Synod members head for Bucharest meeting

September traditionally marks the start of political party conference time but in the Diocese in Europe two regional Synods are meeting to share their news and consider issues affecting them locally and around the wider church.

The Archdeaconry of Italy and Malta meet in Rome during the weekend of 16 – 18 September under the leadership of Archdeacon Jonathan Boardman.

Meanwhile Ven. Patrick Curran from the Eastern archdeaconry says that more than forty members are beginning to pack their bags for what promises to be a special synod as we will be staying in the guest house of the Romanian Orthodox monastery of Cernica outside of Bucharest, Romania from 22-25 September.

“This year the agenda is very full because we have been asked to consider both the proposals for the Anglican Covenant and the legislation for allowing women to be bishops in the Church of England. Professor Remus Rus of the University of Bucharest will speak to us on The Romanian Orthodox church today: focusing on the development of the church since 1989 and ecumenical relations with the Anglican Communion. Our bible studies will be led Rev Dr Walter Moberly who is a Professor in Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Durham. One session of those bible studies will devoted to considering Christian Zionism. Other topics are Digital Communication - What’s on offer? Pros and Cons led by the Revd Jady Koch, How does the Diocese work? Introduced by Adrian Mumford, Diocesan Secretary, and Worship resources for small congregations led by Canon Malcolm Bradshaw”

During 1938 over 1800 Jews were baptised at Christ Church, Vienna according to the baptism rite of the Church of England as found in the Book of Common Prayer 1662. On Monday 8th August BBC Radio 4 broadcast a programme about this episode of our chaplaincy's life as part of the radio series 'Document'. It in turn occasioned an article in the Daily Telegraph on 11th August by Christopher Middleton. He writes, 'First there was Oskar Schindler, then Sir Nicholas Winton. Now the names of the Reverends Hugh Grimes and Fred Collard are to be added to the roll of honour of those who helped hundreds of Jews escape the clutches of the Nazis'. If you would like to read more about this episode turn to 'Hitler's Gamble, 1938' by Giles Macdonogh.

Prein an der Rax

All members of Christ Church, Vienna are invited to join in the annual walk on the Rax on Saturday 20 August at 10am. As last year we will meet at the bottom entrance to the Rax Seilbahn (cable car) in Hirschwang. After the walk we will drive to Patrick Knox-Peeble's house for a BBQ. Donations towards the costs of the BBQ are appreciated. This is always an enjoyable day.

The Reverend Terence Wilcock, Priest-in-Charge of St Thomas, Crosscrake, Kendal (Carlisle) to be Assistant Chaplain in The Anglican Church of Greater Athens to serve in the Anglican Church of St Thomas, Crete, Greece (Europe) with effect from 1 April 2011.

http://www.theanglicanchurchincrete.co.uk/

Time Magazine and the Eastern Archdeaconry

I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Matthew 25.35)

It's not every day that I come across a reference to the work of one our churches between the covers of Time (a US American weekly magazine). The 31 January 2011 edition carried an article entitled Postcard Orestiada which made a passing reference to the work of the Athens chaplaincy with migrants on the food line. 'Though most [migrants] have hopes of traveling on to countries like Sweden or Britain, where jobs and benefits are more plentiful, many migrants run out of money and find themselves trapped in Athens. That's what happened to Taha Zarouk, a 33-year-old Tunisian. He subsists on a free daily meal of soup, salad and bread prepared by the capital's Greek, Anglican and African churches, and sleeps rough.' (page 3)

If you would like to read more about the work of the Anglican church in Athens with migrants please visit the diocesan website: TEA Magazine, Autumn 2009, No. 43. page 3.

Archdeacons in the Diocese in Europe

There are seven archdeacons for the Diocese in Europe. There are two main reasons for this. The first is that archdeaons in our diocese are first vicars/rectors (stilled referred to anachronistically as chaplains) of usually larger churches in our diocese, who later are invited by the bishop to also take up the responsibilities of an archdeacon. The second reason has to do with the geographical spread of our diocese. The diocese covers all of mainland Europe together with parts of Asia and North Africa. This way of pastoring and administering the diocese was envisaged back in the seventies before the end of the Cold War, the expansion of the European Union and the migration of Britons to various warmer climes within Europe and Turkey. For many years the diocese has been looking at new ways to pastor and administer the diocese wanting to take up more fully the mission opportunities that are presenting themselves.

The archdeacons from left to right: Jonathan LLoyd (Germany and Northern Europe), Peter Potter (Switzerland), David Sutch (Gibraltar), John de Wit (North West Europe), Patrick Curran (Eastern) and Kenneth Letts (France). That makes six! The missing archdeacon is Jonathan Boardman (Italy and Malta). 

A Prayer for the Second Sunday of Advent

Christ, now and always, you are our peace. May the second candle of this Advent wreath remind us that that you came and come to bring peace. May your peace fill our lives, our relationships, our churches, our cities and this nation. Your peace is a peace that we cannot give ourselves but all things are possible with you. Your peace passes human understanding help us to open ourselves to your peace. Amen.

The sketch above is by Christine Kohlmann of the Memorial to the women who served in World War II, Whitehall, London.