ikon 2013 christmas final snnn - church of the ascension ... · pdf fileikon – the...

Christmas 2013

Ikon

The Ascension Messenger

Photo by Sue Morris

A n g l i c a n / E p i s c o p a l Church of the Ascension Munich, Germany

Ikon – The Ascension Messenger Christmas 2013

of 20

Table of Contents: 1. Numbers to Note ............................................................................................................... 2 2. Ministry Coordinators ........................................................................................................ 3 3. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany at Church of the Ascension ......................................... 4 4. Rector's Epistle ................................................................................................................. 6 5. Editorial ............................................................................................................................. 6 6. Worship and Music ............................................................................................................ 7 7. Spiritual Formation ............................................................................................................ 7 8. Mission & Outreach ........................................................................................................... 8 9. Financial Commitment to Ascension ............................................................................... 12 10. Fellowship ....................................................................................................................... 12 11. Ordination of Chris Easthill to the Priesthood ................................................................. 13 12. Convention of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe ................................. 15 13. The Sin Album ................................................................................................................. 18 14. Did You Know? ............................................................................................................... 19 15. Christmas ........................................................................................................................ 19 16. Answers to Mission Quiz ................................................................................................. 19

1. Numbers to Note

Rector: The Rev. Steven R. Smith 089 648 185 (office) 01525 459 9175 (m)

Priest: The Rev. Chris Easthill 089 9620 1894 Visiting Priest: The Rev. Clair Ullmann +43 64 6720107 Senior Warden: Ian Catley 089 543 9169 Junior Warden: Barbara Rushiti 089 141 6771

Vestry Secretary: Lois Stuckenbruck 089 0176 8461 7684 Treasurer: Kaye O’Connell 08456 2577


of 20

2. Ministry Coordinators

Altar Guild: Alice Keller 089 5484 3056 Coffee Fellowship: Joan Case 08024 499 45 Choir Director: Jeff Leipsic 089 688 6567 Community Building & Fund Raising: Sue Knowles 08102 72618

Creche/Nursery: Kurt Strehlow 089 904 68746 Ecumenical Relations: George Battrick 089 688 1151 Financial Commitment: Deirdre L. Tincker 08141 70459 Greeters: Hospitality: Joan Case 08024 499 45 Ikon Editors: Dee Pattee 089 616227

The Rev. Steven R. Smith 089 648 185 Mission Committee: Yvonne Cockcroft 089 812 2262 Prisoner Support Group: Sue Morris 08122 228 3379 Publicity & Communications: Ian Catley 089 543 9169 Refugee Program: Derek Mullinger 089 480 1129 Spiritual Formation: Laurie Hilditch 08166 992891

Sunday School: Sarah Antor 089 1795 9069 Taizé Evening Prayer: Rémy Bethmont 089 691 1120 Ushers: Phil Cockcroft 089 812 2262 Welcome & Integration: Jeremy Hamer 089 8953 0159 Orchestra and Chorus: Margaret Hilditch 08166 922 891 Youth Group (Senior Group):

Chris Easthill 089 9620 1894

John Breuer 089 3265 0810 Youth Group (Junior Youth):

Graham Ashley 089 65 64 77 Albie Ashbrook 01577 830 3677 Maureen Fischer 089 8639 9977


of 20

3. Advent, Christmas and Epiphany at Church of the Ascension

December 1, 12.00 Advent I service with Great Litany

December 8, 12.00 Advent and Christmas Lessons and Carols

15.00 Messiah Open Sing with orchestra and soloists (not 14.00)

December 15, 12.00 Advent III service

December 15, 14.00 Christmas Carol Sing

December 22, 12.00 Advent IV service

December 24, 16.00 Christmas Eve service for children (Emmauskirche Gemeindesaal)

December 24, 22.00 Christmas Eve service (St. Willibrord, Blumenstr. 36, Munich)

December 25, 12.00 Christmas Day service

December 29, 12.00 Christmas I service

January 5, 12.00 Christmas II service

January 12, 12.00 Epiphany Lessons and Carols All events are held at the Emmauskirche, Laurinplatz 1, Munich-Harlaching (unless a different location is noted)

Church of the Ascension Emmauskirche, Laurinplatz 1, Munich-Harlaching

Public transport:

Bus 139 to Autharistraße or Tram 15/25 to Authariplatz.

Church Office: Seybothstr 4, 81545 Munich

089/648 185 [email protected]

www.ascension-munich.com


of 20


of 20

4. Rector's Epistle On the First Sunday of Advent this year, the Sunday school brought into the church an Advent wreath they had made. When I asked them why the wreath is green and made of evergreen boughs, one of the children responded it is because the green reminds us that winter moves into spring, and all of the animals and people do not die but will be better in spring. What this young girl theologian said reminded me of the C.S. Lewis series “Chronicles of Narnia,” when a character says, imagine it is winter, winter, winter all the time, and there is no Christmas. Whether our winter in Munich is white and cold (which happened in my first two Christmases in Munich) or brown and cold (which is what has happened in the last two Christmases in Munich), winter is a part of living in this part of the world. No matter what the outside world looks like, is it not what is in our hearts which makes Christmas a time of warmth, cheer and thanksgiving? Christmas is a gift because it gives us the chance to take a breather from every-day life and spend good time with family and friends. Christmas brings parties and good food, and for many of us the exchange of gifts lovingly purchased or made. Christmas provides the opportunity to sing favorite carols and attend once a year seasonal events, like our Carol Sing and Messiah Sing Along. Whatever the outside world looks like, we are blessed to have Christmas come to us yet again. Of course, most of all, Christmas is the annual celebration of God's coming to live among us in the person of the babe, Jesus. That is what is truly awesome and magnificent about Christmas – that God cares so much for us that God was willing to leave the heavenly realms and take on our human form. Fundamentally important in God's coming to dwell as a human, among humans, is that God did not choose to be born in a palace or into a royal or wealthy family. No, God chose humble circumstances, born in a stable to a laborer father and an unwed mother, with peasant shepherds and farm animals as the only onlookers. To me, the choice God made in “how” to become human tells us of God's priorities. In choosing the kind of birth that God chose, we see that God values simplicity and humility, the poor and the meek. Christmas reminds us that God lives through Christ in us when we are humble, grateful and prayerful. With this faith and knowledge, we say together that while it is winter, winter, winter all the time in the outside world, Christmas comes to our hearts to remind us of God’s great love for us. Rev. Steve

5. Editorial Dear Friends, this time of year can seem rather dead in many ways – darkness, cold, no leaves left on the trees. Advent however can awaken our numbed senses. Our ears capture the sound of Advent music and carols, our eyes feast on the glittering shop window displays and the decorated Christmas tree. Our sense of smell absorbs the scent of Glühwein and Lebkuchen at the Christmas markets and the turkey roasting in the oven at home. All these things are unique to Advent and Christmas which makes it a special time of year in many ways. Despite the commercialism there is still something comforting and almost magical about the Christmas ritual, a reminder that some things don’t really change. Even for those who are not regular church goers attending a carol service is a ritual they don’t want to miss, maybe because this and all the other things which are part of Christmas remind them of their childhood. The thrill of opening the first door on the Advent calendar and lighting the first candle on the Adventskranz creates a sense of excitement and expectation which can only be experienced at this time of year and is as relevant today as it was in previous generations. For Christians it is of course more than just a big feast and a long holiday. The true meaning of the Christmas story is that it binds together people of all nations, not because of pomp or fame but because of the message the humble Christ child brings as darkness turns into light.

Barbara Norman


of 20

6. Worship and Music Stephen Schmidt Stepping Down – For personal reasons related to health issues of family members, our church organist, Stephen Schmidt, will step down January 2014. Stephen has served three-and-a-half years, and we will miss seeing him in the choir loft on Sundays, and we certainly will miss hearing him play his amazing preludes and postludes and his accompanying us with the hymns. Happily for us, Stephen and his wife Ellen will remain members of Ascension, so we will continue to see them. Please keep Stephen, Ellen and their family in your prayers. Stephen Norton Appointed – Stephen Norton is conductor of the Munich English Choir and often conducts our Evensong services. He has agreed to take on some of the organist responsibilities under the title “Artist in Residence.” Stephen (Norton) will not take the position of organist on a full-time basis. As Artist in Residence, Stephen will assist on the organ from time-to-time during Sunday worship and continue to lead our St. Willibrord Evensong services along with Michael Prager. Welcome Stephen! Taizé Service – This quiet and meditative service, with candles, chant, meditation and prayer, is held one Thursday each month, at 19:45. The next service is Thursday, December 12. The service is held in the Upper Room of the parish house. Nativity Play – At our Christmas Eve service for children, December 24, 16:00, we will present a Nativity Play. We seek people to act the parts of Mary, Joseph, the three Kings, shepherds, sheep and angels. No speaking is required for this version, only acting. If you or your child is interested in joining, please let Rev. Steve know. Adults are welcome to participate. Guest Choir – At our service Sunday, December 29, our music will be led by the choir of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Please join us for worship and to welcome this guest choir. Choral Evensong – Evensong is held at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month at St. Willibrord Church, Blumenstraße 36, near the Sendlinger Tor. Evensong will not be held New Year’s Day, January 1. Future Evensong services: February 5, March 5, Ash Wednesday (which will be an ecumenical service with the Old Catholic congregation of St. Willibrord and will include the imposition of ashes), April 2, May 7, and June 4. 7. Spiritual Formation Sunday School – Sunday school is held each Sunday, 11:45, in the Gemeindesaal. Sunday school is open to children ages 4-10. DID YOU KNOW that Ascension launched a new Sunday school concept and curriculum this last month? Weaving God's Promises is a three-year Episcopal Church Sunday school curriculum. The great stories of the Bible are central to the lessons, with emphasis on the life and teachings of Jesus. The children also learn about the history of the Episcopal Church and its practices. The program offers a wide variety of learning approaches –drama, arts and crafts, music and storytelling. In addition, once a month the children will experience Godly Play, a creative program which connects stories of God’s people with the child’s experience and relationship with God. Godly Play respects the innate spirituality of children and encourages curiosity and imagination and helps to develop a deeper understanding of Bible stories and Christian symbols and rites. Thank you to the several new Sunday school teachers, Sarah Antor, Rachel Catley, Huw Edwards, Paul Gross, Nancy Huber and Rachel McIntyre (who will lead Godly Play), and continuing teachers Elisabeth Hoffmann and Judy McDonald.


of 20

Youth Group – We welcome new leaders of the youth groups: new junior youth leader Maureen Fischer joins Graham Ashley and Albie Ashbrook as leaders of the junior youth group, and Jackie Williams and the Rev. Chris Easthill join John Breuer as leaders of the senior group. The youth groups meet on the first Sunday of every month, 11:00, for youth breakfast, followed by class sessions, and on the third Sunday of every month, 11:45, for class sessions. Wednesday Bible Study – The clergy lead our weekly Bible study on Wednesdays, 10:45, in the Upper Room of the parish house. The Bible study explores the lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday, and is preceded by Morning Prayer. All are welcome to join us. Please note there is no Bible study Wednesday, Christmas Day, or Wednesday, New Year’s Day. Safeguarding God’s Children – This program heightens awareness related to issues of physical and verbal abuse of children and young adults. We offer the program either Friday, January 10, 18:00-21:30 or Saturday, January 11, 10:00-13:30. Per Episcopal Church canon, attendance at one of the sessions is mandatory for vestry members, clergy, youth group leaders, Sunday school teachers and Creche volunteers. We also invite parents, guardians or anyone else who is interested to join one of the sessions. Pizza and drinks will be provided at the Friday session; coffee, tea and Brezen will be offered at the Saturday morning session, followed at the lunch hour with pizza and drinks. Please RSVP to the church office with the date you will attend. Lent Retreat – The annual parish retreat in Lent 2014 is held March 21-23 at the Oberschönenfeld convent in Gessertshausen, outside Augsburg. The retreat is led by Revs. Steve and Clair. In addition to group discussion and worship, there will be plenty of time for walking in the nearby woods, hills and meadows, reading, and rest and quiet time. The retreat is open to all Ascension members, 14 years and older. Space is filled on a first-come, first registered basis; please register from January 1 through the church office email or contact Rev. Steve.

8. Mission & Outreach 8.1. Soup Kitchen We solicit volunteers to serve any Saturday at the Missionaries of Charities Soup Kitchen. There are two shifts: the first shift is 9:30-12:00; during this shift we help the sisters prepare a hot lunch for their guests. The second shift is 14:30-16:45; during this shift we serve lunch to the guests, chat with them and clean up. The Sisters would like 3-4 volunteers for each shift. It is also possible to volunteer during the week, on the same schedule. To volunteer contact coordinator Barbara Rushiti, 0177 395 2252, [email protected]. We also collect food each Sunday for the Soup Kitchen to use in their lunch preparation and to distribute to the hungry and homeless. The sisters request rice, pasta, cooking oil, tea, coffee, sugar, bread, UHT milk, beans and lentils (in plastic bags, not tins), toilet paper, general cleaners for floors, kitchen and toilets, washing-up detergent, kitchen rolls/paper towels, and latex gloves. The sisters request that we not donate tinned foods. Please bring donations on Sunday and place them in the wicker offering basket at the Ushers’ table.


of 20

8.2. God’s Mission in Europe On Saturday 16th November members of the Ascension community gathered in the Gemeindesaal to talk about what God is calling us in Europe to do to further His mission in the world. After a brief morning prayer service, we split into groups to do a quiz written by Rev. Steve (you can have a go too, it’s just below this article), and despite one group winning convincingly, due to the advantage of having Chris Easthill on their team, Rev. Steve gave each team a chocolate prize for their efforts. We then heard a brief history of the different ways mission has been understood in the past and how Anglicans currently understand the meaning of the term, and we discussed the scriptural basis of mission work. Bearing in mind the points raised in this discussion, we went back into our groups to talk about what we think mission is today for us here at Ascension and in Europe. The various views and opinions of each group were then shared with everyone. Following a coffee break we heard about and discussed the 5 Anglican Marks of Mission, namely:

1. To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom 2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers 3. To respond to human need by loving service 4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind

and to pursue peace and reconciliation 5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the

earth. We then split into different groups and discussed how we as a community are currently fulfilling these marks of mission, and what we could do in the future. We talked about how we can improve our efforts on those marks we are already working on and how we might start fulfilling those we haven’t yet begun to address. After some very lively discussion, each group shared their comments and idea with the whole group. Bishop Pierre joined us during our discussion of the marks of mission and he concluded the programme by talking about Vision 2012, which is the Vision statement of the Convocation in Europe. Pierre talked about how this statement was drafted and then concentrated on the 3rd of the 4 points, which is concerned with mission and reads:

III. Beyond Our Doors: Sharing the Transformative Power As Christians, we must go beyond ourselves and church walls into our neighbourhoods, communities and “away to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1-8). This grows out of God’s endeavour in our lives, recruiting us to serve the divine mission in Creation. Three concrete visible signs of God’s mission with us will be:

§ sharing of ideas, resources and existing programmes throughout and beyond the Convocation

§ going beyond the borders of our cities and nations, while not forgetting those at our doorstep

§ reaching out to other communities of faith.


of 20

The morning ended with us having lunch together. Everyone agreed that it had been an enjoyable as well as a useful morning and that we had all learned things about mission that we hadn’t known before. And the Mission committee now has many new ideas to discuss and consider in their meetings in 2014. Yvonne Cockcroft

THE MISSION QUIZ:

1. What is the name of the prison where Ascension currently leads worship services? 2. What is the name of the town in Romania where Ascension is helping to build a

community center with hands-on labor and financial assistance? 3. The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society is the legal name for what

organization? 4. When Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori visited the Innere Mission’s asylum

seekers center in June, what is the name of one of the two countries from which she was told most political refugees are fleeing to Germany?

5. In 1701, Thomas Bray founded in England the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (now currently known as US, a relief and development organization which Ascension supports with an annual Mission grant) in order to strengthen the Christian life and faith of Church of England members, which he believed was in need of desperate help, in what location?

6. Who is the founder of the order of the Missioners of Charity, who run the soup kitchen in Munich which Ascension supports with hands-on and financial assistance?

7. The Church Mission Society, founded in England in the 19th century, did most of its work building churches, schools and hospitals on what continent?

8. When St. Nikolaus (from Ascension) visited the Innere Mission asylum seekers center last December, what did the children knock over in their excitement to sit on St. Nikolaus’s lap?

9. Name one of the two officially-appointed missioners of the Episcopal Church to the European Continent.

10. Name the location where the other officially-appointed missionary works on Continent.

(The answers are on page 19)


of 20

8.3. Innere Mission On the evening of December 6, St. Nikolaus visited the children of asylum seekers living in the Bayern Kaserne (the former German army barracks). St. Nikolaus was the guest of the Innere Mission, the Christian social agency supported by Church of the Ascension and Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches in the Harlaching and adjacent neighborhoods of Munich, which runs the asylum seekers center for the Bavarian government. St. Nikolaus was accompanied by Derek Mullinger, Ascension’s long-time liaison to the Innere Mission and its treasurer. Entry into the asylum seeker center reminded St. Nikolaus of entry into Stadelheim prison. Photo i.d. is required, and a check that the guests are truly invited. The comparison to Stadelheim does not end with the ingress. The barracks feel much like a prison, dark, drab, with 6-8 people living a room that would have housed two German soldiers. Cooking is done in communal kitchens, with different nationalities and ethnicities vying for space. Yet despite the sorry conditions, St. Nikolaus was struck by the vibrancy and joy of the people living in the barracks. Vibrancy and joy were the take-aways for St. Nikolaus. From the moment he walked down the hall and into the kindergarten room, the children started to shout with joy, and pushed to shake his hand. Parents too wanted to shake the hand of the dressed up saint. St. Nikolaus gave out many gifts to the children, and he told me he found it ironic for a Christian saint to be giving gifts to so many Muslim children. Then St. Nikolaus reflected that the original St. Nikolaus was from Turkey, once a staunch Christian land but now mostly Muslim, and so he said he felt the irony brought a nice synchronicity. As happened last year on St. Nikolaus Day, refugees from Syria and Afghanistan were the largest groups represented. St. Nikolaus was amazed that the best English speakers are from Afghanistan. He wondered, is this a result of the influx of U.S. and English troops during the war? Frau Elisabeth Ramzews, who runs the center, also reminded St. Nikolaus that many of the Syrian children are Christian. There also were children from Congo, Nigeria, Mali, Kosovo, and Macedonia. Following the gift giving to children, St. Nikolaus went into the common room to shake hands and chat the older refugees, mostly men in their early 20s. This is the fifth year in a row which this particular St. Nikolaus has visited the asylum seekers. Great progress has been made in the distribution of gifts in that, despite the push of the children to get near St. Nikolaus, this year the children did not knock over the Christmas tree. All in all, St. Nikolaus told me that he is excited to go back next year.

Rev. Steve


of 20

8.4. Expenditure of Mission Funds In June the Vestry approved the Mission Committee’s recommended allocation of mission funds, in the amount of 9,500 €, and in November the Vestry approved an additional allocation of 1,200€. These funds are made possible by the annual financial commitment of parish members and contributors. The total amount of 10.700 € has been distributed as follows:

9. Financial Commitment to Ascension DANKE SCHÖN, THANK YOU, MERCI, GRAZIE, Сюкпря, ARIGATO, MEDA WO ASE, MUCHAS GRACIAS, TAKK, SALAMAT, DIOLCH Many thanks to everyone who returned a form and made a Financial Commitment to The Church of the Ascension for 2014. To date, 101 individuals and family units are committed to support Ascension next year for a total of 134,000€. Special thanks to the seven people who are making first-time commitments to Ascension and to the 11 who increased the amount of their commitment. Ascension is dependent on our generosity. Each gift enables our community to focus on its vision and achieve its mission through ministries and service opportunities. Thank you for helping us as a spiritual community to do the work God has given us to do.

Kaye O’Connell, Treasurer 10. Fellowship

Mens Night Out – The men of the parish and their friends gather for food and fellowship, from 19:00, Thursday, January 23 - Swagat Indian Restaurant (http://www.swagat.de/English/E_Index1.htm), Prinzregentenplatz 13, near Prinzregentenplatz U-Bahn. Questions? Contact Ian Catley: [email protected]

OUTREACH BUDGET 2013(in euros)

2013 2012

Local PartnersESPSG 900 600 Innere Mission/Asylum Seeker Center 1.500 800 Soup Kitchen 1.000 600 Subtotal Local Partners 3.400 2.000

International PartnersRomania 4.300 2.000 Subtotal International Partners 4.300 2.000

GrantsEpiscopal Relief & Development Fund 1.100 800 Haiti 800 400 United Society: Anglicans in Mission 1.100 800 Subtotal Grants 3.000 2.000

Grand Total 10.700 6.000


of 20

11. Ordination of Chris Easthill to the Priesthood On 17th November the Church of the Ascension was very proud to see another former layperson of its community become ordained to the Episcopal Church. While Christopher Mark Easthill, as we learned Deacon Chris is known in full, had spent several years in seminary preparing for this day, other members of the congregation spent a rushed few hours preparing their gifts to him before this, his special occasion. The choir, under Jeff’s calm leadership and expertly accompanied by Stephen, endeavoured to rehearse their pieces while the hospitality team, efficiently coordinated by Joan,

decorated tables in the parish hall all around them. The choir’s attention became increasingly distracted by the smells wafting in from the various delicious foods being delivered. As a steady flow of clergy entered and crossed the hall, ranging from the Bishop to Chris, robed at this stage (to my personal disappointment) unspectacularly in plain white, the tension grew. Shortly after 12 noon the service proper began to music chosen personally by Chris. While he himself seemed to manage to remain calm and steadfast throughout the ceremony, members of the choir and the congregation found it a great deal harder to withhold their emotion. I, for one, was interested to hear the vows Chris was asked to repeat. Particularly moving were the moments when Chris was adorned with colourful robes by his children, Clara and Philip, and when Bishop Pierre acknowledged that behind every successful man there’s a great woman. Chris will know better than any of us the unfailing love and support he’s been given by his wife, Heidi, who herself has given Ascension so much of her time and energy. After his sermon, the Bishop invited Chris to share the Peace with us, who in turn invited the congregation to share this conciliatory gesture with one another. The choir, gratefully reinforced by members of Stephen Norton’s Munich English Choir and other extras, sang from the heart and in full voice Parry’s anthem I was glad when they said unto me and Elgar’s The Spirit of the Lord is upon me — both testimony to Chris’s English background (and rest assured, Chris, we Brits all convinced ourselves we were singing in Westminster Abbey, not in the Emmauskirche, Harlaching!). We acknowledge with sincere thanks the participation of no less than seven soloists from the choir —Mitchell, Tonda, Harriet, Jo, Andrew, David and Robert — during this ordination ceremony. Following a longer than usual, beautifully festive service, all were glad to retire to the parish hall, where a wonderful buffet reception including celebratory ordination cake (tastefully decorated in cream-coloured icing and brown lettering) was savoured with glee.

Jackie Williams 11.1. A Talk with The Rev. Chris Easthill Reporter: Chris, what made you decide to become a priest? Chris: I just felt that full-time ordained ministry is what I was supposed to do. My job----as a manager at Allianz Versicherung----became less and less satisfying and fulfilling and the idea of becoming a priest more and more ‘attractive.’

Reporter: Had this been growing for a long time? When did you first come to Ascension? Chris: No, it was gradual. Heidi and I came to Ascension in 1989 when we moved from Hamburg. There was no Internet then, so we opened the Yellow Pages and found the Church


of 20

of the Ascension. I became a reader, then an usher, later a LEM and after we’d been there for a while, Tom (Pellaton) suggested I take a Morning Prayer service, as he had no curate at that time. I was nervous about it, but then decided that it felt right, that I’d like to do this again. And I helped lead monthly evening church services in Ismaning as part of a small group that included the Paynes, (Philip Payne is now an ordained priest in the Church of England) and the Parkers (Janet is also now an ordained priest.) and the Hilditches.

Reporter: Have you always been a churchgoer? Chris: Yes, you could say so. I remember going to Sunday school, and when I was eleven at boarding school, and just sitting in the pews listening to the service, and finding that boring. I wanted to participate, so I became an acolyte, and I guess I never left the altar!

Reporter: How else have you served, at Ascension? Chris: I’ve been on the vestry, was senior warden, chair of the building committee, served on two search committees….Lots of different things. And of course Heidi was Ascension’s treasurer for over ten years…

Reporter: What made you choose Virginia Theological Seminary? Chris: The Bishop (Pierre Whalon) suggested it, he went there. So did Clair (Rev. Ullmann) and Dorothee (Rev. Hahn.) But we also looked at General Theological Seminary and Yale Divinity School. VTS seemed most open to taking Heidi and me on as a couple, they were adaptable and flexible. “You tell us what you need to study and we’ll make it possible.”

Reporter: How was your time there? Chris: It was a wonderful opportunity. I learned a lot about myself. On the academic side, I was pleasantly surprised, it was easier than I expected, after such a long time away from university. And I had to go out of my comfort zone, working as a hospital chaplain and doing prison ministry at the Alexandria Jail. As a relatively introverted person, I was nervous at first. But that too turned out to be easier than I thought. The prisoners were interested, wanted to hear what we had to say, and they taught me a lot too. Faith was something very real and concrete for their lives. As with the hospital chaplaincy (at Georgetown University hospital) I had no time to think about what to say or to prepare answers. You just go into the patient’s room and are open to whatever comes along.

Reporter: And you were deacon/seminarian at St. David’s Church in Washington: Chris: Another great experience. It was not as international as Ascension, but there were parishioners from the UK, New Zealand and the Caribbean and many of the American members had lived abroad. I assisted at and sometimes led worship, preached regularly, taught Sunday school and adult formation classes---and so many of the parishioners have become good friends…..

Reporter: I gather that Heidi also learned a lot during your time at VTS. Chris: She did - and VTS got a lot in return. She worked in the seminary`s business office and learned a lot about accounting and finances (and fund raising) in an American church/non-profit context. She coordinated the spouses and partners group, and together we took part in a workshop to become Marriage Preparation facilitators. (The couple has been married 24 years!)

Reporter: So how does it feel to be back at Ascension? Chris: It’s been great to have Ascension as a temporary base while we discern where God is calling us to serve. I’m enjoying my new role here, among friends old and new, and it was a wonderful experience to celebrate my ordination to the priesthood in the community that helped me identify and grow into my calling.

Dee Pattee


of 20

11.2. Chris Easthill: My Time at Ascension Yes, three of my six months at Ascension have already passed. At least for me the old saying, “time flies when you are having fun,” really does apply! So what have I done, and what’s happening in the next three months until my contract ends at the end of February? I have been most visible when assisting or occasionally leading our worship and when preaching: until November 17th as a Deacon and now, since my ordination here, as one of your priests. It has been a real privilege to be able to live into and practice my role as deacon and I look forward to doing the same as priest over the next three months. Rev. Steve and I have been sharing responsibility for the Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study and I have enjoyed (and will continue to enjoy) learning with and from that small, but faithful group. As you may remember, the vestry specifically tasked me with assisting in the creation of the new Sunday School curriculum, helping lead the Youth Group and training Lay Eucharistic Visitors. We successfully identified and launched a new Sunday school curriculum in October, Weaving God's Promises, and we have recruited a great team of Sunday school teachers, new and continuing. Youth group also resumed in October, and together with Graham Ashley and Rev. Steve I attended a Convocation Youth Leaders’ Workshop in Frankfurt at the end of November. In January the Youth Group leaders will meet to review our program and offerings to make sure they are both relevant and attractive for our youth. We have found a small team of volunteers to act as Eucharistic Visitors, “lay persons authorized to take the Consecrated Elements to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present,” and I will be training them for this role in December and ‘supervising’ them in the new year. In October, while Barbara Rushiti was away, I coordinated the Ascension volunteers for the Soup Kitchen we support – and I now help there twice a month: a very rewarding ministry that I can only recommend. Thank you all again for letting me serve at Ascension. It’s a great preparation for whatever ministry God has waiting for us when our time here comes to an end in February!

The Rev. Chris Easthill

12. Convention of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe Convention 2013 was held in Rome in the splendid surroundings of St Paul's Within the Walls. If you get the chance, go and visit. The Ascension contingent were Rev. Steve, Rev. Chris, Yvonne Cockcroft and Kaye O'Connell as delegates, and David Case and Rev. Clair Ullmann as members of Council of Advice. Other attendees were Heidi Easthill, Rainer Ullmann and Joan Case.

The theme this year, as you will have noticed from the Bishop's Pastoral Letter, was Vision 2012. Having passed what has been described as a landmark document at Convention last year, the intention was, as a pilgrim people, to now pause and reflect as we figured out what we needed to learn in order to be better disciples, mustering our courage to go beyond our church community to learn what the world around us needs, and be better managers of the assets that belong to God for God's mission – people, ideas, money, properties. Challenged and encouraged by Bishop Tim Ellis, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lincoln, an excellent keynote speaker, and supported by members of the Council of Advice through breakout


of 20

sessions, we took a fresh look at the four strands of the vision having been prompted by Bishop Tim's exposition of the four Abrahamic altars – fascinating! In addition to Bishop Tim, Convention this year was graced by the presence of two other visitors who provided inspiring contributions to our deliberations, namely the Most Rev. Joris Vercammen, Archbishop of Utrecht, of the Old Catholic Churches, and the Rev. Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies of the Episcopal Church (TEC). Since 1931 Anglicans have been in full communion with the Old Catholic Churches which, incidentally, trace their origin back to St Willibrord in AD695. We are therefore partners who recognise each other as being members of the one holy catholic and apostolic church. Archbishop Vercammen's stirring address challenged us to look closely at how we could better work together as brothers and sisters in Christ to witness to the Gospel in Europe. A lot of food for thought. The Rev. Gay Jennings brought greetings from the heart of TEC and outlined some of the things currently at the centre of considerations back in the US. More particularly, as a pivotal person in the organisation and running of the General Convention that will meet in 2015, she was able to give a comprehensive but succinct insight into matters relating to the governance of the church and how it is trying to discern how best to fulfil its role into the future. Importantly, she took the time to meet, get to know and offer guidance to the Convocation's newly elected deputies to General Convention which, by the way, include Rev. Steve, Yvonne and David – a substantial representation from Ascension. In addition to the special contributions of our visitors Convention worked through the normal sort of business including elections to various positions, a review of the budget, and consideration of reports from various Convocation bodies such as the Commission on the Ministry of the Baptised (COMB), the European Institute of Christian Studies (EICS) and the Youth Commission (YC). The latter input from the YC once again was both informative and highly entertaining and there is no doubt that we are very fortunate in having a forward looking, enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteers working tirelessly to advance the provision of resources and opportunities for our Christian youth across Europe. As ever, Convention was framed by worship. This year as a special part of the programme we participated in a service of Solemn Evensong which took place at the Oratorio di San Francesco Saverio del Caravita, home of an English-speaking Roman Catholic community. This is an exquisitely beautiful place and in the joint service with our hosts plus the Anglican Centre and All Saints' Church (the CofE community), we were blessed with equally beautiful music including Spem in alium nunquam habui by Thomas Tallis (c.1505 – 1585) a piece for 8 choirs each with 5 voices. Not surprisingly we ate well in Rome and although there wasn't much time to see the sights of the city many of us did manage a bit and a walking tour was included in the programme on one evening. As is customary, we took part in what is grandly called the Bishop's Banquet at which awards were made. This year one of the recipients was our very own Dr Rainer Ullmann the outgoing Chair of COMB who was recognised for his many years of selfless and exceptional service – congratulations and thanks! Returning to the theme, Convention this year allowed us to step back so that we could reflect on Vision 2012 and then step forward to bring it to life. The question to ask is what am I doing and what are we doing, so that as a community – Church of the Ascension and beyond – we can progress along our journey of faith as witnesses of Christ. Take another look at the Convocation's statement of mission and the four priorities below and go and explore the new Convocation website www.tec-europe.org.


of 20

OUR STATEMENT OF MISSION: The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe is a welcoming community that knows God loves all people – no exceptions. We celebrate our diversity of languages, cultures and nations. Worshipping together, we rejoice in reaching out to the world and becoming One in Christ.

The four priorities are: I. COMMUNITY AND IDENTITY Who I am/ who we are: called to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Each of us has an ongoing and changing relationship with Jesus Christ, “by grace through faith,” unique for every person. At the same time, we share the one Faith and live that Faith in community. Individually we are a facet of the image of Christ, together we make up Christ’s image (Ephesians 2: 4-10, 19-22). II. LIFELONG FORMATION, LIFELONG TRANSFORMATION All our life is learning to appropriate the transforming event that is Baptism. We are not only to love God with all our hearts and souls, but also with our minds (cf. Matt. 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-28). Formation makes for transformation – growing in love for God, others and self through prayer, study and action. III. BEYOND OUR DOORS: SHARING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER As Christians, we must go beyond ourselves and church walls into our neighborhoods, communities and "away to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). This grows out of God's endeavor in our lives, recruiting us to serve the divine mission in Creation. IV. MANAGING GOD’S ASSETS: PEOPLE AND OTHER RESOURCES Proclaiming the Faith, being formed and transformed in the Faith, reaching out in love; all these require people, planning, tools for mission and money (cf. Luke 14:28). Of all the resources God gives us, the gift of people is the most important. Stewardship is the responsibility of all the baptized, all year round, and it concerns all of God's assets including stewardship of the earth and its resources.

David Case

Each autumn, the Annual Convention of Episcopal Churches in Europe is held in a town or city of one of the parish or mission congregations. This year’s Convention was held in Rome, the eternal city, and hosted by the The Rev. Austin Rios and the congregation of St. Paul’s-Within-the-Walls. Ascension was represented by lay delegates Yvonne Cockcroft and Kaye O’Connell, and clergy delegates Rev. Steve Smith and Rev. Chris Easthill, and also Heidi Easthill, Rev. Clair and Rainer Ullmann and David and Joan Case. The Convention opened and closed with celebratory Eucharists. The time between filled with a mixture of business, worship and social events. Business centered on the necessary reports and recommendations from various committees, review and approval of budgets as well as elections to key positions within the Convocation. Yvonne was elected to the Council of Advice of the Convocation, and she was later elected secretary of the Council. There were also presentations from several distinguished guest speakers, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Tim Ellis, Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lincoln, Church of England, The Rev. Gay Jennings, President of the House of Deputies and the Most Rev. Joris Vercammen, Archbishop of Utrecht and head of the Old Catholic Churches.


of 20

The highlight of the social events was the traditional Bishop’s Dinner, during which three awards for outstanding service in the Convocation were presented. One to St. Paul’s Junior Warden, Yvette Manigold, one to Rainer Ullmann, outgoing chair of the Commission on Ministry of the Baptized, and one to the Bishop’s Secretary Vicky Millet, who is retiring at the end of the year. Music played a central part in this year’s proceedings. During the various worship services, the Bishop’s Dinner and most notably during an ecumenical Evensong held on Saturday evening and hosted by The Oratory of the Caravita. This service ended with what can only be described as a stunning performance of Thomas Tallis’ 40 part motet, Spem in alium sung by a choir consisting of St. Paul’s Choir members, The Coro da Camera Italiano and convocation delegates. It was a memorable, busy and fun filled three days for the clergy, delegates, representatives and spouses. Special thanks must be extended to Rev. Austin Rios, Rector and the congregation of St. Pauls- Within-the-Walls for their hospitality, enthusiasm and hard work. Next year’s convention will be held on 2nd-5th October, 2014 and hosted by the Church of Christ-the King, Frankfurt.

Kaye O’Connell.

13. The Sin Album One of the joys of living in Germany is the ‘blitzer’ – traffic cameras. They are unforgiving. If you happen to be caught going over speed limit, a light goes off, your picture is taken and sent to you with a traffic ticket. No policeman with which to discuss the situation. No mercy for having a clean record or an ill child. No you were caught, you will pay up. The first time this happened to us we lived near Kiel, and I am happy to report that the person my husband said he would be transporting was the person in the car with him, and they were going where he said they would be going. Yes, the pictures are that clear. And yes, there are some spouses who aren’t so lucky. The traffic camera photos are regularly presented in divorce court as evidence of marital misbehavior. Since we have arrived in Munich, my husband has been photographed twice – both times during one of his long trips to London to deliver our oldest son to university. So you can imagine his immense joy when he came home one evening to discover that the newest traffic photo was of me! I was a whole 8 km over speed limit coming into town (just didn’t slow down fast enough, probably because I had a speedy gonzales on my tail. There are a lot of those in this area.). At any rate, my husband suggested that we keep all our traffic ticket photos in an album and call it our ‘sin album’ – to keep us humble. We had a good laugh about it, and will probably do it, though we are in no hurry to add to the collection. This got me to thinking. I was wondering if snapshots were taken of all the bad things I had done and collected into an album, and that album was set next to an album of all the good works I had done, which one would be bigger? But that is very simplistic, isn’t it? Some deeds have huge consequences – so the album might be weighted not by number, but by quality as well. And then I heard in my head the words that I spoke to comfort my brother-in-law in the final weeks of his life. He was shedding tears of regret for some of his actions, and I told him that the Lord ‘does not deal with us according to our sins. He takes them and throws them as far as the east is from the west and remembers them no more.’ (Psalm 103: 10 – 12) Through his tears, my brother-in-law looked at me and said, ‘Really?’ Yes. Really. The Lord doesn’t keep albums. He looks at your heart, and then what he sees is the blood of His Son, and all is forgiven. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 27:14. Lois Stuckenbruck, Secretary of the Vestry


of 20

14. Did You Know? This year’s Carol Sing will be on the 15th led by Janet Day-Strehlow? The Emmauskirche sells fair trade items once a month in the church foyer to benefit its mission relationship with a Lutheran parish in Tanzania? In late November Graham Ashley, Rev. Chris and Rev. Steve attended a youth leader seminar and retreat in Frankfurt with 12 other youth leaders and clergy from parishes of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, and that Ascension will host the retreat next year in Tutzing? Rev. Steve will lead the clergy retreat this February in Nice, on the topic of global and local mission?

15. Christmas

Janet Morgan (1907-1977) (relative of Dee and Dick Pattee)

16. Answers to Mission Quiz 1. Stadelheim 2. Vaslui 3. The Episcopal Church 4. Syria, Afghanistan 5. The English colonies in what is now the U.S.A. 6. Mother Theresa 7. Africa 8. Christmas tree 9. Rev. Dorothee Hahn, serving in Romania

or the Rev. Canon Jere Skipper, serving in the Bishop’s office in Paris. 10. see Answer to #9.

Christmas came at seven forty-‐five I knew it would

I knew that in spite of all the rush and the wrapping of last-‐minute purchases

bread rising, silver still to clean, and a dog that needed walking,

yes, in spite of shortening tempers, tired legs and empty minds,

Christmas would come, the dam would break... and past the silly barricades

we try to hide behind, God's love would pour forth, carrying all before it…

exhaustion, exasperation, everything that Christmas isn't

into the world where all that matters shines in the face of a little child.


of 20

The Church of the Ascension is a Parish of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and of the Worldwide Anglican Communion

Parish House and Church Office:

Seybothstraße 4, 81545 Munich Tel: (089) 648 185, fax (089) 644 428 Office Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 12:00-17:30 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.ascension-munich.com

Worship Services: Sundays, Emmauskirche, Laurinplatz 1, 81545 Munich 10:15 Choir Rehearsal (Gemeindesaal)

11:45 Sunday School and Youth Group (Youth Group meets first and third Sundays of the month) 12:00 Holy Communion, with Choir and Creche (Church)

Wednesdays, Parish House, Seybothstraße 4, 81545 Munich 10:45 Morning Prayer, followed by Bible study

First Wednesday of the month, St. Willibrord Church, Blumenstraße 36, 80331 Munich 19:00 Evensong (no service January 1, 2014)

Clergy: The Rev. Steven R. Smith, Rector E-mail: [email protected]

The Rev. Chris Easthill, Priest E-mail: [email protected]

The Rev. Clair Ullmann, Visiting Priest E-mail: [email protected]

The Rev. Henry H. Wilson, Rector Emeritus

In a pastoral emergency, please contact the Rector at 089 6993 7933 or 01525 459 9175. The Church of the Ascension is exclusively supported by the contributions of its members and does not receive funds from any governmental body.

Donations and Pledges to the Church can be made by bank transfer to:

The Church of the Ascension Deutsche Bank IBAN: DE49 7007 0024 0459 8702 00 BIC: DEUT DEDB MUC or Konto Nr: 459 870 200 BLZ: 700 700 24

Other Episcopal/Anglican Worship Services in Bavaria

St. Boniface, Augsburg, Apostelin-Junia-Kirche, Siegfried-Aufhäuser-Str. 25

16:30 Holy Communion (first and third Sunday of the month)

Website: www.st-boniface.de

St. James the Less, Nuremberg - St. Jakob Kirche, Jakobsplatz 1

17:00 Holy Communion (second and fourth Sunday of the month)

Website: www.st-james-the-less.de

ikon 2013 christmas final snnn - church of the ascension ... · pdf fileikon – the...

Documents