Pause for Thought updated

It's that time of year when acorns are underfoot in all the parks and woods around Hamburg. Acorns are the starting point, too, for a new Pause for Thought on spreading the Gospel. Click on "Pause for Thought" on the left of the page or follow this link.

No S-Bahn this Sunday

There will be no S-Bahn service to Stadthausbrücke and Landungsbrücken this Sunday, 1 December because of engineering works on the City-Tunnel. Trains between Hauptbahnhof and Altona will run via Dammtor. There will be a replacement bus service between Baumwall and Altona. If you usually use the S-Bahn to get to church, allow plenty of extra time. The HVV website has details.

Elvis spotted at STB!

Wax your quiffs, dust off your winklepickers and get ready to rock. "Elvis" and guest Arco Iris will be singing Christmas songs and others at St Thomas Becket on Sunday 1 December from 6 pm (doors open at 5.30 pm). Entry is by donation and 20 per cent of takings will be given to the Philippines Typhoon Appeal.

Advent and Christmas at STB

1 December is Advent Sunday. All services and events during Advent and Christmas can be downloaded and printed off here.

Thanks for a great bazaar

A big thank you to everyone who helped make yesterday's bazaar a big success, especially to all those from outside the regular congregation who put in so much work every year. And thanks, of course, to everyone who came and bought what was on offer. Apart from raising much-needed money, the bazaar is always an opportunity to meet old friends and welcome new visitors.

The prize list for the raffle can be found here.

New bishop - have your say

Now Bishop Geoffrey has retired, the process of finding his successor has begun. A consultation has started, and the deadline for making your views known is 8 December. You can find out how on the European Anglican website.

Friends of Britain are our friends too

"Friends of Britain e.V." has donated €2,500 to STB. Fr Matthew accepted the cheque on behalf of the church at a reception at the Anglo-German Club on 11 November. Thank you FoB!

Donations totalling €17,000 were made to Hamburg charities, with €10,000 going to Kinderhaus Mignon (Benita Quadflieg Stiftung) which provides family-based residential care for children and young people. Friends of Britain's main fundraising event is British Flair, held in August. Proceeds from a charity screening of a film of the Queen's coronation, for which STB was the venue, also went into the charity pot.