THE E UROP E AN A NGLICAN A FT E R L AMB E TH B ISHOP ’ S R E VI E W G R ee K GIFTS N E W CHURCH IN C R E T E N E W LOOK I N A NTW E RP AND B RUSS E LS BBC HITS TH E C OSTA S ONGS OF P RAIS E FROM S PAIN I N R E TR E AT C HURCH E S ’ TIM E FOR R E FL E CTION FREE N o . 3 9 AUTUMN 2 0 0 8 2 A V I C T O R IO U S S ummer THE The Summer of 2008 has seen the were launched and in Crete a brand E UROP E AN church nationally and internationally in new village church – hand built by NGLICA N the spotlight with high profile General the new Reader – was consecrated. A Synod debates and the Lambeth But as well as welcoming many Conference, recalled in this edition holiday and seasonal visitors our by our Diocesan Bishop Geoffrey. But churches spent the Summer in what around Europe other headlines have is often unreported – lively worship, been showing a vibrant church which sharing and fellowship and mutual The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe is celebrating the joys of faith – as encouragement in this the fastest The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell with Canon Alan Maude’s impromptu growing diocese in the Church Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, liturgical dress for St. Peter’s tide, also of England. Worth, Crawley RH10 7RT marking Spain’s cup win, Wimbledon This publication can only hint at the Tel: +44 (0) 1293 883051 and the first stage of the Tour de vibrant diversity of our congregations. Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 France! Nearby on the Costa del Sol Remember that we try to include all Email: voices were raised in celebration for reports sent to us for publication and [email protected] BBC’s Songs of Praise. Churchgoers in if your location is not mentioned we The Suffragan Bishop Monte Carlo welcomed a royal visitor. look forward to hearing from you. The Rt Revd David Hamid Elsewhere in Antwerp and Moscow Paul Needle, Editor, Postal address: Diocesan Office new visions for building renovations The European Anglican Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 Email: [email protected] The Diocesan Office 14 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QZ Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 UMM E R Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 S Email: diocesan.office@europe. c-of-e.org.uk Diocesan Secretary Mr Adrian Mumford Assistant Diocesan Secretary Mrs Jeanne French 2 0 0 8 Finance Officer Mr Nick Wraight Diocesan Website www.europe.anglican.org Editor and Diocesan Communications Officer The Revd. Paul Needle Postal address: Diocesan office Email: [email protected] Tel: 0034 662 482 944 Design Adept Design, Norwich Printer Norwich Colour Print Distribution CoDEStorm plc Cover photo: Jesus said “I am the Light of the World” and even in the darkness of the cross His light shines through. Cover photograph by Chris Berry from St. Michael’s Paris during an Archdeaconry Synod at the Abbaye of St. Jacut-de-la-mer in Brittany. K en D R IC K ’ S C H O ru S 3 S ONGS OF P RAIS E COM E S TO TH E C OSTA Raising the profile of faith and unity I could not have guessed the impact English, we were joined by many on my life and that of many others, Spanish Christians who came to when I sent the first email to Graham share the magical experience of Kendrick’s record company back in Graham’s music. R O Y A L April 2007. I’m not sure that, had I I could probably fill a book with really known what was to follow, I the problems, concerns and setbacks T O would have had the courage to during the intervening 13 months but V I S I T embark on this project but, now that despite everything the day is likely to it is over, I’m very glad I did! remain in everyone’s hearts and minds M O N A C O To cut a VERY long story short – as a joyous occasion and a symbol of with Father David’s blessing, the unity amongst Christians in Spain. support of the Chaplaincy of St The first of the two recorded Songs Andrew, the co-operation and of Praise programmes was broadcast on support of many other churches, BBC1 on Sunday 22nd June and the organisations and groups along the other is scheduled for 12th October. Costa, the might of the BBC and the After the recording in perfect agreement of the Ayuntamiento Mediterranean sunshine a huge paella (local authority) of Fuengirola – on meal was provided for the 1,500 3rd May 2008 we hosted an amazing singers before they were treated to a day of praise and worship at free concert by Graham Kendrick and Chaplaincy leaders at Saint Castillo Sohail. special guest Yazz. Paul’s Church, Monaco Graham Kendrick and his One precious fun memory was the welcomed His Serene incredible band, Yazz, Aled Jones, comment from the Venerable David Highness Prince Albert II on a Gavin Peacock and the indefatigable Sutch, Archdeacon of Gibraltar and visit to mark the completion of David Lawrence led us all in a day of Chaplain on the Costa del Sol, when the recent Restoration Project wonderful music and Christian he was asked – for technical reasons – that saw the complete fellowship, which was enjoyed by to recite the Blessing for a third time. repainting of the church over 1,600 people from as far afield as “I can pray all day if you want!” he (inside and out), the the Costa Blanca, Gibraltar, Madrid said. It was the sort of day that installation of a new central and the UK. I’m also very pleased inspired you to. heating system with air that, although everything was in Debbie Geater conditioning, and other major renovations and repairs. Nearly 212,000 Euro were raised over a two year period for the Restoration Appeal, and the Prince was one of the major donors. Pictured from left to right: Jeremy Swales, Hope Swales, Fr. Walter Raymond OGS, Dani Carew, HSH Prince Albert II, Lawrie Lewis, David Tugman, Frank Megginson, Cyril Badaro and Damien Wan. 4 DO WN LAMBETH WAY LAMB E TH BISHOP Bishop Geoffrey’s reflections from August in Augustine’s Canterbury From 16th July to 4th August Bishop the Anglican-Roman Catholic and no resolutions. We began with David and I were in Canterbury for International Commission in 1988). In three days of retreat in Canterbury the Lambeth Conference, the ten recent years they have wrestled with Cathedral, with powerful addresses yearly meeting of the bishops of the the issues surrounding the ordination from the Archbishop, leading into the Anglican Communion. It was Bishop of women to the priesthood and opening Eucharist on the Sunday David’s first Lambeth as a bishop (he episcopate. In 1998 I was myself morning. Our daily pattern was a was present in 1998 as the Director of responsible with Bishop Victoria Eucharist at 7.15 a.m. in the ‘Big Ecumenical Affairs for the Matthews, then Bishop of Edmonton Top’ – a huge blue tent big enough Communion) and my second. I want (Canada), for bringing together to accommodate both the bishops and to take this opportunity of sharing my women bishops and ‘traditionalists’, the parallel Spouses Conference. reflections with you. which led to a resolution endorsed by Breakfast and an hour’s Bible Study First a little historical background. the whole Conference that those of followed in groups of eight – mine The Lambeth Conference is one of different views of this matter were consisted of six Indian bishops (some the four ‘instruments of communion’ both loyal Anglicans. from very poor dioceses) and one which serve the unity of the Anglican The 2008 Conference met in the American. Bishop David led a Bible Communion, the others being the context of considerable tension and Study group consisting of bishops Archbishop of Canterbury, the division within the Anglican from Brazil, the USA and England. Primates Meeting of the heads of each Communion, precipitated by the Our study was aided by a helpful and Anglican Church, and the Anglican consecration of a bishop in America challenging commentary the ‘I am’ Consultative Council. The first living in a same-sex union, a sayings in St John’s Gospel. Then it Lambeth Conference was in 1867. consecration which the Primates had was off to our ‘indaba’ sessions, five Since then Lambeth Conferences have warned ‘would tear the fabric of the been accorded a moral authority in communion’. An associated issue was the life of the Anglican Communion. the authorising of liturgies for the Their deliberations and resolutions blessing of same-sex partnerships in express the mind of the Communion some dioceses in Canada and the but are not binding. Nonetheless the USA. Both developments are contrary thirteen Lambeth Conferences have to biblical teaching and the tradition acquired a particular importance of the church. Further fragmentation through setting a course for the has occurred when bishops and Communion in mission, ecumenical primates have intervened in provinces, work, moral values, and social dioceses and parishes other than their concern. The resolutions of the own. It is not surprising that the media, Lambeth Conference have been the ever concerned to dramatise imminent way in which Anglicans express their schisms and splits, were prophesying walk- identity (e.g.