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

T h e W a y A h e a d S t r a te g y i n P r a c t i c e

O n t h e F r o n t L i n e M i g r a n t M i n i st r y C h a l l e n g e

A t W o r k a n d P l a y S u mme r Y o u t h M i n i st r y

F r i e n d s C e l e b r a t i o n W e l c o m i n g N ew F a c es

N ew D e l e g a tes E l e c te d G e n e r a l a n d D i o c es a n S y n o d s

europe.anglican.org No.68 WINTER 2015 2 DIOCESE STRATEGIC PLAN TAKES WINGS

THE E u r o p e a n ooking to a ew A n g l i c a n L N and Exciting Future –

The of Gibraltar in Europe The Rt Rev ’s Office Turning Words 47, rue Capitaine Crespel - boite 49, 1050 Brussels Belgium Tel: +32 (0)2 213 7480 Email: into Actions [email protected] The in Europe The Rt Rev David Hamid Postal address: Diocesan Office Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 Email: [email protected] “When the Lord walked this earth he didn’t issue a strategy document. He The Diocesan Office taught. He healed. He loved.” Comment in Bishop’s Council discussion, 2015. 14 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QZ Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 For the past year Synods and groups across • Striving for the creation of a just society Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 Europe have been presented with a series of and a sustainable environment Email: statements and suggestions about what our • Working for reconciliation [email protected] churches are here for, how well we do, what • With proper resources (Plans have to be Diocesan Secretary we should be doing and how we can do achievable and funded. They also involve Mr Adrian Mumford more in the future. using people to their best advantage and Bishop Robert has visited many of these taking good care of them) Appointments Secretary groups and explained the background to the At a national level Miss Catherine Jackson plan, “Walking Together in Faith” which the Archbishops and General Synod Finance Secretary was first discussed at Diocesan Synod in have endorsed a plan to make Church Mr Nick Wraight­ Cologne in June. The challenge now is to Commissioners funding available for Diocesan Website convert the carefully crafted words into any diocese that has a scheme that fulfils www.europe.anglican.org practical ambitions and plans for action. the strict criteria for grants. Because our Editor and Diocesan The Bishop has asked those who have diocese may submit a strategy plan by late Communications Officer seen the strategy to discuss it in small groups Spring of 2016, some weeks before the The Rev Paul Needle and suggest a series of practical priorities. Diocesan Synod meets, it has been agreed Postal address: Diocesan Office “This focusses the mind wonderfully” he that a small group will work on a series of Email: says “and I have been amazed at the variety ideas which emerged from the October [email protected] of good ideas that come out of different Bishop’s Council meeting to keep up the Tel: +44 (0)7712 463806 audiences across the diocese.” momentum. Friends of the Diocese The five priorities are to build up a Some of the topics suggested which may Secretary: Mrs Jeanne French common purpose by:- (or may not) form part of a bid for funding Email: • Building up the Body of Christ and reflect a diocese which is looking to the [email protected] fostering growth future to expand on our growth in recent Design • Sharing with other churches and agencies years. We share the vision with you as a Adept Design, Norwich in the evangelisation of Europe flavour of our future faith and hope. Printer Colchester Print Group, Attleborough Distribution CoDEStorm plc

Front cover picture: Balloons rise over Chantilly in France as Christians celebrate 150 year of church life. In music, words and a sequence of dramatic sketches called ‘Snapshots in time’ the service offered thanks to God for the past and prayed again for His guidance and blessing for the future. Bishop’s Council in London, October 2015 DISCIPLESHIP, YOUTH WORK AND 3 CHURCH GROWTH OUR PRIORITIES

Discipleship Training Effective ministry needs more than trained clergy and Readers. There are great resources available, such as the Pilgrim Course, which is being widely used across the Church of England and beyond, which can build the knowledge and spiritual lives of Christians to equip them for collaborative ministry in their There is a pool of experienced clergy who local churches and beyond. Check out could help churches in difficulties the promotional video produced by St Andrew’s, Moscow for their Pilgrim course Interim Ministry www.moscowanglican.org/pilgrim Some churches suffer from long interregnums when growth and mission is tough. Other congregations find it hard to prepare to advertise for a new priest to lead them. Occasionally churches look in on themselves and need a skilled and experienced person to help them get back on their feet. Interim Ministry Migr ant Ministry Church Pl anting is being considered in the Diocese to put a temporary priest into a church for Challenge Although like the Co-op - “We have between six and twelve months to turn branches everywhere” - there are still them round. This is a ministry which Although the current migrant cities and towns where we could start is already proving successful in some crisis across Europe may be seen as new congregations because there are English dioceses a temporary and, hopefully, short English speaking people who would term phenomena our churches with value our work and worship. This would Better Sharing of their roots in countries experiencing also join up some of the gaps on the map an influx of people passing through between our existing locations. Skills and Resources or wanting to settle have a unique network for pastoral care, practical Dioceses in England can arrange training help and gathering information. As courses and be on hand to visit with Bishop David said in his sermon to advice on worship, conflict resolution, children’s work and a range of issues. In The Friends of the Diocese (see page Europe a one day training seminar can 7) we all have the experience of being only cover a small area. There is a need for migrant people. There are short and resources to be shared effectively (perhaps longer term challenges here. as safeguarding training is being tackled – see page 10) and online advice and training to be developed.

Church planting - God gives the growth and increase Youth Ministry What Nex t? Most English dioceses have a Youth The strategy has been described as Officer, employed or voluntary who a “living document” which will coordinates, advises and trains people in continue to develop as our mission the parishes in their local situations. The and ministry develops. These are just vast scale of the and a few of the areas of concern for the our limited resources and finances means future. If you have comments and that at present we do not have anyone practical ideas please send them to us to cover this role. We need to share so that we can report feedback in our experience and encourage churches to The Anglican congregation in Torino (Italy) next edition. Email the editor at develop youth work where it is needed. began as a church plant from Padova [email protected] 4 BASKING IN THE GLOW OF PRAYER AND LOVE

Tasting the Taizé Experience

Work with young people forms an important part of the detailed priorities in the Diocesan Strategic plan discussed by Bishop’s Council in October. Here Archdeacon Geoff Johnston reports on a faith building visit to

Taizé in Central France. On the Church sanctuary Our tents opposite page is a youth project in a different style involving youngsters from churches around the Diocese.

Early in August a small group from our Diocese went on pilgrimage to Taizé. They were among over 6000 mainly younger people who arrived in the Burgundy village to share in a week of prayer, bible study, shared conversations and spiritual Pilgrims queuing for lunch nourishment. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of pilgrims, they benefited by eating the Taizé community by Br Roger and worshipping closely together, and also the 10th anniversary of his sharing in community for the week death at the hands of a mentally ill and discovering true koinonia. She woman during evening prayer. writes; “It was truly a pilgrimage in One of the participants wrote, every sense of the term. Our time “My pilgrimage to Taizé was a together was certainly not about personally and spiritually enriching sightseeing, eating, drinking, shopping time. I loved how the daily routine or even having a nice time together was rooted in regular communal as a group. Taizé is perhaps one of prayer, and in the evenings it seems the few places in the world where the like the prayer went on for as long as Incarnation becomes a tangible reality there were people in the church (the for all who acknowledge themselves as longest I stayed was until 12:30am, God’s children far beyond their own and I was not the last to leave!). We denomination. As brother Roger used had a daily bible teaching, followed to say ‘The resurrection happens every by discussion in our small groups. day’. Taizé was for us a time of basking In our group of 10, we came from in the glow of prayer and love.” Saturday night vigil 6 different countries and spoke 6 different languages (although English was more or less a common language). It was fascinating how our diverse cultural backgrounds could shed a new light and interpretation on well- known bible passages. My week at Taizé taught me a lot about solidarity as a Christian and loving one’s neighbour, which I hope to grow in as I continue to learn and walk with God.” Natacha-Ingrid Tinteroff led the party and says that despite their varying backgrounds, the heat and the huge crowds of 6,000 ACTION PACKED 5 SUMMER ADVENTURES

Bi-Lingual Activities Stretch Both Brain and Body

Rev Francis Blight from sense of camaraderie. Their last night parody of Let it Go (from the Disney Amsterdam reports on a series Frozen film), Let Him In, featuring of Summer camps catering an Animef who got locked out of the for youngsters from churches chateau, was a highlight! Animefs get to around Europe. form friendships, practise their French and, most of all, to grow in their service of God. InterAction runs bilingual Christian Keziah Peppiette, a 16 year old from holidays for 10-18 year olds with Holy Trinity Church, Brussels said “I opportunities to try new activities, really enjoyed the atmosphere this year, make friends and deepen Christian faith my second time here. It’s nice to be with in a secure and fun filled setting. The a large group of teenagers who have the two French camps meet in a fourteenth same beliefs as me. The camps are also century castle in the Pays de la Loire, a great opportunity to meet Christian and the Belgian one at the Chateau de adults, to hear their stories and ask them Courriere. difficult questions. The bible studies in During the Summer I joined the small groups and the regular meetings leader’s team in Belgium for the first with the whole camp really made time at the venue with its combination of me think about God and realise how cobbled courtyards and modern internal great He is. I really enjoyed the music restoration. Activities included volley- too. The activities provided excellent ball, swimming, kayaking, wide games, opportunities for me and everyone else football, cooking, art and drama, go- to practice speaking both English and karting and ten pin bowling. Each cluster French.” of campers shares in group bible studies Bookings are already open for the which are small enough for youngsters 2016 camps in July and August in France to ask questions and learn without being and Belgium. More information can be dominated by a larger group. found on www.interactioncamps.org. The organisation also helps 18-23 year olds to learn leadership skills in a practical setting. They are known as Animefs (animateur en formation/leader in training) and I was struck by their strong 6 MIGRANTS CAN BE “US” NOT “THEM”

A Dio cese with a Unique Under standing of M igr ants

Excerpts from Bishop David’s sermon at the Friends’ annual Eucharist, touching on the Diocese and migrants, were enhanced by his recent experience and dialogue with inter-church and community groups seeking a united approach to a pan-European challenge.

God has planted us in our diocese migrants”)! But what are we? The UN One way of looking at the Bible is without any great historic endowment. definition of a migrant is:“any person really as one long story of migration, We have few buildings of our own; we who lives temporarily or permanently in a exile, even refugees. Think of the have no status as a privileged Church; country where he or she was not born, and expulsion from the Garden of Eden we have little influence on the politics has acquired some significant social ties to for a start. Adam and Eve were the or economics of the countries where this country”. One in 35 in the world is a first migrants. Then the slavery in we live; we are a tiny minority. But, migrant. But in our diocese in Europe, Egypt, (and Joseph was certainly a nevertheless, we have been blessed with I would think that the ratio is likely to victim of human trafficking). Then the Good News of the Gospel. We are be more like 9 out of 10. all the wandering in the wilderness, entrusted by Jesus to be active workers in The age of our congregations – some wondering where our next square his own mission. And it is always Christ’s which are over 500 years old, indicates meal was coming from. And the exile mission and his plans that are important that continental Europe has been for of Jerusalem’s residents to Babylon. – not the ones that the Church is so centuries a destination for migrants And of course the Holy Family’s fond of inventing in each generation! from England – whether business folk, own refugee status when Jesus was an So along with other Christians we have merchants, diplomatic communities, infant. St Paul was cast shipwrecked on been entrusted with the Good News of even, let us not forget, some of our Malta, and luckily the locals welcomed hope and transformation which we bear congregations were founded by him. Being a wanderer, an exile, into a secularized and even uninterested English refugees fleeing the religious a migrant, even a refugee is such a Europe. persecution of Mary Tudor! Today our central part of the Biblical story – and What we are called to do, we do with migrant diocese is made up of people it is also our story in the Diocese in so little. Mother Teresa of Calcutta once from every continent, also here for Europe. said something profound about her own business, to study, to retire, to join God has equipped us, from our order, which I think also describes to family, and increasingly refugees fleeing own foundational DNA, with the a certain extent our own diocese: “As conditions of war and persecution, awareness, the compassion, the we have done so much for so long with hardship and poverty. understanding, the solidarity with all so little that now we are qualified to do anything with nothing”. We can engage in Christ’s mission with a freedom and lightness and an agility. Disciples who are weighed down by too much baggage become sedentary, unable to move, stuck, unable to respond quickly to grasp the opportunities that God sends our ways. We must rely on Him. Our “foundation story” as a diocese is a story of migrations. It is a funny thing that we do not tend to use this term “migrants” to describe ourselves, but to a large degree that is what we are. In the Diocese in Europe, we refer to others as migrants (even that rather judgemental term “economic Songs of praise at the Friends’ service THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS 7 ARE FOR who are exiles, away from their home, and now with the new phenomenon of the hundreds of thousands fleeing wars W h o N ee d s in the Middle East, to find safety, and a new home in the countries of Europe. So we know about adapting to the local culture in which we end up. We know that it is insensitive to impose Fr iends ? our own values or norms onto others but to respect fully the communities and the traditions and customs that are around us. John de Wit, a former Thousands of people in our diocese Chaplain and Archdeacon in come to our Churches and find there encouragement to live their lives as the Diocese, and Member of disciples. New congregations continue the Friends Committee, writes to form. Vocations to the sacred about the role of the Friends ministry and to the ministry of reader are increasing. We have attracted of the Diocese. an incredibly gifted cadres of priests and deacons, men and women, from Who needs friends? Well actually They can read about the ongoing North America, the Pacific, Asia, Africa, and even from these islands, we all do. Friends try to understand. work of the Diocese by receiving who offer imaginative, flexible, skilled Friends lend a helping hand when The European Anglican. But above pastoral leadership, and who are ready they can. Most importantly, friends all they can become part of a great to work sacrificially in circumstances think about you and remember network of prayer upholding the that are very different and often much you in their prayers. Most of the work of the Diocese, its clergy and more challenging than the context of Friends of the Diocese have lived people. the Established Church in England. and worked in the Diocese. Most of The Friends of the Diocese also And week by week I am deeply them know from experience what it offer practical help where they can. moved that people aged from 7 to feels like to be away from your roots In the last couple of years they have over 90 are presenting themselves for and living in a foreign country. given grants to clergy in far-away confirmation, from every conceivable They know what it’s like to learn places, and grants to Diocesan country, accepting their baptismal a new language and a new culture. ordinands training in the UK. They calling to be one with Christ. They also know how very precious have given grants for language Our obligation in thanks for all we a local Anglican Chaplaincy can be. training and grants to help the have received is to find ways truly to So when people from our Diocese run various courses. be the Church, not just go to Church. Diocese get back to the UK, joining The Friends of the Diocese meet Already so many of our congregations the Friends of the Diocese helps once a year at the Friends annual our people are quietly working daily them to stay in touch with that service in London, their main to live out the good news of Jesus’ part of their lives when they lived, public event in the UK, and a great love in the world. They are doing such worked and worshipped abroad. opportunity to showcase the work things as attending to the needs of of the Diocese. At this year’s Friends those fleeing for their lives as they service in St Matthew’s Westminster pass through Greece or Hungary on the 21st October Bishop Robert or Austria, feeding families of presided at the Eucharist, and impoverished Romanians in Spain, or Bishop David was the preacher. The standing up for the rights of persecuted service was also notable because our minorities in Latvia. And all this by first full-time Archdeacon, the Ven. sharing whatever meagre resources we have. And God is blessing this Colin Williams, was licensed to ministry. All this is a sign that, yes, begin his ministry as Archdeacon of we may be small, a mere diaspora the East with Northern Europe and jurisdiction, a bunch of migrants, a Germany. poor Church, but we aim to participate If you are interested in supporting fully in the mission of Christ. one of the Church of England’s When we are dismissed at the end most unusual mission fields you of this service, indeed at the end of will find details on the Diocesan every Eucharist, we will not leave website www.europe.anglican.org. Church, we will be Church. We are Just click on the box at the bottom sent into the world which God loves of the homepage, marked ‘website so much to be the friends of Jesus, to supported by the Friends’ and follow serve everyone we meet, to share his the instructions. Welcome aboard – love, his justice and his peace. we need you. 8 SCENES FROM DIOCESAN LIFE F r o m O u r W e b s i te N ews at e u r o p e . a n g l i c a n . o r g

St Ursula’s Church in Berne, Switzerland, held A confirmation by Bishop David in the Roman Catholic church in Ampolla brought its second animals blessing service in St Francis- together candidates from St George’s, Barcelona and St Christopher’s, Costa tide. The congregation included dogs of various Azahar two churches spanning 150 miles of Spain’s Mediterranean coast. The shapes, sizes and colours and Emma brought her church stands close to a busy railway line where proceedings paused for passing two mice! No cats this times, which was perhaps express trains. just as well. One dog, Parsley, brought her owner back to church for the first time in many years.

When the saints went marching in through the streets of Lier, south of Antwerp in The first Sunday in October saw a back to Belgium, the altar servers from St Boniface church went with them. They were warmly church celebration even though it was still welcomed despite the autumnal chill as they carried Boniface’s relics and a statue of partially a building site. The service in St. St Gumarus, patron saint of Lier, who is honoured in “The Great Procession”. John’s Church, Menton, in the South of France was their first since accidental damage to the foundations forced its closure almost five years ago. They still await electricity so are using candlelight and strong voices without an organ.

G E T T H E l aT E S T NE W S FIR S T o n o ur W EBS I T E o r T W I TTER PICTURE 9 PANORAMA F r o m O u r W e b s i te N ews at e u r o p e . a n g l i c a n . o r g

St Andrew’s church in Moscow may soon be getting a reputation as a Holy Hollywood. The harvest display at St Nicholas church, In addition to the successful online video launching their Pilgrim Course (mentioned on Helsinki, in Finland no doubt looked more page 3) a catchy online church guidebook posted on Youtube is heading for 1,000 hits online. decorous in church but this view shows faith being turned into action. It’s packed and ready to go to local asylum seekers.

Was it cymbals or symbols for the English Church, Ostend, in A family shot with a different slant on “a captive audience” for Belgium and their 150th Anniversary celebrations? During the 150th Anniversary of St Peter’s church in Chantilly near the service, church members presented symbols of the church’s Paris. A packed programme including a service outside the ministry including a Union flag representing Britain, poppies building included the release of coloured balloons featured in representing the church’s ministry during two World Wars and our front cover picture. passenger boats as a reminder of how people came to Ostend.

G E T T H E l aT E S T NE W S FIR S T o n o ur W EBS I T E o r T W I TTER 10 ALL CHANGE – STRENGTHENING SAFEGUARDING

New Faces, New Tr aining and a New Proto col

Several recent well publicised cases of historic abuse have served to underline the significance of Safeguarding in the church. Members of Bishop’s Council in October were assured by Bishop Robert that “we are going to change the culture of the Diocese in Europe to demonstrate that we take safeguarding seriously.” There are a number of changes and new aids to help individual congregations fulfil their obligations as safe churches. He told Council members that a Core Group which had been set up to investigate allegations of abuse by the late Bishop John Satterthwaite will meet shortly to consider how the matter was handled and conclude the “lessons learned”.

Ian Carter, a former police Inspector Kathryn also supervises David Coulston, a member of the with special skills and experience applications for safeguarding Safeguarding Group, says work on in child protection and the wider clearance for anyone in local revising the diocesan Safeguarding issues involved, has been appointed churches who needs it. The provider policy is almost complete and is due Interim Safeguarding Manager and of these certificates has changed and to be published before the end of Consultant. He said his priorities in APCS (Access Personal Checking 2015. It updates and upgrades the his first few months included looking Services) now issue them. Anyone earlier versions and should be easier again and resolving any issues from in doubt about whether they need to understand. David says “This will a review of past case files which clearance for their local church mark a minimum standard across the could also offer lessons in improving role can check out the guidelines Diocese. If local law in stronger on safeguarding procedures in the future. on the diocesan website or consult any item then that will apply to make Ian welcomed Kathrine Harris as Kathryn. it even stronger in that country.” Temporary Safeguarding Administrator As well as the online training The policy, or protocol (a clearer for the online training package which courses the Diocese is looking to title for it) identifies key responsibilities more than a hundred people have recruit more than 20 people with and who is responsible for which aspect now completed. Everyone who needs training skills who will be invited to of Safeguarding in the local church. safeguarding clearance is required to do a “train the trainers” course in the It also has guidance on staff selection, the training course and a new course Spring of 2016. They would then be whether for paid or voluntary roles and on keeping “vulnerable adults” safe available to offer face to face group the importance of keeping full notes which is just being released. training at local and regional level. and records for future reference. REJOICING IN READER 11 MINISTRY

In Their O wn Words

Angela Lifts the Lid on the European Scene

Angela Mirani, a member of the therefore need to rely on the help of the Reader. This applies even more with a locum Church of England’s advisory board, chaplain, as interregnums tend to be long the Central Reader Council, wrote with all the obvious consequences. about her diocesan experience Most of us Readers have never met each other because of the distances in our diocese. in “The Reader” magazine this This can result in a great number of Readers Autumn. In these short excerpts feeling lonely and isolated, many bearing the she reveals how European Reader main responsibility for a small group with a chaplain only visiting from time to time, ministry can be very different from others building up a group until it can afford the British experience. a priest. In my part of Italy the Roman Catholic There are 111 Readers, with another 26 in Church has become very interested in training, ministering across a diocese that and I am frequently called upon stretches from Morocco and the Canary to give talks to church groups and schools Islands up to Iceland and across to Moscow about our history, worship and spirituality. and Tashkent with all the countries in Some of us as Readers are able to be members between. of the local ecumenical council. Deep Funerals and ecumenical services are friendship and understanding is developing very frequently bi-lingual as are weddings as we pray together, organise events and and baptisms and a new chaplain may not services, and have lunch in a local ‘trattoria’ have acquired the language skills and might with a good bottle of wine!

R e a d e r P r i n c i p l es i n a P r i n c i pa l i t y

Two Readers in the principality of Monaco reflect on their ministry

What I do as a Reader is less important listener I return home with a peaceful than who I am as a Reader. The duties, joy and a thanksgiving in my heart. And the keeping busy, are secondary to how I am happy to be a Reader. I am within, and subsequently without, M a r y d e Va c h o n when serving those in the church community. For, it is in my being that My experience as a Reader is two-fold, If ever I am caught not practising I will touch people in ways most often first in the duties performed in St Paul’s what I preach, this will not encourage unknown to me. Church, its services and its community, others to enquire more closely into Becoming a Reader has been a personal and then in the wider community where the Christian faith. This is not easy as journey: one of arriving, then traveling we live locally. The title of Reader is temptation abounds and I empathise on. Increased understanding confirms a recognition of a function exercised with Oscar Wilde’s witty maxim Faith and brings an inner calm. It is in within the Church, but one I have concerning temptation (I can resist living this, expressing this through my been exercising for many years without everything except temptation). being that I will reach others. thought of reward or recognition. Being a Reader is a responsibility An obvious manifestation is in writing I enjoy preparing and delivering which I take very seriously with and preaching sermons. Each Reader at St. sermons, which helps me better to a large dose of humour and self- Paul’s preaches six or more times a year, understand the Bible, live my faith and deprecation – I must always remember and we take occasional services in Father hopefully touch others to do likewise. that I am not the important one in my Walter’s absence. We usually share this As a prominent Christian within walk with God. I am happy now as always to do whatever God asks of me; under my colleague Frank’s sobriquet of a largely secular community, I am serving as a Reader is just another step “the Dream Team”, which makes me smile. conscious that my behaviour, actions, on this path. If a sermon brings one or more words and deeds are scrutinised to see if comments of how or why it touched a I walk the walk as well as talk the talk. F r a n k M e g g i n s o n 12 FROM OUR ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER

These words were written 900 years ago by Hildegard von Bingen, whose many writings N o t ‘J u st ’ bring science, art, and religion together. She wrote explicitly about the natural world as God’s creation, charged through and through with His beauty and His energy; entrusted to our care, to be used by us for our benefit, but G r ee n L u n g s not to be mangled or destroyed. Hildegard von Bingen has been called one of the ‘great creation mystics of the West.’ Meticulously she recorded her discoveries concerning the healing properties of wild plants. Even now, her name is for many still closely associated with herbal medicine. She coined the term ‘viriditas’, or ‘the greening power’ found not only in plants but in all living species. However, long before Hildegard, the Bible tells us, for example in Isaiah 55:12: ‘You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.’ How often have you read these words? How have you understood them? Literally? Or just figuratively? Hildegard, like the medieval farmers she learned so much from, knew intuitively of the healing connection between humans and nature. Today’s scientists have explored these issues and they are now no longer just part of a mysterious realm but have been largely proven by modern-day scientists. Clemens G. Arvay in his book ‘Der Biophilia Effekt’ (Verlag edition a Wien 2015), is well aware that many would try to dismiss these discoveries, out of hand, as being esoteric rubbish and that made him determined to be able to support each of his findings with scientific evidence. He begins with ‘communication’, which is of course a vital component of our daily lives. It is a means of exchange between two people, for example in speaking, writing, emailing or letters. Obviously that is not what is meant when Arvay states that plants, too, are “Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. capable of communication! Arvay explains how our understanding of communication Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings. is often too narrow. In order to understand the world around us in all its complexity, we Now, think. What delight God gives to need to widen our understanding. A leading humankind with all these things... Psychology dictionary defines communication as the transmission of information between All nature is at the disposal of humankind. a ‘sender’ and a ‘receiver’. The sender sends We are to work with it. For without we information which is encoded by the receiver. cannot survive.” Plants, says Arvay, are experts in sending, receiving and encoding information and therefore: experts in communication. For communication to function there has to be some form of code. For a human that is speech but that information can, as we know, be sent in another form – as in computers. Plants communicate in a similar way to insects – by means of chemical substances. They send out molecules, minute chemical particles, made up of atoms. These molecules can be compared “GREEN” ACTIVITIES 13 ACROSS EUROPE to human language because exactly like a r i s i lg r i ms f o r l i m ate h a n g e our language, they convey, in the plant P P C C world, a certain meaning and information. For many months Christians The plant which releases such molecules is the sender. The plant which receives have been planning pilgrimages, the molecules and understands is the lobbies and events to focus on the recipient. By ‘understand’ here, is meant environment at the Climate Change that the plant can do something with the conference in Paris in early December. message received. It knows how to react. Canon Matthew Harrison from The substances released by plants are by St George’s in the French capital no means haphazard. They are released is the Anglican delegate on the on purpose. For example, many plants French Council of Churches whose attacked by pests, exude a substance which Co-Presidents say “We believe warns other plants nearby. The substance, that humanity and the earth and its Terpene, contains the information – inhabitants are the result of God’s warning of the pest and the exact nature creative plan. We are aware of the of the foe. Without coming into contact grave threats facing the world due to with the ‘pest’ the plants which receive climate change caused by the misuse the message produce, prophylactically, by human beings of the resources The churches are calling on a deterrent. But not just that. They also with which they have been provided. conference delegates to take action attract natural enemies of the pest, which We feel compelled to tackle the to limit the earth’s warming to 2°C. then come out for a great feast! But there is causes of such destruction. We see People from many denominations still more. Science has now discovered that the immeasurable suffering it causes. and church backgrounds will be plants communicate with us humans, too. We are particularly concerned for the sharing in a service in Notre Dame Joel Dimsdale, Professor for Psychiatry weakest and poorest among us.” Cathedral on December 3rd. at the University of California explains: ‘We are confronted with the surprising fact that our immune system is a sensory system, which is capable of discerning, Walk and Worship communicating and acting.’ Believe it or not, out in the woods, our Immune i n D e n m a r k f o r System communicates with plants. The potential health benefit of such ‘meetings’ C l i m ate J u st i c e is so great that in 2012 a Japanese Photo: Bev Lloyd-Roberts university founded its own branch of In September the International research ‘Forest medicine’ and in a very Church of Copenhagen joined with short space of time researchers worldwide members of St Alban’s Anglican were becoming part of the team. There Church and others in the National is not space here for all the details but Council of Churches in Denmark suffice it to say that the ‘Terpenes’, to pray for the protection of God’s mentioned above, interact at a very high creation for greater consciousness of The pilgrimage was a part of the health-benefitting level with our immune our role in its stewardship. Danish climate justice pilgrimage system. As Arvay writes: ‘Forest air is like Throughout a climate justice campaign and one of many walks a healing drink to be breathed in’ that is pilgrimage on Kalvebod Fælled there between the north of Norway, to say, a walk in the woods has a powerful were stops for reflections and prayers through Sweden and Denmark then influence on our immune systems. These concentrating on the beauty of nature ultimately heading for the Paris UN ‘Forest’ experts know that the Anti- and our part in it. Climate Summit. Cancer Terpene not only has a direct influence on our Immune system but also indirectly through our hormone system. This book is a fascinating read! It is now Wi se S o w i n g a n d R e a p i n g i n S pa i n also known that plants communicate not Care for the environment was the only through Pheromones (secreted or theme for a meeting of the Mustard excreted chemical substances) but also, Seed Gang in Alhaurin El Grande inaudibly for humans, through a crackling in the Costa del Sol East group of of their roots! The Forest is truly a single, churches harvest celebrations. interrelated, connected, constantly communicating living organism. Maybe Children from 3 to 11 years old we will read those words from Isaiah (and enjoyed activities, led by Reader many others in the Bible) with a different Caroline Macfarlane, including understanding in future. creating pictures from fruit, herbs and “Praise be to the LORD, the God of vegetables, writing prayers on paper Israel, who made heaven and earth!’ leaves for the prayer tree, planting seeds and creating prayer houses. Elizabeth Bussmann 14 SYNOD ELECTION RESULTS

Autumn Elections for New Synods

It was a busy time for tellers and scrutineers for Synod election counts in October as unusually voting took place for General and Diocesan Synods at the same time. General Synod was inaugurated on 24th November after a service in Westminster Abbey. Europe’s representation has been strengthened this time with an additional members in both clergy and laity. Rev Tuomas Mäkipää Canon Debbie Flach Canon Giles Williams Two former delegates return. Canon Debbie Flach from Christ Church in Lille begins a third term on Synod and Madeleine Holmes from the Aquitaine is returned after serving since 2010. Clergy newcomers are Rev Tuomas Mäkipää from St Nicholas’, Helsinki and Canon Giles Williams from Holy Trinity, Cannes. Joining the House of Laity are David Coulston, from Puerto Pollensa in Mallorca and Tjeerd Bijl from St John and St Philip’s in the Hague. Madeleine Holmes David Coulston Tjeerd Bijl

E l e c te d M em b e r s o f D i o c es a n S y n o d 2016 -2018 CLERGY Archdeaconry/Deanery Number Names of Representatives Elected Eastern 2 Malcolm Bradshaw, Frank Hegedus France 3 Giles Williams, Andrew Biggs (one vacancy) Germany & N Europe 2 Kenneth Dimmick, Jana Grinberga Gibraltar 3 Jennifer de Riverol, David Waller, Paul Ormrod Italy & Malta 1 One vacancy NW Europe 2E Andrew Gready, Simon Tyndall Switzerland 1 Anne Lowen Total 14

LAITY Archdeaconry/Deanery Number Names of Representatives Elected Eastern 2E Miranda Kopetzky, Mary Zahasky France 4E David Bean, Dani Carew, Sarah Hardenberg, Madeleine Holmes Germany & N Europe 3 Nigel Rowley, Susan Boyd, Emmanuel Eneh Gibraltar 4E Joan Berry, David Coulston, Judith Murray, Celia Paterson Italy & Malta 2E Julie Cole, Paul Tillbrook NW Europe 3E Anthony Cummings, Rozette Muzigo-Morrison, Ann Turner It’s not easy to ring the church bell while Switzerland 2 Nicholas Leaver, Mary Talbot holding a bouquet and your licence as Priest-in-Charge but Rev Jennifer Elliott Total 20 de Riverol contributed a chime or two The names given in italics represent a change from the 2013-2015 Diocesan Synod ‘E’ signifies at the church of St Martin de Porres in there was a contested election Tenerife North. BISHOP’S ADVENT 15 APPEAL

Autumn Elections for New Synods B i s h o p ’s A d v e n t A p p e a l Ta rg ets R el i ef Wo r k i n G r ee c e

The Diocese and the Anglican mission six-hour walk across often-difficult agency Us (formerly USPG) are working terrain. It is therefore essential for the together to give funding to an emergency health of the refugees that they have dry centre for refugees at the remote Pharos clothes, food and, in many cases, medical Lighthouse on the Greek island of Lesvos. care and shelter before they continue The refugees arrive cold and wet their journey to safety, preferably with a volunteers. Volunteers will begin having crossed 15 kilometres from volunteer to act as a guide. working at the centre round the clock, Turkey, typically making the journey Refugee expert Max McClellan, who seven days a week. in small rubber boats crowded with up is working with Us and the Diocese in As well as providing refugees to 50 people in each. Many make this Europe, says: ‘The work of the lighthouse with food, clothing and medicines, dangerous crossing at night to avoid the team is critical and well-targeted. They volunteers will be supplied with Turkish coastguards that patrol during are looking to expand their operation ropes to help refugees climb up the the day. They come mostly from Syria, as quickly as possible. It is clear that the rocky shores, and safety helmets and Iraq and Afghanistan having fled conflict, situation on Lesvos is much more chaotic headgear for children and babies. chaos and persecution in those countries. than we have been led to believe.’ There is also a need for wetsuits, night Attracted by the lighthouse beam, the Two abandoned buildings next to vision binoculars, heaters, lighting and refugees that land on the rocky shore the lighthouse will be renovated and walky-talkies. are soaked through, tired and hungry. converted into a clothes-changing area To donate to the Advent Appeal Yet they are still six kilometres from the and a field kitchen. There will also be or find out more go to nearest village, Klio, which is a minimum tents to provide shelter for refugees and www.weareus.org.uk/news/europe

At the North West Europe archdeaconry Synod Bishop Robert Lord for the Years! At Javea, on Spain’s Costa Blanca, two commissioned two new Area Deans for North-West Europe church members shared an impressive birthday celebration. archdeaconry, Rev Sam van Leer as Area Dean of the Netherlands, Peggy Skipwith reached 100 years, and Nona Hale was 95. and Rev Stephen Murray as Area Dean of Belgium and Luxemburg. At a cava reception after the morning service 10 year old Evie They are pictured here with Acting Archdeacon Meurig. Cunningham presented Peggy with a 100 badge.

A young church proudly featured its young members in an Canon Barbara Moss offered a humorous serenade at the Nordic orchestra and choir as Leipzig English Church, known locally & Baltic Deanery Synod in Helsinki using an oven glove (among as LEC celebrated its 20th anniversary. The present church was other things) as a prop for her song. She was also presented with planted in 1995 restoring an Anglican presence, which had existed vouchers for outdoor clothing to help her pursue her love of in the city from the mid-18th century until 1914. walking in retirement. 16 THE LAST WORD FOR 2015

H o w t o b e a B i s h o p CLERGY ON THE MOVE – E u r o p e St y l e WELCOME TO Rev Paul Earl Philip Brice, formerly Previous December issues of The European Anglican have brought a little seasonal Pastoral Dean and Fellow of Sidney Sussex joy with a quiz. This year we have raided our picture library to offer a little College, Cambridge is now Chaplain of St jollity with a bird’s eye view of what it takes to be a Bishop in the Diocese. Andrew, Zürich, Switzerland Rev Grant Norman Crowe, Team Vicar in the Central Telford Parish (Lichfield Diocese) becomes Assistant Chaplain of Holy Trinity, Utrecht, with Amersfoort, Holland from December Canon David Michael Greenwood, former Military Chaplain for the Government of Canada in British Columbia is now Priest-in- Charge of All Saints, Marseille, France Canon Christopher Kelly Parsons, formerly Rector of St Peter, Lakehill and St David by the Sea, Cordova Bay, Victoria, Canada is now Priest-in-Charge of the Anglican Church in Freiburg, Germany The Venerable Richard Seabrook, 2. If you can’t match the other bishop’s formerly Vicar-General and Archdeacon 1. You may need to blow your own bright colours you can sometimes of the Murray-Riverland, Australia is now trumpet occasionally outdo him with the sandals Priest-in-Charge of St Peter and St Paul, Torrevieja, Spain Rev Julian John Wilson, who was Rector of Baschurch and Weston Lullingfields with Hordley (Lichfield) became Priest-in-Charge of the Holy Trinity, Corfu, Greece in August

LEAVING US Rev Robert (Bob) John Bates, Priest-in- Charge of St James, Porto, Portugal and Area Dean in the Gibraltar Archdeaconry has resigned Rev Mpole Samuel Masemola, Assistant Chaplain of St Edmund, Oslo, Norway with Bergen has resigned Rev Joseph James Ponic, Priest-in- 4. When you need a cuppa, you Charge of St Andrew, Tangier, Morocco 3. When I said leadership involves need a cuppa – even when has resigned service I didn’t mean lunch service! speaking to Synod Rev Andrew Keith Sillis, Chaplain of the Anglican Churches of St Boniface. Bonn and All Saints, Cologne, Germany is now Vicar of St Thomas’ Stourbridge (Worcester Diocese) Rev Ronald Wilson Evans, Priest-in- Charge of St John the Evangelist, Izmir with St Mary Magdalene, Bornova, Turkey retires at the end of December 2015

NEW TITLE Rev Nicholas Simon Howe, Chaplain of St Peter and St Sigfrid, Stockholm, Sweden 5. Photo opportunities can be 6. Even when you are eating and in is now also Area Dean of the Nordic and a challenge – just line up the civvies the blog needs updating Baltic States episcopal staff with your nose The Venerable Ian Frederick Naylor, has retired as Priest-in-Charge of St Andrew’s, Pau, and St Andrew’s, Biarritz, in southern We wish you a joy filled Christmas and a blessed New Year France but continues his ministry as Archdeacon of France