On Sunday 12 February, the Church in Cents was the venue of the last service led by Chris Lyon, Chaplain at the Anglican Church of Luxembourg, prior to his retirement.
Coming from a parish in Scotland, Revd Chris Lyon spent 14 years in the Grand Duchy, leading the congregation through times of change and differing economic times.
The Anglican Church in Luxembourg has worshipped at the Konvikt Centre on Ave Marie-Therese in Luxembourg city but, with the planned renovations for the building and the current government-led changes to the fabriques d'Eglises, the Anglican Church plans to move to Cents Church, at least for a six-month trial. Apart from one previous service at Cents, and the afternoon's Arts Fair at the Cents Church, this Retirement Service was held in this venue of worship which is new for most members of the congregation.
On the day, the congregation was wrapped up warm due to a failure of the heating system; on the plus side, the acoustics in the Church building were a joy, with beautiful resonance from the organ, the choir snd the congregation all in unison. Never mind the initial confusion regarding taking the collection and how to queue to receive communion, these are just some of the issues that the six-month trial will resolve by practice.
Amongst the congregation were the British Ambassador to Luxembourg, John Marshall, and the Irish Ambassador to Luxembourg, Peadar Carpenter, as well as the German Ambassador to Luxembourg. In his sermon, Revd Chris Lyon talked about Jesus and the way we think and live. "Jesus was not a Christian" - his life was rooted in the Jewish tradition and faith in God. The readings in the service were about salt and light, both of which are essential to life but which you cannot live on alone; we should live our lives with these guiding us. "Jesus calls us to be salt and light". He said that we are invited to see in a new way.
After the service finished, a number of people delivered words of thanks and recollections of Revd Chris Lyon's ministry in Luxembourg, including a message from Archbishop Hollerich of the Catholic Church in Luxembourg relayed by Abbé Jean Ehret, and from the Protestant Church in Luxembourg.
The Churchwardens, Simon Norcross and Philipps Seymour, made a presentation to Revd Chris Lyon on behalf of the congregation. Simon Norcross relayed recollections of both himself and others within the Anglican Church of some of the times and events of the 14 years of Revd Chris Lyon's ministry at the Anglican Church in Luxembourg, during which time the Anglican Church has grown in stature of the fabric in Luxembourg and its society.
Following sustained applause for Revd Lyon, he responded by reflecting on his ministry of 30+ years, including in Greenock in Scotland as well as with Anglican Bishops, but then wanting to settle down in one place. Although he nearly moved to Brussels 25 years ago, he said he has really enjoyed his time in the Grand Duchy, and will be remaining here during his retirement. He said it it now time to stop and he has been called to move on; also he has become a grandfather recently. He will get time to study and "dig into his books" and will continue to teach at the European School. He recalled his times with the various Church Wardens and Chaplaincy Councils, "all who have been incredibly supportive".
The Anglican Church continued the day at Cents Church with its Arts Fair with music throughout the afternoon in the Church, with workshops for the children in a side room.
Photos by Geoff Thompson
