CHAPLAIN’S NOTES

Jean-Pierre Herman Jean-Pierre announced to the Council last Monday that he will shortly be joining Kempton Baldridge at All Saints, Waterloo, as Assistant Rector (as of 1 February). His responsibilities will include fortnightly services at Christ Church, Charleroi and he will continue at Leuven taking over from me as Priest-in-Charge there when my two-year contract with Leuven runs out at the end of February. (In effect he has had responsibility there these past two years with me going from time to time and chairing official meetings.) However, this does not mean that we still will not be seeing him. He will continue as Chaplain of the Catholic Apostolics and will maintain his peripatetic ministry in Belgium as a whole (which includes being Ecumenical Officer for the Anglican church in Brussels). His knowledge of the three languages equips him to have an effective ministry to all three language groups.

We have all much valued Jean-Pierre and his ministry among us, his cheerful disposition, his wife Marie-Rose who has kindly helped week by week with the banking arrangements and we warmly commend them and their three boys, Barnabé, Augustin and Pierre-Louis to God’s care and keeping for the future.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity starts today. This year the special service for unity will be in the Cathedral of St Michel and Ste Gudule and will be hosted by the Anglicans. As we have always hosted it in the past I asked Kempton Baldridge (Rector, All Saints) to be the host this year. The sermon will be given in English only by the Bishop of the American Chaplaincies in Europe, Pierre Whalon. We warmly encourage our congregation to be present for this special occasion. The service is on Thursday 22 January at 20.00.

CRP Self Help All able bodied members of the congregation are now requested to give one or two Saturday mornings per month to get our renovated buildings into good shape. It is a great opportunity to work and fellowship together (08.00-13.00). Please come for all or part of that time. Peter Mackenzie needs your help and support.

            Nigel Walker

 

COMING SOON . . .

The Marriage Course  Led, on video, by Nicky and Sila Lee, from Holy Trinity Brompton.  Course facilitated by David and Janet Sayers.  This is a very practical course, giving married couples the tools to build a strong and healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime. It is highly recommended by the chaplains (and their wives!).  It will be held at St Anthony's Parish Hall, Oudstrijderslaan 23-25, 1950 Kraainem on the following Fridays: 30 January, 6 and 13 February, 5, 12 and 26 March and 2 April.  (A commitment to all the dates is recommended.)   Cost per couple €125, which includes a lovely supper each week and all materials.  Pre-registration is essential.  You can do this through info@stpaulstervuren.org or call 02/767 34 35.  Payments made to St Paul's Events, 310-1075431-78.

Some people will know about Tigers Club which works amazingly successfully among street children in Kampala, Uganda. It was founded by Andy Williams, former Youth Worker at St Paul’s, Tervuren. On Saturday 7 February at 18.30 there is a cocktail reception with entertainment at the Koloniën Paleis in Tervuren. Tickets are €30 and all proceeds will go to Tigers Club. For tickets and more information contact Deborah Walker on tigersclub@skynet.be or 02/767 91 63.

 

INFORMATION

Many will remember the two visitors from Nairobi who came in August last year as representatives of the Urban Development Programme. They have sent this letter to Peter:

Dear Revd Peter Walley,

Christian greetings and Merry Christmas, from Louise and Lucy. It is a great joy to write to you and to thank you very much for the welcome you gave us in your church. We thank you and your congregation for the support you have given to the UDP work. You have changed many lives in our three communities, the members send their regards to you. It is our prayer that you will continue supporting us. Pray for our work. We will also pray for you and the members of your church. May God bless you mightily.

Louise and Lucy.

Buy your CHS (Community Help Service) calendar now! Available today at the back of church, €10 each.

The Mission Focus for January is Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW). 

The Prayer Chain welcomes requests for prayer for any situation in complete confidentiality. Please pass your request to Sue Cox 02/767 29 11 or cottoncox@hotmail.com or to Ann Milton 02/772 47 04.

The Brussels American Chapel, NATO Support Activity, will have two GS5 positions available immediately. The Chaplain, David Druckenmiller, writes:

“I need an Administrative Assistant, Secretary, for the chapel.  This position is a full time job (GS5) assisting with administrative, receptionist, and chapel hospitality. 

I also need a new Youth Ministry Director.  The position will be a GS5 position, which is full time.  The Youth Minister will assist with chapel worship with the pastor, teach Sunday School for teens, conduct youth studies, and conduct youth retreats/programs.   The individual must be Christian and be able to support the General Protestant Programs at the NSA.  This means that the person must be ecumenical in approach.   

The positions mentioned above will be full time.  I would like to find faithful individuals who live in this community, who have ministry experience and believe God has called them to serve.

I can be reached at 02-717-9708."

Items for the Newsletter Please send these, at the latest by 9.00 on Tuesdays, to the Church Office or by e-mail to David.Iliff@Pandora.be