Fr Tom's first Mass 2nd October 2011
Ordination of Rev Tom Armstrong
October seems to be ordination time for the ECC UK. Last year Fr Nick and, on the 1st this year, Fr Tom Armstrong. A priestly ordination is a multi-faceted occasion, a mixture of joy, celebration, solemnity, ceremonial, spirituality and fear. “Fear?” I hear you ask – and I repeat it – fear.
As a bishop I have always been conscious of the awesome responsibility that lies behind passing on the priesthood. I have no power but to serve and I give no power but to serve. How terrible it would be for me to give that power for the wrong reasons or to the wrong person.
Equally it is a moment of fear for the candidate – are they doing the right thing? Is this truly God’s will and not theirs? How can they live up to the responsibility?
Well, at Father Tom’s ordination these fears were totally outweighed by a sense of “rightness” that allowed the solemn ceremony to be filled with joy and celebration. Time had been given to Tom’s preparation and now God’s will was to be fulfilled. How can I be so sure of this? Well, I will share a moment of intimacy – Tom’s own choice of readings and music were behind my homily. I started by talking of the “blessedness” of the prophet Baruch and the fact that all Jewish liturgy begins with praise of God in that blessedness. Then I went on to tell that all my preparation was pointless as the words of one hymn had said it all in the final line of the refrain.
The hymn was “I the Lord of sea and sky” and the line was “I will hold your people in my heart.” Looking directly at Tom I said that this is the essence of priestly service. His smile was the moment of rightness that said we understood one another.
Such is priesthood, such is service, such is the love of the Lord, to hold his people in our hearts.
Ad Multos Annos, Father Tom.
ECC-UK Retreat Nicholaston House, Gower
The weekend of Low Sunday 2011 saw the first ECC UK retreat, led by Bishop Terry on the theme of "Service - Not Self". The talks centred on the events of the Christian Passover and the example of humble service that Jesus left.
The surroundings of the Gower Coast provided plenty of reflection material, aided by wonderful weather and although the group was small the fellowship was great. there was also plenty of time for private reflections and one-to-one chats and spiritual guidance.
This photo shows Bishop Terry with, from left to right, Sister Renate, Deacon Tom, Wayne, Lorna, Fr Nick, Graham and Meeying. All glowing in the joy of a glorious final Easter liturgy.
More photos will follow soon.
Visit to Berlin and Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp March 2011
At the invitation of Archbishop Bruce Simpson, Bishop Terry & Wayne and Frs Paul & Brizz met up with him and Jack for a weekend in Berlin where +Bruce was researching a book due to be published in the next few months. 
The book addresses the horrors of what has been called "The Forgotten Holocaust", the atrocities carried out against homosexuals, gypsies and other minorities by the Nazi regime. Saturday we spent viewing the museum on the site of the SS Headquarters which stands alongside one of the few stretches of the Berlin Wall still standing. The ruins shown in the photograph are of the cellars used for interrogation of the earliest prisoners of the regime.
The small sheets of paper on the wall inside are records of the details – words on papers – lives changed for ever by entering those doors. 
The walk from the station to Sachsenhausen, the first Nazi concentration camp and model for others, was long for all of us, but for +Bruce’s knees it was a small sample of what others had suffered.
Words cannot express what one feels in such a place. Let us just say that we all left in deep, thoughtful and shocked silence. The cells, the "shoe test track – pavement" where thousands died breaking in boots for troops on the front, the torture poles, the crammed barracks and the execution trench – each turn of a corner brought more horror home.
The massive monument in the centre of the camp was erected by the soviet "liberators". The Nazi structure had coloured triangles for different categories of prisoners – yellow for Jews, pink for gays, red for political prisoners etc. There was a display listing dozens them, including conscientious objectors, but the soviet monument only shows red – for the political prisoners. Strange really as they liberated the camp in 1945 but re-arrested almost all of the released prisoners and ran it as a prison camp for another five years!
The other, more recent monument is more moving as it shows two weak and emaciated figures helping a third. No glorious liberation, just mutual help. It is a representation of the entombment of Christ by Waldemar Grzimek adding poignancy to this 'place of grief and warning'.
We went back to the hotel and did the only thing we could – took our thoughts to God in a very moving and quietly thoughtful Mass.
May God forgive man’s hatred and cruelty and may we learn in our own turn to act always out of love. - Fr Brizz
WALSINGHAM PILGRIMAGE
The weekend of the 5th – 7th of November saw members of Holy Angels Parish, Portsmouth on Pilgrimage to Walsingham. Our group was given a warm welcome by Bishop Lyndsay Urwin the shrine administrator. Here they are in the 'Holy House.'
ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD OF THE REV NICK YOUNG.
Saturday 2nd October - Feast of the Guardian Angels - was a great day for ECC UK; and for Father Nick was the culmination of 25 years of seeking to follow the path of vocation laid down for him.
Gateacre chapel in Liverpool was the historic venue for this historic occasion and the atmosphere on the day was pervaded by what Bishop Terry called "A sense of rightness".
In his homily the Bishop referred to the frightening, indeed awesome, responsibility of the priesthood - a gift given for others and not for the receiver. A power given only for service.
A church full of Father Nick's relatives and friends attested to the spirit of family that drives the ECC and its sister churches. Families start small and steadily grow bigger and stronger as more come to share the bond of love that unites the parents.
Our family grew on 2nd October and God's wider family benefited from renewed flowing of grace as the Holy Spirit reached out to touch hearts.
- A touching of hearts that refreshed the need for sacraments and broke long standing fasts.
- A touching of hearts that reconciled and healed.
- A touching of hearts that brought many different and real responses - some that will take people on new paths and deeper into the heart of God.
We have many reasons to give thanks for 2nd of October
- For the spirit of love and unity that was manifestly present
- For the warm welcome of the Rev David Buckley and the Gateacre Community
- For Father Nick's giving of himself to God's will
- For Lorna's and Joanne's loving support of that gift
- For the blessing of reassurance that what we do is God's work and will.
And now the work of St Gabriel's Community Parish really begins. "May God who has begun the good work bring it to fulfilment!"
An Easter Resurgence
Certainly in terms of enthusiasm this Eastertide 2010, has been a wonderful one for ECC UK; much has happened and it has the feel of a new beginning.
Firstly, though, we wish to pay tribute to our brother and dear friend Bishop Roger Whatley who is currently recovering from illness and has asked to be allowed to lay down the burdens of responsibility. Bishop Terry has reluctantly accepted this and relieved +Roger of the duties of Vicar General and granted him the title “Bishop Emeritus” so that he can enjoy whatever level of involvement with the life of the Church that suits him. We all wish him, and the wonderfully supportive Sheila, “Ad multos annos!” to enjoy their retirement.
A number of the laity and the clergy of the Church gathered over the weekend after Easter to celebrate the ordination to the Diaconate of the Revv Nick Young and Tom Armstrong. This was a very joyous occasion and, combined with the Mass of Chrism and the renewal of priestly commitment became a very solemn but joyous moment of unity. Nick will continue his outreach in Liverpool with the emerging parish of St Gabriel, and Tom will serve with the Parish of Holy Angels in Portsmouth whilst working to establish a further outreach in Gosport.
We grow, slowly but surely, as part of the Lord’s vine, pruned and trained by him to yield fruit, fruit that will last (John 15: 16).
At the plenary meeting Bishop Terry announced two appointments; The Very Reverend Paul Miles-Knight is to be Vicar General. His role is to be two-fold, firstly to act as an advocate for his brethren. Should any have reason to dispute with the bishop he shall stand with them to ensure fairness and justice. Secondly, should the Bishop Ordinary become permanently incapacitated from exercising that office, through death, ill-health or administrative reason, it will be the Vicar General who contacts the Chancellor of the UECC and sets in play and oversees the process for electing and, if necessary, consecrating a successor as ordinary.
The second appointment was Fr Brizz Miles-Knight who takes over as treasurer.
These appointments were accepted by all present at the AGM required by the constitution of ECC UK and recorded officially.
World Aids Day Serivce at Holy Angels Portsmouth
Fr Paul and Fr Brizz held a service for World Aids Day, courtesy of the John Pounds Memorial Church Portsmouth, on Tuesday 1st December 2009.
After expecting about 25 people to turn up, well over 60 came to reflect and pray on the effects AIDS has had in their lives or in the lives of someone they love.
It was clear from talking to people afterwards that hearts had been touched and sore wounds dressed 
and in some cases healed. Reflecting on the evening Brizz and Paul both felt how wonderful it was that they were able to reach out to so many people.
It was with great joy that we learnt of the ordination to Priesthood of Morag Liebert. She is the first woman to be ordained in the UK for the international initiative "Roman Catholic Women Priests." Further details of her historic ordination can be read here. An e-mail of support from our Archbishop was received with thanks
Dear Terry,
Very many thanks to you and all the members of the United Ecumenical Catholic Church for your very sincere and encouraging message, and also for your prayers and blessings. I appreciate your good will and kind thoughtfulness enormously.
Best wishes to everyone,
Morag. (Morag Liebert, RCWP).