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Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
3 IZMIR 6 AMERSFOORT 8 VERSAILLES 10 INTERLAKEN 12 BRITTANY 14 BUSH CHURCH AID 15 DEVOTIONAL
MISSION AND MINISTRY IN ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE
PRESS O N TOWARDS THE GOA L The excitement of the new, the joy of seeing something established for the first time, all have an intoxicating sense about it. We love to hear about new work, to see something pioneered, new frontiers breached, to know that the work is advancing. I have to confess, I really enjoy researching new work, preparing and being involved in the instigation of it. There is another task that is essential. That of persevering. Keeping going when the excitement of the new has worn off. Philippians 3:12–14 demonstrates Paul’s example to us of one who will push through when the novelty has worn off. He declares: ‘Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ In 2017 and 2018 we started many new work projects, now one or two years in, we encounter some difficulties in some places, in other places we have achieved lots and now need to ask: What is next? In other places, what was new and exciting has become routine. This, I believe, is an important time for us. We must get our second wind, to imitate the apostle Paul and press on towards the goal that we believe God has called us to. As you read this ICS News, you will read about successes, but I also want to be honest about struggles. We do not lose heart, but we do persevere. I particularly want to draw your attention to the article by Richard Allen about Interlaken. How amazing to be celebrating 175 years of ministry—perseverance in action! And then James Buxton’s article about Izmir, some of our newest New Work; facing challenges, but persevering. I hope you enjoy reading about Versailles, Amersfoort and Brittany. Just some examples of what God is doing today through ICS and our partners. Pray for us, I ask, as we press on in our mission and ministry. All the best.
Intercontinental Church Society Unit 11 Ensign Business Centre, Westwood Way, Westwood Business Park, Coventry, CV4 8JA telephone +44 (0) 24 7646 3940 email enquiries@ics-uk.org web www.ics-uk.org
Registered charity no: 1072584; a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales no: 3630342 Intercontinental Church Society (ICS) is an Anglican mission agency. Founded in 1823, we have worked in most parts of the world, ministering and reaching out to people from many nationalities and backgrounds. From the early days we have planted churches in mainland Europe where our work is still strong but also in and around the Mediterranean, North Africa, the South Atlantic and South America. English language ministry has a strategic part to play, alongside national churches, in outreach as increasing numbers for whom English is a second language, attend English-speaking churches. Design by greyjonestudio.co.uk • Printed by Swan Print
James Buxton writes about the Kingdom goal to which the church community at Izmir is striving towards
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Church members and Christmas eve service
Church picnic
As I write I look out over the city from my sixthfloor apartment. To the right I can see St. John’s Church, which looks as though it has been picked up by a giant in Watford or Middleton and dropped amidst palm trees in the centre of Izmir. About a quarter of a mile away is a huge new stadium, almost finished. It fills my window. Beyond that, about three miles away, is a truly humongous new mosque, also nearly completed. To the left, the Port, which has brought wealth to this city over the centuries and remains active to this day. Beyond the urban sprawl (five million people in Izmir!) the green and limestone-white hills, a steady watchful presence, there’s a lot in a view! Those two new structures evoke Turkey’s current dynamism and re-engagement with Islam.
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The port speaks of continuity over the centuries, and so does our church. There has been an Anglican presence here since the first chaplain came as part of the Levant company in the 1620s. The present church was built in 1900 by railway workers whose main task in this part of the world was to construct a new railway line from Izmir to the city of Aydin, a hundred miles south east of here. They left their mark by constructing the church (literally) on sections of railway line, placed vertically, in the crypt. Those years of intense English presence in the city are over, and now we gather together a generally English-speaking international bunch. We are American, English, French, Iranian and Turkish. We are teachers, soldiers, refugees, engineers, unemployed, unwell and strangers. Most of us don’t quite fit in. Although we
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benefit from our historical ministry (identifiably English, which reassures the authorities), we don’t have power or wealth. We live with the obvious constraints of Turkey in 2019, so our presence must be sensitive, benign, and discrete. Let the reader understand, otherwise we risk compromising our 400-year-old ministry. So, the goal has to be a kingdom goal. I feel a deep kinship with the raggle-taggle groups of Christians who formed the first churches in this ‘apocalyptic’ region, striving to be witnesses in a culture which was sometimes tolerant, sometimes not. We are precarious, and all we can do is strive to be a sign and symbol of the kingdom. Paul writes in Philippians 3:12 ‘I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me’. The goal is to be the kind of community where Jesus Christ can ‘take hold of us’. And little by little that is what I have tried to do since coming here nearly two years ago. I am pleased that we have seen a modest growth in numbers. On Trinity Sunday 2018, we baptised four adults at a retreat centre outside Izmir (which has a plunge-style outdoor font) and we were very glad to have Bishop Robert here in mid-February this year, to baptise, confirm, and bless a new stained glass window of Saint Polycarp, which we commissioned last year. We have got more sociable as a congregation over the past year, but as readers of ICS News know, you have to keep on putting energy into that vital aspect of church life. Now we are working on long needed improvements to the building. It is a highly visible building and one which is much loved by Izmir people. In a city which was almost completely burned down in 1922 it is seen as a historic and a sign of continuity. So, the building itself helps us greatly in our ministry of welcome and of building a Christian community.
James Buxton with 'Cleopatra'
Baptism
I give thanks to God for the ministry he has entrusted to us. This is a blessed and beautiful place to be, but given the many plagues, earthquakes, massacres, riots, pogroms and lynchings which have beset this wonderful city over the past 2,000 years, our continuing presence is little short of a miracle. Long may we continue to serve beautiful Izmir, Pearl of the Aegean. Please pray for us!
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A L L
A N G L I C A N
SA I NTS
C H U R C H
A M E R S F O O R T
Christmas time, a time not normally known for being a quiet relaxed period but on 20 December 2015, All Saints was started, a daughter church of Holy Trinity, Utrecht.
We chose the name ‘All Saints’ as it communicated some of our desired identity. All Saints – all who visit, regardless of all ages, all nationalities, all background, all sorts – all are saints through Christ. How are we All Saints? Through the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. And all are called to live as saints, to be the holy ones in this world, salt and light, distinctive, Jesus-shaped. All Saints was planted with a core group from Holy Trinity, Utrecht. Holy Trinity had grown beyond its building, even when it moved to having two Sundays in the morning and a monthly Saturday evening, it was still full. It was discerned, the Lord was calling to plant, as a number of people attending Holy Trinity, were travelling the twenty or so minutes from Amersfoort. As St. Paul would arrive at Philippi, after discerning the Spirit's voice (Acts 16) not to go north east or south west but to go across the sea. Holy Trinity Council discerned the calling of the Lord to establish a new Church of England congregation. The intention was for All Saints to become a self-standing, separate, distinct chaplaincy in the Diocese in three years. That special event, led by Archdeacon Paul Vrolijk, took place on 2 June 2019. It has been a journey. We originally rented a Roman Catholic building, no longer used for worship but in October 2017 that building was sold, and we moved to our current home, the Nieuwe Erven, an old large farmhouse and barn converted into a contemporary arts and community centre. Yes, those photos are of rafters! As our Archdeacon said on a visit: 'All Saints does meet in a barn of a building!' Our move to an informal venue has been a challenge for some, to no longer worship in a traditional church building, and a help for others. A church member shared that worshipping in an informal venue, gave her the confidence to offer to serve as a musician. A visiting Albanian church leader (All Saints has a partnership with a Church Planting Network in Tirana) said that where we meet, reminds him of where his churches meet, in rented shop premises. I realised again that in so many parts of the persecuted Christian community, a part of the Body we choose to focus on as All Saints, are unable to meet in traditional church buildings as well.
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Amersfoort new chaplaincy inauguration
First council prayed for (June 2nd)
We teach about a core DNA for our life - UP, IN, OUT - we seek to be a balanced church (rather than overly focused on one aspect). Worship and prayer (Up), deep community and lifelong discipleship (IN), and serving those outside the church's walls, and evangelism, both locally and globally (OUT). We are working out action points to put that DNA into practice. We are blessed with a stable congregation (with only one or two people leaving each year), a situation many chaplaincies do not have. When people visit, they have commented on the depth of devotion people have, or the number of children or young adults present. My wife and I are in our 40s, and most members are younger than us! Our plans for the future, as we press on to the goal? • to continue to grow our prayer ministry and home groups. • to develop our young adult and young person work further. • to run Alpha across the church in 2020. • and to begin, in real practical terms, to be a blessing and serve our city. Unlike many chaplaincies, most of All Saints live in Amersfoort and plan to bring up their children here, and so we can actively consider, how we can play our part as part of the Body in this city and see it transformed. Thank you for your support and for praying for us.
Revd Grant Crowe, Chaplain, All Saints Amersfoort
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ST. MARK'S VERSAILLES B Y DA LE H A N S ON , C H A P LA IN AT ST. M AR K ’ S V E R S AI L L E S
This summer brought the thirty-fifth anniversary of my Ordination and the first anniversary of my arrival as Chaplain of St. Mark's, Versailles. So, this is a good time for me to reflect on life and ministry so far and to look forward to our future here at St. Mark's. As I enter the final four years of stipendiary ministry (in God's Providence) my concern is to keep pressing on with God and ‘finish well’. I have re-visited Steve Farrar's book ‘Finishing Strong’ where he gives a sobering reminder of how few leaders in the Bible and contemporary life stay faithful and fruitful right to the end. When I arrived at St. Mark's, ministry had been sustained during a relatively long vacancy by a series of much appreciated locums and committed lay-ministry. The previous chaplain had left after a very short time and during my first six months, people continued to ask me: ‘How long will you be staying?’. My first task was to offer stability and consistency to our preaching and worship and re-affirm the
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biblical basis of our life and ministry. I began by preaching through 1 Thessalonians which is the only New Testament church held up to us as an example (chapter 1 verse 7 ‘tupos’ or model) of faith, hope and love that is effective in mission. I followed that up with looking at John 15-17 to encourage us to deepen our union with Christ and know more of the useful, fruitful and joyful corporate life that Jesus gives. Alongside the preaching, one of our gifted lay members lead a short course from the Institute of Biblical Counselling on ‘real change’ that helped us to work in and work out a Biblical world view into our daily life at home, school and work. St. Mark's is blessed with a wonderful contemporary building and one of our challenges is to see how this can best serve the purposes of God's Kingdom. Every Saturday, we host ‘Operation Stephen’ a breakfast for homeless people. The team sits down together with the guests and shares a cooked meal. The
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St Mark's Versailles parish walk Humayun, Jurian and Asha
group of people who join us is quite consistent from week to week which enables relationships to be built. We have contact with the wider Englishspeaking community through English classes and a long-term relationship with a school community. Hundreds of people come to our annual Christmas Carol Service to enjoy mince pies and mulled wine and we prayerfully ponder the question: How can we grow relationships with our wider community? We have a wonderfully committed team of children and youth group leaders, musicians and small group leaders for which I am deeply thankful. This rentrée we face the ‘crisis’ (in the Biblical sense of opportunity) of an impending Brexit, political chaos in the UK and the inevitable departure and arrival of people at St. Mark's. As we face this uncertain future, we pray that we will demonstrate the character of Christian disciples who trust in the faithfulness of God.
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175 YEARS OF CHAPLAINCY IN
INTERLAKEN
Interlaken is a hugely changed holiday destination to where the Victorians first flocked, to climb mountains and ascend them by trains, cable cars and chair lifts. Even in the 50's, 60's and 70's, a hundred and fifty people would regularly gather in the Swiss Protestant Church for an English service. People's holiday destinations, especially from the UK, have changed radically over the last forty years. Very few people from the UK, holiday in Interlaken now. However, we have a vastly different clientèle to work amongst, from Asian visitors who are whisked around Europe with no more than a couple of days in Interlaken to huge numbers of Arabs who frequent the opulent Swiss hotels to seek the coolness of the valleys, the rushing rivers and lakeside picnics. Many teens and twenties frequent the resort to participate in extreme sports of hang-gliding to cannoning and base-jumping.
Presence Not a chaplaincy goes by without the opportunity to be salt and light. A caravan drew up next to ours with a tired English couple who had a story about being burgled while sleeping in their caravan. Sharing with rescue workers trying to find a lost mountain biker on the mountain.
This year a group of around twenty of us gathered on 4 August to celebrate 175 years of chaplaincy. The chaplain, the Rev'd Richard Allen, preached on Acts 2:42-47 and the importance and relevance of the church today in the context of the early church. We have no regular, or a ‘guarantee’ of a congregation but our group was made up of Dutch friends, a Frenchman, a visitor from India, an Aussie traveller, my son’s Portuguese fiancée, some enquiring Swiss people and a couple of English families.
Power How wonderful to meet a Swiss Christian lady while walking our dog randomly by the lake. She was in need of fellowship and encouragement and came to our service the next day!
ICS is here at the invitation of the Swiss Tourist Board. What are we trying to do? I've been inspired by Nicky Gumbel’s teaching on ‘Evangelism’—'that we are to be a presence, to persuade, proclaim, see the power of God, pray and persevere’.
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Persuasion Tollie, a Ukrainian, booked a ‘Bla Bla’ car share on our return from Genève. He ended up staying two nights with us in our wooden cabin. Amazingly, over the same weekend one of our summer regulars offered hospitality to a young Spanish walker. We were able to share some of our faith over a meal with Tollie. Proclamation I always try to weave a gospel message into my talks as we have visitors from the complete spectrum of denominations. Hopefully, nobody leaves without hearing of the power of the cross.
Prayer We prayed daily that people would be drawn like a magnet to our services. The numbers this year have been double that of late July and August of the last few years. Of course, it is what happens in the hearts of those who come. Perseverance Although this is not a big and grand chaplaincy we continue to persevere and sow a seed wherever we can, to people from all over the world. As one American visitor said: ‘It’s been the best part of my stay to be in the presence of God’.
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'We are to be a presence, to persuade, proclaim, see the power of God, pray and persevere'
Richard Allen is Chaplain to Christ College Brecon and Associate Minister for Starcross and Cofton in the Diocese of Exeter
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PRESSING TOWARDS THE GOAL BRITTANY
B Y R OB IN T ADAMS C H R IST C H U R C H BR I T TANY
Christ Church Brittany (CCB) started twenty years ago and has the mission of ‘knowing Christ and making Christ known’. The backbone of the chaplaincy is formed by British people who have retired to France and by occasional vacationers. As yet, we have not found many who are in Brittany because of work, study or as refugees. Ploërmel, the original and largest congregation is blessed with a lease on a good building with a dedicated chapel and a fellowship space. The main outreach has been through social events, a community choir and an English library. Worship styles vary each week to match the varied backgrounds of our members.
BRITTANY
BRITTANY
FRANCE
The other three congregations, Huelgoat, Rostrenen and Redon must set up in borrowed spaces, usually Catholic churches or halls. Each have their own pattern of worship, local service projects, missionary interest and social activities organised by the local leadership.
HUELGOAT ROSTRENEN PLOËRMEL REDON
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Donna and I arrived in February 2018 and found the chaplaincy ready and keen to move forward with various initiatives. We decided to expand the frequency of Sunday worship at Rostrenen and at Huelgoat from twice a month to every Sunday. This was made possible through dedicated lay leaders and newly arrived retired clergy. Remember, these congregations are one and half hours, and two and a half hours west of Ploërmel. The new 'Prayer and Praise' with discussion after the sermon, in the informal parish rooms, is complementary to the Communion Services in the chapel. This has attracted new members and given vacationers the opportunity of twice finding nearby worship. There has been a real growth in discipleship and attendance because of the interactive format and improved convenience.
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Christ Church at Redon
We opened our fourth worship location in Redon in October 2018. Redon is a mid-sized town, located about one-hour south-east of Ploërmel. We started with several Ploërmel regulars living in that area and now half of the core group is new to CCB. Redon is a strategic business and vacation centre. Since October, we have held worship on two Sunday mornings per month and offer a mid-week home bible study group. The challenge now is to find and invite English-speakers and build the core group in numbers so they can support a fully rounded ministry. If we can learn the lessons of church-planting from Redon, we can open up in other locations in the future. None of our worship is in the larger cities of Brittany, such as Rennes, Vannes or Brest. As Chaplain, I visit the two most westerly congregations at least once per month and Redon once per month and perhaps twice in Ploërmel. Therefore, I have to accept that I can’t pastor everyone, this has to be done locally and those congregations have to respond to requests from the wider expat community. My ministry is mainly supporting the ministry of the teams leading each congregation. We have improved our website and publicity but finding the 1% of English-speakers is proving difficult. There is a real sense in CCB that ‘Christ has taken hold of us’ and we press on toward the goal of knowing him and making him known.
Robin and Jeremy 13
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G O I N G T H E D I STA N C E I N R E A C H I N G A U S T R A L I A F O R C H R I S T
N ATI ON AL D I R E C T O R O F BU S H CHU RCH A ID
Greg and Karen Harris with family
The Rev'd Greg Harris was commissioned as BCA’s 12th National Director on 12 August. He follows in the footsteps of BCA founder, SJ Kirkby, another boy from Bendigo. Here he introduces himself. I am just a ‘simple country preacher’ is my first response to the question ‘tell us about yourself.’ But that doesn’t tell the whole story. I was born and lived in Sydney but studied in country NSW. This first encounter outside of the city began my passion for the country. God called me into ministry firstly through youth work and then later as an ordained
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minister in small, medium and large country churches. In the middle was a stint as a tractor driver on cotton properties. One consistent focus for me has been a passion for the work of BCA. There has always been an unexplained soft spot for BCA. How ironic that I end up back in Sydney with my passion and experience of country ministry and serving as BCA National Director. It is my hope and prayer that God might use me, an ex-tractor driving, city-born country preacher, so that BCA can continue to ‘go the distance’ in reaching Australia for Christ.’
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DEVOTIONAL by Fiona Simon, Assistant Chaplain at Holy Trinity, Brussels
One of my highlights, during this first year in Brussels, was being at the ordination ceremony at the end of June. To be present at these occasions when people are committing their future to making Christ known is always a wonderful experience, but this year it had special resonance. During the service, I recalled the day ten years earlier when I myself had taken those vows, full of love, passion and enthusiasm for the calling of making Christ known through my own ministry, full of apprehension that I would not be up to the job! Looking back now, I realise the naivety with which I embarked on ordination resembled the naivety with which I had embarked on marriage twenty years previously! I was 100% sure about my love and the decision I was making but didn’t realise quite what was involved and how much it would require of me. Making vows is a real change point in life. Our life heads off in a new direction, the goal changes, we don’t reach it immediately, but we embark on a journey that leads us there over time, growing and maturing us en route. Saint Paul in his letter to the Philippians urges them to ‘press on towards the goal of the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ’. Focus and passion can take us so far in ministry, but Saint Paul knew that pressing on and leaning into the Lord through difficulties is essential if we are to fulfil the calling that God has for us. ‘To know Christ and to make Christ known’ is a strapline often adopted by churches but it is also a great summary for church leadership too. Ten years of ministry has shown me I can’t continue to make Christ known to others, when I’m not also getting to know him more myself through pressing on and leaning in through the struggles of ministry. The two go hand in hand, the one informs the other. So, go on, press on and keep moving towards your goal!
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COLLECT USED STAMPS You can help us in our mission by recycling, collecting and donating used postage stamps, stamp collections and coin collections to ICS. We can raise funds from all stamps! If you would like to receive a used stamp collecting envelope, please contact the ICS office. Or send them direct to: Mrs Sylvia Leyton 1a Mount View Road Olivers Battery WINCHESTER SO22 4JJ
PRAYER MEETINGS If you would like to start an ICS prayer meeting in your area, contact Jeannette at ajspaanderman@ics-uk.org
Cambridge Wednesday 8 November at 2.30 pm Impington Church Hall, Impington CB24 9ZU Contact Elizabeth Sadler 01223 232 194
North Birmingham Thursdays 5 December and 6 February at 7pm 12 Trinity Close, Shenstone, WS14 0NU Contact Tim Cox at timcox45@yahoo.com
Cheltenham Tuesday 14 January at 10.30 am 39 Moorend Street, Cheltenham, GL53 0EH Contact Audrey Martin-Doyle 01242 510 352
Northern Ireland Contact John Dinnen 028 44 811 148
Exeter Contact John Philpott 01395 225 044 Norfolk The Vicarage, 37 Church Road, Tilney St Lawrence, Kings Lynn PE34 4QQ Contact Martin Dale 01945 880 259
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MISSION AND MINISTRY IN ENGLISH FOR EVERYONE
www.ics-uk.org
ICS NEWS
Edinburgh Tuesday 19 November from 10.45 am with soup after for those who can stay. 10 Kirkhill Terrace, Edinburgh EH16 5DQ Contact Chris Martin 0131 668 4071 revchris.martin45@gmail.com
South East Thursdays 14 November, 12 December, 9 January and 13 February at 10.30 am The Rectory, Cock Lane, Hamstreet, Kent TN26 2HU Contact Rod Whateley 01233 732 274