When the Reverend Alja Tollefsen was formally welcomed as the new chaplain of the East Netherlands Group of Chaplaincies she was greeted by a range of music makers.
At the service in the Diaconessenkerk in Arnhem were many church members and visitors as well as by at least 18 clergy and readers from all over the Benelux countries.
The East Netherlands group of churches is made up of the two chaplaincies of Twente and Arnhem-Nijmegen with three different worship centres. The Diaconessenkerk was chosen as the venue for the Institution and Licensing service because it has a much larger seating capacity than the church buildings normally used by the chaplaincies.
The service was richly enhanced with music from the organ, a flute and a violin. Taking a leading role were the Archdeacon of Northwest Europe, The Venerable John de Wit. And the Reverend Canon Ambrose Mason, chairman of the ICS
The service was followed by an elaborate reception, which provided the opportunity for fellowship and sustenance before the journey home.
(Information provided by Simone Yallop)
