NEWSLETTER FOR THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN DENMARK

2015November – December

ST ALBAN’SCHURCHCOPENHAGEN

www.st-albans.dk

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WORSHIP IN NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2015

ST ALBAN’S CHURCH, COPENHAGEN

The Anglican Parish of St Alban's covers the whole Kingdom of Denmark, with St Alban's Church in Copenhagen gathering for the Parish Eucharist at 10.30 every Sunday and Wednesday.

Our Chaplain, the Revd Darren McCallig, will be the preacher at each Sunday morning service unless otherwise stated.

Sunday 1 November at 10.30 All Saints, Mrs Victoria Wadsworth-Hansen, Licensed Reader

Wednesday 4 November at 10.30 Holy Communion Sunday 8 November at 9.00 Remembrance Sunday,

Holy Communion, Bishop David Hamid

Sunday 8 November at 10.30 A Service of Remembrance, Bishop David Hamid

Wednesday 11 November at 10.30 Morning Prayer, Mrs Jane Passant, Reader in training

Sunday 15 December at 10.30 Second Sunday before Advent,

Revd Palle Thordal Wednesday 18 November at 10.30 Holy Communion Saturday 21 November at 14.00 Memorial Service for Nana Kojo

Svedstrup Jantuah Sunday 22 November at 10.30 Christ the King Wednesday 25 November at 10.30 Holy Communion Sunday 29 November at 10.30 First Sunday of Advent,

Mr Graeme Lloyd-Roberts, Licensed Reader

Tuesday 1 December at 18.00 Advent Group I – Life (see p23) Wednesday 2 December at 10.30 Holy Communion Sunday 6 December at 10.30 Second Sunday of Advent Tuesday 8 December at 18.00 Advent Group II – Love (see p23) Wednesday 9 December at 10.30 Holy Communion Sunday 13 December at 10.30 Third Sunday of Advent

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Christmas services at St Albans, Copenhagen Sunday 13 December at 16.00 Service of 9 Lessons and Carols (ticket required – see page 6)

Monday 14 December at 19.00 Service of 9 Lessons and Carols (ticket required. See page 6)

Tuesday 15 December at 18.00 Advent Group III – Light (see p23) Wednesday 16 December at 10.30 Holy Communion Saturday 19 December at 16.00 Carols and Poetry by Candlelight Sunday 20 December at 10.30 Fourth Sunday of Advent,

Mrs Ursula Sonnewald, Licensed Reader

Wednesday 23 December at 10.30 Holy Communion Thursday 24 December at 12.00 Children’s Christingle Service

with Carols Thursday 24 December at 23.30 Christmas Eve, Midnight Mass Friday 25 December at 10.30 Christmas Day, Sung Eucharist Sunday 27 December at 10.30 First Sunday of Christmas

**** If you use a hearing aid, please use the T-switch to connect to the loop system.

Coffee and tea is served after the Sunday service. All are welcome. The Sunday school starts at 10:25. Children wishing to join Sunday school will

meet at 10:25 at the Font. After opening prayers children will accompany the Sunday school leaders to the Upper Room, returning to their parents in time for communion.

Baptisms are held on the 1st Sunday of each month. St Alban’s bi-monthly magazine is published 6 times a year by: JESPERSEN TRYK, Ved Langebro 1,2300 København S. Email: mail@jespersentryk.dk It is available on our website: www.st-albans.dk, and Maria Kvan Mortensen kindly distributes it to members of our Anglican community who cannot receive it electronically by post. Copies are always available in church for collection. Managing Editor: Revd Darren McCallig (Chair of Communications Team) Editor: Claire Clausen Regular photographers: Beverly Lloyd-Roberts and Anita Wales. Contributions articles and photographs are gratefully received. Cover photo: Bev Lloyd-Roberts. As we approach the celebration of the birth of Jesus, it seems appropriate to show the Chaplain baptising one of the many babies who have been brought by their parents to St Albans this year, to become members of our Christian community.

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ST ALBAN'S CHURCH IN JUTLAND We also have three English-speaking congregations in Jutland, in partnership with the local Danish Church, that gather on these dates: AARHUS Monthly: Møllevangskirke on Sunday 29 November at 18.00. Nine Lessons and Carols Sunday 20th December at 18.00 The service will be led by The Revd Darren McCallig. Details from Angela Hansen. angelabream@yahoo.dk

VEJLE- LØGET 8 November – at 14.00 27 December – at 14.00

JELLING 26th November: EAT and SING at 14.00 13th December: at 14.00 For details, please contact Deacon Christophe: chndi2011@gmail.com.

All are warmly welcome.

PRAY FOR FRIENDS AND RELATIONS Prayer requests (to be included in our intercessions) should be sent to: prayer@st-albans.dk, or you can contact Jane Passant in church. Please give the name of the person to be prayed for, the reason and how long you wish them to remain on the prayer list.

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MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAPLAIN Dear friends, This November / December edition of the Newsletter is, in many ways, the Advent and Christmas issue, so let me share with you my favourite true story about this time of the year. I heard it first from Bishop Tom Butler. Back in 2004, the authorities at Brixton Prison in London ran a series of drama workshops for the inmates. They hired an actor and director and for several months some of the young men in the prison spent time every day learning the art of acting. Many of them discovered a talent they never knew they had and some even gained their Equity cards before their release. As it drew nearer to Christmas, it was decided that they would have a carol service with a difference that year. Instead of scripture readings, they would take texts from some of Shakespeare’s plays and put them into the mouths of Mary, Joseph and other characters in the Christmas story. The finale of this unique carol service was to be a speech from God himself. But then on the day of the Carol Service disaster struck. God, as played by the most talented actor, had gone to court across London that morning, and much to his, and everybody else’s surprise, he had been released. God, it seemed, had left the building! However, just as all hope seemed lost, a loud banging noise was heard in the prison. It turned out that God was hammering on the door, begging and pleading that the prison officers let him back in so that he could play his part. The young man was determined not to let his fellow-actors, their teacher, the chaplain or the congregation down. You’ll be glad to hear that they did let ‘God’ back into the prison that night and the show went on. The Carol Service, as planned, culminated in a speech from God. And what did ‘God’ say? His words were from Portia’s speech on mercy from ‘The Merchant of Venice’: He said: “The quality of mercy is not strain’d. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blest: It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”

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Mercy did indeed drop upon Brixton Prison that night. And if you want to know what it is we are preparing for during this season of Advent, then that’s a good place to begin: God – the deep mystery within, beneath and beyond all life – God coming to us in love and in mercy wherever and whoever we are. God, demanding that we let him in; hammering on the door to come in to us. God – that which is greater than all of us, yet present in each one of us – God remaining faithful to us, now and always. “O come, O come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel.” An expectant and holy Advent to you all.

Darren

NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS Dates: Sunday 13 December 2015 at 16.00 Monday 14 December 2015 at 19.00 This year we will repeat the electronic success of last year and ask you again to book your tickets for the services of Nine Lessons and Carols on-line. During November people on the electoral roll can book entrance tickets to these two services. If you have given your e-mail address to the electoral roll officer, then you will receive an e-mail in early November explaining the process of ordering tickets together with two e-mails from www.eventbrite.co.uk containing your personalized invitation for these two services. To book your entrance tickets, simply follow the instructions on the email. Print out your ticket, which we will scan at the door. We will keep the initial maximum to 4 tickets each but of course can be flexible. If you find you cannot use your ticket please contact webmaster@st-albans.dk immediately so that we can release your tickets to others. If you are on the electoral role, but do not have access to e-mail and the internet, and would like to attend, please let John or Chris or Claire know, either in church or by phone and we will book the tickets for you. At the beginning of December the remaining tickets for these services will be made available via the church website.

John Mills, Webmaster

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FOR YOUR DIARY

Friday 13th November, 2015 Annual St Alban's MEN'S NIGHT OUT 2015

Meet for a meal at 18:00 wagamama Tietgensgade 20 (behind Tivoli) then

BOWLING AT DGI BYEN at 20:00 on until there is a champion!

To join our annual get together, register your attendance at:- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/st-albans-mens-night-out-2015-tickets-18360823718 For further information contact Chris Parker at parkskov@hotmail.com

Wednesday 18 November at 17.00 – 18.30 HEART STARTER REFRESHER COURSE.

This is the first notice of a very important training event that takes place in November every year. Please sign up - on Narthex Noticeboard if you would like to be certain that you could cope if you found yourself needing to use a heart-starter to save a life. TRYG FONDEN

Nicklas Rath, Consultant and Trainer, will visit St Alban’s in November to train as many able-bodied people as possible in the use of the defibrillator, which Tryg Fonden donated to the church. Each year Tryg Fonden requires that people are trained to use this machine and one of their companies does the training.

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PORTRAITS FROM THE JUTLAND CONGREGATION: GWYN HODGSON

For more than 25 years Gwyn Hodgson has provided the Aarhus congregation with beautiful music. Our organist is now stepping down a bit, but he will still play at the occasional service and of course at our traditional carol service in December. Gwyn Hodgson was born in 1947 in York. As a young boy, he entered the boys’ choir at York Minster, and there he found his passion for church music. Aged seven, he learned to play the piano, and when he was 15, he turned his attention to the organ. At Oxford, Gwyn Hodgson studied musicology. He describes it as very academic, very comprehensive, and very

useful. The studies included harmony and counterpoint, and Gwyn Hodgson wished to pursue his organist career further. His teacher at Oxford recommended studies abroad, and he knew the renowned organist and composer, Finn Viderø, who was teaching at The Royal Danish Academy of Music in Copenhagen. Besides, Gwyn Hodgson had lessons on the Frobenius organ at Queens College, Oxford, and this aroused his interest in Danish organ building. He was awarded a government grant through The British Council. Since 1970, Gwyn Hodgson has been employed at several Danish and English churches, among them as assistant organist at the cathedrals in Helsingør and Chester. Besides, he has given many concerts in England, Germany and Scandinavia. In 1986, he moved to Aarhus. He became a teacher at The Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus and organist at Skt. Johannes Kirke, Aarhus. He is also an external examiner for the conservatoires and schools of church music in Denmark.

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Gwyn Hodgson married Margrethe in 1990, and they have two daughters: Alice is 21, and Emma is 24 years old. Margrethe is an accountant. However, she has also studied music, and she is a keen chorister, who sings in the choir at Markuskirken, as well as in several choirs in Aarhus, including Jysk Akademisk Kor. Thirteen years ago, Gwyn Hodgson became a Roman Catholic. “When I was a teenager, I played the organ at a small church in York where the churchmanship was very high. Then, 18 years ago, I happened to walk in to a Roman Catholic mass, and I felt at home there,” he says. He is still very much a part of the Anglican community in Aarhus, and he still attends Anglican Services. He began working for the congregation at Møllevangskirken in 1989. He knew Jean Donner, who at the time lived in Aarhus, and she introduced him to the congregation. The former organist was about to retire, and Gwyn Hodgson took over. His semi-retirement from Møllevangskirken is only happening because Skt. Johanneskirken sometimes holds afternoon services, and the Anglican services collide with them. Now, a new organist is slowly taking over at Møllevangskirken. Lina Kluonyté is from Lithuania, and she has been one of Gwyn Hodgson’s pupils, so we feel very safe and secure.

Charlotte Lindhardt

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CCLLIIMMAATTEE CCHHAANNGGEE WWAALLKK,, SEPTEMBER 2015

The climate is changing and climate change is affecting every one. Climate change threatens creation and humanity and the poorest in our world suffer the most. The climate pilgrimage on September 12 was a walk for hope for creation. 36 people from the International Church in Copenhagen and St. Alban’s walked with thousands of others around the world to encourage the worlds' leaders to negotiate a fair international climate agreement at the Climate Summit in Paris later this year. Walking - alone or together - changes us. The rhythm and the simplicity affects our hearts and helps us focus on what is important. As climate pilgrims our goal was to walk for hope in the world. The pilgrimage - or Walk and Worship Event - included a walk of about 8 km and ended with a worship service in Vest Amager. The pilgrims carried a bottle of water which has made its way with other pilgrims from the melting ice caps of northern Norway to Denmark, and will continue to the COP in Paris, where it will be delivered to the decision makers together with a petition for a just and equitable climate agreement. The pilgrimage was planned by The National Council of Churches in Denmark in collaboration with the International Church of Copenhagen and St. Alban's.

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Words by Owen Prewett, photographs by Bev Lloyd-Roberts and prayer by

Graeme Lloyd-Roberts, Licensed Lay Reader.

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THE GUARDIANS In 1970 it was recorded that the sales of post-cards in the Narthex had raised 800 kr, a figure that in 1973 had risen to 2200 kr. There is no indication in our archives as to how these amounts were recorded – perhaps they were the amounts that had accumulated in the wall-safe? It was not until 1981 that the term “Guardians” is used, when this noble group of volunteers is credited with raising 11,000 kr. Sally Budde-Lund was apparently in charge of organising the Guardians in 1981 and was succeeded in 1983 by Glenn Harvey. It seems to have been Elisabeth Nielsen that for many years took the initiative to provide brief guides to the church in different languages – these guides were in 3 languages in 1983. By 1985 Joan Alsing-Andersen was in charge and income was significantly higher at 46,195 kr. Glenn Harvey was back on duty in 1987 and 1988, after which she retired; Audrey Capes took over in 1989 as a stop-gap. Edith Beyer then began to organise the Guardians, and kept going for an unsurpassed 12 years. During her tenure Edith records that there were regularly between 25 and 29 Guardians sharing the duties, and in her reports to the AGM notes how much the Guardians enjoyed talking to the many visitors. Kate Anderson, Linda Jensen and Elisabeth Nielsen are occasionally mentioned as sharing the organisation duties with Edith. Elisabeth Nielsen had increased the ‘Brief history of St. Albans’ distributed to visitors from 7 languages in 1996 to an amazing 22 languages by 1999. Income steadily increased, except for the summers when there were roadworks around the Gefion fountain, and in Edith’s last year (2002) the Guardians contribution to Church finances was 77,500 kr. Vicki Jones organised the Guardians in 2003 and 2004, and in 2005 John and Candy Gilmartin found time to undertake the job in addition to all the other things they carried out for St. Alban’s; 2005 was another record year with income said to be about 198,000 kr. From 2006 until 2010 Chris and Nini Leigh took the impact of the Guardians to new heights, perhaps partly due to the ‘Brief history of St. Albans’ now being available in 37 languages. Income credited to the Guardians was slightly under or over 200,000 kr.

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In 2011 Rosemary Bohr took over as Guardians organiser, and is continuing the good work of her predecessors. Income in 2013 was 203,000 kr, rising to an astonishing 230,000 kr in 2014 and an even better result in 2015.

Photo: from newsletter 2014- a group of Guardians ready to welcome visitors all summer

Tony Higgins, St. Alban’s archivist.

From St. Alban’s Newsletters, with apologies for any errors.

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SERMON PREACHED ON SUNDAY 11 October 15, by the Chaplain, the Revd Darren McCallig. Mark 10: verses 17 and 21. “A man ran up and knelt before Jesus, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ … Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’“ Today’s Gospel is all about life — the kind of life that so many of us yearn for. A life lived fully and deeply and joyfully and generously. A life lived fully in tune with what really matters. Fully in tune with our deepest and best selves. Fully in tune with the lives of those around us, and a life lived fully in tune with that great Mystery which is greater than all of us and yet somehow also present in each one of us — a life lived fully in tune with God. In religious language we call that quality of living, that kind of full and deep and joyful and generous life, we call it “Eternal life”. We call it “Eternal” because our trust and belief and hope is that as we give ourselves over to that way of living we find a peace and a presence and a promise which cannot ultimately be destroyed, not even by death. Today’s Gospel is about life — fullness of life, Eternal Life. But, it is also about money! There is no getting away from it! So maybe we should start there. Let’s start with the money. Let’s have a quick look again at this morning’s Gospel. It’s usually called the story of the “Rich Young Ruler” and that’s because in Mark’s version of the story — the one we had this morning — he is described as having many possessions, being rich. In Matthew’s Gospel, where the story also appears, we are told he is young. And in Luke’s Gospel the man is described as a “ruler”. So a rich young ruler. In other words, what we have here is a young, powerful, well-connected, successful, wealthy man. A man who is going places. A man who, at least according to himself, has led an upright and blameless life. He has — or so he tells Jesus, and we have no reason to doubt him — followed all the commandments. He has not murdered anyone. He has not defrauded anyone. He’s very good to his parents. He is a success. He has everything that money can buy — and yet! Yet, he senses that there’s got to be something more to life that this. He senses that there’s something missing in his life. He senses that he has made a very good living — but has he made a good life?

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And so he comes to Jesus and he asks his question: “Good teacher,” he asks “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It’s like he’s asking, What can I do to complete my accomplishments? What can I do to add that one prize to my trophy cabinet, that one prize which has so far eluded me? What can I do to fill my life — not just with possessions — but with meaning and purpose? And Jesus looks at him, and Jesus loves him and Jesus tells him what to do — very clearly: “Give it all away,” says Jesus. “Sell everything, give the money to the poor, and come follow me!” But he couldn’t. The rich young man just couldn’t do it. As our reading put it “He went away grieving for he had many possessions.” In all of the Gospels this rich young man is the only person — he has the unique distinction of being the only person who, when Jesus says “Come follow me” says “No.” No, I can’t. I just can’t do it. So what are to make of all of this? Well, let me say a couple of things. First of all, as you might imagine, this Gospel passage has been the source of endless debate down the centuries. What does it mean exactly? Does it mean that being wealthy is wrong? Does it mean that we should all sell up everything we have and give the money to the poor? Good questions! Well, you may be relieved to hear that most biblical scholars say “No”! Most scholars say that this command “sell all you have and give the money to the poor” is a particular command for a particular person, in a particular context. It doesn't necessarily apply to us all. After all, most scholars point out that, when you think about it, Jesus did have some wealthy followers. For example, in Luke’s Gospel (Chapter 8) we are told about a group of women who travelled around with Jesus and the disciples and “provided for them out of their resources.” In other words this group of wealthy women sponsored Jesus — you might say — and his ministry. Not something they could have done if they had given up everything. So, phew! We are off the hook then, eh! Well, not quite so fast. Listen to this. This is from the New Testament scholar Robert Grundy. He says: The fact that Jesus did not command all his followers to sell all their possessions gives comfort only to the kind of people to whom he would give that command! Ouch! A little close to the bone that one! The truth is, of course, that this is a Gospel passage which does have something to say to all of us — rich or poor, young or old, powerful or otherwise. Because while the presenting issue, as we have seen, was money, the underlying issue, the more fundamental question concerns

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us all — and that issue is life, Eternal Life. That, after all, was the question the rich young ruler asked right at the beginning. And what a telling question it was and how tellingly he phrased it. Listen to it again: What must I do to inherit eternal life? What must I do? In essence he’s asking: How do I get this thing? Where do I buy it? How do I acquire it? How do I make this happen in the way that I have bought or acquired or earned all the other things in my life? What must I do to inherit eternal life? The answer, of course — strictly speaking, theologically speaking — is that you don’t do anything. The answer, of course, is that Eternal life is not for sale. You don’t buy it. You don’t earn it. Eternal life — life lived fully in tune with yourself, with those around you, and with God — that’s a gift, a gift of grace. And you can’t earn that gift anymore than you can earn the forgiveness you receive when you least deserve it. You cannot force that gift anymore than you can force someone to love you; or force God to stop loving you. You cannot buy that gift any more than you buy true friendship, or buy the joy which comes from serving others, or buy the smile on a baby’s face. Eternal life — life lived fully, deeply, joyfully and generously — it’s a gift, it’s all gift. But you do have to be free to receive the gift. You do have to come with an open heart and a couple of empty hands in order to receive the gift. And that, I think, was the real nub of the problem for the rich young ruler. His hands were already too full to receive anything from anyone. His hands were already too full of material possessions. Too full of a sense of his own importance and achievements. Too full to receive the free gift of grace. And so, when the offer came, he couldn’t accept. But that was then and that was him. The real question is this: What about us? Are we so laden down with our own money and our own possessions that we have no spare hands left to receive the gift of God’s grace? Are our fists so tightly clenched — with anger, or bitterness, or jealousy or un-necessary worries — that we cannot take hold of God’s offer of forgiveness and peace? Are our hands too full with our own personal projects and schemes that we’re incapable of reaching out a helping hand to others? Are our hands too full to receive the gift of grace? Well, if that’s the case, then I suggest to you that there’s really only one thing for it. And that’s to come here. Come here, to these altar rails later in this service, and receive. Come with nothing more than an open heart, and two empty hands, and receive. Come with those empty hands and,

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in this Holy Communion, receive Christ’s life and love. Come and receive the free, unearned, not-for-sale gift of God’s love and grace. Come as you are, and leave closer to what God intends you to be. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Welcome@st-albans.dk We would like everyone that walks through St Alban's doors for the first time to feel a very warm welcome.

We realise that joining a new Church can be quite a daunting experience and if you are thinking of joining St Alban's, Copenhagen you might be new to Denmark too. There may be questions you would like to ask, but are not sure who to ask. Welcome@st-albans.dk is the email address you can use to get in contact with us and ask us any questions, no matter how small they may seem. If you are new to Denmark, maybe there is some information we

could help you with. We are a very multicultural congregation, so if you would prefer to ask someone who comes from the same country as yourself something, maybe where to get a particular food, then we can probably put you in touch with someone who knows the answer. Junior Williams and Bev Lloyd-Roberts are waiting to read your emails and to welcome you. Even if you do not have any questions to ask us, if you are new, do email us and let us know who you are.

Welcome@st-albans.dk

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MOTHER’S UNION CHRISTMAS SHOE BOX APPEAL Every year since 2011 St Alban’s Mother’s Union has arranged to support the Dannerhuset Krisecenter in Copenhagen. This year we will do so again. The shelter takes in women and children who are suffering from violence and family breakdown. We will again be preparing shoeboxes filled with small presents for children and mother’s whose Christmas will spend away from their homes. Everyone at St Alban’s is invited to make up a box with small items. All you need to do is decide whether it is to be for a girl or a boy, and roughly what age range the items would appeal to. The children who receive these boxes will often have arrived with just what they can carry. Gifts included should be new and age-appropriate. To give you some ideas, have a look at the following list: Teddy bears Soft toys Jigsaws Building blocks Musical instruments Yo-yos Trucks and cars Dolls Clip-on earrings Felt pens, biros, pencils Sharpeners, erasers Colouring books Notepads Picture books Chalk Pencil cases Stickers Pads of paper Toothbrush and paste Hair brush, combs Hair clips Soap and flannel Gloves Scarves Sunglasses Caps/hats Bangles/necklaces Certain things must NOT be included:. Food Chocolate Medicine/vitamins War-related items Knives Clothing Fragile items – glass Liquids Dangerous objects Novels Political information We still have a few gift wrapped shoeboxes but Dorothy will organise a working bee if you would kindly provide her with any shoeboxes you can find. You are also welcome to deliver a bag of gifts to the church and the Mother’s Union ladies will fill the boxes appropriately. We would like to bless all the shoeboxes at the service on Sunday 13th December so they can be delivered the following week in time for Christmas Eve. Please contact Dorothy Ocanda or churchwardens@st-albans.dk if you are happy to help.

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CCHHIILLDDRREENN’’SS MMIINNIISSTTRRYY

CChhiillddrreenn’’ss mmiinniissttrryy iiss aa cceennttrraall aanndd vvaalluueedd ppaarrtt ooff tthhee wwoorrkk aanndd wwiittnneessss ooff SStt AAllbbaann’’ss wwiitthh SSuunnddaayy sscchhooooll ggaatthheerriinngg mmoosstt SSuunnddaayyss iinn tthhee yyeeaarr.. TThheerree iiss nnootthhiinngg ssuurreerr ttoo bbrriinngg aa tteennddeerr ssmmiillee ttoo tthhee ffaacceess ooff tthhee ccoonnggrreeggaattiioonn eeaacchh SSuunnddaayy tthhaann ttoo sseeee aa ggrroouupp ooff ssmmaallll cchhiillddrreenn pprroouuddllyy wwaallkkiinngg ddoowwnn tthhee aaiissllee wwiitthh tthheeiirr lliigghhtteedd CChhiillddrreenn’’ss wwoorrsshhiipp ccaannddllee ccaarreeffuullllyy ccaarrrriieedd bbyy oonnee ooff tthheemm.. WWee uussee lleessssoonn ppllaannss ffrroomm wwhhoollee ppeeooppllee ooff GGoodd wwhhiicchh iiss aa CCaannaaddiiaann wweebbssiittee wwiitthh lloottss ooff ssuuggggeessttiioonnss ffoorr aaccttiivviittiieess ffoorr cchhiillddrreenn.. TThheerree iiss SSuunnddaayy SScchhooooll aabboouutt tthhrreeee SSuunnddaayyss aa mmoonntthh,, aabboouutt 66 ttoo 88 cchhiillddrreenn ppaarrttiicciippaattee eeaacchh ttiimmee,, aaggeedd ffrroomm aabboouutt 44 ttoo 1100 yyeeaarrss..

IIff yyoouu aarree iinntteerreesstteedd,, jjuusstt ttuurrnn uupp iinn cchhuurrcchh.. YYoouu ccaann aallssoo sseenndd aann ee--mmaaiill ttoo SSuunnddaayysscchhooooll@@sstt--aallbbaannss..ddkk ttoo lleeaarrnn mmoorree..

Our Electoral Roll Officer, Pauleen Bang would like to remind you that if

you change your address, telephone number, email address, etc.

ELECTORAL ROLL

please don’t forget to let her know.

electoralroll@st-albans.dk

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RENEWAL OF VOWS On a chilly Autumn Wednesday evening a number of the congregation experienced a beautiful ceremony, when Steve and Candace Harrod, renewed their wedding vows after 20 years of marriage. It was heartwarming to see their family gathered here in Copenhagen and was enriching and beautiful. As Candace herself says: “ Life offers us opportunities to stop and appreciate the richness and many blessings we have, and the various relationships that connect our lives to one another. Steve and I decided to acknowledge these blessings and renewed our wedding vows after 20 years of marriage, on 21 October, 2015. Like all relationships, we have seen peaks and valleys with major life stresses and illnesses, as well as glorious sunsets. If there is one thing we have learned, it is to hold on around the corners to your loved ones because there may be just "one more hill", but the view from the top of the roller coaster is breathtaking and worth the climb! We would like to thank our St. Alban's family for making us feel so welcomed! With our love, Candace, Steve, Stuart and Clara

Afterwards those present enjoyed a good glass of sparkling wine in keeping with the atmosphere of the ceremony and plenty of home-baked cake. Candace has already given a lot back to the church as a reliable Guardian all summer. Photo: Daughter Clara held the bouquet as Candace and Steve exchanged rings. Their son Stuart was ‘Best Man’ to his father.

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REGISTRAR’S REPORT (We are delighted to be able to report that Kate Thomsen, our Registrar, is almost ‘up and running’ again after several serious operations on her foot which kept her in hospital for several months. Good Bettering, Kate, as the Danes would say ) Baptisms 5 July Holly Sørensen,

Parents: Mads and Vanessa Sørensen 2 August Christian and Sebastian Fisher,

Parents: Nicholas and Laureen Fisher Sylvia Holdsworth,

Parents: Neil Holdsworth and Kamma Bøhl 6 September Jamie Mackenzie,

Parents: Daniel Mackenzie and Anna Tofini Camilla Mukabo,

Parents: Pfumo and Olena Mukabo 31 October Theodore Christiansen,

Parents: Thomas and Alexander Christiansen Felix Kristensen,

Parents: Jesper Kristensen and Fiona Robinson 1 November Lucas Hopkins,

Parents Trine Hopkins and David Hopkins Jay Power,

Parents Katherine and Markus Power Max and Olivia Johansen,

Parents Peter Johansen and Antoinette Schaetz Funeral 18 August Edith Elwert, 4 April 1939 to 11 August 2015, R I P Weddings 20 June Charles Platts and Anne-Mette Olsen 4 July Mark Nixon and Ida Jacobsen

Phillip Littler and Pitchapa Pibulsakkul 1 August James Weston and Anne-Louisa Howardsen 8 August Stuart Whatley and Marie Olsen 15 august David Lovett and Sophie Gerike 15 September Uffe Steffensen and Alexandra Whittaker

****** Congratulations and warmest best wishes to parents and wedding couples

Our sincere condolences to Edith Elwert’s family,

René, Michael and Jurgen and their families.

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MEET THE CHOIR: LOUISE PARKER

1. What brought you to St Albans Choir? During my studies in England last year I lived at a college shared with the Dominican Order (also known as the Order of Preachers), which is a Roman Catholic religious order. Although I felt quite alienated in the beginning, I slowly started get to know the friars, and I have come to know some of the most inspiring people. When I arrived back in Denmark, I missed the space and atmosphere of the church dearly. This eventually brought me here to St Albans.

2. Why do you enjoy singing there?

I have been singing for many years, and it is a pleasure now to be singing at St Albans with the choir. The community here is great, and it is wonderful in this way to be part of a greater whole.

3. What is your favourite music?

Classical music speaks to me more than anything else. Currently my affection centers on Bach and Fauré.

4. Is music important for your spiritual life?

Beethoven rightfully says: »music is the mediator between the spiritual and the sensual life«. It is truly interesting that music is something, which touches people, and has touched people, maybe more than any other form of art. But who is to explain how »music (…) gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaity to life and to everything« (Plato), and how »music cleanses the understanding, inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it could not reach if it were left to itself« (Ward Beecher). Having avoided the question by quoting people more poetic than I, I can only say that words seem restricted when trying to capture the experience of music. Yet, I think we all have an understanding of how powerfully it can affect us.

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St Alban’s Mother’s Union is a small but active group of “mothers” – men and non-mothers also take part. Dorothy Ocanda (left) helped to arrange a special visit in September, to drum up interest again amongst newcomers and stalwarts alike. Carol Johnston, President of the Mothers’ Union for the Diocese in Europe, and Johanna Fedipe (2nd rt), is the Regional Development Officer. They visited Copenhagen on Sunday 20 September and attended our morning service. Afterwards Johanna spoke about the mission of this global organisation which works in 83 countries, many of them third world nations, to promote the well-being of families, women and children.

**** In 2014 the Church of England began a new initiative entitled “Freedom Sunday.” The purpose of the observance is to set aside a day in the church’s year for worship, prayer and action on

human trafficking. In 2015, Saint Alban’s marked Freedom Sunday on 11 October by inviting three women from HopeNow to speak after the service. Kristina Rasmussen is assistant Director, Marcella had been a victim of trafficking and told her own story and Maiken explained how this aptly named Danish NGO raises its funding. Since ‘HopeNow’s foundation in 2007, Michelle Mildwater and her dedicated team, work to empower trafficked people in Denmark. It undertakes social and therapeutic work with trafficked people as well as providing legal advice. It also seeks to raise awareness of the issues around human trafficking in Denmark. Saint Alban’s has supported HopeNow’s work in recent years and we those present were very moved by the stories we heard of tragedy and new life. For further information, see: http://www.hopenow.dk

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Invitation to a

Memorial Service To give thanks to Almighty God for the Inspirational Life of

Nana Kojo Svedstrup Jantuah 29th April 1963 — 5th August 2015

to be held at St. Alban’s Church, Churchillparken, Copenhagen

Saturday 21st November 2015 at 2 pm

The memorial service for Kojo will be followed by an optional Act of Regret for the former state of Denmark-Norway-Slesvig-Holstein’s participation in the transatlantic slave trade and in plantation slavery in the Caribbean. The commemoration will recall each of the 192 voyages of slave ships that sailed from Copenhagen to West Africa, and their human cargo of some 54,000 Africans that they transported across the Atlantic to a lifetime of bondage and exploitation. It will take place at the harbour edge at Toldboden, about 3 minutes walk from St. Alban’s church. This initiative is inspired by Kojo’s successful reconnection to his Danish roots and his distant Danish relatives, as well as his determination to

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reconcile the lasting wounds caused by slavery. Kojo’s life story symbolizes his wider calling to go as a prophetic messenger to Denmark-Norway, to reconnect the severed contact with Ghana, and with its past involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and the slave plantations in the Danish West Indies. We believe that God is now calling us as Christians to intercede with Him on behalf of our nation, to fully recognise the evil deeds of our forefathers who took part in transporting and exploiting the enslaved. We will follow the example of the Israelites in chapter 9 of the book of Nehemiah who repented for the sins of their nation and ancestors. This will be a personal act before God, and will therefore not constitute an official apology by any state. Among Kojo’s friends who have initiated this event are the descendant of a captain of a Danish slave ship, and of a family that owned and ran slave plantations on the Danish-Norwegian islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix. Just as citizens of Denmark-Norway and Britain were the major financers and participants of Danish-Norwegian slavery, so too are we citizens from those countries. We invite anyone who wishes to join this Act of Regret to accompany us to the harbor edge. It will be late November, so bring a thick coat!

Tea and coffee will be served in St. Alban’s church after the Memorial Service and the Act of Regret

A collection will be taken for the charity HopeNow who work with current victims of trafficking and enslavement.

*****

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DEANERY SYNOD 2015, IN HELSINKI After an early start and a morning of travelling, we arrived at a very sunny Helsinki. The venue of the synod lent itself to networking and relaxing, situated as on a peninsular surrounded by water with stunning views over islands. The sun setting on the water made the Holy Spirit seem much closer. The highlights of the meeting were definitely meeting old friends and making new ones and although there is an official program, the times between the set program and coffee breaks, give everyone a chance to share their news and the news of their parish. Many a great idea has been generated over a glass of wine at the end of the day and it is always a pleasure to hear of many of the congregations´ incentives which have led to growth in the diocese. Another highlight of the meeting was meeting our new Archdeacon Collin Williams who has a very busy assignment but seemed to know exactly what he is letting himself in for, and extended a greeting to St Albans – He looks forward to meeting us all in 2016. He led an amazing Bible study session on the Book of Jonah which everyone thoroughly enjoyed and which prompted interesting discussions about judgement and overcoming our perceived inadequacies and do what God is calling us to do. Someone who responded to such a calling is another new old face! Nick Howe returned as Area Dean, taking over from Barbara who retires at the end of the year. The synod is a two day meeting in dispersed with worship and communal prayer. More comprehensive details and minutes of the meeting are available from Pauleen Bang but I thought I would pick out some of the key topics and some of the impressions that we left on us and what we discussed - if you are interested in discussing any of these points, any of the representatives – Nigel, Maria, Pauleen, John, Darren or I will be happy to discuss in more detail. One of the more thought provoking sessions was conducted by the Finnish non discrimination ombudsman who talked about human trafficking and the effects that this leaves upon its victims and the work that they are doing to support these victims. We heard harrowing case studies of some of these situations and the psychological impact of blackmail and exploitation as well as how (mainly women) become controlled and manipulated by the

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traffickers. Many of us saw the parallels in how the victims are brainwashed as being akin to domestic violence and abuse. We discussed the role of the Church and how having connections to organizations such as Hope Now and indeed supporting them in any way possible, is key. Creating relationships with these authorities and being a safe place is what we can offer – We all realized that we need to tread carefully not being experts in this field but be open and on the lookout for vulnerable women and know where to send them for the professional advice they so desperately need. The Lay Chapter meeting was an interesting session where we reviewed the Church of England’s strategy and asked ourselves some tough questions relating to the ongoing relevance of the Church and where we should priorities and focus, No doubt there will be more information on this as well as looking how St Albans can also contribute to the overall mission of the Church – Being welcoming, relevant and a place which welcomes and fosters a spirit of diversity and tolerance as well as being insistent and vocal about God´s unconditional love available for all seemed to be our conclusion and some fun was had coming up with newspaper attention grabbing headlines to sum up the Church, who we are and what we do! On Sunday, the whole group moved from our meeting venue into Helsinki where we worshipped together and Bishop David confirmed four young members of the congregation in a service that was co presided by Most Revd Ezekiel Kondo, the Archbishop of Sudan. The meeting next year is in Riga and the friendships and conversations started at this year’s meeting will no doubt be continued by email, social media and in person whenever we get the chance! God is definitely at work in the Nordic and Baltic congregations and the lasting impression I have is the report from the congregations about how they are growing and flourishing – A new choir in Stockholm, recent confirmations in St Albans and the growing Sunday School in Riga to name but a few. Please continue to keep all our friends in this Diocese in your thoughts and prayers as they do for all of us here at St Albans.

Victoria Wadsworth-Hansen Licensed Lay-Reader

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Saint Alban’s ChurchChurchillparken 11, 1263 Copenhagen KUnder the Patronage of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II

Weekly Eucharists:Sundays and Wednesdays at 10:30All are welcome – Sunday School for children almost every Sunday.

Please call the Chaplain on 39 62 77 36 (10-16) if you are seeking baptism, confirmation, marriage or have any other pastoral or prayer request. You can also contact the churchwardens – see below.

Contact DetailsChaplain The Reverend Darren McCallig 39 62 77 36 (St Alban’s House) Chaplain@st-albans.dk

Affiliated: DiocesanDirectorofTraining 35260660 Canon Ulla Monberg Ulla.Monberg@churchofengland.org

PermissiontoOfficiate: DeaconChristopheNdikuriyo 71412114 chndi2011@gmail.com

LicensedReaders: MrGraemeLloyd-Roberts 50845519 graemelr@aol.com

Mrs Victoria Wadsworth-Hansen victoriawadsworth@hotmail.com

Ms Ursula Sonnevald usonnevald@gmail.com

Churchwardens Mrs.ClaireClausen 28120128

Mr.ChristopherParker 25112391 churchwardens@st-albans.dk

St Alban’s receives no subsidy from the state or national Church and is funded by the generosity of the congregation and visitors. To support the mission and ministry of the Church, contributions canbemadeto‘StAlban’sChurch’toBankaccountno.3121-4140514136orforUKtaxpayersbyGiftAid,increasingthevalueoftheirgiftby25%

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The Chaplain, the Ministry Team

and the Church Council would like to thank you very much for your generous support

in time, energy, money and resources throughout the year.

May you and your family

know God’s peace, love and happiness this joyous Christmas season.

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Photo: Bev Lloyd-Roberts. ‘St Alban’s as seen from Kastellet on a clear autumn day’