Our Constitution requires us to hold a General Meeting in the first half of each year. But rather than simply having a business meeting our Society takes the opportunity to explore a theme that is relevant to both out Church traditions. This time we met at our Registered Office, St Mary’s German Church in Sandwich Street, London.
WELCOME
Our Anglican Moderator, Bishop Paul Ferguson welcomed 26 members in person, our speaker, the Rev Dr Robert Opala, and 17 members on Zoom, a total of 44, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Society. He then led the opening prayers.
Apologies were received from 20 members, including the Bishop of the Lutheran Church in Great Britain, the Rt Rev Paulina Hlawiczka-Trotman, who sent greetings.
The Annual General Meeting of the Society then began and you can find an account of it by clicking here.
THE NEW CONSTITUTION – can be found by clicking here.
THE CO-MODERATORS’ REPORT is available by clicking here.
TREASURER’S REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENT can be viewed by clicking here and here. The accounts say “Draft” but they are the final version.
NATIONAL CO-ORDINATORS’ REPORTS – from Norway is here, and from Finland click here.
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT – is found here
.
After a short break Bishop Paul introduced our speaker, the Rev Dr Robert Opala. His topic was:
“THE SECRET STAIR: WITH ROWAN WILLIAMS EXPLORING THE SPIRITUALITY OF MARTIN LUTHER AND ST JOHN OF THE CROSS”
You can read it by clicking here.
After lunch Dr Jaakko Rusama invited the Very Rev Tom Bruch, Co-Founder of the Society, to explain how it came into being. His presentation
“FORTY YEARS OF GROWING TOGETHER” can be found if you click here.
You can see two short videos in which Dr Jaakko Rusama interviews Tom Bruch about the beginnings of the Society if you click here and Bishop Paul Ferguson about its future by clicking here
Then Jaakko asked the Rev Rebecca Daniel. Her presentation
“THE STUDENT CHAPLAIN” can be foundby clicking here.
This year’s Annual Meeting ended with a Eucharist. The President was the Rev Rebecca Daniel and the Preacher was Bishop Paul. You can read his sermon if you click here.
It had been a most enjoyable day for those able to reach St Mary’s German Church in London. Unhappily, there was trouble on some of the London Underground lines, and disruption to trains in and out of Paddington Station so a number of people were prevented from attending. We hope those on Zoom felt they were part of the meeting, and those in the room enjoyed seeing them on screen.
