Clergy and lay synod delegates from the Nordic and Baltic Deanery and the Deanery of Germany gathered in Stuttgart for the first joint meeting of the archdeaconry in more than 20 years.

The clergy assembled first for a chapter meeting and shared challenges from the Covid-19 lockdown and rising energy prices. The effects of the war in Ukraine are being felt across the archdeaconry. In part this is because of the influx of refugees being welcomed in many of our chaplaincies. But there are complications in Finland because of the influx of Russians fleeing conscription and in Latvia where there is a sizable Russian-speaking minority. It was felt that the mood in countries bordering Russia is one of heightened guard but not panic.

We were hosted by the Erlöserkirche in the Landeskirche of Württemberg, a sign of the deepening friendship nurtured by the Meissen Agreement between our two churches.

Bishop Antonio Ablon of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente, himself a refugee, spoke movingly of the struggles of the indigenous people in his native Mindanao against the military seeking to clear land for western investments.

The meeting heard reports on the World Council of Churches’ Assembly which met in Germany recently. Several of our clergy attended and hosted participants in their parishes. Revd Vinod Victor of Freiburg and I presented the publication The Journey in Servanthood – The DNA of a Confident Church, which was launched at the Assembly. We commend this resource to the rest of the diocese. It contains essays on key current issues from many leaders in our diocese and other global voices.

Bible studies were led by Dr Clare Amos. She also introduced the exciting lay discipleship course which has started this week. The German deanery environmental officer, Revd Canon Christopher Jage-Bowler, spoke of the urgency to change our own lifestyles to avoid further catastrophic damage to our planet. And there was an update on the work of the racial justice group, including news of plans for a conference on racism in 12 months’ time.

On the theme Mission and Evangelism, Revd Stephen Walton and Revd Canon Joanna Udal shared perspectives from scripture and contemporary life and we noted the development of new work in northern Germany to provide effective ministry among English-speaking Christians.

The Archdeaconry formally recognised the 20-year ministry and service of the Rt Revd Dr David Hamid, the longest-serving Bishop in the Church of England. We also heard a finance update from our Diocesan Secretary, Andrew Caspari.

The exchange of experiences and the mutual support that was offered between the two deaneries will strengthen our common mission and further and deepen the unity we treasure in this diocese.

I would like to express sincere thanks to the Chaplain of St Catherine´s Stuttgart, Revd Kara Werner and her team for the invaluable support they provided and its Director of Music,

Stephen Brown, who along with Lucy Williams and Valdis Bizuns, provided a splendid concert of music for contralto, trumpet and organ.

The Synod ended with a significant ecumenical service at which Bishop David presided and the Lutheran Stadt Dekan of Stuttgart, Søren Schwesig, preached, another sign of greater unity and closer fellowship.

Revd Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel, Archdeacon of the East, Germany and Northern Europe