Newsletter

St. John’s In Touch Update - January 2010

Editorial

We are now well into the New Year, but regret that as yet we have no news from the Diocesan Office about the appointment of a new chaplain. Just before Christmas the Chaplaincy Council had an extensive meeting with our Archdeacon, the Venerable Peter Potter. At this meeting the Council confirmed the terms and conditions we are able to offer to a future chaplain (already communicated to Diocesan Office months before), and how these could realistically be funded for at least the next 3 years. In the November 2009 ‘Update’ we appealed for a generous response to the 2010 Pledge Fund Appeal and pointed out that in order to meet the Archdeaconry Guidelines for the remuneration of clergy, we would need to increase our income by 40% over the present level (in this connection, to avoid any possible misunderstanding about the use of church funds, please see the ‘Renovation/Restoration Update’ below). However the Archdeacon informed us that even with such an increase, we would only be paying four fifths of a ‘full stipend’. Your Council feels that the Guidelines are set at an unrealistically high level and are based on what much larger and wealthier chaplaincies are able to afford, rather than what is needed for an acceptable standard of living in Switzerland….. We simply have to trust that the Lord will send us a priest who will find our conditions acceptable and who will ensure that St John’s does not just survive, but thrives!

On a much more positive note, we continue to be very well looked after by our Locum chaplains. Following on the heels of Canon Philip Cousins, and Canon Chad Coussmaker, we welcomed Canon David Ratcliff and his wife, Gillian, who stayed with us up to the beginning of December. At the time of writing, the Reverend Canon Roger Wikeley has just arrived and will stay with us until the end of February. His wife, Geraldine, will join him in Montreux when her teaching commitments in the UK permit. They are both most welcome!

Finally, your temporary editors do their best to publish an Update every 2 months, but continue to pray that someone can be found who is willing to take over, and restore ‘In Touch’ to its original magazine format. Perhaps you???

From our Locum Chaplain: the Reverend Canon Roger Wikeley

As I write I have been in Montreux for just one week. One of the great joys of belonging to the Christian family is that you are never far from friends. That has been my experience when serving as locum priest in a number of places, and has most certainly been my experience here! From the moment I was met on the railway station

I have felt welcomed and among friends and fellow travellers on our spiritual journey. I want to thank you for that.

But it is not only friendship that I am finding here: several of you have told me of your desire grow in faith, and although I am here only for a short six weeks I do hope you will tell me if you think I can help. I do not have all the answers; indeed, I have as many questions as answers, but we learn by exploring faith together. You will, by now, have heard of the discussion group meeting at St John's House after the Wednesday morning Eucharist (we meet 11.30 – 12.30) but I am very happy to arrange something in an evening for those who cannot manage a day-time meeting. I am also very willing to visit you at home (if I can find you!) if that is something that would be welcomed.

It is too early for me to record fully my impressions of St John's, but I do detect a real desire to grow as a church and to welcome others into your fellowship. If I can be of help in this please do not hesitate to use me: that is what I am here for!
Roger Wikeley

Congratulations!

To Dr. Stephen Swinfin, a longtime regular visitor to our church who was awarded his PhD recently in the U.K. His wife is Dr. Margaret Swinfin who faithfully provides Sunday School material for us. Do we now address communications to “Dr S. & Dr M. Swinfin” or “Drs. S. and M. Swinfin”?

Please send your replies to The Editors, In Touch Update, St John’s Church!!!

In Memoriam

We were so sad to hear of the death of Sis (Shirley) Cronin recently. Sis and her dear husband Patrick, who died a couple of years ago and was sorely missed by Sis, were loving and hardworking members of St.John’s for many years. They spent their winters in Florida with their family and friends and their summers in Switzerland with us. These are excerpts of a letter from Elaine Sasser, wife of our previous Chaplain Howell, who attended Sis’s funeral.

The funeral was held on Sunday, 10th January 2010 at the Church of the Ascension in Orlando, Florida. There were two floral arrangements on the altar--one from the family and the other from St. John's with the exact wording that you requested. The arrangements were huge with a blue theme of hydrangeas and delphiniums plus greenery. Howie and I would like to make that as a contribution to St. John's. I was the only one present from Territet days, and I read the First Lesson.

Now they hope to have another service and the burial at La-Tour-de Peilz in late summer or early fall when Daphne will be able to travel. Howie will be in touch about that service when more definite plans are made.

So God willing, we will travel to Switzerland this summer for the services for Sis. We hope to see many of our old friends from St. John's. In closing, may we send greetings for a Happy New Year with peace and contentment for all. With much love, Elaine and Howie

We also have the sad news of the death of Guy Woodworth, much loved husband of Christine (née Pulca) and brother of Elaine Sasser. Christine was a loyal and loving member of the St John’s Choir until her marriage to Guy and their move to Salisbury, U.K. They recently decided to move permanently to the U.S.A. to be near Elaine and Howie and the rest of the family but Guy died very shortly after moving in to their new home. Christine has decided to make her home in the States, as she had planned with Guy, and is well supported by family and friends there.

Please remember in your prayers all grieving families and friends known to us.

Haiti Earthquake Disaster

The magnitude of the disaster and the suffering of this already poverty-stricken country is brought to us day by day on our television screens and we often feel there is nothing we can do to help. But in fact, every little contribution can make a difference to someone’s life. For the next few Sundays a collection plate for Haiti will be placed at the back of the church and we are all asked to give generously to those in great need. Our donation will be given to one of the relief organisations working in Haiti, where we can be sure that the money will be used to best effect. In addition we are requesting members of our congregation to donate new or used summer clothing, as well as sheets and blankets. These will be collected by the Salvation Army from all local churches for distribution in Haiti. Please contact Jeane Schalch for further details.

Editors’ Footnot

Please feel free to send comments and/or articles for publication to Geoff or Joy Fookes, (e-mail: geoff@fookes.com)