THE E UROPEAN A NGLICAN

G ODLY PLAY: C HILDREN’ S PROJECT IN M ADRID

E UROS, STERLING AND MORE: M AKING THE MOST OF OUR MONEY

T HE COINS CRY OUT: R OMAN- TIC EURO STORY

T WO WEDDINGS IN C ORFU: M AKING THE DIFFERENCE

S T A LBAN’ S CHALLENGE: F ROM D ENMARK TO H ERTS

FREE No.36 WINTER 2007 2 TWO WEDDINGS IN CORFU MAJORCAN SWIM AND ANNIVERSARY ABSEIL 3

THE E UROPEAN Wedding Blessings at Holy Trinity NGLICAN T WO Corfu have taken on something of A a showbiz touch this year. For the wedding of Karl Taylor and Maria Katehis, from Croydon in August a Scottish piper preceded the WEDDINGS, chaplain and the couple from the The of bride's hotel to the church. in The Rt Revd Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, Worth, RH10 7RT Tel:+44 (0) 1293 883051 & SWIM Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 Email: bishop@dioceseineurope. org.uk The AND A DIVE The Rt Revd Postal address: Diocesan Office Tel:+44 (0) 207 898 1160 In September Tom Hunt and Lucy Email: In his St Albans sermon, excerpts are to be found Hutchings, from Pimlico, had their [email protected]. org.uk wedding blessing high up on the slopes The Diocesan Office on page 14, quotes the poem said of Mount Pantocrator, Corfu's highest 14 Tufton Street, London, mountain. The setting was the newly SW1P 3QZ to have been written by a bishop as his epitaph. restored Greek 'deserted village' of Tel:+44 (0) 207 898 1155 Tell my priests when I am gone o´er me to shed Rou with stunning views southwards Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 over Corfu island and across to the Email: diocesan.office@europe. mountains of Albania. c-of-e.org.uk no tears. For I shall be no deader then than they Diocesan Secretary have been for years. Mr Adrian Mumford This edition of the European Anglican contrasts Assistant Diocesan Secretary Seven swimmers from Mrs Jeanne French that pessimism with glimpses of a lively, happy St. Andrew’s Mallorca, Finance Officer on the move. This selection of pictures completed a sponsored Mr Nick Wraight swim across the bay in Puerto Pollensa. Taking The Cathedral of the Holy and stories illustrates an action packed few part was the Assistant Trinity, Gibraltar Chaplain, the Reverend Dean:The Very Revd months in our churches. Michael Redfearn, who Diocesan Website swam part of the way, www.europe.anglican.org and Gift Aid Secretary, May Battersby, who Editor and Diocesan swam the whole Communications Officer distance. “I felt perfectly The Revd. Paul Needle ok afterwards” said May Postal address: Diocesan office “and I didn’t even feel Email: stiff the following day.” [email protected] The event raised over Tel:0034 662 482 944 1,600 € for Church Design Funds and a local Adept Design, Norwich Nursing Home. Printer Next year St. Mary's Church Norwich Colour Print Rotterdam will celebrate its 300th Anniversary. An Anniversary Fund Distribution has begun to fund the festivities and CoDEStorm plc restore our Bell Tower and wrought Cover photo: As Christmas iron church fence dating from 1913. approaches churches all over One Sunday in September the Europe will be celebrating – like the chaplain Rev Steve Axtell climbed the congregation pictured here at La Euromast in Rotterdam then abseiled Côte near Geneva in Switzerland - 100 metres down and raised € 528. often using the Christingle - thought to have been first used in the German town of Marienborn in 1747. 4 BISHOP’S TRAVEL JOURNALS FROM ROMANIA TO LEBANON 5

for the Communist Young Pioneers. our first evening where an Iftar (the Orthodox Church, and the fact that In one we saw church-sponsored meal which breaks the daily fast of they had recognised Anglican orders. teaching of arts and crafts and other Ramadan) was hosted by the Patriarch Daniel is a Christian leader B ISHOP’ S MOVES skills, as well as a superbly Christian leaders of Damascus for the of considerable dynamism who has professional display of acrobatics and Grand Mufti and the Muslim leaders. already contributed much to the When a school pupil was asked what they knew about a bishop the reply was “He moves dancing by enthusiastic young On our second day it was the ecumenical movement and to the diagonally across the chessboard!” Our Diocesan Bishop has been moving in all directions people. Health and safety would have Muslim leaders who hosted a similar Orthodox Church in Romania. It was trembled but the vitality was across Europe during the Autumn and writes about his visits and meetings. Iftar for the Christians.The Grand good to be there to welcome him stunning.Another visit was to a Mufti is concerned to stress the on behalf of the Archbishop at the prison, where the church has begun common inheritance of the beginning of his ministry as Patriarch, as neighbours as ourselves. a prison chaplaincy, forbidden under Abrahamic faiths – Judaism, Islam and and to be present in the former Later in the month I was part of communism.The Catholicos Christianity.The Christian leaders Romanian Parliament building, now the delegation accompanying the questioned a young woman prisoner underlined the freedom that the used by the church, where a great on official with her seven year old daughter, Christian community had.The fresco of the Resurrection faces the visits to Armenia, Syria and Lebanon. and vowed to use all his influence to President of Syria, Bashir Assad, with horseshoe assembly hall where once We have had long and close relations get her sentence commuted, as it was whom the Archbishop had an hour’s a hammer and sickle or a symbol of with the Armenian church and were wrong for a child to be brought up conversation, stressed that although Nicolae Ceacescu must once have warmly welcomed by Catholicos in such circumstances. From the Syria was a secular country, that did been – a reminder that the Gospel Karekin, the young and dynamic prison we went to a seminary on the not mean secularism – it was rather of the resurrection endures and head of the Church. Following the shores of Lake Sevan. Recently a framework for the different triumphs over dark and seemingly collapse of the Soviet Union and founded and opened, it has already a communities of faith to have their intractable political systems. therefore independence for Armenia, full complement of young ordinands. freedom of worship and education, a The has its the Armenian church, which looks The Dean spent some time at framework in which confessional unique part to play in the life of the back more than 1700 years to the Mirfield, a clear indication of the opposition needed to be put to one church in Europe and beyond.Visits conversion of King Tiridates by St value of these ecumenical exchanges. side.There are some very good stories such as those I have described are Gregory the Illuminator making The haunting music of the to be told about Syria as a country spots of time when we can see a Armenia the first Christian nation, Armenian liturgy and the plangent which is committed to this kind of little of what God is about in our there are enormous challenges in bells of the Mother Church of religious freedom, and which has world today, as there are surely spots mission and ministry.As a dark Etchmiadzin echoed in our minds welcomed many refugees. of time in every congregation and background there is the memory of and hearts as we left for Syria From Syria to Lebanon, still chaplaincy, and indeed personal the Armenian ‘genocide’, the terrible and Lebanon. suffering from the results of the Christian life, when we see and massacres and ethnic cleansing at the Above: Bishop Geoffrey with the Catholicos Karekin and the Archbishop of In Syria we were in another recent conflicts, as bombed out know a little more of the life of the time of the First World War when the Canterbury at the sacred flame memorial in memory of Armenian Genocide. context – a country where the buildings in Beirut made clear, where Spirit in the Church. Be encouraged, Armenian population of what is now Right: Bishop Geoffrey meets the Grand Mufti of Syria in Damascus. Muslim majority and the Christian a different history and culture has go on being encouraged by God, eastern Turkey were slaughtered and minority enjoy an excellent meant that politics are confessional. and encourage others in the way expelled from their ancient relationship.This was symbolised on The unresolved Israeli-Palestinian Every so often in my considerable delivered, from the Ecumenical of Christ. homeland. One of the most moving issue leaves its marks here as travelling as there Patriarch Bartholomew with his moments of the Archbishop’s visit everywhere you go in the Middle are unique visits with experiences concern for care for creation, to was the laying of a wreath and East.The ethnic cleansing that was which ought to be shared. September Cardinal Kasper on the unity of the prayers at the memorial to the part of the coming into being of the provided such a sequence. church, and social challenges from Armenian genocide on a hill on the state of Israel is also something which At the beginning of the month I the San Egidio community and outskirts of Yerevan.A torch was lit will in the end have to be faced, as a was in Romania as one of the others. President Barroso of the from the eternal flame by a grand- recent book by an Israeli historian, delegates to the European Union accepted an daughter of one of the Armenian Ilan Pappe, makes clear.The third European Ecumenical Assembly invitation to speak about the victims, together with a man from Archbishop was able to meet with the at Sibiu. Following the two earlier involvement of the churches and Darfur where similar terrible events Christian leaders of Lebanon and the assemblies at Basel (a largely other faith communities in the are also unfolding.A visit to the Sunni and Shia leaders, as well as lead Protestant context) and Graz (a European project. It is these great genocide museum with its harrowing a seminar on inter-faith dialogue – a largely Catholic context) some two gatherings which enable such photographs and memories is a reminder of how blessed we are in an thousand delegates met in the invitations to be issued and accepted, reminder that history needs to be Archbishop who is able to do such beautiful Transylvanian town of Sibiu, so that Europe’s Christian and remembered before there can be things from a depth of learning in Orthodox Romania but with a religious heritage is not air-brushed reconciliation – something that was and spirituality. German Protestant heritage as well. out of what becomes a union of also apparent in Syria, where the From Beirut I went to Bucharest Organised by the Conference of economic and political arrangements. Archbishop met three hundred to represent the Archbishop at the European Churches and the The worship of the Orthodox Christian refugees from Iraq, and in enthronement of the new Romanian European Catholic ’ church reminded us that at the heart Lebanon where he spent time with Patriarch, Daniel. On my visit in June Conferences it was important as a of our Christian lives is always the Palestinian refugees, still asylum I had met his predecessor,Teoctist, symbolic meeting of Christians from worship and praise of God, whom seekers without full rights or proper who, still vigorous at the age of 93, all traditions across the spectrum of Jesus called us to love with all our provision of medical care. had reminded me of the long and Europe.The theme was ‘the Light of heart and mind and soul and The Armenian church has been close relations between the Church Christ shines on all.’ Many important strength.Without the grace and life active in such ventures as buying up of England and the Romanian and challenging addresses were that flows from that we cannot love properties that were formerly centres 6 YOUNG MINDS DISCOVER BIBLE TRUTHS FOCUS ON FINANCES 7

Backward Prophet”, and “The Good Shepherd and the World Communion”, OMMON SENSE ON a story that ties Jesus to the reason we C G ODLY PLAY IN THE celebrate Holy Communion. We have also continued to expand our THE C OMMON F UND teachers’ knowledge of the Godly Play method. Two were fortunate to chase up pledged gifts not received. attend a three day, intensive Godly Funding ministry and Additionally, I send out quarterly HEART OF S PAIN Play training course in England in June maintaining buildings are clergy pension contribution requests this year. common topics in churches to 60 or so chaplaincies, ensuring the Kendall Brees, Coordinator by the doorkeeper and enter the George’s, he had recently attended a one In September we opened a second everywhere. Although many funds come in and then pass the of Children’s Ministry at St. sacred space (the classroom). The day workshop on Godly Play in London classroom to offer separate classes for money on to the ‘Church of England doorkeeper is essential to setting the with his wife, Raffaella. I had previously 3-7 year olds and those 8 and older. congregations in the diocese Pensions Board’. In effect, I act as George’s Anglican Church, tone as the children enter the session. learned about Godly Play at an Our roster of storytellers has grown to share or rent buildings and are the chaplaincies’ Sterling banker: no Madrid, writes about an Then the children prepare themselves Episcopal Church in Virginia Beach, seven, and we have five doorkeepers. spared the direct cost of their charge is made for the service. exciting education initiative to experience a sacred story, liturgical USA, and we were helped by David We are not a large congregation, but For the Diocesan Office I pay bills action, or a parable told by the Prichard, a certified Godly Play trainer we have such interest because the upkeep we all share the and expenses and look after for youngsters. storyteller. They respond as a group living in Madrid, who presented a parents have seen how their children financial burden through the investment income. The comparison Common Fund payments. of chaplaincies’“Standard Accounts” summary sheet to the Annual Introducing our special feature Chaplaincy “Independently on how we control our costs Examined”Accounts to ensure an and plan budgets for future equitable annual Common Fund growth Finance Officer Nick calculation. There is much financial reporting carried out for the Wraight explains what his Diocesan Board of Finance, Charity work involves and how churches Commissioners,Archbishops’ Council across Europe contribute. along with many pieces of information for this office and elsewhere in the A range of then individually to the story in workshop shared with members of other respond to this program.They want to May I speak to diocese. A major part of activities and writing, or using the hands-on congregations in Madrid. come to church! the diocesan my job is answering action for the Before each class in the church hall materials.We collectively pray and While our program grows and Finance general queries and youngsters in prepare a feast to share. we set out the rugs, materials and evolves, we want both children and enquiries from within Madrid. The power in Godly Play comes stories. Class sizes vary from five to adults to experience the mystery of Department? and outside the diocese. through children entering into the twenty-one children, and ages from 3 to Godly Play. Our quest continues. In the From a diocesan Bible stories. In a discovery way of 12.We started with the Parable stories, autumn of next year Madrid will host a This is a common introduction to a point of view, we could not function learning, the materials we use are using the materials we made at the European Godly Play Conference telephone call to which my response without the receipt from chaplaincies carefully chosen to facilitate this: training workshop, then focused on where we hope to share. is “You are speaking to him!” of Common Fund each year. The wooden figures which fit in a child’s Advent, Lent and Easter. We have five Around 60% of my time is spent on annual diocesan budget is set, hand, an ark made of beautiful dedicated teachers sharing the chaplaincy financial matters and the including the total Common Fund responsibilities. In an expatriate balance on diocesan fiscal affairs. To contribution for the next calendar woods, images of Christ mounted on Resource and Contact community like Madrid, where people give some idea of the turnover of year, at the autumn meeting of the wooden plaques.The whole child is Information engaged – hands, hearts, minds, and families move in and out work that crosses my desk in 2006 I Diocesan Board of Finance held throughout the year, we have been received 5,000 e-mails; made 1,100 during Bishop’s Council; the detailed intuition and senses. The official websites are: fortunate to have such a devoted group payments out; received 1,300 cheques calculation for each chaplaincy occurs At St George’s we are blessed with GodlyPlay.org.uk At St. George’s in Madrid we are of teachers. and other inward payments; received soon after and when all chaplaincies a supportive priest and church AND GodlyPlay.org starting our third year of an exciting council. Everything we needed Last year the church was renovating 2,000 pledged Gift Aid donations have sent in copies of their annual children’s education program called the crypt - a damp and dark space used direct to the diocesan bank account accounts and Statistics for Mission (within reason) has been granted. Our website Godly Play, which is what its founder for storage. Our contractor did such a as well as another 800 receipts and all Return. For 2006 the total diocesan Our project did not involve huge www.stgeorgesmadrid.com – Fr. Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal phenomenal job, additional space was contained on 310 pages of bank Common Fund amounted to £307k expenditures and our needs were or email priest and Director of the Center cleared for a dedicated Godly Play statements. that was substantially used in the fully met by church funds, direct [email protected] for the Theology of Childhood in donations and small sales. We are also classroom.We were able to use our new Tasks carried out on behalf of paying of Chaplaincy Grants (£43k); Houston, calls his interpretation of room by October of 2006. Preparing chaplaincies include the paying of Archdeacons’ Grants (£49k);Training blessed with a dedicated team of Recommended reading: Montessori religious education. We for class now simply entailed opening bills and expenses. The looking after Department (£47k); Diocesan trained people teaching and The Complete Guide to Godly Play: believe that through Godly Play we the door and turning on the lights! of Gift Aid donations on behalf of Publications, including The European supporting the effort. Our Godly Volumes 1-6, Jerome W.Berryman have seen God’s hands shaping That Autumn we also brought in new chaplaincies, amounting to £328k in Anglican, Diocesan Yearbook and Play team spent countless hours Young Children and Worship, Sonia this program. stories and materials. We ordered more 2006 and including £72k of Directory of Chaplaincies (£33k); preparing materials, learning stories, Stewart and Jerome W.Berryman Each Godly Play session involves and getting our sacred space ready. of the core Old Testament stories for the reclaimed tax; contacting donors Communications (£16k); Central two adults: a doorkeeper and a In 2004, when Fr. Ian Hutchinson autumn of 2006. In the spring of 2007 where Banker’s Orders in connection Church contribution (£47k) and storyteller. The children are greeted Cervantes arrived as Chaplain of St. we were able to add “Jonah, the with Gift Aid Pledges expire and Synodical Government expenses (£42k). 8 9

“Santa Claus welcomes youngsters to Lapland!” Each Sunday across the diocese worship is held in English, French, Arabic, Tamil, Turkish Children’s hopes, dreams and faith are and other languages reflecting encouraged in our churches. Our Child the diversity of Pentecost and Protection team monitor checks on We are grateful for the diocesan global family. everyone working with youngsters and people who vulnerable people so that the children’s remember us with and youth work can flourish across the generous legacies 9 time zones of the diocese. and gifts to help The Diocese in Europe owns very few special projects and buildings – either churches or a small develop sustainable number of clergy houses and office ministry in the properties. The few which are owned must diocese. be maintained. A few churches are given grants to help congregations keep them in “Moscow’s Our publications, displays, reports “Our fjords and their best condition. and the diocesan yearbook help to architecture is On a much smaller scale than mountains leave raise awareness of our work in renowned throughout the EC, church government is lasting memories for Europe. The European Anglican important in the Diocese in the world” magazine reports the activities of our Europe. Annual milestones the visitor” 270 congregations. Our website, include a residential Diocesan static displays and video Synod, meeting of Bishop’s presentations give more information council and meetings of each about the Diocese. Archdeaconry Synod. These all need to be serviced administratively and involve “What Diocese in travel and other costs to “Brussels – at the Europe?” ensure that the diocese operates efficiently. heart of the European Community!”

“The Blue Danube flows through W HAT HAS THE “There’s an eagle Austria” eye view from the A small but dedicated administration team in the D IOCESE I N E UROPE Jungfrau summit” Diocesan Office supports the flow of information around the Mission and development grants are congregations and clergy in EVER DONE FOR US? given to assist the rapidly developing “Mon dieu – une the 45 countries where we churches and congregations across autre eglise work. We have the smallest Where the money went in 2006 Europe. Local initiatives are Our Diocesan diocesan administration encouraged and helped with funding Anglicane ici?” Registrar and teams of the 44 in until they can support their own Chancellor keep the Church of England. priests. New congregations have been an overall view of started in , , Italy, Spain. the legal affairs of the diocese and ensure its smooth running. The Ministry Team encourages vocations, training and Post Ordination assistance for new clergy, Readers and “Spain is still “Saint Paul preached “Young churches lay workers who work alongside our a top holiday travel here!” 140 licensed clergy in Europe. In 2006 of the New destination for there were six ordinations to the Testament flourished Britons” priesthood in the diocese. here”

Our Diocesan and Suffragan bishops are funded directly by the Church Commissioners in the UK not from the diocesan budget. They travel thousands of miles each year to support churches and congregations.

The diocese is working to cut carbon emissions and become greener, although travel within Europe is “The Pope lives In our fast growing diocese with essential for many for visits and here!” many different expressions of administration. Travel costs – and church, training of Clergy, modes of transport – are regularly kept Readers and Lay Assistants can under review. be costly – but encouraging shared ministry is essential. 10 NUMISMATIC HISTORY TRAIL DENARIUS OR EURO – FAIR EXCHANGE? 11

By the Revd O NAR OMAN A DVENTURE Howell Sasser THROUGH THE D IOCESE IN E UROPE My love affair with by Rome. The first common Janus is the Roman god of gates Europe and its long and currency for Europe was the Roman and doors, beginnings and endings, colourful history began gold, silver and copper coinage that and hence represented with a double- more than fifty years ago circulated throughout the empire. In faced head, each looking in opposite when I happened to find many ways what the Euro is to directions. He was worshipped at the a small Roman copper coin in a Europe today was what the Denarius beginning of the harvest time, purchase of some old foreign coins I was to Europe nearly two thousand planting, marriage, birth, and other had received. That small Roman years ago. The Denarius, a small types of beginnings, especially the coin was the start of a wonderful silver coin was to be found in every beginnings of important events in a adventure that has lasted my entire part of the empire and is even person's life. Janus also represents the life. It has been my joy and privilege believed to be mentioned in the The top coin is a copper transition between primitive life and over the past fifty-five years to collect Bible as the tribute money in Luke Depondius of the Emperor Vespasian, civilization, between the countryside and study the coinage of the Roman 20:24. That coin was quite possibly showing a winged Victory carrying a and the city, peace and war, and the Empire and living and working in the coin shown here, a Denarius of shield on which is written SPQR – growing-up of young people. This the Diocese in Europe has afforded the Emperor Tiberius. In the Greek “The Senate and People of Rome”. god was one of the earliest to be me the rare opportunity to visit text of the Gospel of Luke, the coin It is the emperor and Senate who found on the early Roman many of the ancient sites associated is referred to as a , bring peace to Rome. The bottom Republican coinage. This coin was with the coins in my collection. a Denarius. coin is a copper Sestertius of the minted in Italy. Many people may not realize it Emperor Nero. The reverse sends an but the Diocese in Europe important political and economic encompasses most of the territory of message to the people of Rome. The the Western Roman Empire and a coin, dated to A.D. 64-66, shows a good portion of the Eastern Roman An important and interesting seated Ceres; she holds stalks of Empire as well. facet of the Roman Imperial coinage wheat and a torch; in front of her During its long history, the was its use to convey social, political, stands Annona with a cornucopia in Julian II, (360-363 ad), a relative of Roman Empire operated some 27 religious and cultural messages to the her left hand; between them is a Constantine the Great, attempted to mints located in all parts of the people of the empire. In the early garlanded altar on which sits a restore the old pagan gods of Rome For full details including fabric samples and prices known world, stretching from days of the empire the theme on the modius; in the background at the during a time when Christianity was London in the far west to Antioch in reverse side of coins often promoted right is the stern of a ship The legend gaining influence in the Empire. He call us now. Wippell’s also make and sell vestments, the East and from Carthage in the religious and social values.The coins reads ANNONA AUGUSTI was particularly devoted to the cult south to Trier and Cologne in shown below are good examples of CERES.The symbolism is clear: the of Mithras, which the bull hangings, stoles, frontals, silver and brass wear, Roman controlled Germany. In fact that policy. The top coin was minted ship represents the transport of grain represented. The coin shown was there were mints all over the place:At at Lyon. by sea, the modius its distribution to minted in what is today Turkey. stained glass and a range of church furnishings. least two in the UK, three in the people, and Ceres and Annona (now France), two in Germany, six in are the presiding deities of that Italy, one in Croatia, one in Serbia, distribution." Both coins were one in Bulgaria, one in Greece, and minted at Rome. four in Turkey. There were also mints Finally something must be said at Carthage,Alexandria,Tripolis, about the religious values often Official Robe Makers to Antioch, and even one at Barcelona displayed on the Roman coinage Flavius Magnus Magnentius, (350- The Royal School of Church Music (Barcino) for a short period in the from the earliest republic to the end 353 ad) usurper in the West during of the empire. Just as emperors fifth century. These were the the reign of the Emperor Constans, Email: [email protected] imperial mints of the Roman Empire wanted to convey political, social and attempted to gain influence with and minting the official gold, silver and cultural values by means of the support from the Christian copper coinage but there were also coinage, they also wanted to convey communities in Gaul by placing a Exeter London Manchester to the people their beliefs and quite a few local or colonial mints The message conveyed sometimes Christian symbol on the reverse of 88 Buller Road 11 Tufton Street 9-21 Princess that produced small coppers for use dealt with serious political and support of religious values. The three some of his coins. He had little EX4 1DQ SW1P 3QB Street M2 4DN in some remote locations. economic issues such as the grain coins shown below give three success and perished in battle against There are people around who will supply for Rome from its North different religious messages. Constantius II a son of Constantine Tel: Tel: Tel: honestly believe that the Euro, the African colonies and the hope that the Great. The coin above has a 01392 254234 020 7222 4528 0161 834 7967 common European currency, is peace would be maintained in the mint mark indicating that it was Fax: Fax: Fax: something new and innovative. Not Empire. The two coins shown below minted at Amiens in France. 01392 250868 020 7976 7536 0161 835 1652 so! The first truly common currency carry such messages. One shows the So the Euro has a longer history for what is now Europe was issued altar at Lyon the other the god Neptune. than many of us thought! 12 IN THE PICTURE AROUND THE DIOCESE 13

22 women priests enjoyed a 3 day conference to share experiences of living and working in the John Le Page MBE made a Diocese in Europe piece of diocesan history when he inspired by the beautiful became the first Church Army surroundings (and officer to be licensed to work as weather!) of the an Evangelist - in the Chaplaincy Chateau de Bossey, the of St Andrew, Costa del Sol (East) Ecumenical Institute in Spain. John previously worked of the World Council in Jersey as warden of an of Churches just Anglican/Methodist Centre. outside Geneva. Eric Devenport was ordained in September 1952 and he celebrated his anniversary 55 years later with the congregation of the Church of the Holy Ghost in Genoa, Italy at the baptism of two children. Bishop Eric, as he is now, is also an honorary assistant bishop of the diocese.

The Friends of the Diocese in Europe enjoyed choral contributions including a Mass setting by Palestrina from the Lambeth Singers at their annual service at St Matthew’s Westminster in October.The new Secretary of the Friends is Mission and social to be Rev Philip Warner, functions combined in the of St Magnus the Luxemburg chaplaincy this Martyr in London. Autumn with a Big Curry Party provided by Indian members of the congregation who entertained over 70 people and helped raise 800 Euros for the Ahmednagar hostel project run by The Archbishop of Canterbury Anglicans hosted a reception at Lambeth Palace Harvest Festival at Javea on A September weekend saw in World Mission in during October welcoming guests the Costa Blanca in Spain helps Europe's largest flea market in the Maharashtra province from the Gibraltar government for the residents of a local French city of Lille. Many visitors to in India. the Cathedral renovation appeal Residential Home. Donations of Christ Church found real English which has raised £308,304 during its money are turned into goods tea, good coffee (all Fairtrade!) and first 11 months towards the total of handed over each year by church home made cakes and scones. The £850,000.A wide range of members. In October new chaplain, Rev Debbie Flach committees is being used to churchwarden Moira Welch calculates over 2,500 cups of tea, encourage a broad base of donors. took two full supermarket coffee and cake were served. trolleys to the Sisters of the Asilo Cholbi Home. 14 BEWARE THE GODS OF TODAY PEOPLE & PLACES 15

NAPLES has had a ‘vintage period’, writes N THE MOVE Chaplain and Archdeacon, - AINT LBAN IN O Arthur Siddall. During the S A Italy & Malta Archdeaconry N EW H ONORARY A SSISTANT B ISHOP Synod in October a new commitment was to support the forthcoming ministry to the Nigerian community in Padua The Right Reverend and Right Honourable Lord Hope, Honorary over the next three years. S AINT A LBANS Assistant ) is now also Honorary Assistant Bishop in Europe. Then, Naples was visited by the Archbishop of Canterbury where he also met Pope Benedict More than 5, 000 pilgrims asked the judge. ”What concern is When in doubt, just punch them. XVI, but took time to celebrate Holy Communion that?” asked Alban, ”I am a Christian . Obviously Punch is the creator of W ELCOME TO FAREWELL TO in Christ Church. The weather was horrendous, visited the Cathedral in the . . I am called Alban and I worship and some computer games, street gangs, but large numbers attended. Hertfordshire town which adore the one true living God who film directors and state leaders but It was a great few days just after I had created all things”. So the sword was he can be subtle and hide in middle Rev Mark Cregan, formerly boasts the name of St Rev Mervyn Boit, celebrated 40 years in Holy Orders! I was also sharpened and within a week of class consensus, his punch is less of Chaplain to the English-speaking Priest-in-Charge of St Andrew, able to present the Archbishop with an original Albans. Among the visitors meeting, Alban and his unexpected a fist and more of plausible, congregation in Alexandria, Egypt Biarritz in France has retired. London Illustrated News article, reporting on the welcomed by the Rt. Revd friend, the priest, were both dead. respectable, articulate words. Punch who has become Priest-in- Laying of Christ Church Foundation Stone in 1863. Centuries later, we celebrate this man, loves to play a little trick – he likes to Charge of the Anglican Church Rev Catherine (Kate) Gibson, Christopher Herbert, Bishop stand near his remains, tell his story – make people yawn whenever the of St John the Evangelist, Priest-in-Charge of St Edward and fall in love again with our calling conversation turns to human rights of St Albans was Archbishop Casablanca, . the Confessor, Lugano in Archbishop to be Christians. The pagan gods of and responsibilities, refugees, the Switzerland has resigned. Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu. The Alban’s time may be forgotten but the poor, the environment, equality – in Rev Jeffrey Williams,Assistant visits Swedish preacher at a special gods of our time are still powerful. Let fact, anything that Christians believe in Cardiff is in Malta and Rev Edward Farrow, Priest-in- Book Fair, Nancy us visit just four of their shrines. are close to God’s heart. We need to Gozo as Chaplain (Team Vicar). Charge of All Saints, Marseille in Fjällbrant from memorial service was the The first is Gloss, goddess of resist Punch with every bit of energy France is due resign at the end of St. Andrew´s Venerable Mark Oakley, beauty and surfaces – a fickle being, we have. February 2008. Church in incarnated in newspapers and adverts. These gods are alive and well, Archdeacon of Germany and Gothenburg We are drawn by her siren voice but fracturing and splintering humanity. M OVING AROUND The Venerable Dirk van went along. Northern Europe, and her perfection is impossible even for We need an Alban to call us back to Leeuwen, The four days Chaplain of St Albans in those who anoint themselves with her the one living God, source of life and Vicar General and Archdeacon of event attended by more than 108,000 people in many sensuous creams and labels. love. We need an Alban to tell us to Rev , Chaplain of NW Europe; Chaplain of the September drew together authors, publishers, . She teaches that life is survival of the listen to the story God is telling us Holy Trinity, Utrecht in The Anglican Church of St George, librarians and book lovers, with a rich variety of fittest. Fit for what she never reveals. about ourselves. We are unique, Netherlands becomes also Knokke;Associate Chaplain of the seminars by some of the world’s most read and We print edited highlights of She makes objects into people and wonderful, loveable and forgivable. Archdeacon of North-West Anglican Church of St Boniface, loved authors. his address. people into objects so in her adverts God loves us exactly the way we are Europe from January. Antwerp in Belgium resigns at Archbishop Desmond Tutu who was primarily you can never work out if the man is and God loves us so much He at the Book Fair to mark the translation into having an affair with the woman or doesn’t want us to stay like this. We The Venerable Arthur Siddall the end of December. Swedish of the book “Rabble Rouser For Peace: I remember a priest in the London with the car. are not made to be consumers but has moved from Christ Church, The authorised biography of Desmond Tutu” took Diocese who said his motto in life was Rev Peter Jordan, Chaplain of Obese is the god of gathering, of citizens, citizens of the Kingdom the chance of his visit to share in a start each day with a smile – get it Naples in Italy to be Priest-in- St George, Barcelona in Spain is acquiring, who is never satisfied. of God. “manifestation for solidarity with the people of over with. No wonder Nietsche said Charge of St John the Evangelist, due to retire at the end of 31 Happiness for him is having what you Burma” during the event. He was received with Christianity would be a lot more Montreux in Switzerland. He March 2008. want not wanting what you have. And tremendous enthusiasm. Many wore a red shirt convincing if Christians actually looked remains Archdeacon of Italy & he always wants more even when or scarf as a mark of solidarity with the monks. I redeemed! But there must have been Malta and is also Archdeacon of Rev James Tayler,Assistant bloated. He is related to that great god was sitting in the middle of the audience in the something about the priest who Curate of St George, Malaga in who makes us buy things we don’t the separate Archdeaconry of International Square and a neighbour remarked knocked on that door one night all Spain has resigned. need, who charms us into spending Switzerland. that Archbishop Tutu’s speech must have been those years ago pleading for safety. money we don’t have on things we similar to those he made against apartheid in The house owner, Alban, was a don’t want to impress people we South Africa. soldier, not used to disobeying orders don’t like. A rabble-rouser for peace is a very good or stepping out of line. But something A VOLLEY OF C ANONS Instantaneous is the goddess of description for Desmond Tutu, Nobel laureate made him open that door and let this now. She cannot wait. She must have and spiritual father of a democratic South Africa. man in – hospitality? Curiosity? fast cars, fast food, fast money, fast A number of clergy and lay officials have been honoured by the diocese Tutu understood that justice - a genuine regard Humanity? We don’t know but their death. She is blind, never having the as Canons of the Cathedral Chapter for human rights - is the only real foundation for consequent whispering hours together time to stop and see anything. She peace. He dared to oppose and stir up trouble, led Alban to re-think his life. When Rev , Rev Phillip Storr Venter, beckons people to live full lives but where others remained silent, and courageously eventually the soldiers come to arrest Priest-in-Charge of All Saints, strangely leaves them feeling empty. Chaplain of All Saints, Rome in Italy engaged in face-to-face confrontations with the priest Alban put the priest’s robe She is afraid of people meeting face to Highgate in London South Africa's leaders. He led peaceful on himself, ready to take his place. Rev Deborah Flach, Priest-in- face in case they discover the joys of demonstrations where he faced the fury of the At his trial Alban aligned himself to Charge of Christ Church, Lille Mr John Underwood, wasting time together, so she invents police and he stirred up trouble on the world the Christian God, not to the gods of in France Registrar and Legal Secretary to screens and devices that trick us into stage, seeking international support. the day. He was whipped and tortured the Bishop of Gibraltar in thinking we are communicating but He left Gothenburg for Darfur to take part in yet stayed faithful to Jesus Christ. Mrs Ann Turner, Lay Vice- which actually add to our loneliness. Europe as Honorary (Lay) Canon another mission of conciliation as a member of Alban knew that God had stepped into President of the House of Laity in Then there is Punch, the god of of the Cathedral of the Holy “the Elders” a group of leaders including Nobel his home and heart that night, in the the Diocesan Synod violence and division. If hate can be Trinity, Gibraltar laureates former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, form of a fearful man on the run. God escalated he’ll have a go – if they The Venerable , South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, veteran is shared before he is understood. don’t agree with you, lash out. If women and children's rights advocate Graca ”What family and race are you?” General Secretary of the Council they’re different, slap them down. of European Churches, Geneva, Machel, British tycoon Richard Branson, and the Switzerland former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harland Brundtland. 16 AND FINALLY

A DVENT APPEALS Bishop Geoffrey is delighted to This year’s focus is Friends of the report that the Bishop’s Advent Children of Romania. The Bishop’s Appeal in 2006 raised £5,237. 67p appeal can be seen on and want to thank the generosity of www.friendsofromanianchildren.org.uk churches and individuals in helping. C OSTA COPS

C HANGES AND CHANCES OF 50 YEARS IN What do they say about not finding policemen when you need THE M INISTRY them – and then you get three? At a fundraising event in St Andrews Canon Ted Wetherall who celebrated given the nickname of the ‘Black on the Spanish Costa del Sol East, 50 years as a priest in June and still Streak’ through my trying to meet Chaplain Rev (left) was leads services in Greece at the age of impossible deadlines for 4 services in snapped doing grievous bodily harm, 78 reminisces with humour on 4 Parishes. My parishioners only half with two accomplices, to the changing times and trends jokingly advised their neighbours to Policeman’s Song from the Pirates avoid driving on Sunday mornings. of Penzance. I was ordained priest in 1957 at Bury Christmas Day was a nightmare with St. Edmunds Cathedral, part of the morning services at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 Edmondsbury and Ipswich Diocese and 11:00 a.m. at the different (one of many new Dioceses created parishes. Quite naturally, I was W ORTH in 1912 due to the then current ones inevitably late for most of them. proving unwieldy).The ordination Christmas Eve was another matter A CLOSER LOOK was very jolly and friendly, with the with only the Childrens’ Carol Provost becoming muddled and Service at 4 p.m. where the children Occasionally the European Anglican getting names and people confused could choose their carols – ‘Can we is criticised for an overabundance of and everyone going up out of turn. sing away in a manger?’,‘We’ve just episcopal pictures which register on Having served a curacy in Ipswich, sung it!’.‘Can we sing Rudolph the the “Mitre meter”. So it seemed a I was sent to a country parish in Red Nosed Reindeer please?’,‘No!’, good idea to show the support team 1959 at Hitcham in Suffolk where and 11:00 p.m. midnight mass. from Bishop’s Lodge at Worth in one of my earliest embarrassed After my early retirement in West Sussex – within easy reach of memories was watching my father December 1992 I visited Greece Gatwick! Pictured are Margaret fall asleep while listening to me the following March. It was bitterly Gibson, Sue Hibling and Bishop’s preach a sermon. I stayed in that cold in Athens. I remember Chaplain Rev Kevin O’Brien, as remote country village on the discovering a tramp huddled in well as a rare glimpse of the chapel outskirts of Constable country for 32 Monasteriki train station and on at Worth. years. During that time another 3 offering change, being rewarded with parishes were added. Of course I ‘How exceedingly kind of you!’ preferred the single parish as it spoken in impeccable English. allowed me to be involved with I began to be involved in leading everything including Sunday School. occasional services, then found a However, as time went on I was home near Nauplion - a ramshackle set of rooms with the back walls the rock face at the bottom of a cliff and lived there for a few years. No WATC H O U T F O R wonder rumour had it that I was a ‘cave-dweller!’. The next European Anglican – to be I now live in a pretty little house published in March 2008 will include at the top of the cliff with a garden a personal account of York Courses on the sea-side of the other side of and how they can be used in the road - not easy to get to in the churches around Europe for Lent summer because of the traffic but I groups and other occasions, we meet have learned to follow one of my 6 the Vicar whose parish includes St cats, who know far better than me Pancras with its new high speed links how to cross the road with a from London to our churches, and a minimum of distress. personal account of the power of Plans for the future? Providing a prayer in Antwerp, Belgium. sudden need for U.K. health services Please send your news and pictures stays dormant, I would like to stay in to the Editor Greece and gently rust away. [email protected]