Taormina

From 29th August 2018 until the 1st October 2018 I served as Chaplain to the Chiesa Anglicana in Taormina, Sicily. What follows are some reflections on my time there, these take the form of a Chaplains Log.

I arrived a day or two early to conduct the Wedding Blessing for Vince McCulkin and Julie Stephenson. 

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I took the bus from Catania. Straight forward connection and, following directions presented myself at the verger's door to be welcomed and shown to the apartment which was extremely homely and welcoming.

I had met Julie and Vince twice in the UK to plan the service but we needed to make a few changes at the rehearsal. The service itself was a splendid affair Vince and Julie supported by the home group from the Abundant Life Church they attend in Stockton together with family support.

Certainly haven’t sung Sing Hosanna with such enthusiam in years.

I attended the Civil Ceremony with them in the morning of August 30th and the Blessing followed at 4 30 when things were meant to be a tad cooler.

My first Sunday the Wedding Party returned to share the worship which was wonderful and a Priest from the UK joined us together with a Dutch Australian from Sydney but only two members of the resident congregation, Norma and her husband.

Again a joyful experience despite a recalcitrant organist, to be honest I got the book numbers confused and played the wrong track for the final hymn. Where’s Alexa when you need her?

My wife arrived on Monday.

During the week I kept the Church open daily and wecomed a variety of visitors.

All visitors are welcome, of course, but occasionally you are aware of welcoming angels in disguise. Hamza and Naomi were such visitors. Once we had established that we were all three of us English we rapidly moved into a remarkable conversation about faith. Hamza is a student architect in Westminster and is embarking on research for his dissertation on the architecture of multi-faith spaces. He is a Muslim, Naomi a christian. The conversation beginning with St George’s and moving widely around a variety of interfaith isssues was stimulating.

Saturday night we took in a show, a Pink Floyd cover band at Teatro Antico it was a spectaculor show with light and sound culminating in a firework display which was not part of the show but coincided with our leaving the theatre at midnight.

Fr Giovanni attended Mass on Sunday and acted as Deacon. We were then taken to lunch at Randazzo with members of his congregation, we had no Italian they no English but it was an enjoyable visit, fellow Anglicans breaking bread together under the shadow of Etna, almost all the food we ate was grown on their land.

At 6 00 pm I was invited to Celebrate Mass in the Chapel in Randazzo, again Fr Giovanni took the role of Deacon and on this occasion preached. It was an impressive occasion with a large congregation drawn largely from those who had followed Fr Giovanni into the Anglican Church.

It was a long day but satisfying in the developing of new friendships and also liturgically.

Monday was a slow day!

We opened the Church after a stroll and returned to find ourselves hosting an elderly australian couple with their son. They were fatigued by heat and hills so we welcomed them, shared stories and beer, and sent them away in good spirits. 

Another week of passegiata, opening the Church to many visitors and enjoying Taormina.

On Wednesday we attended the farewell to Pastor Andreas in the Duomo.

Andreas has established himself in Sicily and is well known and liked in Taormina with both the film shows and the joint service.

On Sunday we welcomed him for his last joint service at St George’s, a first for me. We got on well and changed tradition by sharing the prayers, alternating in German and English, rather than two separate sets of prayers. It was a lovely occasion and there were speeches and wine afterwards.

The musician came from Catania with her family and helped the service go with a good flow, next week we will be back to CD’s as Una the organist is at Synod.

The way people here slip from one language to another is very impressive to one who can barely speak English.

Monday we took the bus to Etna, we booked through the travel agency last on the right before Messina Gate. Sylvia, the treasurer’s Son works there and he recommended the tour and offered a discount!

There is a cable car at 2000 feet which takes you another 500 feet.

It is a bleak landscape and the mountain is vaguely threatening as steam leaks from the craters filling the air with a thick fog masking the view.

Sunday the 23rd had the feel of a special occassion, only three regular congregation together with eight visitors. I didn’t need the CD’s because Scott volunteered to play and did so beautifully and some good voices including a professional singer from Sweden.

The service was reflective and in my Sermon I mentioned a little girl Maisie, aged 7, from Wales, who asked me searching questions about the East Window, why were the people hurting Jesus? Did his parents cry? 

Out of the mouths?

My last Sunday was a stormer 17 communicants. Four episcopalian’s from the States, various nationalities represented, a number of CofE’s, and an ex colleague of mine from Newcastle who happened to see my name on the board.

All in all a right good do.

I suppose that I am left with a mix of feelings.

I have enjoyed my time here, the congregation have been welcoming and gracious, August was a quiet month with people away, and September has continued in a similar vein. I have been made very welcome as was Elizabeth when she arrived.

However the monthly chaplaincy rota does not allow for much continuity and there does seem to be a degree of introspection. Given the Diocesan focus on the power of prayer I wonder what small improvements could be made?

I suggest one small change might be to explore ways of keeping the Church open each day. Some simple security measures such as locking the vestry door securely. Chaplains or members of the congregation could act as welcomers as and when, but leaving the Church open and unlocked from 10 00 until 6 00 daily should be possible?