Calpino Link

Calpino is adjoined to the larger town of Fermignano in the Marche area of Italy. Nearby is the picturesque city of Urbino with it's ancient buildings and monastery commanding an elevated position over the surrounding villages. Calpino is a relatively new parish which serves the local small industries - mainly concerned with the manufacture of furniture.

In September 2002 a link was established between our two parishes as a result of an initiative between St. Albans and the Diocese of Urbino in Italy. Canon Ian Arthur and his wife Heather visited Calpino where they met Don Peppino and the members of his Church . For four days they were given a royal welcome, shown around the district and involved in ecumenical discussion and worship. This included a meeting with the Archbishop of Urbino where greetings from Bishop Christopher were conveyed.

As a result of a return invitation, a brief visit to Sharnbrook by three young men from Calpino followed at the end of December 2002 and arrangements made for a larger group to follow in May 2003. We are all most grateful for Ian and Heather who had made meticulous plans and preparations for this visit.

2. Visit to Sharnbrook 1st.- 5th. May 2003.

In the early hours of Ist. May fourteen weary travellers arrived in Sharnbrook and were settled with their hosts who would give them hospitality for the weekend. Later that day we travelled with our visitors to St. Albans for a guided tour of the Abbey and a meeting with Bishop Christopher (Hertford) who had visited the Urbino Diocese. Back in Sharnbrook we had a meeting with representatives of the Sharnbrook Churches Together.

The next day we set off for London by coach for a guided tour by Ian and a chance for our friends to spend some time around St. Pauls Cathedral and the Westmister area. Saturday gave our visitors space for a few local visits and then in the evening we all enjoyed a barbeque in the grounds of Sharnbrook House sharing in each other's conversation and singing.

Sunday was the climax of the weekend with two very moving acts of worship. At our dual language Sung Eucharist in the morning , Don Peppino gave a short address through an interpreter which underlined the importance of our common Christian bonds and future opportunity to grow further together. Don Peppino and all our visitors received a blessing from Canon Ian Arthur . As a gift to the people of Calpino we presented a plate depicting Sharnbrook Church which had been made by a local village potter. As a symbol of our unity, the people of Calpino have made a beautiful wooden cross for us. It is inset with glass panes painted with the Easter story by their young people.

Unfortunately, this was too big to bring with them and so they presented us with a framed picture of it until it can be collected or delivered. Following an excellent Parish Lunch in the village hall, Don Peppino celebrated Mass in St. Peters at 5.0 p.m which was well attended by our local Catholic friends and some Italians in the area.

On Monday morning we said our fond farewells to our guests feeling that in just a few days we had made true and lasting relationships with a wonderful group of people and that our Church family had been spiritually uplifted by the whole experience.

3. Ecumenical Celebrations in Urbino, Fano and Pesaro Diocese 22nd.- 29th. Jan. 2004

Ian Arthur, Colin Scott, Anne Osborn, Barbara Woplin and Jane Roberts left Stanstead for Ancona where we were met and transported to our hosts in the parish of Calpino. After a warm welcome dinner that night we were taken on Friday 23^rd. for a tour of the magnificent Dukes Palace in Urbino and the recently refurbished Cathedral. We had by then been joined by the Bishop of Bedford – Richard Inwood, his wife and two other clergy from England.

In the evening we took part in the first of the three ecumenical services in Pesaro, where we met up with a priest and lay people from Denmark, and representatives of the Rumanian Orthodox. The service was based on the message of peace and we were all allocated a reading or prayer to lead. Short testimonies by the leading Church representatives were also given. This general form was to be used for all three diocesan events. The Cathedral was full and with the simple music we found it very moving and felt privileged to be amongst our fellow Christians – particularly at the sharing of ‘The Peace’ when we all greeted each other warmly.

On Saturday 24^th. we travelled to Fano where we had a very meaningful ‘round table’ with the local area representatives being also joined by a Greek Orthodox Priest. Following a short tour of Fano it was time for the second service in the series again in a full cathedral and led by the Bishop of Fano. Again - a very enriching experience. On Sunday, following a short Anglican Communion service at 10.00 am in Calpino, we joined the local parish of ‘Christ the Worker’ at their main morning Mass. We took part by introducing ourselves and leading an English worship song that we had rehearsed with Ubaldo and their choir. We each received a blessing and at the end of the service there was an exchange of gifts where we

all received beautifully made wooden rainbows which had been used in the ecumenical services as a symbol of God’s enduring love between heaven and earth. Following lunch at ‘Castelcavallino’- a village high up near Urbino and the site of a Diocesan meeting centre, we moved on to Urbino for the final ecumenical service. Although a fall of snow had reduced the congregation slightly it was another very moving act of worship and followed by a chance to say goodbye to our Danish and Orthodox friends.

Before we left Ancona on the Monday 29^th. we were greeted by the deputy mayor of Calpino and Fermignano at a short reception where links with youth work and future initiatives were discussed. We then paid a warm farewell to our friends in Calpino following an important and very memorable few days with our fellow Christians.

4. Visit to Calpino 29th. April - 4th. May 2004

Fifteen members of St. Peter's visited our link Parish of 'Christ The Worker' Calpino for more of an informal visit. We were again shown wonderful warmth and hospitality by our hosts. We enjoyed visits to Urbino, Florence, Fano and nearby Fermignano. We were entertained at a barbeque on Sunday evening following our joint services earlier in the day. The following pictures portray the highlights of our visit. (Click to enlarge)

We were all delighted that Ubaldo Ragnoni from Calpino was able to attend Ian's final service and celebration lunch. He brought best wishes from Don Peppino and all our friends there. What made it more special was that the beautiful cross which they had made for us last year, also arrived just two days before and Ubaldo was able to present it as a surprise for Ian at the service. The pictures show the presentation and by Ubaldo and the cross installed in St. Peter's Sanctuary.

Three members from St. Peter’s, Colin and Hazel Scott and David Thomas – attended a special weekend between 5^th.- 9^th. May, to celebrate the 50^th. anniversary of the Calpino Church and parish. On arrival at Castelcavalino near Urbino we were welcomed at the diocesan youth centre beautifully constructed around the ancient Church. Ian and Heather Arthur joined us for the weekend, taking a break from their caravan holiday in the area. The views from this hostel and around Urbino are stunning and we were fortunate to have excellent weather.

a) On Friday – five representatives from the Rumanian Orthodox Church (including two young deacons and a priest) together with three youth leaders from Denmark joined local young people and priests from the three dioceses to discuss ways forward for European Ecumenism. This was led by a priest from the St. Egidio community which is actively involved in aid projects across the world. The afternoon workshops with smaller groups produced firm proposals to go forward to the world youth event to be held later this year in Cologne.

b) Saturday saw the main celebration event, drawing in 200 local young people to join the foreign delegations for an act of worship in the ‘Palatenda’ - a large Marquee in Calpino. Rev. John Williams together with three youth workers from Bishop Stortford representing St. Albans arrived to join this event. The service was based on readings, music and actions depicting seven aspects of the Church as ‘pillars’ supporting the Christian church and unity. These were ‘The Word’, ‘Baptism’, ‘Universal Fraternity’, ‘Respect for Life’, ‘Responsible use of Resources’, ‘The Eucharist’ and ‘Commitment to Unity’. Each was heralded by the procession of a lighted lamp. Also during the service a large wall was constructed from bricks, finally portraying the face of Jesus – showing how we all contribute to Church unity. The service was lively and informal with modern worship songs and some quieter reflective music. A celebration meal followed the event.

c) Sunday was the occasion to celebrate the 50^th. Anniversary of the Church and Parish of Calpino and was particularly why we had wanted to be present. Canon Ian and members of the foreign delegations were again actively involved in the communion service. There was standing room only in the small but beautiful church. As a gift to mark the occasion, St. Peter’s had commissioned a Stole to be made by the sisters of Turvey Abbey and this was presented at the end of the service. Don Peppino, the parish priest was very appreciative and moved by this gift.

Again the service was followed by a meal together followed by music and dancing in the ‘Palatenda’.

As on previous visits to Calpino, we were very enthused by all the weekends’ events and the insight into the wider Christian church and its universal ecumenical opportunities.

The United Benefice of Sharnbrook, Felmersham and Knotting with Souldrop

Ecumenical Link with the Catholic Parish of

Christ the Worker - Calpino - Italy

2. Visit to Sharnbrook 1st.- 5th. May 2003.

3. Ecumenical Celebrations in Urbino, Fano and Pesaro Diocese 22nd.- 29th. Jan. 2004

4. Visit to Calpino 29th. April - 4th. May 2004