swiss church news spring 2015

Swiss Church in LondonEglise suisse de LondresSchweizerkirche in LondonChiesa Svizzera a LondraBaselgia svizra a LondraSpring 2015

The offices of the European Commission in Brussels are located in a long curved glass building. On sunny days, the large windows reflect the blue sky. The flags hissing on the square in front of it reveal that this is where European policies are made. The Commission is not only surrounded by the flags of its 28 member states, but also by various offices of companies and NGOs, the so called lobbyists, who try to influence political decisions. Lobbying has a bad reputation. The more money, the more influence, goes the unwritten rule. Just opposite the European Commission on Rue Joseph II is a small three story town house. A discrete golden sign says

„Ecumenical Centre“. This is where the Conference of European Churches has its offices to advocate for people who have no voice in our societies. I was a member of this team, based in Strasbourg

In this edition

From the Glass Box - - - - - - - - - - 2-3Focus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -4-5 From the Swiss Community - - - - - - 6THEOlogical - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -7People from our community - - - - - - 8 History - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8 Announcements - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9Music & Art - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -10Events @ The Swiss Church- - - - - -11

Dear sisters and brothersDear reader

This year is Election Year in Switzerland and in the UK. The citizens of both countries will decide who will represent them in Parliament. This is not an easy decision, especially in the current tense political climate where crucial topics are on the agenda that affect our ever day life: climate change, poverty, terrorism, the future of Europe and unemployment. The list is long. What do churches have to say? What is our responsibility as Christians and citizens? Some might argue that churches should not get involved with politics at all; others say that churches are important contributors in the political debate. This edition of the Swiss Church News will focus on the role of churches in politics and society. On page 4 you will find an interview with the Mayor of Camden.

Furthermore, I am excited to inform you that we will once again celebrate Easter with an Easter Vigil, which was a very moving experience for those who have attended last year. The church will be open throughout the night for prayer and meditation. At dawn on Easter morning we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the streets of London around the Easter fire.

Be blessed!

Yours,

Rev. Carla Maurer

Editorial

Swiss Church News

(continued on page �)

THEOlogical: Do what is goodBundeshaus Bern

Discover London with the Swiss Church (Rev. Carla Maurer)

The beginning of the year started with a lot of planning at the Swiss Church. After a relaxing Christmas break with our families and inspired by the wonderful Christmas celebrations with the Swiss community, the Swiss Church team are back with new energy and ideas.

There will be a series of parish excursions in London this year to places of cultural and spiritual interest that will broaden our horizon and give us new perspectives. We will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the death of German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer who was imprisoned under the National-Socialists and executed a few weeks before the end of World War II. On this occasion, we will visit the Lutheran Chapel in Whitechapel where Bonhoeffer once preached, and meet German Pastor Waldemar Radwald who will tell us about the history of the place and read passages of the letters and prayers that Bonhoeffer wrote from prison.

We have also lined up a visit to the Central Mosque to learn more about the faith of our Muslim brothers and sisters and about the day-to-day goings at a Muslim place of worship which I feel is of particular importance in the light of recent events. Other outings will take us to the British Library, the National Gallery and an event at St Paul’s Forum. I hope that some of these events will spark your interest!

I have also been involved with the coordination of a monastic summer camp for women which is a programme from the Ecumenical Forum of European

Christian Women (EFECW). The Convent of Mariensee near Hannover will open its doors for the first European Pop Up Monastery to share their monastic traditions with us and you are now invited to apply (more information on the opposite page).

The beginning of a new year is a time when many people feel low and depressed, and I hope that the warming rays of the spring sun will soon arrive to warm your hearts! As ever the Swiss Church team are here for you if you wish to speak to someone confidentially. Don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Helping the most vulnerable(Matt Stone)

We continue to welcome people to the Swiss Church through Breakfast on the Steps on Tuesday mornings and Holy Soup on Friday lunchtimes. It is a constant pleasure to welcome our friends from the local community on a daily basis, especially those from Dudley Court and St Mungo’s.

February will see us begin a new relationship with The Simon Community, a charity supporting people who sleep rough by providing places where they can find a sense of belonging and develop skills that will help them towards independent living. We are working together with The Simon Community to organise a Women’s Group. Homeless women are very vulnerable and often do not access services available because of fear of being attacked. We hope this group will allow some homeless women to meet together in a safe and secure environment. If you would like more information or would like to volunteer please get in touch.

We have a busy couple of months coming up with the Goldsmiths Exhibition

‘Hear My Voice and Answer Me’ starting on March 5th. Yodel and film artists will present us with a different and contemporary perspective on the old Alpine tradition of yodelling. In the frame of the Swiss Connections music series, we are particularly excited about a very special concert night on the 30th of April. Fourteen dancers and musicians will perform L’histoire du soldat – a night not to be missed!

In the summer I will be heading to Devon to help out on The Field. This is a camp for 18-30 year olds and it is running from 25 July-8 August. No matter where you come from, with faith or without, you are welcome to explore and ask questions about God.

It was a pleasure to see so many of you at the Fondue Night; we raised £1’295.75! Thank you very much for your generosity and we hope you had as much fun as we did.

Hoping to see you soon!

From the Glass Box

2 Swiss Church News

News from the Team

ImprintPublisherThe Swiss Church in London79 Endell StreetLondon WC2H 9DYA company limited by Guarantee registered in England & Wales, no 4454591. A registered Charity no 1094992.

Editors Carla Maurer & Philip Maillardet

ContactPhone 020 7836 [email protected]

Websitewww.swisschurchlondon.org.ukYou can download the latest Swiss Church News on our website.

Deadline for the nextSwiss Church News 20 April 2014

With all the changes going on at the Swiss Church recently, it is good to know that there is at least one fixture on the calendar which

provides reassuring continuity with the past. I speak of course of the Christmas Fair, or Bazaar as it was once known, which brings the sights, sounds and smells of Switzerland to the heart of London’s West End. This event still has the power to attract the wider Swiss community in London as well as friends old and new. Our thanks to Lisa Hall and all the volunteers, too numerous to mention, and staff, who worked so hard to make this event a success.

Although the church renovation was completed several years ago, we are still dealing with some of its consequences. One unfortunate side-effect of the

renovation has been the changed acoustic in the church. The spoken word in particular has been adversely affected due to the increased reverberation time. Not great for a church! The installed audio system did not seem to improve matters. So our first step was to bring in a separate PA system with four speakers positioned close to the congregation. This definitely helped for Sunday services, but in the long term we need to change the acoustic of the building, in order to accommodate all the other events which take place in the church.

We are pleased that we now have the help of two architects, Louise Souter and Stephane Vallotton, who will be guiding us in producing a brief specifying our requirements, based on conversations with the different groups that use our church. We will then engage an acoustician to analyse the building and come up with possible solutions based on this brief. Four companies specialising

in acoustic solutions have already been interviewed. Since the church is a listed building, there are certain restrictions as to what can be done, but we are hopeful that a solution can be found in the course of this year. Further fundraising will be needed to make this project happen, and every contribution will be highly appreciated.

On 5th February, the ‘Fondue Night at the Swiss Church’ event brought warmth and fellowship to a cold London evening. It was a great success with over 45 guests enjoying the bubbling caquelons of molten cheese, courtesy of Cécile and the kitchen team; along with a Swiss quiz ably organised by Carla and Anina. Thanks to all for a great evening.

On behalf of the Consistoire, may I wish all our readers a very Happy New Year.

Philip MaillardetVice-President

3 Swiss Church News

From the Glass BoxNews from the Consistoire

Pop Up Monastery 2015 – A summer retreat for womenMariensee is a small village about one hour drive from Hannover. There a two restaurants, a bakery and a pub. The village is also known for its Institute for Animal Health. But the place that attracts visitors from near and far is the beautiful monastery with its herb gardens set in a landscape of apple trees and green fields. The history of the monastery, which is correctly speaking a women’s convent, dates back to 1207.

Today, six women live on the vast site which once was home to the daughters of rich landowners who moved into the monastery with their maids. A small museum reminds of the ecumenical history of this sacred place that was converted from a Catholic to a Protestant monastery during the reformation. There is also a charming café that serves homemade cakes. The Abbess Bärbel

Görcke together with the residents and friends of Mariensee will open their doors to welcome the first European Pop Up Monastery from the 8th-21st of August to share and experience monastic life and spirituality with 40 women from all European countries and denominations.

The Pop Up Monastery is an initiative of the Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women (EFECW), a church-related women’s network that was founded 30 years ago in Gwatt, Switzerland. I am the co-ordinator of the Pop Up M o n a s t e r y p r og r a m me

which is also supported by the Swiss Church in London and the Reformed Church of the Canton St.Gallen.

Women of all ages are now invited to apply for the Pop Up Monastery, deadline is the 15th of March. For any further information, go to www.popupmonastery.com where you will also find the application form.

Rev. Carla Maurer

5 Swiss Church News 4 Swiss Church News

Focus: Church and PoliticsInterview with the Mayor of Camden

Cllr Lazzaro Pietragnoli, 45, was born in Venice and lived in Turin and Paris before he moved to London in the year 2000. The Mayor is a Briton by will, not by chance, as he says. His election as the first Mayor of Camden without British passport is a testimony of the openness of the British society. Though the mayoral year comes with a busy time schedule, Mr Pietragnoli never misses out on walking his older son to school in the morning. Rev. Carla Maurer interviewed the Mayor on his views about the role of churches in society ahead of the electoral year 2015.

The interview took place on the �th of January.Shortly after, the news broke about the shootings at “Charlie Hebdo” in Paris.

Q: What is your biggest wish for 2015?A: We always have to aim for peace in the rest of the world. In a city like London we often do not realise that some children live in extreme poverty. Migrants from Africa spend £6000 for travelling to Europe, an unaffordable sum! But the idea of freedom and a safe place to live drives them to overcome all obstacles. My wish for 2015 is that this kind of situation does not exist any longer.

Q: What are the main challenges in 2015 for London, and particularly for the Borough of Camden?A: All the boroughs of London are facing big financial cuts from the national government. We need to rethink the way we provide our services. Local authorities are the first port of call for many people. We will need to continue to provide the same quality of services with a smaller budget and maintain the same level of cohesion. Camden is a place with very rich and very poor people, sometimes living in the same street. They share the same post office and the same GP, provided by the local authorities. The question is not when we come out of the economic crisis, but how.

Q: What role do churches play in building social cohesion? A: Churches and religious communities play a fundamental role. I am a journalist by training and it is very easy to describe religion as a negative force. We hear

mainly about terrorism and extremism. But for each terrorist, there are thousands of others involved in various activities that have a positive impact on society. They might not make the headlines, but they provide services like luncheon clubs, services for homeless people, food banks and activities for young people that local authorities could not provide. And it is all run mostly on a voluntary basis and without public funding!

Q: Ahead of the elections 2015, what would you say to religious leaders?A: Be involved in the political debate! Share your vision! We do not have to fear religions in the political debate. Your visions towards some of the biggest issues in the political debate such as globalisation, immigration and peace are an important contribution. There is a saying that people tend to vote with their wallet. I believe that religious people rather vote with their passion and values.

Q: Do you have positive examples for the positive impact of churches in society? A: I can give two examples. Firstly the food banks, that have been established by religious charities. Secondly, Citizens UK which is an organisation trying to energise and mobilise people. They are based around religious organisations. Church based organisations work on the ground. They have the right contacts and regional knowledge that political parties

are lacking.

Q: You chose to support the Three Faith Forum (3F) in your role as Mayor. Why? A: It is very important in a society as mixed and diverse as Camden to promote knowledge and integration between different faith communities. The Three Faith Forum does not only work with the three monotheistic faith groups, but also with other religions and non-religious people. It was not an easy choice. For the local authorities, the idea of engaging with religion was controversial.

Q: It was a rather unorthodox choice? A: Yes, absolutely.

Q: What is your message to the Swiss community at the Swiss Church in Covent Garden?A: I was there for the opening of the Swiss Connection concert series, and I could see that people are very committed to their church. You possibly do not need to hear a message from me because you already know that. However, I would say that although it is important to come together with your compatriots, it is just as important to widen your links with other communities to share your background, your music, your food… and your chocolate as well!

Thank you very much for this interview!


Focus: Church and PoliticsA 2020 vision of the Good SocietyFor the first time in the UK we have had a fixed term parliament so we have known the date of the General Election, 7 May 2015, for 5 years. It has been an unusual time in politics, not only due to having a coalition government (a rare thing in Britain), but also because of the impact of UKIP and the fallout from the referendum on Scottish independence. This is against a backdrop of the financial crisis and the recession with rising levels of poverty, inequality and austerity.

For the past 40 years churches across the country have joined together to run hustings - public meetings where people can listen to and ask questions of their election candidates who hope to represent them in the UK Parliament. For 2015, a broad coalition of Christian

denominations and agencies - including Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), Church Action on Poverty, Church Urban Fund, the Children’s Society and Housing Justice – have come together and are encouraging churches across the country to take up the theme of a ‘2020 Vision of the Good Society’ with MPs and prospective candidates in the run up to the General Election.

The 2020 Vision Good Society has been produced out of the desire to see a society that works for all. The statement focuses on five key areas - wealth and inequality, home, children and young people, livelihoods, and the environment and climate. These are areas where its felt that the churches collectively have something particular to contribute to public and

political debate in the run up to the General Election. It was felt to be really important that there should be a positive vision that churches and Christians could use to inform debate and use to consider their own opinion.

“A good society is one where we all think about the impact of our choices on others especially those who are marginalised in any way.”

Anthea SullyTrustee of Churches Together in Britain

and Ireland (CTBI), representing the Methodist Church

http://www.ctbi.org.uk/696

Wahlen in der Schweiz:Die Rolle der Kirche in der GesellschaftDieses Jahr ist Wahljahr in der Schweiz. Nebst den Wahlen für National- und Ständerat (nationales Parlament) sind auch in diversen Kantonen Regierungen und Parlamente neu zu bestellen. Die schweizerische Demokratie zeichnet sich durch zwei Besonderheiten aus: Einerseits ist sie eine direkte Demokratie. Ihre Bürger wählen nicht nur ihre Repräsentanten ins Parlament, sondern sie werden auch zu Sachgeschäften befragt und können diese sogar selbst mittels Initiativen einbringen. Dabei ist die Volkssouveränität durch nichts – auch durch keine Verfassungsgerichtsbarkeit – beschränkt. Jede Stimme wird gezählt und zählt gleich viel. Ein solches System nimmt den einzelnen Bürger in die Pflicht, sich zu informieren und zu beteiligen. Nur ein breites und aktives Engagement am demokratischen Prozess kann den Staat und seine Macht legitimieren.

Wie gestaltet sich die Rolle der Kirche

in diesem Prozess? Sie macht keine Politik, noch legitimiert sie politische Macht oder strebt gar nach einer christlichen Überformung des Staates. Der Schweizer reformierte Theologie Karl Barth unterschied zwischen der Christengemeinde, also der Kirche, und der Bürgergemeinde, dem Staat. Beide haben unterschiedliche Aufgaben, die nicht vermischt werden dürfen. Und trotzdem dienen sie nach Karl Barth demselben Herr: Jesus Christus. Er nimmt die politische Ordnung insofern in Anspruch, als die Aufgabe des Staates darin besteht, den Frieden, das Recht und die Freiheit des Einzelnen und der Gemeinschaft zu sichern.

Der Schweizerische Evangelische Kirchenbund SEK kommt dieser Aufgabe auf zwei Ebenen nach. Auf der ersten Ebene versucht er, seine Mitglieder in der politisch-ethischen Entscheidungsfindung zu unterstützen durch die Publikation

von Stellungnahmen, Argumentarien und Positionen sowie durch die Förderung der Diskussion vor Ort in den Kirchgemeinden. Auf der Ebene der institutionellen Politik nimmt er Teil an Vernehmlassungsverfahren, bezieht öffentlich Stellung zu theologisch und ethisch relevanten Themen und nimmt Einsitz in Kommissionen, die der politischen Beratung dienen. Dazu kommen regelmässige Treffen mit den Entscheidungsträgern in der Politik, in denen er aus seiner Sicht wichtige Themen platzieren kann.

Matthias FelderWissenschaftlicher Assistent

für Theologie und Ethik beim Schweizerischen Evangelischen

Kirchenbund SEK

www.kirchenbund.ch


Easter Vigil 2015

From the Swiss Community

Last year a group of Swiss Church regulars wanted to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ with all senses and in its whole profoundness. What was only an idea at first became reality in an all-night Easter vigil. It was a unique experience, and we decided to repeat it this year hoping that many people will join us for a night of meditation and prayer in anticipation of Easter Sunday morning.

ProgrammeSaturday, 10pm: Opening of the buffet and hot soup

Midnight: Service with readings and lighting of the candles

Sunday, 1am: Introduction into silent meditation

Sunday, 1-6am: Vigil, every 20 minutes there will be a reading, prayer or hymn; there is the possibility to rest in the gallery room

Sunday, 6am: Lighting of the Easter fire at St-Giles churchyard

Sunday 7-8:30am: Easter breakfast

Sunday, 9.30am: Organ recital

Sunday 10:30am: Family Easter service

You can join for the whole Easter night, or only for parts of the programme. The church will be open throughout the night. Food and coffee/tea will be available.

Swiss Christmas Fair The Swiss Christmas Fair at the Swiss Church takes place every other year and is an important meeting point for Swiss people as well as a major fundraiser for our church. Old relationships were rekindled and new friends made. As in years gone by, Swiss culture and traditions were enjoyed in the heart of London, the Mothers’ Group Swiss Christmas Biscuits and the Raclette were just some of the favourites. The children were kept busy with the craft corner and were the centre of attention as they drew the tickets for the raffle. A special mention must be made to Lisa Hall and the team of volunteers who made it all possible through their tireless work and dedication. We are very thankful. All in all, it was a huge success and we raised over £6’300.- for the work of the church.Swiss Christmas Fair


from 2007 to 2010. When people heard what I was doing they often asked me: „Why should churches get involved with politics all together?”

Nowadays many people hesitate about churches’ involvement in politics because of its history. The adoption of Christianity as state religion by the Roman Emperor in the 4th Century laid the foundation for the development of a powerful religious institution that would influence European politics like no other. The medieval position of supremacy has often led the church to push political agendas and oppress others – and all in the name of God! The immense power of the Church in Rome in the middle ages becomes evident in the following story:

In January 1077, a man crossed the snowy Alps in freezing conditions. The legend goes that he walked barefoot together with his entourage. This man was the Roman Emperor Henry IV. He was on his way from Speyer to meet Pope Gregory VII. in a small Italian town called Canossa. Henry IV. had to go and ask the Pope for forgiveness and beg him to revoke the excommunication that he had imposed on him. In the 11th Century, the authority of the Emperor was heavily relying on a good relationship with the papal authority in Rome. It was believed that all state authorities only exist because God put them there, and therefore the Pope as the representative of God stood above the Emperor – a position that the Church was keen to defend. Eventually, revolutions and reforms disentangled these two powerful institutions. With the reformation and the enlightenment, church and state were legally separated in most European countries. Churches remain important dialogue partners for the state up to date, but they do not legitimise the power of state authorities anymore, although in some countries

they still have a very strong influence on governmental affairs. The term ‘Walk to Canossa’ became a popular saying to describe a humiliating situation.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul says: „Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself.“ (Romans 13:1-2) Paul’s faith in state authorities is irritating for us today as many people’s trust in governments is at an all-time low. But Paul was an idealist. He believed that a just society was possible and would naturally fall into place in a Christian society. He believed that state authorities would always act for the good of the people and would lead the people to do good: „For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, because they are God’s servants working for your own good.“ (Romans 13:3-4) Paul, inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus, anticipated a gentle revolution that would lead to the establishment of just and inclusive communities. The Gospel inspired people throughout the centuries to stand up against their oppressors. In the 1950-60ies, the movement of Liberation Theology developed in Latin America as a moral reaction to poverty and social injustice. Also black people and women put the liberating message of the Gospel into action and changed the life of thousands of people.

To believe in a just society is political, and therefore churches cannot be unpolitical. When we hear the word ‘political’ today, we often think of party politics. But the word ‘politics’ goes back to the Greek

philosopher Plato who describe the ideal city (‘polis’) as being a place based on justice and human virtues. In this sense, churches are political, because our values are based on the teaching of Jesus Christ who gave voice to the powerless. Jesus was on the side of the poor, of the widows, of the stranger and of the prostitutes, people who had no voice in society and lived at the margins. These people still live among us as modern slaves, victims of racial discrimination, exclusion and oppression and are often deprived of their rights. Jesus did not criticise the state authorities directly, but he offered an alternative way of life, one that gave people back their dignity. He saw in every person the image of God. It was an indirect but powerful way to achieve political change. Jesus stood in the traditions of the prophets like Amos who used public places to accuse his own people of injustice: „You are doomed, you that twist justice and cheat people out of their rights!“ (Amos 5:�)

Churches have a prophetic role to play, because we know that a society that is not based on justice will eventually implode. Churches have a political role to play, because together with Jesus we stand on the side of the poor and the voiceless and raise the voice for them. And Churches have a pastoral role to play, because we care for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of every single person. We are all made in the image of God. Jesus taught us that we will be heard and seen through our actions. Paul inspired us to be idealists and to refrain from cynicism. As Christians we are called to believe in a just world and stand up for those who are deprived of basic rights and of a life in dignity. “I am the bread of life”, Jesus said. “Those who come to me will never be hungry.” (John 6:35)

Rev. Carla Maurer

THEOlogicalDo what is good

People from our community

8 Swiss Church News

David Kilian BeckIn this section we want to give people who are associated with our church a voice. David Kilian Beck is a member of the Art Committee of the Swiss Church.

I got to know the Swiss Church in London through my position at the Cultural Section at the Embassy of Switzerland. The church’s diverse activities, which, in addition to the exchange between the parish and the minister, also include an active engagement in the arts, are impressive. Realising just how important a role the church holds as an institution within the community, I have had the pleasure to consult and advise its arts committee on a number of projects.

After a few years in London, with hardly any contact to the Swiss community, it was a very enjoyable experience to meet compatriots, who have settled in the UK.Although I do not frequent the church as a place of worship, I have had many pleasurable encounters with members from different generations and paths of life. I always feel welcome in this little Swiss enclave in the heart of London.

David Kilian Beck

Pasteur Albert H. Roehrich

The first chronicler of the Eglise Suisse de Londres, Pasteur Albert H. Roehrich, was born in Bachet-de-Pesay, Lancy, Genève, in 1867, and became pasteur of our Church in 1892 when he was just

24 years old. In 1894 he married Cécile Kaltenbach from Paris; the first three of their seven children were baptised in London.

Pasteur Roehrich wrote his history of the Church, Notice historique sur L’Eglise Suisse de Londres […], in 1897, after researching the minutes of Consistoire meetings and other archive records. A flyer exists in the archives advertising a fund raising lecture (possibly several) which he gave in 1898, based on the fruits of his research. He also compiled a complete list of past pasteurs and anciens of the Church. This framed document, inscribed in elegant calligraphy, used to hang in the old foyer at Endell Street.

After London, Albert Roehrich became pasteur of the parish of Chêne-Bougeries, Genève; and in 1908, still the inveterate

chronicler, he published a history of his new parish.

Philip Maillardet

History

Pasteur Roehrich, 1896 Mme Roehrich, 1895

9 Swiss Church News

AnnouncementsCongratulations

Ariane Braillard, member of the Swiss Church Art Committee, and her partner of 25 years Francesco Cincotta got married in Chelsea Old town hall on the

22nd of December in a small family circle.We wish Ariane and Francesco all the best on this very special occasion and

many more happy years together. God bless!

Obituary NoticesSusy Elise Gutmann † 28 December 2014Susy was an active member of the Swiss group in Northampton and a loyal supporter of the Swiss Church in London. Her friends from the art course and from the Swiss group will dearly miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are especially with her niece Gabrielle and her nephew Fabrizio, and with her dear friend Margaret Kirchmeier.

Lotti Hughes † January 2015Lotti was a member of the house group in Epping. She will be dearly missed by her friends and family. Lotti loved the Swiss mountains and spent much time there with her husband Doug. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her son Danny and family.

Kids Corner

Andrée Evans † 8 January 2015We are sad to announce the passing of Andrée, a long tine and cherished member of La Causerie, where she made many friends. She will be dearly missed. Our thoughts are with her husband John and their family.

Thursday 26 March: Kathryn Corrigan and Roselyn Maynard - RecorderThe two members of renowned recorder quintet Consortium5, embark on a musical journey to explore fixed and fluid notions of form. This programme improvises its way from Renaissance to Contemporary and experiments with the building’s space and its acoustic.

Thursday 30 April: Music and Dance with Constella - L’Histoire du SoldatThe famous parable The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky and Swiss writer C. F. Ramuz is presented here in a new choreography by Joered Glavin and accompanied by narration and music with the Constella Orchestra.

Thursday 28 May: Jazz & Barber Shop with Junior TrinityJunior Trinity forms part of the famous Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. It is the Saturday School for talented young musicians where they are trained weekly in all fields of music - classic and jazz.

Thursday 25 June: Streetwise OperaAn inspiring evening of song with Streetwise Opera, the award-winning charity using music to help homeless people make positive changes in their lives.

10 Swiss Church News

Music and Art @ the Swiss ChurchGoldsmiths Exhibition 5 - 21 March 2015We have developed a thriving relationship with Goldsmiths University where we offer the use of the church as a venue for the MFA Curating students. This represents an exciting challenge for the students who submit proposals to curate a two week site specific exhibition that takes into account the life and rhythm of the church. The Swiss Church Arts Committee then goes through the applications and chooses the winner. The Arts Committee are delighted to announce that the winner is Nathalie Boobis and the exhibition she is curating has a real Swiss dimension to it.

Hear My Voice and Answer Me is a sound and video installation produced in collaboration between artists Rachael Finney, Anna FC Smith, and curator Nathalie Boobis and featuring artist Doreen Kutzke. Responding to the specific culture, architecture and use of the Swiss Church, the work uses the vocal act of yodelling to evoke the force of the voice without language and its powers of transcendence, communication and play.By capturing the sound and visuals of Doreen Kutzke’s yodels in the Church,

and re-presenting them in the space as recorded sound and filmed image, the artists’ intentions are to highlight the fundamental tie between voice and body; emanating from the mouth and returning back to the ear. Doreen’s yodels will become both a trace and an echo of her existence and experience.

Attention will be drawn to the power of the voice without language to transcend linguistic limitations and the body, and to reach beyond the self in order to assert the existence of the self, like a cow herder in the Swiss Mountains using his yodels and the mountains’ echoes to assert his presence. The aim of the exhibition is to herald the power of yodelling, an ancient

mode of vocalisation to communicate existence, to connect with other beings, and to transform physical and mental space. The installation as a whole will not only represent these ideas but will bring them to life through the haunting power of yodelling and the physical and spiritual resonance of the Church.

The exhibition will run from the 5th - 21st March 2015, 3 - 7pm, Thursday - Sunday (closed Saturday 14th march).

There will be a closing event on the 20th March at 7.30pm featuring live performances from Phil Minton and Rachael Finney. Phil Minton is the master of vocal improvisation and the sole purveyor of Welsh yodelling. He will be performing his Welsh yodelling, working with the long echo and expansive acoustics of the Church, and a yodelling version of John Cage’s mesostics poems. Rachael Finney will be expanding on her work in the exhibition by performing live with her original recordings of Doreen Kutzke’s yodelling.Tickets for this performance are available via Eventbrite and cost £5 each.

Swiss Connections Concert Series 2015 datesAll concerts start at 7pm, doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets are £5.


Events @ the Swiss ChurchForthcoming events

Organ RecitalsSaturday 14 March: Henry WebsdaleHenry is currently a student at Winchester College and is the 2016 organ-scholar elect of King’s College Cambridge.

Saturday 9 May: Hilary NorrisConcert Organist.Recitals start at 5pm, entrance is free with retiring collection.

Parish Days Out - Discover LondonWednesday 11 March: The National GalleryGuided private tour on Religion in Art.Only 25 spaces available so please book your place through Matt in the office.

Wednesday 6 May: Bonhoeffer ServiceWe will visit the Lutheran Church in Whitechapel where Dietrich Bonhoeffer preached.Please see enclosed flyer for more details.

EasterGood Friday 3 - Easter Monday 6 AprilSimilar to last year we will once more hold an Easter Vigil on Saturday 4th April, leading into the Easter service on Sunday 5th April at 10.30am.

Please have a look at the full programme on page 6 of this edition for all details.

Just Festival: on the edge Friday 22 - Monday 25 MayWe are excited to announce that we are teaming up with local churches, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, St Giles in the Fields and St Georges Bloomsbury along with festival producers Just Festival: Edinburgh to host Just Festival: on the edge. This will be a festival of ideas, art and music shared between the four churches between Friday 22nd and Monday 25th of May 2015.

The idea for the festival was conceived over a cup of coffee with my friend Dawn, the Communities Minister from Bloomsbury Baptist Church. We were talking about how we wanted to develop relationships within our community using the plethora of local churches as a base. We are both passionate about the arts being accessible to the whole community

and especially how they go hand in hand with and reflect conversations about social justice, faith and, well, life.

Just Festival: on the edge will hopefully reflect these dreams in the reality of a curated programme of events across the four churches that aims to explore and celebrate diversity and challenge inequality and discrimination. Our vision is for a community where we actively seek to engage and understand each other as individuals, groups and as a global humanity while exploring active citizenship and wellbeing.

We will be organising a varied programme of performance, conversations, music events, comedy, films, talks, workshops, family activities and exhibitions. The artistic programme will represent the

themes of faith today, changing world, ethics over profit and others.

It is very good news that the wonderful Kathrine Newbigging is bringing all her experience and expertise from Just Festival to be the Project Manager. She will be looking after all the admin and finances and meeting Dawn and myself regularly to talk about bookings. We hope to make quick progress.

There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved. We will be running a volunteering scheme. If you would like to get involved please contact me [email protected]

Matt Stone

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Swiss Church in LondonEglise suisse de LondresSchweizerkirche in LondonChiesa Svizzera a LondraBaselgia svizra a Londra


Swiss Church in London, 79 Endell Street London WC2H 9DY

Tel: 020 7836 1418, [email protected]

Twitter: @SwissChurchLond & @SwissRevLondonCarla Maurer’s blog http://swissvicarlondon.blogspot.co.uk

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We welcome donations by standing order. If you are a UK taxpayer, please fill in a gift aid declaration form.

1 Corinthians 5:8

“Let us celebrate the festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and evil,but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Living God,your Son made himself known to his disciples

in the breaking of bread.Open the eyes of our faith,

that we may see him in all his redeeming work;who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

swiss church news spring 2015

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