17th January 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hopefully your holidays were blessed and full of joy. I am sure that now all of you are back to work in the mists of the cold of winter.

It has been a while since I have written to you directly. I say “directly” because I put several items on the website, which you were informed of. Perhaps the main event is that of the Network Committee meeting which took place this fall in Istanbul. Who must have read about it in the small news item that appeared on our website [www.eurochaplains.org/istanbul05.htm] . It truly was a productive experience for us all.

At this meeting, great efforts were made in preparing the upcoming Consultation that will take place in Lisbon this coming May. With the entrance of the New Year, we can say that we now have made our final turn before our landing in Portugal! Fr. Nuno Ferreira da Silva is working hard in preparing what promises to be a very special event for all of us. If you haven't sent your registration form it would be good if you could do so as soon as possible.

One of the issues discussed in Istanbul was that of the financial standing of the Network. With the legalization of the ENHCC as an official organization, we were able to open a bank account. This bank account will help us manage our money in a proper way, making it easier for donations and payments to be made.

The Network Committee also decided on the participant fee for those who make up the ENHCC. With the adoption of the Constitution in Dublin in 2004, which was ratified by all the participants, it was decided that “affiliated bodies [i.e. those chaplaincies who participate in the Network] shall be asked to contribute a participation fee as shall be fixed from time to time by the ENHCC Committee (see Article 4).” In reviewing this during our meeting in Istanbul, it was decided that an annual fee of € 100 be given by each represented Chaplaincy. Note that this fee is different from the fee for the Consultation. It is a contribution to the growing financial needs of the ENHCC. Because of this, it was decided that this fee be paid separate from the fee covering the expenses of each consultation.

Now that we have a bank account, payment should be easy. You can send your money to:

European Network of Health Care Chaplaincy

IBAN #: GR6602600330000250200568539

EFG Eurobank Ergasias A.E.

Branch: Nea Smyrni (Greece)

Swift Address: efgbgraa

When you send your fee, please notify me and Derek Brown (). The Network Committee appointed Derek to keep tabs on the treasury.

By contributing your annual fee to the ENHCC, you will allow the Network to take steps that will provide a firm foundation for chaplaincy both in your own country and throughout Europe.

Sending you my warmest greeting, within the expectation of seeing you in Lisbon,
Sincerely,

Fr. Stavros Kofinas
Coordinator of the European Network of Healthcare Chaplaincy
(Representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate)

Email:

Address:
Lycias 3
171 24 Nea Smyrni,
Greece