<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><br></div><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Dear People and Clergy of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe,</font></span></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><br></span></font><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">I write you this as I leave the island of Réunion, a French département in the Indian Ocean. The Province of the Indian Ocean asked me to come and help re-launch a mission church on the island, as I am the Bishop in France and can easily launch a new association cultuelle with my Paris address. This helps enormously with various concerns and procedures of the French government in the founding of worship communities. This visit, with its joint liturgy, Confirmations, and meetings with the mission planting team and the Catholic Bishop, has been in the works for six years now. Archbishop Ernest Ian of the Indian Ocean, who is also president of the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa (CAPA), has expressed his pleasure with this cooperative mission. For it is a cooperation between Anglican provinces, at a time when we all need to be able to demonstrate that being the Anglican Communion means above all that we realize and act upon the common mission that we share in Europe, the Indian Ocean, and "away to the ends of the earth" (Act 1:8).</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">I would ask your prayers for God's blessing upon the new Église Épiscopale de l'Île de la Réunion, and upon their bishop in charge, the Rt. Rev. Roger Po Chung Joamalaza, and their vicar, the Rev. Emile Victor Rakotoarivelo.</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Moreover, for us in Europe, as we begin this season of Lent, the new start can symbolize what the theme of Lent is all about—reconciliation and yes, reunion with God the Holy Trinity and with one another.</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">For many centuries, the Church has asked us to observe a season of reflection before celebrating the mighty acts of God in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. As the days lengthen (hence the name "Lent") toward Easter, we have this opportunity starting tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, to consider deeply what our faith actually means to us in the living of our daily lives. The mission of the Church, to which I allude above, is "to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ." This mission is accomplished through all of us, in our prayers, worship, and acts of justice, peacemaking and love, according to our Catechism (BCP 856).</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Therefore these days of Lent are meant for us to reflect and act individually, especially upon reconciliation and reunion.</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">How am I reconciled with God? What is the unfinished business between us?</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">With whom am I not reconciled among those I know? Why not? What can I do?</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Consider accepting these disciplines for Lent 2009:</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">As a Lenten discipline, work on your relationship with God in Jesus Christ. Speaking to a priest can help (it is what we are here for), and I recommend that you consider the sacrament of Reconciliation.</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">As a Lenten discipline, pick one person with whom you are unreconciled, and work on that relationship (again, your priest can be helpful here). </font></span></font></div></div></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">As a Lenten discipline, choose something from which to fast that is not something to put in your mouth (as well as something that is, if you find it helpful). Find new ways to reduce your carbon footprint—the amount of carbon dioxide each of us puts in the air through our use of technology—and thus work on being reconciled with "this fragile Earth, our island home." </font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">The poet George Herbert ends his poem entitled, "Lent" thus:</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><pre><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Who goeth in the way which Christ hath gone,</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Is much more sure to meet with him, than one</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"> That travelleth by-ways:</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Perhaps my God, though he be far before,</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">May turn, and take me by the hand, and more</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"> May strengthen my decays.</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><font></font></font></span></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Yet Lord instruct us to improve our fast</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">By starving </font></span></font><a name="sin"><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">sin</font></span></font></a><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"> and taking such repast</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"> As may our faults control:</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">That ev'ry man may revel at his door,</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Not in his parlor; banqueting the poor,</font></span></font></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font><font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"> And among those his soul.</font></span></font></font></font></pre><pre><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">(the whole can be found at <a href="http://www.ccel.org/h/herbert/temple/Lent.html)">http://www.ccel.org/h/herbert/temple/Lent.html)</a>
</font></span></font><font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><font></font></font></span></font></font><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">
</font></span></font></pre><pre><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></pre></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">A blessed Lent to each one of you. And please pray for me.</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font><div apple-content-edited="true"><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Bishop Pierre </font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">23, avenue George V</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">75008 Paris France</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">+33 1 53 23 84 06 (tel)</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303">+33 1 49 52 96 85 (fax)</font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><a href="mailto:office@tec-europe.org">office@tec-europe.org</a></font></span></font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"><br></font></span></font></div></div></div><font class="Apple-style-span" face="Optima" size="3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#030303"></font></span></font></div></div></div></div><div apple-content-edited="true"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0; "><div style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><div>Bishop (Mgr) Pierre Whalon</div><div>Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe</div><div>23, avenue George V</div><div>75008 Paris France</div><div>+33 1 53 23 84 06 (tel)</div><div>+33 1 49 52 96 85 (fax)</div><div><a href="mailto:office@tec-europe.org">office@tec-europe.org</a></div><div><br></div></div></div></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"> </div><br></body></html>