Author: Jo Dawes

The next outing for the Wanderers is Saturday, 9 February for a wander from Krempe to Glückstadt via Borsfleth and the Deich (ca 12km). We muster In front of Reisezentrumat Hamburg-Altona Fernbahn station at 10.15 am to catch the 10.37 train. We shall buy one or more Schleswig-Holstein tickets and divide the cost equally.

Please let Cicely know (Tel: 0162 635 93 98) by the evening of Thursday,7th, if you plan to come. Please wear suitable clothes and footwear and bring a picnic lunch. Eileen knows a good place for Kaffee u. Kuchen

Return by train from Glückstadt to Hamburg. Trains dep at 39 and 49 mins past each hour

On 4 February, Justin Welby ceased to be Bishop of Durham, and instead takes up the position of Archbishop of Canterbury. At a ceremony, known as the ‘Confirmation of Election’, which took place in the context of an act of worship in St Paul's Cathedral, Justin Welby became the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. He will be officially enthroned in Canterbury Cathedral 21 March 2013. The Order of Service from today's service is available from the website of St Paul's Cathedral.
We offer our prayers of support for Archbishop Welby, for what must be considered one of the toughest assignments the world has to offer!

In the meantime, his predecessor now Lord Williams is settling back into academic life. The debating chamber of the Cambridge Union was full to hear Williams and Dawkins debate the proposition 'religion has no place in the 21st Century'. The motion was defeated 324 votes against, 138 voting for the motion, with 85 abstentions.

We welcome Fr Matthew back from a well earned holiday (assuming snow has permitted his return travel!).

The Chaplaincy Council meets for the first time in 2013 on Thursday 24 January. This is a dedicated and important group of people and we thank them for the commitment to ensuring the smooth running of the church.

Next Sunday offers two contrasting styles of Service. At 10:30 the The Parish Eucharist will be in traditional language as is our custom once a month.

At 17:00 there will be a new contemporary style worship service. See flyer here.

The year has barely started but since Easter is early this year, Lent will soon be upon us. Bishop Geoffrey has launched his Lent appeal for Change Ethiopia, a charity with Christian roots supporting many much need children's project.

Further information is available on the Diocese in Europe website.

The website of the Archbishop of Canterbury has been updated for the incoming Archbishop, Justin Welby.

Justin Welby officially becomes Archbishop after a legal ceremony, the Confirmation of Election, takes place on 4th February 2013 at St Paul's Cathedral.

On 21st March, after paying Homage to Her Majesty in his new role, his public ministry will inaugurated in a colourful ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral, to which bishops from the whole Church of England, Primates of the wider Anglican Communion and many ecumenical guests will be invited.

Fortunately, the rich content of the website of the previous incumbent, Dr Rowan Williams, will not be lost. It has been archived under the following link.

Never mind the Christmas books,
here is the latest edition of Becket News.
Our thanks to the editor who used his Christmas break to put it together.

The Chaplain, Revd Matthew Jones, will be taking a very well earned break for two weeks.
Services on Sunday 13th and 20th January will be taken by Revd Erika Anders.

We wish Fr Matthew a very good holiday.

A New Year is a good time to start new activities. STB's Choir Director Yotin welcomes anyone who can listen to join the choir for what is becoming something of an annual event, a performance of John Stainer’s oratorio “The Crucifixion” (1887) on Saturday 23rd March 2013.

If you want to join the choir for this project check if you can make it to
following rehearsals during March and speak to Yotin.

This was the theme of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Wllliams, last Christmas sermon as Archbishop. You can read all about it here.

The Archbishop has been made a Peer of the United Kingdom by HM The Queen upon his retirement from the See of Canterbury.

Monday 24 December Christmas Eve
16:00 Family Christms Eve Service (Service for children)
23:30 Candlelit Mass to ring in Christmas with Holy Communion.

Tuesday 25 December Christmas Day
10:30 Christmas Day Eucharist with English Carols

Flyer for Christmas here

We extend a special welcome to those visiting Hamburg at this time.

Happy Christmas!