THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

Re v ie w 2015-16

DiOCeSe iN eUROPe

e u r o p e . a n g l i c a n . o r g

F R O m t h e B i S h O PI introduce this review at the end of my first full year as bishop for the Diocese in Europe.

It is a year that has been deeply challenging. One country – Greece – has been almost overwhelmed by the political and economic consequences of debt. Another country – France – has suffered a year framed by terrorism, from Charlie Hebdo to Bataclan. And nearly every country in the diocese has been affected by the vast movement of peoples that we call ‘the migration crisis’.

Against this background our diocese has been working on a strategy that is faithful to our historic identity and relevant to current needs. “Walking together in Faith” was formally commended at the Diocesan Synod and endorsed by the Bishop’s Council. It has five points: building up the body of Christ; sharing in the evangelisation of Europe; striving for a just society and sustainable environment; working for reconciliation; with proper resources. The strategy aims to give our dispersed diocese a stronger sense of focus and common purpose.

I am one of the few people who has the privilege of travelling around to see the amazing work done by our churches. It is a delight for me to share in acts of worship offered in such different circumstances across a whole continent and beyond. I invariably come away from visits humbled by the efforts of clergy, wardens and lay officers who are sustaining and developing church communities, often under challenging social or financial conditions.

The life of our diocese is in its local churches – these are our growing tips. Our central resources are slender. Over this past year these have, however, been significantly strengthened by the addition of Ian Carter, as safeguarding manager,

and by Colin Williams as freestanding Archdeacon of Germany and Northern Europe and the Eastern Archdeaconry: both have already made a big impact!

In a fragmented and often fearful continent, we are messengers of the love of Jesus, seeking to bring hope and reconciliation. These pages are testimony to the efforts of many in seeking to do this.

+Robert Gibraltar in Europe

F R O m t h e D i O C e S a N S e C R e ta R y

Welcome to the Annual Report which provides just a glimpse of the extraordinary and inspiring range of Christian life, work, worship, witness, growth and development in the diocese over 2015 – a reflection on the common life of the Body of Christ.

We are a Mission-shaped diocese – a network of Christian communities and congregations serving Anglicans and other English-speaking Christians, working together to build up the Kingdom of God across an enormous geographical area.

Although we have slender resources, these pages show that we are a vibrant and lively diocese, keen to grasp some of the many mission opportunities that present themselves in new and surprising ways. And while we are very centrally and recognisably Church of England, this Report also shows the importance and reality of relationships with ecumenical partners and valued working links with many agencies. Read on; the report clearly shows the Christ is alive in His people across the diocese.

Adrian MumfordDiocesan Secretary

welCO m e

Doves released to mark Waterloo

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Cat h eD R a l S

C at h e D R a l O F t h e m O S t h O ly tR i N i t y, G i B R a lta R a sign of unity, inspiring prayer and praise, and ministering the Love of Christ.

Gibraltar Cathedral is a place where the Divine Law is preached, where Canon Law is observed, and where some Civil Lawyers launch their careers! Hence its famous “peaceful”, “prayerful” and “inspiring” atmosphere. In the Cathedral, Canon Law is observed: “In every Cathedral church the Common Prayer shall be said or sung, distinctly, reverently, and in an audible voice, every morning and evening...” (Canon B10) ... “In every cathedral church the Holy Communion shall be celebrated at least on all Sundays and other Feast Days, on Ash Wednesday, and on other days as often as may be convenient ... It shall be celebrated distinctly, reverently and in an audible voice.”(Canon B12). So every day of the year is begun and concluded with public prayer, and the Eucharist is celebrated every day of the week.

John Wilkinson; Canon Pastor “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1

2015, like 2014 was a year of changes in staff and buildings. Our new Chancellor and Senior Chaplain, Paul Vrolijk joined us in September from Aquitaine. A new phase of ministry begins, looking out into the city we serve.

the PRO-CatheDR al OF hOly tRiNit y BRUSSel S

In 2015 we held a dinner for refugees and others in need and celebrated the centenary of the death of Edith Cavell, a former member of Holy Trinity. Our four Sunday services welcome new people nearly every Sunday, whom we seek to make feel part of the community as soon as possible. Phase 2 of work on Church House was completed. The ground floor frontage is now opened up, presenting a more welcoming face to the city.

St Pa U l’S P R O -C at h e D R a l , m a lta The Pro Cathedral and its community have had a busy and fulfilling year. HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visited the Islands for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in late November and the Duke came for a Service of Thanksgiving and a tour of the building after which he met members of The Friends. The Archbishop of Malta (pictured) kindly agreed to bring an ecumenical flavour to the event and gave the Blessing to conclude the service! Some weeks before over 60 Heads of Government were on the Islands for the global Summit on Migration and members of our Congregation acted as interpreters and welcomers for the period. In February Bishop David visited to preach for our Feast of Title and the 4th annual lecture on Church and State while in September we took part in the 450th Anniversary of The Great Siege of Malta in 1565. Some significant news ended our year when a development programme for the Undercroft and Terraces was announced.

The Cathedral also plays an important part in civic legal life. The Dean, for example, presides over the Swearing in of a Notary Public by Faculty of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Master of the Faculties writes: “To Our beloved in Christ the Very Reverend the Dean of Gibraltar, greetings ... We do therefore by these Presents grant full power and authority to you, in whose fidelity We confide, to administer the Oath and Declarations to ‘XXX’ ” . ‘XXX’ says “I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that I am residing in the Colony of Gibraltar and am desirous of being created a Public Notary for the purpose of acting as such in the Colony aforesaid...”.

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh in Malta

Holy Trinity Gibraltar Cathedral

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e a S t e R N The Eastern Archdeaconry was at the centre of European geopolitical life during 2015. Huge numbers fleeing from wars in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan came among us seeking safety and support. From Ankara, Istanbul to Budapest and Vienna Anglican congregations rallied to provide humanitarian care to those passing on their way north. The Anglican Chaplaincy in Athens found itself in the ‘eye of the storm’. Working with other Churches, NGO’s, UNHCR and ‘Us’ it participated in on-going programmes attending to the needs, often acute, of refugees on the islands and the mainland. Meanwhile we welcomed David Brown to Warsaw and Jules Wilson to the chaplaincy in Corfu who with the congregation responded to refugee needs on the Greek border with FYROM. At the Archdeaconry Synod expressions of thanks were expressed to the Venerable Patrick Curran for his long and dedicated service to the Archdeaconry and a warm welcome given to the new Archdeacon, the Venerable Colin Williams. And back in Greece, the final pieces for giving the Anglican Church in Greece full legal recognition are almost in place. Canon Malcolm Bradshaw, Senior Chaplain was deservedly awarded the MBE for ‘services to interfaith understanding and community charities in Greece’.

F R a N C eTwo important ecumenical developments happened in the past year in the Archdeaconry of France. In Paris the document ‘O Lord Open Our Lips’ was officially launched, the fruit of

Church choir in Vienna Youth drama in Monaco Music in Rotterdam

five year’s work of the French Anglican Roman Catholic Commission which encourages the celebration of Morning and Evening Prayer ecumenically in Roman Catholic and Anglican churches in France.

The re-established Reuilly Contact Group met in Paris under the co-chairmanship of the Bishop of Warwick and Dr Christian Krieger to take forward relations between the Anglican Church and the Eglise Protestante Unie de France. Mgr Robert Le Gall Archbishop of Toulouse co-chairperson with Fr Matthew Harrison of the French ARC and Dr Christian Krieger have been invited to speak at the French Archdeaconry Synod in May this year.

Throughout the year anglican communities in France have sought to respond to the refugee crisis in Europe. Among many responses the church in Grenoble has welcomed many migrants from sub Saharan Africa into its congregation. The church in Strasbourg has assisted asylum seekers in the practical task of assembling documentation required for residency permits. Wider social awareness found expression in Maisons-Laffitte which provided a night shelter for homeless people during the winter months while Cannes works with its ecumenical partners provided daily hot meals.

G e R m a N y & N O R t h e R N eU R O P eNordic and Baltic Deanery 2015 saw Nick Howe take over the role of Area Dean in succession to Barbara Moss, who has retired. Tuomas Makipää became

Assistant Area Dean, charged with overseeing the increasingly diverse Anglican life in Finland. The chaplaincy in Riga maintained its longstanding tradition of providing Saturday breakfast for the poor, hungry and lonely; Copenhagen has produced a Mission Action Plan to focus its planning for the years to come; Stockholm has continued to pioneer Messy Church, and in Norway, an Anglican congregation has taken root in the historic Mariakerken in Bergen.

Deanery of GermanyDuring 2015 Matthew Jones departed from Hamburg and Andrew Sillis from Bonn-Cologne. Christopher Parsons has come from Canada to serve in Freiburg and Stephen Walton has begun his service in Düsseldorf, sharing in the planting of a congregation in Essen while the Leipzig chaplaincy celebrated its twentieth anniversary during 2015. The Area Dean, Ken Dimmick, is fostering discussions on maintaining centres of worship in post-military NW Germany. Elsewhere in Germany, the initiative of the Stuttgart Chaplaincy in founding congregations in Ulm and Kempten has continued to bear fruit.

G i B R a lta RWhile some chaplaincies have been going through difficult and challenging times, others have cause for much celebration. For example, the people of St James’ Porto celebrated their 200th anniversary with a festival Eucharist in the ballroom of the Factory House where the original congregation first met.

On the lovely island of La Palma off

OU R Se v eN aRC h D e aCO N R i e S

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Palm Sunday FlorenceNordic & Baltic Synod Summer in Switzerland

voice in the local debate about and direct relief for the thousands of migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Italian shores.

The Malta Chaplaincy received a visit from HRH The Duke of Edinburgh who delighted everyone by making one of his celebrated comments breaking PC rules: in conversation with the RC Archbishop of Malta he whispered “Let me tell you a secret – we’re all Christians.”

At the November Archdeaconry synod, held near Palermo, Sicily, the assembled representatives marked Jonathan Boardman’s last synod, as he announced his intention to step down as archdeacon in 2016.

NORth weSt eUROPeWhile 2015 was a year of farewells and welcomes, it was also a year of commissioning two new area deans for North-West Europe. Sam Van Leer and Stephen Murray bring a transatlantic flavour to the Archdeaconry and, combined with an archdeacon originally from Wales, they bring a mix of cultural insights to our Anglican life in North-West Europe.

At the 2015 Archdeaconry Synod we reflected with our Bishop on the new Diocesan Strategy. Themes included safeguarding, reconciliation, evangelisation, communication and lay discipleship. While we are grateful to God for what is already happening in our midst, for large, generous and vibrant chaplaincies, we are also conscious of smaller congregations where the Gospel is equally treasured and lived out, albeit in a more fragile way.

Two specific events in 2015 highlighted

our Anglican diversity. The Archdeaconry choral festival was held in Haarlem where prayer and praise were offered within the enduring context of Choral Evensong. Then there was a day of reflection, at Holy Trinity Utrecht, on our mission in an evolving context. We pray that these events, among others, will trigger further growth in our churches. In a turbulent world, the Church can never be complacent.

S w i t z e R l a N DIn July we said goodbye to Andy Horlock from Lugano and in October welcomed Paul Brice to St Andrew’s, Zurich. Hilary Jones is now chaplain in Basel and Mark Pogson became Assistant Chaplain in Berne. There is a vacancy in Neuchâtel, while the new chaplain in Lugano is due to arrive in May.

Chaplaincies continue to be active in ecumenical affairs: in Vaud, the Anglican and Old Catholic congregations have formed a legal entity which will enable them to receive recognition; the Archdeacon read a lesson at the service to mark the opening of the Federal Parliament and, as chaplain in Berne, presided at the ecumenical Eucharist in the Minster for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Church life is affected by economic and political changes. Nestlé, for instance, are recruiting fewer expatriates for its headquarters in Vevey, which is having an effect on numbers but Lausanne has formed a choir after an influx of Africans. Switzerland has not seen the same number of migrants as other countries, so our response has been to work locally with other churches.

Tenerife the Chaplaincy of St Martin de Porres was officially inaugurated and their first Priest in Charge, the Revd Jennifer Elliot de Riverol, Licensed in September.

The multi-national congregations in the Chaplaincy of St John’s, Casablanca are growing steadily: there are now two services for over 200 people on a Sunday morning with lively congregations made up of American teachers and people from a number of sub-Saharan countries. In Rabat a newer congregation is developing which meets on a Saturday evening. Such is the increase in numbers that plans are well under way to extend the church building in Casablanca and to create a community centre in the church grounds.

The challenge to recruit and retain clergy is a constant feature of this Archdeaconry. During the year four clergy left us and four came to join us.

The service of God and his Kingdom remains the priority for our chaplaincies and they are for the most part in good heart.

i ta ly & m a ltaFollowing the formal recognition of the Church of England in 2014 by the Italian state drafting of an Agreement (‘Intesa’) between the two parties began in early 2015. This resulted in a commission composed of church representatives and civil servants meeting in December. There are now hopes that the Italian government will debate the ‘intesa’ early in 2016 resulting in our access to tax breaks and some state funding for the maintenance of our church buildings. A further important corollary will be to give us a louder

St John Casablanca

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If you are involved in synodical government in the church, at whatever level, you will know that they are strange gatherings in many ways but they all have one thing in common: a coming together of minds to work for the good of the church whether it is at local or national level. By listening and debating this assembly of lay and ordained members use their expertise and energy on behalf of us all for our national church.

The final group of sessions of the Ninth General Synod of the Church of England in York 2015 included an important debate on Safeguarding which brought to a conclusion a lot of recent work on safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults, which will now pass into law. Alternative texts for Baptism, new texts were agreed. The group of sessions closed with the traditional Synod Revue which was enjoyed by a capacity audience.

The new General Synod was elected in October 2015. The Diocese in Europe is represented by the Bishop and now six, instead of four, elected members. The first meeting was in the Church House in London 23-25 November. Monday was reserved for the induction of the new synod members. On Tuesday, after the Eucharist and formal inauguration by the Queen, the synod started its work by receiving various reports and presentations. Two main items on the agenda were Reform & Renewal and the Church’s response to the refugee crisis. The General Synod meets normally twice a year. More detailed report is given after each meeting.

Debbie Flach

Lively debate at Diocesan Synod in Cologne

Diocese in Europe General Synod Team

Diocesan Synod is where you can really understand what our Diocese is. At ground level you have all of us in our chaplaincies around the Diocese. Then you have the Archdeaconry Synods, with representatives from each chaplaincy. Each Archdeaconry is different in character and at Diocesan Synod these different characteristics come together. Our Diocese is a rich cultural mix. In some countries there is only one chaplaincy, in others many. It is natural that we are all touched by the culture around us. The countries where we worship have different expectations and we have to comply with their legal systems. This makes us very different from Dioceses in Britain.

In Diocesan Synod we are privileged to work together, each representative coming from their own particular situation, each bringing their characteristics to the whole.

Sy N O D S

2015 was the last Synod of the Triennium when subjects included Diocesan Strategy, Safeguarding, Discipleship, Stewardship and Migration. Worship, as always, was an important part of each day, as were the Bible Studies in the first session of the day.

Celia Paterson

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Fr Malcolm Bradshaw has played a key role in bringing ecumenical partners together in Greece to respond to the refugee crisis. From hands on assistance, to coordinating meetings between Church leaders, government officials and UN and NGO personnel, Malcolm has had a busy year. He was honoured by Her Majesty the Queen with an OBE for this work.

Relations with Old Catholics in Europe continue to bear fruit. Old Catholic Bishop of Switzerland, Harald Rein, has appointed the Revd Adèle Kelham, priest-in-charge of Christ Church Lausanne to be the priest for his congregation in the city. The new Ecumenical Director for the Anglican Communion, the Revd Canon Dr John Gibaut is seen here talking to Bishop Rein.

Bp David was part of the hosting team for the visit of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch in November. The Patriarch had a full programme from a service of prayer for refugees, lectures on the environment, and Evensong in Westminster Abbey followed by prayers at the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor. At that service, the recent statement published by the International Commission for Anglican-Orthodox Theological Dialogue was presented to the Patriarch and the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is entitled “In the Image and Likeness of God”.

In January Bp David took the Church of England’s / Lambeth Palace’s Ecumenical Secretary for Europe, the Revd Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel, to Rome to introduce him to key ecumenical partners and contacts. Meeting were held at the Anglican Centre in Rome, with various Vatican officials and Fr Leslie was also able to meet the Pope.

ChURCheS iN COmmUNiON aND eCUmeNiCal PaRtNeRS

The Diocese in Europe is a shop window for Anglicanism and is on the front line of ecumenical engagement with many Church of England and Anglican Communion partners. Ecumenical commitment is written into our DNA: our Guidelines and Regulations state that we are “to minister and engage in mission in partnership with other Churches especially the historic Churches of the countries in which we live”.

Two agreements which established communion between the Church of England and other Churches are fully lived out in our diocese: Under the Bonn Agreement, our priest in Lausanne, Adèle Kelham, also serves as priest of the Old Catholic parish while taking advantage of the Porvoo Agreement, Jana Jeruma-Grinberga, a former bishop of the Lutheran Church of Great Britain, and who was ordained in the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad, now serves as chaplain of St Saviour’s Riga.

We also rejoice in other relationships, although not of full communion, enabled by the Meissen Agreement (with the EKD or German Protestant Churches) and the Reuilly Agreement (with the Protestant Churches of France and of Alsace-Lorraine).

Excellent relations are enjoyed with Orthodox Churches. Some of our clergy hold the title of Apokrisiarios, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s official representative to a Patriarchal or Archiepiscopal See. A deep collaboration has developed in the past year with the Greek Orthodox Church (and other ecumenical partners) in addressing the needs of the thousands of refugees entering Greece each month.

Anglican-Roman Catholic relations flourish across the diocese. There are official national ARC dialogues in France and Belgium which complement the work done between our Communions at the global level.

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m a N y Sh a D e S O F mi N i S t Ry

DDO ReP ORt FOR 2015The last year has seen encouraging signs on the vocations front. The year always begins with an Enquirers’ Weekend in London. Fourteen people engaged in the process with an increasing number of non-British enquirers, and ethnic minority postulants. Our usual autumn Diocesan Vocations Seminar was divided into three sections. The first for ministers of other churches, the second for slightly older postulants and the third for younger candidates based in pastoral placements either in the Diocese or England. In this work I remain well supported by ADOs and Vocations Advisers, who join our

training events and assist with interviews throughout the year.

Two connected national projects have required the attention of the Ministry Team. The first, a major review of the provision and funding of training, ‘Resourcing Ministerial Education’ – part of the Reform and Renewal Agenda. The consultation process has been involved but we are relieved that representations have been taken on board. In short, more of the decision making about training will take place at the Diocesan level. Block grant funding will be provided, but more management of resources will therefore devolve to the diocese. We hope this

will not mean a major increase to the Common Fund, but there may be financial implications for the diocese in the future. The second development has been the encouragement of a national internship scheme called The Church of England Ministry Experience Scheme: we were offered £2000 pa each for two young graduates from English dioceses, acting as pioneers on this scheme in Brussels and Ghent; we hope to appoint more for this exciting initiative in 2016-17.

The Reverend Canon William Gulliford

The new deacons and priests come from across the Diocese. They are diverse in terms of backgrounds, age, church tradition and context of ministry. In 2015 the recently ordained clergy attending IME Phase 2 (post ordination training) serve curacies in Armenia, Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Turkey.

The theme for the spring residential training session was “Making Peace with Conflict in the Church: Being Reconciled Reconcilers” (Conflict Resolution) and for the autumn residential “Breaking Open the Word of God – Preaching for Today’s World”. In the autumn 18 training incumbents and curates participated in the Annual 24hr Training Seminar, this year on “Resilience Training”.

There continues to be great interest

Ordinations 2015

FR O m t h e D i O C e S a N D i R e C t O R O F tR a i N i N G

in vocations to Reader Ministry and an increase of experienced Readers moving into the Diocese from the UK. Three Reader training events took place in 2015, including a teaching workshop on “Liturgy and Worship” and course on “The Anglican

Tradition”. The completion of this course is a requirement for those training for Reader Ministry. In summer a diocesan workshop on “Funeral Ministry” for Readers and Congregational Worship Leaders took place in Madrid. Participation in this course is a requirement for authorisation to conduct funerals in the Diocese in Europe.

“Being a Soul Friend” – a course on Spiritual Direction for clergy and laity met for a four day residential session in June

2015; two more are planned supported with generous grants from the “Friends of the Diocese”.

The Reverend Canon Ulla Monberg

FROm the DiO CeSaN DiReC tOR OF ORDiNaNDS

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S a F e G U a R D i N G

“Safeguarding of children, young people and adults who may be vulnerable, is an absolute priority”.

The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Committee (DSAC) has been working hard over the year:New members for the DSAC – more independent members with safeguarding expertise.Staff changes – Ian Carter, a former senior police officer, was appointed as Safeguarding Manager and Katherine Harris as Safeguarding Administrator (up to March 2016).New Policy and Protocol – published in December, an essential read for all with responsibility for safeguarding but at Archdeaconry and Chaplaincy level.New Training – A computer based training package for both child protection and vulnerable adults is available through the Diocesan website. In July 2016, a ‘train the trainers’ 3-day programme will be undertaken to provide a cadre of safeguarding trainers across the Diocese.

F R i e N D S O F t h e D i O C e S eReflecting on a previous year always gives a good opportunity for any organisation to see whether it has met its core aims and objectives, which for the members of the Friends of the Diocese would be to provide support for clergy, readers, ordinands and chaplaincies by way of prayer and, from their donations, the giving of modest grants. In 2015 grants were given for the third training module for Spiritual Directors; a pilot project for on-line outreach; and readers who have completed their training, their scarf of office when they are licensed.

The 2015 Friends’ Annual Service gathered together a good congregation, which was not only an opportunity to renew contacts with acquaintances and friends but also to support the commissioning of the first stipendiary archdeacon. This was diocesan history in the making and the Friends were delighted to be hosting the event.

The 2016 Friends’ Annual Service will take place on 19th October at St Matthew’s Church, Westminster at 6pm.

e N v i R O N m e N t

One of the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion is “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth”.

2015 was my first year as Diocesan Environment Officer and focussed on two issues. The first, still ongoing, to build a network of Chaplaincy links – initially someone in each Chaplaincy who I can liaise with. Secondly, the Paris Summit in December. Pilgrimages and marches were

Safeguarding chairman, Charles Clark

Paris environment conference

More to come – The Church of England has set requirements for every diocese which include an Independent audit in 2017 and response to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Much has changed over the past two years, but further change is required and this will only be brought about by a cultural shift in ‘management practice’, which shares the Bishop’s view that safeguarding is an ‘absolute priority’, and takes the steps needed to be clear about the changes required at Archdeaconry and Chaplaincy level and takes responsibility for making them happen.

Charles Clark – Chair DSAC

held throughout the Diocese and there was an encouraging amount of ecumenical engagement, too. Many churches in the Diocese offered hospitality in a variety of ways. For the first time in history the world united in finding a way forward to reduce carbon emissions and the event was hailed as a success from ‘ground-up’. And this momentum needs to be kept going by us taking action in our lifestyles and talking with others – keeping the issues in the public eye.

Elizabeth Bussmann

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mi S S i O N aG eN C i e S at wO R k i N t h e Di O C e S e

th e m i S S i O N t O S e a F a R e R S Founded in 1856, and entirely funded by voluntary donations, today’s Mission to Seafarers offers emergency assistance, practical support, and a friendly welcome to crews visiting over 250 ports around the world. Whether caring for victims of piracy or providing a lifeline to those stranded in foreign ports, we are there for the globe’s 1.3 million merchant seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs.

US ( F O R m e R ly USPG )In 2015, our long-standing friendship with the Diocese in Europe reached a new and deeper level of engagement as we teamed up to minister to refugees in crisis.

With an unprecedented one million refugees arriving in Europe, especially in Greece, the humanitarian needs were huge. The Diocese of Europe responded immediately, and Us stepped in to assist.

Initially, we helped to organise fundraising among the Anglican churches in Britain and Ireland. The response was huge, including the generous donation of an Old Master painting which raised £535,000 in auction at Sotherby’s. As a result, Us and the Diocese will be implementing a joint three-year

Refugees in Greece

Mission to Seafarers work

plan to make best use of a significant sum of money. More projects will go live in the forthcoming months.

Current joint projects include:On the Island of Lesvos, we are assisting refugees who arrive by boat from Turkey. They are wet, tired, cold and hungry, and many are distraught or in need of medical attention.On the Island of Samos, we are working with the Greek non-profit organisation MedIn (Medical Intervention) to support refugees with shelter, sleeping bags, food, healthcare and psychosocial care.In Athens, we are supporting Apostoli, the humanitarian arm of the Orthodox Church of Greece, as it provides shelter and clothes to refugees, prioritising children, the elderly and those in poor health. We are also working with the Salvation Army to provide food, water and medicine to refugees who congregate in local parks.

Please support Us in our work to support refugees with the Diocese:

www.weareUs.org.uk

Chaplains undertake crucial work in Dunkirk, Antwerp, Odessa (where Sasha Sorokin provides a link with the Anglican and Ukrainian churches), Rotterdam, Rouen and in Vlissingen.

Valuable work is also being carried out in many other ports around the diocese by a dedicated team of honorary chaplains and volunteers, most importantly in Gibraltar. These are priests whose parish area also includes a port and who have agreed to care for the local maritime community as part of their role. Without such assistance, the plight of many coming into these smaller harbours would be lost and unheard. In this regard, the link with The Mediterranean Mission to Seafarers and the diocese is highly valued and very much appreciated.

www.missiontoseafarers.org

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mi S S i O N aG eN C i e S at wO R k i N t h e Di O C e S e

th e D i O C e S a N B O a R D O F F i N a N C e

Members are essentially those elected at chaplaincy level; directors of the DBF are members of the Bishop’s Council (also an essentially elected body).

The Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance, Mr Michael Hart, writes “The Trustees consider that the state of the company’s financial affairs is satisfactory and are confident that the on-going mission of the diocese can be sustained”

Figures given below are from the latest full-year forecast; 2015 accounts will be published on the website in June.

Income: £933k, of which Common Fund receivable (virtually 100% gratefully received for 2015) was £569k – 60% of DBF income. Common Fund represents an average of just over 4% of chaplaincy income.

Expenditure: £927k of which almost half is used for Outgoing Diocesan Support (money returned to chaplaincies and archdeaconries as direct grants or indirect support including training and publications); and £453k for the cost of Synodical Government and diocesan financial, legal and administrative functions.

A total of (approx.) £133k was paid as grants from restricted funds in 2015.At the end of 2015, unrestricted diocesan funds are at £3.5 million with endowed funds of £5 million.

SO m e FaC t S a N D Fi G U R e S

Of total income in 2014, around £6 million was planned or plate giving (representing £10.7 per week for each member of the Electoral Roll). Gift Aid receipts (through the DBF) totalled well over £1/4 million resulting in over £70k reclaimed tax returned to chaplaincies.

Charitable Giving by churches in the diocese was £618k in 2014 (6.1% of income)

Numerical information by Archdeaconry: Electoral Licensed (2014) TotalArchdeaconry Congregations Roll Clergy Income £‘000

Eastern 39 843 17 £666

France 83 2,829 29 £2,216

Gibraltar 84 1,997 27 £1,550

Italy and Malta 28 673 8 £777

North West Europe 29 2,071 29 £1,691

Germany & Northern Europe 31 1,347 19 £1,471

Switzerland 23 1,056 12 £1,812

Diocesan Total 317 10,816 141 £10,183

iCS Se a S O Na l miNiS t R i e SThe Intercontinental Church Society is about ‘Mission and Ministry in English for Everyone’. 2015 has been a

good year for us and the seasonal ministry we are engaged in. On my desk is a sign that says “Change is difficult. Not changing is fatal”. I get the sense much is changing in our seasonal outreach, which is important as we seek to proclaim afresh the good news of the risen Christ.

The ministry in Italy is based at the Union Lido Vacanze, in Cavallino, Venice. Sadly Glyn Jones, a pioneer of this work recently died whilst on holiday, he will be missed. We continue to see opportunities open up on this huge site and we are optimistic for the future.

In Ibiza chaplains are working for six months of the year, reaching out to tourists and taking services in the Es Canar area. With the arrival of the new Ibiza Chaplain, Peter Pimentel, we are enjoying investigating how we can develop the work here.

In Kandersteg we act as chaplains at the International Scout Centre just outside the town. The centre can cater for well over 1,000 visitors. In 2014 our chaplains were very involved supporting the team through a local tragedy. In 2015 we took the decision to send two youth workers to act as chaplains, this was really well received and they were able to engage at a new level. This presents us with new opportunities into 2016.

www.ics-uk.org

Richard Bromley

Swiss seasonal ministry

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Suffragan Bishop The Right Reverend Dr David Hamiddavid.hamid@churchofengland.org Address as per Diocesan Office

Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe The Right Reverend Dr Robert Innes47 rue Capitaine Crespel – boite 49, 1050 Brussels, Belgium +32 (0)2213 7480 bishop.europe@churchofengland.org

Diocesan Secretary Mr. Adrian Mumfordadrian.mumford@churchofengland.org

e u r o p e . a n g l i c a n . o r gFull contact information is available on the diocesan website:

ke y CO N taC t S

The Diocesan Office14 Tufton Street, London SW1P 3QZ+44 (0)20 7898 1155

Stat i S t i C S F O R mi S S i O N

Bishop David in Madrid

Clergy:

141(of whom 27 are women – 20% – and 114 men)

Readers:

112(plus 41 readers in training)

Total Baptisms:

479Total Marriages and wedding blessings:

333Normal Sunday Attendance:

9,986(2014: 9,720) of whom, 1,389 are under 16

Easter attendance:

17,084(2014: 16,900)

Christmas attendance:

16,748(2014: 16,667)

Confirmation services:

33Confirmation Candidates:

185