Suffragan : The Right Reverend

A Statement from Bishop David on St Alban’s Church, . A Supplement to the Chaplaincy Profile - 15 August 2008

Archdeaconry and St Alban’s Copenhagen is part of the Archdeaconry of and Northern , and the Deanery of the Nordic Baltic States, within the . The chaplain is required to participate, along with the lay representatives, in the life of the Archdeaconry and Deanery. The synodical life has for several years focussed around the Deanery which meets for about 3 days residentially each year. (The position of of Germany and is presently vacant). The Revd Nicholas Howe, the chaplain in , is the Area . Each archdeaconry in the diocese has a lead bishop, either the Diocesan Bishop or the , to provide pastoral care for the clergy and congregations, oversight of routine vacancy and appointment processes, care of title , consultation with mission agencies, strategic direction, mission planning and new initiatives. The Suffragan is the lead bishop for the Archdeaconry of Germany and Northern Europe. Ecumenical and Inter-Church Relations The Diocese in Europe has a distinct ecumenical vocation and our have a key role in carrying out this vocation. The diocesan guidelines and regulations state that the Diocese in Europe seeks “to minister and engage in mission in partnership with other Churches especially the historic Churches of the countries in which we live”. The major Church partner in is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark. Although not a signatory to the Porvoo Common Statement, this Church has observer status at Porvoo meetings. There has been mutual eucharistic hospitality between the and the Church of Denmark since the 1950s. It will be important for the chaplain to have an understanding of the particular complexities of the Church of Denmark which meant that the Porvoo Common Statement could not be signed. A warm Anglican presence and ecumenical witness in St Albans will be helpful in nurturing a fresh openness to Porvoo among Danish Lutherans. Close ecumenical relations also exist between St Albans and the Swedish, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist and Methodist Churches. Liturgy Chaplaincy life centres around the Sunday Sung Eucharist. Common Worship Order One is used for main services. Vestments are worn. As the international and multicultural congregation comes from a variety of church traditions, Anglican and other, it is essential that the worshipping life, while thoroughly grounded in the modern catholic liturgical style of the Church of England, is welcoming to those from many backgrounds. The Choir and Organ play a major part in the services. Some Parish Information St Alban’s Church is an attractive 19th century construction, in excellent condition. It is located in a prominent yet quiet location in the city, close to the Little Mermaid. Consequently many visitors pass by the Church and enter when it is open.

Although the chaplain is based in Copenhagen, services are also held about every 2 months in . The pastoral responsibility does cover the kingdom of Denmark. The Diocesan Director of Training, the Revd Ulla Monberg, lives in Copenhagen and is available for occasional services. An Old Catholic in Malmö, , also has Permission to Officiate in the chaplaincy, as does an Old Catholic resident in Copenhagen. There are presently 3 persons in training to be readers, who will require supervision and mentoring by the chaplain. The chaplaincy has a strong, supportive and stable core of lay leadership. Regular Sunday attendance is normally about 100 strong. The Sunday School is going from strength to strength and there is a variety of mid-week activities and parish groups. The chaplain’s residence is about 6 km from the Church. It is an attractive house in modern style, situated in a quiet neighbourhood, with provision for an office/study. Entertaining at the chaplaincy house has been valued by parishioners. The closest Anglican chaplaincies are , Sweden to the north, and , Germany to the south. The congregation is made up of a very interesting and international group, of all ages. The previous incumbent has nurtured a strong spiritual heart to the parish, and the congregation is poised to continue that growth, spiritually and numerically. Copenhagen is rated as one of the best cities in the world in which to live in terms of quality of life. This makes St Alban’s a very attractive and stimulating appointment.