Pilgrimage to Albania and Macedonia

Albania was for many years one of the most atheistic countries in the world under the thumb of a communist dictator. Since the fall of communism, however, the Orthodox Church, led by the inspirational leader Metropolitan Anastasios, is once again flourishing. It is a little known country (the birth place of Mother Teresa), as is Macedonia, described as a "hidden jewel" with its magnificent ancient churches and monasteries.

The Bishop in Europe, Geoffrey Rowell will be leading a pilgrimage to both in September. For further details see the Diocese in Europe website.

New Chaplaincy Council Members

Following the AGM held 26 April, the following have been elected:
Ellen Ziesmann and Renu Roy, Church Wardens.
The six Chaplaincy Council members are:-
Peter Alexander (currently Council Secretary), Stuart Cooke (currently Council Treasurer), Rosemarie Curran (previously Church Warden) John Finn (currently Council Vice-Chair), Raj Roy (currently on last year's Council) and Emmanuel Saarkodie (also on last year's Council).

Thanks to all who came forward for election. We wish the new Church Wardens and Council Members fulfilment and success in the coming year and shall remember them in our prayers.

Favourite Hymns Evening 16 May

The third favourite hymns evening will be held 16 May starting 18:30. Coffee and cake will be served from 18:00. Do come along for a good sing!

Events this week

Choir Practice is this Tuesday 28 April at 18:30. The choir could do with a few more voices, so if you see this and have a desire to have a go or re-establish your singing credentials, do come along. You are more than welcome, even if you have not attended church.

The Monthly Eucharist will be held on Thursday at 19:00 in the West Room. (For this reason there is no Bible Study on Wednesday this week).

The Young STB Green Team will be meeting on Friday 18:30 to continue the exploration of climate change issues and personal responsibility.Young persons 13-16 are welcome.

Annual General Meeting 26 April 12:15 in Church

Please do come along to this important event even if you are not on the Electoral Roll. Great chance to ask questions about how the Church is run, not to be missed! It is also a chance to thank those who give their free time to ensure the Church is able to operate as a living body.

Wednesday Bible Study

A weekly pattern of reading, study and prayers will recommence Wednesday 22 April 18:30-20:00 in the West Room. Do come along for stimulating and a lively discussion on the readings for the coming Sunday.

STB Green Team Action on Climate Change

A small nucleus of young people have come together to develop an information resource on climate change and individual responses to it for the website. At the first meeting held 17 April the basic issues were discussed and now we are looking at what ideas to propose. Any young person who would like to become involved in researching and presenting information on climate change is very welcome to join the next meeting 1 May 18:30 in Church, or if you are interested and can’t make the meeting let the webmaster know.

Re-thinking perspectives

"The present financial crisis has dealt a heavy blow to the idea that human fulfilment can be thought about just in terms of material growth and possession." The Archbishop of Canterbury's Easter Sermon points us to think about another way of living.

News from the Diocese of Jerusalem

The Diocese of Jersusalem includes the West Bank and Gaza. St Thomas Becket Church supports the work of the USPG-Anglicans in World Mission including their work in Jerusalem. For the latest News from this troubled region, do read the Diocese of Jerusalem Newsletter

Archbishop of Canterbury's Thought for Good Friday

In his Thought for the Day on Good Friday broadcast on BBC Radio 4, Archbishop Rowan Williams reflects on our current need to hear someone say "Sorry", but that "the shocking thing about the story of Jesus' death on Good Friday is that he asks God to forgive his torturers when there isn't even a chance of them saying sorry. They can't apologise because they haven't seen the problem.
The story of Jesus' death tells us that even before we know what the problem is, God has taken the first step towards mending it. He doesn't wait for an apology that sounds satisfactory. He begins by recognising that people are trapped in a level of violence and inhumanity they don't even notice, and he says to them that his love is already available.
The heart of the Good Friday challenge is about us and what we think is possible. Today's story of Jesus' crucifixion simply says, It can be done."

Next Wanderers Outing Saturday 18 April

The next wanderers walk will give us a taste of spring through Altes Land. Meeting at Landungsbrücken - BRÜCKE 3 to catch the 11:00 ferry. See under Activities-Walking for further details. Please do come along even if you have not been walking with us before.

Jade Goody - an ulikely heroine

Jane Goody was an ordinary person who became famous, and infamous, through reality TV. Her very public death from cancer has received wide media coverage not only in her own country of Britain, but also in Germany. A few weeks before her death she was baptised into the Church of England. Her funeral took place 4 April. The Sermon by the Rev Corinne Brixton, who also baptised Jade may interest those pondering the meaning of Holy Week.
This is a week for the unlikely hero.

What do the Young Adults do?

If you have ever wondered what the Young Adults Group gets up to, read the review report for 2008-09 now posted on the Young Adults page under "Activities".

NEXT MEETING OF YOUNG ADULTS 17 APRIL 18:30 - see Activities page for venue contact.

Reminder! Final session of Lent Course

The Lent Course comes to completion on Saturday 4th April 10:30-11:30. There was quite a crowd last week and some controversial discussions. Do come along even if you have not been to the other sessions.

New Bumper Edition of Becket News!

The April-June 2009 edition of Becket News is now available. It is an extra large "bumper" edition with a new colourful layout reporting on the many activities of the St Thomas Becket Church over the past months and looks forward to things planned. It is worth reading. Our thanks to the Editor for once again pulling this together!

The Editor and contributors wish everyone a very Happy Easter.