Diocese in Europe Prayer Diary Jan-June 2011

The Prayer Calendar for the Diocese in Europe has been compiled to help us to pray together for one another and for our common concerns. Each chaplaincy, with the communities it serves, is remembered in prayer once a year. The diary can be downloaded from the Diocese in Europe website.

On the feast of Stephen

On Sunday 26 December BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a special service from St Clement's, our Diocese in Europe sister church in Prague.

St Stephen, whose feast is celebrated on the day after Christmas Day, gets a mention in the old Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslas looked out, on the Feast of Stephen". St Clement's is not far from Wenceslas Square.

To hear the service tune in to BBC Radio 4 at 9:10 ECT or listen to it on the BBC iPlayer.

God keeps his promises

In his Christmas sermon, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, focuses on how the birth of Jesus is but one stage of the fulfilment of God's unchanging promise of support in the struggle for human redemption, how 'the story of Jesus is the story of a God who keeps promises'.

The full text of the sermon can be read on the Archbishop's website.

The Queen's Christmas message opens with a reference to the importance of the King James Bible which is celebrating 400 years in 2011. The Queen's message is available on YouTube.

The ultimate question for Christmas: Who is Christ?

Bishop David's Eurobishop Blog entry for Christmas poses that question, and gives some enlightenment. Read here.

Click here for the Bishop Geoffrey's Christmas Letter.

The Pope's Christmas Eve Thought for Today

Listners to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme will be aware that there is a regular slot at 8:45 ECT called Thought for Today.
Some excitement has been generated in the fact that this year's Thought for Today on Christmas Eve was recorded by Pope Bendict a couple of days ago. To access the means to read or listen to his message click here.

Services over Christmas

Service times over Christmas are:

Friday 24th December - Christmas Eve
18.00 First Mass of Christmas (please note earlier time!)
Saturday 25th December - Christmas Day
10.30 Christmas Eucharist
Sunday 26th December 1st after Christmas
10.30 The Parish Eucharist

For printed information click here.

Becket News in time for Christmas!

The January-March 2011 edition of Becket News has been pulled together extra early this year thanks as ever to the dedication of the editor.
Pick up your hardcopy after one of the services over Christmas, or take a look at the online version here.

Come All Nations Sing!

Thursday 9th December at 19:00 in the Hauptkirche St. Petri Mönckebergstaße Hamburg Churches Together (ACK) invite us to join the annual Advent Singing Festival that brings together people and music of many nationalities in Hamburg. Do join if you you can.

We give thanks for the work of ACK and its leader Pastorin Martina Severin-Kaiser.

The Advent course continues Wednesday 8th December 19:00 and concludes 16th December.

Becket News Deadline approaching

This year the editor wants to publish Becket News before Christmas!
Please send in your articles as soon as possible, and not later than 15th December. Thanks.

Carol Service 19 December 10:30 am

The Carol Service with the not-to-be-missed Junior Church Nativity Play (still recruiting extra sheep - grown ups may apply) will be held Sunday 19th December at 10:30 am.

For this there is Choir Practice on Tuesdays 7th and 14th December.

Young Adults Christmas Social

Friday, 10th December the Young Adults invite other members of the congregation to join them in visiting the Christmas Markets!
Meet outside the Rathaus at 18:15. Please contact Sally (see Young Adults page) if you intend to come.

Advent Lunch Saturday 11 December

A chance for a wander in the Weihnachtsmarkt in Stade!
The plan is to take the train to Stade depart HH Hbf at 10:07 arrive Stade 10:55, to then spend time wandering round the Weihnachtsmarkt and then have lunch in the Ratskeller.
Our Advent lunch is always fun, so do come along, but let Cicely know by Tuesday, 7th December so that she can reserve a table.

Bishop's Advent Appeal

This year's Bishop's Advent Appeal is to raise funds for two projects, one within the diocese, and one outside.

Inside the Diocese, the appeal is for funds to support the training of younger members of the The White Nile congregations in Oulu, Vaasa and Kokkola in Finland. The White Nile congregations are made up of refugees from the Sudan who have been given asylum in Finland under the auspices of the UN. The aim is to educate the younger generation so that when the time comes they can help rebuild their country.

Outside the Diocese, the appeal is for funds to help rebuild a school in Haiti which suffered that terrible earthquake at the beginning of this year.

For more information please visit Bishop David's blog.

Sermon for 1st Sunday in Advent

The text of the sermon preached by the Revd Martin Evans, Chaplain of HMS Ark Royal, is available here

It is given in a shorter form as a Pause for Thought for Advent.

The Advent Course continues 2nd December 19:00 in church.