Author: Jo Dawes

There is a note of appreciation for Roger's ministry and a rather splendid photo of Roger and Heidi on Bishop David's Blog.

Regular visitors to the Church of England's website may have noticed that it has been give a new look.

The Wanderers will have their first outing in 2011 on Saturday 15th January for a stroll round the Stadtpark. Wrap up warm and join the happy band – good opportunity to work off some calories!

Meet at the exit of U3 Borgfeld U-Bahn station at 11:00 am. Please let Cicely know if you are coming (contact details on Wanderers page).

Happy New Year!

Following the recent violence shown towards Coptic Christians in Egypt, Bishop David invites us to remember our Coptic brothers and sisters in the intercessions this Sunday. See Eurobishop Blog.

We think today too of the people of Sudan, particularly in Southern Sudan who are voting in a referendum to decide on whether to become an independent state.

2011 sees the celebration of what is considered one of the greatest works in the English language, and as someone put possibly the only time a committee has produce something of lasting value. In 1611 what has become known as the King James Bible, or Authorised Bible, was published.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, in his New Year address suggests reading the King James Bible to appreciate the 'bigger picture'.

There are many events planned for this 400th anniversary. These can be found together with more background information on The King James Bible Trust Website.

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The Prayer Calendar for the Diocese in Europe has been compiled to help us to pray together for one another and for our common concerns. Each chaplaincy, with the communities it serves, is remembered in prayer once a year. The diary can be downloaded from the Diocese in Europe website.

On Sunday 26 December BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a special service from St Clement's, our Diocese in Europe sister church in Prague.

St Stephen, whose feast is celebrated on the day after Christmas Day, gets a mention in the old Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen”. St Clement's is not far from Wenceslas Square.

To hear the service tune in to BBC Radio 4 at 9:10 ECT or listen to it on the BBC iPlayer.

In his Christmas sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, focuses on how the birth of Jesus is but one stage of the fulfilment of God's unchanging promise of support in the struggle for human redemption, how 'the story of Jesus is the story of a God who keeps promises'.

The full text of the sermon can be read on the Archbishop's website.

The Queen's Christmas message opens with a reference to the importance of the King James Bible which is celebrating 400 years in 2011. The Queen's message is available on YouTube.

Bishop David's Eurobishop Blog entry for Christmas poses that question, and gives some enlightenment.
Read here.

Click here for the Bishop Geoffrey's Christmas Letter.

Listners to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme will be aware that there is a regular slot at 8:45 ECT called Thought for Today.

Some excitement has been generated in the fact that this year's Thought for Today on Christmas Eve was recorded by Pope Bendict a couple of days ago. To access the means to read or listen to his message click here.