THE E UROP E AN A NGLICAN B ISHOP ’ S F AR E W E LLS I N L ONDON AND G I B RALTAR L OOKING A H E AD M INISTRY AND M ISSION S A fe LY G ATH E R E D I N H ARV E ST R OUND U P S UPPORT AND E NCOURAG eme NT F RO M TH E F RI E NDS D IOC E SAN C HRIST M AS Q UIZ E UROP E AN C HURCH C ONUNDRU M S europe.anglican.org No.60 WINTER 2013 2 GOD’S STRENGTH FOUND IN WEAKNESS THE E UROP E AN UPPORTING RCHD E ACONS INISTRY A NGLICA N S A ’ M Metaphors were abundant during the October sessions of Bishop’s Council in London as members reflected on the challenges ahead. “We are at a The Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe crossroads”, “We are having to change direction” and “Advising on the next The Diocesan Bishop’s post is vacant stage of our Diocesan journey”. pending a new appointment. The Suffragan Bishop in Europe The Rt Revd David Hamid Dr John Paddock, Dean of Gibraltar their ministry in a busy local church. It Postal address: Diocesan Office added a note of realism when he observed is a two edged challenge which causes Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1160 wryly that if we are to consider the future pressure on them and their families. Email: [email protected] of Archdeacons’ and Bishops’ ministry it In late September Bishop Geoffrey depends what sort of vehicle we are in; said he was “disappointed to learn that The Diocesan Office “A train driver knows where he is going Europe will be given Commissioners’ 14 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3QZ because he has tracks to guide him”, said support of only £84,000 a year until Tel: +44 (0) 207 898 1155 the Dean, “But in some ways we are more 2016.” He added; “This new help is Fax: +44 (0) 207 898 1166 like a hovercraft which can go in many gratefully received and will be well used Email: directions and is subject to wind, terrain [email protected] and other factors.” Diocesan Secretary After a long process over seven years Mr Adrian Mumford the Diocese had been “on track” with Appointments Secretary changes to allow direct funding from Miss Catherine Jackson the Church Commissioners in line with Finance Secretary the other 43 dioceses. In expectation of Mr Nick Wraight a funding announcement in the Autumn Diocesan Website and following the major and substantial www.europe.anglican.org change in status after the Diocese in Europe Measure was given royal assent Editor and Diocesan Communications Officer it had been hoped that four full-time The Revd. Paul Needle Archdeacons could be welcomed to Postal address: Diocesan Office take the strain of pastoral leadership and Email: encouragement. At present the seven [email protected] Archdeacons have to balance their wider Tel: +44 (0)7712 463806 ministry, which includes advice on Friends of the Diocese vacancies, inductions, guidance in dealing Acting Archdeacon Geoff Johnston Dean Secretary: Rev Canon Arthur Siddall with crises and general pastoral care, with Email: [email protected] Design Adept Design, Norwich Printer Colchester Print Group, Attleborough Distribution TH E F ORC E O F F RAGILITY CoDEStorm plc As our grannies used to tell us; “Man to administer other congregations and proposes; God disposes”. A Worship Leader Synods. In September we learned that the in one of our churches in the Diocese funding we had hoped for would not be remarked once when we faced unforeseen available and several years of planning has difficulties “God laughs at our plans!” had to be taken back to the drawing board. Such thoughts can help us to put events It begs the question; Were we wrong to into a divine context. As a Diocese we make the plans in the first place and how had been praying and planning for four can we strengthen a fragile system with Front cover picture: full time Archdeacons as a way forward the means at our disposal? These were The Archbishop of Canterbury joins Bishop in our mission and work, in addition to questions for Bishop’s Council as reported Geoffrey, who has received one of his many relieving the huge burden on our existing in this edition. retirement gifts, during a visit to Hampton Court by the Anglican-Oriental Orthodox Archdeacons who faithfully serve as parish Fragility tends to be one of the hallmarks International Commission in October. priests as well as travelling many miles of church life although the danger is for us NEW HELP FOR 3 ARCHDEACONS S UPPORTING A RCHD E ACONS ’ M INISTRY by the Diocese, which has the fastest Mike Smith, Bob Bates and David ministry is not to change in the growing numbers of churches and Waller to cover sections of the Iberian immediate future, churches are being members in the Church of England.” territory, and in France, Canons asked to pray for and support those The practical result is that the seven Debbie Flach and Andrew Hawken. who have these duties. Archdeacons will continue in their In Italy Rev William Lister also The Church Commissioners’ dual roles although the extra grant becomes Area Dean. funding allocation was not all aid will be used to offer additional Future pastoral organisation will disappointing news as Europe along support for their work. be one of the challenges facing a new with the other English dioceses Meanwhile in France, Acting Diocesan Bishop but Archdeacon will be eligible to submit a bid for Archdeacon Ian Naylor has taken Jonathan Boardman reminded a portion of an additional £15m of on the full role and in Gibraltar, Bishop’s Council members that funding for strategic development. following the retirement of schemes and plans, such as one to Although this cannot be the basis for Archdeacon David Sutch, Rev appoint more assistant bishops, had taking on long-term commitments, Geoffrey Johnston becomes Acting come and gone in the past. With the such as Archdeacon posts, a number Archdeacon. They will be assisted by announcement of the additional Area of schemes and needs are under newly appointed Area Deans; Revs. Deans and news that Archdeacons’ consideration. Busy Archdeacons with Dean, John Paddock Pastoring our clergy and people to imagine that it is unique to our small fragile baby grew to be a powerful area of faith. I recall, after a service Saviour and lives today as Our Lord to in a Spanish congregation where the inspire and lead us. attendance had been a disappointing In this edition you will find many 15 people, when a wise Christian who stories of faith and confidence as our had recently returned from a trip to churches bear witness to St Paul’s England commented that she had been words “My strength is made perfect in to her local church and shared Evensong weakness”. We invite all our readers to with the Vicar, the two of them sharing share in the joy and hope that comes responsive Psalms. “We should count from the force of fragility and the our blessings”, she told me. message of Christmas. This is the season of fragility when we are reminded that our faith is not R EV PAUL based on a big budget production N EEDLE and marketing exercise but began E DITOR , in the poverty of a lodging house in T H E E UROP E AN Bethlehem. We thank God that the A NGLICAN TAKING SAFEGUARDING 4 SERIOUSLY VISIT TO VI E NNA The city of Vienna is a stately capital where East meets West among some of the finest architecture in Europe. Among the city’s many attractions to captivate the visitor are sewer tours “in the steps of PR E ADING TH E Harry Lime” recalling the seminal film “The S Third Man” and iconic landmarks such as the 150 metre high Danube Tower, Austria’s tallest S A fe GUARDING building. The Prater Amusement Park offers a less dizzying experience with its historic E SSAG E Ferris Wheel. The city’s musical history is M everywhere, not least in the Metro subway Members of Bishop’s Council have been told by where a musical toilet offers the usual the Safeguarding Committee Chairman, Charles facilities to the accompaniment of the Clark, how the emphasis is on protecting children Blue Danube Waltz – a fast flowing and vulnerable adults in churches around Europe incentive for the hard pressed tourist! with improved communications and training. Christ Church Vienna was consecrated as Encouraged by a national church initiative, an English church in 1887 but the roots of the website, along with other dioceses, now has Anglicanism in the city date back a further a clear link to safeguarding on its front page. hundred years with an honorary chaplain to the It leads to pages detailing official policies and British Ambassador and residents. Today the contacts as well as checklists and information building is the same but the church’s mission is about dealing with situations. These pages wider and embraces short and long term residents will be updated and improved in the coming – Vienna has many students and staff working weeks. There is also information about training for the many United Nations departments which opportunities which council members welcomed. were established in the 1950’s. Progress is being made on an online interactive The Reverend Patrick Curran arrived as course, which takes a little over an hour to Chaplain thirteen years ago bringing with him complete and has been devised by Essex Police the distinct advantage of being a German speaker and the Diocese of Chelmsford.