Author: Jo Dawes

Today the German Lutheran church marks the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Reformation, when Martin Luther published his 95 theses in Wittenberg protesting against the sale of indulgences.

The profound difference in opinion on the understanding of justification – how humankind can be reconciled to God in Jesus Christ – was the fundamental issue which divided the Church in the West during the Reformation.

At a special service at Westminster Abbey in London today, the Archbishop of Canterbury presented copies of a text supporting an agreement resolving the theological dispute behind the Reformation to the Roman Catholic Church and the Lutheran World Federation.

Read more on the Church of England website or click here for the full text of the Joint Declaration.

On Saturday, 9 September the Church Wanderers will be walking in the Lüneburger Heide from Buchholz to Büsenbachtal. The walk is 11 kilometres through forest and heath where the heather should still be in full bloom. We aim to eat our sandwiches whilst enjoying the view from the top of the Brunsberg (129m) and have time to enjoy the legendary cake at the “Schafstall” in Büsenbachtal before taking the train home.

Meeting point in front of the Reise Zentrum at the Hauptbahnhof at 9:50.  This gives us time to get group tickets if necessary .The journey is within the HVV Gesamtbereich. We will take the RE4 to Buchholz (via Harburg) which leaves at 10:15 and arrives at Buchholz at 10:37.

Anke will be leading the walk and we are really looking forward to seeing you.  Please mail Nicki – nicki.schiller (at) gmx.de – by Friday, 8 September if you want to join us.

Tonight’s Choral Evensong has been cancelled due to the disturbances connected with the G20 Summit.

St John’s College Chapel Choir from Durham University in the UK will be singing at the Ecumenical Forum Hafen City on Monday, 10 July from 13.00hrs to 13.45hrs. There will be a very short Andacht from 13.00 to 13.15, during which they will sing a special item, followed by a 30-minute recital of sacred music from the Tudor period to the present day.

This evening, Friday 30 June, at 6 pm our own Anglican Consort, directed by Yotin Tiewtrakul, will be singing Choral Evensong with all pieces by Tudor composers. Music includes Gibbons: Almighty and everlasting God, Gibbons: Magnificat & Nunc dimittis from the Short Service and Sheppard: In manus tuas. Our Chaplain, Revd Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel, will be officiating. Come and join us as we pause at the end of the week for some meditative calm and beautiful music!

Sad news: Sir Jeffrey Tate, chief conductor of the Hamburger Sinfoniker, has died aged 74. Sir Jeffrey was a good friend to our church, last visiting in March to hear Clare Hammond play. Together with Daniel Hope and Sebastian Knauer, Sir Jeffery gave a gala benefit concert at the church in February 2012 during our 400th anniversary. Further details in English can be found on the websites of the BBC and Deutsche Welle.

The latest edition of our parish magazine Becket News is out. A lot has been going on in the past few months and there are exciting things happening. Enjoy the read!

The Stuttgarter Hymnus Chorknaben will be singing music by Schütz, Lassus, Brahms and more at St Thomas Becket on 6 June. Please see the events section for details or download the flyer.

A Youth Club for the over-11s kicks off in June, with meetings alternating between a weekday evening and a Sunday. It will be launched after the Sunday service on 4 June. Please see the website events calendar for further details.

A prayer by Father Leslie Nathaniel:
Almighty God, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, the violent assault in Manchester has brought pain, tears, and anger to people across Britain and beyond. We grieve with a nation in shock at the loss of so many innocent lives, both children and adults. We ask you to receive the souls of those who have died, and we pray for the gifts of healing and peace on all those who are injured. We remember before you those tending to the injuries and pain in body and mind of those affected by the attack.
Grant peace, comfort, and patience to all the grieving families, friends, colleagues and loved ones at this difficult time. We ask you to bring security and peace to the people in the city of Manchester and to all in Britain. Safeguard and strengthen the bonds of unity and friendship between the diverse communities that they may work together against the forces that would sow division and hatred.
We at the Anglican Church of St Thomas Becket also pray to you, the source of all life, that you bless us with the light of your presence in our midst, and we look for your mercies. May we be blessed with your protection through all the changing scenes of life and with the resolve to make peace.
Lord make us channels of your peace. Where there is hatred let us bring your love. Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair in life, let us bring hope. Where there is darkness, only light. And where there is sadness, ever joy (after St Francis of Assisi 1181–1226).