Category: Congregation

Our church services are currently suspended because of the coronavirus. However, we can still make a Spiritual Communion at home.

The term ‘Spiritual Communion’ is used to describe the means of grace by which a person, prevented for some serious reason from sharing in a celebration of the Eucharist, nonetheless shares in the communion of Jesus Christ. The Book of Common Prayer instructs us that if we offer ourselves in penitence and faith, giving thanks for the redemption won by Christ crucified, we may truly ‘eat and drink the Body and Blood of our Saviour Christ’, although we cannot receive the sacrament physically in ourselves. A form of words for making a Spiritual Communion can be found on the Church of England website.

If you are feeling anxious or are in isolation and need to talk to someone, please get in touch with the locum chaplain Fr Pete Wright or if you prefer to speak German, either of the churchwardens Susanne Hergoss or Madeleine Resühr. They are supported by a team of volunteers who are available for a chat.

All three are available by email through chaplain (at) anglican-church-hamburg.de and Father Pete can be reached at the chaplain’s flat by phone at 040 4392334.

Please find further phone numbers on our contact page:

Contact

Dear All,

Public health information from Hamburg’s health ministry in English can be found on
https://www.hamburg.com/residents/settle/health/13702364/coronavirus/

Unfortunately the daily press release updates are only available in German.
There is a telephone hotline set up with the following number: 428 284 000.
If you suspect you have been infected with COVID-19, call 116 117.

As Bishop David Hamid did in his blog, we would also like to share this prayer with you that the Jesuits in the US have circled:

Jesus Christ, you travelled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.

Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.

Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbours from helping one another.

Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.

Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.

Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.

Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.

Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.

Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.

Jesus Christ, heal us.

Dear All,

following the decision of the Nordkirche and the Erzbistum Hamburg we (churchwardens Dr. Madeleine Resühr and Susanne Hergoss) decided to follow this decision. So there will be no services or any other programmes in our church for the time to come. If there will be a decision later on to open the church again, we will let you know as soon as possible. We are very sorry for this sad news, but there is no other way to keep us safe.

Dr. Madeleine Resühr and Susanne Hergoss

Churchwardens
Englisch Bischöfliche Gemeinde St. Thomas à Becket
Church of England
Zeughausmarkt 22
20459 Hamburg

Thank you to all of you who so generously donated to the funeral appeal for Sammy Quaye, Uncle Sammy. We raised a substantial amount, more than we thought possible, which will be a big help to Sammy Junior and the family and meant that Sammy could be given the funeral and the farewell he deserved.

The response to the appeal, from members of the present congregation, former members and friends of the church, was really heart-warming and a wonderful example of the solidarity and community spirit which marks our church. And it emphasises the fact that everybody who knew Sammy held him in high esteem.

In fact, the funeral director told us that he was extremely impressed and moved by how the church community had rallied round to help in a time of need. He said he had never come across anything like it before in any other church. We can be proud of our close and inclusive community.

Sammy Jr and his family are overwhelmed and deeply appreciate your generous help.