News

Open Thursdays returns for a third summer

The church building will once again be open each Thursday during the three summer months of July, August and September between 11.00 and 14.00.

Pop in for a cup of tea, a chat, to visit the English bookstall, or to show your friends around St. Thomas.

Each Thursday someone from St. Thomas is also needed to be officially ‘on duty’ (along with the Chaplain), welcoming those who come in, brewing up as required, giving information, and generally keeping a watching brief. The sign up list for this (very pleasant!) duty is in church, or you can write to the Chaplain instead, if you would like to extend a welcome on one or more of the ‘Open Thursdays’.

Director of Music, and/or Organist sought

We are currently looking for person(s) who could play the organ in our services, and potentially lead our music at St. Thomas. As the only Anglican Church in north Germany, this is a unique opportunity to work in this rich, satisfying and distinctive tradition. Remuneration will not be huge, but there is a mini-job on offer for the right person. 

The full vacancy description can be downloaded in PDF format here. It includes contact details for our Chaplain and our choir leader who interested candidates can contact for an informal discussion.

Evensong choir

The Arts Society of Hamburg presents the Church Record

Some of you will remember reading about the Church Recording project, organised by The Arts Society of Hamburg, whereby a small group of volunteers has recorded the contents and features of the inside of St Thomas à Becket in Hamburg to a high professional standard. The end result is a large, wonderfully bound book, which will be presented to the church after the morning service on Sunday 25 June.

This Record is the culmination of approximately 5 years’ work and its presentation has been delayed by Covid and by the church being closed in the winter as far as services were concerned. During the course of the research many interesting historic facts came to light as the team documented the memorials, metalwork, internal stonework, woodwork, textiles, pictures and documents.

We (the group of volunteers) very much hope that as many of you as possible will come along to this presentation and view the Record, which will thereafter be the property of the church.

A more detailed article will appear in the next Becket News giving you some background and history in respect of Church Recording.

Pat Pledger
(Co-ordinator of the Church Recording Team)

Would you like to be confirmed by the Bishop this year?

If you feel that St. Thomas is your church, and you would like to learn more about your faith, this could be the thing for you; and a real affirmation and blessing, as you affirm your commitment.

There will be a course of preparation (around six sessions), with the topics of God, the Bible, worship and Anglicanism and plenty of opportunity to explore both your questions and doubts. You can potentially be confirmed at any age, so this is an invitation to adults as well as younger people too.

Please get in touch with the Chaplain (chaplain (at) anglican-church-hamburg.de) to express your interest, or to ask for further details. 

Invitation to sign up for the STB Lent course 2023

This year’s course will be based around the film ‘The Theory of Everything’ (2014, about Stephen Hawking.) As part of each group sessions we will watch clips from the film (technology permitting), but please do view the film in advance too if you wish. 

The course is organised to run over the five weeks of Lent, and will consist of 1. a group meeting each week in Zeughausmarkt, AND  2. a short daily Bible passage and reflection for you to undertake as individual devotion, for each day inbetween. All materials provided. 

The Lent course group sessions will be offered on Thursdays AND Sundays in Zeughausmarkt 22 (upstairs in the warm room), with a maximum of 8 places in each – ie 16 places in total. Pre-registration is required, please email chaplain (at) anglican-church-hamburg.de to register.

Save the Date: World Day of Prayer Service

Theme: ‘I have seen your faith’ (Ephesians 1:15)

On Saturday 25th February at 15.00, we will hold a World Day of Prayer worship service in Zeughausmarkt 22. The host country this year is Taiwan.

You are warmly welcomed to attend, learn more about Christianity in Taiwan, as well as explore this year’s theme. Christian groups from churches across Hamburg attend this service, and it is a good opportunity to share stories across the board.  

Advent Prayers for Peace in Ukraine – 7, 14 and 21 December (online)

The Diocese in Europe offers Advent Prayer services to pray for peace in Ukraine on three Wednesdays this month: 7, 14 and 21 December at 18:30 (06:30 PM) Central European Time.

You can either join by Zoom (please see the details below) or follow the services via a live stream on YouTube at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFPWCl3lijw

Zoom details:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84904201394?pwd=SWZLSU1XYTM2T21kZ2Q4TXN0aXRkdz09

Meeting ID: 849 0420 1394

Passcode: 127875