St. Paul’s Church Council Meeting – 29th April, 2023

The meeting was the first following the March Annual meeting and opened with a prayer at 10 a.m. Archdeaconry representatives James Papageorgiou and Vassilis Kotsikogiannis were welcomed at the beginning of their three year appointment, along with Dr. Judy Triandafillou, co-opted for one year.

Appointments: Lynn Stavrou (Vice-chair and Safeguarding Officer); Jean Mertzanakis (Hon. Secretary); Nelly Paraskevopoulou (Hon. Treasurer); James Papageorgiou (Local Environmental Officer/LEO).

Secretarial Report: Annual Statistics for Mission re: attendance numbers, type and regularity of services etc. had been completed by Father Leonard and sent to the Diocesan office; Jean had updated the St. Paul’s information published on the “A Church near You” website.

Chairman’s Report: The Bishop of Truro’s visit had included many official meetings re: his report on Freedom of Religion and Belief for the British government and it was hoped that a committee consisting of ourselves and other churches in Athens could be formed to promote this work. Bishop Philip had conducted a baptism, a confirmation and two receptions into the Anglican Church and said that his visit had reminded him of the diversity he so much appreciated when he was posted in Europe.  Treasurer Nelly reported that insurance claim paperwork had been submitted re: the flooding of the Vicarage that had occurred whilst Father Leonard and Lynne were in Scotland. The Ministerial Team (Father Leonard, Father Bjorn, Deacon Chris, Nelly and Angelos) would take place before Father Leonard’s end of tenure on July 23^rd in order to arrange services during the interregnum period that would follow his retirement.

Financial Report:  A legacy of €28,000 had been received from the estate of the late Sylvia Hill, last member of the Hill family, who had served the church as Council members and Officers for many years. €8,000 would be donated to Greek charities and the remainder would support St. Paul’s. Sylvia’s legacy had been gratefully acknowledged.

Re: online fundraisers, it was decided that there would be one  per year during the Christmas season.

Safeguarding Report: New council members must complete Level 1 online Safeguarding training – any member of the congregation could do this if they wished – no cost was involved and a certificate would be issued.

Fundraising/Social Events: The 2023 date would shortly be booked and relations with the War Museum were good. The renting of two tables to “Paidiki Trauma” had been successful and the possibility of renting to other charitable organizations (including our partners) would be considered. Preparations for the Summer Coronation Bazaar were in hand. €2,818 had been raised from book sales between April 2022-2023 and Father Leonard was thanked for his donation of theological works. Books were also sold at Newcomers meetings, attended by Assistant Chaplain Deacon Chris. Sales of the church guide “Opening the Doors” were going well.  Coffee mornings and quiz evenings had restarted and were popular fundraising events.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter: In accordance with Diocesan best practice, more than one person should be involved in the running of our online communications and teams were currently being formed, involving Caroline Daniels, Churchwarden Trevor, Treasurer Nelly and Chloe Smith.

Council meeting dates: 8^th July / 10^th September / 12^th November.

The meeting closed at 11.30.

Jean Mertzanakis (Hon. Secretary)

Farewell and thank you!

This Sunday Fr Leonard will celebrate his final service at St Paul’s prior to his retirement

During his term of office we have been privileged to receive, at his invitation visits from many eminent religious leaders – former Archbishop Rowan Williams, Bishops Robert and David from the Diocese in Europe, ex Archdeacon the Ven. Colin Williams and our current Archdeacon the Revd. Canon Dr Leslie Nathaniel.  He has forged a close relationship with the Greek Orthodox Church and several eminent Orthodox priests have been invited to preach at St Paul’s since he took over.  He has also maintained and developed a close relationship with the British Embassy and the British Ambassadors here in Athens, in particular the former Ambassador John Kittmer with whom he has cooperated on the book “Opening The Doors”, an exciting new church history and guide book which is now available at the cost of €10,00. It is a lasting legacy to the presence of the Anglican Church here in Athens.

The Swedish Church has become a close friend to St Paul’s and it’s pastor Fr Bjorn is now licensed to take services for the Anglican Congregation at the Church.

Fr Leonard has a great sense of humour and fun.  Who could forget Pontius Parrot or the enthusiastic way in which he conducted “The Twelve Days of Christmas” at our Christmas Singalong?! He and his wife, Lynne, thoroughly enjoyed our Harvest Festival trips to the Kokotos Winery and were eager participants on the dance floor.  Off duty Fr Leonard could be found sipping a pint of Stella at his local Cafe.

His wife, Lynne, has also proved invaluable to the Church Community.  She resurrected the Sunday School for the children of the Congregation providing colouring pages, word search puzzles and children’s bibles.  A talented chef she baked a cake and assisted with the Community Connect Coffee Mornings each month. . She provided home-made savoury offerings for the Food Stall and created the Tea Stall for the Christmas Bazaar which was very attractive and successful.  Her home-made fudge became legendary as did her Christmas Cakes which she baked, iced and decorated beautifully.  Orders for  these and for the boxes of home-made fudge came from far and wide!

We would like to send our heartfelt thanks to Fr Leonard and Lynne for their service to St Paul’s over the last six years and to wish them every happiness in their retirement over in Aegina and we hope you enjoy the picture gallery below which brings back some of the memories of Fr Leonard’s tenure at St Paul’s.

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