This month sees the high point of our centenary celebrations, with our Centenary Dinner at Wittigkofen on Saturday 16 September (book now if you haven't already), and the celebration service on the next day. On both occasions we will be privileged to have Bishop David with us. St Ursula's opened for worship in spring 1906 and was consecrated, by Bishop Wilkinson, on 20 September, hence the choice of date for the Centenary Weekend. Berne was relatively late in getting its own building, limited finances being then, as now, a controlling factor. More than 160 Swiss chaplaincies once existed, most serving tourists, many buildings being erected by a local hotelier. A fine example is the "English Church" at Göttibach, Thun, long since taken over by the Old Catholics. Other chaplaincies were linked with English schools (e.g. Neuchâtel), or had many English residents (e.g. around Lake Geneva) to account for their existence. In Berne, only a big donation on top of considerable local giving made the building of our present church possible. Nevertheless, the church has grown slowly but steadily, albeit with a low period in the 1920s; and this special history has given us a much more international flavour, including being known as the "English and American Church" at least since 1881.
100 years ago, the growing congregation needed a building rather than what Bishop Wilkinson called the "unworthy arrangement" of using a hired schoolroom, if growth was to continue. Throughout our history we found our own ways of reaching English speakers in our community, rather than simply copying the practice of other churches. Berne has always accepted responsibility for the wider area, looking after Neuchâtel for 64 of the last 100 years and Basel between 1946 and 1955. Today we often fill the church to capacity; we still have a ministry to surrounding areas; we still need to find new ways of allowing growth to continue; and today we are still short of the money we need to do all this properly. Elsewhere in this magazine Hector Davie, our treasurer, mentions the present shortfall in our pledge income for this year. Before you get this magazine scaffolding should have gone up as much needed work on the Hall roof starts, and in the next magazine I shall be writing about "Pledge Sunday" at the end of November. As we thank God for what a few people were able to achieve 100 years ago, let us ask him to show us how we should further his work in our new century, and in so doing "Lay up treasure in heaven", for as Jesus said: "Where your treasure is there will your heart be also." (Matt 6:21-22)
Richard Pamplin
P.S. At the Centenary Weekend we hope to have a small exhibition of historic items. If anyone has something to lend us - please do.
Lynne Pamplin writes:
By the time you read this, we will be only two and a half months away from the Christmas Bazaar which I have agreed to co-ordinate this year. Some of you are already hard at work, producing or collecting items for sale; indeed, for some the work goes on all year round. So why do we put so much effort into an event lasting only one evening and one day? There are people who say that it would be easier just to donate some money. Others may think that a church should not concern itself with a "commercial venture". The financial reason for holding a bazaar is the most obvious one: considerable amounts of money are raised, and in a year when our finances are very stretched and we have expensive repairs to make on our building a financially successful bazaar will be of significant benefit.
But if that were our only reason for holding it I would be inclined to agree with those who think it is not a valid activity for a church. I believe, however, that it brings other benefits. There is a real sense of fellowship in working with others to run a bazaar, and in spending time with those who come to support and buy and enjoy the excellent food. We offer a service: the goods on sale provide people with some items which they cannot easily purchase elsewhere, if at all. Some of our members are unable to give large amounts of money, but are able to put in effort to make the event successful. A big advantage is that people who might find it daunting to enter the church for the first time for a service feel easier coming in for something that is not overtly religious, yet they have taken a first step and, depending upon the welcome they have received, may well find in easier to come through our doors for a Sunday service: they will have gained a feel for the building and some faces will be familiar.
I firmly believe that we must make it clear at all times what our true raison d'être is: we want people to meet Christ within our church and come to worship him. That is why I have always felt it essential to have a Welcome Table at the bazaar, near the entrance, with the opportunity for visitors to find out a little about our church and our faith, and ask questions if they wish. I think it vital that there are members of our church present whose main job is to be a friendly face and welcoming voice. Is this something you could do?
If you are a stall holder, watch out for details of the planning meeting we will hold soon. If you are not already involved, think about what you could volunteer for. If you have new ideas, let me know. Let's work together to make our Centenary Bazaar truly successful.
Lynne Pamplin