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

A M e r e B a p t i s m S e r v i c e A t A m s t e r d a m L a k e s i d e

C e l eb r a t i o n i n G h e n t A b i s h o p a n d a s t r o p

D r a m a i n L a u s a n n e C h u r c h t e l l s i t s s t o r y

F r u i t f u l h a r v e s t S h a r i n g b l e s s i n g s i n M o n a c o

F o c u s o n t h e f r i e n d s W i t h e n c o u r a g eme n t a n d s u p p o r t

FREE N o . 4 0 W i nter 2 0 0 8 2 n o t q u i te the r i v er j o r d a n

THE E u r o p e a n S o me t h i n g A n g l i c a n o u t o f t h e The of in Europe The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell o r d i n a r y Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, Worth, Crawley RH10 7RT Tel: +44 (0) 1293 883051 Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 Email: [email protected] The The Rt Revd Postal address: Diocesan Office Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 Email: [email protected] M o n i q u e ’ s p a t h t o f a i t h The Diocesan Office 14 Tufton Street, , Mark Collison, Chaplain of SW1P 3QZ Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 Amsterdam writes:- One Sunday Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 in September proved memorable Email: diocesan.office@europe. c-of-e.org.uk as we performed the first adult Diocesan Secretary baptism since we started our Mr Adrian Mumford new congregation in Amsterdam Assistant Diocesan Secretary South 18 months ago. Since Mrs Jeanne French the school we meet in did not Finance Officer have a font, Monique de Haan Mr Nick Wraight­ preferred the option of full Diocesan Website www.europe.anglican.org immersion in the Nieuwe Editor and Diocesan Meer (New Lake, or New Communications Officer Water). This is the simple The Revd. Paul Needle Postal address: Diocesan office heart-felt testimony she Email: shared on the day. [email protected] Tel: 0034 662 482 944 Design Adept Design, Norwich Printer Norwich Colour Print Distribution CoDEStorm plc Cover photo: Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. Monique de Haan from Amsterdam found the waters of the Nieuwe Meer, near the city, offered her the opportunity to witness to her faith. Above: Following in her Lord’s footsteps Monique is baptized.

Left: Younger church members made sure they stayed “on the ball” for the big day. M o n i q u e ’ s p a th t o f a i th 3

Readers of the European Anglican are We hope that you will find in this since they are also ordinary Christians. rarely slow to respond to its content. edition some things which are out of In fact the ecclesiastical definition of a Apart from spotting the occasional the ordinary. There is the personal bishop is that he is The Ordinary – an error that slips past the editorial eye story of a young woman who was ecclesiastical legal term which means the two most regular questions are the first adult baptism candidate in a that he has oversight of everyday “Why do you publish so many pictures new congregation in the Netherlands, temporal matters in the diocese. In a of and dignitaries?” and a member of a church in Spain scattered and diverse diocese such as “Please can we read some stories writes about her experience on the Europe a visit from one of our bishops from ordinary Christians in churches Christian “Mercy Ships” and we is far from an ordinary experience. We around the diocese.” I consulted the celebrate 50 years of church growth report some of the bishops’ travels dictionary for a definition of “ordinary” and development in the Duchy of as a reminder of their role in building and was amused but undeterred Luxembourg. morale and strengthening faith among to find “Of no exceptional ability, In addition to our usual range of clergy and their congregations. All in average” or in some cases “Of inferior news items we make no apology for all, reflecting the life and work of an quality; second-rate”. a number of pictures of our bishops extra-ordinary diocese. Paul Needle, Editor, The European Anglican

M o n i q u e ’ s p a t h t o f a i t h

website and I emailed Mark – the deny him anymore. I just had to Chaplain. That was pretty scary, surrender. I felt he was speaking to because I had never talked so openly me and he wanted me to know him. to anyone about this desperate need to But for some time I still had these talk about “searching for God”. But incredible doubts. What if it isn’t despite my nervousness, after emailing true? Do I really believe in God? for a few months, I finally found the What if I’m not a Christian? I didn’t courage to go to church. I could not feel anything. I didn’t experience his go alone so I dragged my husband presence or his love. David along. He didn’t want to go, I really struggled. And after a very A joyful Monique celebrates her new but he had little choice. It was a relief depressed time (full of doubts and life in the “New Water”. and joy to have found this English fears of course) I came to realise that speaking church service. For me God was the one I was hoping for. I met God, some years ago, but I hearing Gods word in English is so He was the one I was living for. And think I didn’t understand him then. much more clear and understandable. after realising that, I knew I wanted So I’ve lived without him for many There were still those fears and a to be baptised, to confirm my faith years. Although there was always this lot of doubts. After many, many in Jesus. thought in my head, almost like a emails and a few talks I think the I came to learn that He loves me voice saying to me: “Hello Monique. penny was slowly dropping. I found and that wants me to love my I’m still here! Still waiting! I’ve got out that I was hanging on to those neighbour, even my enemies. And enough time, but I don’t know if you fears. I remember Mark asked me, the more I listened to his word and have.” Last year this thought grew ”What is it that you are afraid to let acted by it I found that faith works! stronger and by the beginning of this go of?” The only answer was “my To love, to forgive and to surrender year, I knew I had to do something fears”. I was afraid to let go of my are all difficult things in building a about it. fears. I had lived with them for so holy life. I’m just beginning and I But there was a problem. I was many years that I was attached to know it takes a lot of time to build afraid! I had so many doubts and them. To follow Jesus, I had to let go this relationship with him. But I fears, doubts about God and fears of of my fears, hand them to Jesus and know now that it’s not only about everything. My main fear was that I surrender everything to him. feelings. We may not always feel that was afraid to talk to people, afraid of In May I decided to ask Jesus to be he loves us but we just have to what they would say or do or even Lord of my life. Not because I had all believe he does. think. I was uneasy being the centre the answers or because I was fearless. I had my struggles and battles of attention and still find it a little But I knew I wanted to stay with during the past few months but I scary – especially at my baptism. Jesus. I knew he would never let me never forgot that he is “My Lord Because I was interested in the go. I knew that, even though I might Jesus, my Light and my Salvation”. I searched the turn away from him at times, he So why not take the opportunity and internet and found the Christ Church would still be there. So I couldn’t find him for yourself? 4 L a u s a nne m o p s u p - G hent get s a s tr o p

A C l e a n e r , a d o n k e y , a n d c h u r c h t u r n e d b a c k - t o - f r o n t The anonymous Members of Christ Church Lausanne anger and Daniel’s desperation. The cleaner and her in Switzerland played their part in a wise, witty cleaner gives her own barrow load of “Night of the Churches” during the donkey to carry Mary to Bethlehem, goodies. Summer when churches opened their and watches the gentle healer die doors and gave a glimpse of what before hearing the good news of his goes on inside. The Christian story return to life. was told by a novel type of narrator A specially built stage was needed – a cleaning woman who helps which involved turning the Church out and gets involved everywhere back-to-front, so the cleaner was and overhears many things. From in front of the audience with the bricklaying in the Tower of Babel, Altar behind them – a reminder cleaning Noah’s animals in the ark, that God is in situations where galaxy-gazing with Abraham, and we would never look for Him, in following the Wise Men’s star, she places or in people we presume to tells her story. The tale became call dirty. The evening ended with more personal and challenging participants turning round to the with a glimpse of Job’s pain, the altar to celebrate Christ’s love in Israelites’ homelessness, Jeremiah’s Holy Communion.

B i s h o p g e t s a s t r o p

A change of church venue was a cause for celebration at St John’s, Ghent, Belgium. Geoffrey inaugurated the chapel of the former Carmelite convent in Ghent, which has a history reaching back to the sixteenth-century. Thanks to the good offices of Mgr Luc Van Looy, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ghent, and the civic authorities, this chapel with some ancillary rooms is now the new home of the congregation. The Burgemeester of Ghent (Daniel Termont) and the Governor of East Flanders also shared a reception where the Burgemeester presented Bishop Geoffrey with a strop, a plaited black and white noose, which is a symbol of Ghent’s identity, dating back to the moment when the citizens of Ghent rebelled against the Emperor Charles V in 1539. The Emperor put down the rebellion but required the leading citizens of Ghent to appear bare-foot, wearing only a simple shift and with a noose around their necks as a sign of their condemnation as rebels. A RCH D E A C O N d a v i d P RE p a RE S F O R 5 CHR i s TM a s

“E y e s a n d e a r s ” w i t h o u t t h e g a i t e r s ! In a seasonal reflection Archdeacon from the Gibraltar Archdeaconry meditates on his early weeks in the new role.

My father is a recently appointed Archdeacon of North and my grandfather West Europe, and I attended a “New was a priest as well as Archdeacon’s training Course” in Sheffield. being an Archdeacon. We were among 15 other new archdeacons I had no ambitions from the other 43 dioceses which make other than to serve up the Church of England. Some of them God as a parish priest. were so new to the role they had not even For me, the role been Collated or Installed. of Archdeacon is We were guided through the Clergy to be a parish priest for the of the Discipline Measure, Faculty Legislation Archdeaconry, caring for their wellbeing and by the men from the ministry (Church and welfare and serving them as a . Commissioners) on how to amalgamate My wife, Megan, and I, are committed parishes and close Church buildings. to trying to visit each parish before too It seemed to us that while the Church and got off to a good start with our of England in England is training for “busman’s holiday” during a recent trip downsizing and decline, in Europe we from Costa del Sol (East) to Barcelona for are planning for growth and expansion in the Induction of their new Chaplain. exciting ways – but without the historic An archdeacon’s job description is very resources of the Church of England or the vague – to be the eyes and ears of the full support of the Church Commissioners. bishop and bring to his attention “what As we celebrate Christmas (which can calls for correction or merits praise”. In be on a variety of occasions in December Europe I discovered early on that the and January depending where we are Archdeacon is also a member of Diocesan within the ), we are Synod, Bishop’s Council and the Bishop’s celebrating God becoming flesh and living Staff, which notches up the miles with humbly among us. He brings about new attendance at a variety of meetings in life to those who allow him to be born Cologne or London as required. in them. He comes as one who serves – a I see it as my privilege to serve God deacon, perhaps THE ARCH deacon, the and this Diocese in this way. I am archetype of a deacon. Surely we can have honoured that my brothers and sisters in no other example in which we rejoice and Christ in the Costa del Sol (East), like so attempt to copy. many other parishes, look beyond mere congregationalism and encourage me in O Holy Child of Bethlehem this additional ministry and allow me to Descend to us we pray attend to these wider duties. Cast out our sin and enter in It is an enormous encouragement to Be born is us today. hear stories of faithful ministry by priest, readers, churchwardens among scattered, I hope and pray that your Christmas sometimes small but regular in attendance, season is full of opportunities to groups of fellow disciples. rejoice and offer back in service all we In October, the Ven John de Wit, the celebrate together. 6 L u x em b o u rg i n the l i mel i ght

F o r g e t “ 2 0 8 ” a n d c e l eb r a t e 5 0 y e a r s i n L u x emb o u r g To people of a certain vintage the in 2004, it became the Anglican A leading Community member at name Luxembourg conjures up Church of Luxembourg. that time was Jean Leclerc, a great images of a radio station (208 metres The Church has an electoral roll scholar who was once asked to on the Medium Wave) that offered membership of about 180, and a define Christianity. His reply was mixed reception quality in Britain much larger contact group of about “Jesus; he eats good food with bad but was trendy to listen to. The radio 600 people who have come to hear people”, a memorable and resonant station is still there – crystal clear of us mostly through the website description, not least in Luxembourg quality online, but everything around and by word of mouth. There is a with its many fine restaurants, and it has changed. growing young adults group which much conspicuous wealth. Luxembourg in 2008 has a meets weekly and also sets up a population of about 470,000 nomadic Sunday lunch usually in including some 4,500 British citizens, a city centre restaurant (where the many arriving in the last five years. group ensures that the unemployed The English speaking population and refugees don’t have to pay). A is boosted by Americans, Irish and retreat earlier this year was attended many Eastern Europeans. The city by 20 people, and in a few weeks of Luxembourg has a population of time there will be another - set up at about 80,000, of whom two thirds the request of the young adults. are foreigners although the Duchy During his visit in September also boasts very pretty villages amid to celebrate the 50th anniversary, rolling fields and woodlands. Today our diocesan Bishop Geoffrey the biggest industry is banking. remarked that he was struck by Luxembourg is the third largest nickname given to Luxembourg in financial centre outside the USA. the 19th century “the Gibraltar of The Anglican church started the north”. The new altar frontal when a small group of people met depicting Luxembourg, was designed at a carol service in the British by Rani Roloff and dedicated by Ambassador’s Residence in 1956 and Bishop Geoffrey. It is made up of chatted about founding an English- small squares of fabric, each of which Speaking Church. It formally began was signed by a member of the in 1958 under the oversight of the congregation at services this Summer. Bishop of Fulham and Gibraltar – a The sizeable African group in forerunner of our present Bishop the congregation, many of whom in Europe. At first the congregation are refugees, offered to provide met in the Cercle Municipal, led by entertainment at the lunch, which clergy from Brussels and elsewhere was both a surprise and a delight to Top: Each square of fabric in until in 1964 the Rev George D the rest of the 80 or so people the Luxembourg mural has Thoms, an American, was appointed who gathered in the hotel next to been signed by a member of the Chapel’s congregation. as the first resident chaplain. the Church. Through the generosity of the In his sermon at Evensong the Above: Let them eat cake Bishop of Luxembourg the services bishop spoke of having visited – Bishop Geoffrey gets help to were held in the Konvikt Chapel in Luxembourg many years ago, when share the celebrations. 1969, where they have been ever he stayed at the Abbey of Clairvaux, since. Under a Convention granted in the north of our small country. M o ther s ’ u n i o n new s 7

As temperatures start to has just been starting to change colour drop thoughts turn to published for – a wonderfully relaxing winter programmes and members only spiritual time. Then on events for next year. which features the Sunday we joined ‘Cost of Relationship’ specific Mothers’ together with the choir will be the Mothers’ Union news and and congregation in a Union theme for 2009, the worldwide packed church in Cognac, one of the having looked at ‘Time Prayer Diary. Unfortunately churches within the chaplaincy of the for Relationship’ we have encountered Good Shepherd, for a Sung Eucharist during 2008. distribution problems so not of thanksgiving – a glorious way to Families First is a every member in this diocese end the visit. new lifestyle magazine will receive their own copy I am sure there are still members from Mothers’ Union for this time. But again, much of living in the diocese with whom we people who care about families and it will be available on the web! have not made contact so…. if you who want to support families in their It has been a particular joy to be would like to know more please community. Go to able to visit yet another branch in contact me at www.familiesfirstmagazine.com for our diocese – Poitou-Charentes in [email protected] further information. I hope many France. I was able to join members European Anglican readers will feel and friends at a Quiet Day in a it is well worth buying! A second beautifully peaceful garden with Barbara Woods, publication, Families Worldwide, the warm sun shining and the trees Diocesan President

G o z o h i t s t h e r i g h t n o t e

Valerie Ellis, Branch leader of the Mothers’ Union in the Maltese Islands says their group recently had a Sponsored Hymnathon to raise money for their support of needy causes on both Malta and Gozo. They all came together in the Cathedral and sang their way through 50 hymns. Visitors from a Cruise Liner arrived and sat down. With Father Jeff ensuring they were given hymn books they all stayed and thoroughly enjoyed the event, also swelling the monies raised that day. We still have money to come in but so far have 400 euros to support the Malta Hospice, the Lupus Society and a Home for unmarried mothers on Gozo. 8 C o u T A NCE S C A RT O GR a p HY

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

N o r m a n d y c h u r c h s a v e s h i s t o r i c m a p f r o m r u bb i s h s k i p Military Historian Major General Graham Holland Penny Estlin writes inspects the ‘tablecloth’ with After the annual garden fete at the Commodore Keith Estlin, Christ Church, Countances, in Royal Navy, which has now Normandy, an old map, dated 25th been sold to help July 1944, which had been etched church funds. out on a table cloth by a man from St Denis La Gast, (Monsieur Via) was unsold and was destined for the municipal tip when a church member spotted it and rescued it. Further research showed it covers the area from Coutances to Hambye and vividly displays Roncey on fire. Monsieur Via’s memories show the area was alive and crawling with hope, determination and fear as advancing US tanks battled with entrenched German guns, watched by Allied planes bombarding overhead. Military Historian Major General Graham Holland thinks the young mapmaker who witnessed the rapid advance of Operation Cobra as a young man cycled down country lanes covertly making notes of history in the making and, some time later, decided to record what had happened in the towns and villages. Although a considerable amount of the information seemed correct, the plastic backed table cloth and inks used suggested it had actually been drawn several years later. This was confirmed by Patrick Fissot who has conducted he used local maps to many years of research into this get the main layout period of history. He confirmed almost correct before that Monsieur Via left almost starting. Nevertheless, immediately after the war to the dramatic and live in the south of France. He emotional pictures returned some forty years later to drawn on the table meet up with old friends. It seems cloth vividly portray possible that, over a glass or two the memories of those of Calvados, he decided to record who were ‘first-hand’ their memories as they spoke witnesses of the events together in 1980. It also seems that of their homeland. b o o s T I N G T H E A LT A R I N G i b R A LT A R 9

N ew f r o n t a l , o l d mem o r i e s i n G i b

At the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Gibraltar, the Suffragan Bishop dedicated a new altar frontal designed by members of the congregation. Made by Wippells of Exeter it was the gift of Canon Michael Coombe and his brother. Canon Coombe was and Port Chaplain at the Flying Angel – the Mediterranean Mission to Seafarers for seven years from 1996. During the interregnum in Gibraltar Bishop Edward Holland spent 3 weeks there in July. He had served in Gibraltar as Precentor and Port Chaplain in 1973 when the black and white picture in the bottom left-hand corner was taken. A group of men who had been part of church life in those days got together for a 2008 version of the photo. As Charlie Marfe (pictured front row left) comments “It was an encouragement for all of us to see how these men’s active faith has stood the test of time”.

M o n a c o mem o s Meanwhile Baby Ella Grace Three pictures Smith was baptized in October from St Paul’s in surrounded by family and friends Monaco reflect from Scotland and England. Her an Autumn of granny who is a florist in Scotland commitment found herself preparing the flowers and service. for the service. Monaco’s harvest The Confirmation group was celebrations in September raised considering what it means to take over 1,000 Euros as well as a rich their baptism vows a stage further in assortment of food produce for the a service in November. Eight young Fourneau économique, operated by people are in the group including the the Sisters of Charity and staffed by six pictured here with Father Walter: volunteers (pictured here) for Karin, Pandora, Winston, Kieran, their hot meal programme in Nice. William and Kit. 1 0 F o c u s o n o u r en v i r o nment

C h a l l e n g e T h e r e a l c h a l l e n g e o f c l i m a t e f r o m M i l a n c h a n g e a n a p p e a l t o c h u r c h e s Brian Morgan, Environmental Officer writes... I recently spent five interesting days mean that local, individual action is T H E S C I ENCE in late September at the 7th General of no avail. On the contrary! Please Assembly of the European Christian continue to offer your communities Global warming is a reality. It Environment Network. From the a Christian witness – through action, is impossible to explain climate lectures, discussion rounds and general teaching and prayer. change only from natural forces. 20 conversations a strong message comes The ECEN Assembly was built to 30 percent of plants and animal over of the urgency required that on the spirit of the third European species run an increased risk of the industrial nations take drastic Ecumenical Assembly in Sibiu, extinction. Climate change is already steps to reduce CO2 emissions in Romania 2007, which recommended causing unavoidable consequences. order to slow down and finally halt to the churches to celebrate a “Time Those who are suffering most are global warming at +2 degrees. It of Creation” between 1 September poor people in the south and not was encouraging to hear of many and 4 October, and to intensify those who profit from greenhouse local projects from all over Europe. action and networking in order to gas emissions, mostly in the rich However, without national and address environmental challenges. countries of the north. international consensus on a reduction The Assembly was held in Triuggio The Intergovernmental Panel on road map and the introduction of near Milan. The delegates stressed Climate Change (IPCC) states that legislation for the necessary – albeit the importance of sharing of the industrial countries in the north uncomfortable – procedures, half of experiences and good practices, have to reduce their CO2-emissions the Netherlands will be covered by which are now undertaken by by between 80 and 95 percent by sea water (unless protected by 10 churches in many countries the middle of this century to keep metre dykes) by 2050. This does not in Europe. warming below a global average of 2°C. But even this goal is in danger if we do not start immediately. The time to act is now! U t r e c h t u n d e r s t a n d i n g THE O L O G I C A L b a s i s a n d r u s s e l s b r i ef i n g B The concerns of the environmental Holy Trinity, Utrecht in the Taking part were the Deputy movement provide many Netherlands decided to join in the Head of the Emissions Trading opportunities for a witness to our Creationtide initiative this Autumn Unit, Linda McAvan MEP, a Christian faith, to the message of life by focusing each of their regular representative from the UK Perm and hope that the Saviour who so Thursday evening prayer sessions Rep and representatives from loved the world became part of in in September on an environmental the Climate Action Network. Key order to save it. theme. Members of the church’s themes included the complexity Green Awareness group led the and ambitious nature of the From a Christian perspective prayers on the themes ‘Caring for Commission’s original Climate acting against climate change makes the Earth’, ‘Sharing Resources’, Change proposals, the active sense as a sign – a sign that Christ the ‘New Challenges’ and ‘Hope for a resistance of key industrial Word of God comes into the world Better World’. The intercessions at sectors, the ‘behind closed doors’ to give life and not death, and our harvest festival were also focused reality of much of the negotiations appointed task is to preach this good on the environment. and the unpredictability of the final news to all creation. In September Canon Dr Gary outcomes. The roots of human destruction Wilton hosted a 24 hour briefing The briefing highlighted the of the environment are to be found event at the Ecumenical Centre in possibilities of making submissions Brussels: “Taking – the EU in relation to the Commission’s not just in actions, but in our most and Climate Change: Perspectives on the global Post 2012 deep-seated attitudes. It is not from the Institutions.” Its purpose climate change agreement, as enough for humans to keep alive by was to open the autumn term with well as making representations to consuming the world around them; an up-to-the-minute Brussels- MEPs prior to the vote on the EU they need a relationship with the based overview of the progress of Climate Change package early world that is not purely utilitarian the EU’s Climate Change package. in December. and market-based. T he me a n i ng o f green i ng 1 1

T h e r e a l c h a l l e n g e o f c l i m a t e c h a n g e a n a p p e a l t o c h u r c h e s

The term ‘environmental crisis’ is We recommend Churches to link to the debate conducted within the not strictly accurate. The present crisis to each other and to other faith decade to overcome violence. is not really outside us (a crisis in communities. We recommend • We invite churches to monitor our physical surroundings), but it is a further that they continue to save governments, EU and UN crisis within us, a crisis in the way we energy, use energy efficiently and discussions and decisions on think, feel and act. go for renewables. We challenge climate change and related issues. every church to promote new eco- Churches in the EU should NETW O RK S A N D management programmes within address governments and political d i a L O G U E S their congregations before 2010. representatives in the European We encourage them to invest into Parliament in the next few months, Let us build new networks and spiritual development, education as important decisions will be enter into new dialogues. Let us and cultural needs instead of taken. EU commitments must not build bridges between ‘religious’ material things. be achieved through offsetting and ‘secular’, as in our ecumenical • In their congregational life emissions: significant cuts of network we are already breaking Churches must be role models of a greenhouse gas emissions have to down the barriers between new type of mobility in which we be achieved through efforts here denominations. Let us find common move from the paradigm of speed of and now. ground with scientists, enriching one cars, planes and ships to cleaner and another with our different insights less risky modes of transportation. C O MM I TMENT into the wonder of creation, and • It is essential that our Churches keeping each other from the dangers address water issues as an expression The new society we have to of anthropocentrism and arrogance. of the Gospel’s call to care about the build must be based on a spiritual Let us work with politicians and planet for now and for the future. conversion; a metanoia. Let us confess governments, the leaders in this task In particular they should make to God and to Creation: We have of reshaping society, bravely offering lifestyle changes to protect water sinned against you; forgive us, and give us prophetic criticism and affirmation. resources, reducing our personal strength to begin anew. demands and use of fresh water, Let us be witnesses of hope at CH U RCH’ S campaigning for justice for those a time when many people despair, C O NTR i b u T i o N S whose water is most threatened by preaching the good news that God climate change, and taking steps to who so loved the world became part It is imperative that Churches accept recycle and re-use water from our of it in order to save it. the challenge to come together buildings and land. to overcome the threat of water shortages, decreased harvests, natural • We invite churches to enjoy the disasters, diseases, migration and diversity and beauty of creation many other projected effects of and take responsibility for it. We climate changes. We encourage recommend to every congregation Church leaders to develop their and community to start practical own comprehensive road map, with or awareness-raising projects on timescales and clear goals, to help biodiversity. Nature conservation ameliorate global warming. organisations have a lot of experience and are willing to assist. • It is vital that education inspires the Shoulder to shoulder delegates get The concern for the protection of urgently needed shift in dominant the environmental message across. biodiversity is also a contribution consumer societies, to simpler life styles and to macro changes in politics and economics. Ecology and climate change needs to be included in all ministerial training. • Many significant projects are already going on in the Churches. 1 2 n o t s tr a nger s b u t fr i en d s

P r o u d t o be a n “ e c c e n t r i c ” d i o c e s e

In his sermon at the annual few years, playing a crucial part in ways of man and God. Then they the life of the Church for a moved on, refreshed and enriched by service and reception for time and then move on – to where the night’s stay and so able to share the Friends of the Diocese they came from or on to somewhere even more richly with their next else. Diplomats, business executives night’s hosts. Bishop Edward Holland and entrepreneurs, to musicians and I see in this pattern with our brought encouragement opera-singers, through to students, diocese. We are often thought of as refugees and asylum-seekers – for a eccentric. When you mention the based on his own experiences brief time become an integral part of Diocese in Europe the reply is a sort around Europe. a congregation and indeed of the of knowing smile, “Oh! Fulham and diocese, and then they are gone. Gibraltar”, which is meant to put us In Malta, one Easter, I remember in our place as patently absurd. But I the choir almost entirely made up of hope we are eccentric, on the edge, holiday-makers, instant members for making connections between one a Sunday or two. It made their centre and another, seeing things holiday and enriched the Church. In from another angle, not clinging to Gibraltar the ship’s doctor from a the familiar but venturing from the naval supply ship would be our known into the different, the foreign. assistant organist for a Sunday We carry what we have from our morning whenever he was in port. In English , or whatever is Naples, when I arrived as the new our home base, but we are open to chaplain in early Summer, I was told new perspectives, new understanding, there was an urgent need for a new ways of being Church. In most Sunday School, though then there of our congregations there will be was not a single child in sight. By the Anglicans from many parts of the Autumn a large number of children world with varying traditions and of had arrived and some of their parents course Christians of other turned out to be experienced Sunday denominations who bring their own riches to share with us. Bishop Edward Holland, Preacher at School leaders. Three years later they the Friends celebration. all departed leaving us to start again. But around us, wherever we are, In the old Russia, before the will be the indigenous churches of Revolution it was not uncommon which we can discover ourselves to be a part. In Naples I found I had We are called to be Strangers and for pilgrims on their way to two Bishops. My own, John Pilgrims – an apt description for Jerusalem and other holy sites walk Satterthwaite, of this diocese but also those of us who have been part of from village to village. They were the Cardinal Archbishop of Naples, the Diocese in Europe. St. Teresa welcomed as honoured guests for Corrado Ursi, who embraced me, spent a good deal of her life on the they were seen as a blessing on literally, as a brother and regarded road – the terrible pot-holed roads of whichever house they stayed in – our Church as coming under his Spain, exhausting herself in the holy men and women who carried episcope. Sometimes the indigenous service of God as she cared for the Christ himself with them and you church will be small, beleaguered, communities she created and never knew when you might be perhaps persecuted and will be glad sustained. “It’s not surprising”, she entertaining angels in human guise. to have our partnership and support, said to God, “that you have so few This was a two-way process for but in most parts of Europe we are friends when you treat them like while they received hospitality the very small alongside the Church of this”. Belonging nowhere and yet pilgrims brought news from the the place but almost always welcome. belonging everywhere describes the outside world – news of wars and In most places we receive generous life to which Christ calls us. disasters, of political changes and hospitality, including often a Church There is a provisional character to events, stories of human foibles and building for our use. But we are not many of our congregations as all sorts God’s miracles and interventions. just honoured guests we are wanted, of people, from many parts of the And they would often bring wisdom as part of the Church, to contribute, world, belong for a few months or a too, for they were experienced in the g o d w a nt s l i v ely p i lgr i m s 1 3

to bring our gifts, to share in the life Diocese. We have stories to tell to God does not require us to be and mission of the local church. Like our home churches too. perfect or even tidy – especially not those pilgrims we have stories to There is an untidiness about us. tidy! But he does want us to be a share from our tradition and We do not fit the normal mould. We lively fellowship of faith in him, experience. are a bit eccentric – not least in the prepared to travel like those pilgrims, One gift we bring, which enriches vexed matter of over-lapping open to whatever we find in the next us as much as others, is our jurisdictions with the American, stage of the journey, willing to vulnerability. We are foreign, we are Spanish and Portuguese Churches. receive whatever he has to give us, very small, and we offer no threat – But even here by our example of and to make our contribution to the we can be regarded as friends not collaborative and collegial working well-being of those who share the competitors. So often the indigenous we have something to share with the journey with us. And like St. Teresa churches, like those in this country, rest of the Church, as we do in our to keep our sense of perspective and because of their history of partnerships with the Old Catholic humour whatever difficulties and competition and worse find it and Porvoo Churches. adventures we meet on the way. difficult to really regard each other as partners in the Gospel, and we I think are spared much of that. But of course it does require us to Left: Bishops and Archdeacons at be open, prepared to participate in the service. the shared life of the churches, to learn and change. We must not be Below: Not quite Moses at the Red content to be merely the English Sea, Rev Philip Warner, Secretary Church working with our own little of the Friends, speaks at the community. We have to discover Reception. ourselves as part of a much larger, living Church which wants and needs us. Back home in the Church or England we are sometimes regarded as a piece of decorative nonsense – Europe often gets viewed as an add- on 44th Diocese in a Church of 43 Dioceses. But increasingly, much to some people’s surprise the Church of England is discovering that through the accidents of history it has given itself a precious gift – a window into Europe through which comes a breath of fresh air and through which we can pass beyond our own little island horizons to find that not only is European Christianity in all its variety struggling with many of the same problems we face, but also that there is a vigorous Anglican Christian life being lived out in Continental Europe, which is engaging with the other churches and working with them in being the Church together. And from within our chaplaincies there are things for us to share with the Church in England – congregations, taking real responsibility for their own life, finding their own money to pay and house their clergy and maintain the life and witness of their Church. I believe there are not many other dioceses where the number of clergy and congregations, and vocations, are growing as they seem to be in our 1 4 p e o p le a n d p l a ce s

O n t h e m o v e

G r ee t i n g s M o v i n g a r o u n d H o n o u r e d

Rev Peter Dawson has become Rev Elaine Labourel has moved Rev Canon Thomas Mendel, Priest-in-Charge of St Andrew, from St Michael, Paris, and All Saints’, Chancellor of the Pro-Cathedral Biarritz, France Rouen, France to be Assistant Chaplain Church of St Paul, Valletta, Malta and of St Mark, Versailles, France Senior Chaplain within the United Rev Charmaine Host, who was Vicar Anglican Churches of Malta & Gozo and Priest-in Charge of 7 parishes in Rev Dr P Clifford Owen, formerly has moved to the Diocese of Chichester Coventry Diocese, is Assistant Chaplain Priest-in-Charge of the Holy Trinity, and has been made Canon Emeritus of of St Michael, Paris, France Corfu, Greece is now Priest-in-Charge the Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese of the English Church, Ostende, Rev Daniel Morrow, Assistant Rector Belgium Rev Canon Mark Oakley, formerly of St Clement’s, Episcopal Church Chaplain of the Anglican Church of in San Clement, California, USA is Rev Canon Raymond Jones who had St Alban, Copenhagen, Denmark and the Assistant Chaplain of St Andrew, been temporarily Priest-in-Charge in Archdeacon of Germany & Northern Zurich, Switzerland Ostende, Belgium remains Priest-in- Europe is now a Canon Emeritus of the Charge of the Anglican Church of St Rev Roy Taylor, Vicar of Cathedral Chapter of the Diocese George, Ypres, Belgium Dolphinholme with Quernmore and Over Wyresdale (Blackburn Diocese) has been appointed Chaplain of Holy O r d i n a t i o n s Trinity, Geneva, Switzerland F a r ewe l l t o Rev Warwick ‘Ricky’ Yates, Rector Sampson Ajuka was ordained deacon of Shelswell (Oxford Diocese) is Rev Vivienne Aggett, Assistant by the Diocesan Bishop on 2 October Priest-in-Charge of St Clement, Chaplain in Greater Athens, Greece in St George’s Church Venice, Italy to Prague, Czech Republic has retired serve as Assistant of St George, Rev Colin McCormack, Chaplain of Venice and of St Anthony Abbot, St Peter and St Paul, Torrevieja, Spain Padova. who has resigned Peter Hales was ordained deacon by Rev John Murray, Priest-in-Charge the Diocesan Bishop on 26 October in of St Alban, Strasbourg, France has Lycée St Germain, Coutances, France resigned and will leave next year. to serve as Deacon-in-charge of Christ Church, Coutances in France Rev Paul Rolfe, Senior Chaplain of the Holy Spirit, Costa Blanca, Spain John Dunbar Koch was ordained has resigned priest by the Suffragan Bishop acting as Commissary for Bishop John Howe on 27 September in the Episcopal Church of St Augustine of Canterbury, Wiesbaden, Germany, to serve in the Diocese of Central Florida, USA.

Peter Hales had been a Reader for many years before he was ordained deacon in Coutances, France, in late October. He says it is a great joy to The new Dean fulfil a calling of Gibraltar, Dr Father Mike Clarke, one of several retired from many John Paddock, priests who support the ministry team on years ago. is to be installed the Costa Blanca in Spain celebrated 25 on Tuesday 16th years of ministry at Javea church during December. He and the Summer. He and his wife Sue were his wife Jennifer presented with a set of beautiful engraved have moved from goblets to mark the occasion. Gloucestershire. Pictures and a full report on the event will be included in our next edition. C o s T A C O NGREG A T i o N 1 5 s u p p o RT S M E R C Y M i s s i o N

M e r c y f r o m M a r be l l a t o M o n r o v i a

Rosalind Scott-Gibbs from the Spanish congregation of Costa del Sol West spent 5 weeks working as a photo-journalist on Mercy Ships. She was encouraged by prayer and a 1,000 euros donation from the church council. Rosalind recalls the experience.

Nothing could prepare who cover their own expenses me adequately for the including food and a berth on board. extraordinary contrast Contemplate the heady atmosphere between the affluence of 400 like-minded people from over of Marbella and the 30 countries, enthusiastically focusing devastation of Monrovia their time and skills on changing the in Liberia. Throughout lives of people in need, and bringing Africa, people are forced to suffer hope for their future. extraordinary physical deformities and It was my privilege to work on constant pain, due to the complete lack board ‘Africa Mercy’ where as a of medical services. Imagine being photo/journalist I shot operations, deal with a whole generation who condemned to a life of blindness when interviewed patients and staff and have received no education, and are a 20-minute, out-patients operation visited clinics and various medical suffering from the trauma of war, could give you sight. Imagine having training sessions around Monrovia, brain-washing and drug abuse. to live with a tumour that threatens where the ship was moored. The aid provided by the Mercy to suffocate you each day it continues Essentially, I covered the functions Ships Organisation is based on a untreated. It is common to be ostracized and activities for public education and simple and effective idea. Help one from family, friends and the rest of the fund-raising purposes – an amazing person who can then contribute to village. You have no life, no future and way to put my Christian faith into their family; who can then contribute no hope. action as well as working in my to the village; who then give to I was reminded of the wonders professional field. their country; who then add to the performed daily by medical teams when Liberia is currently classified by betterment of our world. our local church organized a talk by Dr. the United Nations as the ‘poorest I attended a six day HIV Training Roy Stoddard about his experiences as country in the world’. Nothing of Session in a local village and was a ‘Mercy Ship’ doctor. Instantly, I was value was saved during the 15 years surprised, prior to the opening inspired to serve this worthy cause, if of constant civil war, which ended session, to find the delegates laughing, they could use my skills and experience four years ago. Still there is virtually dancing, and singing in praise of of running an international aid program no electricity and no fresh water, and God. Sunday church services are providing volunteers to Africa, followed no signs of economic growth. The equally delightful. These beautiful by 9 years working as a journalist in sewage flows freely down the main and robust Liberian people are so full Kenya. streets. It was like walking around a of gratitude for anything they The Mercy Ship Organisation is an rubbish dump. are given. international, grass-roots aid project Monrovia has few medical facilities There are many ways to support that has worked successfully for over and without ‘Africa Mercy’ many Mercy Ships – most tangibly, 30 years. All donations go directly more people would have suffered donations as well as volunteering for to those in need. Apart from a few and died during the last four years. service. And it is important for us all ship engineers, all crew are volunteers Various aid groups are attempting to to keep Liberia in our prayers.

The Most Reverend All Saints in Vevey, Switzerland, Katharine Jefferts now have two Sunday Schools to Schori, Presiding accompany their two morning Bishop of The services. More than 30 leaders were Episcopal Church encouraged at a special training day of the USA was in September. in Stockholm in September to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in Sweden. She met Rev Olivia Hilton at the Anglican Church of St Peter and St Sigfrid. 1 6 S T o p P RE s s – A N d F I N A LLY

M a r k h i s w o r d s A l e a n d h e a r t y v e s p e r s i n I e p e r ( Y p r e s ) • Christ’s love defrosts the soul. The monks from St Sixtus Abbey • When we are young we tend to at Vleteren in Belgium, led by have an open mind and a narrow their Abbot, came to St George’s Ieper on 29th September to sing waist. In middle age mind and Choral Vespers for their annual day waist change places. out. They chose to attend the Last • Prayer is like the opening of a Post ceremony and asked if they clenched fist: like sitting in the might sing Choral Vespers in the sunlight. ecumenical setting of St George’s. The congregation enjoyed fellowship • Are we human beings or human and a spot of their Trappist Beer – a doings? highly prized product of the abbey. • C.S. Lewis said he would spend Shortly before he moved to a new eternity thanking God for the post in London, the Venerable Mark prayers He did not answer. Oakley from Copenhagen led a retreat for the chaplaincy of Midi- • Forgiveness of self is hardest of all. Pyrenees and l’Aude in France. His • Humanity is not perfect. God used thoughts on “prayer” included some humanity, not perfection. of the following gems noted in the church’s newsletter. • Christ is God’s self-portrait.

When Rev Andrew Tweedy arrived at his new post as A d v e n t A p p e a l Chaplain in Barcelona the congregation offered a special During Advent catch up with news welcome with a church styled of the Bishop’s Advent Appeal for wedding cake. Andrew and church projects in North and South Billie were married during the India. There are pictures and more Summer before moving details on the diocesan website to Spain. http://www.europe.anglican.org/ homepage/index.htm The Diocese of Rajasthan runs four hostels for girls and boys, many of whom need financial support. As n d o r r a n l a n n i n g little as £40 per year supports one A P child for school admission, tuition fees and hospital expenses. In South c h u r c h a h e a d India the appeal will assist a project to support widows without anyone A new altar cloth A slick slogan decorated an office to care for them. Some of these are and communion wall in the 1990’s proclaiming young, and they are provided with set for St Georges “People don’t plan to fail. They 10 kgs of Rice each month. Andorra was merely fail to plan!” Before a brought thousands Christmas carol is sung many of miles after churches will be thinking ahead to Churchwarden Lent and how to observe the season. Michael Derham If any congregation in the diocese travelled to Peru for a holiday and plans to use the excellent “York discovered the proprietress of the Courses” or a similar programme church supplies shop comes from the editor would be interested to Vic in Spain and welcomed news know how these are used and benefit from Catalunya. Christians for a future report.