Shared Ministry between Anglicans and Lutherans in Strasbourg.

The evening service on Saturday 12th October at the Lutheran church of St. Pierre-le-Jeune was a memorable occasion for Anglicans and Lutherans in Strasbourg.  St. Alban’s Anglican priest Rev Mark Barwick (centre front) was formally installed there as a pastor, at the side of its pastor Philippe Eber (back 3rd von right), while retaining his responsibility for the Anglicans of St. Alban’s. The ceremony was conducted by the “inspecteur ecclesiastique” of Strasbourg, pastor Jehan-Claude Hutchen (centre left), in the presence of the Anglican archdeacon of France, the Ven. Peter Hooper (centre back). In honour of the occasion the choir of St. Pierre-le-Jeune sang compositions by the English composers Thomas Tallis and David Willcocks, and a large number of parishioners of both churches and several other faith communities were present to witness this important event.

Since the Reuilly Declaration and Common Statement was adopted in 2001, only one other such shared ministry agreement had been established (in Lyon) by Anglicans and Protestants in France. Particular to the  Alsacian context is the payment of a state stipend to ministers of religions which have designated under the 1801 concordat of Alsace-Lorraine. This applies to the Lutherans in the Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine (UEPAL), so that Rev Barwick is able to function as a Lutheran pastor and receive state support for his ministry.

Meetings between the Councils of both churches have shown that we have a lot in common.  St. Pierre-le-Jeune, like St. Alban’s, is a bilingual church (there French-German, here English-French) with all that implies in the way of diversity and adaptablility. Shared activities have already begun – confirmation/ catechism classes for young people, a young adults Bible study and visit to Taizé. Singers from both churches have also joined forces to enrich the music of both.

Fr Mark has also become very present at St. Pierre-le-Jeune, assisting Philippe Eber in a range of pastoral ministries, participating in a weekly Bible study in a retirement home, leading discussions and prayer offices at the church, preaching and joining in joint celebrations. And all profit by the widened presence of Anglicans in Strasbourg, and a greater familiarity and understanding between people of both denominations.