Train the trainers’ - a Diocesan Safeguarding Course in Venice
The dome of the church of Santa Maria della Salute opposite St Mark’s Square is one of the iconic views of Venice. Alongside it is the newly renovated ‘Seminario’ of the Roman Catholic Church. Here, from 10th - 12th October nine volunteers from Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Poland, Switzerland and Belgium shared in a Diocesan training course so as to replenish that cohort of diocesan trainers who go to the Chaplaincies to raise awareness of Safeguarding and assist their leadership teams in implementing the Diocesan Safeguarding Policy. The training was given by Susan Boyd from Norway and Olga Bradshaw from Venice, both experienced trainers. They were joined by Andrea Watkins, the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisor from London. The volunteers left feeling that the time was well used and that they are adequately equipped to run training sessions on Safeguarding within the Chaplaincies. They were also appreciative of the ambiance in which the training was done with its fine views across the Giudecca Canal and the Grand Canal towards St Mark’s Square. Biennale! St George’s Anglican Church in Venice is ideally situated on the main thoroughfare in Venice's "Museum Mile" that links the Accademia, the Guggenheim and the church of the Salute. The Chaplaincy Council has recently taken the decision to remove the pews in the nave. On doing so an ideal space for exhibitions, concerts, lectures, workshops and the like became apparent. Through a Venetian agent an art exhibition has now been installed focusing upon the work of the emerging and acclaimed Russian painter Zorikto Dorzhiev. He has exhibited his work in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Zorikto is from the Mongolian Steppe area around Lake Baikal. His art is focused upon the life of the nomadic people of that region, but not specifically Christian. Yet it most aptly illustrates the language of journeying, pilgrimage, or that sentence from the Letter to the Hebrews, ‘They acknowledged themselves to be strangers and aliens without fixed abode on earth’ (Hebrews 11.13) - language so much part of Christian spirituality. Interestingly the Moscovite curator who designed the exhibition made a point of placing four models of horsemen, seated on horseback and dressed in traditional Mongolian attire, as the centre pieces of the exhibition and riding towards the sanctuary – ‘looking for a country of their own’ (Hebrews 11.14). In this way St George’s is contributing - along with many other galleries, exhibition centres and churches - to the 58thVenice Art Biennale and is part of the ‘buzz’. The theme for this year’s Art Biennale is ‘May you live in interesting times’. It is notable that many exhibits are focused upon the issue of dispersed and marginalized people. One exhibit is a craft that sunk off the island of Lampedusa with great loss of life. St George’s is already the focus of programmes other than worship, as for instance the weekend concerts given by the Venice Music Project. This project makes a point of researching and performing early baroque music composed in Venice which has long been forgotten. The replacing of the pews with stackable but ergonomic chairs means that the use of the church can now be greatly widened for worship and cultural events. Such events are also a source of income which will help with the enhancement of the whole building. An appeal for a substantial renovation programme is about to be launched. Here are some photographs from the "vernissage". Roll your cursor over the image to see the caption. The exhibition, "New Steppe", will remain open until 24thNovember 2019. 
Farewell to the pews...
On the 30 May, the pews and the platforms they were standing on were removed, in accordance with the decision of the Chaplaincy Council. The reason for this is to make the building more flexible for worship and cultural events. Furthermore, the platforms were beginning to break up, causing a potential hazard.
Easter 2019 Some photos of a memorable celebration at a packed St George's. Many thanks to Paula Rudinoff for the photographs. |
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Ruskin’s 200th birthday celebrated in Venice.
On Sunday 3rd February over eighty people attended a special service in St George’s Anglican Church, Venice, to mark the bicentenary of the birth of John Ruskin (1819-1900). They were joined by the Deputy Mayor for Venice, by Franco Posocco, the Master of the Guild of San Rocco and by Clive Wilmer, Master of the Guild of St George, UK. Members of the two Guilds were also present.
Ruskin, writer, thinker, artist, naturalist, social reformer and philanthropist loved and championed the beauty of Venice most notably in his great book the Stones of Venice, published in the 1850’s. It can be justly claimed that he has proved to be the greatest influence in stirring hearts and minds to conserve the city’s architectural heritage. Yet, the city itself equally affected Ruskin. He likened his viewing of the work of Tintoretto in the Scuola San Rocco to a conversion experience and the aims and objectives of the Scuola became his inspiration for establishing in 1871 the charity of the Guild of St. George in Sheffield with its focus on art, craft and rural environment.
The celebration took the form of Matins, the service that Ruskin was most familiar with. In his writings Ruskin occasionally refers to the Venite. Three of the hymns were those of the poet and priest George Herbert whose poetry Ruskin deeply admired and found that it expressed his own thoughts. The next to final hymn was written for Ruskin’s funeral at Coniston in the Lake District by Canon Hardwicke Rawsley, a disciple and student of Ruskin’s, one of the three founders of England’s National Trust.
Drawing upon the story of Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28. 10-12) and the parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (Mat. 20.1-7) Clive Wilmer spoke not only of the achievements of Ruskin but more especially of his faith. He drew out Ruskin’s insight that ‘art was not everything….. but that art was only important when it recognized there was something more important; and that something was Nature, made by God for the pleasure, nourishment and instruction of human beings. “All great art,” Ruskin wrote, “is the expression of man’s delight in God’s work, not in hisown.”’ As Clive articulated, for Ruskin ‘the whole Earth is sacred. Wherever we are moved by the beauty and power of nature, God has let down the ladder to us.’ However, by 1881 Ruskin ‘had come to believe that human activity was already fatally damaging the climate of our planet.’ At the same time he began to lay aside his enthusiasm for art and nature and addressed the issue of economic justice. ‘Despite Ruskin’s growing wealth, he cared about the condition of the poor in the expanding industrial cities, those “sent like fuel to feed the factory smoke” and condemned to the squalor of the slums. Again and again in his later writings Ruskin cries out that he can no longer see the mountains and flowers, the pictures and churches that gave him pleasure because his sight and consciousness are wholly focused on the deprivation of the poor. Just as those pleasures are to be understood as evidences of God’s love for humanity, the sufferings of his fellow human beings reminded Ruskin of the commandment that we should love one another as God has loved us… Ruskin attacked the fashionable political economists as lackeys of an unjust system, fabricating a pseudo-science to justify greed and callousness.’
After the service a wreath was carried to the Hotel La Calcina on the Zattere where a plaque is found commemorating the fact that Ruskin lived there for a period of time. Because the plaque is high up on the side of the building two individuals with harnesses, ropes and clamps had to be employed so as to hang the wreath. This was, perhaps, an inadvertent symbol of another aspect to Ruskin’s life – a member of the London Alpine Club.
On Sunday 3rd February over eighty people attended a special service in St George’s Anglican Church, Venice, to mark the bicentenary of the birth of John Ruskin (1819-1900). They were joined by the Deputy Mayor for Venice, by Franco Posocco, the Master of the Guild of San Rocco and by Clive Wilmer, Master of the Guild of St George, UK. Members of the two Guilds were also present.
Ruskin, writer, thinker, artist, naturalist, social reformer and philanthropist loved and championed the beauty of Venice most notably in his great book the Stones of Venice, published in the 1850’s. It can be justly claimed that he has proved to be the greatest influence in stirring hearts and minds to conserve the city’s architectural heritage. Yet, the city itself equally affected Ruskin. He likened his viewing of the work of Tintoretto in the Scuola San Rocco to a conversion experience and the aims and objectives of the Scuola became his inspiration for establishing in 1871 the charity of the Guild of St. George in Sheffield with its focus on art, craft and rural environment.
The celebration took the form of Matins, the service that Ruskin was most familiar with. In his writings Ruskin occasionally refers to the Venite. Three of the hymns were those of the poet and priest George Herbert whose poetry Ruskin deeply admired and found that it expressed his own thoughts. The next to final hymn was written for Ruskin’s funeral at Coniston in the Lake District by Canon Hardwicke Rawsley, a disciple and student of Ruskin’s, one of the three founders of England’s National Trust.
Drawing upon the story of Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28. 10-12) and the parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard (Mat. 20.1-7) Clive Wilmer spoke not only of the achievements of Ruskin but more especially of his faith. He drew out Ruskin’s insight that ‘art was not everything….. but that art was only important when it recognized there was something more important; and that something was Nature, made by God for the pleasure, nourishment and instruction of human beings. “All great art,” Ruskin wrote, “is the expression of man’s delight in God’s work, not in hisown.”’ As Clive articulated, for Ruskin ‘the whole Earth is sacred. Wherever we are moved by the beauty and power of nature, God has let down the ladder to us.’ However, by 1881 Ruskin ‘had come to believe that human activity was already fatally damaging the climate of our planet.’ At the same time he began to lay aside his enthusiasm for art and nature and addressed the issue of economic justice. ‘Despite Ruskin’s growing wealth, he cared about the condition of the poor in the expanding industrial cities, those “sent like fuel to feed the factory smoke” and condemned to the squalor of the slums. Again and again in his later writings Ruskin cries out that he can no longer see the mountains and flowers, the pictures and churches that gave him pleasure because his sight and consciousness are wholly focused on the deprivation of the poor. Just as those pleasures are to be understood as evidences of God’s love for humanity, the sufferings of his fellow human beings reminded Ruskin of the commandment that we should love one another as God has loved us… Ruskin attacked the fashionable political economists as lackeys of an unjust system, fabricating a pseudo-science to justify greed and callousness.’
After the service a wreath was carried to the Hotel La Calcina on the Zattere where a plaque is found commemorating the fact that Ruskin lived there for a period of time. Because the plaque is high up on the side of the building two individuals with harnesses, ropes and clamps had to be employed so as to hang the wreath. This was, perhaps, an inadvertent symbol of another aspect to Ruskin’s life – a member of the London Alpine Club.
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 the Churchwardens, Fr. Malcolm and also with 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 the Churchwardens, Fr. Malcolm and also with 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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‘You have received the light of Christ, walk in his light all the days of your life’.
So Fr. Malcolm addressed young Christopher as he gave him a lighted candle at the end of the service on 6 May during which he was baptized. Light was taken from the great Easter candle. This candle was first lit at the Easter Liturgy on Easter Eve and from then onwards at all subsequent services during the great fifty days of Easter. It speaks of the presence and light of the risen Christ.
Christopher’s baptism took place within the normal Sunday Service and before a substantial congregation. He arrived excited for this important occasion. Self-confident he happily received the welcome of the congregation and assisted in extending the Peace. Fr Malcolm gave a lively rendering of the story of St. Christopher, spoke of the meaning of the name Christopher, ‘Christ-Carrier’, and made a link with the readings set for the day. Supporting Christopher were his parents, god-parents and sister. At the end of the service, the congregation celebrated the occasion with Prosecco, fruit juice and nibbles generously provided by the family.
Photos released by Paula Rudinoff.
Easter at St George’s
Such was the size of the congregation (approximately 130 people) at St George’s on Easter morning that only a very limited amount of standing room was left available. Striking was the number of young people. Consequently, Fr Malcolm abandoned his prepared sermon so as to speak directly to then (see photograph). Fortunately, some coloured boiled eggs were to hand. He used these as a teaching aid. Note in the photograph the new altar linens that dressed the altar for the first time. They were bought from a generous legacy given to the chaplaincy by the late Father Howard Levett. The lilies decorating the altar were purchased through donations given in memory of loved ones who had passed away. The second photographs shows some of the Easter fare enjoyed after the service including the coloured boiled eggs. The Easter Eucharist was the fourth of a series of services that marked the events that make up Our Lord’s death and resurrection - the Last Supper (Maundy Thursday evening), his crucifixion (Good Friday afternoon), his resurrection (Saturday evening). On average 26 people attended each service. They commented that they found them powerful and moving. In the late afternoon on Easter Day a rendering of Vivaldi’s Stabat Mater was given by the Venice Music Project.
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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A conference on Austen Henry Layard
Many of us know Austen Henry Layard as the great benefactor of St George's and, indeed, as the man who acquired the building we now use as our church. We are, therefore, delighted to announce that a conference and series of lectures on Layard, entitled "Rethinking Layard : 1817 - 2017", in association with Ca'Foscari University and the Venice Institute of Science, Arts and Letters, is being held at Palazzo Loredan on March 5th and 6th. The link below is in Italian but please do ask if you would like a translation.
http://www.istitutoveneto.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1577
It promises to be a fascinating few days, and we hope that many of you will be able to go along to hear more about the life of our great polymath.
Many of us know Austen Henry Layard as the great benefactor of St George's and, indeed, as the man who acquired the building we now use as our church. We are, therefore, delighted to announce that a conference and series of lectures on Layard, entitled "Rethinking Layard : 1817 - 2017", in association with Ca'Foscari University and the Venice Institute of Science, Arts and Letters, is being held at Palazzo Loredan on March 5th and 6th. The link below is in Italian but please do ask if you would like a translation.
http://www.istitutoveneto.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1577
It promises to be a fascinating few days, and we hope that many of you will be able to go along to hear more about the life of our great polymath.
Candlemas
Some images from the service for Candlemas on Sunday January 28th. Click on the image to expand it.
With many thanks to Fiona Hay for the photographs.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2018
The 2018 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has just come to a close. In Venice it has truly been an exhilarating experience. During the course of the week services were held in thirteen churches of different denominations and all well attended – up to eighty people plus. An exchange of pulpits occurred with no hesitation for an elder of the Waldensian/Methodist Church to preach in the Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a Lutheran pastor in St Mark’s Basilica, a Catholic priest in the Romanian Orthodox Church. Evensong was held in St George’s Anglican Church and was honoured by the presence of the Ecumenical Secretary of the Patriarch for Venice, Don Francesco. He delivered the sermon. Local Catholic clergy and religious were in attendance. Fr Malcolm, the Chaplain was invited to preach in the Catholic parish church of St Hilary, Malcontenta, on the mainland from Venice. The service was supported by a choir of young people and adults. In the congregation were members of the Focolare movement. Afterwards a small reception was given, in which, to his surprise, Fr Malcolm received a hamper of local produce – preserves, wines, biscuits, salami and an apron for the kitchen. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has its benefits in ways unexpected! The above photograph is a selection of shots from the various services with an expression of thanks by the Ecumenical Secretary.
Welcome Fr. Malcolm
The Rev Canon Malcolm Bradshaw was formally licensed and instituted as Chaplain of St George's Venice and Christ Church Trieste on Saturday November 25th 2017, by the Venerable Vickie Sims, Archdeacon of Italy and Malta on behalf of Suffragan Bishop David Hamid.
A substantial congregation was there to formally welcome Malcolm and his wife, Olga, who we hope will be with us for many years to come.
The service was also attended by members of the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Waldensian and Charismatic Episcopal churches, reflecting the strong ecumenical partnerships in our city; whilst the gospel was read by Pastor Bernd Prigge of the Lutheran church in Venice.
We were also delighted to welcome Mayor Andrea Pasin, councillors and friends from the Comune of Calvene, with whom St George's has formed a deep and lasting friendship in recent years.
Here are some photographs of a memorable afternoon.
The Rev Canon Malcolm Bradshaw was formally licensed and instituted as Chaplain of St George's Venice and Christ Church Trieste on Saturday November 25th 2017, by the Venerable Vickie Sims, Archdeacon of Italy and Malta on behalf of Suffragan Bishop David Hamid.
A substantial congregation was there to formally welcome Malcolm and his wife, Olga, who we hope will be with us for many years to come.
The service was also attended by members of the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Waldensian and Charismatic Episcopal churches, reflecting the strong ecumenical partnerships in our city; whilst the gospel was read by Pastor Bernd Prigge of the Lutheran church in Venice.
We were also delighted to welcome Mayor Andrea Pasin, councillors and friends from the Comune of Calvene, with whom St George's has formed a deep and lasting friendship in recent years.
Here are some photographs of a memorable afternoon.
With many thanks to Roger Branson for the photographs
