Author: Jo Dawes

On Saturday, 10 September, 2016 our Mothers’ Union group will host the first of what we hope will be an annual “St Thomas Children’s Day” at our church. From 11 am to 4 pm the kids will have the opportunity to engage in several fun activities like crafts, making loom bands, face painting, dancing, singing and much more. Meanwhile the parents can roam through our kids’ flea market and look for toys, and baby and children’s clothes. For the hungry, there will be food stalls with cake, waffles, French fries and sausages.
We have already found two clowns who will entertain the visitors and some other talents to help on this special day, but we are still seeking more helping hands. Do you have a special talent or are you interested in reading to the kids in our book corner or supervising one of the activities? Then please let us know! Any contributions to our cake stall and our flea market would also be a highly appreciated. Please contact Lucia Förthmann (see back page of Becket News for details).

Some Church Wanderers were sad about not having a walk in August, and so Eileen has very kindly offered to lead her much-loved circular walk from Burg in Schleswig-Holstein on Saturday 13 August. (The Burg Fährhaus is now under new management and offers a very enticing stopover for coffee and cake.) If you would like to come along, please mail her direct for more details : eileen.liebender (at) t-online.de

The summer edition of Becket News is out, with news of our chaplain designate, an article on interfaith relations by our former locum Canon Dr Andrew Wingate and lots of news from the chaplaincy. Download it here or pic up a copy in church.

In an impassioned speech to the General Synod meeting in York Bishop Robert has been speaking about the effect of the Referendum vote for the UK to leave the European Union has had on the Diocese in Europe.

He spoke about the many church members in Brussels who are upset and anxious at the result. He offered an insight into the feelings of many British people across the diocese who are uncertain and nervous for the future.

He also took up a suggestion made by a Vicar in Cheshire suggesting twinning links with churches in the diocese.

You can hear his speech in full HERE

Having enjoyed three long and lovely walks in the last quarter (see next edition of the Becket News for details if you missed some of them), it’s now time to have our summer picnic. I hope you will be able to join us in the Jenisch Park again on Saturday 16 July. This is really an amble rather than a proper walk, but those wanting to do more after lunch can always walk back towards the city centre along the Elbe or visit the Botanical Garden in Klein Flottbek. We meet at Klein Flottbek S-Bahn station at 11 a.m. Bring a picnic lunch and something to share – and be prepared to hug trees! Please let Nicki Schiller know by Thursday 14 July if you are coming: tel 04104 6999266.

St Thomas Becket church welcomes you to an evening of Beatles Songs performed by Stephanie Hempel on Friday 8 July at 7.30pm. Stephanie is a well-known for her Beatles Tours of St. Pauli.  This is an opportunity to hear Stephanie live, playing the pop world’s ultimate classics. The event is free. Donations for the church would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends. Download flier.

Bishops Robert and David have written a pastoral letter to congregations in the Diocese in the wake of the majority vote in the UK referendum in favour of leaving the European Union. You can read the full text here.

As Europe and the wider world come to terms with the outcome of the Referendum in the UK with its vote to leave the European Union, Diocese in Europe clergy have been offering media comment on how the decision may affect Christians in the diocese. Read more on the diocesan website.

St Thomas Becket Church invites you to an evening of music and dance on Saturday, 2 July 2016 at 6pm.

The Anglican Consort, Nick Wiseman-Ellis (melodeon), Ulla Grün (German smallpipe), and the Hamburg Morris Dance team will be coming together to share

• Songs by John Dowland and other Renaissance masters
• English folk music
• Morris dancing

Entrance is free, donations in support of the church welcome.

Download the flier.

On 8 July at 7.30 pm Stefanie Hempel will be treating us to an evening with the Beatles, a mixed bag of songs and stories.

Stefanie Hempel fell in love with music at a very young age. The reason was a Beatles tape. “All at once my life went into a new direction,” she says. “My passion for music awoke.”

When she was only 10 she was already composing her own music – all love songs for John Lennon. For years she has been paying tribute to her love for the “greatest band of all time” with her Musical Beatles Tour in Hamburg.

Entrance is free – donations are welcome and will benefit the English Church.

You can find out more about Stefanie on her website.