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Showing posts from April, 2020

Emmanuel Eneh RIP

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Sad news from Fr Tuomas Mäkipää, Area Dean of Finland, concerning Emmanuel Eneh, Reader: _____________________________________________________________ Emmanuel Eneh RIP It is with great sadness that I have learnt the news about the death of Emmanuel Eneh. Emmanuel passed away on Thursday, 23rd April 2020. Emmanuel was a long-standing member of the Anglican Church in Finland and had a significant lay ministry at the International Congregation of Christ the King in Tampere. He served many years as an Anglican Licensed Lay Reader, working together with the priests of the Lutheran Parishes in Tampere in providing pastoral and liturgical ministry to the international church community, gathering in Vanha kirkko in Tampere. His commitment to the implementation of Porvoo Agreement (between Anglican and Lutheran Churches), and his service to the wider community by participating in local politics in Tampere, were a source of inspiration for many. Emmanuel remained as

The Bible and Creation: an online study led by Clare Amos

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Special Zoom Study Meeting announced Led by Dr Clare Amos, the Diocesan Director of Lay Discipleship Saturday April 25 2020    10.00am-11.00am and 11.30am-12.30pm CET (BST+1) Dr Amos writes:  "Drawing on both the Old Testament and the New Testament this study morning will explore what the Bible has to say about the relationship between human beings and the rest of creation, which is increasingly seen as one of the most significant issues for our time. It will suggest that our relationship to creation is absolutely integral to our Christian faith". This study morning was originally scheduled as a physical meeting for the parish of Holy Trinity Geneva. It will now be held by Zoom due to the lockdown.  Given the widespread interest across the diocese in the theology and care of creation, Dr Amos has widened participation in this study to any who are interested.  To meet the needs of ‘Zoom’ security issues, and in order to ensure that you can be sent hand

Christ is risen!

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You rose from the tomb as God in glory,  and raised the world up with you. Mortal nature sang your praise as God, and death disappeared. Adam dances, O Master, and Eve, now freed from her chains, rejoices as she cries: It is you, O Christ, who grant Resurrection to all. (Orthodox Kontakion for the Resurrection)  May you be comforted in this time of trial, and filled with Easter joy and peace. Χριστός ἀνέστη! Christ is risen!

Holy Week resources for the Diocese in Europe

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To assist the faithful across the diocese with their prayers during this time of lockdown, Fr Louis Darrant has produced a resource specially for us. It is a PDF booklet, which, as Fr Louis states in the introduction   "is to support us in our common prayer  during Holy Week".  You may already have found it among our diocesan resources on the website.If not, the link is here: https://europe.anglican.org/downloads/praying-at-home-in-holy-week-2020.pdf Louis writes: "The Church is responding quickly to the changing  circumstances in which we find ourselves. With imagination and creativity  we will find ourselves caught up in the Easter mystery in such a way as will  bear fruit in due time. No Christian prays alone. Together we share the  sacred work of the Church in offering praise to the Father through the  Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit." Fr Louis Darrant is the Chaplain at St Christopher's Costa Azahar in Spain. He is also one of the clergy r

Renewal of ministerial vows, by Zoom

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In Holy Week in this Diocese in Europe there are normally several Chrism Masses celebrated in various centres. I was scheduled to preside at those masses in Madrid and Rome, for instance, with Bishop Robert presiding in Brussels and Paris. But due to the Europe-wide lockdown, these services were cancelled.  However, Bishop Robert and I thought it would be fitting to have a service, streamed online, for the clergy and lay minsters to renew their vows, which is normally a part of this rite. A diocesan production team went into action and about 180 priests, deacons and lay ministers joined in the service yesterday. A "screen shot" of some of the participants is above. It was a new experience for all! I had the privilege of preaching the homily. If you care to listen, it is here: It was a privilege to give a word of encouragement to the clergy and Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) in this strange time, when our ministries are so radically disrupted. Among my words to