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

G a r d e n R e m e m b r a n c e R e s t o r a t i o n I n R o m e

Y o u A r e M y F r i e n d s O u r S h a r e d M i s s i o n

R e d L i g h t – N o D a n g e r S a fe H a v e n I n A m s t e r d a m

S h e N e v e r M e a n t T o S t a y R e t i r e m e n t F a r e w e l l T o J e a n n e

H i s t o r y i n H a m b u r g 400 Y e a r s o f F a i t h

.anglican.org No.56 Winter 2012 2 GOD’S HEART IN A GARDEN

THE E u r o p e a n o m a n a r d e n A n g l i c a n R G f o r R e m e m b r a n c e

The Bishop of in Europe Gregory the Great was one of the The Rt Revd Geoffrey Rowell great Popes of the Christian church. Bishop’s Lodge, Church Road, He ensured the survival of the city of Worth, Crawley RH10 7RT Tel: +44 (0) 1293 883051 , created a monastery from his Fax: +44 (0) 1293 884479 ’s patrician villa at the place where Email: his church still stands, and in 597 sent [email protected] Augustine and forty monks to evangelize The Suffragan the English. As a result San Gregorio The Rt Revd Hamid stands as an historic point of connection Postal address: Diocesan Office between the Anglican and Roman Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 Email: Catholic branches of the Christian [email protected] Church. New ecumenical links were forged The Diocesan Office Dana English, who was 14 Tufton Street, , between All Saints’ Anglican Church SW1P 3QZ ordained in June this and the Church and Monastery of Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 year, reports from Rome on San Gregorio-al-Celio with the Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 a renovation project which is pre-ordination retreat at the end of June Email: attended by Mary Styles and myself [email protected] dedicated to the memory of a with Nigel Thomas and Verna Veritie Diocesan Secretary newly ordained colleague. before they became . On our Mr Adrian Mumford first evening we sat out on the periphery Appointments Secretary of the garden with the retreat leader Miss Catherine Jackson Stephen Ferns (from the Church’s Finance Secretary Ministry Division in London) sharing Mr Nick Wraight­ our life stories. We all remarked on the Diocesan Website extremely neglected of the garden, www.europe.anglican.org run-down because the small number Editor and Diocesan Communications of monks (now just three) cannot Officer maintain it. After our ordinations we The Revd. Paul Needle began our ministries in Rome, , Postal address: Diocesan Office and . Deacon Mary and I were Email: shocked so soon afterwards to learn [email protected] Tel: +44 (0)7712 463806 of the sudden and unexpected death of Verna, in Athens, on August 31st. Friends of the Diocese We decided to renovate the garden Secretary: Rev Arthur Siddall Email: [email protected] Design Adept Design, Norwich Printer o n n e c t i v i t y e a r e r t o t h e e a r t o f o d Barnwell Print Ltd, Aylsham C - N H G

Distribution Although I am hopeless at memorising London born poet Dorothy Gurney in the early CoDEStorm plc poetry I clearly recall, from my childhood, a years of the last century. She uses the work simple verse engraved in stone at the edge to link the image of God’s garden in creation of a neighbour’s lawn. with Gethsemane where God’s heart was broken for our salvation, concluding Front cover picture: The kiss of the sun for pardon; the song Youngsters from St Paul’s in of the birds for mirth For He broke it for us in a garden under enjoy their Christmas celebrations with the One is nearer God’s heart in a garden the olive-trees traditional crib service and re-enacting the tale of God’s humble entrance than anywhere else on Where the angel of strength was the into the world he loves so much. We trust all warden and the soul of the world Only recently I discovered that it is just our readers share the joy at celebrations of the found ease. birth of Our Saviour this Christmas. the fourth of five verses composed by the VERNA VERITIE 3 REMEMBERED

and dedicate the project in Verna’s 15th. Sixteen volunteers worked October and will go on at intervals memory. under Beth Blosser’s supervision for throughout the winter and Spring in The time seemed right to begin three and a half strenuous hours. the entire complex of gardens at San immediately. Peter Hughes, the prior Beth is a landscape gardener who Gregorio. of the Camaldolese (Benedictine) has worked on the “secret garden” at Peter had just prepared the community there, welcomed the Villa Borghese and who is a member monastery to receive twelve students idea of an ongoing project to bring of All Saints’ Church. In conjunction who will be living there this the garden back to life through a with Peter Hughes she is drawing academic year, so we were reminded collaboration of volunteers from up a master plan for the redesign that the garden will benefit not only All Saints’ Anglican Church and an of the garden, to become a place of the monastic community (the garden even wider circle of friends. The meditation and quiet amid the noise is just off the chapel), but these volunteers include the community of the city. Peter also gave direction, students and other guests who come service committee of the British and was immensely relieved and to stay throughout the year, as well as Embassy, students at St. Stephen’s, grateful to see how much was groups seeking a place for retreat. the international a short accomplished in one afternoon. As the shoots of new life come distance down the street, where We filled 37 oversize black plastic through in the garden we shall give Dana’s son Sam has begun high garbage bags full of weeds, grass, thanks for the Verna’s life and witness school, people without gardens of branches, and last season’s rotten fruit and for her faith in the Lord who their own and others who believe from the trees! Work continued in renews and gives life eternal. in the ongoing effort to draw the different branches of the church closer together. Beautiful ecumenical For those contemplating a pilgrimage to Rome San Gregorio has 12 recently services will take place at San renovated guest rooms with ensuite bathrooms, at 35 euros per person per night. Gregorio throughout the year. It is an excellent location, directly across from the Circus Maximus and five or six The inaugural work-party for minutes’ walk to the Colosseum. Contact Signora Loretta Tommasini at the garden was Saturday, September (39) 06 7000987 or e-mail [email protected].

is set in a garden with its powerful Yet more connectivity links people C o n n e c t i v i t y - N e a r e r t o t h e H e a r t o f G o d symbols of death and rebirth and forms and places as we reflect the unique a fitting tribute to the short ministry of a ministry and mission of our Diocese. It comes therefore as no surprise to newly ordained Deacon whose memory Exciting and challenging times lie find that Mrs Gurney also wrote the and personal commitment will inspire ahead for our Diocese in 2013 and words of the hymn O perfect love all others to new faith in the future. beyond. We pray that our Christian human thought transcending. One Elsewhere there is more Christian connectivity – links formed and bonds fascinating fact leads to another. connectivity with contrasting forged – will strengthen us in God’s It is an example of what can experiences of living in community service. be called Christian connectivity. in Rome and Amsterdam. There are Human experiences, friendships musical echoes with hymns written by P a u l N e e d l e and developments in life become the Bishop, organ rebuilding in E d i t o r , interlinked and bonded. So our feature and a hi-tech alternative when no Th e E u r o p e a n A n g l i c a n on this page of The European Anglican organist can be found to lead worship. 4 YOU ARE MY FRIENDS

‘Yo u a r e m y F r i e n d s i f y o u d o W h at I C o m m a n d Yo u ’

From a sermon preached by Lord Hope of Thornes, formerly at the annual service for the Friends of the Diocese in October.

Its exactly forty five years and almost to the day that all I can say is that from my own experience, albeit limited, I was Licensed in the then Diocese of Gibraltar by this Diocese has already been there and done that – indeed Bishop Stanley Ely in the Church of the Resurrection continues in ‘being church’ in the most unsuspecting to the care of souls in , and of places. I remember baptising in a front room in the – a ministry which whilst it was based in the consulate general in Zagreb, celebrating the Eucharist in Theological Institute in Bucharest and at the Church of the the Ambassador’s residence in Sophia, conducting Morning Resurrection, took me every six weeks or so to Zagreb and Prayer in an international centre in . Belgrade and then the following week on to Sophia. They Another of my responsibilities as Chaplain in Romania were days full of interest and excitement but also somewhat was the nurturing of the close links which had already daunting and at times downright dangerous as the securitate been forged between the and kept a careful eye on pretty well all one’s movements. And the Church of , recently having been reinforced yet in spite of the limitations and restrictions it was still by the exchange of visits between Archbishop Michael possible to make and sustain friendships, friendships which Ramsey of Canterbury and Patriarch Justinian. And here have lasted even until now. is a reminder, if ever we should need one, of the vital And what an extraordinary mix it was, with importance of this Diocese not only to the Church of ambassadors and diplomats from varying countries England but to the whole in the and beyond but also secretaries and guards and workpeople close relationships which the encourages from our and other embassies all coming together in prayer and sustains with the great churches both of the east and and worship; fellowship and friendship Sunday by Sunday the , catholic and reformed. – and occasionally an even wider and more extraordinary And here ‘friendship’ is no mere formality, but mix as when on Remembrance Sunday I found myself sometimes one of the only bonds which can and does have next to a Russian General at the Service at one of our war the power to maintain and develop relationships between graves commission sites just outside Bucharest and with the persons and communities and churches. Furthermore Last post being played by a Russian bugler! friendships, so established, can and do have the power if But here I suspect this was but the Diocese of Gibraltar, not to transcend and overcome differences and divisions; at now “in Europe”, in microcosm – a Diocese quite unlike least are able to ensure a mutuality of respect and esteem. any other not only in its size but in the quite extraordinary Hence the ‘ecumenical’ dimension of this Diocese, if I diversity of those who comprise its membership. The so describe it, continues to be a significant contribution Diocese of Gibraltar was certainly well ahead of its time – not only within the Diocese itself, but for the Church of even of the formation of the at Maastricht England and the Anglican Communion more generally. in 1993 – in its embrace not only of countries comprising Would that in some of our more controverted debates and but also and others besides discussions we might listen rather more attentively and – all of which gives this Diocese a quite unique place not carefully to some of our ecumenical partners! After all they only in Europe itself but throughout the whole of the help us – or ought to help us – see our own debates and Anglican Communion. And at a time when there is much discussions in an altogether wider and larger context and talk of ‘fresh expressions’ and ‘new ways’ of being church, that we should take more serious note of what sometimes DIOCESE HAS “BEEN 5 THERE AND DONE IT!”

the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – ‘we live less than human lives if we think just of our own individual good’. ‘Yo u a r e m y F r i e n d s i f y o u d o Let us not forget either the simple God-given gift of friendship which we celebrate today in connection with this Diocese. The holding out of hands one towards another, the readiness to offer a real hearing, to provide a W h at I C o m m a n d Yo u ’ generous space, and exercise a true courtesy particularly to those with whom we fundamentally disagree, in short the gentle embrace of strangers – even enemies – become friends. After all if we are unable to effect this in and among ourselves then what hope have we for the world and its peoples. Indeed what right have we to preach to others whist we ourselves remain castaways? At the heart of the Gospel is the peace and reconciliation which we have through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and as Paul so fervently reminds us – we ourselves are agents, ambassadors sent out and sent forth to be the reconciled and reconciling love of God in action. At the end of this and every Eucharistic celebration we are told to – ‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord’ … So go and do just this – today and every day, in every situation and circumstance of life so, that indeed all may come to have that life which is the glory of God – a human person fully alive; the reign of God’s kingdom come, here on earth as it is in heaven. our critical friends have to say to us – claiming as we do to be ‘part of the one , holy, catholic and apostolic church’. And we all need ‘critical friends’ – friends who are not CELEBRATING www.rosehill.co.uk there constantly to give us good strokes and make us feel 30 [email protected] good about ourselves, but given the depth of relationship YEARS 1982-2012 +44 (0)161 485 1717 and trust, friends who can and who are ready and willing to tell us the bad news about ourselves as well as the good. True friendship is as much about integrity and honesty – Rosehill introduces the as it is about affection and support. Furthermore for the Churchill Ultra Stacking Church Chair

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Fax: +44 (0)161 485 2727 WORKING TOWARDS community of peoples and nations. As the Archbishop of Responsibly Email: [email protected] Sourced Timber ISO 9001 Canterbury reminded us at the Service of Thanksgiving for 6 OLD FRIENDS AND ODD VOTING HABITS

O u r M a n i n B r u s s e l s G o e s t o G e n e r a l S y n o d

Canon Gary Wilton, ’s Representative to the EU looks around a range of debating chambers.

Stephen Hammond was my best friend surprise is that the 26 Lord Bishops at school. We played , attended have access to Parliaments beyond the same classes and debated politics the shores of England. Europe – and its Parliamentary and religion. We even dreamed of One of the big concerns about the Assembly – a completely separate becoming Members of Parliament. EU is that Brussels seems a long way organisation from the EU. We would make stirring speeches, from ordinary citizens. The 2009 The is made write inspiring articles and change the Lisbon Treaty responded by up of 47 member states. It includes world! strengthening the links between all , , and In 2005, Stephen was elected MP the national parliaments and the as well as the UK. The for Wimbledon. Shortly after my European Parliament. This means UK’s delegation includes members appointment to Brussels, we met up at that Bishops who are members of the of the Commons and the Lords (and the House of Commons to reminisce House of Lords have access to potentially Bishops). However the about our school days. Although still Europe’s only pan-national Council of Europe is best known for not yet elected an MP, this summer Parliament. If they had the time to its Court – the European Court of I was elected to the General Synod spare, the Lord Bishops could Human Rights. At the moment this of the . Next participate in one of inter- court is considering four UK cases time Stephen and I meet we will parliamentary committees where related to freedom of religion. But compare notes. Not least because members of national parliaments this court is not part of the EU. If this of the constitutional links between work alongside MEPs. confuses you – it confuses the UK the General Synod and the Palace of Most people are quietly supportive media too. And if the European Court Westminster. of the European Parliament until of Human Rights makes decisions you Important legislation approved by they realise that once a month all the don’t like – don’t blame the EU! the General Synod needs to be passed MEPs and their staff leave Brussels In the meantime I plan to meet up by Parliament and given Royal Ascent. to meet in Strasbourg – at great with Stephen Hammond MP when The Diocese in Europe measure expense. This is financially disastrous I next attend General Synod. I will approved by the Synod in July will and very confusing. As well as give him this article. I do hope that he need to be passed by Parliament before being home to the EU’s Parliament, thinks that my writing has improved the Church Commissioners can give Strasbourg hosts the Council of since English O level! financial assistance to the diocese. If it is approved by General Synod, the Women Bishops measure will also need to be voted on by the Lords and Commons. It’s strange to think that legislation that I will have voted on in General Synod might then be voted on by Stephen Hammond in the House of Commons. The 26 most senior Bishops not only vote in Synod, but can also vote when high level church legislation is debated in the House of Lords. They will get to vote on Women Stephen Hammond MP Bishops twice – once in the House of Bishops and then in the House of Lords. This will be quite a surprise to General Synod Chamber at Church House, Westminster many people! Perhaps an even bigger “I PICKED IT UP AS 7 I WENT ALONG”

P e d a l P o w e r f o r J e a n n e ’s Fa r e w e l l

“Facing retirement feels like standing abroad. There are also concerns on the edge of a cliff-top” says Jeanne about pensions when working outside French who left the Diocesan Office England all of which mean would-be staff at the end of September after clergy have to think seriously before 19 years, most of them as Assistant committing to a permanent full-time Diocesan Secretary. It will certainly post in the Diocese.” be a walk into the unknown but a Jeanne and Clive hope to well deserved new life for someone spend some of their new found who has become an important part of freedom walking and cycling in the smooth running of the Diocese. the countryside. She will no doubt Jeanne is a shining example of Jeanne with the Tufton Street staff continue to put into practice the the success of an early government homely advice she has offered to re-training scheme. In 1981 when which she has supervised since more than one prospective clergy she moved with her husband Clive, a then – the appointment of clergy applicant who dithered about what Naval Chaplain, to the South Coast. to permanent positions, managing future ministry in Europe could Wanting to go back into work she locum clergy and matching them involve. “When I am at the station signed up for a government Training with places where they are needed and trains are delayed” she reflects Opportunities (TOPS) Course and handling the administration “I always take the first one to come lasting a year. “Many people were for safeguarding and protection of along that will get me at least part- suspicious of those courses not giving children and vulnerable adults. way on the journey. You can always a good return for taxpayer’s money” Did she need a lot of specific move on from that point.” Such she recalls “but in my case the training for these areas? “No, I homely sound advice will be missed benefits have proved its value.” picked it up as I went along” she says after her retirement as well as the vast After Clive had sailed as a “although being the wife of a Vicar encyclopaedia of information about Chaplain with the Falklands Task gave me an advantage. And many people, places and practice. The many Force the couple decided that life and things have changed and become people who have been helped by her time was too precious to be apart so more formalised over the years since quiet ministry wish her God’s blessing they relocated to Ermington in South then. Most of all, and rightly in line and offer their thanks for her work. Devon where Jeanne used her newly with other professions in the secular honed skills working as Personal world, we have had to make sure that Assistant to a Principal of a boarding our safeguarding procedures are the school in Ivybridge. “It seems to best they can be.” have become something of a pattern. The joys of working as Assistant I started on a temporary contract, Diocesan Secretary have included not intending to stay, and ended up “seeing through the successful working there for eleven years.” appointment process for clergy, from Clive’s service and pastoral their initial applications, interviews duties took him to Northwood and and licensing. It is wonderful to get heralded a move to the London area. to know these people and to see After Northwood, he moved to the their horizons broadened beyond the Royal Naval College in Greenwich church in England as they grow into after which he retired from the Navy the job.” Jeanne adds; “I do love my and went on to serve as a locums. It is wonderful to have got of parishes in Cheam, Surrey, and to know this team who are on hand Catford, South London, before to serve in a variety of locations and finally retiring in 2009. situations.” A farewell around the In 1993 Jeanne joined the Diocese Recent trends have presented Diocese elicited a huge response. in Europe at its Kensington offices new challenges. “Recruitment of Part of that has been used to initially working as a Secretary clergy is more difficult because of buy Jeanne the bicycle she hoped for Canon who was the European economic situation. for – and which has been used to then . In 1998 a Many clergy considering working pedal her way around Southern restructuring meant Jeanne’s new in Europe have working spouses since her retirement. role covered the three key areas who may not find employment 8 FIRE AND FLOODS IN NE WS s to r iE S FROM Euro pE. a nglic a n.o rg

The prayer “From rock and tempest, fire and foe, protect them...” has special relevance in the South of Spain where this Summer forest fires raged around the Costa del Sol. One person died and several more were seriously hurt. Canon Alan Maude took these pictures of the fire as it came close to his home. A few weeks later congregations in Nerja and Almeria weighed in to offer care and relief for people as torrential rain brought devastation and casualties in their area.

Paulina Robbins van Rijn represented 11 Anglican churches in at a memorial in September to mark the 70 years since many were deported from a detention camp during the Nazi occupation. The Union of the deported Jews of Belgium (sons and daughters of those deported) joined HRH Philippe of Belgium, the Prime minister and other government representatives at the ceremony. Between August 1942 and July 1944, 28 trains deported over 25,000 Jews and Romas, most of whom arrived at the extermination camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau. By the end of war just 1240 of them survived.

b e f i r s t t o f i n d o u r n e w s – l o g o n t o o u r w e b s i t e r e g u l a r ly GRADUATIONS, PRESENTATIONS 9 AND CELEBRATIONS NE WS s to r iE S FROM Euro pE. a nglic a n.o rg

As part of France’s cultural weekend ‘les Journées du Patrimone’ entitled ‘Hidden Treasures’ St. Andrews church in Pau opened its doors for visitors to explore this hidden architectural gem of a Victorian Anglo- , still very much as it was originally built. It has this year been granted protected Heritage status by the authorities, who also loaned items to a major exhibition in Pau entitled ‘Secret Sacred Objects’. As part of the celebrations it held a 1662 service of Choral Evensong in the afternoon where many in the congregation were French people from the locality.

A recent fire safety inspection at St Andrew’s church Bishop Geoffrey was seen off in style after the Swiss in the Swedish city of revealed concerns Archdeaonry Synod. He admits that rail is his favoured about the position of the door from the church into choice of transport, appropriately as he had earlier the vestry. Canon Barbara Moss from St Andrew’s been speaking about communication and the need for says “Since it forms part of the wooden screen behind Christians to focus on our sense of community in an the altar much careful planning and discussion was email age when direct human contact is sadly lacking. needed before it could be removed, remodelled and After hearing a report from Diocesan Synod about replaced, although the new arrangement has been the emergency debate on the crisis members done with sensitivity.” unanimously agreed to send a monthly contribution to St Paul’s, Athens, to support their relief projects.

In September the Church in Twente in the marked 25 years since St. Mary’s Chapel Weldam was dedicated for their use. The chapel, which was built in 1900, was dedicated in September 1987 at the kind invitation of its owner Count Alfred Solms although the Anglican Church had been holding services at Weldam since 1979. During the celebration service the choir sang Mozart’s Ave Verum which had been sung 25 years earlier at the dedication. Rev Alja Tollefsen is pictured outside the chapel with Acting .

Some of the 100 students from St Andrew’s ’s ‘Vverkh’ (‘Step-Up’), a Post Orphanage Education Centre, joined Canon Simon Stephens from the church for their graduation ceremony. He says “After When Mrs Rosella Parmiter stepped down from her post leaving the orphanage system at 16-18 years of age, as Churchwarden in Malaga, Spain, after completing a most of these young people have few skills or job total of 13 years the congregation bought her an original opportunities. St Andrew’s Moscow is privileged to be oil painting, depicting St. George’s Church in the Cemetery able to work alongside ‘Step-Up’ where some 20 staff Gardens of Malaga in Springtime. It was presented by Rev provide further education and social skills six days a John Henry Bowden and is the work of Diana Golledge, a week to offer these young people the gifts of love and professional artist who is a member of the Torre Del Mar hope together with further education.” congregation.

b e f i r s t t o f i n d o u r n e w s – l o g o n t o o u r w e b s i t e r e g u l a r ly 10 REJOICING IN HOPE

R e d L i g h t F o r M i s s i o n O u t l e t

Lifting the lid on a vibrant Christian community in Amsterdam’s Red Light district with close links to Christ Church in the city.

Waking up in the middle of of commitment to sharing the walk there and back through the Amsterdam’s Red Light district is not communal life tell of their Guests infamous Red Light district. A what you may imagine. Breakfast is who arrived with very little – and constant stream of tourists, many of at 7.30am and a diverse group holds certainly no sense of self worth or them British, pound the pavements as hands around the large dining table future hope – and who find that they if on pilgrimage. They are window to say grace. The children pile their are learning to live again. shopping; the scantily clad ladies high with chocolate spread, Sister Albertina, wife of Prior Leo, in those shop windows teasing and topped with more chocolate. Older says that everyone is expected to play inviting them to sample their wares. people talk about their duties in the a part in the day to day running of the Community members understand community or where they will be centre. The Kitchen team is given just that they have to teach their children working later today. 40 Euros to feed everyone for the day. that the separation of body, mind and The Spe Gaudentes house on a “It teaches them to be imaginative soul – which is such a key feature of canal lined Oudezijds Straat has been and creative” she says. “They learn life in this district – is not the life a feature of the Dutch capital since about living frugally, shopping God intended. “It is in 1955 when a group of Christians carefully by travelling to a more the raw!” decided to establish a house for distant shop rather than paying higher But many of the women who community living. There are now prices at the local supermarket.” work in the sex trade are aware that three houses side by side, each in Leo has been Prior for the past the Community members are very the traditional Dutch fashion, with a four years and uses his clear thinking different from the tourist punters. hoist projecting from the roof so that as an Accountant (he works 24 hours They know that they are always heavy items can be raised or lowered a week at a city firm) to give wise welcome at Oudezijds 100 (the to avoid the tricky narrow staircases. leadership. He is experienced at Community House) and will find a Some people live here heading up a team – he and his wife secure environment among people and although Prior Leo de Bruin have six children (large seem who care for them, body and soul. stresses that there are no distinctions to be a normal feature of life in Spe And bodies are given the best they fall into two clear categories. Gaudentes). How do the children treatment at the back of the building The full time members of the Order cope with shared living? There can be where there is a self contained Health have their homes on the upper floors tensions with the very young when Centre. It began on a smaller scale where they live with their families at breakfast another child is allowed some years ago but more and more the “Guests” have self contained extra chocolate on her bread when people without health insurance and rooms where they live in this your parents take a more restrictive a rising number of illegal immigrants sheltered environment. approach to diet. “Children learn discovered it and now come to Spe Gaudentes means “Rejoice quickly the important lesson that life be treated by a range of volunteer in Hope” and optimism is plentiful itself is not fair” says Sister Rosalina. doctors, dentists and nurses. Some of here. The community members Most of the youngsters go to the the doctors have recently retired as who have taken a life-long vow local school and are accustomed to General Practitioners and relish the MOTHERS’ UNION NEWS 11 e d i g h t o r i s s i o n u t l e t B a r b a r a W o o d s R L F M O r e p o r t s o n a n e w a p p o i n t m e n t a n d a s p e c i a l v i s i t

M o t h e r s ’ U n i o n Wo r l d w i d e P r e s i d e n t Vi s i t s D i o c e s e Rosemary Kempsell, Mothers’ Union Worldwide President, visited Copenhagen and at the end of September together with the diocesan president, Barbara Woods. They were warmly greeted at Copenhagen airport and went on to meet Mothers’ Union members and friends over the weekend. They were also shown round a building which Rosemary Kempsell left with Rev Erika Anders, leader of Hamburg is being renovated to accommodate Mothers Union women and children who need refuge opportunity to give their skills for from abusive partners – a venture which the local Mothers’ Union group will the benefit of the community. continue to support – and met with volunteers from a charity for trafficked The chapel which fronts onto people in Copenhagen [‘HopeNow’]. Rosemary preached a stirring sermon one of Amsterdam’s many canals at the Harvest Festival Eucharist in St Alban’s Church on the Sunday morning is at the heart of daily life. The before leaving to catch the plane to Hamburg. A different country, a different room once served as a sex theatre group of people but the same warm, friendly welcome. Once again Rosemary and has been transformed by the preached but this time during Evensong at St Thomas Becket Hamburg. community. With stone cobbled There was another opportunity to meet the local Mothers’ Union members floors, and a running water feature and friends over a meal of both African and German food. that encompasses a font and an adult A brief visit but one with great significance! Members were so thrilled that baptistery there are morning and Rosemary, the Worldwide President, had been willing to travel to see them. evening prayers said daily in this They had shared together in meals, in the Eucharist, in worship but also in chapel. friendship and love. Other religious groups are welcomed there for worship in a wide variety of styles and expressions during the week. Many members of I n t r o d u c i n g yo u r n e w D i o c e s a n Christ Church, Amsterdam help as P r e s i d e n t – C a r o l J o h n s t o n volunteers and one of the clergy Rik Florentinus and his family live here I was born and brought up in Dudley in the as part of the community. West Midlands and prior to moving out to The full members of the Spe Spain I worked as the Personal Assistant to the Gaudentes order wear their dark Bishop of Dudley in the Diocese of Worcester. I aprons as a monastic would wear have been married to Geoff for four years, who a habit. They say that communal is in Charge of the Anglican Parish of living has its tensions and challenges Nerja and Alumuñécar, Spain. Between us we but works well for each of them and have four children and two grandchildren. Our their families. Would it work so well families live in the West and East Midlands, New Diocesan President if the community was uprooted and Kent and in North Carolina, USA. Carol Johnston put into a suburb of Amsterdam? My involvement with the Mothers’ Union They concede that it would but began some year ago when I was a member of St Francis’ Parish, Dudley. Prior Leo explains “This area of Since coming to Spain, I was among the founding members of the branch Amsterdam is where we started. It is here and have been the Diocesan Secretary for over 3 years. where we are known, where people It is a great joy and privilege to have been given the responsibility to lead in need can find us. It is at the heart the Mothers’ Union in this Diocese for the next 3 years and look forward to of our mission and lives.” being in touch with as many members as possible during that time. Barbara has done a tremendous job during her time as Diocesan President and will be a hard act to follow, but with God’s help and your support, I will do my best. 12 ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS

C r e at i o n t i d e – G o n e B u t N o t F o r g o t t e n

Environment Officer, Madeleine Holmes reports on a celebration of God’s goodness. Catch up with the latest news at http://europe. anglican.org/environment/environment

Creationtide season finished on October 4th but that is no reason to stop thinking about how we can discuss Fat h e r S m i t h and bear in mind the wonderful world we have been given. I hope you found the Operation Noah resources of s e t s o ff o n a great value, I did! I led a service on Repentence, the 3rd Sunday, using their abundant material. R e s to r at i v e J o u r n ey On Sunday The historic organ originally built by Father Smith September 30th the the famous organ builder for Chester Cathedral in Bordeaux Church 1684 which was shipped to Malta in the 1850’s has in Aquitaine been dismantled and sent to where it will Chaplaincy held be completely restored and extended. It took seven our first Youth workers with painstakingly care to remove the 2,000 Service. It was pipes, organ console, wind chests, electrics and led entirely by all associated woodwork. those aged under The rebuilding will cost 25. The first part some €195,000 and the of the service was a narrated tableau of Creation. Albert restoration of the historic Robson read the story while the very young appeared casework another €10,000. as animals, trees, the sun, clouds, etc. The second part A campaign entitled “pull was dominated by two young “Roving Reporters” out the stops” has begun (Trey and Jamie) who interviewed the congregation on to raise the final€ 100,000 conservation issues. Emma followed this up with facts by asking individuals to and figures on energy and water (with a few humourous sponsor single pipes or ranks asides...). ranging from €20 to €1000 The service ended with a short talk delivered by per pipe and between €480 Bolagi (from Nigeria) who He spoke about God’s gift of and €6100 per stop! Derek creation and the Gift of His Son. We were encouraged Byrne the CEO of Kenneth Jones Pipe Organs of Eire to treasure both of these gifts. About 25 young people is personally overseeing the work and with his Maltese took part in the service. connections (his mother is Maltese) he has involved the ’s leading organ builder in the whole process. The work will include a new custom designed low S m a l l B o o k . B i g I m pa c t terraced 3 manual stop-knob console, a new electric solid state microprocessor key action transmission Sharing Eden at Cheltenham Literature Festival. system, restoration of all the pneumatic parts of the What may be the smallest to be key and stop actions, repairing and making good the featured in this year’s Cheltenham Literature wind system, wind trunking conveyances, bellows and Festival could have the biggest impact, a new silent blower motor, the restoration of the 2,000 bringing together as it does the three pipes and the addition of 25 new gilded Open Diapason Abrahamic faiths which between them speaking front pipes. involve 54% of the world’s population One of the project’s patrons Wayne Marshall, a – some 3.8 billion people. The noted organist and Artistic Director for the Valletta illustrated book looks at today’s main European City of 2018 bid, says “I firmly environmental issues: sustainability believe the restoration of this international icon will and waste, water, energy and make an important contribution to the bid and the natural resources, climate change, food, work of Derek Byrne will restore it to a high standard”. biodiversity and regeneration and includes some of the most beautiful and enlightening texts from Abrahamic C a n o n S i m o n G o d f r e y scriptures along with a glossary and useful contacts. C h a n c e l l o r o f M a l t a P r o - C a t h e d r a l ANCIENT AND MODERN – OLDEST AND NEWEST? 13

Claims to be “the oldest established church in the Diocese” must be prefixed with “probably” as The European Anglican does not wish to encourage historic rivalries. However the congregation in Hamburg, exuberantly celebrating their 400th birthday, can certainly lay claim to being “one of the oldest” whereas we find one of the newest – in Northern Spain – has welcomed a Priest-in-Charge for the first time in their short history.

C e l e b r at i n g A n g l i c a n D i o c e s a n o a k s b e g i n w i t h G o s p e l a c o r n s R e l at i o n s O l d A n d N e w ! Some years ago a small group of Christians who had made their homes on the Costa Brava Monica Schofield reports in North-East Spain shared their Christian The Anglican Church of St Thomas Becket Hamburg has been faith and decided to meet for informal prayer holding a variety of events to celebrate 400 years of English language and worship. worship in Hamburg. This was made possible by the senate of From there the congregation of Hamburg going against the wishes of the Lutheran church in 1611 Madremanya, a small almost midway and granting religious freedom to the Merchant Adventurers. between and the Pyrennees grew. Today relations with the Lutheran churches are very much better. Regular services were held in the Anglican The spirit of the Porvoo agreement was represented by a visit of the tradition with John Copestake, one of the 40 strong choir of Oscarskyrkan, Stockholm to perform a Swedish founders, leading Evening or Morning Prayer. Folk Mass ‘Himmelen inom’ (Heaven within) by the contemporary In late September the Reverend Anne Swedish composer, Anders Nyberg. Local musicians, including Jenkins was licensed as Priest-in-Charge members of the Swedish Church in Hamburg, provided the of the congregation and has begun leading instrumental support. The concert was well attended by members of services and continuing to build the church the Swedish Church as well as others with connections, there. Her welcome at the service, led by prompting many to say how nice it would be if there were more joint Canon Hugh Broad, Area of the church events. The choir sang to at the Sunday Eucharist and enjoyed Archdeaconry of Gibraltar, included the local sharing fellowship with members of St Thomas Becket during the Mayor and Roman Catholic clergy. They and weekend visit. their bishop allow their churches to be used Porvoo was also one of the themes of a symposium entitled for Anglican worship. “Embracing Difference: The Tradition of Anglican Inclusiveness”, held This is a typical story of growth in the the previous week at the Danish Seaman’s Church. The symposium Diocese in Europe. The formal formation was the idea of Professor Susanne Rupp and Dr Felix Sprang of Madremanya completes a long chain of of the Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik University of Anglican churches from the French border Hamburg following their encounter with the 400th anniversary down the Mediterranean coast to Gibraltar. celebration earlier in the year. Four contributors, The Very Revd Dr John Arnold Dean Emeritus of Durham Cathedral, Dr Walther Bindemann now a member of the Faculty of Theology, University of Rostock, but previously a pastor to the German Speaking Lutheran Congregations in and North-East England, Britta Eger, Pastorin of the Christianskirche in Hamburg and Canon Brian Mountford Vicar of the University Church in discussed matters to do with relations between and within churches today. The 400th anniversary celebration is reaching its culmination, though there are still many events to go (see listing on www.stbecket400.de). The celebratory year will have its official end at the Feast of Christ the King when Bishop David will be asked to commission the church as it moves forward for the next 400 years! 14 MULTI FAITH BOOK FAIR PRAYERS

Th e 28 t h G o t h e n b u r g B o o k Fa i r

in the midst of all the hectic bustle from Oslo. Balprit described his Sikh and noise of the Book Fair. Each religion, founded in the morning we could listen to prayers led by Guru Nanak Dev in the in by a representative from a different India, and now the 5th largest religion religion. in the world. The largest number of Thursday prayers were held by Sikhs in the live Rabbi Peter Borenstein a Finnish in Norway. Balprit described the doctor working at the Scandinavian Sikh religion where all people are Brain Centre in Gothenburg. regarded as equal and not classed as The Nordic roots of Judaism in being of different caste. He described Scandinavia date from the middle- the different prayers with God as the ages but real establishment took place eternal creator. He also pointed out in and during the the practicality of his turban as the Nancy Fjällbrant reports on a eighteenth century. Today there are cutting of hair is forbidden! hard hitting contributor to an some active 10,000 Jews, and some Sunday prayers were led by Imam annual Book Fair which this 40,000 people who regard themselves Naveed Baig, project leader for the as Jewish. Judaism is an Abrahamic ethnic resource team at the National year was enlivened by multi- religion, described in the Old Hospital and the Herlev Hospital in faith worship. Testament of the Bible. Copenhagen who is also the hospital Friday prayers were given by priest at both institutions. His roots The Nordic theme was a great success Rev Marika Palmdal, formerly are from Pakistan, but he was born at the 2012 Gothenburg Book Fair. diocesan for inter-religious and brought up in Denmark. Visitors were able to take part in dialogue in the Lutheran Swedish Islam is the second largest religion 3,446 different events, with 2,420 Church in Gothenburg. Christianity in the Nordic countries (2.5% of participants. In addition there have has a thousand year old history in the populations – the largest is in been talks and concerts in many the Nordic countries and is today Sweden with 5%). Islam is the third of the Gothenburg churches. The the dominant religion. It is also an Abrahamic religion and Naveed Baig St Andrew’s Bookfair event was Abrahamic religion. The Lutheran said that the aim was to create an a presentation by Lord Lea about church is the largest of the Christian atmosphere of peace – “Live and let some of the questions raised by religions, and there are Catholic live.” with the wish for a peaceful Susan William’s book Who killed churches, Orthodox churches and a world. The prayer began with “Allah, Hammarsjöld? The UN, the number of Free churches, as well as I regret my weakness and limited and White Supremacy in . foreign Christian churches. The latter strength “ and continued “Merciful At the central Nordic Exhibition group of churches participate each God, You are the God of the Stand a new daily feature was year in the International Ecumenical oppressed, you give me support...”. introduced – Morning Prayers – Service for Sunday at The organisers hope that a quiet sponsored by the Nordic Council of the German Church in Gothenburg. corner for prayers and meditation may Ministers. Every morning at 9.30 it Saturday prayers were led by become a regular feature of the Book provided an atmosphere of calm – Balprit Singh a 17 year old student Fair in future.

alking for nity Walking beyond barriers, Walking in W U solidarity, and Walking in celebration. Looking at the programme for the Here in Gothenburg, we have 2013 Week of Prayer for Christian a new Pilgrim Centre, and many Unity (18-25 January), I noticed that churches, including St Andrew’s, the key text, chosen by members of arrange their own pilgrim walks. the Student Christian Movement of So what better way of celebrating India, is “What does God require the Week of Prayer for Christian of us but to do justice, and to love Unity, than to walk together, in small kindness, and to walk humbly with groups, using the material from the your God?” The themes for daily World Council of Churches? Walking The full programme can be down- prayer during the week are all about in January is not only possible, but loaded from the World Council of walking: Walking in conversation, delightful, as shown in this picture of Churches website, www.oikoumene.org, Walking with the broken body of the St Andrew’s pilgrims walking on and the theme will be listed in our Christ, Walking towards freedom, the water (frozen) of the lake Stora Diocesan Prayer Diary. Walking as children of the earth, Delsjö. Perhaps this would work in Walking as the friends of Jesus, your area too? C a n o n B a r b a r a M o ss PEOPLE AND 15 PLACES

E u r o p e a n O r d i n a n d s b e n ef i t f r o m C l e r g y o n M i n i s t r y C o u r s e S u m m e r S c h o o l t h e m o v e There are currently four European Ordinands studying with the Eastern GREETINGS TO Regional Ministry Course based in Rev Francis Blight, Assistant Curate the East of England. They recently of Virginia Water (Guildford Diocese) is returned from a week long summer now Assistant Chaplain of Christ Church, Amsterdam in The Netherlands with school at Belsey Bridge, Ditchingham responsibility for Heiloo. in Norfolk. Rev Stephen Hazlett, Chaplain of Charlotte Sullivan from the Sunderland Minster (Durham Diocese) is Chaplaincy of the Aquitaine in now Chaplain for the Mission to Seafarers France says “The programme at the Chaplain at the Port of in The summer school was rich and varied; (Left to right) Ruth Carroll () Netherlands. Miguel Sanchez Rodriguez (Spain) a mixture of worship and teaching. Charlotte Sullivan (France) and Susan Rev Andrew Gready, Rector of St John’s, The community celebrates its Bolen () Wynberg in the Anglican Church of South diversity, and there is an atmosphere Africa is to be Chaplain of St John and St Philip, The Hague in The Netherlands from of acceptance and mutual support Students who are unable to attend February 2013. throughout. local classes, including those from Rev John Richardson “Students at ERMC attend local Europe have an online weekly study , Curate of the Church of the Risen Lord, Preston (Blackburn classes if possible, plus a summer sessions, and all are supported by local Diocese) has become Team Vicar of The school and six weekends per year training supervisors and well as staff at Church of the Holy Spirit, Costa Blanca in (usual course duration three years). ERMC”. Spain.

FAREWELL TO at home in London – not least for A C h a n g e o f K ey Rev Dr Richard Fermer, Assistant Chaplain the range of music concerts and of St George’s, Paris, has moved to the f o r C at h e r i n e opportunities. Music is her passion Diocese of London. – she studied for an MA at York Rev Canon Ian Hutchinson Cervantes Catherine Jackson , University and during her six year Chaplain of St George’s, Madrid has moved has joined staff at sojourn in the North she enjoyed to the Diocese of Chichester. the Diocesan Office opportunities with a choir that sang in Westminster in York Minster when the regular HONOURED as Appointments choristers were away. Rev Philip Mounstephen, Chaplain of St Secretary. She has Apart from music her other joys Michael’s, Paris who moved in October to crossed the Thames after working as are walking the countryside of the take up the post of Executive Leader of CMS an Appointments Adviser at Lambeth Lake District and Yorkshire as well as has been made a Canon of the Cathedral Chapter. Palace. the Malvern Hills were she has family Born at St Thomas’ Hospital and links. We welcome her to this busy Also honoured as Canons of the Cathedral Chapter are:- currently living in South London key role in the organisation of the Catherine, who is 28, is very much Diocese. Rev Mark Collinson, Senior Chaplain, Christ Church, Amsterdam and Area Dean of The Netherlands. Rev Peter Edwards, Senior Chaplain of the n e m o r i a m accepted for training at a Bishops I M Advisory Panel in February 2011. Church of the Holy Spirit, Costa Blanca, Spain. R e v Ve r n a Ve r i t i e Previously Verna had spent her professional life in Scotland as a Social Rev Andrew Wagstaff, Chaplain of St Verna who was Boniface, Antwerp and Area Dean of Worker which gave her valuable Belgium and Luxembourg. ordained in July insights into the pastoral work of the this year died Rev Barbara Moss, Chaplain of St Andrew’s, church. Gothenburg, and Area Dean of Scandinavia. at her home in Bishop Geoffrey said “Verna Rev William Gulliford, Diocesan Director Athens where she had given unstinted support to the had recently taken of Ordinands, and Priest-in-charge of St Lisbon chaplaincy. She responded Mark’s, Regent’s Park in the Diocese of up her duties to God’s call to the ministry of a London. as Assistant Curate, following her distinctive deacon. Her willingness to Rev Dr , Deputy Secretary ordination in her “home church” of move to serve in the Greater Athens for Ecumenical Affairs and Europe Secretary Lisbon in . Chaplaincy was typical of Verna’s for the Council of Christian Unity. She had joined the Greater Lisbon generosity. Her ordination was an Rev Canon Professor , as a congregation in 2000 and was occasion of great joy and that her Canon Theologian in the Diocese. licensed as a Reader in 2006. She ministry should have been cut short Rev Canon Michael Bullock OGS, formerly served as Secretary to the Gibraltar after only a few weeks is a matter of Chaplain of Greater Lisbon in Portugal has Archdeaconry Synod before she was deep sorrow.” been appointed a Canon Emeritus. 16 DOGS’ TALES, A SACRISTAN’S STORY AND A BISHOP’S EYRIE

G o d ’s C r e at u r e s G r e at a n d S m a l l Elizabeth Bramley, Churchwarden in La Cote Anglican Church in the Swiss town of Gingins reports on a canine chorus assisting the hymn singing.

The congregation was about halfway seemed to vibrate with sound. And through the hymn “All things bright when the singing stopped, the dogs and beautiful, all creatures great and stopped too. small” when the barking started. It was the first time that the La Perhaps it should be expected at a Cote Church had risked such a service. service of blessing for animals, such as Reminiscences of the episode of “The we enjoyed on the feast of St Francis of Vicar of Dibley” – which our Chaplain Assisi, that the four-legged members of Rev Carolyn Cooke admitted to the congregation should wish to raise watching the night before the service their voices. Whether they did it in – had tended to put us off. But chaos praise or just in competition with each did not reign. Several animal-loving other was not clear. newcomers attended in addition to the Perhaps unsurprisingly, it was the usual congregation, and Switzerland’s organist’s dog that started it all with its English-language radio station even sent i s h o p deep resounding voice. Gradually the a reporter. B rest joined in the canine cacophony – There was a special sincerity to the S c a l e s N e w from Labrador basses to Jack Russell prayer “Blessed are you Lord God, in falsettos. The humans were not to be your wisdom you created the universe H e i g h t s discouraged and raised their voices and blessed us with all living creatures”. louder and louder till the old Swiss And when we said thank you “for During the weekend meeting church in the ancient village of Gingins entrusting us with our pets who bring of the Nordic/Baltic Deanery us so much happiness” it was a reminder Synod in Copenhagen in even to the less religious that God has a September Bishop Geoffrey part to play even in the tiniest details of found himself preaching from our daily lives. the original pulpit at Vartov It seems that La Cote Church has Church in Copenhagen used a congregation of dog-lovers. They by Nikolaj Frederik Severin outnumbered the lone cat (which never Grundtvig, the famous stirred from its basket) by 18 to one. In Danish pastor, educationalist, future services we would love to find philosopher and hymn-writer how to get those dogs to bark in time who lived from 1783 to 1872. with the music. Grundtvig was one of the most influential people in Danish history. Looking down onto the congregation from his eyrie F r a n c e i n M o n a c o – Bishop Geoffrey reminded the congregation that Grundtvig had A Fa m i ly o f S a c r i s ta n s once met John Henry Newman. At the closing Synod Eucharist On D-Day, 6th June 1944, a young a new hymn was sung. Written lady called France married Maurice by the Bishop earlier this year Ametis who served as Sacristan at for the 400th Anniversary of St Paul’s Church Monaco. She joined St Thomas Becket Hamburg, him in the apartment which formed part it includes reference to Saint of the church. Maurice had followed in Anskar and is sung to the tune his father’s footsteps (Marius Ametis was Ode to Joy, by Beethoven. the first Sacristan after the church began in 1898 until his death in 1936). “Now we give you praise and glory Church life had not been easy for your saints who brought your word during Two but France quickly proved a faithful support for her death at the end of October ending to this city and this country, her husband’s tireless service. When a long family tradition in the history of kindling faith in Christ our Lord; Maurice died in 1993 it seemed only St Paul’s and the Ametis family. A few chief among them holy Anskar, natural for his widow to carry on the years ago she was given a special long Christ’s Apostle to the North task as Sacristan. France Ametis lived in service award by Bishop David and her boldly preaching, humbly serving, the apartment until a few weeks before role became “Sacristan Emeritus”. witnessing by word and mouth.”