2012 All events

20121215 Christmas Lessons and Carols

Volunteers of our congregation have done their utmost to decorate the Chapel in a most beautiful manner. The Christmas tree, marvellous decorations, the Stall and a warming service do create a very welcoming atmosphere for everyone.

The Service of Nine Lessons & Carols will be on 15th December, on Sunday 22rd the service will commence at 10:30 hrs.

Christmas Eve 24th of December there will be a late Service commencing at 21:30 hrs.

20121215 - Christmas Fair

The Christmas market will open after the Service of Nine Lessons & Carols on  16th December and will continue to be held after the services throughout this festive month.

We are hoping for input, in the form of a baking extravaganza, from all of you. We will be offering a good selection of English produce, as well as a new collection of Chapel Christmas cards.

Of course the Hut will be decorated to our usual “high standards” and the atmosphere will be great.

We are hoping to have something going on outside the Hut as well.

20121111 - Remembrance Sunday

Sunday November 11th ‎2012 a delegation of the "Wapenbroeders Oost-Nederland" as well as the Highland Regiment Pipes & Drums, did join our congregation to celebrate Remembrance Day.

(From Wikipedia) Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice ("at the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.)

The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance for members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. This was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.

The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem "In Flanders Fields". These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

20120923 - Dedication Service flashback to September 20th, 1987 

A special service during which Bishop Edward Holland, the Suffragan Bishop of Europe, performed the act of consecration and dedicated Weldam Chapel to St Mary the Virgin.

Bishop Edward likened the ceremony to the baptism of a child. This comparison proved, in fact, to be an accurate one for, in addition to scoring the sign of the cross on the chancel wall, the Bishop sprinkled water everywhere, not only on the church fabric but on the members of the congregation too. Bishop Edward, with a slightly mischievous gleam in his eye, had given forewarning of his actions. The sprinkling of water on the church and its members was, indeed, appropriate, for the Act of Dedication included the words: Heavenly Father, as we dedicate this building so we dedicate ourselves, remembering that as we have sprinkled these walls with water and marked them with the sign of the cross, so we have been made yours in baptism and confirmation, and now we renew our commitment to you in our confession of faith.

Count Solms read the letter of dedication from the Bishop of the Diocese Gibraltar in Europe and explained why he wanted his chapel to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Afterwards, the family graveyard outside the chapel, where members of his family are buried, was blessed.

Largely due to the benevolence and enthusiasm of Count Alfred Solms, the English-speaking community in this far corner of the Netherlands is fortunate in having the use of St Mary’s, where everyone feels truly “at home”.

It was a day to remember and we are grateful to Bishop Edward for such a fine service. Our thanks go too to Lady Felicity Hoare, who attended on behalf of Intercon.

And now we are doubly blessed, for not only do we have this lovely chapel, we also have a new chaplain. We were delighted to welcome the Reverend Fred Preston and his wife Doris, who arrived in Holland recently. At long last our flock has a shepherd – and a truly hard-working one too.

Maureen Underwood (Secretary, 27th November 1987)

20120908 Castle Fair

This is the romantic scenery of the Weldam Estate. Early morning, just after dawn, a slight fog was heralding a glorious day. This was second Saturday of September, which means the Castle Fair has taken place.

Like last year the Castle Fair at the Weldam Estate was a great success. On Friday members of the Anglican Church Parish of the St. Mary's Chapel had been busy preparing all the Stalls and the Tearoom for the big event on Saturday. The weather was very favourable and changed from a light misty early morning to a sun blessed day.

From about 8:00 hrs the first stall holders came to the estate and unpacked their merchandise or exhibits. By 10:30 hrs most stalls were ready and there was still time for a cup of coffee before the visitors were allowed to enter the Fair grounds.

Thanks to the hospitality of Count and Countess zu Solms, all the people that contributed to the organisation of the Fair, the Stall holders and not to forget all the visitors made this years Castle fair a very successful event.

Return to Index 2012

20120704 Honorary Church Warden, Count Alfred zu Solms-Sonnewalde 80th Birthday

Although the actual birthday falls on July 4th, Count Alfred and Countess Christine decided to share this special birthday with St Mary's congregation on Sunday, July 15th. There was a lovely church service, which was attended by many members of the Solms family and other guests. The church was absolutely packed.

At the request of Count Alfred, the Wladimir Byzantine Men's Choir from Hengelo, led by Mrs Dorota van Linschooten-Koczorowska, sang parts of the liturgy in Russian. At the beginning of the service they sang Slawa (Honour to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost), before the Gospel Alliloeia (Allelujah), then Weroejoe (the Creed); at the intercessions we heard the response Gospodi Pomiloej (Lord, have mercy); they sang Otsje Nasj. (Lord’s Prayer), and after the dismissal Boedi imja (The Lord's name be praised now and forever).

The choir consists of 25 gentlemen, who visibly enjoyed being able to contribute to the celebration in such a special way. After the service had been concluded, the choir had some surprises in store for Count Alfred: first, before we left the church they burst into song, singing Mnogaja ljeta (We wish you many happy years − the equivalent of Happy Birthday), and then one of the choir members, Mr ter Haar, came forward and on behalf of the entire choir asked Count Alfred if he would be willing to be their Patron. Count Alfred graciously agreed. So we may expect more performances by the choir in future!

After church we were all invited to the castle gardens for refreshments. A large marquee had been put up on the back lawn. The weather was beautiful and everybody had made an effort to look his or her best! There was a festive atmosphere and we all enjoyed ourselves. Thanks to generous contributions from all congregation members, we were able to present Count Alfred with two bells: a large bronze bell to call the family together, and a small silver table bell, engraved with the family motto Dominus providebit and the date July 4th, 2012. We wish Count Alfred and his family every blessing for the future. This celebration was a joyous occasion and one we'll all remember for years to come!

20120430 Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday a special ceremony took place in front of the entrance of the Chapel. Revd. Alja Tollefsen did bless the new Easter Candle. It was a surprise for many of our congregation.