Author: Jo Dawes

The Primus of Scotland, the Archbishop of Wales and the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams have called on the British government “urgently to revise its policy towards refugees”. They are amongst a large number of Anglican bishops and clergy from the UK who have put their name to an open letter to British Prime Minister Theresa May. It has been signed by 224 faith leaders including our Suffragan Bishop, Rt Revd David Hamid. Read the full story on the Anglican Communion News Service website.

It is 25 years since the Meissen Agreement between the Church of England and the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland was signed, with one of its goals the full visible unity between our churches. In a message to the Meissen Commission to mark the 25th anniversary, the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby writes: “As we celebrate 25 years of Meissen and plan the 500th anniversary of the Reformation I pray that we continue in our efforts to build a confident church in a pluralistic and troubled Europe across all barriers.” The full text of the message, in which he also thanks our chaplain designate, the Revd Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel, and the other co-secretary of the commission, OKR Revd Christoph Ernst, for their tireless work, can be found here. You can read more about the Meissen Commission on the websites of the Church of England and (in German) the EKD.

The next walk with the Wanderers is on Saturday 10 September. Eileen will be leading us on the Burg (Dithmarschen) circular route through delightful countryside and along the fascinating Nord-Ostsee Canal. A short ferry trip and the promise of a coffee break in Burg’s Fährhaus are additional attractions! Meeting point is in front of the DB Reise Zentrum at Altona Bahnhof at 9:15 to allow time to get Schleswig-Holstein tickets. Arrival in Burg is 10:56. Please let Nicki know by Wednesday 7 September at 10:00 p.m. if you want to come along: 0176 30 393 063, nicki.schiller(at)gmx.de

The institution and licensing of our new Chaplain, The Reverend Canon Dr Leslie Satianathan Nathaniel, will be on Saturday 17 September at 11 am. Our Suffragan Bishop, Rt Revd David Hamid, will preside at the Eucharist and preach.

Would you like to sing in the choir for the service welcoming our new chaplain? Or at this year’s Carol Service? Here are all the important dates

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.