Stop the Traffik Page 6-7 MARCH 2015 A New Chapter for the Church in Estonia On 2 February 1920, the Tartu Younan, Bishop of Palestine and Jordan and President of the Lutheran World Federation, Peace Treaty was signed between was one of the consecrating bishops and, Estonia and Soviet Russia ending being a Palestinian would understand the Estonian War of Independence. concerns about the intentions of powerful The Treaty stated that ‘Russia neighbours. unreservedly recognises’ the I was there to bring greetings independence of the Republic of from the Diocese of Rochester, Estonia and renounced all rights to praying that our link with the territory of Estonia. The Tartu Estonia would go from strength Peace Treaty is regarded as the birth to strength, and also from the certificate of the Republic of Estonia Church of England on behalf of and it is commemorated every year the Archbishop of Canterbury. on 2 February. The Communion between the Baltic On 2 February 2015, when Christians Lutheran Churches (which includes Estonia) around the world celebrated Candlemas and and the Church of England was signed citizens of Estonia also celebrated the ninety- in 1994 and is known as the ‘Porvoo fifth anniversary of the Tartu Peace Treaty, Communion’. A number of the Baltic bishops the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia spoke of the high regard in which they held celebrated the consecration of Urmas Viilma the Porvoo Communion. as Bishop and installed him as the seventh, and at 41 years of age, the youngest The service, very similar to Anglican Archbishop of Estonia. In his sermon, the consecrations, was a wonderful mixture of new Archbishop wove together the themes old and new and was a musical feast. The of Candlemas and the Tartu Peace Treaty, Gloria was an adaptation of an Estonian speaking deeply into the hearts of Estonians folk song accompanied by a zither. A brass who were very aware of the battles taking band played Mendelssohn and beautifully place in neighbouring Ukraine and were also led music from Taizé. A violin provided a aware that, like their Ukrainian neighbours, haunting accompaniment to a children’s choir they, too, share a border with Russia. singing, ‘We need to hold one another’ specially written for the occasion. And then The service was attended by government there were the hymns accompanied by the officials, guests and bishops from within magnificent cathedral organ. Estonia and around the world. Munib The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle with a newly appointed Archbishop of Estonia, Urmas Viilma was a favourite at the time of the first Lambeth Conference in 1867 when the Lutherans sit to sing and stand Church of England faced division – little to pray, except for the singing of changes! Martin Luther’s great hymn (like Estonia has a young church in a young a national anthem for Lutherans, nation: it was a symbolic moment to see originally written in the sixteenth the 41 year old Archbishop speaking with century as an appeal for religious the 38 year old Prime Minister. Both face leadership dilemmas of drawing possibilities freedom against the power of out of challenges. Archbishop Urmas takes Rome) ‘A safe stronghold our God up his responsibilities at a time of declining is still, a trusty shield and church attendance combined with the need for the Church to speak to a young nation. weapon’ for which everybody While the political contexts of the Dioceses stands. of Estonia and Rochester are different, we can learn a great deal from each other English hymns were also sung (in through our prayer and fellowship and in the Estonian) including, ‘The Church’s one focusing of our mission and the organising foundation is Jesus Christ our Lord,’ which The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle with guests and bishops from Estonia and around the world of our ministry. PLEASE NOTE: Copy deadline for the April issue of Rochester Link is 13 March 2015 at 4pm. Copy to [email protected] 2 ochester Link The Bishop of Tonbridge’s Diary The Rt Rev Dr Brian Castle March 2015 What’s on 3 Mar 1030 Hospital Chaplains’ Meeting and March 2015 campaigns, and how to sustain and nourish your activism and Lunch – Bishop’s Lodge, Sevenoaks Sunday 1 build a network of support. Speakers include: Bishop Richard 4 Mar 1100 Attend SEITE Council Meeting – London BROMLEY Free concert by members of the Bromley Cheetham, and Eilidh Macpherson, Campaign Manager at CAFOD. For further information and to book a place go 1845 Attend Hands of Compassion meeting Symphony Orchestra in St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG at 3.00 p.m. They will play Beethoven’s to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/spirit-in-action-for-the-climate- - Beckenham Septet and Brahms Horn Trio. The free concert is followed tickets-15300612544 or email kate.allardyce@operationnoah. 5 Mar 0800 Churches Together in Kent Leaders’ Breakfast by tea and cakes. Free on-road parking outside the church, org and AGM - Maidstone or buses 126, 261, 314, 336 pass the church (Morgan Road Friday 20 7 Mar 1100 Attend Faith & Order Commission Meeting stop) and link with Bromley South Station. Contact Peter Fall LAMBERHURST Lamberhurst Music Festival at St Mary’s on 020 8464 1239 or [email protected] for further details. Church, Lamberhurst at 7:30pm. The 2015 programme’s - Leeds Saturday 7 first concert sees a return of The Doric String Quartet who 10 Mar 1100 Attend Lord Lieutenant Civic Service RIVERHEAD “Towards Holy Week”, a concert of choral have visited the Festival twice before due to their popularity. – Rochester Cathedral music from Temenos Chamber Choir, at St Mary’s, Riverhead, They have performed in Europe, the USA, the Far East and 11 Mar 1230 Attend UK Bossey Network Meeting - London TN13 3DR at 7.30. Programme includes Tallis Lamentations, Australia. They will be playing Hayden’s Quartet no. 76 13 Mar 1100 Attend Mission Theology Advisory Gesualdo Responsories for Holy Thursday, and music by and Beethoven’s Quartet no 130. Tickets £20. Doors open Byrd, Monteverdi and James MacMillan. Trumpet solos from 6.45 pm. For more information call 07812 192338 or email Group meeting - London BBC Young Musician Finalist, Matilda Lloyd. Tickets £10 [email protected] 14 Mar 0930 Attend Diocesan Synod meeting – St John, (£5 students) from Sevenoaks Bookshop, or phone 01959 Saturday 28 Tunbridge Wells 523765, or on the door. BROMLEY Gigantic indoor Jumble Sale in the hall at St 16 Mar 1100 Attend Guild of Church Braillists’ meeting with TUNBRIDGE WELLS A Musical Meditation for Lent at St Mary’s Church, College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG; doors open RNIB - London Peter’s Upper Church, Hastings Road, Pembury, Tunbridge at 2.00 p.m. Queue starts forming at 12 noon – come early Wells, TN2 4PD at 7.30pm. A Musical Meditation for Lent in for exceptional bargains. Better bric-a-brac and refreshments 17 Mar 0930 Attend Bishop’s Staff Meeting - Bishopscourt aid of Terry Waite’s Charity, Y-Care International, with music available. Free on-road parking after 2pm. in side roads near 18 Mar 1130 Attend National Safeguarding Panel - London including from Taize and Iona communities, readings for Lent the church, or buses 126, 261, 314, 336 pass the church 21 Mar 1100 Talk at Spiritual Accompaniment Course and visual presentations of the charity’s work. Refreshments, (Morgan Road stop) and link with Bromley South Station. - Canterbury Bring and Buy and Terry Waite’s books for sale. Further details: Contact Carole Beale on 020 8460 9330 or carole.beale@ 22 Mar 1030 Preside and Preach, St Mary, Westerham phone 01892 539549. yahoo.com for further details. Sunday 8 22-29 Mar Deanery Visit to Erith BROMLEY Free concert by Stephen Roe (Baritone) and April 2015 23 Mar 1100 Chair Faith & Order Commission sub group Rosemary Chater (piano) at 3.00 p.m. in St Mary’s Church, Saturday 11 on Safeguarding - London College Road, Bromley BR1 3QG. The free concert is followed TUNBRIDGE WELLS, at St Paul’s Church Centre, 23 26 Mar 1730 Bishop’s Council Meeting – Diocesan Office by tea and cakes. Free on-road parking outside the church, Rusthall Road, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8RE at 29 Mar 1830 Confirmation Service – St Paulinus, Crayford or buses 126, 261, 314, 336 pass the church (Morgan Road 7.30 pm. A Musical Meditation for Easter in aid of Canon stop) and link with Bromley South Station. Contact Peter Fall Andrew White’s projects with music, including from the CONTACT US on 020 8464 1239 or [email protected] for further details. Iona and Taize Communities, readings for Easter and visual News and letters to the Editor: OCHESTER Friday 13 presentations of Canon White’s work. Refreshments, Bring [email protected] BROMLEY Intimate Opera Club, directed by Paul Arden- andBRENCHLEY Buy and Canon Join White’s us to celebratebooks for Eastersale. Further at sunrise! details: At Telephone: 01634 560000 Griffith, present “The Wonderful World of Operetta and phoneAll Saints 01892 Church. 539549 See our historic and beautiful thirteenth Musicals” at 7.30 p.m. in St Mary’s Church, College Road, century church in a new light. Everyone and every age ADVERTISEMENTS LinProclaiming the word & workk of God Bromley BR1 3QG. Admission on the door is £9 (£7), Patrons welcome to the first “communion” of Easter Day followed Email: [email protected] £5, Interval refreshments and raffle. Contact 01435 882741 by continental breakfast. For further information please go Copy for The Link needs to be typed and submitted by email please. 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