Presbytery Of Europe

Presbytery Plan

Section One - Background

Our Mission

The Church of has always had a strong sense of mission, believing that we are called to take the good news to those who need to hear it. The Presbytery of Europe shares this sense of mission, and finds that people are often more open to new ideas when they have moved to a new country. The need for fellowship and pastoral support can be strong when people are far from their normal support networks and facing the challenges of a new culture. This gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate the gospel values that we believe in to those who would not normally have any contact with the church.

As part of its Calvinist heritage, the Church of Scotland has always been aware of its responsibility to have a presence among governmental structures and civil society. As Europe continues to evolve towards a new shape, many of the power structures that affect life in Scotland are situated far from its borders. Our Presbytery takes the witness of the church into these places, ministering to those who work in such organisations and being a prophetic witness for justice and peace.

Our Church has also learned to have the humility to work alongside believers of other traditions, recognising our spiritual unity, and the value of what we can learn together. Our Presbytery experiences such partnerships in every congregation. For us, it is not an added item on our agenda, but an essential experience. We believe that we have much to share with the wider church by the way we have been enriched through this way of serving Christ. In these ways we fully articulate the ecumenical awareness which is made explicit in the Articles Declaratory, and in the General Assembly’s affirmation of the Leuenberg Agreement.

The Church of Scotland has always been aware of the need to understand the times in which we live, and to respond appropriately to the social changes that are going on around us. Increased travel and new patterns of migration are among the biggest changes affecting us today. Our Presbytery is operating at the heart of such changes, learning to react and adapt as we go along.

We believe that we exist for these reasons, and that our planning for the future should be designed to allow our ministry to grow and develop amidst the new challenges of our continent. We aim to be a living Presbyterian presence in mainland Europe, sharing our rich heritage of faith and learning new ways and being involved in the work of the gospel in our different contexts. This can also involve us in partnerships with projects and congregations beyond the bounds of our Presbytery. We hope to be both Scottish and international, and to reflect the gospel impetus in being outward looking, open and confident.

A Brief History

The existence of Scottish congregations on the continent goes back to the early days of the Reformation. John Knox himself was minister of the English speaking community in Frankfurt, and in John Calvin’s Geneva. Since the Reformation there have been many congregations led by Church of Scotland Ministers across the Continent (and two Presbyteries) who followed the expatriate 1 Scots who travelled for trade and work, to soldier, as tourists, as sailors, and also to fly the protestant flag in Rome. Many of the congregations no longer exist –Vere, Delft, Dort, Flushing, Den Haag, Genoa, Venice, Naples, Montreux, Dresden,

1 The difference between refugee, asylum seeker, migrant, and expatriate can often be a matter of timing, definition or prejudice. 2 Cologne and Hamburg to name a few. Others which used to be connected through their ministers (Nicosia, Vienna) still exist, but have lost the connection to the Church of Scotland.

The congregations that the Church of Scotland now has in Europe are widely spread, and vary in size and constituency 2, as well as in history. Some are old; others are very new, dating from the latter part of the 20 th century.

The work of the ministers in Europe used to be that of gathering and supporting the mainly Scottish communities, but always with numbers of other English-language Reformed and non-Anglican protestant worshippers. There were also connections with the Jewish Mission of the Church (Budapest), and the wish to be present in Rome at the heart of the Roman Catholic world.

The charges of Christ Church Warwick, and St Andrews, Colombo, , which both joined the Presbytery by Act of the General Assembly in May 2008, also have long histories of providing English language worship far from Scotland.

2 See Appendix 2, Presbytery Survey 2008 3 Section Two - The Present Situation

The sanctioned charges of the Presbytery of Europe are:

Amsterdam – also related to the PKN (Protestant Church in the ) Bermuda, Christ Church, Warwick Brussels – also related to EPUB (United Protestant Church in ) Budapest – strong links to the HRC (Hungarian Reformed Church) Cost a del Sol 3 Geneva – also related to the EPG (Protestant Church in Geneva) Lausanne Lisbon 4 – united congregation with the Methodist Church in Great Britain Paris Rome Rotterdam – also related to the PKN (Protestant Church in the Netherlands) Sri Lanka, St Andrews, Colombo - also related to the Presbytery of Lanka

Other congregations associated with the presbytery are: Bochum 5 Regensburg 6 Turin 7 (For more information see Appendix 1)

These congregations of the Presbytery of Europe are a legacy of our involvement with travelling Scots and English speaking worshippers but they have become much more than that, as international and interdenominational communities supporting the wide range of people who work, live, study or seek asylum in Europe. The dramatic rise in importance of the English language has meant that our congregations in most locations minister to and support the world Church in an exciting way.

Our work in these communities involves people of every class, background, culture and country. They may be business-people carrying great responsibility, often very influential men and women. They may also be refugees fleeing from persecution, carrying many hurts and fears. They often find it difficult to make roots in their adopted country - their focus on work, language or cultural difficulties, and their limited contracts don’t help.

Few national Churches offer worship in foreign languages. It is difficult sometimes to adapt to both foreign language worship and culture at the same time - liturgical language often takes longer to learn than ‘business’ language. It is of inestimable comfort to find worship in a language one can feel at home in. There is also a missionary responsibility to those expatriates who have lost contact with the Church. The Church of Scotland has been involved in this kind of ministry for a long time.

Working on our own European doorstep we can be both surprised at how much people are like us and how different they are. Often we discover that we have more in common with some people from Indonesia and Ghana than with fellow Britons. We also discover that we may have as many prejudices of understanding

3 Near Malaga on the Costa del Sol 4 A union of Church of Scotland and Methodist congregations in Valetta. 5 Congregation ministered to by a Church of Scotland minister, the Rev Jimmy Brown, recognised by the EKD in the Westphalia district of Germany. An elder and the minister attend meetings of the Presbytery of Europe. 6 The Reverend Rhona Dunphy was ordained by the Presbytery of Europe and jointly appointed together with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bavaria to be chaplain of the English-speaking congregation at Regensburg University in October 2005. 7 This is an English speaking congregation of the Waldensian Church, the Tavola Waldese, where successively two Church of Scotland ministers have served. 4 and comprehension as any one else. We are called to learn from encounter, to be creative and imaginative in coming to terms with the multi-faith, non-faith and even anti-faith environments in which people live and work.

As well as the congregations listed above, a few others have also become associated with it. Presbytery numbers also include the appointees to different international bodies in Brussels and Geneva, so it thus brings together a great deal of expertise in ecumenical, international experience, and international understanding. Presbytery also encourages and supports people not working for the World Mission Council, such as the Reverend Rhona Dunphy in Regensburg caring for English speaking worshippers for the German Lutheran Church.

In practical terms the Presbytery role is to encourage and oversee the work of congregations, to aid them in changes of ministry etc., and to allow congregations to participate in and bring their experience to the church in Scotland. They can do the latter through the Councils and Committees, personal contacts, General Assembly etc. It is also the role of the Presbytery to initiate and suggest directions for change and moving forward the work of the Kingdom in their own area – in this case continental Europe.

The Presbytery congregations are taking responsibility for building and maintaining relationships with partner churches. A number of the congregations are jointly members of the Church of Scotland and partner churches as above. Most are members of local Ecumenical Councils. Such local to local ecumenical connections are an example for the whole church.

Some Notable Aspects of the Work of our Presbytery.

Survey results show that 1992 -2008 was a very productive time in life and mission.

The congregations have grown in number and in many have increased in size.

Our presence as a ‘historic’ Reformed church is an important support and presence to often small local, and often hard pressed, Protestant Churches.

The Presbytery as a unit has taken more responsibility, and has consistently shown a willingness to shoulder the task of support and mission within its own area of competence – i.e. in Europe, in congregations, in English language mission, in involvement with partner churches. In 2008 Presbytery accepted responsibility for the two charges of Christ Church, Warwick, Bermuda and for St Andrews Colombo, Sri Lanka, both international congregations whose ethos is similar to the other charges in the presbytery.

The various surveys have shown the congregations to be centres of excellence when it comes to drawing together and supporting people from a wide range of countries, cultures, denominations and backgrounds.

The Presbytery is building links to the German Churches where English language worship is offered.

There is a sense of opportunity with congregations willing to look to the future and explore what we can contribute to the wider church.

The bi-annual Presbytery meetings have been seen by visitors from Scotland as a model of what a Presbytery should be in terms of fellowship and spiritual support. 5 What Makes Our Presbytery Different From Those In Scotland

Growth : In contrast to Scotland the numbers attending worship have increased steadily between 1992 and 2008 and are now 60% higher than in 1992 at 1600 worshippers. The number of children has doubled and the number of adults by 50%. However part of the growth in the last 4 years has come from the inclusion of more charges and in fact most of the European charges have shown a drop in attendance between 2004 and 2008 surveys. Comparing the same congregations in 2004 with 2008 there has been adrop in attendance of around 15%. The only congregations to report substantial growth have been Brussels and Bochum.

Changing Congregations: All congregations experience high levels of turnover, on average 40% of worshippers are either fist time visitors or have been with us for less than 4 years. This proportion varies from lows of around 20% for Gibraltar, Bermuda, Lausanne and Rotterdam to a high of 74% in Budapest. A majority of congregations have at least 50% newcomers since the last survey. The charges in Europe exist only because they continue to attract newcomers.

Migration Patterns: It is now much easier and cheaper to travel and settle in Europe and increasing numbers of English speakers have settled in continental Europe for work, study and retirement. Instead of the static or declining population of Scotland the Presbytery of Europe operates in an area of increasing English speaking population. The number and mix of people arriving in an area changes over time and economic factors may well influence the pattern in the next few years.

Mission Opportunities: This easy mobility within Europe, plus the growth of the use of the English language, means there is huge potential to reach out to those seeking worship in English. There has been an increase in the number of English speaking churches in Europe over the last twenty years, often of an evangelical nature, but the growth in attendance shows that there is a place for mainstream reformed worship. Uprooted people can be more receptive to the message of the gospel.

Age: Compared to Scottish congregations the average age of worshippers is lower, with many people of working age. However there are charges like Fuengirola and Malta where the English speaking population is mainly of retirement age and therefore the congregations have an older age profile but still continue to attract incomers.

Distance: The distance between congregations makes the work of Presbytery more complicated and expensive. For example an Interim Moderator cannot visit a vacant congregation as frequently as might happen in Scotland. Similarly Presbytery meetings, which go round the different congregations, are held twice a year but last a whole weekend. Costs are contained by host congregations accommodating presbyters where possible. In all cases the advent of cheaper communications by phone, email, and plane has benefited Presbytery. Within congregations many people are prepared to travel quite long distances to attend worship.

Attendance: The 2008 survey showed a continuing high proportion of worshippers, about two thirds, attend church almost every week. For African members this rises to 80%.

International Congregations: 80 different nationalities were recorded in the recent survey. The average is 17 nationalities per congregation ranging from 7 in Gibraltar to 40 in Amsterdam. Overall 16% are Scots and 28% are of Scots origin. The majority of worshippers are Europeans – 57%, while 19% are Americans, 14% are Africans, and 11% are Asian. Compared to previous years the proportion of Europeans has decreased but this partly reflects the changing nature of presbytery with the addition of non European charges with large numbers of Americans in Bermuda and Asians in Sri Lanka.

Countries of origin with most worshippers 2004 and 2008

2004 2008 Scotland 211 197 England 215 188 Netherlands 120 135 USA 126 111 Ghana 83 71 6 Bermuda 60 Sri Lanka 47 Germany 26 40 Cameroon 25 31 Canada 23 30 S Africa 16 20 N Ireland 23 19 Nigeria 20 19 32 17

Administration: Working in different countries, each with its own legal and tax regimes, means more work for congregations, Presbytery and World Mission Council. Starting from Church of Scotland legislation and policy guidelines from the World Mission Council, each situation has to be considered individually whether it be for a congregational constitution compatible with local charitable status or a stipend that takes into account local cost of living and taxation.

Ecumenical: Although about half of worshippers are from a Presbyterian background, there are substantial numbers of Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Methodists. Others include not only those who were brought up in other Christian traditions such as Brethren or Salvation Army, but also those from other faith traditions such as Jews, Moslems and Buddhists as well as those with no previous faith.

Finances: Most of the finance required for the congregations and Presbytery comes from the congregations themselves. The remainder comes via the World Mission Council from the Salvesen Trust, the purpose of which is to provide the ordinances of religion to Scots outside the UK. No finance comes from Ministries Council. In addition contributions are made for Mission and Renewal.

Vulnerability: Some congregations are more vulnerable to factors such as migration. The loss of just a few families could be disastrous for these congregations not simply in a financial sense. Even the larger churches are not immune if they meet an unforeseen property crisis. It would be complacent to say that all will continue to be in as healthy a state as they are at present. Neither would it be fair if expanding work in one area were to mean closure of work in another.

Religious environment: The cultural context in which we work and relate is predominantly Roman Catholic for the charges of Southern Europe in Lisbon, Fuengirola, Malta and Rome while close co-operation with indigenous protestant churches exists in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels and Budapest for example. 7 List of Buildings

Malta St Andrews Church C/S St Andrews House C/S Manse rented Wisely House C/S

Brussels St Andrews House C/S Manse C/S

Gibraltar St Andrews Church C/S Manse

Amsterdam Church Bejinhof Congregation Manse Congregation Church Hall rented from city council

Lisbon St Andrews Church C/S Manse rented to Spanish Embassy Present Manse rented

Paris Scots Kirk Freehold, C/S Manse Freehold, C/S

Rotterdam Church Building and Hall Congregation Old Manse (office space) Congregation, partially rented out Small flat in Hall rented out Manse rented (from minister)

Lausanne Church Building - Scots Kirk St Andrew’s House - Hall and Manse Office floor in St Andrew’s House rented out

Rome Church Building ( 4 storeys) C/S containing manse Office floors rented tenants Hall in basement

Budapest Church Building Manse to be rented out New manse under review

Costa Del Sol Ecumenical Centre, Fuengirola rented Manse rented

Geneva Auditoire de Calvin donated by Geneva Protestant Church Manse rented Previous manse, now including Office rented and partially sub-let

Bermuda Christ Church, Warwick congregation Manse, Paget congregation, some garden area rented Plot of land, Paget congregation.

Sri Lanka St Andrews Scots Kirk, Colombo congregation Manse, Colombo congregation Church Hall, Colombo congregation Netherlee Cottage congregation 8

Staff other Than Ministers in Charges:

Budapest: Associate Minister, 50% appointed annually Lausanne: Youth Worker. No appointment made for 2008/9

These appointments, and any others that may become possible, are made with the permission of Presbytery. They will be reviewed at least each time the congregation involved is reviewed, on the basis of available finance, and how well the work done contributes to the aims of our Presbytery.

Section Three – The Way Forward

The future of the present congregations

Congregations in Scotland have to come to terms with demographic and financial realities. So do we, but in very different ways. Our congregations have grown considerably over the last 16 years although recent evidence suggests that numbers have declined in the last 4 years. As in Scotland some congregations are financially self supporting while others require support. Clear progress has been made in congregations assuming more financial responsibility. However, it is recognised that not all congregations are capable of becoming self sufficient, any more than they can in Scotland. Overall about 80% of the finance required comes from the congregations themselves. The remaining 20%, just under £200,000, comes from the Salvesen Trust. Thanks to wise management by all concerned we have been able to maintain work of wide diversity and geographical spread.

Geography also means that linkages and unions which are used as the means of managing change in Scotland are not feasible in the Presbytery of Europe. So in looking to ensure the best development of our ministry, we want to make sure that we use the available resources in ways that help us to meet our goals.

In planning to develop our ministry to the English Speaking people of Europe; we want to be… where we are welcomed by local partner churches, where there is a need for a ministry to reformed/protestant people in English, where we can make a contribution to ecumenical work, where we are able to encourage and exploit opportunities which arise.

We would expect the following criteria to be met by existing and potential Presbytery sanctioned or associated charges:

Core Criteria: The congregation will meet the minimum level of ministry support set by Presbytery. A worshipping presence should be at the heart of the ministry. The congregation would be involved in outreach to the wider English speaking community The work and witness of congregations should support the ethos and mission of the Church of Scotland.

Other Characteristics that we value:

In the Mission of our congregations:

The congregation should make a significant and distinct contribution to the work of the Church in that area. The building of good ecumenical relations should take place where possible.

In the Organisation of our congregations:

The composition of the Kirk Session would reflect the composition of the congregation as a whole. There should be a good relationship between minister, elders and congregation. 9 In the wider responsibilities of our congregations:

The congregation should make an active contribution to the life of the Church of Scotland, including an appropriate input into the Mission and Renewal Fund. Congregations should make an active contribution for the ecumenical work of the Church of Scotland through our contacts with partner churches. They should seek to co-operate with other congregations in the Presbytery of Europe. Congregations should be able to identify their particular contribution to the work of the wider church.: Congregations should look to build and maintain good relationships with local protestant churches wherever possible;

In the future development of our congregations:

Only in exceptional circumstances should the construction or purchase of new church buildings be considered Part time ministry should be actively considered where appropriate. It is accepted that some congregations will require more financial support than others, independent of the numbers at worship.

These criteria would apply equally to existing work, other congregations seeking to be associated with us, and opportunities for new work that arise.

Communications

Due to its geographical spread the Presbytery considers that good and effective communications are of great importance. We will therefore ensure that these are established and maintained both internally and with others in Europe and Scotland through all available means. These will include an up-to-date website, articles in the press and positive exposure on television and radio wherever possible.

New Work

It is the Presbytery’s expressed conviction that there is room for growth in the offering of English language worship and in support of the English language Reformed community. The difficulty of starting up a congregation should not be underestimated – but with God’s help, and with careful planning and research, it can be done. However new work need not be restricted to thoughts of our working alone. We believe there could be great scope for developing creative partnerships with existing English language ministries, where their theology and practice are compatible with our “core criteria” and “the other characteristics that we value”. It is our hope that by doing this we could have a far more comprehensive presence across mainland Europe, and strengthen the existing ecumenical links which are so important to us.

As Presbyterians we are open to new ideas and initiatives on how to grow and minister to English speaking communities, especially for travellers, transients, business people and holiday makers as well as resident expatriates.

We are also aware that Europe itself is changing, and that links with former communist countries in Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly significant. This offers us particular challenges and opportunities, and it brings us into closer contact with the Orthodox Churches. Often there is some suspicion to be overcome here, but we see it as our role to build bridges of understanding with our neighbours, and hope that our ability and willingness able to offer ministry to the many English speaking people now living and working in these areas may be a useful tool.

Conclusions and Resolutions:

The Presbytery of Europe is committed to support and continue in existence all the charges presently within its remit. At present no change is envisaged in the status of the 14 sanctioned charges (see section two) during the period of this plan. We see a long-term future for all of them and this will be facilitated by the 1 currently available resources. It is worth noting that the Presbytery of Europe has enjoyed increases in congregational membership, although this may now be tailing off and has a very high proportion of young adults and young families in many of its congregations. Nevertheless, it is recognised that circumstances or financial constraint or migration may create a situation in some charges whereby it may be necessary for readjustment in the provision of ministry or place of worship or status. Partnership with local churches need not mean absorption and in some cases this may be the way to safeguard the continuation of congregations.

There are other situations in which it might be appropriate to consider building new partnerships with existing congregations or opening new congregations to meet the needs of English-speaking migrants into mainland Europe. There may also be situations where an existing sanctioned charge out with the bounds of any Presbytery wishes to join the Presbytery. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis with the World Mission Council of the Church of Scotland and the congregation itself. 1 Our plan for the next ten years therefore is twofold.

1. We will use the criteria set out above as the basis for our review of each congregation on a regular basis in line with legislation and local circumstances. These reviews will normally occur every five years although shorter intervals may be necessary in particular instances. The aim of a review is to assess the state of a congregation in terms of the aims and criteria of Presbytery and the outcome would result in support, advice or some other appropriate action.

2. We will also use the criteria as a basis to look for new opportunities to offer the ordinances of religion to Scots and other English speaking people who may wish to worship in the Presbyterian tradition. Sometimes this will mean dialogue with other bodies who wish to be associated with us, and sometimes it will mean us going out and looking for places in which we could make a useful contribution. But always it will be based on our desire to work according to the criteria and values set out in this plan.

We hope that our work in Europe will continue to be guided and driven by the Holy Spirit.

The Future of The Plan

This Plan should be looked at and updated annually with a major review taking place every five years by a Committee appointed by the Presbytery. The Business Committee will be responsible for organising this. 1 Appendix 1 Each congregation has its own history.

1. AMSTERDAM The English Reformed Church (ERC) in Amsterdam is the oldest of the congregations in continuous existence, and was founded for English speaking exiles in 1607 within the local Reformed Church, (after a recent union now known as the Protestant Church in the Netherlands - PKN (Protestantse Kerk in Nederland). As far as we can tell it is the oldest English language congregation outside the British Isles. It worships in the same medieval building (first built 1392 but the present building is substantially one built in 1490 after a fire destroyed most of the original one along with most of Amsterdam.) The building and the garden (Begijnhof) in which it is situated are one of Amsterdam’s best visited tourist sites in the centre of the city. Founded as the English-speaking congregation within the local Reformed Church, the ERC has been part of the Church of Scotland since the 1930’s. It is the largest congregation in the Presbytery with up to 275 on a Sunday morning – and for that reason reported the greatest number of nationalities and denominations present at worship in the 2000 and 2004 surveys. It provides a home for students, business people and their families, asylum seekers, musicians, expatriates working in and around Amsterdam for short or long periods, as well as providing a welcome for many visitors to the city. The church is also famous as a music centre; eighty to a hundred concerts take place in the church each year as well as the English language, and two Dutch language services each week (these Dutch language services are organised by different Dutch ecumenical groups). Music of different styles plays an important part in the worship of the church. The present minister, the Reverend John Cowie, has been in Amsterdam since 1990. He is also currently Clerk of the Presbytery of Europe. The congregation celebrated the 400 th anniversary of English language worship in February 2007, at a service attended by HM Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, HM Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. Legal Status The congregation became formally part of the Church of Scotland in the 20 th century, having had Scottish ministers since the end of the 18 th century, and is a stated charge of the Presbytery of Europe. It has always been part of the Reformed church in the Netherlands, and is now part of the PKN (The Protestant Church of the Netherlands), and as such ministers of the Church of Scotland are recognised as ministers of the PKN as long as they remain in post in the congregation. The building is the property of the congregation. The congregation operates locally under a set of rules following an agreement between the Church of Scotland and the Reformed Church [the predecessor of the PKN] in the 1960s.

2. BERMUDA Christ Church in Warwick, Bermuda is English in its origin - taking its life from those English Puritans who early in the seventeenth century colonised Bermuda. Although there is evidence of much earlier association with the Church in Scotland, and preference had always been shown for Scottish ministers, it was not until 1843 that the congregation took steps to become part of the Free Church of Scotland. In 1929 Christ Church, which had been with the United Free Church of Scotland since 1900, became a part of the Church of Scotland. This association was formalised in 2001 and the charge was added to the Presbytery of Europe in 2008. Christ Church was built in 1719. Additions and alterations have been made, but the original walls remain. In 1837 the height of the walls was increased, a new roof constructed, larger windows put in, and the tower built. After a similar lapse of time the church was again reconstructed in 1958. Of the three galleries, only the north remains. These were occupied at different times by the choir. The small cedar "Whitefield" pulpit probably dates from 1719 and is named after the Rev. George Whitefield, who preached from it “for eight consecutive Sabbaths” in 1748. Mr. 1 Whitefield had been forbidden by the Governor to preach in Parish churches but found a welcome at Christ Church. James Williams who had been freed from slavery a few years prior to Emancipation Day, built the mahogany pulpit now in use with canopy or sounding board in 1837. The stained glass windows in the church date from 1922. The Mander organ was installed in 1968, largely by the generosity of the late Mr. W.S. Purvis. Thorburn Hall, immediately west of the church, was built in 1893. It memorialises Rev. Walter Thorburn, minister of the church from 1852 to 1886. The West Hall and kitchen were added in 1964. In 1978 the foundation stone of the new Church Halls was laid by H.E. the Governor, Sir Peter Ramsbotham. In 1979 the completely renovated Thorburn Hall, the four new small halls, the Hutchings Porch and the McCallan Porch were dedicated. In 2005 additional classroom/meeting facilities and the Church office were added.

3. BOCHUM The Bochum congregation came into existence at Christmas 1993 when two ministers, a Scot, the Rev. Jimmy Brown, and an American, the Rev. Bob Haworth, both married to ministers of the German UEK (Union of Protestant Churches), started offering English language worship in the Pauluskirkche of the Ruhr university town of Bochum in Westphalia. Meeting monthly at first they now meet weekly, with a proper constitution and are recognised by the local protestant church. Links with the Presbytery began with the presence of the Rev Jimmy Brown as an ordained minister of the Church of Scotland – but the congregation now send an elder as well, Elfriede Nelles. Although the congregation is still relatively small, with worship attendances averaging 50, it is highly international and ecumenical, especially attracting asylum seekers and overseas students from the local universities and, in addition to 2 choirs, it is engaged in a wide range of social and charitable activities. The congregation has built links recently with the congregation in Rotterdam, as well as hosting a visit by a team from Presbytery in the spring of 2001 with a return visit in 2005.

4. BRUSSELS

The seeds of the congregation at St Andrew’s Brussels were sown in the spring of 1830 when King William of the Netherlands gave permission for the establishment of a Scots Kirk using the Eglise du Musee in Brussels. This was short-lived as the Belgium Revolution swept the country a few months later and nothing was heard of the congregation until 1898 when a minister was sent from Scotland to re-establish the congregation. This was a great success and the congregation grew steadily over the coming years with links being established with the Belgian Protestant churches in 1909. The congregation dispersed at the onset of the First World War but was regenerated in the early 1920’s and inspired to build a church in memory of Scots soldiers killed during the war and buried in Belgium. Using funds and gifts from Scotland and locally, and calling on local contacts within the congregation, the local protestant church and local government, their church was built by the summer of 1925. The church has a worship area for 200 with a hall, kitchen and meeting rooms below it being added in the early 1960’s. The congregation was again dispersed during the Second World War but activities built up afterwards when the Church of Scotland appointed a new minister. Brussels, at the centre for the European Union’s institutions, NATO and other international organisations and companies makes the position of the congregation a strategic one. The congregation is one of a number of English speaking communities which minister to the large, and apparently ever-increasing, English speaking population in the city. The minister is also a member of the Belgian Protestant church. The present minister, the Reverend Andrew Gardner, arrived with his family in Brussels in November 2004 and was inducted in a joint service of the Presbytery of Europe and the EPUB (Église Protestante Unie de Belgique).

5. BUDAPEST The Mission and the congregation (now called St Columba’s) in Budapest came into being after requests came to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and began in 1841 as 1 a result of visits made as early as 1838. It formed part of the Mission to the Jews and is well known for sad events surrounding the death of the Jane Haining who, as a teacher in the school refused to leave her Jewish students and died alongside them in Auschwitz concentration camp. The congregation survived the difficult interwar years because of the faithful ministry of two Hungarian protestant ministers. It was able to be more open about its activities after 1990 which really formed a new beginning for the congregation. The present congregation flourished under the ministry of the Reverend Ken MacKenzie (who went to Crathie in October 2005). The congregation has developed its presence and ministry among the growing number of expatriates in the city – but suffers also from the swift turnover of worshippers. The present minister is the Reverend Aaron Stevens, who is supported by Associate Minister Ottó Pecsuk.

6. COLOMBO, Sri Lanka In the 1830s, Scots living and worshipping in Ceylon petitioned the Church of Scotland for a minister and a place of worship. The first Minister arrived in 1840 and the first church opened in the original European settlement of Fort in 1843. By the early 1900s, Colombo was expanding and St. Andrew’s congregation moved two miles south to its present site at Colpetty in 1907. After Independence, many Scots left. In the 1950s, and again in the 1970s, St. Andrew’s shared in talks toward Sri Lankan church union. None of this came to pass. St. Andrew’s was obliged to find a new role as an “International - Interdenominational – Open to all” congregation, reaching out to meet the needs of local Sri Lankans along with itinerant foreigners, coming to Colombo in increasing number. In 2007, St. Andrew’s was welcomed as an Associate member of the local Presbytery of Lanka. In May 2008 St. Andrew’s was added to the charges of the Presbytery of Europe.

7. COSTA DEL SOL - Fuengirola A small congregation which met occasionally during the 1980’s and then monthly grew in the mid 1990’s to the point that it now meets weekly in Lux Mundi Ecumenical centre in Fuengirola. It ministers to the pastoral and worship needs of part of the large English speaking community in that part of the coast in . The congregation was raised to the status of a full congregation within the Presbytery of Europe is linked to the congregation in Gibraltar. During the ministry of the Reverend John Page (1996-2002) there were two manses. The minister and his wife spent Sunday evening to Wednesday in Gibraltar and Thursday to Sunday morning in Fuengirola – with the attendant wear and tear which that involved. After his ministry the link with the congregation in Gibraltar was broken and from 2005 to 2008 the Reverend John Shedden ministered there on the basis of a 75% ministry.

8. GENEVA The building in which the Geneva congregation worships has had a chequered history – it was used for the Geneva Parliament when the French invaded after the French Revolution. It was later a church again and then a study centre. When it was re-established after the Second World War the World Alliance of Reformed Churches renovated the Auditoire du Calvin and allowed it to be used again by different expatriate Reformed congregations in Geneva. The Church of Scotland congregation is the largest of these (the others are Dutch and Italian speaking) with a permanent ministry since 1956. But is not simply for Scots, reflecting the world wide Reformed community, it is composed of people from many nationalities and branches of the Reformed tradition – welcoming and supporting members who work in many of the international organisations and companies based in Geneva. The Reverend Ian Manson started in Geneva in February 2001.

9. GIBRALTAR The British connections with Gibraltar are long, and often disputed by the Spanish. Presbyterians met in various places and homes till a Church was built and opened on Governor’s Parade in the centre of Gibraltar – the central position bearing testimony to its influence and importance in the 1870’s. This imposing building still stands, apparently 1 defying the passing of time. The minister and community used to serve the large numbers of Scots and ‘non-conformists’ who served in the regiments and navy crews who were stationed on the Rock for nearly three centuries. That period is over and few service personnel and navy staff visit Gibraltar now. However a faithful though small group has cared for the community, for their worship and their building. The congregation supported their minister in his visits to Spain to support worshippers there – even when a simple visit up the coast meant travelling first to North Africa and then back again. That connection has flourished, sharing their minister with their daughter then sister congregation in Fuengirola,. The link is now broken and the Reverend Stewart Lamont ministered to the congregation on the basis of a 75% ministry from 2003 to 2008 .

10. LAUSANNE The congregation of the Scots Kirk in Lausanne came into existence, after a number of attempts, in 1876/77 when the minister of the Naples congregation accepted the call to be the first minister of a permanent Scots congregation with the agreement and support of the Continental Committee of the Free Church of Scotland. They raised funds to build an attractive building. The congregation was supported by the local English Speaking population. When that community diminished during the First World War the congregation found a different role caring for wounded British prisoners of war who were part of prisoner exchanges organised by the Swiss Red Cross. During the Second World War the congregation had a similar role, caring for escaped prisoners of war, internees and refugees. Since then the congregation has grown to its present size, with over 200 members on the roll and many adherents. For almost 40 years there was a link with an English speaking community in Fribourg, 45 minutes by train away from Lausanne. This congregation eventually closed in 2001 – the remaining members worshipping with Lausanne. In the 1960’s a suite of halls, meeting rooms and manse was built next to the church which serves the congregation, and minister, well – providing space for groups as well as a useful rental income from one of the floors. The congregation is very varied in terms of nationality and denominational background and meets in a building holding about 120. Over several years a ministry to young people was developed supported by a youth worker. The Reverend Melvyn Wood served as minister from 2005 to 2008.

11. LISBON Lisbon St Andrew’s was yet another daughter of the outward looking and mission orientated Free Church movement of the second half of the 19 th century. The centenary of the present building was celebrated in 1999. The congregation has varied in size but has never been very large. For some years during the 1980’s no minister was appointed in Lisbon. After full time ministry in the 1990s there was another spell of continuing vacancy until the appointment on a 60% basis of Rev Bill Ross in 2005. The previous manse has been extensively renovated and rented out with an alternative manse provided for the minister. But the church of course is still in the same place – easy to find in Lisbon if you know where it is, central for people coming into the city, but expatriates are spread over a very wide area. Our congregation’s presence has long been important as a sign of a sister church support for the indigenous but very small Portuguese speaking Presbyterian Church. The congregation has maintained its size despite a constant changeover of congregation as people arrive and leave.

12. MALTA The Scottish congregation of St Andrew’s follows the pattern of many congregations being formed to meet the needs of the Armed Forces personnel and merchants. The importance of Malta over the past century, plus the enthusiasm and personal wealth of the first minister, led to the St Andrew’s congregation having a special protestant presence in perhaps the most Roman Catholic state in the world. The disappearance of the forces and the unfriendliness of past political regimes have put the congregation under severe pressures. However the long 1 and steady ministry of the Reverend Colin Westmarland (which ended in Dec 2001 after 26 years) contributed to the survival of a flourishing and active congregation. Malta attracted many retirees from Britain who, along with regular holiday visitors and a few immigrants married to Maltese, have long formed the mainstay of the congregation. A happy union with the Valetta Methodist congregation has given the congregation dual status within both the Church of Scotland and the Methodist Church. Reverend David Morris was appointed by the Methodist Church from 2002 to 2008 found a place within both the Methodist Circuit and the Presbytery of Europe. For the past fifteen years there has been close cooperation with the German Evangelical Church in Bavaria which has supplied ministers to work with the many German visitors to the island. A formal Local Ecumenical Partnership was set up between the Methosdist Church and the Church of Scotland in 2006.

13. PARIS The Scots Kirk in Paris was founded during the 19 th century and meets in the rue Bayard, just off the famous Champs Elysées. The most famous episode in the congregation’s history was the ministry of the Dr Donald Caskie who stayed in after the German invasions in 1940 to organise the escape of British civilians. Caskie became a link in the escape route for British servicemen and earned the nickname ‘The Tartan Pimpernel’. Though betrayed, and arrested he escaped execution and went on to resume his ministry by helping raise funds to rebuild the church which had been destroyed during the war. Sadly that 1950’s building proved unsatisfactory, and was replaced in 2004 by a new worship centre on the same site. The new building was financed by allowing a developer to create a number of apartments above the congregational space. The outfitting of the building was carried out with generous support from the BWM and dedicated fundraising by the local congregation. The Reverend Bill Reid has retired in 2005 after a 12 year ministry. The Reverend Alan Miller was appointed for a three year term in autumn 2006.

14. ROME The Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland had seven congregations in in the 19 th century – only Rome remains. The campaign to found a congregation in Rome began in the Free Church in 1846, but only in 1862 did the Colonial Committee of the Free Church send a minister, the Rev William Laughton. He is credited with establishing the BFBS in Italy as well as for encouraging the Waldensian church to become a national Church in Italy. Scots and Americans worshipped in the Presbyterian Church in Rome amidst an often hostile climate – controlled till 1871 by the Vatican. Many prominent ministers served in Rome, Dr Thomas Guthrie, Dr Robert Rainy – such was the importance of having a Presbyterian church in Rome (actually just outside the city boundaries then but now within them). The present building, which was required not to look like a church, was opened in 1885 and was free of debt by 1904. Two floors of the present building are let, providing the income which supports the church’s ministry. The congregation is small, but is well regarded by and important to the local Italian protestant church as a symbol of the wider protestant community. Past ministers have worked ecumenically both with their protestant colleagues and with the Roman Catholic communities in Rome. The last minister, David Huie, served from 1990 to June 2001. For many years the congregation have shared their building with a Korean congregation – and links with Ghana have been strengthened though a Ghanaian Session Clerk and the work of a Ghanaian minister within the congregation. The present minister, the Reverend Willie McCulloch, was appointed in January 2002. Legal Status The minister is registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Office of the Prefettura, as pastor and legal representative of the Church of Scotland, St .Andrews congregation in Rome and has authority to conduct all services associated with the Church (a non profit- making organisation) except marriages with legal and civil recognition. The congregation is a stated charge of the Presbytery of Europe. 1 15. ROTTERDAM The Scots International Church Rotterdam (this new name was adopted in 1996) was established in 1643 when many Scots worked, fought or simply sought refuge in Europe. Like the congregation for the English Presbyterians in Amsterdam, the Rotterdam congregation was and is fully part of the local Reformed Church, the PKN. Historically the church was a haven for Scottish refugees and was known as the 'poor church' of Rotterdam for its work among the needy and management of a shelter for orphans. They have always enjoyed good links with the local authorities, links the present minister has done much to increase. The church contains a variety of people from more than forty different nations with many from Africa and the Netherlands and is in a constant state of flux. As with Paris, the congregation's building was destroyed in WW2, but the Rotterdam congregation were more fortunate in their rebuilding. The present building (the fourth occupied by the church in the city) was finished in 1951 and is situated in the city centre, near the Erasmus Bridge. The house next to the church, originally the manse, is used as a church centre and as a base for the inner-city resident's community work team. They are working hard to use the assets of their building and their situation in the urban heart of the city to serve the city. The former caretaker's house is now used as a shelter for refugees and the lower hall is rented out by different city groups and churches. There is a history of sharing the building with other churches and currently share with the International Baptist Church and a Pentecostal Portuguese-speaking churches. There is also a strong emphasis on building up the ministry and leadership skills of the congregation. The activities range from an ecumenical monthly prayer meeting, weekly bible studies, Sunday school, youth group, etc. There are three different choirs which take turns to sing every month. The present minister, the Reverend Robert Calvert, was appointed in 1995. An associate community minister, the Reverend Joanne Evans-Boiten, was ordained and inducted in 2004 on a three year 50% contract with funds provided by Scottish and Dutch Church foundations. She ended that role in September 2007 and was later appointed to the Mamre Project in Rotterdam in December 2007.

16. TURIN The latest addition to the list of congregations associated with the Church of Scotland is in Italy. At the invitation of the Waldensian Church the BWM appointed the Rev Robert McKenzie in 2001 to the English speaking Protestant congregation in Turin. This congregation had a wide membership but an unfortunate previous ministry had led to much diminished numbers. Mr McKenzie returned to Scotland in 2005 and the Reverend Alex Cairns was appointed in 2007.