March 2018 (nr. 166)

MAGAZINE OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN HAARLEM

Church The English-speaking church community meets at the Old Catholic Cathedral of St. Anna & St. Mary, Kinderhuissingel 74, 2013 AV HAARLEM

Website: www.anglican-church-haarlem.nl

Priest-in-charge Vacant

Reader Jaap Theunisz, Tel: 023 537 4242

& Webmaster e-mail: j.theunisz@gmail.com

Warden Martin van Bleek, Tel: 023 542 21 33

e-mail: martin.van.bleek@planet.nl

Warden John Scott, Tel: 023 524 6641

e-mail: jandm.scott@12move.nl

Secretary Anni Kearney, Tel: 029 477 6102 e-mail: anni_k@mac.com

Diocesan Rep. Diana Dammer, Tel: 0251 241 139

Chaplaincy Rep. (Raad van Kerken) Jan Veefkind, Tel: 071 361 2368

Council Member Francis Gordon

Treasurer Annemiek Schäfer, Tel: 06 55 905 534

Organist & Martin van Bleek, Tel: 023 542 2133

Choirmaster e-mail: martin.van.bleek@planet.nl

Lifeline Editor Philip Whittaker, Tel: 0341 45 3507 e-mail: phwhittaker@cs.com

The English-speaking church community in Haarlem is part of the Anglican-Diocese of Europe and seeks to serve all English speaking people in the wider Haarlem area.

All payments, donations, general, missions, subscriptions to Lifeline (minimum to cover costs €12.50/year), please to: Bank nr: NL87 INGB 0000 5776 41, Church of England Haarlem indicating purpose of payment (donation, mission, Lifeline, etc.)

Lifeline contains the official Haarlem chaplaincy news and various articles. However, the views expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the Chaplaincy or the Editor.

Recent issues of Lifeline can be found on http://www.anglican-church-haarlem.nl/category/all/lifelines

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Chaplaincy letter

Two ways of fasting, praying and giving alms

The season of Lent started on Ash Wednesday. On that day, the

gospel reading is a passage taken from the “Sermon on the

Mount” (Matthew 6: 1-6 and 16-21). Here Jesus advises us to

fast, to pray and to give alms, in such a way that it is clear that

we do not perform those things in order to be seen, respected

and admired by other people. Fasting, praying and giving alms

have to do with our relationship with God and do not have to be

registered by others. Perhaps the Roman Catholic writer from

Haarlem, Godfried Bomans, was right, when he as a child held

the following thesis. You could better drink a delicious glass of

lemonade with a deep awareness of your sins, as he did, than

abstain from it with a sanctimonious face, as one of his brothers

did. What is important about Jesus’ advice is that he does not

say a single negative word about fasting, praying and giving

alms themselves. But it is the intention that matters. It is the

intention which makes the difference between sanctimonious

behaviour and a way into deeper contact with God.

In the same gospel reading, Jesus compares those two different

intentions to the storing up of treasures. If you fast, pray and

give alms in order to be respected by other people, you are

storing up treasures on earth. If you fast, pray and give alms in

order to be more aware of the place of God in your life, you are

storing up treasures in heaven. But the climax of this gospel

passage is not about where your treasures are. The climax is,

where your heart is. “For where your treasure is, there your

heart will be also”. Jesus wants us to have our hearts not on

earth but in heaven. “Lift up your hearts!” sings the priest at the

beginning of the Eucharistic prayer. And we answer, “We lift

them to the Lord!” It might be a good question for our Lenten

self-examination, to ask ourselves, whether we sing that

response with sincerity.

Fr Mattijs Ploeger

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Music Matters

Although the season of Lent began with a spring feel to our weather, we are now all of a sudden in very wintry weather indeed! This time in the church’s calendar helps us to focus on what happened in the period leading up to Good Friday and Easter. Our music, as always, is aimed to support these reflections during our services.

On Sunday 25 March we join the Old Catholic congregation for their Palm Sunday service at 10 am. This is the beginning of Holy Week, and we shall be joining the Old Catholics again on Maundy Thursday in the evening. The following day, Good Friday, we will reflect on the meaning of Good Friday through the lessons and the music. We will be following the service of the Cross of Christ which is made up of the following parts: the Ministry of the Word, the Proclamation of the Cross, the Intercessions and the Conclusion. Each section contains an anthem, a reading and a hymn. The service will include well know hymns, but some beautiful new music also. James Pollard will be playing for this service.

Our Easter Sung Eucharist on 1 April will be a joyful service to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Easter Service will be a Choral Eucharist. James will be playing for this service as well. And we have already ordered our traditional Cadbury’s Easter Eggs from Taste of Home!

The choir will be taking part in an ECS choir weekend in Kasteel Berckt near Venlo from 6-8 April. Gordon Appleton, well known to Haarlem Choir will be leading the weekend. We will be focussing on choral aspects, new repertoire and improving our skills.

Looking further ahead, the Archdeaconry Choral Festival this year will be in Brussels on 9 June. Holy Trinity Brussels is hosting the Festival as it is also celebrating 200 years of Anglican ministry in Brussels.

Even further in the future, the European Cathedral Singers will be singing the services at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St. Edmunds, from Monday 13 until Sunday 19 August, with the Thursday being our ‘dumb’ day - do come and join us for a service if you are in the neighbourhood!

We shall also be singing our regular Choral Evensong in the St. Bavo - the date for this year is Sunday 9 September at 7 pm. Please put this date in your diary.

We wish you a good preparation for Holy Week and a joyous Easter.

Martin van Bleek, Organist and choirmaster

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫

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†

In Memoriam Anita ‘Diane’ Jones 11 March 1940 – 6 February 2018

Fr. Clive Jones was priest-in-charge of Haarlem Anglican Church from 2007-2010, and with his wife Diane provided the solid heart of a caring

Chaplaincy.

While Fr. Clive formally ran the Chaplaincy, Diane took an interest in everything that was going on, in particular supporting Fr. Clive with

personal contacts and care, from the start making the effort to learn the name of all parishioners. She took an interest in everyone and always

had a listening and helping ear when needed. Together Fr. Clive and Diane started a monthly Healing and Compline

service, Diane carefully maintaining the list of names on the prayer list.

After they left Haarlem in 2010 they moved to Compton (near Reading), where their home was open to any who wished to visit them.

Rob Uittenbosch remembers enjoying several lovely weekends with them, thoroughly spoiled by Diane’s excellent cooking.

Diane will be remembered by all with whom she came into contact for her interest, warmth and cheerfulness.

Diane’s grandson Sam (14) remembers her: I know you're not here and I know you are far,

But I want you to know you are the brightest star. You were the most wonderful person I ever did know,

You never let pain in, nor let it show. In the saddest times, I wondered how your happiness shone through,

You always cared about others and were selfless, Your talents, your love and your support was endless.

You were there for me, right from the start, And you will always have a place, right here in my heart

The Chaplaincy in Haarlem extend their love and sympathy to Fr. Clive and his family.

The world was the richer by Diane’s cheerfulness and warmth - may she rest in peace and rise in glory.

†

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Lent Discussion Group 2018

‘On the Third Day’ is a new ecumenical course for discussion groups

written by Bishop John Pritchard – ideal for Lent, though not Lent-specific.

Rationale: The resurrection is the Big Story that turned a little Jewish

protest movement into a world-transforming religion. Yet by Easter Monday

we have almost forgotten about it and are planning our summer holidays.

How can we re-capture the explosive power of the resurrection that

ricocheted around the world? How can we live in the glow of resurrection

and be an Easter people? How can ‘there and then’ become ‘here and now’?

There are three weekly sessions covering the following themes:

1. Have I got news for you!

2. So what? the implications of the Resurrection.

3. ‘Let him easter in us’.

4. Celebrating and praying Easter.

5. A risen Church.

The course booklet includes a good selection of questions at the end of

each session, designed to stimulate wide-ranging discussion. All are

welcome to join one or any of the sessions to share our faith, learn from

each other and find inspiration.

Day : Tuesdays

Dates : 27 February, 6 March and 13 March 2018

Time : 20.00 – 21.30

Place : Kinderhuissingel, Haarlem (the church hall)

For further information, please contact Diana Dammer – tel: 0251-241139

Christ foreshadowed in the Bible

There are many O.T. figures whose person or life foreshadowed that of

Christ in some way (e.g. Methusalah as ‘Priest and King’), but the person

whose life and experiences had the most ‘parallels’ with that of Christ was

probably Joseph – how many can you think of?

(a list of the more significant will be given in the next Lifeline)

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

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We are now recruiting new Altar Servers.

The assistance by Altar Servers at Mass is a ministry of great importance. They help facilitate a reverent flow to the liturgy and allow the priest as presider of the Eucharist to conduct his role more effectively. If you are a member of our parish and would like to become a server, let us know. This is an excellent way to appreciate more our great ritual of the Eucharist. Come and join us! Training sessions will be available.

The Altar Servers form a very important function in the church, and every parish is enriched through their dedication and service. It is therefore a very important responsibility, and requires a sincere commitment. Only if you are serious about the commitment you are about to make, should you apply to be an Altar Server.

Volunteers for Tea and Flower Rotas

At the moment we need volunteers to make the tea after the service on

Sundays and to help occasionally by bringing biscuits or English tea.

Each week a volunteer brings flowers for the church service so

perhaps you would like to commemorate a birthday, anniversary or

specific occasion.

If you would be willing to help, please sign your name on one of the

lists on the noticeboard in the church hall. All contributions would be

much appreciated. Thank you.

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From Ms Miscellaneous

Living Lent

Another Lent season has begun. This one with lots of sunshine,

which is very welcome to me. It reassures me that the dark days are almost over.

The last 4 years or so I've been following the Old Catholic Lent

booklets with texts and prayers for every day. Reflecting on those texts and the day, I write my own variation of haiku. I

think I shared one of those with you two years ago. I'd like now to share two more with you.

The first reflects on Ephesians 2:14

Two worlds together Before and after Belief

Why the distinction?

And the second reflects on a beautiful, sunny day Living a Lent day

Enjoying the life God gave Feeling loved and blessed

I suppose these two reflections indicate that Lent to me is about strengthening my faith and - maybe even first and foremost - about enjoying and being grateful for life and for the light and

hope God gave us to guide us through it.

Happy Lent!

Veronique Ruiz

☼ ☼ ☼ ☼

What Americans intend to give up for Lent

Apparently around 20% of Americans observe Lent in some way, and the

following are what they intend to give up (compiled, apparently, from around

30,000 serious tweets exchanged just before the beginning of Lent):

1 social networking 2 fast food 3 alcohol 4 chocolate

5 swearing 6 meat 7 sweets 8 soda

9 coffee 10 lying 11 smoking 12 chips

13 one-use plastic 14 sugar 15 negativity 16 guns

17 on-line shopping 18 drugs 19 television 20 make-up

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Uncertain times in South Africa

by Theo Truter, just arrived in Haarlem from S.A. with his wife Annemarie

who had emigrated to South Africa many years ago.

We arrived here in Haarlem a couple of weeks ago, having decided that

with the social and climate deteriorating recently in S.A., we now wanted

a more stable social situation, as would be provided by The Netherlands.

Having arrived in winter we do realise that there may be some

disadvantages! South Africa can be a wonderful land, but is suffering of

late from serious droughts and in some areas uncontrolled violence.

Everyone hopes and prays that the appointment of the new President will

lead to a more stable social climate, but the problems are deep rooted and

maybe human efforts alone will not suffice.

One powerful element, as was indicated in an article in the last Lifeline, is

that of prayer and a strong turning to God. Unlike Europe, the churches

there are quite well attended, and that must surely be a reason for God to

look kindly upon its people in its present feeble state. One evangelical

leader very active in South Africa is Angus Buchan, who you may have

read in the last Lifeline organised an open-air prayer meeting last year that

was attended by an estimated 2 million people. He is repeating this effort

on 24 April in one of the more unstable areas of Cape Town, and asks for

the prayers of Christians world-wide. Please make a note in your diary to

join the prayers being offered on that day.

Theo Truter

How well do you know your Bible

1. With what tree do you associate the name Zacchaeus?

2. With what leader do you associate a burning bush?

3. With what animal do you associate the name Balaam ?

4. With what town do you associate Simon the tanner?

5. With what birds do you associate Elijah?

6. With what person do you associate the height ‘six cubits and a span?'

7. With what fruit do you associate Caleb?

8. With what Old Testament soldier do you associate the word 'But'?

9. With what hill do you associate the name of St. Paul?

10. With what gate do you associate the words 'silver and gold’?

(answers at the end of Diary)

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Can I come to you ?

She is old, the sparkle of life has gone, she now needs care,

they are good to her.

From her room she stares outside into the distance;

now and then she talks to her canary;

sometimes the telephone breaks the silence,

and then she is back to her old self “Jep, I’m OK, fine”.

I remember her as she was, a nun, devoted to her Lord,

and then she left the cloister life which she had loved;

but not God, she served him still in her work,

she was there for others.

And now, in her old age, she feels as if she has lost him.

She once wrote to me

I feel more and more that I don’t see him as often as I would like;

but what then?”

And again

Recently I keep thinking of that song -

as the evening falls and it’s too dark for me,

as the end comes and I am afraid,

can I come to You?

I once read

we must be rooted in Christ

so that we are not afraid to go outside with Him;

is this perhaps my last journey?

Sometimes I feel tired, I feel lonely,

I have no-one to share my need for security,

no-one to ask for help.

Are there also lonely men?

I often think of Mother Theresa,

she also could sometimes not find God,

but she went on regardless with her care and love for others.

This gives me some peace; I must leave it there.

Thank you for your call last week, just what I needed,

a little attention.

And still I have that song in my head -

When the end comes, can I come to You?

You once said – I need a nun to pray for me; I could also use one.

(transl. from Douwe Janssen,

with thanks to Marga)

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Should you require further information about a service or event please contact the Secretary

Sunday 4 March 14.30 Choral Eucharist (choir) -

Rev. Dr. Mattijs Ploeger

Bishop's Lent Appeal retiring collection

Tuesday 6 March 20.00-

21.30

Lent discussion group in the church

hall (also on 13 March)

Sunday 11 March 14.30 Eucharist (said) - Rev. Robert Frede

Tuesday 13 March 11.00 Coffee morning at Beverwijk,

Cinema Restaurant, Station Square

20.00-

21.30

Lent discussion group in the church

hall.

Wednesday 14 March 19.30 Prayers for healing and Compline

Sunday 18 March 14.30 Evening Prayer and Eucharist (choir)

- Rev. James Hill

Bishop's Lent Appeal retiring collection

Sunday 25 March

Palm Sunday

10.00

Passion Reading and Old Catholic

Eucharist - we join the Old Catholic

congregation

Thursday 29 March

Maundy Thursday

19.30 Combined Anglican/Old Catholic

Eucharist - Rev. Robert Frede

The commemoration of the institution

of the Holy Eucharist

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Friday 30 March

Good Friday

11.00 Good Friday Devotion (choir) -

Rev. Robert Frede

Sunday 1 April

Easter Sunday

14.30 Choral Eucharist on Easter Sunday

(choir) - Rev. Robert Frede

Sunday 8 April 14.30 Eucharist (said) - Rev. Robert Frede

Tuesday 10 April 11.30

Coffee and lunch at the Molenplas

Wednesday 11 April 19.30 Prayers for Healing and Compline

Sunday 15 April 14.30 Evening Prayer and Eucharist (choir)

- Rev. Dr. Mattijs Ploeger

Sunday 22 April 14.30 Eucharist (said) Rev. Robert Frede

Sunday 29 April 14.30 Choral Evensong Church Choir &

The Anglican Singers - Rev. James Hill

Sunday 6 May 14.30 Choral Eucharist (choir) -

Rev. Robert Frede

How well do you know your Bible? (see page 8 of this Lifeline)

Biblical associations

1. Sycamore (Luke 19:4)

2. Moses (Exodus 3: 2)

3. Ass (Numbers 22: 21)

4. Joppa (Acts 10: 5) [modern Jaffa]

5. Ravens (1 Kings 17: 6)

6. Goliath (1 Samuel 17: 4) [six cubits and a span = ~3metre]

7. Grapes Numbers 13: 6, 23, 30)

8. Naaman (2 Kings 5: 1-14)

9. Mars (Acts 17: 22)

10. Temple gate Beautiful (Acts 3: 2)