ST ALBAN’S CHURCH COPENHAGEN

their mother tongue. The worship also embraced our different traditions and
ranged from modern hymns accompanied on the guitar, Taize and also more
traditional hymns at the Sunday Eucharist – Darren led evening prayer on
Saturday and Victoria, Nigel and Pauleen all had readings at various services.
Engaging with scripture is also a regular event at the synod and this year´s bible
study, held by April Almaas, the new priest at Trondheim, was an alternative
analysis on the meeting of Jesus and the woman at the well, which centred on a
political discussion about power rather than the traditional moral interpretation
about forgiveness of sin.
As usual, renewing old friendships and making new ones is one of the wonderful
benefits of this meeting and time was spent over dinner catching up on each
other’s news and meeting new additions to the synod and soaking up the local
culture. A visit to a traditional Latvian beer cellar for sausage and beer was a
welcome respite from the meeting and a chance to catch up on each other’s
news!
The lay chapter meeting (the clergy have time off for good behaviour!) was
extremely encouraging, as Nigel commented, probably the most positive update
we have had for years – There appears to be a general growth and a wealth of
new initiatives to further grow membership and encourage new members which
include outreach, more creative worship services and particular events and
groups aimed at young people and children. St Alban’s was also happy to report
the flourishing of several new initiatives like the Student and Young Adult
group, Bible study, Pilgrim course, the “Second Sunday” worship services and
the Youth Group: Clearly having a renewed focus around the whole issue of
inclusivity will hopefully ensure that going forward we continue to include a
wide range of individuals and encourage ALL those who are seeking friendship
and faith to join us in dynamic and accepting Church communities.
As Bishop David reminded us in his sermon, God rejoices over the inclusion of
each individual lost sheep to His flock.
Victoria Wadsworth-Hansen
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