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Dear Friends,

Developing Links with a Companion Parish

One of the joys of being part of the Anglican Church is that it is a worldwide communion. In recent months an opportunity has opened up for us to develop a “companion parish” relationship with Grace Episcopal Church in Holland, Michigan, USA. In this newsletter I would like to share this idea with you, and I invite your comments.

The link has come about through our family ties with Holland, Michigan. Each summer we go to visit Donna’s family - her parents, and also her brother with his family. Since Donna’s parents retired to Holland three years ago, this has been our base for our summer holidays. Each year I have taken the opportunity to worship with the Anglican Church in Holland and I have got to know the Co-Rectors, Tom and Jen, and I’ve met members of the Church Family.

On my visit this summer I floated the idea of developing a companion parish link. Jen and Tom gave me the chance speak at their two morning services and I was given a warm reception. Given that links really become meaningful through people and the growth of friendships, I suggested that it would be good to develop the idea of exchange visits. (I know from personal experience how hospitable people are in Holland, Michigan!)

In particular, we could offer hospitality in our parish and invite a group from Grace Episcopal Church to visit us. There are many places within easy day-trip range from us that not only have interest from a tourist point of view, but which are also closely connected with the development of the Anglican Church.

An outline itinerary could include the following: the group could worship with us on a Sunday and meet our Church Family; then during the course of the following week we could arrange visits to Rochester, Canterbury, London and Cambridge, interspersed with local activities such as a short walk along a stretch of the Pilgrims’ Way and a pub lunch; the visit could then conclude with Sunday worship back in our parish.

If this idea became established, we would need to make more detailed arrangements about accommodation and transport and food. But at this stage I would like to float the suggestion with our Church Family. I have discussed the idea with our Churchwardens and with the Finance and Standing Committee, and there has been an enthusiastic response.

In terms of timing, we could look at early September 2005, or some time in 2006.

Grace Episcopal Church has also discussed the idea in their “Outreach Commission” and they have published an article in their monthly parish magazine. In addition to the exchange visits programme, they have also suggested other ways of developing a companion relationship:

• encouraging “pen pals” (both adults and young people);
  
• exchanging ideas - from parish programmes to cooking recipes!
  
• finding out about each other’s ministries and entering into a covenant of mutual prayer support
  
• getting to know each other better through an exchange of information and pictures.
  
• We are currently receiving their monthly magazine “Grace to You” and I will put up a display of photos on our noticeboard in the Church Centre.

Grace Church was established in Holland, Michigan, in 1866 when a small group of Episcopalians gathered for morning services in a local schoolhouse. The congregation was officially recognised as part of the Diocese of Michigan in 1868. In the early years the church building and rectory were twice destroyed by fire. The present church was built in 1959. The church has a full and active ministry, with various programmes in Christian education, pastoral care, fellowship, social concern, and youth work, in addition to the regular Sunday morning services.

I’m sure both our parishes could be enriched through this link. Do let me know if you would like to support this development.

Quiet Evening before Christmas

As Christmas approaches, you will find details of the full range of services published both in our parish notes and in the newsletter. In addition to the firm favourites such as the Christingle Services, Nativity Play, Crib Services, and Christmas Communion & Family Services, I would like to highlight the Quiet Evening before Christmas. This will be held at All Saints Church, 8.00 pm on Tuesday 21 December. It is the perfect antidote to all the Christmas busyness.

When you arrive, you will find the church in semi-darkness with the east window floodlit. For the next hour, carefully chosen music, short readings and periods of silence will lead us gently towards Christmas. There will also be times when pictures are projected onto the wall above the pulpit. At about 9 o'clock, everyone will be encouraged to leave in silence, hopefully deep in thought and spiritually uplifted.

I wish you a happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Your friend and Rector,