16 February 2023.To the Clergy and People of the Diocese in EuropeVery soon we will embark on our Lenten journey once again. These are extraordinary times,with war continuing in Ukraine (the focus of our 2022 Appeal), and with unprecedentedsuffering in South East Türkiye and North West Syria as a result of recent earthquakes. Thepeople of our diocese have been generous in responding to these huge needs, and certainly thepeople of Ukraine and Türkiye/Syria are very much in our prayers.It has been the tradition for the Bishop’s Lent Appeal to focus on a particular need within ourdiocesan family. We have pockets within the diocese where the reality is much more like thedeveloping world than what is experienced in the comparatively rich north. One such area ofthe diocese is Morocco.Many have now settled in the region of the capital, Rabat, where we have not had a permanentChurch presence. Thanks to the vision of past chaplains in Casablanca and the dedication of acore of supporters in Rabat, a new congregation is being built up. This year’s Bishop’s LentAppeal is to support this congregation in the next crucial phase of its development.
In celebration of the week of Christian Unity please note the following events:- Friday, January 20th at 8:30 pm an ecumenical service for the unity of Christians will be held at the French Protestant Church, 3 rue Béranger, Fontainebleau.- Sunday, January 22nd at 4pm there will be a spiritual concert "un chemin d'unité avec Jean-Sébastien Bach" presented by Pastor Alain Joly at the Couvent des Carmes, Avon (invitation attached).---The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an opportunity for Christians from local churches to come together in prayer, and many local Churches Together groups will host joint services together during this time. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed from 18-25 January each year. However, some areas observe it at Pentecost or some other time. Resources are available each year from the Churches Together website at www.ctbi.org.uk/weekofprayer and at https://unitedeschretiens.fr See also the attached documents.
You will find details of services starting on Sunday 11th December until Christmas Day attached.Click on 'View attachment' to see full details of services.All are welcome - please come and join us.N.B. There are different times and venues. Check our website weekly.
You will find attached the details of the Bishop's Advent Appeal for 2022:"In 2020, I launched an appeal to build a classroom for Bishop Hannington School in Mumias, Kenya. I am delighted to say that the classroom was successfully built. Indeed great progress has been made with the construction of other classrooms too. My appeal this year is for a toilet block for this same school. ..."
