Reformed Church in Florence, in exchange for the right to house a scholarly library in its gatehouse, which includes books by and about the people buried here, and also its magnificent archives, beautifully written out by hand in French. 1 4 N ew D iocesan R egistrar sworn in

O n N ew R e g i s t r a r f o r E u r o p e

t h e m o v e said “The unique character of this growing Diocese spread across so many countries inevitably raises legal G r ee t i n g s questions from time to time. He will, I am sure, bring to this work both Rev Peter Ford: The Bishop of legal expertise of a high order and a Blackburn’s Ecumenical Adviser deep Christian commitment. We for Churches in Europe who has look forward to working with him.” been working in the Diocese Aiden Hargreaves-Smith specialises of Braunschweig in Germany in ecclesiastical and charity law. He becomes Priest-in-Charge of the has a degree in modern languages Holy Trinity, Las Palmas, Gran and postgraduate degrees in European Canaria during March A lawyer who has worshipped in law and policy and the employment Anglican churches in Venice and status of the clergy. He worshipped Rev Simon Godfrey, Rector of Paris while working in Europe briefly at St George’s Venice, when All Saints’ with St Katherine and has been appointed Registrar to studying Italian there, and at St St Peter, Northampton is to be the Diocese in Europe. Aiden George’s Paris, when undertaking Chancellor of the Pro-Cathedral Hargreaves-Smith, a partner in research and subsequently working Church of St Paul, Valletta and Westminster law firm Winckworth there. He is also a member of the Senior Chaplain of the United Sherwood, also serves as the Bishop’s General Synod of the Church Anglican Churches of Malta & Legal Secretary. The role involves of England and of the Crown Gozo from June giving legal advice and support to Nominations Commission. Rev Vincent Perricone became the bishops, the Diocesan Secretary, He formally took on the role at a Assistant Chaplain of St Mark, Archdeacons, and other clergy on Swearing-in service in St Margaret’s Florence, Italy last November matters arising from their church or Church, Westminster at the end other Synodical duties. of January and takes up the role of Rev , NSM Stoke Welcoming Mr Hargreaves-Smith Registrar following the retirement of Gifford (Diocese of Bristol) the Bishop, Dr Geoffrey Rowell Canon John Underwood. began work as Chaplain of Aquitaine, France in January

M o v i n g a r o u n d Rev Dr Russell Hilliard, formerly Assistant Curate of St Andrew, Zurich, Switzerland Canon Roger is now Assistant Chaplain of St Greenacre, Nicholas, Basle, Switzerland Priest in Charge of We Beaulieu-sur- welcome F a r ewe l l t o Mer in France two has been busy new part- Rev Derek Goddard, Priest-in- using his skills time Charge of Holy Cross Anglican and experience as a former members to the Diocesan Team. Church, Palermo, Sicily, Italy is member of the Liturgical Verena Thim assists Jeanne French to resign from June Commission. Roger has with Child Protection work and written an introduction to Andy Male works with Nick Rev Martin Jacques, Chaplain the newly published book Wraight on diocesan finances. of the Anglican Church of ‘Using Common Worship – the Resurrection, Bucharest, Times and Seasons’. Romania is to move to the Diocese of Durham in April January marked an anniversary among the H o n o u r e d small team at Worth, the Diocesan Bishop’s office and home. Sue Hibling completed ten Mr John Underwood, years working for Bishop Geoffrey and his Honorary Lay Canon of the predecessor Bishop John Hind. Not that she Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, would say the job is child’s play although her Gibraltar has become Lay Canon grandchild Niamh seems to find the office equipment no great challenge! Emeritus M a k ing the most of E - mails 1 5

D i o c e s a n s y n o d e l e c t i o n s a h e a d By Adrian Mumford, Diocesan Secretary, explains what is involved and adds other notes of interest.

Elections for For the election of members of the Diocesan Yearbook and the triennium House of Clergy, any clergy holding directory leaflet 2010-2012 a Bishop’s Licence may stand: electors Copies of the new Directory of take place are all licensed clergy at a fixed point Chaplaincies leaflet 2009 are freely this summer. in time. available; and the 180-page Diocesan The Diocesan Full information will be dispatched Yearbook 2009, (which includes Synod is the under separate cover to the electors in reports on 2008 from the Bishops main policy the spring. Further information about and Archdeacons, Ecumenical making body duties and responsibilities can be reports, financial and numerical of the diocese obtained from the Diocesan Office. information, and reports from both and the forum Please do consider standing Mission Agencies working in the for the discussion of issues important for Synod: it is vital to Synodical diocese) is available (@£1 to cover in diocesan life. It meets annually, Government that the thoughts of P&P) from the Diocesan Office. nowadays in a Central Europe members from every chaplaincy are location, over four days each May/ shared. The numbers to be elected in Easter closing dates June. All members are also members each archdeaconry / deanery are The Diocesan Office and Bishop’s of the Diocesan Board of Finance as follows: Office will be officially closed on which is responsible for the custody Maundy Thursday, 9th April, Good and management of diocesan finances. Clergy Laity Friday and Easter Monday. The All lay persons may be candidates if Eastern 2 2 answering machine will be on, as they are: France 3 4 at all times outside normal offices 1. actual communicant members of Germany 1 1 hours, if you need to leave an the Church of England or of a Gibraltar 2 4 urgent message. This will be Church in communion with North West Europe 3 3 checked daily, but do not expect a that Church; Italy & Malta 1 2 response unless your message 2. aged eighteen years and upwards; Nordic & Baltic States 1 2 is vital. 3. on the Electoral Roll of any Switzerland 1 2 chaplaincy in the diocese; Total to be elected 14 20 Last, but not least Electors are laity who have When considering your Chaplaincy been elected as Archdeaconry The Dean, Archdeacons and Giving for 2009, please remember Representatives by their chaplaincies. members of General Synod are ex the Diocesan Development Fund It is vital that the diocesan database officio members of Diocesan Synod (which helps towards establishing new has an up to date record of electors: Diocesan Synods are, typically, held chaplaincies in the diocese) and the please ensure that this office receives in Cologne. Topics to be discussed Ordination Candidates Fund (which a note of any changes there may this year include ‘Fresh Expressions’, provides financial support for those have been to your archdeaconry or Child Protection, a view from the EU training for the ministry), which deanery representative since election in Brussels and an address from the are both administered through the in 2005. Bishop of Liverpool. Diocesan Office.

I t ’ s n o t w h a t we s a y i t s Be faithful with personal information. Remember that ’ e-mail isn’t private. Don’t put anything in an e-mail t h e w a y we that you wouldn’t put on a postcard. Email can be easily Using Email at Holy Trinity forwarded so unintended audiences may read what you have written. Be trustworthy with personal data. s a y i t Holy Trinity tries to be a community that is shaped by the Be patient. If you receive a puzzling or annoying e-mail, gospel. We want to be a place where the fruit of the Spirit phone or speak to the person rathermisunderstandings than reply with multiply. an grows: gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, patience and self- let angry email response. Don’t Members of Holy Trinity control. Be self-controlled in your use of email. Most people are Church in Brussels have We believe God wants these fruit to be displayed in the flooded with information. This can be stressful. People way we communicate with one another, including our sympathetic to e-mails than to personal been concerned about are generally less email communications. how emails can be used contact. Think carefully aboutbefore whether you send your it. recipient really Email is quick, informal and convenient. But in a very needs and wants the email thoughtlessly and carelessly. diverse community it easily causes misunderstanding and They have drawn up irritation if it is not used with care. These guidelines are intended to help us use email so that it a series of Christian builds up our common life. guidelines and offer them Be gentle. Don’t forget the value of face-to-face and to other churches who telephone communication. If you have a problem, speak might find them helpful. to the relevant person directly. Email isn’t appropriate for confusing or emotional messages. Be kind. Remember that your tone of voice can’t be heard in an e-mail. Avoid harsh and abrupt words. Think: ‘how would I feel if I received this?’ 1 6 AND FINALLY

A l o n g t i m e f o r a l o c u m a snowstorm from their apartment 1 Peter leading up to Petertide. We Many churches and window after Sunday lunch. also had a visit from the Archdeacon After a cold wet drive down and discovered that we had both congregations rely on locum through France, we had a breezy week started out in the same deanery some clergy to lead services during in Corsica, where the peaks were time in the last century. We enjoyed holiday times and when they still white. We then bounced across experiencing Christ’s love among his to Sardinia for a few days, warmer people, who received us very warmly, are without a resident priest. by this time, and with flamingos still and the encouragement of prayer being Rev Frank Robinson turned on the wetlands, before boarding the answered on several specific matters. his locum visit to Taormina overnight ferry to Palermo. St George’s sits below street level, We made our way along the north so that the busloads of tourists on in Sicily last year into more coast of Sicily, eventually turning their way up into Taormina only see of an adventure south through the Nebrodi mountains the roof! So to try to make it less by taking about – all jagged peaks and flocks of goats inconspicuous, we opened it two days – before rounding a corner and being each week, and over the 2 months two months to confronted by the bulk of Mount Etna saw almost 300 people through the get there and filling the horizon, smoking away as gate – Australians, Austrians, Belgians, a month to get always, under a suspicious-looking flat English, Finns, Germans, Irish, grey disc of cloud. It started erupting Italians, Japanese, Maltese, and home. He recalls on our first Sunday in Taormina and Russians among them. Ecumenical the experience. was still going when we left on contacts were all informal, including June 30th. asking the owner of the skimpy dress About half of the members of St shop why she called it “Maranatha”, George’s Church live in and around and a visit to the Waldensians’ From first dreaming, this trip was about Taormina, with the other half down “Servizio Cristiano”, an olive farm 10 years in the planning, and I had to the coast in Catania. Three of the with a kindergarten and primary put my name in for the chaplaincy 5 Catania members came while we were school in the small town of Riesi. years ahead! In the meantime we had there, one of them 3 times, and he We also enjoyed a number of retired and acquired a motor-home, so was a musician, which was a relief to conversations with local people who Adeline and I crossed from Harwich Adeline and a blessing to us all. Our all expressed the opinion that their on April 2nd and made for Strasbourg Sunday congregations were augmented priests too should be allowed to marry. where Dr David Cowley, a friend of by visitors from various countries, We found it all a valuable four month many years, is a Reader in the English including a couple we had known experience and shared our faith and church. We spent the weekend with at theological college 40 years ago! found we gained much from the Dave & Di, worshipped with them in The Pentecost readings generated a experience as well. So much so that a congregation as international as any series of sermons on the Holy Spirit, we’re now looking forward to going in the Diocese of Europe and watched followed in June by a short series on back for more next year.

A p e a c e f u l The full cast of the nativity play which featured H e ’ s in the annual Carol Service at Vinaros on the r e a d Spanish Costa Azahar were photographed during b e h i n d rehearsals. Puppeteers Ron and Jenny Legg used This picture them in a church in Torquay before moving to was sent to y o u Spain with their little helpers to re-enact the the European ! traditional nativity story. Anglican to show the best setting for reading it – a relaxing chair, in the sunshine, not far from food and drink and with a dog asleep on your lap. Very nice if you can find at least 2 of the 4 conditions! If you have any pictures of the magazine in unusual settings please send them for future editions