Click Here for the June 2008 Newsletter
PRESS RELEASE
ST.VINCENTS APPOINTS AN ADDITIONAL PRIEST
St. Vincent's Church in the Algarve, which is part of the Church of England's Diocese in Europe, has announced the appointment of Rev'd. Michael Grantham to work alongside the Rev'd. Haynes Hubbard. He will be formally instituted on July 25th. at St. Luke's Church in Monte De Palhagueira and will be based at the Chaplains House in Boliqueime to take charge of the Congregations at Almancil and St. Luke's,
Michael was born and brought up in Lincoln and trained for the Ministry at Bristol. He has served in Nottingham, Alcester, South Kelsey, Dunster, and Glinton near Peterborough and was Rural Dean of Exmoor for a number of years.
A man of many talents he is a keen gardener, winning several cups for his prize cultivations, and an accomplished musician on keyboard and piano. He has also produced a number of CDs and performs to raise money for charitable events.
Michael and Rosemarie were married in Melbourne Parish Church, Derbyshire on 19th August 2006. Between them they have five children. And last October, grandson Oliver became the most recent addition to the family.
Together, (Rosemarie is a HR manager for Pennine Healthcare in Derby), they enjoy travel, shopping, walking and entertaining. When asked about their already busy lives and the even busier life awaiting them in the Algarve, Michael said, “We are looking forward to this new adventure, getting to know the people in the beautiful Algarve and, most of all, working with Fr. Haynes to promote the Christian faith, leading worship and offering spiritual guidance and pastoral support to all who need it".
Father Michael Grantham and Rosemarie
Ecumenical Service Faro Cathedral Sunday 29th June
It was a privilege and pleasure to take part in the service at Faro Cathedral on Sunday 29th June, to mark the beginning of a year to celebrate the birth of St Paul. The service was led by a group of young people who led us in Taize chants. Representative from other church’s including ourselves were invited to speak about the importance of this year. The Bishop of Faro gave the address. We were made most welcome especially by the Chancellor of Faro Cathedral Pe.Joaquim Jose Duarte Nunes. Some of the congregations were from Romania and Moldava together with their priests taking part in this important service
St. Paul was born in Tarsus, in what is now Turkey, at the start of the Christian era, sometime between A.D. 7 and 10, according to church historians. After his conversion on the road to Damascus, he became one of the church's foremost evangelizers, first among Jews, then among Gentiles.
Pope Benedict XVI has explained that this year must have an important "ecumenical dimension."
"The Apostle of the Gentiles, who dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news to all peoples, spent himself for the unity and harmony of all Christians," the Pope said.
We especially rejoice here in the Algarve in the cooperation we as Anglicans have with the local Roman Catholic Churches.
Father Michael Graham has joined the Church of England staff of the Anglican Chaplaincy of St. Vincent’s. He and his wife, Rosemarie, have taken up residency in the Chaplaincy house at Boliquiume. The formal institution of Father Michael will be held on 25th July at the church of St. Luke, Monte da Palhagheria, Santa Barbara de Nexe.
Reverend Haynes Hubbard Senior Chaplain for St. Vincent's.
Reverend Hubbard arrived in May2007 and took over as Senior Chaplain of the Algarve from Rev. Eric Britt, who gave up his licence to preach in the Diocese last July, Rev. Haynes 39, takes charge of the Church's congregations in the region after being formally licenced by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Dr. Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of the Church of England's Diocese in Europe.
Born in Norfolk England and educated at University of Kings College, Halifax, Nova Scotia then later at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Fr. Haynes was ordained into the Diocese of Niagara and prior to accepting his appointment in the Algarve he was Rector of the parish of Dunnville, near Niagara Falls. Outside of his work as a Parish Priest he enjoys travel and, together with his wife Susan, who speaks Portuguese and Spanish, has led various humanitarian and Christian missions in Central and South America.
However, Fr. Haynes and his family are no strangers to the Algarve having spent two months here in 2007 when, following the retirement of Rev. David Kirby, he acted as locum for the congregation at Praia de Luz. Of his appointment he said, "St. Vincent's Chaplaincy has been established for thirty years and it is a privilege to build on that long tradition and to continue to work to develop its role in the lives of all those who have made their homes in the Algarve. Having made many friends here during a previous visit, it is almost a homecoming."
For more information about St. Vincent's Church Services, contact the Church Wardens, Mr. John Harwood on 289 841 075 or Les Johnson on 282 788 181 or visit St. Vincent's website at
Normal Service Times
A warm welcome is extended to all to attend services and be part of the Christian fellowship of St Vincent’s which celebrates Sunday Eucharists at these places and times:
9.30 am, Igreja da Nossa Senhora de Fatima,
near Almancil serving the Central Region
11.30 am, S. Luke’s Church, Monte da Palhagueira Gorjões,
near Sta B. de Nexe, serving the Eastern Region
8 am and 12 noon, Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Luz
The Church near the beach in Praia da Luz, serving the Western Region |
