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Dear sisters and brothersDear reader
You are holding a slimmer Swiss Church News edition in your
hands than usual, and I hope that you will be just as pleased with
the new format!
The Swiss Church team is busier than ever and we love to see
more and more people coming through the door. With community worker
Matt Stone, the local outreach work is flourishing and we are
pleased to see friendships growing between Swiss and non-Swiss
every day. With Anina Smith, the management of the church as event
venue is run very professionally. We have established many new
contacts with user groups who make our church a lively place and
help the financing of our much loved church. There are still many
challenges ahead, most urgently the increase of our fundraising
efforts in order to become financially sustainable whilst keeping
up the worship, cultural and social life at 79 Endell Street that
brings people together. We have also successfully increased our
presence on social media, and you can read more from Carla and Matt
on their blogs (swissvicarlondon.blogspot.co.uk and
breakfastonthesteps.wordpress.com).
The programme Discover London with the Swiss Church has been a
great success so far. Our second visit brought us to the small
German-Lutheran chapel near Aldgate East station. The historic
building is hidden between modern skyscrapers, and one could easily
overlook it. This is where one of the most influential and
inspiring German theologians of the 20th Century, Dietrich
Bonhoeffer, used to
preach during his short stay in London from 1933-1935. Dietrich
Bonhoeffer was executed in a concentration camp just weeks before
the end of WWII. Many services have been held this year to
commemorate the 70th anniversary of his death. You will learn more
about Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the Focus page.
Another great theologian was celebrated this year, even though
her 500th birthday received less attention. Teresa of Avila was
born on the 28th of March 1515. The Carmelite nun and saint was a
deeply spiritual person and spent much of her life in contemplation
and prayer, but she found herself more and more in
disharmony with the day to day running of the monastery. The
invasion of high rank visitors were a distraction from monastic
life. Consequently, Teresa founded over thirty new monasteries
where she revived the strict rules of poverty and renunciation of
property and became one
Swiss Church in LondonEglise suisse de LondresSchweizerkirche in
LondonChiesa Svizzera a LondraBaselgia svizra a LondraSummer
2015
In this edition
Fundraising - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2News from the
Community - - - - - - - 3Focus - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- 4-5People from our community - - - - - - 6Announcements - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - 6Events @ The Swiss Church - - - - - - 7
Editorial
Swiss Church News
(continued on page 2)
Teresa of Avila
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Jeffrey Long MBE will be 84 years old this year, and those who
have met the former Editor of the Swiss Review and President of
FOSSUK know that he is still up for a challenge. The man from
Yorkshire, whose grandfather was a Swiss citizen from Schaffhausen,
has always been a very committed supporter of the Swiss community
in the UK. To mark his 84th year, Jeffrey and three friends have
decided to walk the whole length of Hadrians Wall - 84 miles, one
mile for each year of his life to raise funds for the Swiss Church
in London.
There is only one Swiss Church in the UK, Jeffrey said, and
whether one is a regular visitor or not, it is our church. Everyone
should do what they can to help support this wonderful place.
People come to the Swiss Church to worship, to enjoy music and
arts, to share a fondue and watch the Swiss football team play, or
simply to have
a chat and meet new people. There is support for people of all
ages in difficult life situations, as well as a visitor service for
the elderly.
For many years, the church has been supported by the Federation
of Swiss Protestant Churches, but this is due to end in the near
future. The challenge is now to become financially sustainable
largely depending on the generous support of donors and grants. It
was this new situation that prompted Jeffrey to take on his 84/84
sponsored hike along Hadrians Wall.
With my walk, I want to make people aware of the church and
encourage others to help secure the future of the Swiss Church in
London.
Support Jeffrey on his walk along the Roman fortification wall
and help to raise 5000 for the Swiss Church! Every contribution is
greatly appreciated.
Please send your donation to the Swiss Church account, earmarked
84 miles:
HSBC, 117 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QJSortcode:
40-03-15Account number: 61410512IBAN: GB58MIDL40031561410512BIC:
MIDLGB2106M
Rev. Carla Maurer
Editorial
2 Swiss Church News
84 years - 84 milesFundraising
of the most important monastic reformers and mystical writers in
Christianity.
Teresa of Avila, like many other nuns, went to live in a
monastery to be free. Women had very few choices in medieval times,
and the monastery was the one alternative to married life where
women had rarely anything to say. Within the walls of the
monastery, Teresa had the freedom to think, write and pray and to
take her own decisions. Her self-confidence rooted in her close and
yet independent relationship with God and still inspires women
around the world who struggle with the corset of gender prejudice.
Teresa created places where women could get away from restrictions
imposed on them and let their spirit run free.
Christ has no body but yours,No hands, no feet on earth but
yours,Yours are the eyes with which he looksCompassion on this
world,Yours are the feet, with which he walks to do good,Yours are
the hands, with which he blesses all the world.Yours are the hands,
yours are the feet,Yours are the eyes, you are his body.Christ has
no body now but yours,No hands, no feet on earth but yours,Yours
are the eyes with which he looksCompassion on this world.Christ has
no body now on earth but yours.
Teresa von Avila
Be blessed! Yours,
ImprintPublisherThe Swiss Church in London79 Endell StreetLondon
WC2H 9DYA company limited by Guarantee registered in England &
Wales, no 4454591. A registered Charity no 1094992.
Editors Carla Maurer & Philip Maillardet
ContactPhone 020 7836 [email protected]
Websitewww.swisschurchlondon.org.ukYou can download the latest
Swiss Church News on our website.
Deadline for the nextSwiss Church News 20 July 2015
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News from the CommunityLast month we joined together with other
local churches Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, St Georges
Bloomsbury and St Giles in the Fields to put on Just Festival On
The Edge. Here are a couple of highlights, do not worry if you
missed it, next year we plan to do it all over again.
3 Swiss Church News
Just Festival On the Edge
The Field 2015 Camp for 18 - 30sThis year I will be going to
Devon again to be a team member of The Field. Here is a bit more on
what it is all about by fellow team member Deborah Fielding.
THE FIELD 2015 - Loved into LifeWeek 1: 25th July 1st AugustWeek
2: 1st 8th AugustCome for one week or two!
The Field has long been an unofficial name for Lee Abbeys
well-loved
campsite, so it seemed the obvious choice as title for what will
be less of a camp and more of a retreat for 18-30s in July/August
2015. The Fields history is a huge part of its charm for the
35-strong team. Whether we are walking in the valley, banging our
spoons on the trestle tables or whispering by lamplight, we are
aware that for almost 70 years, The Field has been a holy place.
John Muir, who helped to preserve many wilderness areas, including
Yosemite National Park, said, Everyone needs beauty as well as
bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and
cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike. Beauty is
something that Lee Abbey has in spades, and bread is one of the
many foods that we serve from The Fields kitchen, other popular
food essentials served are roast dinner, cake, tea and crumble
(special diets are always catered for beautifully). We play a lot
on The Field volleyball to batik to mandolin. And we pray too all
the
time. We often leave The Field tired and foot-sore, but we are
always stronger in body and soul.
The Field is a place to come as you are: put down your phone,
your laptop, your job, your church, your responsibilities for a
bit, and rest. Come to play, create, learn, discuss, absorb, be
still, laugh, eat, be merry, be honest - be loved into life.
In essentials, we hope The Field hasnt changed in 70 years is
has been a starting point, a focus point, a jumping-off point and a
brilliant holiday for many many people. People who come once almost
always want to come back. Church leader Malcolm Duncan has said
Love always looks like something. Love is something that is done,
not felt. Jesus just didnt feel love he did it. Love, looks like
The Field. And, we hope, the Field looks like
Love.leeabbey.org.uk/devon/camps/thefield
E-mail from a visitor:
My initial draw was to the Josh Osho event though returning
yesterday stimulated me in unexpected ways....the room behind the
doors of the Swiss church was stunning....i could see myself
suspended in the middle as if in heaven.....the listen
London....something else....followed by the jazz...the conversation
with the mod homeless volunteer....you have created a community or
rather you have made visible a community to someone who passes
by...there is something good in all that ...From a
wayfarer......
Members of the Swiss Church at an African Drumming Workshop, St
Giles in the Fields
Rosie Telling performing I still remain,St Georges
Bloomsbury
Josh Osho, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
Swiss Ambassador Dominik and Hayam Furgler visiting the art
exhibition at the Swiss Church
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5 Swiss Church News 4 Swiss Church News
Focus: Dietrich BonhoefferWho is a friend and who is not:
Bonhoeffer in London
Reflections by Rev. Carla MaurerWhen Dietrich Bonhoeffer died at
the age of 39, he was only four years older than I am today. His
courage and his faith make me feel humble. I often wonder what we
can do to stand up for the persecuted, for all these people in our
society who are not regarded as human beings, but rather treated as
a problem. What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ and to put the
Kingdom of God in the centre of our lives? How far are we willing
to go to overturn injustice?
We are facing today one of the greatest humanitarian crises at
the borders of Europe. Thousands of refugees from Asia and Africa
die on their attempt to flee persecution on grounds of their
religion, race, gender, political or sexual
orientation, and to find work and a better life in Europe. This
situation is not very different from the persecution that people in
Europe suffered in the first half of the 20th century, and it is
only just the beginning. Not even the destruction of smuggler boats
as planned by the EU ministers of defence will hinder people to
flee. It will only increase the risks for refugees and make the
journey more dangerous. And yet, we collectively look away instead
of taking responsibility and find solutions to protect human life.
We try to find reasons why we shouldnt help (we have our own
problems here!) or we point with the finger at others (the
governments in Africa created this mess!) in the attempt to turn
away the guilt from us. If we accept Jesus Christ
as our authority, we have to put human dignity first and value
every human being as made in Gods image. As followers of Jesus
Christ, it is clear on whose side we stand.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer remains a major source of inspiration. He
was craving for justice and determined in his beliefs as a young
man. He had the courage to stand up for the voiceless when the
established church gave in to what turned out to be one of the most
inhuman systems in human history. Bonhoeffer never saw the fruits
of his resistance, but we have them at our fingertips. The most
important thing is to hold fast to the truth, and not to let
anything else influence you. (Letters to London, London 2013, page
74)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was in his early twenties and had only just
finished his studies of theology when the National-Socialist party
in Germany came into power in 1933. The young man was the first
representative of the German Lutheran Church who publicly warned
from the Fhrerkult around Hitler in a radio live show. He was cut
off in the middle of his sentence. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is
considered by many as a modern day martyr of the church who paid
with his life for defending Christian values against the inhuman
Nazi regime and the establishment of the German-Lutheran Church who
cooperated with the National Socialists. However, most of
Bonhoeffers fame came posthumously.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was imprisoned and later executed by hanging
for his role in the resistance a few weeks before the end of World
War II at Flossenbrg concentration camp on the 9th of April 1945.
He wrote many letters and prayers in prison which are still a great
inspiration for people around the world.
It is less known that Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a Minister in
London from 1933-35. He was disheartened by the German Churches and
their collaboration with the Nazi regime, but he also hoped to find
ecumenical partner churches in England to build up the resistance.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was part of a group called the Confessing
Church, a source of Christian opposition, which insisted that
Christ, not the Fhrer, was the head of the church. Swiss professor
Karl Barth was also part the Confessing Church and was regarded by
Bonhoeffer as his most influential teacher.
During his time in London, Dietrich Bonhoeffer was involved in
youth and pastoral work and he became friends with one of his
confirmation students, Ernst Cromwell. When Bonhoeffer returned to
Germany, a letter exchange between Dietrich and Ernst started.
Bonhoeffers letters to Cromwell were published in 2013 and they
show an unknown side of the great theologian as parish minister,
theological teacher and friend.
In the past year I have lost many people who were important in
my life, but in the struggle of the churches I have also found a
community again, one which is unbreakable from a human viewpoint.
Its shape is becoming ever clearer, even now. The only concern is
to know, before the night comes, who is a friend and who is not. In
this regard, its good to know that over there in London are people
of whom one can be certain, which side they are on. I can tell you
one thing: more important than any insight, than anything to do
with your fundamental beliefs, is to have people in your life with
whom you know that you share convictions.
(Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Ernst Cromwell on 27 March 1936, from:
Stephen J. Plant/Toni Burrowes-Cromwell (ed.), Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Letters to London, London 2013, page 74)
Rev. Carla Maurer
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5 Swiss Church News 4 Swiss Church News
Focus: Dietrich BonhoefferWho am I? Wer bin ich?Who am I? They
often tell meI stepped from my cells confinementCalmly, cheerfully,
firmly,Like a squire from his country-house.Who am I? They often
tell meI used to speak to my wardersFreely and friendly and
clearly,As though it were mine to command.Who am I? They also tell
meI bore the days of misfortuneEquably, smilingly, proudly,Like one
accustomed to win.
Am I then really all that which other men tell of?Or am I only
what I myself know of myself?Restless and longing and sick, like a
bird in a cage,Struggling for breath, as though hands
werecompressing my throat,Yearning for colours, for flowers, for
the voices of birds,Thirsting for words of kindness, for
neighbourliness,Tossing in expectation of great events,Powerlessly
trembling for friends at an infinite distance,Weary and empty at
praying, at thinking, at making,Faint, and ready to say farewell to
it all?
Who am I? This or the other?Am I one person today and tomorrow
another?Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,And before
myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?Or is something within me
still like a beaten army,Fleeing in disorder from victory already
achieved?Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of
mine.Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am Thine!
Wer bin ich? Sie sagen mir oft,ich trte aus meiner Zellegelassen
und heiter und festwie ein Gutsherr aus seinem Schlo.Wer bin ich?
Sie sagen mir oft,ich sprche mit meinen Bewachernfrei und
freundlich und klar,als htte ich zu gebieten.Wer bin ich? Sie sagen
mir auch,ich trge die Tage des Unglcksgleichmtig, lchelnd und
stolz,wie einer, der Siegen gewohnt ist.
Bin ich das wirklich, was andere von mir sagen?Oder bin ich nur
das, was ich selbst von mir wei?Unruhig, sehnschtig, krank, wie ein
Vogel im Kfig,ringend nach Lebensatem, als wrgte mir einer die
Kehle,hungernd nach Farben, nach Blumen, nach Vogelstimmen,drstend
nach guten Worten, nach menschlicher Nhe,zitternd vor Zorn ber
Willkr und kleinlichste Krnkung,umgetrieben vom Warten auf groe
Dinge,ohnmchtig bangend um Freunde in endloser Ferne,mde und zu
leer zum Beten, zum Denken, zum Schaffen,matt und bereit, von allem
Abschied zu nehmen?
Wer bin ich? Der oder jener?Bin ich denn heute dieser und morgen
ein anderer?Bin ich beides zugleich? Vor Menschen ein Heuchlerund
vor mir selbst ein verchtlich wehleidiger Schwchling?Oder gleicht,
was in mir noch ist, dem geschlagenen Heer,das in Unordnung weicht
vor schon gewonnenem Sieg?Wer bin ich? Einsames Fragen treibt mit
mir Spott.Wer ich auch bin, Du kennst mich, Dein bin ich, o
Gott!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Remembering Dietrich BonhoefferOn the 6th of May, a group of
about 12 Swiss Church regulars went to one of the chapels where
Bonhoeffer used to preach during his time in London, St George
German-Lutheran Church in Whitechapel. Lutheran pastor Waldemar
Radacz and Carla Maurer gave an introduction into the life of
Dietrich Bonhoeffer and his time in London. After the introduction,
the group held a vigil in remembrance of this great theologian and
reflected on some of his texts.
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People from our community
6 Swiss Church News
Xanthe Hawksley-WalkerIn this section we want to give people who
are associated with our church a voice. Xanthe Hawksley-Walker has
been volunteering with Holy Soup since its beginnings.
I first heard about the Swiss Church via an advert to volunteer
as a chef for Holy Soup. It seemed like a good thing to do as I
enjoy both cooking and talking to people. I was also keen to do
something in the heart of London as I live in Twickenham. My role
involves cooking the soup from scratch on a Thursday and serving it
from the steps on the Friday. I really enjoy being creative and
trying out new recipes. The Swiss Church is a beautiful building
and I especially love the kitchen where I have spent a lot of
time.
Volunteering at Holy Soup is a great opportunity to give back to
the community and I get a lot out of it too. I enjoy chatting to
the people who come along and it is always nice when people have
enjoyed my cooking. I like the atmosphere at the Swiss Church,
everyone is really nice. There is a good variety of activities that
are on offer and I have also helped on the bar for the concert
series and at the Goldsmiths exhibition which I also really
enjoyed.
Xanthe Hawksley-Walker
Announcements
BaptismAline Grlica (born 14 October 2013) was baptised on 3 May
2015.
Ethan James Mosimann (born 17 May 2014) was baptised on 17 May
2015.
We welcome the two in our congregation and in the worldwide
church and wish them health and love for their lives!
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you
with my righteous right
hand. (Isaiah 41,10)
Obituary NoticePauline Zurflueh 18 April 2015Pauline Zurflueh
died at the grand old age of 100. She celebrated her birthday last
September, surrounded by her relatives and friends from the
Frauenverein. Pauline lived in London her whole life, but she often
went to visit her relatives in Bern and loved to go on holiday in
Grindelwald. Pauline is now reunited with her parents and her much
loved sister Ethel.Our thoughts are with everyone who knew and
cared for Pauline and who will miss her smile and positivity.
ConfirmationCarla Alonso and Niccol Aliano both decided to
getting confirmed at the Swiss Church and we hope to celebrate this
special occasion
with many of you on Sunday 19 July.Everyone is invited!
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7 Swiss Church News
Events @ the Swiss ChurchForthcoming events
Swiss Connections Concert SeriesThursday 25 June: Streetwise
Opera
An inspiring evening of song with Streetwise Opera, the
award-winning charity using music to help homeless people make
positive changes in their lives.
Concert starts at 7pm, doors open at 6.30pm. Tickets are 5.
Parish Day Out: Discover LondonThursday 9 July: St Pauls
Cathedral
As a part of the St Pauls Forum, American Theologian Barbara
Taylor-Brown speaks about Learning to Walk in the Dark, the title
of her new book.
Starts 18:00, only 20 spaces available. Please book through Matt
at the church office.
Organ RecitalSaturday 11 July: Hilary NorrisHilary Norris has
toured Sweden and Italy as a solo organ recitalist, given concerts
in Germany and Holland and played for a number of recordings
including two solo albums. She is Director of Studies for the
Diocese of Hereford Organists Training Scheme.
Recital starts at 5pm, entrance is free with retiring
collection.
Organ RecitalSaturday 12 September: Ben HordenHaving previously
held a number of prestigious cathedral positions, Ben Horden is now
reading for an MA in music at the University of York. In September,
Ben takes up the post of Choral Fellow at Oundle School where he
will be responsible for the schools distinguished choral
programme.Recital starts at 5pm, entrance is free with retiring
collection.
Parish Day Out: Discover LondonSaturday 26 September: Mosque
Learn more about the faith of our Muslim brothers and sisters
and the day-to-day goings on at a Muslim place of worship.
More details to follow.
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HSBC, 117 Great Portland Street, London, W1W 6QJSortcode:
40-03-15 Account Number: 61410512IBAN: GB58MIDL40031561410512BIC:
MIDLGB2106M
Swiss Church in LondonEglise suisse de LondresSchweizerkirche in
LondonChiesa Svizzera a LondraBaselgia svizra a Londra
Swiss Church in London, 79 Endell Street London WC2H 9DY
Tel: 020 7836 1418,
[email protected]
Twitter: @SwissChurchLond & @SwissRevLondonCarla Maurers
blog http://swissvicarlondon.blogspot.co.uk
Registered charity No. 1094992
We welcome donations by standing order. If you are a UK
taxpayer, please fill in a gift aid declaration form.
Genesis 1:3
And God said Let there be light, and there was light. God saw
that the light was good, and he separated the light from the
darkness.
O most noble Greenness, rooted in the sun,shining forth in
streaming splendour upon the wheel of Earth.
No earthly sense or being can comprehend you.You are encircled
by the very arms of Divine mysteries.
You are radiant like the red of dawn!You glow like the
incandescence of the sun!
(Hildegard von Bingen, 1098-1179)
Dungeness, Kent
8 Swiss Church News
