St. Alban s Church Copenhagen, Denmark. Parish Statement

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1 St. Alban s Church Copenhagen, Denmark Parish Statement The Chaplaincy Council envisages the future Chaplain of St. Alban s Church to be outgoing, warm, energetic, open-minded and tolerant, and able to relate easily to the diversity of St. Alban s and its wider community. We seek someone who will help us to: grow as a Church grow within our own faith develop our spirituality and the understanding of our faith in clear and easily accessible terms increase our outreach towards the disadvantaged and needy, both locally, within the Archdeaconry and ecumenically, to contribute to society rather than just existing within it relate to children and young people on their own terms, to develop their sense of belonging to a community of faith minister to the needs of various age groups in our congregation The congregation of St. Alban s is made up of a very diverse group of people who, largely due to their tolerant and liberal views, are united and happy and get on well with each other. The style of liturgy tends towards the formal, being firmly Eucharistic and having a centrally catholic ritual. However, as we are the only Anglican presence in Denmark, we are aware that it is essential to be as inclusive as possible. The Council fully approves initiatives involving opening the church for suitable concerts, events and performances, which continue to expand and diversify the work and outreach of the church, and helps with fund raising. Considering the number of international organisations and English-speaking people in and around Copenhagen, the Church provides a strong foundation for many seeking both spiritual care and fellowship, and sees itself as a home from home for people from many different backgrounds. There are 20 different nationalities on our electoral roll. The number on the new electoral roll shows a growth of 17%, to 142. There are currently between 80 and 100 communicants most Sundays in a congregation of , albeit with seasonal fluctuations. St. Alban s has a long-standing policy of outside giving, where an annual amount of approximately 10% of annual collection income is donated to charity projects, mainly within our Archdeaconry. There are also extra collections for humanitarian disasters and the Bishop s Advent and Lent appeals ***

2 St. Alban's Church - Parish Profile 1. Introduction St. Alban s Church in Copenhagen, including its sister congregation in Aarhus, is the only Anglican Church in Denmark. The population of Copenhagen and its suburbs is around 1.3 million about a quarter of the entire population of Denmark of 5.5.million. Most Danes are automatically registered at birth as members of the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. The congregation of St. Alban s is drawn from the English-speaking residents of Greater Copenhagen and the island of Zealand upon which Copenhagen is situated; people on contracts with the many international companies, organisations, embassies and NGO s in and around Copenhagen, and Danes and visitors who enjoy an Anglican form of service in English. Throughout the year the congregation welcomes many tourists especially during the summer months. The age of our congregation ranges from 0 90+, the average age being between We have a number of families with young children who come to Sunday School. The recent introduction of Godly Play caters well for the 4 10/11 year olds. However, the Council recognises that we urgently need to focus on children in the pre-confirmation group, teens and young people. 2. Chaplain The duties of the Chaplain are to minister to the religious and spiritual needs of the congregation, members of the Anglican Communion and, where appropriate, people who are members of other churches in communion with us. These duties include regular services in St. Alban s Church and 6 to 8 visits a year to Aarhus. Services in Aarhus are held in a church generously made available by the Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church. 3. Church St Alban s is situated in Churchillparken in the heart of Copenhagen, on the banks of the moat of the old citadel and next to the Gefion fountain. It is five minutes walk from Amalienborg Palace (Copenhagen residence of the Danish Royal Family) and the Little Mermaid. The church was built from 1885 to 1887, and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic architecture. The then Prince and Princess of Wales, latterly King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (a Danish princess), were instrumental in the acquisition of the land and in helping to raise funds for the building of the church. The entrance to the church is through a porch and narthex. The church seats about 200. The organ, completely restored by Harrison and Harrison of Durham in 2005/6, is to the right of the choir stalls, and there is a small side chapel on the opposite side. There is a small crypt where around 20 people can meet; there is also a piano for choir practice and toys for babies and toddlers. Next to the crypt there is a kitchenette and a single WC. The Chaplain s vestry, the choir s robing room and flower room are on the ground floor. The church also has a light, airy upper room capable of holding around 15, and which is set up as the home room for the Sunday School s Godly Play activities. The crypt, vestries and upper room are linked by a small stone circular staircase in the tower. The tower houses a set of tubular bells, which is unique to Denmark. Church property and personnel are protected by a security surveillance system with three cameras, a monitor in the Chaplain s vestry and fixed and portable panic buttons. As the church doesn t have a hall, coffee and tea are served in the body of the church after Sung Eucharist on a Sunday, or in the summer, outside in the small church garden overlooking the moat. An English-speaking group of AA and ANON presently uses the crypt for their weekly meetings. 4. Services The weekly service times at present are as follows: Sunday 09:00 Holy Communion (1662 Book of Common Prayer) April - October Sunday 10:30 Sung Eucharist (Common Worship, Order 1) Wednesday 10:30 Holy Communion (1662 Book of Common Prayer) In addition, we have two services of Nine Lessons and Carols in Advent (they are very popular and need to be ticketed); a large children s carol and Christingle service at 12 noon on 24 th December (there were 90 Christingles in 2007); Midnight Mass at 23:30 on 24 th December and a Sung Family Eucharist at on

3 Christmas Day. Throughout Lent we have a weekly Lenten service at on Wednesdays, which culminates with the full complement of Passion Week services, together with services on Easter Eve and Easter Day. In addition to Ascension, Pentecost, St Alban s Day, All Saints and All Souls services, St. Alban s also hosts a large Remembrance Sunday service attended by representatives of the British and Commonwealth embassies, other embassies and military VIPs. Recently, Choral Evensong has been sung for special occasions or when visiting choirs come to Copenhagen. Baptisms are usually conducted during the course of the Sung Eucharist on Sunday mornings. St Alban s is a popular venue for weddings and blessings. In 2007 there were 22 baptisms, 9 weddings, 3 blessings, 8 funerals, 2 confirmands. Assisting the Chaplain As part of our Church family we are fortunate to have the Reverend Robert Vester-Bendtsen an Old Catholic deacon, the Reverend Ulla Monberg a priest of the Church of England and the Reverend Rickard Steinberg an Old Catholic priest. We are also fortunate to have three potential Readers-in-Training, of around 40 years, all of whom are currently serving members of the Church Council The Chaplain is assisted during the Sung Eucharist service, and other services, by a deacon, servers, chalice bearers, offertory bearers, readers and intercessors. Sidesmen welcome the congregation to St Alban s and help to ensure the smooth running of the service. A Verger or Assistant Verger assists at weddings, blessings and funerals. The bells are rung for the main Sunday service, and for weddings and funerals if requested. 5. Church groups and activities Chaplaincy Council Consists of the Chaplain, two Churchwardens, six elected lay members, three elected Deanery Synod reps and the Hon Treasurer. It meets eight times a year to manage business of the church. The Council has three subgroups that meet as required: 1. Finance Committee: Meets as a subcommittee of the Council to consider outside giving, stewardship, fund-raising initiatives and related activities. 2. Outreach Group: Meets as a subcommittee of the Council to foster our ministry to our congregation, visitors, draw up promotional material and advertising, develop our relationship with other churches, assess our social responsibility and charitable giving, and explore possibilities for lay ministries among the congregation. 3. Environmental Task Force: Consists of three Council members and two from the congregation committed to greening the Church and raising awareness on environmental issues. St. Alban s seeks to work with other churches in Denmark, through existing ecumenical channels, in preparation for the UN summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen in December Other Chaplaincy officers include a Registrar, an Electoral Roll Officer, a Child Protection Officer, 2 Vergers, 18 Sidesmen, 2 bell-ringers and a webmaster. Altar Guild Bible Study Group Advent and Lent Groups Choir Meets regularly throughout the year. Its members are responsible for the upkeep of silver, linen, brass, vestments, flowers, pews, kneelers, etc. The Chaplain and a Churchwarden are ex officio members. Meets fortnightly most of the year. The Chaplain leads the group in discussion of a text selected for study. Refreshments are served after the session. The group does not meet during Advent, Lent or during the summer holiday period (June-August incl.) Meet each week for a themed discussion during Advent and Lent. Lenten meetings usually take place in church with up to 40 people attending. The choir is led by the organist and assistant organist and sings at the Eucharist service on Sunday mornings and at other services by agreement. The choir numbers around 11 to 12 people, with weekly attendance varying between 6 and 9. A choir is normally provided for wedding and funeral

4 services, on request. Guardians St. Alban s Wives Group Sunday school Pre-confirmation and Youth Group. Volunteers from among the congregation and community (currently 23, with 11 deputies) keep the church open for visitors from May to September. Information on the church is available in 24 languages. Donations and the sale of postcards, etc. make a major contribution to church funds. Meets four times a year in the home of a member. A team of volunteers act as story-tellers and door-people for the Sunday school s Godly Play sessions. The materials have principally been made by the teachers and the group looks to continue developing Godly Play. To be developed. 6. Activities St. Alban s Day Celebrations (a parish lunch at St Alban s House after the service on the Sunday nearest 22 June) Harvest Festival Lunch (held on the Saturday before the Harvest Festival) Kulturnat (Copenhagen Night of Culture) - the church is open to visitors from 6pm to 10.30pm. There are short concerts and displays through the evening culminating in a Compline service at 10pm. In 2007 over 900 people visited the church during the evening. Guest performances concerts and other performances in church Summer Fair This is our main community fund-raising event. The community has an English-style summer fête (usually third Saturday in August) in the park in front of the church. Refreshments, home produce, English books, gifts and white elephant stalls draw old and new friends to this well publicised event. This is also an excellent fellowship event involving many of the congregation. 7. Ecumenical aspects The last Chaplain has maintained excellent relations with the English-speaking pastors and priests of other denominations in Copenhagen, including the Danish, Swedish and International Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, Russian Orthodox, Baptist and Methodist Churches. This year, a delegation from St Alban s will attend the annual autumn meeting of the Council of Danish Churches. Every year, during the week of Christian Unity, St Alban s and five other churches from different denominations, all of which are situated nearby, take part in a Church walkabout. Over 700 people from all over Copenhagen participated in St. Alban s currently has a representative on the Ecumenical Council of Danish Churches Climate Change Group, which is organising ecumenical and multi-faith input and events in connection with the Copenhagen Climate Summit in December Throughout next year, we hope to increase the number of volunteers from St Alban s offering practical help in preparation for the Summit. We also have a representative on Agenda 21 s Executive Committee for the Inner City of Copenhagen. 8. Church Finances The Church The Church finances are healthy; the Hon. Treasurer manages day-to-day accounts. The church and its furnishings, St Alban s House and its contents are in good order and well maintained. The Sunday collection and regular contributions from the congregation do not cover the running expenses of the Church and Chaplaincy. We are, however, very fortunate in having three trust funds of differing sizes, bequeathed in support of the church fabric, the Chaplain and the Choir of St Alban s. This allows us to renew, improve or develop the church building and inventories. The funds are each managed by professional Boards, and the Chaplain is a trustee on each Board. Additionally, we have a Finance Committee, an annual Summer Fair, and an active group of Guardians all of which raise considerable annual funds. In 2007 we also held an Auction of Promises which raised a large amount of money and which is likely to be repeated.

5 The Chaplain Information about the current stipend is available from the Diocesan Office. All invoices for the maintenance of the house, including insurance and utilities, are paid by the Chaplaincy. Domestic help and gardening expenses are not covered. Chaplaincy telephone calls are paid by the Chaplaincy. Private calls are at the Chaplain s own expense. Official entertaining expenses of up to DKK 5,000 per quarter are refunded. Travelling expenses on Chaplaincy business are refunded. No car is provided. In line with the church s green policies, we would encourage the future chaplain to use public transport where possible, or to make use of the excellent network of cycle-paths in the city. 9. Chaplaincy House St Alban s House is situated about 6km from the church in the suburb of Hellerup. There are three international schools close by, two of which follows the British curriculum. There are good public transport links. Hellerup has several parks and a good selection of shops a short bike ride away. The Chaplain has exclusive use of a fully-furnished, detached, single-story house with a basement, garden and double garage owned by the Chaplaincy. Built to an exceptionally high standard in the 1970s, the 202 m 2 house has 3 bedrooms, 2 bath/shower rooms, a modern kitchen, a small private lounge and a light and spacious sitting room that opens out onto a sunny terrace. The garden of 1329 m 2 has recently undergone major renovation in order to make it more manageable, but with scope for a kitchen/herb garden and planting of annuals. There is parking at the front of the house for up to five cars. The house contains a small office/study, with PC/internet, photocopier, printer etc. enabling the Chaplain to conduct his business in a public area of the house while maintaining the privacy of the rest of the house. Historically, an area in the cellar and half of the large double garage are at the disposal of the Chaplaincy for the storage of Church archives and other items. As there is no church hall, previous Chaplains have invited various groups to hold occasional meetings and social gatherings at St. Alban s House. 10. Conclusion Previous Chaplains have been happy living in Copenhagen and being part of the St Alban s community. The congregation has valued what each has contributed and has continued to develop. It is now ready for a new chapter to begin and looks forward to welcoming a new Chaplain. St. Alban s Church Council July 2008