The Church of the Holy Ghost Genoa, Italy

News

28th April, 2024

  • The Annual Church Meeting took place after this morning’s Eucharist. Mary Wellington and Lis Watkins were re-elected as Churchwardens by acclamation. Ruth McGroary and Marlene Schuster were elected to the Church Council for three years and John Wesley for a further term of one year. Canon Tony Dickinson paid tribute to all those who had contributed to making the previous six years such a fruitful time for the church and for him personally. Others paid tribute to his work as chaplain. The meeting was followed by a bring-and-share lunch.
  • Today was Canon Dickinson’s last official Sunday as chaplain at Genoa. Next Sunday, the service will be led by Bishop Norman Banks, one of the Honorary Assistant Bishops of the Diocese in Europe, assisted by Archdeacon David Waller. Bishop Norman will baptise and confirm those who have been preparing since the beginning of Lent. All are asked to keep them in prayer. There are two children to be baptised, one young person and one adult to be baptised and confirmed, four adults to be confirmed and two adults to be received into the Church of England. All are also asked to remember a member of the congregation who should have been among those to be baptised and confirmed, but whose work has taken them away from Genoa until the middle of next month.
  • On Wednesday we keep the feast of the apostles St Philip and St James. It is hoped that there will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
  • At 17:30 on Friday Canon Dickinson will launch his latest book for SLG Press. It is called “Pearls of Life: A Life-belt for the Spirit” and it is about how a Swedish Lutheran bishop, storm-bound on a tiny Greek island, devised a prayer bracelet which has been widely used across northern Europe for nearly 30 years, not only as an aid for prayer and meditation but also as a way of teaching the essentials of Christian faith to people of all ages.
  • The Church Council meets the Archdeacon next Saturday at 18:00 to discuss the process leading to the appointment of Canon Dickinson’s successor.
  • During the rest of May, services will be led by Fr David Emmott, an old friend of Holy Ghost Genoa. He will be first in a series of locum chaplains who will provide cover until the new chaplain is in post.

For Older Children

PLEASE NOTE: this event has now been postponed. It will probably take place in September.

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Stop press – 23rd April

  • The Church’s new constitution (the first upgrade since 1899) was signed off this afternoon by the wardens, the chaplain and members of the Church Council in the offices of Notaio Gallione. Now it goes to the prefettura and from there, all being well, to Rome for official ratification. This will give the Church of the Holy Ghost legal status in the eyes of the Italian Government.
  • The chaplain’s new book, Pearls of life: a Life-belt for the Spirit, will be launched in church at 17:30 on Friday, 3rd May. All are welcome.

21st April, 2024

  • The Confirmation Group met for the last time after today’s Eucharist. Please keep those who are preparing for baptism and confirmation in your prayers as 5th May draws closer. And please remember the candidate who should have been among those baptised and confirmed in two weeks’ time but whose work has taken them away from Genova until the middle of next month.
  • This week is a week of celebration. On Tuesday, we remember St George, patron of England as well as one of the patrons of this city. There will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
  • The regular midweek Eucharist will be celebrated at 12:30 on Wednesday. At that service we shall remember Mellitus, one of the earliest bishops of London, who died fourteen centuries ago, and alongside him we shall remember the seven members of the Melanesian Brotherhood who were martyred on that day twenty-one years ago in the Solomon Islands.
  • On Thursday, we shall remember St Mark the Evangelist, whose Gospel has been keeping company with us since the beginning of Advent last year. There will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
  • Next Sunday the Annual Church Meeting takes place immediately after the Eucharist. That is also Tony Dickinson’s official last Sunday as chaplain here. The meeting will be followed by a bring-and-share lunch. The papers for the meeting are available either from church or, online, from the chaplain.
  • We have received nomination papers for two Churchwardens, but none have been received for the three vacancies on the Church Council. There are two vacancies for members to serve for three years and one vacancy for someone to serve one year. This is an important year, because the Wardens and Church Council members are the people who will be responsible for guiding the church through the vacancy. Nomination forms both for Churchwardens and for Council members are available from the chaplain. These should be completed and returned to him before next Sunday.

14th April, 2024

  • A big “thank you” to everyone who helped with the concert yesterday evening. As the first concert given by the Gruppo Genovese di Musica Antica since the death of Barna Manfredi, it was an emotional occasion for many of those present, and especially for the performers. It is good to know that Silvia will be continuing her father’s work directing the group.
  • The war in Ukraine is now more than two years old. There will be a service of prayer for peace, organised by Sant’Egidio, at the basilica of the Annunziata at 17:00 this afternoon.
  • This evening at 21:00 the monthly Taizé prayer will take place at San Marco al Molo.
  • The annual revision of the church’s Electoral Roll has now ended. The new roll has been published on the notice-board in the porch. Those who have completed forms this year, and those who are already members, are asked to check that their details are correct.
  • The regular midweek Eucharist will be celebrated at 12:30 on Wednesday.
  • On Saturday at 17:30 there will be a special service of Evensong with hymns to allow Christians of other traditions who cannot join us on 28th April to say their farewells to the chaplain. There will be a simple aperitivo after the service.
  • The Annual Church Meeting takes place on 28th April which is also Canon Tony Dickinson’s last official Sunday as chaplain here. The meeting will be followed by a bring-and-share lunch. Those who are on the Electoral Roll and whose email addresses are known should have received their papers for the meeting. Those who are on the roll and on email but have not received their papers are asked to contact the chaplain.
  • Those on the electoral roll need to start thinking now about Churchwardens and Church Council members to guide the church through the vacancy. There are two vacancies for members to serve for three years and one vacancy for someone to serve one year. We thank all of those who are standing down for their service during the past three years. There are nomination forms both for Churchwardens and for Council members on the table. These should be completed and returned to the chaplain before 28th April.
GGMA-Music-FriendshipDownload

7th April, 2024

  • In addition to the list of Easter greetings last Sunday, we have since received greetings from Fr Moses Adesina in Guyana, and from Giacomo Rossi.
  • The annual revision of the church’s Electoral Roll begins today. Those who are already on the roll don’t need to do anything. Those who aren’t, but who are more than 16 years old, baptised and regard Holy Ghost as “their church”, are encouraged to pick up a form from the table, fill it in and hand it in before they leave. Please note that those who don’t return a completed form today will not be able to vote at the annual meeting on 28th April.
  • Tomorrow we keep the feast of the Annunciation, remembering the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary that she was to bear God’s Son. There will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
  • There will also be the regular midweek Eucharist at 12:30 on Wednesday. We will remember the 14th-century friar and philosopher William of Ockham and the 18th-century spiritual writer William Law.
  • On Saturday at 17:30 our friends of the GGMA will give a concert in church. It will be mainly of music from the 17th and 18th centuries, from Thomas Ravenscroft to Mozart via Henry Purcell and J.S. Bach.
  • The Annual Church Meeting takes place on 28th April which is also the chaplain’s last official Sunday here. Those on the electoral roll need to start thinking now about Churchwardens and Church Council members to guide the church through the vacancy. There are two vacancies for members to serve for three years and one vacancy for someone to serve one year. We thank all of those who are standing down for service during the past three years. There are nomination forms available both for Churchwardens and for Council members.

31st March, 2024

A happy and blessed Easter to all visitors to this page.

  • We have received Easter Greetings from Gillian Cumming and Philip Trow in the UK, from Marina Zacco, from Elizabeth Cordone in Bussana, from Karen Bulloch and her family, from Saturday in Torino, from Anne Lambert who is in Sydney, and from John Wesley currently in Germany.
  • Today is the beginning of Eastertide, a fifty-day celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. As we share the joy of Christians around the world at his victory over death, there will be a Eucharist at 12:30 each day this week.
  • The Confirmation Group continues its pattern of meeting after the Eucharist. However, next Sunday, between the Eucharist and next week’s gathering of those preparing for baptism and confirmation, there will be a short meeting of the Church Council in preparation for the Annual Church Meeting at the end of the month.
  • The Annual Church Meeting takes place on 28th April, which means that we have now begun the annual revision of the church’s Electoral Roll. Those who are already on the roll don’t need to do anything. Those who aren’t, but are more than 16 years old, baptised and regard Holy Ghost as “their church”, ought to be on the list. They are encouraged to contact the Electoral Roll Officer or the chaplain for an electronic application form and return it to them before next Sunday. It is particularly important this year because 28th April is also the chaplain’s last official Sunday ministering in Genoa. So it will be very important for the wardens and the new church council, who will be on their own in charge of the church until a new chaplain is appointed, to know whom they can call on for support during the months when there isn’t a permanently resident chaplain.
  • Those on the Electoral Roll also need to start thinking now about Churchwardens and Church Council members to guide the church through the vacancy. There are nomination forms on the table. There will be two vacancies for members to serve for three years and one vacancy for someone to serve one year. We thank all of the retiring members for their years of service.

24th March, 2024

  • Warm thanks to everyone who helped in any way with yesterday’s Spring Book Sale. Just over €1.000 was raised for church funds and (judging by the length of time it took for people to leave at the end) a very good time was had by all.
  • Thanks also to those who have signed up to provide Sunday refreshments during the next three months.
  • The Confirmation Group continues its pattern of meeting after the Eucharist.
  • Holy Week begins today. As we follow Jesus along the Way of the Cross there will be a Eucharist on Monday and on Wednesday at 12:30.
  • On Tuesday at 12:30 there will be Midday Prayer, led by Mary Wellington.
  • On Thursday we shall remember Jesus’ last meal before his arrest and crucifixion as we celebrate The Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper at 18:00.
  • On Friday we shall keep watch with the women at the foot of the Cross. The Liturgy of the Passion takes place from 14:00 to 15:00.
  • Next Sunday is Easter Day. The Eucharist will begin at 10:30 with the blessing of the Easter Candle and a procession.
  • Next Sunday is also the day when the clocks go forward one hour. Please remember to reset your alarm on Saturday. Don’t be late!
  • If anyone wishes to have a spiritual clear-out before Easter, or would like to have a confidential conversation about their Christian journey, the chaplain will be available in church on Monday and Wednesday from 11.30 a.m., on Thursday from 17:00, and at other times by appointment. He is also available to offer a ministry of confession and absolution to anyone who needs the sacramental assurance of God’s forgiveness.
  • Our Annual Church Meeting takes place on 28th April, which means that the annual revision of the church’s Electoral Roll is about to begin . Those who are already on the roll do not need to do anything. Those who are not, but are more than 16 years old, baptised and regard Holy Ghost as “their church”, are encouraged to pick up a form from the table, fill it in and return it to the church’s Electoral Roll Officer, or to the chaplain, before Sunday 7th April. It is particularly important this year because 28th April is also Canon Tony Dickinson’s last official Sunday as chaplain in Genoa. So it will be very important for the wardens and the new church council, who will be on their own in charge of the church until a new chaplain is appointed, to know who they can call on for support during the months when the church is served by locums rather than a permanently resident chaplain.

17th March, 2024

  • The Confirmation Group will continue its pattern of meeting over lunch after the Eucharist. And there is some exciting news to share this week. We now have a date for the confirmation – and a bishop! The date is Sunday, 5th May. The bishop is Bishop Norman Banks, about to retire as Bishop of Richborough and become an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese in Europe.
  • Warm thanks to all those who have volunteered to provide Sunday refreshments during the coming months. Thanks, also, to Ruth McGroary and Mary Wellington for co-ordinating this.
  • On Tuesday we remember St Joseph of Nazareth, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There will be a Eucharist at 12:30.
  • The last of our Lenten addresses takes place at midday on Wednesday. It will be followed by the usual midweek Eucharist at 12:30. At that Eucharist we shall remember the 7th-century bishop of Lindisfarne, St Cuthbert, loved and revered today, as he was in his lifetime, as a humble and holy man of God.
  • On Friday the church will be open for private prayer and meditation from 12:30 until 17:30.
  • There will be a Spring Book Sale with English Teas and various other goodies on Saturday, from 15:00 to 18:00. Bring your friends!
  • Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. The Eucharist will begin at 10:30 with the blessing of palms and a procession. Don’t be late!

10th March, 2024

  • At today’s Extraordinary Church Meeting. Church members on the Electoral Roll approved unanimously a new constitution for the church. It is the first revision of the church’s constitution since 1899 and was made necessary by the need to bring it into line with both the canon law of the Church of England and the laws of the Italian Republic since the establishment of the Associazione Chiesa d’Inghilterra in Italia of which this church is now a part. We are very grateful to all who gave up their time and braved fierce rain-squalls in order to attend the meeting and to those who joined in online or who submitted a proxy vote. We now move to the next stage in this process, which is vital for the future of the Church.
  • At the back of the church there is a list for volunteers to provide Sunday refreshments during the next three months. There are still many gaps. Anyone who can help on one Sunday during that period, is asked to add their name to the list. Anyone who wants to know more about what is involved, is encouraged to talk to Ruth McGroary or Mary Wellington.
  • The chaplain will be away for part of this week. This means that there will be no Lenten address on Wednesday and Midday Prayer led by the Churchwardens will replace the usual midweek Eucharist at 12:30.
  • On Friday the church will be open for private prayer and meditation from 12:30 until 17:30.
  • The last of our Lenten addresses will take place at midday on Wednesday 20th March.
  • There will be a Spring Book Sale with English Teas and various other goodies on Saturday, 23rd March from 15:00 to 18:00.

3rd March, 2024

  • We have received greetings from Fr Clifford Owen and Fr David Emmott in the UK and from Fr Moses Adesina in Guyana.
  • At the back of the church there is a new list for volunteers to provide Sunday refreshments during the next three months. Anyone who can help on one Sunday during that period, is asked to add their name to the list. Anyone who wants to know more about what is involved, is encouraged to contact Ruth McGroary or Mary Wellington.
  • The next Ecumenical Bible Study on St Mark’s Gospel will be at 18:00 on Tuesday at the Chiesa Valdese in Via Assarotti.
  • The third of this year’s Lenten addresses takes place at midday on Wednesday. The address will be followed by the usual midweek Eucharist at 12:30.
  • On Friday the church is open for private prayer and meditation from 12:30 until 17:30.
  • There will be a Spring Book Sale with English Teas and various other goodies on Saturday, 23rd March from 15:00 to 18:00. Publicity can be downloaded from the post on this page dated 25th February.
  • Next Sunday there will be an Extraordinary Church Meeting immediately after the Eucharist. Those who are on the Electoral Roll will be asked to approve a new constitution for the Church. It’s the first update since 1899 and it is vital, because it makes this church part of the Church of England’s national organisation in Italy and allows the church to benefit from the “Otto per Mille” scheme. It is very important for the future of this church that everyone on the roll is at that meeting, either in person or online, or that they have given their vote to a proxy. Information about the new constitution can be found here. Anyone with questions or anxieties about it, is asked to contact the chaplain, or one of the churchwardens.

25th February, 2024

  • At the back of the church there is a new list for volunteers to provide Sunday refreshments during the next 3 months. Anyone who can help on one Sunday during that period, is asked to add their name to the list. Anyone who wants to know more about what is involved, is encouraged to talk to Ruth McGroary or Mary Wellington.
  • The second of our Lenten addresses takes place at midday on Wednesday. The last two will be given on 6th and 20th March. Each talk focuses on one of the ways in which people have depicted the crucifixion of Jesus, and what that means for us. The address will be followed by the usual midweek Eucharist at 12:30.
  • On Wednesday evening there is an opportunity online to say “goodbye” to Bishop David. There will be a ‘Service of Prayer, Thanksgiving and Sending Out’ for him as he and his chaplain Frances Hiller retire at the end of the month. Bishop Robert will preside. All are welcome. The service begins at 18:00. Please join a few minutes before the start. If the Zoom is full you can watch on YouTube. You can link to both here.
  • On Friday the church is open for private prayer and meditation from 12:30 until 17:30. At 18:00 the World Day of Prayer service will take place in Sala Lutero, next door to the Chiesa Valdese in Via Assarotti, This year’s service will focus on peace in Israel and Palestine.
  • Saturday is the World Day of Prayer for Children and Young People. There will be an afternoon of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at Don Bosco di Sampierdarena. Via San Giovanni Bosco 14r. If you want to know more, please contact Pastora Ulrike Jourdan at the Chiesa Valdese.
  • The next Ecumenical Bible Study on St Mark’s Gospel will be at 18:00 on Tuesday 5th March at the Chiesa Valdese in Via Assarotti.
  • We will hold a Spring Book Sale with English Teas and various other goodies on Saturday, 23rd March from 15:00 to 18:00. The flyer below can be downloaded and shared with others.

18th February, 2024

  • Confirmation preparation continued over lunch today. It isn’t too late to sign up. Anyone interested should contact the chaplain via the link here.
  • The first of our four Lenten addresses takes place at midday on Wednesday. The others will be given on 28th February and on 6th and 20th March. Each talk will focus on different ways in which people have depicted the crucifixion of Jesus, and what they mean for us.
  • The address will be followed by the usual midweek Eucharist at 12:30. This Wednesday we pray for those pondering a call to ministry and for those who are preparing for ordination.
  • On Fridays during Lent the church is open for private prayer and meditation from 12:30 until 17:30
  • The Ecumenical Bible Studies on St Mark’s Gospel continue at 18:00 on Tuesday at the Chiesa Valdese in Via Assarotti.
  • On Friday 1st March the World Day of Prayer service at 18:00 in Sala Lutero (Via Assarotti) focuses on peace in Israel and Palestine.
  • Saturday 2nd March is the World Day of Prayer for Children and Young People. There will be a day of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at Don Bosco di Sampierdarena. Via San Giovanni Bosco 14r. Further information (in Italian) here.

11th February, 2024

  • Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. The 12:30 Eucharist will include the imposition of ashes for those who wish to mark the beginning of Lent in this way. 
  • On four Wednesdays during Lent (21st and 28th February, and 6th and 20th March) there will be a Lent Lecture at 12:00. This year’s will focus on the different ways in which people have interpreted the crucifixion of Jesus, and what that means for us. Each talk will be based on one of the crosses in and around the chaplaincy. 
  • On Fridays during Lent (beginning this Friday) the church will be open for private prayer and meditation from 12:30 until 17:30
  • The Ecumenical Bible Studies on St Mark’s Gospel continue in ten days’ time, on Tuesday 20th February at 18:00 at the Chiesa Valdese in Via Assarotti. 
  • On Friday 1st March the World Day of Prayer service at 18:00 in Sala Lutero (Via Assarotti) focuses on peace in Israel and Palestine. 
  • Saturday 2nd March is the World Day of Prayer for Children and Young People. There will be a day of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at the Don Bosco Institute in Sampierdarena. Via San Giovanni Bosco 14r. If you want to know more, please contact Pastora Ulrike Jourdan at the Chiesa Valdese. 

4th February, 2024

  • The Church Council met after the Eucharist. Much of its business was linked to the process of providing a new constitution for the church (last updated in 1899!) and the end of year finance. It also approved a fund-raising event later in the spring (Saturday 23rd March. Watch this space for further details!) and arrangements to mark the chaplain’s farewell. To accommodate ecumenical friends, there will be a special Evensong on Saturday 20th June, followed by refreshments, and his final Sunday will be 28th April, which is also the date of the Annual Church Meeting, which will be followed by lunch.
  • On Tuesday the Ecumenical Bible Studies on St Mark’s Gospel begin again after their Christmas break at the Chiesa Valdese in Via Assarotti. The passage for study is Mark 4 (see 28th January below).
  • On Wednesday the Eucharist will be celebrated at 12:30 as usual.
  • On Thursday there will be a gathering of young adults (officially anyone aged 18-30, but all are welcome) from different churches at Holy Ghost at 20:30. It’s the first stop on a mini-pilgrimage which will also take in the Immacolata and the Chiesa Valdese on opposite sides of Via Assarotti.
  • On Friday 1st March the World Day of Prayer Service will be held at 18:00 in Sala Lutero in Via Assarotti. This year’s prayers focus on peace in Israel and Palestine.
  • On Saturday 2nd March there will be a day of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at the Don Bosco Institute in Sampierdarena. If you want to know more, please contact Pastora Ulrike Jourdan at the Chiesa Valdese (contact details at 28th January below).
  • Next Sunday is the Sunday Next before Lent. The Eucharist will be at 10:30 as usual. It will be followed by the first session for those who are preparing for confirmation when Bishop Robert visits Italy in early April. This will be in the setting of a simple lunch. Anyone interested in joining the group is asked to fill in one of the forms on the table and give it to the chaplain.
  • The monthly Taizé Prayer takes place next Sunday at 21:00 in San Marco al Molo.
  • Bishop David Hamid, the Assistant Bishop in the Diocese in Europe, who has been a good friend to this chaplaincy over many years, is retiring at the end of this month. The diocese is organising a collection for a retirement present. Contributions toward this gift can be left at the church between now and Sunday 11th February.
  • Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of Lent, falls on 14th February, ten days from now. Traditionally the ashes are made by burning the previous year’s palm crosses. If you have any crosses that can be used for this purpose, please bring them to church, either this coming Wednesday or next Sunday.

28th January, 2024

  • On 25th January the chaplain shared reflections on a life lived in an ecumenical setting, with Itala Ricaldone of SAE and Gheorghios Karalis of the Greek Orthodox community in Genova. The original (Italian) text of his contribution can be found here. We hope to link to an English version at some point.
  • At the Eucharist at 12:30 on Wednesday we will remember St John Bosco, educator extraordinary.
  • Advance Notice 1: on Thursday 8th February there will be a gathering of young adults (anyone aged 18-30) from different churches here at 20:30. It’s the first stop on a mini-pilgrimage (quick church-crawl) which will also take in the Immacolata and the Waldensian Church on the other side of Via Assarotti.
  • Advance Notice 2: on Saturday 2nd March there will be a day of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at the Don Bosco Institute in Sampierdarena. If you want to know more, please contact one of the numbers listed below. There will be a preparatory meeting on Zoom at 21:00 on Tuesday for anyone who would like to be involved in preparing and running the day. Please talk to the chaplain if interested – or see below.
  • The Church Council meets next Sunday. It is hoped that the agenda and other papers will be with members of the Council later today.
  • Next Sunday is the Second Sunday before Lent. The Eucharist will be at 10:30 as usual.

21st January, 2024

  • At the Eucharist at 12:30 on Wednesday we will remember St Francis de Sales, one of the great teachers about the spiritual life and a man of peace in a time of sharp religious conflict.
  • On Thursday the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity ends on the feast of the Conversion of St Paul. Our lunchtime Eucharist takes place as usual at 12:30. At 18:30 in the Sala Quadrivium the chaplain will share reflections on a life lived in an ecumenical setting, with Itala Ricaldone of SAE and Gheorghios Karalis of the Greek Orthodox community in Genova. The original (Italian) text of his contribution can be found here. We hope to link to an English version at some point.
  • Advance notice that on Saturday 2nd March there will be a day of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at the Don Bosco Institute in Sampierdarena. If you want to know more, please contact Pastora Ulrike Jourdan at the Chiesa Valdese. There will be a preparatory meeting on Zoom at 21:00 on Tuesday, 30th January for anyone who would like to be involved in preparing and running the day.
  • Next Sunday we keep the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple, the end of Christmastide, when we turn from the crib and begin to look towards the cross. The Eucharist will end with a procession of candles and it will be followed by a bring-and-share lunch. Offers of help (and food!) to Ruth McGroary, please.
  • After that Eucharist and before we settle down to lunch there will be a short meeting for those who are thinking about being confirmed when Bishop Robert visits Italy in early April. Anyone interested is asked to contact the chaplain. Anyone who wants to know what confirmation is about should also contact him.

14th January, 2024

  • Tonight at 21:00 there will be the regular monthly Taizé Prayer at San Marco al Molo. All are welcome.
  • On Wednesday the normal 12:30 Eucharist will have a distinctly monastic flavour. We shall remember St Antony the Great (Antony of Egypt), the man who, more than anyone else, turned the Egyptian desert into a city of prayer: we shall also give thanks for the life of Charles Gore, bishop and founder of the Community of the Resurrection.
  • At 17:30 on Wednesday, in the Sala Quadrivium, there will be an opportunity to hear an interpretation of a key passage in the writings of one of the Hebrew prophets from a Jewish as well as a Christian point of view. Rabbi Giuseppe Momigliano from the synagogue in Via Assarotti and Pietro Mariani Cerati of the Italian “Friends of Neve Shalom Wahat al Salam” (“Oasis of peace” in Hebrew and Arabic) will lead a discussion of Ezekiel’s vision of the Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).
  • On Thursday the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins. There will be a United Service of Prayer in the Cathedral on Friday at 18:30. There will be contributions from Archbishop Marco, Padre Filip Sorin of the Romanian Orthodox Church and Pastore Enrico Reato of the Baptist Church. At the end of the Week of Prayer, on Thursday 25th January, the chaplain will be sharing his reflections on 75 years of a life lived in an ecumenical setting, with comments from Itala Ricaldone of SAE and Gheorghios Karalis of the Greek Orthodox community in Genova. That will take place in the Sala Quadrivium at 18:30.
  • Advance notice that on Saturday 2nd March (the World Day of Prayer for Children and Families) there will be a day of activities for children of elementary and middle school age at the Don Bosco Institute in Sampierdarena. Anyone who wants to know more, is asked to contact Pastora Ulrike Jourdan at the Chiesa Valdese. There will be a preparatory meeting on Zoom at 21:00 on Tuesday, 30th January.
  • Preparation for confirmation will begin later this month. We are drawing together a group of candidates and it is not too late to join it. Bishop Robert will visit Italy in early April and a confirmation at this church will be included in that visit. Anyone who is interested, to contact the chaplain. If anyone wants to know what confirmation is about, please talk to the chaplain.
  • Finally: we are still looking for volunteers to set up the weekly after-service Aperitivo during the coming weeks. Anyone who is able to help provide hospitality, or would like to know more about what is involved, is asked to contact Ruth McGroary or Mary Wellington.

31st December, 2023

  • A gentle reminder to those who have taken part in this year’s “Reverse Advent Calendar” project that their gifts are now overdue.
  • Tomorrow we mark New Year’s Day. It being the eighth day since our celebration of the birth of Jesus, we also celebrate the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus. There will be a Eucharist at 12.30, followed by refreshments. At 15.15 there will be a march for peace, beginning at the Annunziata and ending at the Cathedral.
  • There will be the normal midday Eucharist on Wednesday.
  • Saturday is the thirteenth day of Christmas. We shall celebrate the Epiphany with the arrival of the wise men at the crib and a Eucharist at 12.30 to mark the revelation of Jesus to the Gentiles (people like us, in other words). There will be refreshments afterwards.
  • Next Sunday we keep the feast of the Baptism of Christ. The Eucharist will include the renewal of our baptismal promises.
  • It is now possible to give to the church online, either directly or via the diocesan “JustGiving” page. Use the QR code below (10th December) to discover how. If you use “JustGiving”, please add a note specifying that your gift is for Holy Ghost Genoa.
  • There have been a number of requests for confirmation. We don’t have a date yet, but we do have a bishop. Bishop Robert will visit Italy in early April and will be very pleased to include a confirmation at this church in his itinerary. Preparation will begin next month. Anyone who is interested, or who wants to know what confirmation is about, is asked to contact the chaplain.

1st December 2022 Senior Alderman Michael Mainelli

In early December, Michael Mainelli, “Senior Alderman below the Chair” in the City of London (which means that he is, effectively, Lord Mayor-Designate) spent a long week-end in Genova, as he and Genova’s newly re-elected Mayor, Marco Bucci, conferred about ways in which they might re-invigorate the long-standing links between the two cities. It was, after all, London merchants at the time of the Crusades who first asked for permission to use the Genoese flag of St George on their ships in order to deter assault by pirates (1).

Alderman Michael Mainelli in the front pew during the opening speeches

There were talks and presentations about industry, commerce and high finance, and formal dinners with leading figures from the Genoese economy. However, Alderman Mainelli’s first engagement during the week-end was afternoon tea at the Church of the Holy Ghost, organised by the Honorary British Consul, Denise Dardani, a regular member of the congregation. Over a hundred people, British and Italian, gathered to enjoy tea, sandwiches, and cake and to listen to a talk by Avv. Alessandro Bartoli, a leading local authority on the history of the British community in Genoa and in the surrounding Italian Riviera. Avvocato Bartoli was introduced by the chaplain, Canon Tony Dickinson, who has recently produced his own contribution to chronicling the British presence in Liguria (2).

anyone for a sandwich?

The event went off very well, with an exchange of gifts between the Alderman and the Chaplain and “a few words” from various interested parties, both British and Italian, which set the tone for the rest of the week-end. The members of the congregation who provided the catering and the waiting were quietly pleased at the result of their efforts, although churchwarden Lis Watkins Queirolo confessed that it would be a long time before she could look at a smoked salmon sandwich again with any sense of eager anticipation.

Notes:

(1) Genoese merchant ships were well-known for carrying a company of crossbowmen with instructions to use lethal force if their vessel came under attack.

(2) “Redeemed from Fire” was published in October as part of the church’s celebration of 150 years since the dedication of its present building. It tells the story of the Anglican community in Genova from the time of the Napoleonic Wars until the present day. Copies can be ordered from the Church at a price of €20,00

“Redeemed from Fire”

A new history of the Anglican presence in Genoa since the early 19th century was published on 21st October. Canon Tony Dickinson’s talk at the book’s launch can be found here.

Sunday, 18th September

  • Thanks to everyone who has contributed to making everything run smoothly at what is a time of huge upheaval not only for people in the UK but for millions around the world. We have received condolences from people in France and Switzerland as well as from Anna Maria Saiano the American Consul-General, from our good friend Oriana Danieli, from Kevin and Fr Gordon in the UK, Fr Giovanni in Sicily and Fr Moses in Guyana.
  • The period of official mourning for Queen Elizabeth ends after her funeral tomorrow (19th September) at 11:00 BST: i.e. midday CEST. There will be a short service of Evening Prayer, following the order of the Book of Common Prayer, in church tomorrow at 17:00 CEST to mark the end of the period of mourning.
  • Because the chaplain is away at Archdeaconry Synod in Sicily this week, there will be no service at 12.30 on Wednesday.
  • Because of the clash with Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, the talk by Laura Guglielmi which was scheduled for 19th September will now take place at 17:30 on Monday, 3rd October.
  • On Saturday 1st October at 17:00 there will be a round-table discussion about the place of the Anglican church in the ecumenical life of this city. It will be led by colleagues from the Baptist, Methodist and Waldensian traditions (and, we hope, a Catholic).
  • We are receiving more responses to the “150 for 150” Appeal and orders for the history of the church. Please see the panel above to learn more about the appeal. Copies of the book, at the special pre-publication price of €15,00, can be ordered from the chaplain.
  • Next Sunday, after the Eucharist, there will be a meeting of the Church Council. Members of the council should have received their agendas yesterday. Anyone who has not is asked to let the chaplain know as soon as possible.

More on the death of Queen Elizabeth

  • The church is open for visitors to sign the book of condolence each day between 14th and 17th September (inclusive) from 11:00 to 16:00.
  • The church will also be open on Sunday from 10:00 until 15:00. The Sunday Eucharist at 10:30 will include prayers for the new King.
  • On the day of the late Queen’s funeral, Monday, 19th September, there will be a short said service of Evening Prayer at 17:00. It will follow the order of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II

  • Sunday’s service will be a special one to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth and to pray for the royal family. In the chaplain’s absence in the UK, it will be led by Fr Robert Morley. Further details of events to mark the Queen’s passing can be obtained from the senior churchwarden, Mary Wellington, or from the Honorary British Consul, Denise Dardani.
  • Three prayers for use during these days of mourning for Queen Elizabeth II:

O Lord our Heavenly Father, Almighty and Everlasting God, by whom kings reign and princes decree justice: We remember before thee our late Sovereign Lady QUEEN ELIZABETH, in thankfulness for the blessings which thou hast bestowed upon us by her reign; for the example she set of unwearied devotion to duty; for her steadfast courage; and for the love and loyalty borne to her by a great family of peoples in all parts of the world. And we beseech thee to give us grace that, having these thy mercies in remembrance, we may with one heart and one mind set forward the welfare of this land, and hasten the coming of thy kingdom of peace and goodwill among men; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: deal graciously, we pray thee, with all those who mourn, the members of the Royal Family, this Nation and all Nations of the Commonwealth, that casting every care on thee, we may know the consolation of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Almighty God, who rulest over all the kingdoms of the world, and disposest of them according to thy good pleasure, and who hast now called thy Servant our Sovereign Lord the King to the Throne of this Realm: let thy wisdom be his guide, and let thine arm strengthen him; let justice, truth, and holiness, let peace and love, and all those virtues that adorn the Christian Profession, flourish in his days. Direct all his counsels and endeavours to thy glory, and the welfare of his people; and give us grace to obey him cheerfully and willingly for conscience sake; that neither our sinful passions, nor our private interests, may disappoint his cares for the public good; let him always possess the hearts of his people, that they may never be wanting in honour to his Person, and dutiful submission to his Authority; let his Reign be long and prosperous, and crown him with immortality in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Sunday 12th June, 2022

  • A huge thank you to the team which prepared and carried through Friday’s very successful and enjoyable Platinum Jubilee event (see pictures under “Friday 10th June” below). It was warmly appreciated by the people who took part.
  • Tonight at 9.00 p.m. there is the monthly meeting at San Marco al Molo for prayer in the style of the Taizé Community.
  • On Tuesday at 8.30 p.m. at Santa Maria in Castello there will be a gathering for anyone who wishes to pray for Nigeria, and particularly for the people of Owo, at this sad time.
  • On Wednesday there will be the usual celebration of the Eucharist at 12.30 p.m. We shall remember the spiritual writer Evelyn Underhill – and her link to Genoa.
  • From tomorrow we are back in “ordinary time” until All Saints’Day at the beginning of November.

Friday, 10th June

Our belated Jubilee celebrations finally took place with Fiona Graham, the Consul General from Milan, joining Genova’s Honorary British Consul Denise Dardani, to welcome a gathering of over 80 people, including representatives of the Comune and other official bodies as well as members of the British community in Liguria.

Above pictures courtesy of The Chaplain, Ruth McGroary, and Flora Capostagno.

Saturday, 4th June

Today we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the consecration of the Church of the Holy Ghost in 1872 by Bishop Charles Amyand Harris.

The Church of England has had an almost continuous presence in Genova ever since the British Commander in Chief (Mediterranean) proclaimed the restoration of the Genoese Republic in 1814.

The English Church has had a powerful impact on the life of the city through its involvement in the foundation of the Ospedale Evangelico Internazionale and an even greater impact on the sporting life of Italy as a whole, through its role in the foundation in 1893 of the Genoa Cricket and Football Club.

Today, to mark this anniversary, Bishop David Hamid, the Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Gibraltar in Europe, is visiting Genova. He will celebrate a special Festival Eucharist, including baptisms and confirmations, at 10:30 on 5th June (the Feast of Pentecost).

From 18:00 to 19:30 this evening there will be an opportunity to meet the bishop, and the priest of the Anglican church, Canon Tony Dickinson, over an aperitivo at the Church of the Holy Ghost.

Canon Tony Dickinson will be reading extracts from his forthcoming book about the church, “Redeemed from Fire”, which will be published in the autumn. There will be an opportunity to order copies of this, and to sign up for the church’s anniversary appeal.

You will find greetings and anniversary reflections from three of our former locum chaplains here.