Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2020

Posted on by

Expanding the Bishop Hannington Academy for primary education in the Anglican Diocese of Mumias, Kenya.

In 2013 the Kenyan government introduced free primary education. This has led to big increases in the numbers of children enrolled in schools. But the number of teachers has not increased and classrooms are congested. Some classes have as many as 150 pupils with students sharing desks. In other cases, a shortage of buildings means children trying to learn outside, despite the vagaries of the weather.

Aware of this challenge, the Anglican Diocese of Mumias established the Bishop Hannington Academy as their contribution towards better quality primary education in a Christian context. Their current enrolment stands at 38. The school currently consists of just one block with two classrooms, with a third room serving as the administrative wing. At present, they have three grades, Kindergarten, Grade One and Grade Two. The Diocese employs three teachers.

The Bishop and Diocese would like to expand the school and build more classrooms. It will cost 20,000 USD to build and furnish a new classroom. Very good value by Western European standards!

Our Lent Appeal could go most of the way toward assisting the Diocese of Mumbias’ mission to educate primary school children.

I wish you a holy Lent.

With every blessing,

            +Robert Gibraltar in Europe

Donations to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal can be made through our Treasurers or speak with fr Mark for more details.

Annual General Meeting 2020

Posted on by

Last Sunday 1st March these church members were elected to the following offices:

Churchwardens
Pauline Dif & Anny Samuels

Chaplaincy Council
Grace Egesi, Rufus Folaranmi, Victoria Jacob, Elisabeth Koonja, Denis Le Moullac, John Parsons, Jean-Honoré Ramanitrarivo & Richard Razafindratsima

Representatives to Archdeaconry Synod
Diane Murray & Sarah Palmer

Thanks to all who helped prepare this year’s AGM, provide food, set-up, clean-up, etc. Reports were heard by the Priest-in-Charge and about various activities throughout the life of the Chaplaincy. The 2019 Financial Report was approved and the Budget for 2020 received. Please look for a detailedreport of the 2020 AGM at a future date.

Liebfrauenberg Retreat 13 – 15 March 2020

Posted on by

Unfortunately this weekend retreat has had to be postponed.  The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, Dean Emeritus of Durham Cathedral, who was going to lead us though some enriching Bible studies on the theme of “Exile”, has been advised not to come, in view of certain underlying health conditions and the spread of the coronavirus.  We hope very much that he can come later in the year.

Annual General Meeting 1st March

Posted on by

As we prepare for St. Alban’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday 1 March after church, this is a reminder that your name needs to be on the Electoral Roll if you want to be able to vote at the AGM.  Please check the list on the notice board at the back of the church, and if you’d like to have your name added to the roll you’ll find the appropriate form there as well.

At the meeting two Churchwardens will be elected, two representatives of St. Alban for the Archdeaconry Synod of France, and the members of the Church Council.  If you wish to run for election your nomination must be submitted in advance.  See Fr. Mark for information about how to do that.

The AGM is a good opportunity to find out more about the activities of the church and to share ideas about the future of St. Alban’s.  Here are reports from the 2019 meetings of the French Archdeaconry Synod and of the Diocesan Synod.

Archdeaconry Synod Report 2019

Diocesan Synod 2019

Frankly Speaking on 23 February 2020.

Posted on by
  • Next week we have the pleasure of welcoming The Rev Deacon Jean Dumond Chavanne from the Episcopal Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Paris.  In addition to assisting at the 10.30 Eucharist, Deacon Jean will lead a Frankly Speaking session on the Anglican/Episcopal Church in his native Haiti.  He will also preach at the Malgache Eucharist that afternoon.

Le 23 février nous aurons le plaisir d’accueillir le Rev Diacre Jean Dumond Chavanne de la Cathédrale Episcopale de la Sainte-Trinité à Paris. En plus de sa participation à l’Eucharistie de 10h30, Diacre Jean animera une session de Frankly Speaking sur l’Eglise anglicane/épiscopale dans l’Haïti, son pays natal. Il apportera aussi le message à la messe malgache dans l’après-midi.

Liebfrauenberg Retreat 13 – 15 March 2020.

Posted on by

Liebfrauenberg is an opportunity each year for us to mark Lent with a retreat along with two other chaplaincies to deepen our faith, walk in the woods, meet old friends, welcome new friendships, all while preparing our hearts for the Easter feast.

This year we are delighted to welcome The Very Reverend Michael Sadgrove, Dean Emeritus of Durham Cathedral, who will lead us though some enriching Bible studies on the theme of “Exile.”

Michael Sadgrove describes himself as a “pilgrim, priest and ponderer”. A Londoner of Anglo-German parentage and a fervent European by conviction, he has been over forty-five years of ordained ministry a parish priest, theological educator, cathedral precentor and a Dean at two cathedrals, Sheffield, then Durham. He has been active as a speaker and preacher, retreat conductor and writer, not least on European themes.  He also writes a blog http://northernwoolgatherer.blogspot.com.

Costs have been kept to a minimum and financial  assistance is available for those who are in need.

Please register by 1st of March by emailing John and Diane Murray at john.murray67@googlemail.com or by returning the form you will find here,  LIEBFRAUENBERG 2020 info and form

together with more details of the retreat.

See also https://www.chateau-du-liebfrauenberg.com/

 

 

VOCARE 17 – 19 April

Posted on by

Calling Young Adults

The Council of Anglican and Episcopal Churches in Germany (CAECG) together with the Youth Commission of the Episcopal Churches in Europe are organising a VOCARE weekend for young adults from 17-19 April 2020. It will take place at the Feriendorf Gross Väter See in Templin near Berlin.

VOCARE is about vocation – calling. The weekend is not about career development or looking at how to be successful in the world. It is a quiet  moment away to make connections with other young adults while discovering God’s calling for your life.

Register before 1st of March.  See fr Mark or emails vocare2020@gmail.com  for more information.

Cost €100/person, incl. 2 nights and food. Travel grants are also available.

The Council of Anglican and Episcopal Churches in Germany. Hosted by St. George’s Anglican Church, Berlin.

Festival Sacrées Journées de Strasbourg

Posted on by

Festival unique en France, Les Sacrées Journées de Strasbourg bousculent les conventions en organisant, jusqu’ au 2 février 2020, une succession de concerts dans lesquels se produisent des artistes ou groupes représentatifs de trois cultures musicales religieuses différentes.

130 artistes nous feront découvrir par la musique des spiritualités et cultures différentes : Christianisme, Judaïsme, Islam, Bouddhisme, Hindouisme, Chamanisme … Ils viennent du monde entier, de France : Allemagne, Maroc, États-Unis, Inde, Syrie, Royaume Unis, Tibet, Népal, Israël, Algérie, Togo, Iran.

Bouddhisme, christianisme, hindouisme, islam, judaïsme… Le choix des interprètes de musique sacrée est porteur d’un message fort, tout comme le lieu accueillant les concerts : une mosquée, une église, une synagogue, au sein desquelles, sans distinction d’appartenance religieuse, se produisent musiciens, chanteurs et danseurs de toute culture et de tout pays.

Renseignements: 03 88 16 31 09             http://www.sacreesjournees.eu