Here is the link to Fr. Marcus’ Wednesday video – https://youtu.be/I8YnH3jy8fo

The service with Holy Eucharist was led by the Ven David Waller, Archdeacon of Gibraltar.
We observed the two minutes silence before the service started. The opening hymn was the lovely “All for Jesus” One of the Chaplaincy Wardens, Martin Bentley read from Romans 12. fr Marcus read the gospel lesson. A lovely sermon followed by The Archdeacon. Fr Marcus, appointed by the Diocesan Bishop moved to stand before the President, supported by the Chaplaincy Wardens, Diana and Martin. Various responses then followed and a Declaration of Assent by Fr Marcus. The License was read by the Archdeacon and then handed to Fr Marcus, followed by the Installation. Fr Marcus was then presented witha large jug of water “Lord, pour your love into our hearts” to which we all responded “and help us share this love with others. The other presentations were A bible, a vessel of olive oil, bread and wine. Communion then followed and the final hymn “Let all the world in every corner sing” . There were 30 chairs inside but several empty, plus there were about 6 people outside. The Archeacxon took communion to them. A truly beautiful service.

Elaine Mitchell, Chaplaincy Secretary

Good Day My Friends,

I greet you with joy in my heart because tomorrow is a big day for me personally, and a significant one for our lovely Chaplaincy. The Archdeacon will be here to renew my Licence, and that is an affirmation both of my Ministry, and our shared endeavours to build the Kingdom in this place.

It was originally booked for today, but that clashed the Diocesan Safeguarding Training it is necessary for me to complete, so we have moved it to tomorrow. Remembrance Day.
The service, at La Fustera will begin with the observance of the two minutes silence, and that roots us firmly into the global community of people who will be responding in the same way.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we will remember them

We will remember them

As you know covid restrictions mean that the church will not be packed, but those who are there will represent the whole Chaplaincy, and they will speak on behalf of us all when they respond to the questions asked of them. The Chaplaincy Wardens taking the lead

Chaplaincy Wardens : (To the archdeacon)

Reverend Father in God, as Representatives of the people of God in The Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca, we have been glad to share with the bishop in the choice of 
Fr Marcus to be our pastor and priest.  On their behalf, we now ask you to institute him.

President: I am happy to do so.

The president addresses the Congregation

To serve and lead Christ’s people in their worship, mission and ministry is a privilege and a joy.  It is also a great responsibility.  Fr Marcus has already been selected and approved for this office, but before he is admitted, both you and he must affirm your allegiance to Christ and your commitment to each other.

Will you accept Fr Marcus as your pastor?

We will. 

Will you pray with and for him, will you be attentive to the Word of God, regular in public worship and in private prayer and faithful in receiving Holy Communion?

We will.

Will you uphold Fr Marcus in his ministry?

We will. 

Will you endeavour so to live and work that others may be led to honour Christ and find their place at his table?

We will. 

Will you actively seek the unity of all Christian people so that the world may believe?

We will.

 The president addresses the priest 

Fr Marcus, you have heard the commitment of the people of Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca.  Will you for your part accept the responsibility Christ lays on you today to work with me and all your fellow priests as servant and shepherd?

​I will. 

Will you proclaim the word of the Lord, call your hearers to repentance; in Christ’s name absolve, and declare the forgiveness of sins?  Will you baptise and prepare the baptised for confirmation?

I will. 

Will you preside at the celebration of the Holy Communion, lead your people in prayer and worship, intercede for them, and teach and encourage by word and example?  Will you minister to the sick and prepare the dying for their death?

I will. 

Will you set the Good Shepherd always before yourself as the pattern of your calling, caring for the people committed to your charge and joining them in a common witness to the world?

I will.

           I then have to declare my Christian faith, make my Declaration of Assent, swear my Oath of 
           Allegiance to the Queen, and Oath of Canonical obedience.

All very impressive stuff, and it continues with a celebration of our shared ministry.

I hope that all of us can see in this a real desire for us to be committed to working together for the furtherance of the Gospel in this place. We know that this has been a hard year for us along with everybody else, and folk are tired, and we need something to lift our spirits, and something to look forward to.  I think tomorrow will be a pivotal day for us. We can begin to look forward to the future with some confidence. There are the green shoots of a vaccine being spoken about in the news today, we are all recommitting ourselves to doing what we can to encourage growth in our churches, and we have our Chaplaincy 50^th Anniversary  planned for next year along with the  40^th Anniversary of my priesting. 

 
It may be that we still have some tough months to get through. It will be the case that Christmas is very different this year, and we may well be separated from our loved ones, and that will be hard. But we have one another, and that is a Blessing.

So, pray for me that I may continue to be open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and I will pray for you, that God will us all with his grace, and we will continue to thrive as the Chaplaincy of the Holy Spirit Costa Blanca for years to come.

As ever,

Fr  Marcus

SPONSORED RADIO MARATHON

Good Afternoon My Friends,
It will soon be time to put your dancing shoes on.

I have arranged a very exciting Fund Raising Event for the Costa Blanca Anglican Chaplaincy!

I am going to do a 10 Hour Marathon slot on the Radio on Sunday 29th November from 12.30 – 10.30pm. (It was going to be 12 hours, but the curfew came to my rescue.)

The idea is that I get sponsored for doing such a long show. Plus people can make requests or dedications, and if they wish accompany them with a donation.
Just imagine, you can ask for your favourite song for a loved one, you can re live your youth by requesting your teenage dance floor filler, or you could tease a friend by having The Birdy Song played in their honour.

I plan to start of fairly gentle, build up as we go through the afternoon, have my regular slot from 6-8pm, with the church section at 7pm, and then have the Fr Marcus Rock show from 8-10pm, and last half hour – well who know!

So, if you would be kind enough to sponsor me, that would be great.
If you want a request of dedication, either fill in the form available at church, or email me marcusronchetti@yahoo.co.uk

You can give cash, or make donations on this page of our website http://www.costablanca-anglicanchaplaincy.org we have a donate now button.

I have attached a flyer, and a sign up sheet in case they are relevant to you.

The Radio station is Pure Gold 94.1 fm or
http://www.puregold.fm

(Press the listen now button)

I am on every Sunday from 6-8pm, and you can always make a request, or dedication, and thy are free (But this is special)

Thanks so much,
Marcus

Good Afternoon folks,

Here is my video for today. Sorry it is late, problems uploading. But all seems to be working now.

Have a good weekend,

Fr Marcus

SUNDAY WORSHIP
Sunday worship continues in our churches as in recent weeks. The service in Albir is being held at 3pm for a while.

And for those not able, or not yet ready to attend one of our churches, Fr. Rodney and Fr. Robin will be conducting the weekly Eucharist service live on the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940) at 10am on Sunday. It will then be available as a recording at the same link to watch from 11am Sunday.

https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940

https://www.facebook.com/rodney.middleton.940

Good Afternoon my friends,

Is it just me, or have we all got no end of things to do before yesterday?

(I hate it when I am in a rush.)

We keep Remembrance Sunday this week, and like so many things it will be different this year.
Some services are cancelled, some folk will stay at home for any number of reasons, and those of us who manage to gather will be wearing our masks, and singing quietly.
There will be an Act of Remembrance on the radio at 11am on Wednesday 11^th.  Pure Gold 94.1 fm or  www.puregold.fm

At our church service on Sunday we will finish by singing

I vow to thee, my country, All earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, The service of my love:

The love that asks no question, The love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago,

Most  dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

I wanted to spend a few minutes unpacking this stunning hymn. Written by Cecil Spring Rice, and put to music by Gustav Holst in 1921.
Cecil Rice re wrote the first verse, and it became a very patriotic hymn about how we owe our loyalties to both our home land and the heavenly kingdom. It is very much about Love and sacrifice in the first verse, and gentleness and peace in the second.

My feeling is that if it were not for the second verse we would not be singing this hymn.
We need to reflect on how we feel now rather than just accept what was written then.

Cecil Spring writes that he vows to his country all earthly things above, and this is referenced as ‘The service of my love.’ This love asks no questions, and that is where some folk would struggle these days. We want those who make decisions to be accountable, and how can we be sure that the state knows best. But during the 14 – 18 war, which was the background to this poem, the People offered themselves without question. They gave of themselves in a sacrificial way for the benefit of the whole of human kind, and that giving cost the dearest and the best to be laid upon the altar.

It is heartbreaking for us to contemplate what went on, and this poem is reminiscent of Jesus words from John’s Gospel ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

This powerful poem moves into a beautiful and different plane when in verse 2 it reflects on the kingdom of heaven where all the souls referred to previously have gone. It is a ‘Dear’ and ‘Great’ place known by many. But it is very different from the world. No armies, the King not visible (So no pomp and ceremony) but protected by the faithful heart of those who with pride accepted their lot. The way of heaven, the way of God, and thus our hope for the way of the world is Gentleness and Peace.

For me this poem which became a greatly loved hymn is patriotic, but it is so much more about offering that unquestioning love, that sacrificial obedience and that completeness of our giving of ourselves to God for the furtherance of his Kingdom. This is not a call to arms, but a call to prayer, that our lives may reflect something of the glory of heaven.

Bless you, Bless you, Bless you,

And join me in praying for peace in our troubled world.Merciful God, we offer to you the fears in us that have not yet been cast out by love: May we accept the hope you have placed in the hearts of all people, and live lives of justice, courage and mercy; through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen

Good Afternoon my Friends,

Hope you are feeling OK today.

Here is the link to my Wednesday Video.

As ever,

Fr Marcus

The month we remember

Good Morning my friends,

Today America goes to the polls – anything can happen, and probably will! There, like everywhere else at the moment there is a sense of uncertainty, and most people are perhaps preoccupied with worrying about what might happen in the days, weeks and months ahead. The truth is we don’t really know.
But it is always like that. Every day changes and chances come our way. Some bring joy, some bring tears, some create opportunity, and some just stop us in our tracks. So there is always a sense of mystery about the future, which I like, but there is always a sense of uncertainty, which sometimes bothers me.
Who was it who said, the only certainties in life were death and taxes. Well they were right.

November is a month when we do think about death, and I believe it is right and proper that we do so.
We begin with the wonderful Feast of All saints. This is such a big one for me, because I love a good story, and one that inspires is even better. And an inspiring life that helps me understand something of a great way to live life is the best. I love hearing about the Saints who were so true to themselves and God. Peter, with his sense of passion and enthusiasm Often acting before thinking things through. Paul, with that great understanding of mission. ‘This New Way is so great, that I have got to tell the whole world.’ Luke, the master storyteller whose writings have changed the world and inspired so many lives. Celia the patron saint of musicians, Francis who embraced Lady Poverty and the whole of God’s creation, and Pat, a dear lady from my last parish who just beamed with joy whenever she welcomes anyone into our church.
The Saints are not just the Holy Celebrities, but as I have said elsewhere, they are the ones who let the light of Christ shine through. Bless them.

The on 2^nd we keep the Feast of All Souls, where we remember all those whom we love but see no Longer. This is a bigger thing in many countries than it is in the UK. Here in Spain families gather together to clean and tidy the graves, make them beautiful and look well tended. This often happens on the 1^st. Then they gather again, often bringing some sort of picnic, and they spend, in many cases hours together close to (the remains of ) their loved ones. Stories are told, memories are shared, news is given, songs are sung, candles are lit, prayers are said and everyone knows that those who have gone before are still loved, and they are still part of the family. Pictures are brought along and passed around. They are not out of mind because they are out of sight. This is usually a joyful celebration of the life of their loved ones, but of course grief continues to play a part. 

Then of course we have Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday. 
Again for me these events are growing in importance rather than diminishing with time. Theyremind us of the terrible things that human beings can do to one another, and the little value that some people have for life, which others believe is sacred. These days give us the platform in which to give thanks for all that we have to be thankful for in our history, but also to reflect on where societies and nations have fallen short of the ideals of the command of Jesus to love one another.

It still frightens me to think that anyone can have views that are extreme enough to believe that the best way to progress as human beings is to destroy those who are different. Surely we learn most from those who are different from us, and God knows how much we still have to learn.

So the month of November is very much about remembering those who have gone before. But it also has a feel of anticipation. The weeks leading up to the beginning of Advent are what we call the Kingdom Season, with the Feast of Christ the King on 22^nd November this year. Our Church Calendar concludes with the great affirmation that whatever else we think, or whatever is going on in the world, it is still the case that Christ is our King. In the midst of all our memories, there is still rejoicing!

Sadly the following hymn is not in our books, but you may well know it.

Christ is the King! O friends rejoice;
brothers and sisters with one voice
make all men know he is your choice.
Alleluia.

O magnify the Lord, we raise
anthems of joy and holy praise
for Christ’s brave saints of ancient days.
Alleluia.

They with a faith for ever new
followed the King, and round him drew
thousands of faithful men and true.
Alleluia.

O Christian women, Christian men,
all the world over, seek again
the Way disciples followed then.
Alleluia.

Christ through all ages is the same:
place the same hope in his great name,
with the same faith his word proclaim.
Alleluia.

Let love’s unconquerable might
your scattered companies unite
in service of the Lord of light.
Alleluia.

So shall God’s will on earth be done,
new lamps be lit, new tasks begun,
and the whole Church at last be one.
Alleluia.

Here is a link if you would like to listen to the choir of Marlborough College.

Bless you, Bless you, Bless you.

Fr Marcus

Good Morning to you, and I hope today brings joys of its own.

Here is the link for my Saturday Video.

As ever,

Fr Marcus