Anglican Church Announces 2nd Arts Festival, Rev Read Discusses Charity & Future Events

The Anglican Church of Luxembourg has announced its second Charity Arts Festival of the year, which will take place in the chapel at the Konvikt Centre (5 Ave Marie-Thérèse, Luxembourg-ville) on Sunday 15 May 2022 from 14:00 to 17:30.

The first of this two-part Charity Arts Festival was held earlier this year on the afternoon of Saturday 5 February 2022. The upcoming event includes concerts by Raft of Loons among others, as well as a poetry prizegiving, food and drinks.

The event is free and attendees are encouraged to donate, with donations going towards the charities supported by the Anglican Church.

Chronicle.lu reached out to Reverend Geoff Read to learn more about the Charity Arts Festival, the beneficiary charities and future events.

Chronicle.lu: How successful was the first edition of the Charity Arts Festival in February 2022?

Rev Geoff Read: Part 1 of the Arts Festival went well, with a more formal concert and performances.

Chronicle.lu: Who are the main recipients of the Charity Arts Festival's proceeds?

Rev Geoff Read: The proceeds contribute to our overall donation to all the charities we support. These include Genadendal (an education charity in South Africa), Stëmm vun der Strooss, COPE (prosthetics in Laos) and Friendship Luxembourg (Bangladesh).

Chronicle.lu: Is the Anglican Church of Luxembourg directly involved in any charity and / or humanitarian work for refugees of the war in Ukraine?

Rev Geoff Read: We are supporting our Diocese in Europe's initiatives which are helping with local chaplaincies working directly with refugees in countries bordering Ukraine. The Diocese also has a church in Kyiv, Christchurch, although many of the congregation have now had to leave the country.

Chronicle.lu: In addition to the Charity Arts Festival, are there any other events planned for 2022?

Rev Geoff Read: Yes, we are planning to mark the [British] Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee with a special service of Evensong at 17:00 on 12 June, combined with the celebration of the [Luxembourg] Grand Duke's official birthday. Looking ahead to the autumn, we will offer the traditional Remembrance Sunday service and then our Carols by Candle light!

Chronicle.lu: More generally, with most COVID-19 restrictions now lifted in Luxembourg, have in-person services at the Anglican Church now returned to pre-pandemic levels?

Rev Geoff Read: We have a hybrid approach to services, a mixture of in-person services in the Chapel and outdoors, plus continuing to offer a service online too.

Chronicle.lu: How was your experience with online pastoral services, when you look back to 2021? And how did you find the reception of digital ceremonies amongst churchgoers?

Rev Geoff Read: We were all surprised how we could be present to one another and to God online! Its about gathering intentionally at the same place at the same time with faith and expectation to worship. Our midweek programme grew by going online as people are able to attend groups without time for travel and at the expense of their carbon footprint. It's about choosing the right medium for each sort of gathering. Many groups will stay online, but adding in occasional in-person meet-ups for social events.