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

T o u c h e d B y G o d U n d e r T h e F i g T r ee

D i v e r s e J u b i l a t i o n J o y f u l D i a m o n d J u b i l ee C e l eb r a t i o n s

S h a r i n g , L e a r n i n g A n d G r o w i n g P r a i s e F o r R e a d e r s ’ C o n fe r e n c e

W i n d U p O r W i n d D o w n C l e r g y F a c i n g R et i r e m e n t

A fte r T h e E a r t h q u a k e H a i t i P a r t n e r s h i p P r o je c t

europe.anglican.org No.55 AUTUMN 2012 2 JOYS AND MEMORIES

THE E u r o p e a n S u m m e r O r d i n at i o n s A n g l i c a n Two clergy were ordained at the end of June and three new were welcomed into ministry

The of in Europe The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, Worth, Crawley RH10 7RT Tel: +44 (0) 1293 883051 Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 Email: [email protected] The Suffragan The Rt Revd Postal address: Diocesan Office Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 Email: [email protected] The Diocesan Office 14 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QZ Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 Email: [email protected] Diocesan Secretary Mr Adrian Mumford Assistant Diocesan Secretary Mrs Jeanne French Finance Officer Mr Nick Wraight­ Diocesan Website www.europe.anglican.org Editor and Diocesan Communications Tw o D e a c o n s O r d a i n e d i n R o m e Officer The Revd. Paul Needle Mary Styles and Dana English were given a warm welcome on their ordination in All Postal address: Diocesan Office Saints Church where the outside temperature was 39 degrees Celsius! Both will serve as Email: assistant in All Saints Rome. Mary also has responsibility for a new Fresh Expression [email protected] of Church, “Footsteps”, which meets in the suburbs of Rome. The Rev Dana English writes; Tel: +44 (0)7712 463806 Friends of the Diocese I grew up in the Southern Baptist Church in Texas and discerned my vocation studying theology Secretary: Rev Canon Arthur Siddall Email: at Yale Divinity School. In two Congregational Church parish placements I felt called to ordained [email protected] ministry and was ordained as a Presbyterian in Washington, D.C. in 1984. But I felt drawn more and more to the liturgy and worship of the Anglican tradition after my marriage in 1996 to Design Adept Design, Norwich Tom Whalen, a Roman Catholic by background. We worshipped together as a family at Episcopal Churches in New York City where, after a period at home with our growing children, I decided to Printer re-enter active ministry as an Episcopal priest. This process was interrupted by the family’s move to Barnwell Print Ltd, Aylsham Italy in August 2009 so I resumed training in the Anglican Church the following year, commuting to Distribution Salisbury for studies. CoDEStorm plc In the parish I have taught three classes and led the youth group of the church. Pastoral care and preaching have also been major areas of my work at All Saints’. Two new directions are now emerging: prison chaplaincy, out of a placement recommended by the Diocese, at Rebibbia prison on the outskirts of Rome. I have begun training there and will continue to visit twice a week, English and Italian-speaking men and women. I discovered both the need (there are two full-time Front cover picture: for 1800 inmates) and my vocation to chaplaincy in that setting only this past Spring. The The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee was very other new direction will be to spend time strengthening ecumenical ties between the Anglican and much a family occasion, not least in St Roman Catholic churches in Rome. There are many opportunities, including the Week of Prayer for Paul’s in Greater Athens where the sun shone on the flags and festivities. Picture by Christian Unity. My husband Tom and I continue to be strong supporters of the Anglican Centre in Christopher Ambatzi-Crecy. Rome, where I led two half-days of reflection this past year, on literature and theology. IN LISBON, MADRID, 3 NORWICH AND ROME

o t ay i n The service was punctuated by the left the church singing ‘Guide me o Thou A H D rustling of fans, that most Spanish of great redeemer’. M a d r i d noises in the summer. The choir director, We emerged into the now quiet patio, Stephen Knight, had written some fully shaded from the late afternoon sun. Nigel Thomas recalls a hot day at his music for the occasion, the choir sang it Amidst numerous photos, embraces, smiles priesting. beautifully. The readings in Spanish and laughter those of us who were there and English reminded all of us that knew we had been touched by much more Madrid can be hot in June and the ordination is not limited by culture or than just the heat of the Spanish sun in service began at 4pm. The church had been language, and that in The Diocese in the shade of the ancient fig tree. pre-booked for a wedding and many people Europe we represent the ecumenical face of were coming and going for both events in Anglicanism. Fr. Stephen Ferns preached the patio where the ancient fig tree cast its a sermon on St. Peter noting Peter’s dappled shade. With Anglican precision, essential vulnerability and ‘flakiness’. He as the wedding party spilled out from said “ must always keep their eyes the door into the patio, the choir entered on the figure of Christ or, like Peter in the through the main door and the church was story of the walking on the water, they will prepared for the next service. As I was lose sight of their true objective and rapidly given my charge by the bishop my lasting sink”. After ordination vows had been memory will be that of a harp solo wafting said, the litany sung and the laying of up from the wedding reception beneath; a hands concluded, the bishop, congregation foretaste of things to come? and clergy shared in the Eucharist, and

n e o f i g h t were part of the earlier service for many I have recently taken early retirement O E reasons. As we processed through the huge from my full time teaching work, which I Jennifer Elliott de Riverol was one west door I felt a sudden surge of emotion, hope will give me more time and energy to of eight people ordained Priest in which I later managed to control more the serve wherever I am led. the Cathedral in Norwich before second time round! returning to her curacy at All Saints, I found the laying on of hands by the Tenerife, with San Martin de Porres, of Norwich, Lynn and Thetford La Palma. and the accompanying priests including my training incumbent Rev Mike My ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Smith, Canon Colin Fowler who I’d Graham was a most joyous occasion. first approached about my calling to the I knew four of the eight people being priesthood in 1999 and Rev Jack Burton ordained, some of whom I had trained with who officiated at my wedding, particularly at Eastern Region Ministry Course so it moving. Knowing that I was surrounded was very special. We had also been on a by family and friends from within the silent retreat together and had been joined U.K., Spain, Tenerife, the U.S.A. and by other peers who were ordained deacons La Palma made me feel very privileged to

earlier the same day. I was glad that we be a part of the wider Body of Christ. Barry by FurnessPhoto

o v e t o t h e n s my vocation further. In 2000 I became a in Scotland as a Social Worker and M A member of the Greater Lisbon Chaplaincy feel I have a great deal to offer in the Verna Veritie was ordained and was licensed as a Reader in 2006. pastoral work of the church as well as my in her “home church” of Lisbon but Shortly after becoming a Reader I started involvement in the Sunday liturgy. I also is moving to Athens for her early the discernment process towards Deacon look forward to close involvement with the ministry. Ministry but put it on hold to concentrate Greek Orthodox Church. further on my Reader Ministry. During I often described myself as a baby Anglican my time as secretary to the Archdeaconry as I was brought up in the Church of Synod I was asked whether I would be Scotland and later joined the Baptist prepared to reconsider my vocation. I felt Church. I felt that I was called to full time the time was right to explore further my Christian Ministry whilst a member of the vocation to the Distinctive Diaconate and Baptist Church and actively involved with was accepted for training at a Bishops the Scripture Union in Scotland but it was Advisory Panel in February 2011. only when I moved to Portugal and became I am very much looking forward to a member of the Anglican Church that my ministry as the Assistant I believed the time was right to explore in Athens. I spent my professional life INSIGHT INTO POST 4 EARTHQUAKE HAITI

B i s h o p ’s A p p e a l i n A c t i o n

Bishop David’s report of his recent visit to Haiti The devastated church interior

I went for the episcopal consecration of a friend, Bishop which this parish runs, in one of the most deprived areas Ogé Beauvoir but was able to spend some time in the of the Haitian capital. The parish priest, Rev Père Jean Fils parish that the Diocese supported through the Bishop’s Chery, warmly welcomed me to the eucharist and showed Appeal following the devastating earthquake which struck me the work of the school. The parish presented me with a on 12 January 2010. Over 300,000 died in the earthquake plaque to thank the diocese for their support following the with some 1.3 million people displaced, many are still earthquake. There was a huge feeling of appreciation for living in temporary camps. Even the presidential palace what their brothers and sisters in our European diocese had remains in ruins. done for them, helping them to know that they were not I had consulted the Diocese of Haiti about a suitable forgotten by the world-wide Church following their plight. project to support and they identified the parish of Notre The Church itself was so badly damaged structurally, Dame de l’Annonciation, Our Lady of the Annunciation, in that it is not likely that it will be repaired, especially given Port-au-Prince. Our funds were directed to the school the more urgent needs of the school. The congregation worships in a makeshift partially open-air space, which is also the school’s lunch room! Our diocesan funds went to the reconstruction of the school, which serves about 275 students, with 11 teachers. The students all come from the most impoverished of backgrounds. Père Jean Fils insists that the 11 teachers at the school are fully qualified (unusual in Haitian schools), and that instruction is in French, not Creole, so that these youngsters can have the best possible education and future possibilities. The school provides a basic hot meal each day, prepared in a very humble kitchen. For most of the pupils it is their only meal of the day. There is also a basic clinic at the school to provide essential medical attention. More work is still needed – there has only been one toilet since the earthquake and it will cost about $20,000 to build a proper block of sanitary facilities, including providing a place for Humble cooking facilities the children to wash.

Bishop David given a Thank You token Père Jean Fils with his family HOPE RISES FROM THE 5 HEARTACHE

Sy n o d E l e c t i o n s C o n t i n u e Elections for the new Diocesan Synod which begins in 2013 are now taking place. The Synod is elected every three years. Nominations have been received and where places are contested ballot papers are being sent to members of Archdeaconry Synods who elect Lay delegates. Clergy School dinners were not always like this members are elected by Licensed Clergy. Anyone who receives a voting paper is urged to complete and return it in good time so that the Diocese The parish itself is thriving under Père Jean Fils’ enjoys the full benefit of members committed to overseeing skilled leadership with two seminarians assisting matters of faith and practice as well as the equally (one a woman), and another young person wanting important financial affairs (every member of Diocesan to test his vocation to the priesthood. There is a Synod is also a member of the Diocesan Board of Finance). marvellous choir, an enthusiastic team of servers, The results and list of new Synod members will be and an active scout troop. The liturgy is celebrated published on the website and in the next edition of The partly in French and partly in Creole. European Anglican. The can be assured that its generosity has been well managed and our gift is in very good and competent hands, helping a heroic community in a deprived part of the Haitian capital.

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t h e d i o c e s e c e l eb r a te s t h e Q u een ’s D i a m o n d J u b i l ee

The British Ambassador in Belgium crowned a young “Queen for the Day” in Ghent

In Tenerife South, Maria Leng, British Consul to the Canary Islands helped Mike Smith to cut the celebration cake

Members of St George’s Madrid dressed for the day

HMS Edinburgh celebrated with members On the Costa Del Sol bunting helped the party of St Boniface church in Antwerp atmosphere in church CELEBRATIONS FROM 7 FINLAND TO TURKEY

The Queen even made an appearance in Amsterdam’s Jubilee celebrations made TV headlines St John’s church in the Turkish city of Izmir In an article for the , Bishop Geoffrey wrote about the unique links between the sovereign and our Diocese. This short extract is illustrated by a selection of the varied events to mark the occasion. Of the vast territory that makes up the Diocese, stretching from Madeira to Vladivostok and from Casablanca to Trondheim only the three square miles of Crown land in Gibraltar are where the Queen reigns, and only Malta is a member of the Commonwealth. Everywhere else, when the Queen is prayed for, as she very frequently is, it is Swiss pastries offered a alongside the local Head of State, be that Head of State an loyal tribute in Berne elected President or an hereditary monarch, who may or may not be Christian, as with the King of Morocco or the President of Turkey, and where there are certainly different relations between church and state. Many Anglican ex-patriates from England will have an appreciation of the Queen’s devotion to duty and her Christian witness. The same may also be true of Anglicans from the Commonwealth, be they Australian, South African or Nigerian, though for many it will be a sense of the Queen as Head of the Commonwealth rather than as monarch. For others who have no such ties there may be an appreciation of the Queen’s personal faith and example of duty, but little sense of monarchy and almost no awareness of her role in the as Supreme Governor. Ecumenical reactions can vary from linking the Queen to ‘Henry VIII founded the Church of England’ to Orthodox appreciation of the role of the Christian monarch, in a nostalgia for the Byzantine empire. Both Orthodox and continental Roman Catholics can respond to the sacramental character of the Queen as the last anointed Christian monarch in Europe. We have received touching messages from many in our diverse diocese: ‘the Queen, an Anchor for Europe and the world!’; ‘with loving gratitude for all your years of devoted service to your subjects, your nation, and to God’; ‘thank you for being a wonderful role model for us who live far away from home’; ‘thank you for your stability in changing times’; ‘I was sitting in the rain In Helsinki the weather forced the party indoors with my brother watching your Coronation. Your service to your where a cardboard Queen was willing to pose for people has been/is admirable.’ pictures LEARNING, WORSHIPPING 8 AND SHARING

Th e G l o r i o u s C o m pa n y o f R e a d e r s

Many of the Readers and Readers-in-Training around the Diocese took part in a packed weekend

of worship, teaching and fellowship at Kardinal Schulte Haus in Cologne during June. Everyone felt themselves blessed and strengthened by the experience. The Conference, titled “Bearing the Word” had been planned to offer Readers a taste of what Licensed Clergy had enjoyed on two occasions. The lectures have been great, stunning and This has confirmed my ministry as a Reader. It is “ fantastic. Being a reader can be lonely work. It is so the fulfilment of what God has been calling me to good to be together with so many other people who do for a long time. I feel I am a round peg in God’s are in the same position. round hole.

I value the fellowship we enjoyed – from Finland to I look forward to preaching better in the future. Athens – just singing and praying together. We can see the great enthusiasm in our diocese Finland is on the fringe of Europe. I enormously and are lucky to have a youngish team of Readers “ value the sense of becoming more integrated into compared with the general age profile of Readers the wider work of the Diocese. in England. A LANDMARK EVENT 9 FOR READERS

S p e a k e r s R e a d e r s

Canon Ulla Monberg, Director of Training, Tony Ecclestone had a key role in planning the Conference. came from Malaga in She also presided and preached at one of the Spain. “It was a fantastic eucharists in the chapel at Kardinal Schulte opportunity to network, Haus in what is believed to be the first time share ideas and find out that a woman priest has presided at a eucharist what resources are available. at a formal diocesan event. It will improve what we do in leading worship.” During the Conference Rev Elaine Labourel was commissioned by Bishop David as Judy Wilson was a “Senior Tutor and Advisor for Reader Reader who moved to Ministry”, recognising her work as part of the France and is re-licensed Ministry Team of the diocese. Encouraging in Toulouse. “It was Readers to make good use of the wide range a wonderful experience, of liturgy available she mis-quoted Lennon clearly a long time in the and McCartney; “All we are saying is give liturgy a chance!” making with much thought and prayer going into the planning – and it shows! Mrs Clare Amos impressed the Readers The highlight is meeting like minded People of God with her range of Biblical research as she led and knowing the church is in a healthy place.” studies from the Old Testaments highlighting Jacob’s struggle during his life pilgrimage Robin Hillman serves in and Our Lord’s Transfiguration in the New Brittany. He has been a Testament. Reader for 49 years. “It was very stimulating Brother Samuel, a Franciscan and Minister getting together with other Provincial of the Society, spoke about Prayer Readers and having your and Spirituality “in a world where busy-ness is mind extended.” a virtue”. He warned that prayer can never be effective if it is “shoe-horned” into a busy life. Janis Adams from The “Prayer is more about listening in quietness than Aquitaine in France. speaking too much”, he said. “It was sensational. There is a lot to take on board Sara MacVane spoke about “Bearing the but that can be sorted out Word in Conflict” and gave some deeply and reflected on after the spiritual and practical guidance about the Conference. These are typical conflicts and disputes which can things that underlie our understanding of Reader plague church life and demoralise leaders. ministry.” She taught about a technique known as “Re-framing” a situation so that it could be Jackie Dallos began viewed by separating the person involved from the specific problem. her Reader training in Corfu. “I want to share Nick Clarke, a Senior Communications the blessings I have received Officer for the Church of England challenged from Jesus Christ. It’s been Readers to prepare two press releases a a real feast which will need year. Encouragingly some of them began digesting when I get home. immediately after the Conference with stories All the speakers were excellent and managed to get on the Diocesan website. Nick also gave their message over seriously but with humour.” helpful advice about using the social media including blogs, Facebook and Twitter. Egbert Van Groesen is a lay prison chaplain Dr Alan Wakely as the Secretary of the – serving 4 prisons in Central Readers’ Council of the Church the Flanders region of of England, was encouraged to note the Belgium. “I was most relatively young average age of Readers in helped by the Bible Studies, the Diocese in Europe when compared with the session on dealing with other parts of the Church of England. He conflict and the national update on Readers’ Ministry particularly liked the way we refer to our in England. I hope we will have a second conference Readers as “lay theologians”. soon!” 10 OUR MAN IN

F i n d i n g o u r St o r y

Canon Gary Wilton, ’s Guest speakers meeting in the chapel of the Resurrection in Brussels Representative to the EU, newly elected to the General whom, in Christian terms I call my and failures’. He went on to argue Synod, with a practical neighbours’. that ‘Solidarity’ means taking example of serendipity at work For the President of the European responsibility for one’s neighbour Council, the destiny of Europe lies – especially where the neighbour’s in friendships between individuals, circumstances were partly caused by It was an evening to remember. communities and nations. Friendship our own hubris. The building was full. The special he argued is the beginning of shared All the speakers agreed that guests had arrived. The security was values. For Europe those ‘values somehow the peoples of Europe discrete and the really important include human rights, equality need to find a new shared story, a guest of honour was just about on between men and women, justice, 21st century vision for helping our time. the common good, responsibility and neighbours through difficult times. The evening was June 4th 2012. solidarity’. A little to the surprise of We need a story that is as compelling The building was the chapel of his listeners, Van Rompuy explained and as energizing as the 20th century the Resurrection – the chapel for that he disliked the term ‘European quest for peace. The church has a Europe, right next door to the Union’. He much preferred the term key part in writing that new story. European Parliament in Brussels. The ‘European Community’ because Indeed we have a prophetic vocation special guests included the Bishop of it is more human and points to a to contribute to renewed vision for Bradford, Nick Baines and Bishop shared past, present and future. The our shared continent and indeed Noel Trainer, the Roman Catholic President concluded that the Europe the world – a vision of hope and Bishop of Down and Dromore. The of the future will be what Europeans solidarity. Such a prophetic vocation guest of honour was the President of together make it to be. will require the church to find new the European Council, Herman Von The following day the Bishop ways of speaking so that it will be Rompuy who had just got off the of Bradford reflected in his blog heard. plane from his meeting in Moscow that ‘Herman Van Rompuy was The very next morning 5th June, with President Putin. embarrassingly excellent’. He could the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke The event was a 10th anniversary not imagine a British politician at the service of thanksgiving for the celebration of the chapel of the speaking with such depth. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. As ever his Resurrection. Von Rompuy was essence of Van Rompuy’s approach words were profound and prophetic: invited to speak about ‘Hope and is that we are ‘better together’ than This year has already seen a variety of Solidarity’ for a Europe in crisis. ‘fighting together’. Inevitably the Jubilee creations and projects. But its most The President’s speech was timely, roundtable discussion turned to the lasting memorial would be the rebirth of thoughtful and deeply Christian. Euro crisis, Greece and Germany. an energetic, generous spirit of dedication In the middle of the most severe Bishop Nick reflected that people in to the common good and the public service, international economic crisis since the UK needed to recognise that: the rebirth of a recognition that we live less the Great Depression of the 1930s, ‘the Euro crisis is not happening than human lives if we think just of our Van Rompuy wanted to talk about somewhere else nor is it the result own individual good. relationships. Drawing on Jewish of ‘lazy Greeks versus efficient Only too quickly my mind turned philosopher Martin Buber he wanted Germans’, but was largely caused by back to the evening before. Truly, it to talk about people – ‘people US and British banking recklessness had been an evening to remember… MAKING THE MOST OF 11 GOD’S GENEROSITY

A l i a s S m i t h a n d S m i t h – o n Ste w a r d s h i p

Mel Smith, from Mallorca, has teamed up with Mike Smith, from for another month – we can afford to pay you.’ The focus is then not on Tenerife to chat about their new Stewardship team God, its very much on paying for the Mike: “Before and so on. We end by saying ‘and Vicar. It’s a big job to educate people ordination I was of your own we give you’. There’s and teaching church members about a partner in an the recognition that everything we discipleship.” advertising and possess, from life itself to our material design consultancy, possessions, is God’s gift and at that Mel: “With just me advising which, of course, is moment we simply give it back to churches I was restricted to three perfect preparation God. Very often you get a sense that programmes a year but now there are for priesthood! I was ordained in people have their fingers crossed two of us, certainly in the Gibraltar 1990 in the Chester Diocese and when they say that and what they are Archdeaconry, means we can double became curate of Wallasey. One of really saying is ‘what’s yours is mine, that number of programmes offer at the first things I was asked to do was what’s mine’s my own’.” least six a year now.” to undertake a stewardship campaign in the parish and I thoroughly Mel: “And those words that trip so Mike: “My Chaplaincy Council were enjoyed it. Ever since then I have easily off the tongue – ‘we offer you very supportive when I suggested I been doing that in both my own our souls and bodies to be a living wanted to take on this role. They parishes and also helping out in the sacrifice’ must relate to what we put agreed for me to be able to go away Diocese of York, in particular with into the collection twenty minutes for three weekends in order for me to country parishes.” before or the standing order we made undertake this kind of work.” out. It’s very wrong and unbiblical Mel: “That’s to say we offer God ‘our souls and Mel: “And the expansion can go on! interesting because bodies’ then just give Him the dregs If anybody from other archdeaconries I suffered, and I of our income, what’s left when we’ve of our diocese might be prepared mean suffered, paid all our bills, or just tip Him as to volunteer. Mike and I agree that stewardship we might tip a waiter. the product we offer is simple and programmes in “I remember, years ago, a lady in attractive.” each of my two Worcestershire who said when I went curacies and swore I would never, to her church council to talk about a Mike: “It involves one of us at the ever, do one like that myself. When new giving review, ‘Ah, You were the front end, preaching the message. I became parish priest I taught man who taught me who it is I give to Then it’s a simple step by step process. Christian giving as part of Christian – and I’ve always remembered since If you follow the guidelines we discipleship, but stayed clear of then that it’s not the church I give to provide, you really should not go diocesan stewardship programmes when I put money on the collection wrong. It’s not complex, it doesn’t because they didn’t do what I plate – it’s God!” take a long time, it’s not a costly thing wanted and what the parish needed. to deliver and if it’s followed step by I came to develop my own way of Mike: “In some ways in this diocese step it should produce results.” doing Christian giving when I was it’s even more vital for that link to be Stewardship Officer in the Diocese made because, unlike a diocese in the Mel: “Be brave and be encouraged. of Worcester for thirteen years. It UK where the clergy are funded from From the very first programme I ran seems to me that when you offer it to a central source, you get a real sense in the Diocese in Europe I noticed parishes or chaplaincies it needs to be in lots of chaplaincies here that they that in a church community abroad, simple. Do you agree that Christian are paying the piper and if they don’t as distinct from in the UK, it took a giving has its own theology?” like the piper, the giving goes down. long time to get all the promises back. People are very focused on paying for We had to wait six months, but at Mike: “One thing that inspires me is the life of their chaplaincy. It is no the end of six months the giving had the sentence we use at the offertory longer about giving to God it’s about gone up by 110 per cent and actually when we present all our gifts to funding. I was told after a successful that’s more of a financial increase that God. ‘Yours Lord is the greatness’ car boot sale, ‘Well you’ll be all right I ever got in the UK.”

For more help and information contact: Mike Smith, Chaplain of Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife ([email protected]) or Mel Smith in Mallorca ([email protected]) 12 RETIREMENT – THE END OR A NEW BEGINNING?

W i n d i n g u p o r W i n d i n g D o w n ?

Rev Dr Clifford Owen looks back and forward to his approaching retirement

A few years ago in Corfu, an Archdeacon’s widow told me a story that still haunts me. When her husband used to visit the retired clergy of his archdeaconry he found that a few of them had given up going near a church! Had they had such a bad time of it? Had they had such bitter and tough memories of ordained parochial life that they now always seen ordination as a call to there as a good old fashioned parish want a mental and spiritual ‘out’? serve – wherever. First I went where priest, listening to the people… I also recall occasional visits to a my college Principal suggested, to and quietly living one’s faith. Being residential home for retired clergy in Stowmarket in Suffolk. There I a clerical general practitioner is a Southern England where all of the discovered the Church’s ministry of specialism in itself. ‘inmates’, including a bishop, were Healing and ran the youth group, as Then came Bishop Morris immaculately turned out in suits and most curates were expected to, but Maddocks, who had been told by clerical collars. Did they fear losing I soon sensed that my first love was Archbishop Coggan that he had their identity once they had hung up going to be . Our youth approval to become a full time their cassocks? group quickly became a joint Church Healing Advisor to the Archbishops, I shall shortly be saying good- of England – Methodist affair. I but that there was no money! By bye to the people of Oostende was an enthusiast for the Council this stage I had become a trustee and Brugge for this thing called of Churches, which in those days of Whitehill Chase, an old house ‘retirement’ and my mind replays included a lively Pentecostal Church, situated in the middle of the parish. the 39 years since that day when and Delia Smith in the local Roman At Burrswood in Sussex I met Bishop I first turned my collar around. I Catholic Church (before she became Morris who said that the Acorn Trust never had any career plan within well known as a TV cook). was being formed to support him the Church structure but I have I was just getting settled in and his wife, Anne, but they had no Stowmarket when out of the blue plant and no base! I said, ‘Whitehill came an invitation to move to Chase has no ministry, but we do Guildford Diocese; to work as an have a healing trust deed, a house, additional member of staff in a and plenty of money’! The result was newly forming team ministry. My a happy marriage of the two Trusts job would be outreach on new which remains to this day. housing estates where previously A third strand I became involved there had been gypsy and travelling with was as a reporter for the family concentrations. In many ways Guildford Diocesan Herald. I loved Bordon in Hampshire became the it. I remember sitting one afternoon foundational job of my ministry. I at the Portsmouth Evening News went there in 1976, ‘green as grass’ helping proof read the next copy. I and discovered that God knew the had a disturbing feeling that I would way into that situation. Thirteen have liked to have done it full time! years later we had a brand new After Hampshire we moved to church, a Local Ecumenical Project, the Worcester Diocese and a job and lots of new youngish Christians I had always wanted – Diocesan to fill it. I learned so much from the Ecumenical Officer. I also had three people there and think that one of delightful villages to look after and the clues to ‘successful’ ministry is a view of the Malvern Hills from simply to stick around…just to be the Rectory window at Clifton- 

PRAYER AND PRACTICALITY 13 GO TOGETHER

W i n d i n g u p o r W i n d i n g D o w n ? E n v i r o n m e n ta l U p date M a d e l e i n e H o l m e s o ffe r s a h e l p f u l p r ay e r a n d s o m e p r a c t i c a l i n f o r m at i o n o n on-Teme. They were good days c a r i n g f o r o u r e n v i r o n m e n t and County Ecumenical Officers frequently met up at the Swanwick “I am delighted to report that I have received emails requesting help with conference centre in Derbyshire. It appointing local Environment Officers in some of our churches and also some was my good fortune to be in the of you are holding Environment services prior to Creationtide (1st September right place when the new ecumenical - 4th October). Operation Noah can provide you with wonderful help (see the structures were being formed for link on the diocesan website). I look forward to hearing from you. Please let me Churches Together in England in know how you get on and a report with photos would be good. 1990. “I know from experience that taking on the role of Environment Officer can In 2000 I knocked on the door be daunting. But we can only act through love of the environment we all live of Intercontinental Church Society in. If no one can be found in your church then get a few of you together (with and ended up in Corfu before finally, a chairperson) and start reading and skimming the links available, reading feeling there was still a little steam articles and televised creation/climate programmes then share the information left in the boiler, Bishop Geoffrey with each other and with your congregation. You are best starting off thinking steered me to Oostende and Brugge. about what each individual can do… that way you will not feel defeated before Serving in the Diocese in Europe you start! So get cracking and look at some of the simple ideas below; look at has been whole new education and some of the websites for ideas; websites for taking action – for we are called to privilege. It enlarges perspectives care for those who have no voice as well as our environment, and look at books both geographically and historically; which contain ideas for services, ‘A Heart for Creation’ being a superb one. but also theologically. On the European mainland the rich treasure Environment Prayer that is Anglicanism comes sharply Almighty God, into focus. Give us reverence for all creation On a personal note, I still count And respect for every person, my four London Marathons as one That, we may mirror your likeness of life’s great experiences. Cycling In Jesus Christ our Lord and running have provided me with Collect (2nd before Lent, Additional) a parallel universe, and that may have kept me sane when parochial The Environmental Officer’s 5 R’s pressures have sometimes been Refuse: Avoid purchase of environmentally adverse. burdensome materials Ministry can be a lonely business Reduce: Waste material and I also know that without my Reuse: Waste material dear wife, Avis, who has always been Reform: Reuse materials in a different form more than 50% of every job, the last Recycle: Reuse materials as resources forty years would have been very different. Simple things we can all do So will ‘retirement’ really mean 4 Preserve our water by taking short showers (4 minutes); saving grey water hanging up one’s cassock? Apart from (water used for washing salad, mushrooms or potatoes) for the garden and continuing my work with the Acorn plants; using vegetable waters for soup; not running the tap unless into a bottle Trustees, and hopefully filling in for drinking water later (keep in the fridge); don’t run the tap when cleaning around the Fens with Permission to your teeth! Officiate, I sense a call to get down 4 Eat seasonally and locally; eat less so that we waste less. to more prayer and intercession. Two 4 Plant anything that bees and insects love in your tubs and window boxes but years ago I met a Christian couple on preferably not geraniums! the Calais ferry who told me how the German evangelist, Reinhard Bonke Retreats had retired himself at 65 and then A suggestion from Bishop Geoffrey, is a one day Retreat concentrating on one heard the Spirit saying: What are item from our world. It could be something very beautiful to be studied, prayed you doing here Elijah? God does not about, appreciated and acted upon if appropriate or perhaps something truly ‘retire’ his servants. He has work of horrific and vile from our world on which to concentrate, pray and seek to remedy. some kind for us to do as long as we Let me know any ideas you have and what you have done in your communities. are able and until the last call comes. Blessings on all you do, [email protected] 14 PEOPLE AND PLACES

C l e r g y o n R e m e m be r i n g t h e D i o c e s e ’s f i r s t t h e m o v e S u ff r a g a n B i s h o p Canon Arthur Siddal writes All Saints, Prebendary Alan Moses, GREETINGS TO spoke of Ambrose’s great ministry of The words “I have fought the good Rev Anne Jenkins is to become hospitality and acceptance. fight, I have finished the race, I have Priest-in-Charge of St. Stephen, In church among the many clergy kept the faith” resounded around Madremanya, on the Costa were previous Deans of Gibraltar, and Brava in Spain from the end of All Saints Church, Margaret Street naval Chaplains. September in London, at the funeral in May, of Representatives of The Diocese Rev Clement Upton Bishop , who was in Europe included the Diocesan becomes Priest-in-Charge of Suffragan Bishop in the Diocese from Registrar, members of Bishop’s St Christopher’s on the Costa 1977 to 1986. Azahar in Spain in early September Staff, a congregation member from Before he died on 24 April, aged Montreux, where Ambrose had Rev , formerly Team 93, he had written his own funeral served from 1989 to 1992. of Plymstock & Hooe in the Service, to be held in the church Diocese of Exeteric now Chaplain The Service was in the best where he had been ‘at home’ since he of SS Philip & James in Palma de ‘catholic’ tradition and will remain Mallorca was an 18 year-old student. long in the memories of all who were For much of his long and varied privileged to be present. His body ministry, he was a Naval Chaplain MOVING AROUND remained in church overnight before before becoming Chaplain of the Fleet. Rev Joop Albers, Anglican Chaplain cremation after which the ashes were The former Archbishop of York, at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is interred at his family vault at Holy now also Priest-in-Charge of Dr David Hope, presided at the Trinity Church, Queensborough on St Anna and St Mary, Haarlem in Funeral and the Church Choir sang the Isle of Sheppey. The Netherlands the Schubert Mass in G. The Vicar of Rev Rik Florentinus, Assistant Curate of Christ Church, Amsterdam, now also has responsibility for “OZ100” and is on secondment to St Anna and St B i s h o p Dav i d h o n o u r e d w i t h Mary, Haarlem in The Netherlands n e w I n te r - c h u r c h R o l e FAREWELL TO The Archbishop of Canterbury has named the Suffragan Canon Michael Bullock OGS, Bishop David Hamid as the Anglican Co-Chair of the Chaplain of Great Lisbon in International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Portugal has resigned Unity and Mission (IARCCUM). Rev Dr Michael Bunce, Chaplain IARCCUM was established by the Anglican of St Margarita on the Spanish Communion and the Roman Catholic Church in 2001. It island of Menorca resigned from the end of July is a commission of bishops ‘to promote our relationship by seeking to translate our manifest agreement in faith into Rev Dr Mika Pajunen, Assistant Chaplain of St Nicholas’ Church in common life and mission’. Helsinki, Finland has resigned Rev Philip Mounstephen, Chaplain of St Michael’s, Paris, will resign in October to become Executive Leader of CMS R e v K e i t h G o r d o n 1949 –2012 Rev Dr Manuel Sumare, Fr Keith Gordon, Priest in Charge of St Francis, Tenerife Priest-in-Charge of St James, Porto in Portugal resigns from the South died in hospital on the island in early June. He end of September had been in intensive care for over a week after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. HONOURED Fr Keith was living and working in Venezuela when Rev Canon , formerly he first joined an Anglican church in Caracas. Canon Ian Archdeacon of North West Europe Hutchinson-Cervantes, now in Madrid, was serving as has been made a Canon Emeritus a priest in Caracas and Keith was a Server in the church. of the Cathedral Chapter of the Canon Ian encouraged Keith to follow his vocation and he Diocese was ordained in Venezuela in 1998. His early ministry was in South America Dr Brian Hanson, CBE, Honorary before he moved to the Diocese in Europe where he took up the post of Priest- (Lay) Canon of the Cathedral in-Charge of Tenerife South in 2003. Chapter has been appointed a Archdeacon says that with a commercial training in cooking and Canon Emeritus hospitality Keith will be well remembered “for showing great hospitality towards all, especially during our Archdeaconry residential meetings as they coincided with his birthday.” A NEW PAGE OF CHURCH 15 HISTORY IN HUNGARY

Th e M i s s i o n a r y C h a r a c te r i s E v i d e n t

1956. The Community in its present The Hungarian Parliament form dates from 1992, after the fall historically recognized “official” of Communism, when a permanent churches – those deemed trustworthy chaplain came to reside in Budapest. and constant in Hungarian society. Saint Margaret of Scotland, born in In 2011, in a move calculated to Hungary in the eleventh century, was correct what it saw as abuses in the chosen as patron. Today, the Saint recognition scheme, Parliament Margaret’s Community is a vibrant reduced the number of official – if small – force on the Hungarian churches from over three hundred religious scene, with average Sunday to just fourteen, thus, perhaps Rev Dr Frank Hegedűs attendance of thirty to thirty-five and inadvertently, eliminating formal welcomes new recognition an active Sunday school programme. recognition of Anglicans, Methodists, for the church in Hungary We include people from many and a host of other faith communities parts of the world, including the long active in Hungary. With , Canada, Romania, the assistance of former British “Buda-Pest is one of the chaplaincies the United States, and several African Ambassador Greg Dorey and where the missionary character of nations such as Kenya, Nigeria, and the Embassy staff, the Anglican the work is evident” is a frank 1903 Uganda. We are pleased to include Communion is now once again assessment from the Archives of some Hungarians who have lovingly formally recognized by Parliament the Society for the Propagation of embraced Anglican traditions and as one of the authoritative faiths of the Gospel (SPG) in London. Not worship and made them their own. Hungary. surprising perhaps, considering Some members are diplomats; Over the past decade, Saint Budapest’s dissimilarity and distance entrepreneurs or business people on Margaret’s has been worshipping in from London and Canterbury. temporary or permanent assignment. a cellar facility not far from the City Anglicans of various stripes have been Others are academics and students; or Centre. While the chapel and adjacent living and worshipping in Hungary retirees with Hungarian connections. rooms have for some the comforting since at least the late 1800s, probably Budapest – larger than its spiritual feel of an ancient catacomb before then a priest commuted from neighbours Vienna and Prague – is a or other early house of worship, we Vienna and ministered to English Central European hub of commerce, are rapidly outgrowing the space. The families with business interests in the industry, and education. Hungarians Hungarian Lutheran and Reformed area, their servants – and curiously – are proud of their long heritage in the bishops are being especially helpful English horse trainers and groomers Carpathian Basin and of their – for assisting our efforts to find a church working in Budapest and the nearby some – inscrutable Magyar tongue. or location we might share with town of Tata. Yet Budapest itself is one of the another worship community. The Chaplaincy’s most current newest cities of Europe. It grew in “The missionary character of the Register of Services begins with a the late nineteenth century as capital work” remains evident over one record of Evensong and prayer during of the eastern half of the Austro- hundred years on. And perhaps that is the Hungarian Revolution of October Hungarian Empire. just as it should be.

C a n o n U l l a b r i n g s E u r o p e a n Lord Hope of Thornes, KCVO, the d i m e n s i o n t o t h e ACC former Archbishop of York, is to be the guest preacher at the Canon Ulla Monberg who is Director of Training for the Diocese has been annual Service of the Friends co-opted onto the Anglican Consultative Council, a group established after the of the Diocese on 17th October 1968 Lambeth Conference, “to facilitate the co-operative work of the Churches at 6pm in St Matthew’s Church, of the Communion, exchanging information between the provinces and helping Westminster. Friends and to co-ordinate common action. It advises on the organisation and structures supporters of the Friends are of the Communion and seeks to develop common policies with respect to the welcome to the service and the mission and ecumenical life of the Churches.” reception which follows it. The ACC meets every two or three years, the next one being in Auckland, New Zealand, in October. 16 INFORMING AND PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE

D i o c e s a n S y n o d Ta k i n g t o u c h e s s o m e B i g i s s u e s S a fe g u a r d i n g e r i o u s ly At the Cologne Synod in June members focussed on 3 key topics S involving churches and their local communities A new robust policy aimed at making sure children and vulnerable A G r ee k adults in churches around Europe are safe and that congregations Tr a g e d y o n care for victims of abuse as well as penitent abusers was introduced t h e s t r eet s during the Synod. The Diocesan Safeguarding o f A t h e n s Officer, Chris Lees, explained how the revised rules on Safeguarding Canon Malcolm Bradshaw, Priest in (formerly referred to as Child Charge of St Paul’s in Greater Athens Protection) have given clearer told a specially scheduled session of guidance on checking and the Synod about the consequences of Soup kitchen vetting volunteers who work in Greece’s huge debt crisis on ordinary our churches and giving a clear life. He said that what is called have moved from the cities to the explanation about what checks are “Austerity” is, in fact, a restructuring Greek islands where they are going needed for people in positions of in state industries, the Civil Service, back to the land, setting up self authority and trust. Health Service and in pensions and subsistence units. Other educated The Safeguarding Policy can taxation. The days of a generous Greeks are emigrating to the USA, be found on the Diocesan website healthcare and pensions have gone, Australia and Northern Europe to try and downloaded from there. Synod people have to pay the full price for to find jobs. delegates were urged to commit medications and with tight incomes Synod members also heard from themselves to implementing it and this can lead to hard choices. Many Spanish churches where they have encourage other churches to do so. shops in Athens are closed and there seen similar social problems. Many Delegates were given a practical is little on the shelves because foreign people are unemployed without example of how any church can supplies are restricted for fear of benefit and rely on families for find itself facing a situation where a unpaid bills by retailers. survival and parishioners regularly vulnerable adult or children can find Personal debt is also a major donate food and clothing to support themselves at risk. It is important to problem and there is little debt families who get no state assistance know exactly what needs to be done counselling available. Some people David Fieldsend, a lay delegate and to follow the guidelines to avoid from Brussels, is working with social legal or pastoral repercussions. organizations through the crisis Canon John Higgins, Chaplain and urged churches to show what in Ankara, gave a theological he called “creative incarnational study on the background to a Bible ministry”. He said “Churches cannot approach for caring for children be disengaged from the reality of the and the vulnerable, reminding suffering and need. We can and must Synod members that it is part of the give practical care with credit advice, Christian church’s proud tradition to Sleeping rough food banks and soup kitchens.” care for those who need protection.

delegates reported that in their I t ’s M o r e t h a n M o n e y European countries there is little “Isn’t it strange how big a ten Euro In a presentation called “Giving concept of charity. Some countries note seems when we are about to for Life” he stressed that giving is have a church tax system so that put it into the offering but how fundamentally about our relationship people feel they have already given small it becomes when we take it with God. We have a generous – although in Finland, apparently, to the supermarket” was one of the God and giving is part of reflecting collections in their local churches are challenges offered by Canon Mel the life of God and of our being a taken by officers with collection bags Smith who is Priest-in-Charge of a disciple of Jesus. on long poles with a bell attached to church on Mallorca. In questions and discussion some draw attention to the act of giving!