People sometimes tell me they want more communication from ‘the diocese’. So it’s a pleasure to commend this first edition of the new ‘Chaplaincy Briefing’ produced by our comms team. It is intended to be a monthly publication. And I hope it will help everyone feel more in touch with ‘the centre’.

In recent weeks I have been out and about touring Swiss chaplaincies and Dutch chaplaincies, as well as attending synods for North West Europe and ‘the East’. I particularly enjoy meeting up with synod reps from ‘the East’, because they represent some of our most far flung and isolated locations, so the sense of togetherness at a synod is especially strong. This year, we gathered in the truly splendid surroundings of the Romanian Patriarchate – complete with deep pile carpets and chandeliers. The picture shows synod members outside the imposing building where we met.  

As I have been travelling around, I have been struck by the vitality, energy and diversity of the congregations I have encountered. I have seen the hugely impressive church renovation project at Holy Trinity Geneva, have licensed the new Anglican representative to the UN in that city, installed Helen Marshall our chaplain in Berne as a canon of the cathedral chapter, confirmed 20 younger people in Amsterdam, licensed David Phillips to lead a new church plant in Hilversum, presided at a Eucharist in Utrecht where the congregation was overflowing the seating capacity of building, and been encouraged by the extraordinarily beautiful singing of the choir in the Church of the Resurrection Bucharest. I am thankful to be Bishop of such an amazing diocese!

It is, of course, the privilege I share with Bishop David to experience the striking contrasts of our different chaplaincies in different places. If you worship at a chaplaincy which is mainly comprised of retired British ex-pats, it can be hard to imagine other chaplaincies where there are virtually no British people and everyone is of working age – and vice versa! There is no ‘typical’ Diocese in Europe chaplaincy. Each one is special. Nonetheless, we have all faced some shared challenges, like Brexit and Covid. And together, we are encouraging one another to rebuild and rediscover ourselves after the pandemic.

The world is increasingly tough, dangerous and frightening. But in our local chaplaincies we can draw close to the God who made us, redeemed us and cares for us. We can be part of a loving community. And we can find ways of sharing in practical service. No matter how de-humanising and brutal the world feels, church provides a safe, humane and welcoming space. And if your corner of the Diocese sometimes feels a tad remote, I hope this publication serves to make you feel just that little bit better connected to the whole.