The friends of the diocese news
2022
Annual service 2022????
Committee meeting - 5 July
The Friends’ Committee met by Zoom on 5 July. The annual support given by the Friends to assist with the funding of stipendiary curates in the diocese continues with the next contribution due in 2023. The support is much appreciated.
It was not possible to arrange an Annual Service for 2022 but the 2023 service will be on the agenda for the 2 February committee meeting. Further information will be published when available.
Grant Applications
The date of the next meeting where grant applications can be considered is 2 February 2023.
2021
The Friends’ Annual Service – 25 October
A Celebration of Creation " ... and it was very good."
This passage from Genesis (1:31) was the inspiration for the 2021 Annual Service of the Friends of the Diocese in Europe, which took place on Monday 25 October and was live streamed from the Pro-Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Brussels. Bishop Robert was the celebrant and the liturgical deacon was the Revd Elizabeth Bussmann, the Diocesan Environment Officer. The preacher was Canon Alan Strange, Bishop Robert's Chaplain. Members of the Friends' Committee were involved in the readings and leading the intercessions. Many Friends from the UK, mainland Europe and beyond joined the service.
The sermon included examples from the east of the diocese, where Christians have faced disasters and taken action. The hymns reflected the theme of the service, which concluded with music from Joseph Haydn’s “Creation”.
At a time when we are yearning for the worst effects of the global Pandemic to pass, the service celebrated God's Creation, and why our faith is a constant source of hope for us.
The Committee of the Friends of the Diocese thanks the chancellor and churchwardens of the Pro-Cathedral for their warm welcome and for making the building available together with the technical equipment, which made live streaming the service possible.
2020
The Friends’ Service and Event – 20 October
The Friends’ Committee, with the support of staff of the Diocesan and Bishops’ offices, hosted a virtual Service and Event on Tuesday, 20 October 2020. This was a Service of Celebration on the theme of 'Vocation and Service'. For a copy of the liturgy, click here. (Link broken – remove?)
Those who took part in the Service and Event, conducted by a Chaplain in the Diocese, included The Bishop, Suffragan Bishop and members of the Friends’ Committee. There were contributions from the Director of Lay Ministry; two Ministry Experience Scheme interns on placement in the Diocese; and, the Director of Communications. The music was provided by the organist of St Matthew's Church, Westminster, London.
Read a report of the Service here. (link broken remove??
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For a picture of some members of the Friends enjoying the 2019 after service lunch, click here.
Here are some photos from the 2018 Annual Service & Lunch at St Mark's Church, Regent's Park, London:
Bishop Geoffrey Rowell funeral – 5 July 2017
The Bishop of Chichester Martin Warner presided over the funeral at Chichester Cathedral of The Right Reverend Dr Douglas Geoffrey Rowell, former Bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe. The former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams attended along with senior church representatives from Turkey and the Middle East.
Picture by Christopher Ison at Chichester Cathedral
The text of Archbishop Rowan's sermon in the Solemn Requiem for Bishop Geoffrey Rowell can be found here - Sermon by the Right Reverend Dr Rowan Williams (link broken – remove?)