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Bishop David’s visit to the Chaplaincy.
Bishop David who is the assistant bishop for the Anglican diocese in Europe is also the ‘Lead Bishop’ for the Anglican Chaplaincies in the Archdeaconry of Italy and Malta and elsewhere. It was good, therefore, that from within his busy schedule he was able to find time to spend the weekend of 25-28 January in Venice. This gave him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the current life of the chaplaincy by meeting with some members of the chaplaincy after presiding and preaching at the Sunday Eucharist. Within these encounters we were able to share something of a future vision for St George’s that is presently being explored by the Chaplaincy Council. Over the weekend Bishop David exercised his pastoral care of the Chaplaincy.
Bishop David has other responsibilities one of which is to be the Co-President of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and mission So, it was opportune for him to be in Venice at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This enabled him to preach in Italian in the presence of the Patriarch and Church leaders during the service held in the Basilica of San Marco that concluded this year’s Week of Prayer.
On the following day he visited the Franciscan centre attached to the church of San Francesco della Vigna providing academic courses on ecumenism, was received by the Patriarch (a very warm encounter) and learnt about the life of a Venetian parish by meeting don Andrea the parish priest of the Gesuati (the parish with which the Chaplaincy has a close relation). The day was conclude by visiting the monastery of the Capuchin Friars alongside the Church of Il Redentore on the Giudecca - a focus for the training of seminarians. In this way, Bishop David had a taste of the life of the Roman Catholic Church in Venice.
Afterwards Bishop David wrote, ‘Thank you for such an excellent programme around my visit. We had many fruitful conversations. I hope that you know my support for the vision you have for St George’s. I hope it bears fruit.’
Here are some photographs of Bishop David's visit.
Bishop David who is the assistant bishop for the Anglican diocese in Europe is also the ‘Lead Bishop’ for the Anglican Chaplaincies in the Archdeaconry of Italy and Malta and elsewhere. It was good, therefore, that from within his busy schedule he was able to find time to spend the weekend of 25-28 January in Venice. This gave him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the current life of the chaplaincy by meeting with some members of the chaplaincy after presiding and preaching at the Sunday Eucharist. Within these encounters we were able to share something of a future vision for St George’s that is presently being explored by the Chaplaincy Council. Over the weekend Bishop David exercised his pastoral care of the Chaplaincy.
Bishop David has other responsibilities one of which is to be the Co-President of the International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and mission So, it was opportune for him to be in Venice at the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This enabled him to preach in Italian in the presence of the Patriarch and Church leaders during the service held in the Basilica of San Marco that concluded this year’s Week of Prayer.
On the following day he visited the Franciscan centre attached to the church of San Francesco della Vigna providing academic courses on ecumenism, was received by the Patriarch (a very warm encounter) and learnt about the life of a Venetian parish by meeting don Andrea the parish priest of the Gesuati (the parish with which the Chaplaincy has a close relation). The day was conclude by visiting the monastery of the Capuchin Friars alongside the Church of Il Redentore on the Giudecca - a focus for the training of seminarians. In this way, Bishop David had a taste of the life of the Roman Catholic Church in Venice.
Afterwards Bishop David wrote, ‘Thank you for such an excellent programme around my visit. We had many fruitful conversations. I hope that you know my support for the vision you have for St George’s. I hope it bears fruit.’
Here are some photographs of Bishop David's visit.
‘Rejoicing in the work of the Spirit’ was the theme of an ecumenical service compiled and hosted by our church on the evening of Thursday 24th May to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Council of Churches in Venice.
After reading the Pentecost narrative in a variety of languages, the service took the form of a Liturgy of the Word drawing upon contributions from various traditions and languages as, for example, a Pentecost Troparia from the Romanian Orthodox Church, Taize chants, ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’ in Latin, Agios O Theos of the Greek tradition and Church of England material for Pentecost from Common Worship (Times and Seasons).
The priest for the Roman Catholic parish in which St George’s lies was invited to preside. He was supported by clergy and laity from the Pastor of the German Lutheran Church, the Ecumenical Secretary for the Patriarch of Venice, the parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox Church (preacher for the occasion), the lay leader of the Waldensian Church (who gave the Peace and led the Commitment), the priest for the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC) in Venice and the Churchwarden and Chaplain of St George's. Sadly other members of the Council such as the Coptic Church, the Adventists and the Greek Orthodox Church were unable to be present.
Just under a 100 people attended. A much appreciated anniversary cake was prepared and donated by the local Charismatic Episcopal Church – the Filipino congregation that worships in St George’s on a Monday.
After reading the Pentecost narrative in a variety of languages, the service took the form of a Liturgy of the Word drawing upon contributions from various traditions and languages as, for example, a Pentecost Troparia from the Romanian Orthodox Church, Taize chants, ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’ in Latin, Agios O Theos of the Greek tradition and Church of England material for Pentecost from Common Worship (Times and Seasons).
The priest for the Roman Catholic parish in which St George’s lies was invited to preside. He was supported by clergy and laity from the Pastor of the German Lutheran Church, the Ecumenical Secretary for the Patriarch of Venice, the parish priest of the Romanian Orthodox Church (preacher for the occasion), the lay leader of the Waldensian Church (who gave the Peace and led the Commitment), the priest for the Charismatic Episcopal Church (ICCEC) in Venice and the Churchwarden and Chaplain of St George's. Sadly other members of the Council such as the Coptic Church, the Adventists and the Greek Orthodox Church were unable to be present.
Just under a 100 people attended. A much appreciated anniversary cake was prepared and donated by the local Charismatic Episcopal Church – the Filipino congregation that worships in St George’s on a Monday.
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With many thanks to Paula Rudinoff for the photographs
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11 th March was Mothering Sunday. The service on that day was brought to a close with prayers for all those involved in ‘mothering’. There were prayers of thanksgiving but an emphasis was given to those who face difficulties in mothering and those for whom children is not possible. All members of a thirty strong congregation received the traditional gift of flowers – an acknowledgement that all have a responsibility for the care of children.
During the same service new altar linens were blessed. They were purchased through a legacy given to the chaplaincy by the late Fr Howard Levett - a former chaplain to Venice. It was an opportunity to honour Fr. Howard and give thanks for his ministry.
During the same service new altar linens were blessed. They were purchased through a legacy given to the chaplaincy by the late Fr Howard Levett - a former chaplain to Venice. It was an opportunity to honour Fr. Howard and give thanks for his ministry.
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With many thanks to Roger Branson for the photographs
