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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.

St Thomas Becket church welcomes you to an evening of Beatles Songs performed by Stephanie Hempel on Friday 8 July at 7.30pm. Stephanie is a well-known for her Beatles Tours of St. Pauli.  This is an opportunity to hear Stephanie live, playing the pop world’s ultimate classics. The event is free. Donations for the church would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to welcoming you and your friends. Download flier.

Bishops Robert and David have written a pastoral letter to congregations in the Diocese in the wake of the majority vote in the UK referendum in favour of leaving the European Union. You can read the full text here.

As Europe and the wider world come to terms with the outcome of the Referendum in the UK with its vote to leave the European Union, Diocese in Europe clergy have been offering media comment on how the decision may affect Christians in the diocese. Read more on the diocesan website.

St Thomas Becket Church invites you to an evening of music and dance on Saturday, 2 July 2016 at 6pm.

The Anglican Consort, Nick Wiseman-Ellis (melodeon), Ulla Grün (German smallpipe), and the Hamburg Morris Dance team will be coming together to share

• Songs by John Dowland and other Renaissance masters
• English folk music
• Morris dancing

Entrance is free, donations in support of the church welcome.

Download the flier.

On 8 July at 7.30 pm Stefanie Hempel will be treating us to an evening with the Beatles, a mixed bag of songs and stories.

Stefanie Hempel fell in love with music at a very young age. The reason was a Beatles tape. “All at once my life went into a new direction,” she says. “My passion for music awoke.”

When she was only 10 she was already composing her own music – all love songs for John Lennon. For years she has been paying tribute to her love for the “greatest band of all time” with her Musical Beatles Tour in Hamburg.

Entrance is free – donations are welcome and will benefit the English Church.

You can find out more about Stefanie on her website.

Catherine and Richard Perrin will be leading us the Church Wanderers on a 9 km circular walk round the lake at Bad Segeberg on Saturday 11. June.  Those interested in wildlife should bring their binoculars. At one point there is also the option to walk up to the top of the Kalkberg.  Bring a light lunch and  look forward to some good coffee and cake at the end of the walk! If you wish to join the group, please contact Nicki Schiller for further details and let her know by Thursday 9 June if you intend to come: 0176 30 393 063, nicki.schiller(at)gmx.de

We are delighted to announce the appointment of the Revd Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel to be the new Chaplain of St Thomas Becket Church. He is expected to arrive in Hamburg in mid-September.

Father Leslie is currently the Archbishop of Canterbury’s International Ecumenical Secretary and European Secretary of the Council for Christian Unity. Born and brought up in South India, he has previously lived and worked in Germany, and is married to a German priest. Father’s Leslie’s own experience of crossing cultural boundaries will resonate with many of us.

A fluent German speaker, Father Leslie is also a keen church musician and a cricket enthusiast. A press release containing further details can be downloaded here as a PDF: English (291 KB), German (293 KB)