At this year's Maundy Thursday ceremony it is the turn of the Diocese in Europe to provide the star guests, namely 40 individuals selected for their service to the church, who will receive the traditional Maundy purses from HM the Queen. And among the 40 is our own Rosie Curran.
The event can be viewed live on BBC 1 – for further details see the Diocese in Europe website.
Congratulations and all good wishes Rosie!
Click here for BBC News online report.
Following the mood changes of Holy Week through the different services can be a very moving experience and makes the Easter Day service more meaningful
Sunday 17th April on Palm Sunday the Eucharist re-enacts the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Maundy Thursday on 21st April commemorates Jesus washing his disciplines feet and then eating his Last Supper with them before he prepares to face betrayal, trial and death. The service is followed by a vigil – a quiet time to reflect on the meaning of it all.
The Good Friday service has no Communion. We try through the liturgy of the day to share the sense of loss and abandonment.
On Holy Saturday 23rd April prayers are offered on the Day of Waiting, and the church is prepared for Easter Day, a celebration of a festival of light, an occasion to renew our Baptismal Vows and give thanks for Life!
Service times are to be found on the “Services” Page.
The church AGM was held after a delightful Mothering Sunday Eucharist on Sunday 3 April.
Reports were given on the various activities and groups. The electoral roll has rolled above the 100 mark – 17% increase on last year! The Church Wardens, Deborah Ockert and Renu Roy, were re-elected unopposed – given the amount of work that needs to be put in for the vacancy period it is wonderful that they have agreed to continue. The six Church Council positions were filled without opposition: Peter Alexander, Stuart Cooke, Matilda Hammond, Christopher Sacra, Emmanuel Saarkodie and Wendy Sprock. Karen Berquist-Lüth, Birte Fischer, Harriet Sasse were elected as lay delegates for the CAECG – one more than last year thanks to the expansion of the electoral roll.
We wish the new team and all those who give their time and service to enable the church to function as a community, and not just on Sunday mornings, all the best for the coming year of office.
Last Sunday, we said farewell to Bishop Rupert and his wife Gesine. Once again we have reason to be so very grateful for the ministry of a locum chaplain. The Mothering Sunday children's talk will be long remembered by adults and children alike!
Now this Sunday in time for commencement of Holy Week we welcome, Canon Paul Rose who will take the services for the Sundays up to 2 May. We extend a very warm welcome!
The March edition of the Newsletter from the Diocese of Jerusalem is available here.
This edition contains reports on a busy schedule of visits and meetings in this troubled part of the world.
The challenge posed in a new Pause for Thought. In 2050 it is estimated that we will have to share this planet with 30% more people than today – 9 billion people. How do we equip the younger generation to deal with the legacy of our unsustainable use of the planet's resources? Well it gives reason for
Pause for Thought? Gute Lektüre
Having done the spring cleaning – many thanks to all who lent a hand – now for the spring walk!
The Wanderers are venturing further afield: From Krempe to Glückstadt via Eildorf and Borsfleth and then further along the dyke. Approx. 12km.
Joining instructions are on the Wanderers page.
Please do let Matilda know if you are coming
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This Sunday is a double bill Mothering Sunday and AGM.
There will be a special and slightly shorter children's service with flowers for mother's and Ellen's special cake!
The AGM will follow immediately after the service. Please do try to make the time to stay for this. It provides the one chance in the year to get a full report of all the activities. If you are on the Electoral Roll you can also vote.
Please support this – your church needs you! It also provides an opportunity to express appreciation for all those who give generously of their time to keep it running.
Our current locum chaplain, Bishop Rupert Hoare, has kindly provided the text of his sermon preached on Christian Giving Sunday – 27 March. Well worth reading, but above all acting on, if you missed the service, or if you would like to remind yourself of what was said.
Evidently it inspired. Reports are that the collection was definitely up on usual. But we still need to do better as a church. Our Treasurer points out that if everyone on the Electoral Roll would increase their contribution by just €5 a week, it would put us in far better position financially to cover the things we need to – please see note below.
Still some have made a good effort last Sunday thanks perhaps to the sermon which can can be accessed here.
Hope it inspires a few more!
The Anglican Lutheran Society has existed since 1984 to promote church unity by encouraging Anglicans and Lutherans to work, pray and understand each other better.
Those interested in deepening their understanding of both traditions, may be interested in attending the next International Conference, to be held in Salisbury, England, from 16th to 20th September, 2011. The website gives further details.