Convocation Newsletter
February 13, 2021
The 49th Week in Coronatide
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A Newsletter for Members and Friends of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe |
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Commissions & Committees Update |
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Most Holy and life-giving God,
the friends of Jesus carried your good news,
each to a different place according to their gifts and calling.
Bless the members of our councils, committees, and commissions
as they carry your word of love,
making disciples for your service and building up your Church;
through the power of your Spirit and in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Book of Occasional Services, p. 243
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Working Together for the Good of the Convocation |
Virtual Council meetings have been regular, and regularly productive! You can always read the latest report from Council on our website.
A sneak preview of highlights from the February meeting:
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Convention 2021 dates are set: plan to join us for a hybrid event (Covid permitting) on October 21, 22, and 23.
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Archiving our digital memories has new standards and momentum, thanks to a the subcommittee of the Communications Committee.
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The new Children & Youth Coordinator position will be posted soon.
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Lent Sur La Table: A Lenten Program for Everyone |
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For five Thursday evenings during Lent, you are invited
to join with others from across the Convocation for reflection, conversation, and listening—
to God, and to each other,
as companions along the way.
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At a time when feelings of fatigue and isolation surround so many of us, we invite you to a shared table for renewal and reconnection.
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Remembering Andy Pickersgill |
Andy Pickersgill, a long-time member of the Church of Saint Augustine of Canterbury in Wiesbaden and a frequent volunteer for leadership roles in the Convocation, died at home on February 9 after a long illness.
Bishop Rowthorn invited Andy to join a then-new Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized, which in those days included in its remit the work of creating formation opportunities for young people in the Convocation. Ministry to youth was among Andy’s many passions, and his leadership in this ministry extended both into the Convocation and into the life of Saint Augustine’s, which he also served in virtually every possible office—as senior warden, junior warden, Vestry secretary, and leader in adult formation programming.
Andy’s signature is among those on the formative statutes of the Convocation itself, a clear reflection of his commitment to the idea that the Episcopal Church should be a European as well as a local presence. In recent years Andy became especially focused on issues of climate change and creation care, and was a passionate and articulate voice within and beyond his own community. His contributions to the life of the church, both in his parish and across the Convocation, are countless; and we give thanks for his life, as we commend him to the eternal embrace of God’s love.
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Commission on the Ministry of the Baptized |
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With thanks to outgoing members Emily York and The Rev. Dorothee Hann, COMB welcomed both The Rev. Canon Nat Katz and Samuel Mbele-Mbong to the commission this fall.
At present, all of the Commission's activities entail face to face encounters, which will have to be be deferred until the coronavirus pandemic is brought under control and health safety measures allow them to take place. Current estimates are pointing to Fall this year at the earliest. Even COMB's first physical meeting will have to wait till then.
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Committee on Mission Congregations |
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COMC has been meeting once a month via Zoom, with Archdeacon Walter and Bishop Mark joining when available.
In particular COMC are following the ongoing work initiated by Bishop Mark to explore arrangements in Karlsruhe, Germany following the retirement of Father Hanns Englehardt, who served as priest to St. Columban’s for 20 years.
COMC are also excited to be involved in the initiative to form a Francophone Ministry based at—but independent of—the Cathedral in Paris. It is hoped that a covenant will be agreed with that congregation, similar to those already created with new Mission Congregations at St Nino’s, Tbilisi, Georgia, and St. Michael's in Thuringia, Germany. Enquiries are being pursued from Barcelona, Spain and Saumur, France, to name but two potential new locations.
COMC is also supporting virtual missions, and a subcommittee is now preparing a handbook for guidance and advice on online worship and engagement for mission opportunities that are no longer geographically bound.
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As a matter of prudence it was decided to postpone the Mission Festival currently planned for 28-30 May 2021 to a similar time next year, i.e. probably May 2022.
We can confirm the new dates as soon as venue negotiations are complete.
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Children & Youth Commission |
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Autumn 2019 was a busy time! We were extremely grateful both for your involvement, feedback and participation in the APL sessions and the decisions made at Convention, concerning the proposals of the Task Force. We are grateful to Bishop Mark for his consideration of possible members of the new Children and Youth Commission and look forward to receiving these colleagues soon. Also, for his (and council’s) work in preparing a posting for the new role of Coordinator of Children and Youth Ministry.
In November we had our first “check-in” with Youth Leaders to increase communication frequency, and plan to make these a regular thing. We have also set up a “Channel” for #children-and-youth on Slack, to help children’s or youth leaders and anyone interested in this ministry, to talk together and share ideas and resources. Please get in touch with us if you would like to join and we can give you any help you need to get started.
Our final new offering in terms of communication, is the introduction of a quarterly Newsletter for Parents and Families. If you would like to sign up to this, please register your interest here.
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In this same spirit of increased communication and sharing, I’d like to draw your attention to 2 excellent Sunday School offerings from across the Convocation, which you are are very welcome to tap into!
Children 3-8 years old
via Zoom, at 11.00 am using this link.
(Meeting-ID: 220 725 285 Password: 435261).
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Upcoming Events for Children, Youth, and Their Leaders |
“Looking forward through Lent” Theological Training
13th February 10am - 12noon
led by Scott Moore (open to all: not just youth leaders but anyone interested) Dig deeper into the ideas and themes of Lent, either for your own personal development, or to help you deliver your teaching materials with confidence and insight.
Films and Faith Series: 6pm start
Film Night 13/02/21 Discussion 27/02/21
Film Night 13/03/21 Discussion 27/03/21
Film Night 10/04/21 Discussion 24/04/21
Contact your local Youth Leader for the Zoom Link
Youth Leader Zoom Retreat: save the dates
1-3 October 2021
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European Institute of Christian Studies |
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Center for Anglican Learning and Leadership Registrations |
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The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) have partnered to offer a reduction to all those registering for CALL courses through the Convocation.
To register via the Convocation and qualify for the course fee reduction, please click here to contact The Rev. Michael Rusk
The reduced Course Fee for each module is $205. Registration is now taking place for the Spring term which will begin on April 12.
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Education for Ministry Registration |
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The European Online group, now in its seventh year, is currently taking enrollments for new participants to join the group for the 2021-22 academic year which begins in September 2021.
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Are you a communicator in your parish?
We would love to make sure your local news reaches the entire Convocation. Please let us know who you are so that we can support your work better this year!
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The Convocation Chroniclers |
Works have begun to identify and document historical moments of significance in the lifetime of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe—top of mind among many is our collective and creative responses to the challenge of the current pandemic.
If you are interested in sharing your story by word or recording, or in highlighting a particularly important memory of your time among the Convocation, please be in touch with subcommittee chair Felicity Handford so that we may collect your views!
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Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence
and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:18
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The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe
23 avenue George V, 75008 Paris, France
+33 (0) 1 53 23 84 06 | office@tec-europe.org
www.tec-europe.org
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