We will celebrate the birth of our Lord all through the Christmas weekend, beginning with 2 Midnight Mass eucharists, both beginning at 11.30pm. This traditional communion service will be celebrated as always in the beautiful Ermita that is our church in Javea, but also as a live-stream service on Fr. Rodney’s Facebook page.

Our churches are all operating services at their normal times on Christmas day, with each celebrating the Eucharist. And on Boxing Day all churches other than Gandia will also hold communion services at their usual times. There will be no live-stream (Facebook) service on Boxing Day. Our mid-week services in Javea (Wednesdays) and Alfaz (Thursdays) continue.

Full details of these weekly communion services can be found at this page – https://costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org/churches-and-services-3/.

As well as the Midnight Mass, Fr. Rodney and Fr. Robin will be broadcasting a Christmas Day communion service on Fr. Rodney’s Facebook page. It will be “streamed” live at 10am Spanish time (9am BST) and then available all day, to join at your leisure. As always both the live broadcast and the recording will be available on the following page – https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940. If you are not ready or not able to join us in one of our churches this is a wonderful way to share our worship.

In all our churches we are committed to abide by the current Covid regulations.

Do join us at one of our services if you can. 

The Chaplaincy is entirely self-funded. If you wish to support the Chaplaincy funds you might look at https://www.biblecake.com, a super and fun way to bake a cake with children, grandchildren, godchildren, nephews and nieces, or friends. And in doing so you can help the funds with the chance to win a hotel stay in Spain……. an ideal break for your charges.

Our churches are all operating services at their normal times, with each celebrating the Eucharist. Our mid week services continue in Javea on Wednesdays and in Alfaz on Thursdays. 

In all our churches we are committed to abide by the Covid regulations. 

Do join us at one of our services if you can. 

Full details of these weekly communion services can be found at this page – https://costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org/churches-and-services-3/.

Fr. Rodney and Fr. Robin will be broadcasting their now regular communion service on Fr. Rodney’s Facebook page. It will be “streamed” live on Sunday at 10am Spanish time (9am BST) and then available all day on Sunday, to join at your leisure. As always both the live broadcast and the recording will be available on the following page – https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940. If you are not ready or not able to join us in one of our churches this is a wonderful way to share our worship.

And remember to tune in to Fr. Marcus for his live Sunday radio programme, between 6pm and 8pm, Spanish time, on Pure Gold FM. You can listen on the radio on 94.1 FM. Or on your computer, tablet or phone join through the listen live button on https://puregold.fm/

If you have not already done so, do visit the Bible Cake page, set up by Tony Lewis to raise funds for the Chaplaincy in a fun and pain-free way. https://www.biblecake.com

https://www.biblecake.com

Did you react immediately to yesterday’s post about this super initiative? Lots have already.

Special thanks must go to Tony Lewis who has set up this idea, and is hosting it on his own site. Thank you so much, Tony. And, to explain …..

THE MOST FUN YOU WILL HAVE THIS CHRISTMAS FOR JUST £1
We are offering you the opportunity to buy the Bible Cake recipe, which is totally different to any other recipe, with each ingredient listed as a quotation from the bible for this unique family puzzle. And the chance to win free accommodation for a holiday in the sun!
DO IT NOW
This promotion closes on 27th April 2022 @ 10pm, so if you are tempted, just do it now! The whole process is very quick and easy and should take less than a minute!
WHAT YOU WILL RECIEVE FOR YOUR DONATION?
You will receive a beautifully designed limited-edition certificate, which you can personalise with your family details
The answers, just in case you’re feeling lazy or wish to mark the children’s homework
A link to a free website which is a bible resource centre allowing you to easily identify the correct answers in the unfortunate situation that you should not have a copy of the required bible edition
A free entry into our competition to win a holiday in Spain.
Just follow this link –

https://www.biblecake.com
It couldn’t be easier! 😊

Hello All you lovely people,

I hope you are having a great day.
Can you spare a moment to have a look at our new website http://www.biblecake.com

It is an initiative to raise funds for the Chaplaincy, and is really good fun.
It revolves around the idea of making a cake, using a recipe made up of Bible references.

For example 
1 Cup Jeremiah Chapter 6 vs 21 tsp Exodus Ch 30 vs 36
Full instructions are given.

All you do is donate £1 (or any amount you wish) and we send you via email, a personalised copy, plus you get entered into a draw to will a stay at the Gran Sol Hotel in Calpe.

I have just tried it, and it works brilliantly!

So, have a go, and you can send the mail to whoever you have personalised it for.
This is just great.
Thanks so much,
Fr. Marcus

You can post this link to your friends and family, or publish it on any social media. Everyone who signs up makes a contribution, and stands a chance of winning!

https://www.biblecake.com

Visit the events page on our website to see our plans for carol services and other celebrations in the preparation for Christmas –

Our churches are all operating services at their normal times, with each celebrating the Eucharist. Our weekly services in Alfaz continue on Thursdays, and in Javea on Wednesdays,

In all our churches we are committed to abide by the sanitation regulations.

Do join us at one of our services if you can. 

Full details of these weekly communion services can be found at this page – https://costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org/churches-and-services-3/.

Fr. Rodney and Fr. Robin will be broadcasting their now regular communion service on Fr. Rodney’s Facebook page. It will be “streamed” live on Sunday at 10am Spanish time (9am BST) and then available all day on Sunday, to join at your leisure. As always both the live broadcast and the recording will be available on the following page – https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940. If you are not ready or not able to join us in one of our churches this is a wonderful way to share our worship.

And remember to tune in to Fr. Marcus for his live Sunday radio programme, between 6pm and 8pm, Spanish time, on Pure Gold FM. You can listen on the radio on 94.1 FM. Or on your computer, tablet or phone join through the listen live button on https://puregold.fm/.

If you wish to make a donation to support our Chaplaincy, which is entirely self-funded, you can pay directly into the Chaplaincy bank account in Spain (please show your name and the congregation that you support, if appropriate). The full IBAN number is –

ES24 0075 1294 6206 0012 5274 

Or just click the following link to do so by PayPal – 

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?token=Fz0M7PqQsEdYJ-vLVy4uxOivY2RI-8AIgpwDqVi4mPJrs_wU5Apn5xmarrIx2aBeU9K2hxLDQD5hien7

As 2021 draws to a close, the end of this December marks the preparation of my third set of accounts as treasurer, and while the actual tasks are not overly onerous, there has been much preoccupation, with Brexit and now Covid creating worrying times, and their effect on finances.

You will be aware that hard decisions have had to be made in respect of replacing Fr Marcus, and we cannot afford to replace him, at present, with a full-time clergy member. However we are fortunate to be able to appoint Fr Paul to a part time House For Duty position (similar to Fr Jim and Fr Rodney)immediately Fr Marcus retires.

Many of you will know Fr Paul, and he, together with Fr Jim and Fr Rodney and the Chaplaincy Council, have agreed to manage the Chaplaincy on a part-time basis for up to three years, so that we can try to stabilise our financial position during that time and plan effectively for our longer term future.

Currently, our finances are delicate (to say the least), but are stable, albeit at a level which is very much reduced from pre-Brexit and pre-pandemic value, and the costs of changing from a full-time to a part-time clergy post will ease the pressure after July.

So, what this brief thank you is not, is a request for more money, rather it is a thank you from me to everyone who supports the Chaplaincy, in whatever way, and allows us to continue our work in the Costa Blanca.

We have some wonderful people who support us with prayer, with talents and with cash, and for this, personally I thank you – I cannot respond to you individually and most of you are not known to me, but you know who you are, and please know and accept that your help is much valued and appreciated.

The work on the accounts (and whatever planning we can do for 2022) has already begun, so that we are as prepared as we can be for whatever challenge is presented to us.

Can I wish you a very happy and Holy Christmas, and an optimistic New Year,

Dennis Johnson

REMEMBERING ALAN SMITH

This Sunday there is a thanksgiving for the life of Alan Smith, as part of the regular mid-day communion service, to be led by Fr. Marcus at La Fustera church. Alan was an active member of the chaplaincy for many years, and served on council, as well as auditor. You might like to join us, or at least to bear Alan in your thoughts and prayers.

Fr. Rodney and Fr. Robin will be broadcasting their now regular communion service on Fr. Rodney’s Facebook page. It will be “streamed” live on Sunday at 10am Spanish time (9am BST) and then available all day on Sunday, to join at your leisure. As always both the live broadcast and the recording will be available on the following page – https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940. If you are not ready or not able to join us in one of our churches this is a wonderful way to share our worship.

Our churches are all operating services at their normal times, with each celebrating the Eucharist. Our weekly service in Javea continues on Wednesdays and in Alfaz on Thursdays. 

In all our churches we are committed to abide by the regulations regarding sanitation, wearing of masks etc.

Do join us at one of our services if you can. 

Full details of these weekly communion services can be found at this page – https://costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org/churches-and-services-3/.

And remember to tune in to Fr. Marcus for his live Sunday radio programme, between 6pm and 8pm, Spanish time, on Pure Gold FM. You can listen on the radio on 94.1 FM. Or on your computer, tablet or phone join through the listen live button on https://puregold.fm/.

If you wish to make a donation to support our Chaplaincy, which is entirely self-funded, you can pay directly into the Chaplaincy bank account in Spain (please show your name and the congregation that you support, if appropriate). The full IBAN number is –

ES24 0075 1294 6206 0012 5274 

Or just click the following link to do so by PayPal –

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=IFgX5Xt-Flr9LGC_G4vcMnigNhwa-rB3bQT8gre3_70vM3s2_Glvbd1sZCbGxARPxNK76mFETx_iXdcy

It seems that some recipients are not reading to the end of the original message, where the link to the photos is included. So, as a “belt and braces” exercise – A selection of photos can be viewed via this link – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/geyqsyjvrrw3vyb/AACWqy8yevhQbffMfJ0YK0Eea?dl=0.

This has been a weekend filled with joy. If you have missed the services where our bishop, David Hamid attended as he toured this parish (which he says is amongst the largest in Europe) you may enjoy a few photos of this wonderful Advent weekend.

On Saturday Bishop David confirmed a total of 11 candidates, ranging over 70 years in age. This is the largest number of people confirmed in a service here in 15 years. As he always does, the bishop spoke to each individually, relating the meaning of each name to their Christian journey. This is always such an intimate moment for each candidate. Cantamus (the singers) sang as did the packed congregation, and we enjoyed our own refreshments after the service.

This was followed by a meeting between the bishop and members of Chaplaincy Council.

Sunday was Advent Sunday, the first day of the church year, and the beginning of the season of preparation for Christmas, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord. Bishop David attended services in Albir and in El Campello, where Father Paul preached. Over 30 attended the Albir service and there Mark, who was confirmed the day before, lit the first candle on the Advent ring.

On Sunday afternoon Bishop David preached at a sunset evensong service in the Ermita in Javea. This is the “original” church location of the chaplaincy, and here we celebrated the 50th anniversary of this parish. Bishop David preached about our success and our challenges, about our ecumenical relationships and hospitality that we share with our Spanish and Norwegian hosts and about the objectives for us to re-grow the church on the Costa Blanca.

This service was followed by mince pies, sandwiches and cava. Throughout, our own wonderful clergy team participated, led by our senior chaplain, Canon Marcus.

Including the recent visit of Diocesan Bishop Robert in September to “collate” Fr. Marcus as Canon, 5 of our church congregations have been blessed with visits from and services with one of our bishops. The preaching has been enriching and the fellowship uplifting. We are truly blessed to live in this very special chaplaincy, which is always successful when we all pull together.

A selection of photos can be viewed via this link – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/geyqsyjvrrw3vyb/AACWqy8yevhQbffMfJ0YK0Eea?dl=0.

On Saturday we welcome Bishop David for the confirmation service at La Fustera at midday. Please join us to support our 10 candidates for confirmation. On the following day, Advent Sunday, Bishop David will lead our regular services at Alibr and El Campello, and then at 4pm will preach at the 50th anniversary celebration service at the Ermita in Javea at 4pm.

Our churches are all operating services at their normal times, with each celebrating the Eucharist this Sunday and next. Our mid week services continue in Javea on Wednesdays and in Alfaz de Pi on Thursdays. 

In all our churches we are committed to abide by the Covid regulations. 

Do join us at one of our services if you can. 

Full details of these weekly communion services can be found at this page – https://costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org/churches-and-services-3/.

Fr. Rodney and Fr. Robin will be broadcasting their now regular communion service on Fr. Rodney’s Facebook page. It will be “streamed” live this Sunday at 10.00 Spanish time (9am BST) and then available all day on Sunday, to join at your leisure. As always both the live broadcast and the recording will be available on the following page – https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940. If you are not ready or not able to join us in one of our churches this is a wonderful way to share our worship.

And remember to tune in to Fr. Marcus for his live Sunday radio programme, between 6pm and 8pm, Spanish time, on Pure Gold FM. You can listen on the radio on 94.1 FM. Or on your computer, tablet or phone join through the listen live button on https://puregold.fm/.

If you wish to make a donation to support our Chaplaincy, which is entirely self-funded, you can pay directly into the Chaplaincy bank account in Spain (please show your name and the congregation that you support, if appropriate). The full IBAN number is –

ES24 0075 1294 6206 0012 5274 

Or just click the following link to do so by PayPal – 

https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=PevQzN6rayCqJf9_0QsSNofmMXvKfYVOQhgi0_7YPGytXdtOPYoETHG5qilak2Rk8KfqyykFIJVcVxCY