Category Archives: Homepage Posts

Madagascar sous le cyclone une fois de plus Cyclone hits Madagascar

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Our prayers are asked for all those affected by the cyclone which hit the east coast of Madagascar on Friday, yet again damaging the settlement of Foulpointe, already devastated by a hurricane a year ago. The charitable associations  ACAS and ACAMA are both involved in supporting  the church in Foulpointe.

Worship Leader Voahangy Ramananjatovo writes:

Vents forts et pluies diluviennes à Madagascar: vendredi 5 janvier vers 13h le cyclone Ava a touché la côte est du pays. Il a génèré des vents moyens de 150 km avec des rafales allant jusqu’à 205km/h.

Un bilan du Bureau national de gestion des risques et des catastrophes lundi fait état de 27 morts et 13.000 sinistrés. Le cyclone Ava a fait de nombreux dégâts, notamment dans les districts de Fenerive Est, Soanierana Ivongo et Tamatave, dont Foulpointe;  routes coupées, arbres déracinés, toitures envolées, cases détruites, inondations.

« Les bas quartiers sont inondés. Il n’y a plus d’eau et plus d’électricité. Certains câbles électriques sont tombés », raconte un habitant du quartier d’Andranomadio, à Tamatave.  Dans cette ville, les refuges comme le gymnase et les établissements publics accueillent 170 sinistrés.

En tout, cinq écoles ont été détruites par le cyclone. Les cours ont d’ailleurs été suspendus dans les régions de l’est, mais aussi à Antananarivo. La capitale n’est pas épargnée par les pluies diluviennes. Près de 350 personnes ont été évacuées dans la capitale à cause des inondations.

Les gens n’étaient pas informés, sauf ceux qui ont l’habitude d’aller sur Internet car ils ne sont pas informés par les canaux de communication conventionnels comme les radios et les télés. Ils n’étaient donc pas du tout préparés.

L’information est générale. Nous attendons des nouvelles des correspondants à Foulpointe.

Beaucoup de prières.

18 – 25 January 2018 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is observed annually, beginning on 18 January (Confession of St Peter) and concluding on 25 January (Conversion of St Paul). For this year churches in the Caribbean have prepared resources on the theme: “Your Right Hand, O Lord, Glorious in Power,” taken from Exodus 15:6.

On Sunday 21 January at 10h30, we will join in an ecumenical service with other neighbourhood churches at St Maurice,

41 avenue de la Forêt Noire (just on the other side of the Observatory).

THAT MEANS THAT THERE WILL BE NO SERVICE THAT DAY FOR THE ST. ALBAN’S CONGREGATION AT THE DOMINICAN CHURCH !

Baptism and Confirmation Classes

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St. Alban’s Priest-in-Charge Dr. Mark Barwick writes:

Baptism is the sacrament of initiation by water and the Spirit into the life of Christ’s Body, the Church. Those baptised at an early age are encouraged to make a more mature commitment to the responsibilities of Baptism through the rite of Confirmation by the laying on of hands by a bishop.

Youth and adult classes in preparation for Baptism and Confirmation will begin soon. These are interactive sessions designed to help candidates explore their faith and how to live faithfully in the world. The classes are also appropriate for those who would like to reaffirm their baptismal faith or to be received into the communion of the Church of England.

If you or someone in your family would like to enrol in these sessions, please speak with Fr Mark after the service or give him a call at 07 71 13 38 83.

Epiphany 2017

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St. Alban’s Priest-in-Charge Dr. Mark Barwick writes:

Christians have celebrated the Epiphany from very early times. The word Epiphany means “manifestation.” When Magi came from far places to Bethlehem, it marked the manifestation of the Christ to the nations. It signified that the Promise would be for all peoples and not just for a select few.

Epiphany reminds us that Christ is about openness and welcome in contrast to the fear and exclusionary politics of our times. It challenges our thinking in terms of we-them and moves us to see the interconnection of all people and indeed of all creation. In the starlight of Epiphany, our divisions are exposed and all pretence of entitlement or privilege is laid bare.

We are all simply children of the one God, yearning for the fulfilment of the promise made in Bethlehem. The promise of a new creation. wrapped in human flesh, is still relevant for us today. This is why wise men (and women) still follow him.

L’arrivée des mages à Bethléem, provenant de loin, a marqué la manifestation du Christ aux nations. Cela signifiait que la Promesse serait pour tous les peuples et pas seulement pour quelques élus.

L’Epiphanie (« la manifestation ») nous rappelle que la venue du Christ annonce l’ouverture et l’accueil, contrairement à la peur et à la politique d’exclusion qui caractérisent notre temps. Elle nous pousse apercevoir l’interconnexion de toute personne et de toute la création. Dans la lumière de l’étoile de l’Epiphanie, nos divisions sont exposées et toute prétention de l’élitisme et du privilège est mise à nu.

Nous sommes tous les enfants d’un seul Dieu, qui attendent l’accomplissement de la promesse faite à Bethléem. Cette promesse d’une nouvelle création, enveloppée dans la chair humaine, est toujours pertinent pour nous aujourd’hui. Voilà pourquoi les sages le suivent encore de nos jours.

Mark+

 

More pictures of a joyful occasion

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With the institution of St. Alban’s new Priest-in-Charge, the Revd. Dr. Mark Barwick, on 10 December, the Anglican church in Strasbourg was able to welcome the Bishop of Europe in Gibraltar, the Rt. Rev. Dr.Robert Innes and a whole clutch of Strasbourg clergy to celebrate the occasion with the congregation.  Here are more pictures of a memorable service taken by Maryline William-Smith.

Left: Philippe Aviron-Violet, curé of St Maurice and St Bernard, Bishop Venuste Mutiganda, John Murray and Mark Barwick. Right: Fr. Hervé of the Dominicans.  Bishop Robert at the lecturn.

The churchwardens, Pauline Dif & Denis Le Moullac, present St. Alban’s choice of Mark Barwick as pastor and priest.

Representatives of St. Alban’s – here Catheine Emezie and Richard Razafindratsima – present Mark with symbols of his ministry.

The Bishop and Archdeacon Meurig Williams give communion, with chalice-bearers Victoria Jacobs and Rufus Folaranmi.

Reader-in-Training Ozichi Baron leading the singing and drumming of the final hymn: “We are marching …”

Commemoration photo with visitors from Roman Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical churches in Strasbourg, churchwardens and St. Albans ministry team.

Good food for bishops and church veterans alike

 

 

 

A Day of Celebration: Institution of St. Alban’s new Priest-in-Charge.

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Flanked by an impressive array of robed clergy from near and far, on Sunday 10 December the Revd. Mark Barwick was formally licensed as Priest-in-Charge of St. Alban’s Strasbourg by the Rt. Revd. Robert Innes, Bishop of Gibraltar in Europe, to give him his full title.  It was Bishop Robert’s first visit to the Strasbourg church and the occasion could not have been more joyful.  After a long vacancy of 4 years St. Alban’s at last has a new Priest-in-Charge.  The Revd. Mark Barwick, his wife Corinna and their two children Madeleine and Elias, moved to Strasbourg  from Brussels in September and have been warmly welcomed by the congregation.  With the official institution Mark is now officially “en poste” for at least the next three years.

As the Bishop pointed out, in many ways Mark’s previous career has almost predestined him for the post of Priest in Strasbourg. He was ordained into the Episcopal Church and previously  was  assistant priest  in Waterloo, Belgium. He speaks French and German, has worked with political institutions in Brussels and for many years was involved  in conflict resolution with the Pax Christi organisation. During the instititution he was asked to affirm his loyalty to the Church of England and presented with a licence bearing an impressive red seal.

    Bishop Robert, right, reading out the licence, to Mark Barwick, right, and Archdeacon Meurig Williams, centre.

Among the visiting clergy were Jean-Georges Boeglin, Ecumenical officer of the Diocese of Strasbourg , Frère Hervé, Prior of our hosts the Dominicans, Philippe Aviron-Violet, curé of St Maurice and St Bernard,  two representatives of the President and Vice-President of the Union des Eglises Protestantes d’Alsace et de Lorraine, Pastor Daniel Rivaud, representing the Entente Evangélique de Strasbourg and David Fieldsend, Reader from the Pro-Cathedral in Brussels. Mary Talbot from All Saints’ Geneva represented our former Priest-in-Charge,  Alex  Gordon, and his wife Geraldine.  Their presence was an indication of the importance Mark  attaches to tending the ecumenical relations already established by previous priests at St. Alban’s.  The congregation turned out in force;  the Malgache Chorale sang a Gloria, and the last hymn, “We are marching”, was accompanied by an enthusiastic  group of  drummers and singers.

  The Malgache Chorale, led by Worship Leader Voahangy Ramananjatovo

In true and traditional Strasbourg fashion the institution was followed by one of St. Alban’s unforgettable feasts – conjured up by Victoria Jacobs, Anny Samuels and their helpers. It was a wonderful day with plenty of nourishment for mind, body and soul.

The Feast (or at least part of it!) Frère Hervé of the Dominicans on the right of Mark Barwick as he says grace.

The Bishop of Europe was as enthusiastic as the congregation was: here is what he wrote in his blog.

https://wp.me/p7HaMA-cT

 

 

 

Advent and Christmas with St. Alban’s

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Unless otherwise indicated, all services will take place at the Eglise des Dominicains, 41 boulevard de la Victoire, Strasbourg.
10 December  Second Sunday in Advent
10h30 Holy Eucharist
Visit of The Rt Rev Robert Innes, Bishop in Europe and licensing of the Rev. Dr. Mark Barwick as Priest-in-Charge of St. Alban’s.
12 December  
19h30 Service of Lessons & Carols at Horbourg-Wihr
17 December  Third Sunday in Advent
10h30 Holy Eucharist
15h00 Chants de Noël avec la communauté malgache, chez les Pères Oblats, 21 Route de la Wantzenau
15h00 Carols for the Salvation Army, centre ville
24 December   Fourth Sunday in Advent
10h30 Holy Eucharist
17h30 Christmas Eve Carols and Lessons by candlelight, Chapelle Protestante de l’Hôpital Civil
25 December   Christmas Day
10h30 Holy Eucharist
26 December    Feast of St Stephen /Boxing Day
16h30 Service of Lessons & Carols
31 December    First Sunday in Christmas
10h30 Holy Eucharist
7 January 2018  Feast of the Epiphany
9h40   Holy Eucharist, Book of Common Prayer
10h30 Holy Eucharist, All-Age Worship