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

N o t a n g e l s b u t A n g l i c a n s I n t h e s t e p s o f S a i n t A u g u s t i n e

A s s i s i a s i t w a s P a g e a n t r e c r e a t e s I t a l y ’ s h i s t o r y

T w i t t e r s , t w ee t s a n d F a c e b o o k s T h e c h a l l e n g e o f n e w t e c h n o l o g y

S h a r i n g , p r a y i n g a n d l e a r n i n g “ O u r m a n i n B r u s s e l s ”

O r d i n a t i o n j o y M a i n t a i n i n g o u r M i n i s t r y

FREE N o . 4 7 A u t u m n 2 0 1 0 2 B arbe c u e s an d b l e s s i n g s

T HE E u r o p e a n A n g l i c a n M ee t i n g a n d e a t i n g t o g e t h e r The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, Worth, Crawley RH10 7RT Tel: +44 (0) 1293 883051 Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 Email: [email protected] The Suffragan Bishop in Europe The Rt Revd David Hamid Postal address: Diocesan Office Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 Email: [email protected] The Diocesan Office 14 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QZ Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 When the Meteorological Office in Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 Britain predicted a Barbecue Summer Email: diocesan.office@europe. last year they were roasted for getting c-of-e.org.uk their forecasts so wrong – one of the few things to be roasted during a cool Diocesan Secretary Mr Adrian Mumford and unpredictable English Summer. Assistant Diocesan Secretary Mrs Jeanne French Finance Officer Summer this year in many parts of Europe The Gospels tell us that although Mr Nick Wraight­ has allowed time for the barbecues to Jesus did not have a house of his own he Diocesan Website be lit and the opportunity of “Al Fresco” regularly received hospitality from other www.europe.anglican.org living. Sharing meals and hospitality is people. And while he was eating and Editor and Diocesan an important part of our ministry in the sharing meals people would be talking Communications Officer variety of climates and landscapes where about God and life and asking questions The Revd. Paul Needle our congregations are to be found. But we because they knew he had the answers Postal address: Diocesan Office follow a noble and holy tradition. to matters of eternity. Email: [email protected] In God’s Hymn Book (better known as In this issue you will find the church Tel: 0034 662 482 944 The Psalms) we are told to enjoy good food in celebration (with ordinations and joyful Friends of the Diocese and wine and to see it as a mark of God’s gatherings), commitment to respond goodness and love for us. At the opposite to the needs of the hungry (with our Secretary: The Revd. Philip Warner Email: [email protected] end of the scale the Old Testament emphasis on Creation-tide and the prophets remind us of people in trouble environment), hospitality with initiatives Design when crops fail, harvests are poor and there such as the Alpha or Emmaus Course Adept Design, Norwich is famine. Because of our global media we used by many churches to expand and Printer cannot ignore this division all over the world grow, as well as the most important Norwich Colour Print today. When this Autumn we celebrate shared meal of all which recalls Our Distribution harvests it is not enough to thank God for Lord’s breaking of the bread and blessing CoDEStorm plc all His love and enjoy what we have. We wine – the Holy Communion which is have a world responsibility to remember celebrated across our churches week Cover photo: those who could have food if we shared, by week. Learning how other people live. As we report on this page, these cared and made a fuss about the political In these glimpses of our church life youngsters from the Algarve in intrigues that often prevent aid getting to we hope you will find that even outside Portugal lived rough during a 30 the right people and places. Our feature on barbecue season our shared mission to hour “Fast for Peru” to raise money the Algarve youngsters going without food feed body, mind and spirit is much in and focus attention on the work of highlights one instance of positive action. evidence. the church in South America. Paul Needle Editor, The European Anglican m A k i n g fa s t i n g f u n i n 3 t he a l g ar v e

M a k i n g a “ f a s t ” b u c k i n S o u t h e r n P o r t u g a l M ee t i n g a n d Haynes Hubbard, Senior Chaplain of St Vincent’s writes Children in Western Algarve accepted a challenge and met it with a smile, a laugh and success. Three years ago St. Vincent’s Lily’s Team show later that day. The next day we e a t i n g t o g e t h e r Kids Club began in Praia da Luz, with Fasting for 30 returned the clothes to the charity shop € three or four children playing games and hours is a struggle, so the shop made 15 profit. having chats in the local church. It grew, especially for us Overall it was a really fun experience. and kept on growing, and now there are teens. Fourteen of The best part was the pizzas after the 30 two groups: younger ones and older us, between 11 and hours. We hope we save a lot of lives in teenagers, meeting separately each week, 15 went for 30 hours without eating a Peru after our hard work. for sports, talks, prayers and events. They single thing, except for a few people regularly lead Sunday worship for the with medical issues. To pass the long Emily’s Team English Anglican services in Luz, go on time without eating we did activities In our groups we all went to the camp-outs to Sagres in the Spring and Fall, such as volunteering to help tidy the Orphanage in Lagos have led worship for the Archdeaconry orphanage in Lagos, just after they had to help out and Synod in Vilamoura and, most recently, had lunch and collecting food for the meet the children the older Youth Club participated in a 30 homeless. Although we did a lot of there. We washed hour Fast, in aid of a Child Protection voluntary work we also played a lot dishes and swept Program in Lima, Peru. of fun games as a group, and cooled the floors inside and A year ago €2,500 was raised to send to down by going swimming at the end outside. Some of the children showed us a school in Malawi to provide the 500 of the day. their rooms and then when we were students there with one mosquito net Every 7 seconds a child dies of leaving, looked very sad. We asked why each. The Anglican priest in the parish, Fr. hunger, they don’t have a choice and learned that they had thought we Mponda, told us his school’s need and the whether to eat or not, so we decided were coming for a sleep-over! We were Kid’s Club responded with a Walk for to raise money to help an organisation all quite emotional (even the leaders) but Malawi and a dress up day at the which gives children in Peru a place to felt very happy and moved by the Barlavento School in Espiche. Funds were eat, sleep and play. Each of us was experience. soon on their way and 500 children’s lives sponsored and we have raised Throughout the day we played € were safer because of the children in approximately 1,600. games, watched bits of movies, sang, Algarve’s desire to help. All fourteen children said it has been prayed and kept our cool by visiting a In the autumn of 2009 a talent show an amazing experience, and would like friend’s pool. We slept: sort of, because was held in Burgau, in the style of Britain’s to do it again, to help the children who the girls decided to raid the boy’s Got Talent: “Algarve’s Got it Too!” was a have no choice. Many of us said we bunkhouse during the night and spray huge success, and massive fun. €2,000 was could have fasted for longer. them with perfume. Then it was more the result, which was then taken to the activities: but slower ones, because we Anglican Bishop of Lima, Peru, to be used Izzy’s Team: were running out of steam. We watched to feed hungry children in the food- “We never thought a powerful and moving movie about programs run by the church there. The we’d do it, South America, called ‘The Mission’. team from all over Spain and Portugal especially with We know we haven’t solved the world’s worked on various projects in Peru and McDonalds being 5 problems. We know there is still hunger returned with a desire to do more, yet minutes away!” and tremendous poverty. But we also wondering how to do so. Fourteen kids split up into 3 groups know that, in our little, tiny way we The Kid’s Club and Youth Club, and with 2 adults fasting for some Peruvian have made a difference. And for that, we their leaders, principally Emma Laherty strangers. We spent 30 hours in Fonte are proud, and grateful for the chance to and Kerry Burr from Praia da Luz came up de Vida church with only water, fruit do so. Would we do it again? with the idea of a 30 Hour Fast for Peru. juice and powerade to keep us going. Absolutely!! They raised approximately €1,600 During those 30 hours we visited Lagos towards a goal of €3,400, which is to orphanage, decorated our own t-shirts, support a programme for child protection played games, watched movies and sang through the Anglican Church in Lima, songs. On our second day each group € Peru, our Mission partners. At the end of was given 15 and sent into Lagos. We the Famine we were shattered. But not had to see how much food we could € too shattered to miss out on eating buy for the homeless with 10 and delicious pizzas. They made the end of the buy an outfit from the charity shop € Fast something to look forward to! with 5 because we had a fashion Thank you! The youngsters’ reflections, in their own words, offer an insight into their varied activities: I s ee t he E . c . – a v i e w 4 fr o m br u s s e l s

O u r m a n i n B r u s s e l s In the first of a series of reports for the European Anglican Canon Dr Gary Wilton, Church of England Representative to the EU, reviews his 9th May busy diary. we marked the 60th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration with a special service at the Pro-Cathedral

Walking down the corridor at some pastoral, some understanding that Lambeth Palace for the first time, I spiritual, some about all women and men are made was greeted with the phrase ‘You the policies of the EU. in the image of God, made to love must be our new man in Brussels’. When I can, I attend the one another and to live in peace. The It is a much easier title than ‘The ecumenical weekly prayer creation of the European Community Church of England Representative meeting in the meditation room was the clear translation of their to the Institutions of the EU and in the Parliament. The group is Christian values into political, social Canon of the Pro-Cathedral of small – but receives a lot of prayer and economic reality. While today’s the Holy Trinity, Brussels’. I was requests. MEPs have a monthly European Union is undoubtedly appointed in April 2008 and I meet prayer breakfast in Strasbourg. I plan secular it is important not to forget its the most interesting people and to join them once a term. Then once Christian heritage or the invitation for contribute to some amazing events. a year in Brussels there is a prayer the churches to be in dialogue. Hence this opportunity to share some breakfast at the EU, which is similar Here in Brussels on 9th May we conversations, people and events to the one in Washington. Over marked the 60th anniversary of the that come my way. 300 people attend – politicians from Schuman Declaration with a special The Church of England has all parties participate. In 2008 the service at the Pro-Cathedral where I been dreaming about appointing then President of the Parliament was also have the privilege of sharing in someone in Brussels for a number one of the main speakers, as was worship. We gave thanks for the life of years. The Lisbon Treaty was the Deputy Prime Minister of and work of Robert Schuman and the final catalyst. There was a The Netherlands. his peers and we prayed for today’s great debate about naming God The 9th May 1950 was a moment leaders of the EU and for those in the Treaty. But most people of real significance in the history who work in the institutions – that missed article 17 which provides for of Christian Europe. The French they might have the same wisdom, ‘regular open, transparent dialogue Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, a compassion and integrity as they seek with the Churches, Religions and committed Roman Catholic, called ‘the common good’. Communities of Conviction’. As a on France, Germany and other If you would like to know more result EU officials are very open to countries to pool their coal and steel – the House of Bishops pamphlet hearing what the churches have production to make war ‘materially can be found at http://www. to say. impossible’. This is recognised as cofe.anglican.org/info/socialpublic/ Encouraged by the Archbishop of the moment when the European europe/schuman.rtf . And please do Canterbury I wear my clerical collar Union was born. To mark the 60th remember today’s leaders of the EU when visiting the Parliament or the anniversary the House of Bishops in your prayers. Commission. It is a sign that the Europe panel commissioned a Church is interested and that we care pamphlet to explain its significance. for the people who work in the EU. The founding fathers of the EU, My presence is always noticed – and Schuman, De Gasperi, Monnet and it leads to lots of conversations – Adenauer shared the Christian o R d i na t i o n s i n t he 5 ne t her l an d s an d c re t e

S e n d d o w n t h e H o l y S p i r i t o n y o u r s e r v a n t Ordinations are the life blood of our continuing two daughters, Grace and Joyce. Chris is a senior ministry. During June and July a new Deacon geologist who works for began his service and three men from diverse Shell and so his ministry will locations and background were ordained Priest in be non-stipendiary and part-time. Amsterdam and Crete. Rev Rik Florentinus was ordained priest in Christ A man who used his of St Nicholas’s Church in Rik ordained by Bishop Church, Amsterdam where Geoffrey in Amsterdam. engineering skills to build Helsinki, Finland. Bishop he has served for the past a church in rural Crete is David ordained Tuomas, Ordination in the church year. Rik, his wife Elise and to be ordained Priest in the commissioned by Bishop Tony built. their children are members of tiny mountain chapel he Eero Huovinen of the the ecumenical community pioneered. Tony Lane had Evangelical Lutheran Church Spe Gaudentes (“Rejoicing been a steel boat builder in of Finland – emphasising and in Hope”), a religious Bristol before he and his strengthening the partnership community which seeks to wife, Suzanne, retired to the between the Church of live out the Gospel of Jesus Greek island of Crete nine England and many Baltic Christ ministering in the years ago. churches within the “Porvoo inner city of Amsterdam. Having gathered fledgling Communion” – a sharing Anglican congregation agreement first negotiated in together he built the church Finland in 1992. in a Cretan traditional form The previous weeked in a setting including an Christopher Nicholls was ancient threshing floor and ordained deacon by the olive trees. On Saturday 3rd Diocesan Bishop in Holy July Bishop David Hamid Trinity Church, Utrecht ordained Tony as a Priest to in The Netherlands where formally lead the ministry he will serve as Assistant on Crete. Curate. Chris comes from The ordination service was a neighbouring Anglican noteworthy because a second Chaplaincy of Voorschoten Priest had travelled thousands where he and his family of miles to be ordained. have worshipped for many Rev Tuomas Mäkipäa years. He is married to serves as Assistant Curate Johannette and they have

Tuomas with family. 6 an s w er i n g g o d ’ s c a l l

M i n i s t r y m a t t e r s At Diocesan Synod in Cologne in late May the Ministry Team offered an upbeat report on vocations and encouragements in ministry across Europe. Some of the highlights of their presentation show a growing interest in vocations and an experienced team advising, guiding and sharing with inquirers.

D i r e c t o r o f O r d i n a n d s W h a t

Rev William Gulliford’s half-time h a p p e n s i f role is combined with his work as a parish priest in London. He will I f ee l c a l l e d interview all candidates including, wherever possible, a home visit. He t o m i n i s t r y works with other team members in the demanding and highly skilled tasks of the discernment process. Before a person can begin enquiries Selection Panel dates and venues about ministry they must be have to be agreed, candidates with the Diocesan Office team to sponsored by parish clergy who will prepared and many forms completed. see that proper financial provision work with one of the Vocations When they have been through that is made for them and to manage all Advisors. It can take up to 6 months process, William is on hand to debrief correspondence related to grant help. before a first interview with the them and, equally importantly, After ordination advice and prayerful Director of Ordinands but while to make sure there is adequate thought are offered about appropriate waiting the inquirer will complete pastoral care for those who are not first ministerial titles. a portfolio of work. They will then recommended for ordained ministry. A lesser known aspect of his be invited to a Diocesan Vocations For those who are recommended work is to oversee the processes Seminar for diocesan discernment and for training, guidance is given for ordained ministers who may be preparation for a Bishop’s Selection from selection right through to seeking to transfer into the Church Advisory Panel. ordination. This involves liaison of England. Once a person is recommended by that Panel candidates under 32 will be required to attend a 2 or 3 year residential course. Older candidates may be directed to a 2 year residential D i r e c t o r o f T r a i n i n g or 3 year non-residential course. Non residential training is Rev Ulla Monberg works from normally through the Eastern Region Copenhagen and London. She is Ministerial Course. responsible for organising post- Residential training is generally ordination training sessions as well for candidates who will work as as helping to draw up and monitor stipendiary ministers and who will be formal training agreements for those deployed in the UK for their first title recently ordained. Ulla also has posts. Candidates from all styles of oversight of the training for people “churchmanship” have been through who wish to become Readers. our process and trained in a broad This can include devising tailor- selection of colleges. made programmes if applicants The latest figures presented at already have significant theological Ulla also works with Suffragan Diocesan Synod in 2010 are:- education. In this widespread Bishop David on training for mission 39 people involved in the diocese Reader Training Events are and congregational development • ordination training and process important ways for people to meet as well as advising on lay training, 16 enquirers, (11 men 5 women) and share. The selection of people including discipleship training • 15 in diocesan process (12 men, admitted to train as Readers remains programmes, and continuing • 3 women) with Bishop David Hamid. ministerial education in general . • 8 in training (4 men, 4 women) • 4 clergy from other confessions enquiring about transfer en c o u ra g i n g v o c a t i o n s 7

S o m e t r e n d s P o s t o r d i n a t i o n t r a i n i n g i n o r d a i n e d Our scheme complies with the We have seen an increase in national requirements of the Church participants whose background m i n i s t r y of England as well as addressing the is from Continental Europe, particular needs of the Diocese in Africa and North America. t r a i n i n g Europe. Training is required for In 2009 almost half of those everyone in the first 4 years after who participated came from ordination. Topics include non-British and non-native • Over 5 years the numbers of men • Mission, Stewardship and English speaking backgrounds. and women presenting are roughly Ecclesiastical Law Cultural diversity is a blessing equal • Transforming Worship – working and a challenge, particularly as • Of the 20 or so postulants with Common Worship we aim to develop a pattern of interviewed in a year experience • Preaching in Today’s World – training that takes into account shows that about 7 will not go Breaking open the Word of God the different levels of English forward to the final stage of the • Prayer and Spirituality – the language proficiency and different Diocesan Discernment spiritual living of our ordination cultural backgrounds of many of • 90% of those we send to Bishop’s vows our new clergy. Advisory Panels are recommended • Conflict Resolution – Making for training peace with conflict in the church • We have 7 people from ethnic • Issues in Public and Personal minorities in the discernment Ministry process, nearly one-fifth of the total. This is a new development and we are in consultation about the implications of this for M i s s i o n O u r recruitment policy, training and deployment D e v e l o p m e n t c o m m i t m e n t • About half of those who go through our discernment process return to the diocese to serve titles, S e m i n a r t o m i n i s t r y most for non-stipendiary ministry • Our candidates are greatly The diocesan commitment to appreciated in the colleges ministry involves considerable and courses personal input and financial support. • Ministry Division has shown Although the costs of Reader training flexibility over training pathways, are borne by the local supporting including allowing one ordinand in congregation:- France to access a Catholic • Ordinands’ maintenance and University’s degree removal costs are about £50,000. programme over three • From initial enquiry to ordination, years full time, while the average cost for a non- also attending a part residential ordinand is about time UK based course This new and exciting development £25,000 thanks to a National – the best of both was piloted in November 2009 subsidy with training fees etc. worlds and attracted 10 participants who • Post Ordination Training costs were Curates, Readers or Readers about £1,000 per year per curate, in training most of whom were in for 4 years leadership positions with new and • The diocese also supports the emerging congregations. staffing costs of administering and The focus of the seminar was on supporting ministry. specific training and support, issues Future aims and aspirations of church growth and congregational are high with further mission organisation as well as looking at our development seminars planned. It is Anglican identity in diverse settings. also hoped to provide training for incumbents who will, in turn, train curates. A diocesan wide Reader Conference may also be possible in the next year or so. 8 P i c t u re s s pea k l o u d er t han w o r d s

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

A c r o s s t h e A l g a v e w a y

Rev Bob Bates, from St Vincent’s in southern Portugal, was joined by Terry Ames of Algarve Walking Experience to walk 260 kilometres from the Spanish border to Cape St Vincent in under 8 days. As well as raising the local church’s profile the venture raised more than €3,000 through sponsorship to help provide air conditioning at a home for severely mentally disabled young people in Albufeira. After such tough going Bob was delighted to be welcomed by a bugle call, the popping of champagne corks and a coachload of supporters from their vast “parish”.

P r e p o w e r p o i n t P a g e a n t t o t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n ! p a s t

Before the days Our churches are set in diverse of computerised settings but everywhere local visual aids traditions and celebrations help simple integration and sharing religious cardboard and experiences. In Assisi in Northern sticky tape Italy the Calendimaggio festival sufficed. The welcomes the return of the warmer congregation at weather but with locals in costumes Benalmadena made from the sort of heavy woollen found their cloth the people of the 13th or 14th hand made century would have worn. The fire- “Candles of eaters, the flag-tossers, the drummers, Witness” the bowmen compete in their helped them to show their joy in ancient skills. The women, and even the faith. The church is part of the the smallest of children, wear their Costa Del Sol East group and, like elaborate costumes with elegance so many in our diocese, gratefully and pride. receive hospitality from the Roman Catholic church who offer a shared use of their buildings for Sunday worship – another example of shared witness to Christ. S u m m er s c ene s fr o m ar o u n d t he d i o c e s e 9

H a p p y f a m i l y b a p t i s m i n H a a r l e m

An important symbol in baptism is the candle which is given to parents as a reminder of the Light of Christ. But in St Anne and St Mary’s church Haarlem in the Netherlands there was a host of candles on hand when Canon Dirk Van Leeuwen baptised his three grandchildren at Candlemas.

Picture by Arjan de Boer.

A t o a s t t o t h e “ T i m e C a p s u l e ” i n t e a m N o r t h e r n I t a l y

A few drinks in the Bar Cultural after Cornerstone, the leading architectural the Licensing of Canon Mel Smith conservation magazine, recently as the Assistant Chaplain of Mallorca featured the interior of St Mark’s with responsibility for St Andrew’s Florence as “steeped in the medievalist Congregation Puerto Pollensa. The flourishes of the Pre-Raphaelite Eucharist was in the RC Church of movement”. The publication is by Nuestra Senora del Carmen where the Society for the Protection of they worship each Sunday. Ancient Buildings – an organisation Left to right: Reader Linda Cade, with close links to St Mark’s through Ibiza Chaplain Bob Short, retired one of its early members William priest Roy Greenwood, Mel Holman Hunt, who often visited and Kasia Smith, Congregational the church and donated an inscribed Wardens Mary Payne and Geoff chalice in memory of his late wife, Thomas, Chaplain Robert Ellis. Fanny, who died in Florence. Some of the Society’s early work was undertaken in Florence, as well as Venice. More details on the SPAB website, www.spab.org.uk B l e s s i n g s fr o m E c u a d o r 1 0 t o P r o v en c e

T w o l o n g s e r v i c e c l e r g y r e t i r e d f r o m r e g u l a r m i n i s t r y d u r i n g t h e S u m m e r . C a n o n B e n E a t o n l e f t S a n R a p h a e l i n t h e F r e n c h d i s t r i c t o f P r o v e n c e a n d C a n o n R a y J o n e s s a i d f a r e w e l l t o Y p r e s i n B e l g i u m . B e n a n d R a y h a v e b ee n l o o k i n g t h r o u g h t h e i r s c r a p b o o k s a n d r e c a l l i n g t h e i r v a r i e d y e a r s o f s e r v i c e .

Ben Eaton retires after 26 crying out “Padre! Padre!”. She was of my deepest and most enduring clutching a small bundle – her baby. lessons and one that my wife Anne years in the Diocese of Europe. Pressing this child into my arms she and I have tried to apply throughout Born in North Carolina and begged me to bless the child, but as our ministry, whether in Exeter, an undergraduate at the I gingerly held him, I was conscious Barcelona, Maisons-Laffitte, or here he had died in my arms. Around us in St Raphael. American University in Beirut, dark Indian eyes regarded the scene, The experience of my first day, he has been an “expat” for 50 and stared at me and the clinging of being handed the dead baby, has years. He reflects on 43 years mother. Within me was a sense of not been repeated, but in every inadequacy in the face of such raw community there have been people of ministry from theological human need, and with it such a deep in need, which they have “handed ” college in Puerto Rico to the sense of compassion, that theological to us. We have found that in this UK and continental Europe. training had not prepared me for. “expat” situation caring, loving That moment became a catalyst acceptance are key elements and challenge for the rest of my life of healing My very first day was an unforgettable Wrapping my arms around mother The Eucharist has always been start to ministry after ordination in and child, and weeping with them central in everything, be it breaking Guayaquil Ecuador where the Bishop all, we shared a profound intimacy. the Holy Bread at the sunrise had sent me. My life and ministry for At the rough grave we sang ancient Eucharist on an Easter morning on a the next three years was in a sprawling Indian songs with Christian words hilltop over the Devon countryside, slum of split bamboo cane houses built about trust in God, in his Christ, the at St George’s Barcelona beneath its on stilts in the tidal mud of the river. cross and the dynamic power in the “Gaudi” window ablaze with light My “baptism” in ministry began in resurrection as we lift high the Cup of Blessing: earnest, when a woman came running Together we built our own or at Maisons-Laffitte bringing seven out from the houses, stumbling over “people’s house”, our cane house and eight year olds to communion the treacherous bridge, desperately of God, which we named “La before confirmation, contemplating Transfiguration”, for here the Holy the wonder, awe and understanding Bread was to be blessed to feed in their eyes as they knelt before the hungry hearts and souls. This house altar with their parents. Worship of meeting between God and man has always been an absolutely key became a holy place of sharing and element of ministry and mission. learning, a centre for transfiguration Worship, which expresses expectancy of lives, as every chaplaincy should. and excitement, is a vital springboard That the church is for the people and foundation for growth. Maisons- with all their needs, where they can Laffitte was alive with young people find community, celebrate life and who filled the new hall which we hope over death and despair, and had to build to accommodate them. be at one with Christ, has been one Their parents filled the church and the music, the sense of joy, the atmosphere of worship, brought the church alive, and brought in ever more families and people. We give thanks that this experience has been repeated in every church we served We reach retirement here in our last church, St John’s, highlighted by the centenary year when we renovated the church, witnessed the church expanding; and as always celebrating with joy and thanksgiving to God. A s er v i c e l i fe i n u n i f o r m an d 1 1 b y t he b o o k

T w o l o n g s e r v i c e c l e r g y r e t i r e d f r o m r e g u l a r m i n i s t r y d u r i n g t h e S u m m e r . C a n o n B e n E a t o n l e f t S a n R a p h a e l i n t h e F r e n c h d i s t r i c t o f P r o v e n c e a n d C a n o n R a y J o n e s s a i d f a r e w e l l t o Y p r e s i n B e l g i u m . B e n a n d R a y h a v e b ee n l o o k i n g t h r o u g h t h e i r s c r a p b o o k s a n d r e c a l l i n g t h e i r v a r i e d y e a r s o f s e r v i c e .

remains are not identified and are Canon Ray Jones had quite a send off with buried in small coffins with a simple Burial Service in one of clergy from Belgium, military personnel, the Commonwealth War Grave representatives of the city of Ypres and Commission Cemeteries. Some are province of West Flanders, joining St identified by name and regiment and receive a full military funeral. George’s and neighbouring congregations. In the early years of my ministry in A choir from Dartford Parish Church sang Belgium I also travelled to the Somme the service. He remembers how he came at the request of the War Graves Commission to conduct burial services to this church with its emphasis on battles in remote Cemeteries, often in poor and a memorial to peace. weather conditions. Swirling mists added a sense of the harshness of the war as it had been recorded in In the winter of 2000 the then of WW1 soldiers who lie buried in war diaries. Bishop in Europe – Rt Rev John “Flanders Fields” or laid to rest in the Most of the tourists who come to Hind – stayed with me at the Costa cemeteries of the Commonwealth St George’s church leave it as pilgrims. del Sol (East) Chaplaincy house War Graves Commission. We also Students ask “Why do you glorify in Spain. During his four day visit welcome School students from the war?” I answer “We do not glorify Bishop John told me that he had plans United Kingdom, Australia, New war but give thanks for the sacrifice of for my future ministry but it was not Zealand, Canada, Africa, the former the many thousands of soldiers who until the evening before his return Eastern European countries and across gave their lives in the hope of peace. to UK that he told me more. I was Western Europe. We pray for them, their relatives and to move to Belgium, to St George’s Young and old come to learn always for peace.” Memorial Church in Ypres where of the horrors of war, to remember In recent times the war in Iraq and my previous life in the Army and my the dead, to trace their family history insurgency in Afghanistan have again service as a Chaplain to the Forces and to honour the memories of focussed our attention on the costs of would be fully put to use. “Think those who fought in and survived war – the lives lost, soldiers terribly about this and let me know”, were his World War One. They come to pray injured, civilian casualties, towns and parting words. for peace at the graves of relatives or villages destroyed. Here in Ieper – “Ypres” is a city in West Flanders of a “soldier known only unto God”. which is one of the World Cities for – the Dutch (Flemish) speaking region These moments are emotional and peace – they ask “Will there ever be a where “Ypres” becomes “IEPER”. moving for both Chaplain ‘war that ends all wars’?” The That was my first important lesson: and relatives. reply comes back “God knows!” the second was to learn that the They come to the Menin Gate Pray that we are given the insight townspeople speak English, they enjoy Memorial to the Fallen where the to understand. doing so and are quick to point out to Buglers of the Last Post Association A local journalist asked me what English speaking visitors that they do continue the traditional Last Post I would remember about Ieper not speak French to those whose first Ceremony at 8 pm every evening. other than “the constant presence language is French! Armistice Day is commemorated on of Remembrance” It will be the In St George’s we are a small 11th November each year bringing remarkable way in which the local resident congregation joined by thousands together on the Grote clergy – Catholic, Protestant and people of many nations, faiths Markt and rank upon rank of VIPs, Orthodox work, discuss theology and Christian denominations (or National Representatives, Standard and pray together for ecumenical none) from all over the world. bearers of the Royal British Legion understanding, as well as sharing There are many visitors to and Veteran organisations. worship and mission as pilgrims and Ieper – a city that was destroyed As Chaplain I have been disciples of Christ. Linked with this in World War One and rebuilt privileged to bury the remains of memory are the close relationships between the Wars. We welcome WW1 soldiers unearthed by farming between civic and church institutions thousands of veterans, historians, or the development of building sites and the respect young and old have Regimental Associations, relatives or even in private gardens. Many for each other in this city. F r o m c o l o g ne t o 1 2 c an t erb u r y

L e s s o n s f r o m a e u r o p e a n m i s s i o n a r y

Excerpts from a sermon during the 2010 Diocesan Synod by Bishop David Hamid to celebrate the life and witness of St Augustine of Canterbury

Jesus put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field; it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.” Matthew 13: 31-33

St. Augustine of Canterbury, way. The Venerable Bede writes that features that we could do well to the apostle to the English, was a the party of evangelists got cold feet ponder for they can inform the life of Benedictine monk living in Rome en route and tried to abort the mission. our diocese. in the late 6th century. We know According to Bede “they began to 1.Mission: His work was missionary the story of how Gregory the Great contemplate returning home, rather and mission created the Church of who was the Bishop of Rome, was than going to a barbarous, fierce and England – and mission continues to going through the markets in that unbelieving nation whose language be the raison d’etre for her existence city and saw some young boys there. they did not even understand”. But today, as indeed it is the essence of Impressed with their blonde hair with support and firm direction from what the Church is, in every place, and blue eyes of these English lads, Pope Gregory in Rome, the mission the divine society which continues he said, “What are these? Are they continued. When Augustine and our Lord’s own outreach and mission. angels?” Bishop Gregory’s chaplain his monks arrived in the kingdom of 2.Catholic and Evangelical: From quickly answered in Latin, (as all good Kent and began to live and preach the the start in Augustine’s missionary bishop’s chaplains do), Non Angeli sed Gospel, the people eventually began enterprise there was both catholic Angli, which we like to think means to be impressed by their preaching order (he was never in doubt that “No, they’re not angels, they’re and their witness. Many, including his task was to spread the Catholic Anglicans”, but in fact it means King Ethelbert, were baptised Church of Christ) and evangelical “no, they’re not angles but angles, and Christianity began to spread zeal (again, he never wavered from Anglo Saxons”. throughout the land. the undertaking to preach the Gospel Pope Gregory asked where the There is much in the pattern of Christ). We post Reformation boys were from and they told him of Augustine’s mission that echoes Christians tend to think that this of their land, and he decided that it our own. The letters sent between Catholic-Evangelical combination was time for intense evangelisation of Augustine and his boss Gregory was something unique hammered England. So he sent Augustine, with in Rome and the evidence of the out in the 16th century. But it is about 20 monks to England. They establishment of the Church in Kent not something that was invented in arrived in around 597. show a remarkable development of a Reformation. The Church’s dual Augustine’s journey to England mission strategy which we can learn emphasis on catholic faith and order was not without some crises along the much from. Here are just some and zeal for the Gospel is much older

Practical views of ministry. A major debate on the Discussions continue best over a meal and there is Strategic Review of the Diocese in Synod. always plenty to talk about over dinner at Synod. 6 t h c E N t u r y p l an f o r 1 3 e u r o pean m i s s i o n

than that. It is part of the DNA of new communities of Jesus. of Europe Anglican, nor is our task to the Church of Christ to which we There are not bad elements for any get every UK passport holder to Church, belong. diocesan strategy: mission, catholic but we are like the yeast which is put 3.Christ focussed: When Augustine faith and evangelical zeal, Christ into large measures of flour to leaven the and his monk companions landed in focussed not inward looking; robust whole lump. Ebbsfleet on the Isle of Thanet in and disciplined community life; St Paul’s 1st Letter to the Kent and met King Ethelbert, they leadership development. Thessalonians, which is probably the first had brought with them a cross and an There are of course things that did New Testament document to be written icon of Christ, and they were singing not go so well in Augustine’s mission. – dating from about the year 52, has a the psalms. In other words, from the But even from these oversights we wonderful reminder about the key to the very start, they began their mission have something to learn. For instance, work of evangelisation in which you and by pointing to Christ and his cross he did not manage to work very I are engaged. St Paul tells the Church and singing his praises. They certainly well together with other churches in Thessaloniki (which is in the modern did not point to themselves or focus that were already on the ground in Greater Athens parish, remember). The on themselves. Their worship was Britain, namely the Celtic church. apostle says, “we shared with you not focused on Christ and the worship We know that Augustine once wrote only the gospel of God but also our of the Trinity, presented it in all its to Pope Gregory asking advice about own selves”. There is much more to the mystery and glory. Because the focus where he was to get other bishops to spreading of the Christian faith than a set of their worship was Christ and not join him in consecrating new bishops of doctrines. Equally important is how we “new members”, seekers could see in for England. He never thought that put these teachings into practice. And this their worship life something deep and he might invite the British bishops is the business of being a mustard seed or profound which they wanted to be to do so, as he was not very open the yeast in the dough. part of. to ecumenical or inter-church What motivated Paul and the Apostles; 4.Community: Augustine lived potential for cooperation, if we use an what motivated Gregory and Augustine in community and developed anachronistic analogy. was the way in which they preached community life as the springboard You and I are not being sent forth the good news? They gave of their very for his evangelistic work. The by St Gregory the Great to evangelise selves. This is why God can use us, God community life which was at the heart the heathen Angles. However we are works with even the tiniest seed of faith, of his mission is one with which we being sent out by Jesus Christ to be the smallest bit of faith, the tiniest bit of ourselves should be familiar, as we in co-workers in his mission and with a his word that we have incorporated, and the Church of England have inherited particular specialty or focus, although he can, if we give of ourselves, use that in much from the Benedictines: a not an exclusive one, on those who the building of his kingdom. rhythm of common prayer and speak English. We know that we are, We are called, like Paul, and Augustine liturgical life, study of the Scriptures in many places, barely scratching the to trouble the world with the Gospel, to and the Christian faith, with practical surface of the potential for building witness and point to Jesus as Lord in all work and engagement in the world, up the Church where we are, but the that we do, all that we say, all that we all of which are not bad foundations Gospel today refreshes in our minds are. We have over 270 communities in on which each of our parishes could the type of calling we have as the this diocese. They are not places for the build their missionary strength. people of God. We remember that English to be entertained by a chaplain, 5.Leadership development: The core our vocation to build the kingdom they are not social clubs. They are 270 of monks of Augustine’s entourage of God where we are is, according mustard seeds, 270 communities of life were the focus for leadership to Jesus, like one of the tiniest of and potential, who are to give of their development for the expanding seeds the mustard seed, which grows very selves to proclaim that “Jesus is Church. They taught locals and thus into one of the greatest of shrubs or Lord!” This is our song, and this is helped to raise up leadership for the trees. Our mission is not to turn all our mission.

Discussions continue best over a meal and there is Bishop David joins discussion groups at always plenty to talk about over dinner at Synod. Diocesan Synod. B e v y o f b i s h o p s o n 1 4 p i l g r i m a g e

C l e r g y o n F r i e n d s l a n g u a g e h e l p Language must be one of the basic help of the congregation to get by, t h e m o v e tools of the gospel and pastoral care, and I do so shamelessly. and in the Diocese in Europe we face However, it was suggested that I G r ee t i n g s t o the challenge of being predominantly enrolled on a course for graduates at English speaking, but with a ministry the University of Antwerp to learn Rev Canon Andrew Hawken, that embraces many other languages. at least the basics of Flemish/ Dutch. Vicar of Benson (Oxfordshire) Some of us work places where The course was funded by the Friends becomes Chaplain of Midi-Pyrénées the local language is becoming of the Diocese as their contribution and Aude, France in September increasingly important for our to my ministry in Antwerp, and the Rev Brian Llewellyn, retired, mission, and all of us have to relate knowledge and confidence I gained became Priest-in-Charge of St to a local community and authorities from this has been greatly appreciated. George, Ypres, Belgium in July in countries where language can be a Over the course of a term I not only contentious and politically grasped the basics of the language, Rev JCD ‘Charlie’ Newcombe, sensitive issue. but was able to meet many other Assistant Curate, Emmanuel While many in the Diocese arrive professionals from all walks of life Church, Wimbledon is now with glittering language degrees, and who were reduced, with me, to Assistant Chaplain of St Paul, long term residents have gone native, struggling to find the words toddlers Tervuren, Belgium the newly appointed chaplains are use with ease. The Friends’ grant Rev Canon W Melvyn Smith, often at a disadvantage. I suspect that also came at a welcome time for the Diocesan Stewardship and most of us have a basic knowledge chaplaincy, who had just faced the Resources Officer in the diocese of school French, and a smattering huge costs of re-settling a new priest. of Worcester became Assistant of restaurant Italian/Spanish/Greek I do not claim to be fluent in my Chaplain of St Philip and St James, fondly remembered from holidays new language, and I really should Palma de Mallorca, Spain in June in the sun, but that isn’t enough for Try Harder, but I do appreciate the help and confidence it has given me. Rev Michael Smith, Vicar of All the minutiae of local bureacracy, I would warmly encourage others Saints’, Great Driffield and St Mary, and of no help at all in those darker to take up this sort of help which is Little Driffield (diocese of York) is parts where less popular languages are generously offered by the Friends, now Chaplain of All Saints, Puerto spoken. And it’s no help at all if you and greatly appreciated in our de la Cruz, Tenerife, Spain want to move from, say Taormina to Brugge. chaplaincies. F a r e w e l l t o I arrived in Antwerp with no knowledge of Dutch at all. In fact, Rev A Brian Davies, Priest-in- I had never heard it spoken until Charge of the Anglican Church I bought a disc to Teach Myself of All Saints, The Vendée, France Dutch. Except that what they spoke resigns from 29 November in Antwerp didn’t sound like Dutch at all. And in Antwerp, if you want Rev Hazel Door, Priest-in-Charge to speak to anyone at the Town Hall, of Christ Church, Brittany, France you are supposed to use Flemish. resigned in July Conversely, it doesn’t help the new Rev Canon Dr Roger Greenacre, learner that almost everyone in the Priest-in-Charge of St Michael, city, even those in Authority speak Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France resigned excellent English and love to use it in July the moment they realise that your Rev Roger White, Chaplain Flemish has an English accent. It is of St Thomas à Becket, Hamburg, quite possible to rely on this and the Germany will retire in January 2011 i s h o p s b e a t up in Alton and was Bishop of B Basingstoke from 1994 to 2001. He SYNOD ELECTION DEADLINE was joined by his Suffragan Bishop, Ballot papers for elections to a p a t h t o Bishop David Hamid, the Bishop of General Synod must be returned the Convocation of the American to the Diocesan Office by 13th H a m p s h i r e Church in Europe, Bishop Pierre October. The results of the Whalon; the Archbishop of Utrecht elections will be available on the An impressive array of bishops (the Most Revd Joris Vercammen), website from 18th October. The descended on a Hampshire church the Bishop of Harlem (the Rt Revd new Synod meets in Westminster on a pilgrimage led by Diocesan Dick Schoon) and the Bishop in on Monday 22nd November. Bishop Geoffrey Rowell who grew Switzerland (the Rt Revd Dr Harald P a t r i c k ’ s p o s t s c r i p t 1 5

I f o n l y . . . P o s t s c r i p t f r o m A r c h d e a c o n P a t r i c k C u r r a n

Put the window in a particular place, and the light comes There is a third dimension which is central to the through. Put a person in a particular place, and God comes God whom we confess and the faith that has taken hold through.’ (Church Times, May 2010) of us. No one and no place is far from the presence of These words by the Archbishop of Canterbury on God. People express this in different ways. Some seek holiness strike a chord within me. Why? Because I can to see in everyone they encounter not only the image see that some do need to discover that place where God of God, but also the indwelling God, the face of Christ. will come through. This way of seeing is based firmly on a passage from St Some of us might feel that if only I had this job, if Matthew’s Gospel entitled by some commentators as only I had not made that decision, if only I had grown The Judgement of the Nations. (Matt 25.31-46) up elsewhere etc. etc. my life would finally come right. ‘the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you Finally I could fulfil my potential as a human being. that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared There is just so much stacked against me that I am for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and never going to get to that place where I can truly you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to flourish as I ought! drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and I can sympathise with this sentiment. To some extent you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I putting our house in order and positioning ourselves was in prison and you visited me.”’ accordingly will help. The decisions we make determine These words find an echo in a much loved what sort of people we are becoming. Choices matter. Communion hymn ‘Christ in hearts of all who love We need to make them responsibly and with the me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.’ God is ever wherewithal of our particular lives. What we never present. He is but an intake of breath away. For some forget that no one has the perfect life. Stop looking over this ‘but an intake of breath away’ is an enormous the garden fence: coveting your neighbour’s life. Each of chasm that may never be bridged. For others it is a us has known to differing degrees conflict, tragedy and reassurance and echoes the words of the Psalmist who disappointment: that is one side of the coin. The other sings (139.7-10), is that this is balanced by moments of happiness, success Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from and appreciation. your presence? After ordination to the diaconate (1984) I served If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in my curacy in the parish of St Michael and All Angels, Sheol, you are there. Heavitree, Exeter. One of the parishioners there gave If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest me a card with the following encouragement: “Grow limits of the sea, where you are planted!” At the time these words struck even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall a chord within me and continue to do so. Do not look hold me fast. left or right wishing you were here or there, but accept The quotation from the Archbishop of Canterbury: the place where you have been planted and seek to be of ‘Put a person in a particular place, and God comes service there and then you will surely grow. Looking left through’ teaches us that God is always seeking us, that and right, wishing constantly to be somewhere else and there is no place where God is absent and that if we can looking for something else are temptations. They can but open ourselves to God we may be surprised and and do hinder us in finding the place where God will find that the place we presently occupy was all along the come through. particular place and God really does come through!

Rein) and the Bishop in Austria (the Catholic Bishops to a pilgrimage from Church, where John Keble, the poet- Rt. Revd Dr John Okoro) all from Bonn to Echternach in Luxembourg, priest who was one of the leaders of the Old Catholic Church together where St Willibrord, the British the Oxford Movement, is buried. with the Bishop of Visby (the Rt missionary is buried. On this two Revd Dr Lennart Koskinen) from days of English pilgrimage the bishops the Church of Sweden, who has visited Alton Abbey, and walked from responsibility for the Church of Itchen Abbas to Winchester, visiting Sweden Abroad. the churches on the way and including In September 2006 Bishop evensong in Winchester Cathedral. Geoffrey and Bishop David Hamid They also went to Romsey Abbey accepted an invitation from the Old and concluded with a visit to Hursley N e w t e c hn o l o g y t o 1 6 s prea d t he w o r d

A n t w e r p c h u r c h f a c e s u p H e ’ s o n h i s w a y

If you thought the social networking http://www.facebook.com/pages/ site Facebook was for individuals St-Boniface-Anglican-Church- – and youngsters at that – you Antwerp/123623651006269 The may be impressed to see how St page also offers a place for posting Boniface church in Antwerp is taking pictures such as this one of renovation the opportunity to make deeper work continuing and of the contact with members and visitors Centenary Garden Party (from pre with a Facebook page of its own. Facebook days!) Although it may be a little early to sort out the Christmas tree and e w h o r i z o n s i n g l o s s y c o l o u r decorations planning for church N publicity for the festive season is An established publication with well underway. An ultrasound scan information to welcome potential new of Jesus in the womb – complete clergy to the diocese has been revised with the suggestion of a halo – is and re-issued, this time with a glossy the new poster image for the cover in colour. New Horizons is now churches Christmas campaign in its third edition and has a range of by ChurchAds.net this year. The information about dealing with different designers say that proud parents-to- cultures and languages as well as settling be are always pleased to pass round into new family life with schools, a photo of an ultrasound scan for overseas healthcare and a climate which their baby and Christians should be may be very different and challenging. equally pleased to spread the news New Horizons can also be accessed about the nativity of Christ. via the diocesan website Much of the material is free and can be downloaded for use by local http://europe.anglican.org/news/jobs/New_Horizons_3rd_edition_Booklet_LR.pdf churches in Europe. Some of the posters can also be ordered and bought from ChurchAds although plenty of time should be allowed for O n l i n e S y n o d D i g e s t l a u n c h e d postal deliveries. For anyone with access to a It was timely news/newsItems/2010/10_May_05. local radio station there are radio at the end of html commercials on the same theme. Diocesan Synod The first edition included a welcome Last year’s campaign, on posters after a discussion to our new Environment Officer and radio, was supported by on a review of Madeleine Holmes who has been over 700 churches and reached Communications finding that the work involves 20 million people. http://www. to introduce a meeting a range of characters. She churchads.net/ new method of is seen here with a feathered friend information about during the European Christian what went on in Cologne. The new Environmental Diocesan Synod Digest is an online Network magazine on the website and has conference been well received. It is hoped that in Prague this will be developed to become during June. a regular feature after important diocesan meetings. http://www.europe.anglican.org/