On Sunday 14th June 2026, we gathered as a community to say a special and heartfelt farewell to the Reverend Dr Mark Barwick, on the occasion of his retirement, and to David Cowley.

We were delighted that the Malagasy community was also there to share in this milestone. We are deeply grateful to Mark and David for their years of dedicated ministry, leadership, and friendship at St Alban’s. It was wonderful to celebrate them together and to wish them both every blessing for the future.

A warm thank you to everyone who attended, and to all those who helped organize and set up everything to make this day so memorable. Please enjoy a few photos from this joyful celebration.

KEEPING LENT & EASTER 2026

During the Lenten season, we are called to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance and by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. We invite you to join us on our pilgrimage through this penitential season.

Keeping Lent rests on three pillars
Vivre un bon Carême repose sur trois piliers :

Prayer
By prayer, we mean to reconnect with God in whatever way makes sense to you.There are numerous opportunities to pray throughout Lent : alone, as a family or with others. You are warmly invited to join us in worship on Sundays throughout this season
La prière : Permet de se reconnecter à Dieu

Fasting
By fasting, we mean to let go of those things that have become obstacles to loving God more fully. This could take many forms : abstaining from certain foods or destructive habits, from hurtful words, from anger or bitterness… some people fast, either partially or altogether, from social media.
Le jeûne : Se détacher du superflu et de ce qui nous empêche de nous rapprocher de Dieu

Almsgiving
By almsgiving, we mean the opening of our hearts and our hands toward those who are poor and vulerable.
You could consider making a contribution to the local food bank or another charitable organisation.
Some people volunteer their time in service to others during Lent. It’s also a good time to consider how the way we live affects
others and the Planet.

Any lifestyle changes that need to happen ?
L’aumône : Se tourner vers les autres par le partage

 6 July   10h30 joint celebration with Saint Pierre-le-Jeune at the Dominicans chapel

The abbey of Notre Dame de Baumgarten lies in an idyllic setting in the rolling foothills of the Vosges in the small village of Bernardvillé. 16 years ago a small community of Cistercian nuns  took up the tradition of the comtemplative life which had ended here almost 500 years ago. The rhythm of the monastic hours and the atmosphere of the abbey make it the perfect environment for a time of prayer, thought and meditation.

From 30th May to 1st June Bernard Durel of the Strasbourg Dominicans, our hosts at their church, will be leading this retreat on the subject of “Everyday Christianity”.  With his profound experience of Zen meditation Bernard Durel draws many parallels to the Christian mysticism of Master Eckhart,  and to their value in our everyday lives. And he speaks perfect English!

There are still some places available but not for long!  Contact fr Mark soon if you’d like to join us.

The cost of the retreat, 120 €, covers lodging and meals. All are very welcome.

Pope Francis’ death on Easter Monday came as a surprise and shock to many people. Bishop Robert writes: “We join with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in mourning the death of a great pope and a remarkable Christian leader. As Anglicans, we are sad to lose him but thankful for all that he gave us. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”

https://www.europe.anglican.org/news/latest-news/pope-francis-rest-peace

Seeing afresh the faith that holds us together 

Revoir la foi qui nous unit

Every Sunday, we say the words of the Nicene Creed in our service. These words unite us in our Anglican faith – across our diocese from Norway to Morocco and across the world, hundreds of thousands of people in church say the same words together as a proclamation of our shared faith.  Bishop Robert writes:

“In 325, hundreds of bishops – some from rich and influential cities, others from poor and obscure regions – gathered in Nicaea on the frontier of the Empire’s Greek-speaking East and Latin-speaking West. They were the first fully ecumenical council. Their gathering marked the transition of Christianity into a properly international religion with public impact. It was this gathering which produced the Nicene Creed. This succinct statement articulates the radical, biblical insight that Jesus is both truly God living among us and truly human, living and dying in human history. In 2025, we celebrate that momentous Council and ponder afresh the world-changing beliefs which it articulated.” 

(See also https://www.europe.anglican.org/celebrating-nicaea)

We shall consider the relevance of this declaration of faith for our everyday lives in the weeks before and after Easter, both in sermons and discussions at the home of David Cowley, 5 rue de Londres, Strasbourg. Under the heading “Everyday Christianity” we shall continue to explore our faith at a Parish Retreat at the Abbaye de Notre Dame de Baumgarten at the end of May.

Session One : Sunday 6th April 10h30, Eglise des dominicains.

Session Two: Thursday 10 April 19h00, home of David Cowley, 5, rue de Londres, Strasbourg

Session Three: Tuesday 22 April 19h00, 40, rue de lUniversité, bell bottom left.

Session Four: Sunday 11 May 10h30, Eglise des dominicains.

Parish Retreat: ‘Everyday Christianity’ Friday 30 May – Sunday 1st June, Abbaye de Notre Dame de Baumgarten, Bernardvillé.