Chrism Eucharists in the Diocese in Europe


Every year during Holy Week the oils that are used throughout the following year for ministry to the sick, for Christian initiation, and for ordination are solemnly blessed in an episcopal service. This is also the occasion at which the clergy and Readers of the diocese are invited to reaffirm the promises and commitments they have made in their ministry, before their bishops.

As in recent years, in order to include more clergy and Readers in this significant event, the Diocesan Bishop and the Suffragan Bishop will preside at Chrism Eucharists in different centres in the diocese.

ZURICH - Tuesday 3 April, 12.00 noon
St Andrew’s Church, Bishop Geoffrey presiding and preaching. A simple lunch will follow the service.

BRUSSELS - Tuesday 3 April, 12.00 noon
The Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Bishop David presiding. The preacher will be the Revd Canon Dr Jack McDonald, Priest-in-Charge of the Church of St Martha and St Mary, Leuven, Associate Chaplain of the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Brussels, and Research Fellow in the Faculteit Theologie en Religiewetenschappen in the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. A simple lunch will follow the service.

The laity play an important role in representing the whole body of the faithful of the diocese in praying for God’s gifts of faithfulness, zeal and commitment for all ministers, lay and ordained. So members of the laity are warmly encouraged to attend these services.

We hope that those diocesan clergy and Readers who, because of distance, are unable to be present at one of these services will associate themselves in prayer with these celebrations and take the opportunity, whether together or alone, to make an act of rededication in Holy Week.

Clergy and Readers attending the Eucharist in Zurich should inform the chaplain, the Revd Canon John Newsome, that you will be present (zurich@anglican.ch). Clergy and Readers attending the Eucharist in Brussels should inform the chaplain, the Revd Canon Dr Robert Innes, that you will be present (admin@holytrinity.be). For directions to St Andrew's and to the Pro-Cathedral, see below.

Clergy should bring an alb (or cassock and surplice) and a white stole or preaching scarf, and readers a cassock and surplice or alb, and reader scarf. 

Oils will be available for distribution after the services. Clergy who cannot attend but who wish to receive supplies of newly-blessed oil for anointing the sick and candidates for baptism (the bishops bring Chrism oil with them for confirmations etc) should contact Mrs Bron Panter at the diocesan office before the end of April, on + 44 020 7898 1155 (or bron.panter@churchofengland.org), who will keep a list of requests.

DIRECTIONS
St Andrew’s Church, Zurich
Located at Promenadengasse 9, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Telephone: +41 44 252 6024
www.standrewszurich.org
Please be at the church not less than 30 minutes before the service which begins at 1200 noon.

The Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
Located at 29 rue Capitaine Crespel, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Telephone: +32 2 511 71 83
www.holytrinity.be
Please be at the church not less than 30 minutes before the service which begins at 1200 noon.

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