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Welcome to Neuchâtel English Church!

Follow us on Facebook  @ neuchatelenglishchurch

Where? Normally we meet at the
Swiss Reformed Church
Crêt-du-Chêne
La Coudre,  Neuchâtel NE
(Opposite the Chaumont Funiculaire)

Click here to view our address on Google Maps for normal services in La Coudre

Contact Us
admin@neuchatel-english-church.org

Re GDPR

Dear friend of Neuchatel English Church. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) covering the European Union has come into effect.We will only use the email address we hold for you in order to respond to your email request. We will never release your address to any third party.Thank you for reading the following text.

Data Privacy Notice

The Church Council (CC) of Neuchâtel English Church

1. Your personal data – what is it?

Personal data relates to a living individual who can be identified from that data.  Identification can be by the information alone or in conjunction with any other information in the data controller’s possession or likely to come into such possession. The processing of personal data is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”).

2. Who are we?

The CC of Neuchâtel English Church is the data controller (contact details below).  This means it decides how your personal data is processed and for what purposes.

3. How do we process your personal data?

The CC of CC of Neuchâtel English Church complies with its obligations under the “GDPR” by keeping personal data up to date; by storing and destroying it securely; by not collecting or retaining excessive amounts of data; by protecting personal data from loss, misuse, unauthorised access and disclosure and by ensuring that appropriate technical measures are in place to protect personal data.

We use your personal data for the following purposes: –

  • To enable us to provide a voluntary service for the benefit of the public in a particular geographical area as specified in our constitution;
  • To administer membership records;
  • To fundraise and promote the interests of the charity;
  • To manage our employees and volunteers;
  • To maintain our own accounts and records (including the processing of gift aid applications);
  • To inform you of news, events, activities and services running at Neuchâtel English Church
  • To share your contact details with the Diocesan office so they can keep you informed about news in the diocese and events, activities and services that will be occurring in the diocese and in which you may be interested.

4. What is the legal basis for processing your personal data?

  • Explicit consent of the data subject so that we can keep you informed about news, events, activities and services and keep you informed about diocesan events.
  • Processing is necessary for carrying out legal obligations in relation to Gift Aid or under employment, social security or social protection law, or a collective agreement;
  • Processing is carried out by a not-for-profit body with a political, philosophical, religious or trade union aim provided: –
    • the processing relates only to members or former members (or those who have regular contact with it in connection with those purposes); and
    • there is no disclosure to a third party without consent.

5. Sharing your personal data
Your personal data will be treated as strictly confidential and will only be shared with other members of the church in order to carry out a service to other church members or for purposes connected with the church. We will only share your data with third parties outside of the chaplaincy with your consent.

6. How long do we keep your personal data[1]?
We keep data in accordance with the guidance set out in the guide “Keep or Bin: Care of Your Parish Records” which is available from the Church of England website [see footnote for link].

Specifically, we retain electoral roll data while it is still current; gift aid declarations and associated paperwork for up to 6 years after the calendar year to which they relate; and chaplaincy registers (baptisms, marriages, funerals) permanently.

7. Your rights and your personal data 

Unless subject to an exemption under the GDPR, you have the following rights with respect to your personal data: –

  • The right to request a copy of your personal data which the CC of Neuchâtel English Church holds about you;
  • The right to request that the CC of Neuchâtel English Church modify any personal data if it is found to be inaccurate or out of date;
  • The right to request your personal data is erased where it is no longer necessary for the CC of Neuchâtel English Church to retain such data;
  • The right to withdraw your consent to the processing at any time
  • The right to request that the data controller provide the data subject with his/her personal data and where possible, to transmit that data directly to another data controller, (known as the right to data portability), (where applicable) [Only applies where the processing is based on consent or is necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject and in either case the data controller processes the data by automated means].
  • The right, where there is a dispute in relation to the accuracy or processing of your personal data, to request a restriction is placed on further processing;
  • The right to object to the processing of personal data, (where applicable) [Only applies where processing is based on legitimate interests (or the performance of a task in the public interest/exercise of official authority); direct marketing and processing for the purposes of scientific/historical research and statistics]
  • The right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioners Office.

8. Further processing

If we wish to use your personal data for a new purpose, not covered by this Data Protection Notice, then we will provide you with a new notice explaining this new use prior to commencing the processing and setting out the relevant purposes and processing conditions. Where and whenever necessary, we will seek your prior consent to the new processing.

9. Contact Details

To exercise all relevant rights, queries of complaints please in the first instance contact the Chaplain at admin@allsaints.ch.

All Saints Church Office

Avenue de la Prairie 40, 1800 Vevey, Switzerland

[1] Details about retention periods can currently be found in the Record Management Guides located on the Church of England website at: – https://www.churchofengland.org/more/libraries-and-archives/records-management-guides

A homepage section

Find Your Faith
Neuchâtel Church at La Coudre, Switzerland provides worship, in English, in Neuchatel .

The purpose of our church is to continue to provide a bedrock of attractive and growing fellowship in English in Neuchâtel .

Whether you are just settling in Neuchâtel, have been here for a while, or are part of the expat community, we welcome you with open arms!

Our Aims

We seek to reach out with the love of God, to help people find faith in Jesus Christ and to grow in their faith. We welcome all who wish to worship with us in the name of Jesus Christ, and all who are looking for meaning in their life.

We work together to demonstrate God’s love and mercy to everyone we meet, and to be a church whose love for God, and for each other, shines out in the wider English-speaking community !

Our Means

We offer regular worship and prayer, as well as continued growth, spiritual development, and training of all members with Bible study and Training courses. Join us for regular debates and discussions on contemporary problems.

Study Groups

Study groups on Bible topics are regularly held. This Spring, our Live Lent course was well attended.  For more details about times and locations of future study groups, please email:     admin@neuchatel-english-church.org

Prayer Group

Our prayer group, led by Rev. Ken Kvistad,  meets regularly, and all are welcome.

Prayer changes things so even if you only have a few minutes, please drop in and join us. Please make any prayer requests known via email:  admin@neuchatel-church.ch
Prayer requests will be dealt with in strictest confidence unless otherwise indicated, so if you would like the wider church body to be praying beside you or for you, please let us know.

Weekend Seminars

Teaching days, sometimes a weekend away, are arranged once or twice a year. It is a great opportunity to come together in fellowship and deepen our awareness of the Lord’s purpose and plan.

Children and adults

Jesus called the children to him and said “let the children come to me and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:17).  We welcome families, children and young adults of all ages.

Safeguarding Policy We adhere to the Anglican policy and protocol on the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults of the Diocese of Europe.

 

Social Fund Raising Evenings
Often we pool our talents and resources together for a special fundraising events. Below is a picture of last year’s Greek night to raise money for a hostel in Athens for unaccompanied child refugees.
This year we organized a simple soup meal for the Bishop’s Lenten Appeal, which raised 400 francs for work done in Calais by the churches, once again  amongst under-age refugees.
We also continue to support our friend Beryl Baker, a nurse/missionary in her clinic in Paraguay, working among the Chaco Indians and our collections at Christmas, Harvest Festival and its accompanying auction of produce are vital for her ongoing work.
Useful Links

We are part of the Anglican diocese and linked with All Saints Church, Vevey in Canton Vaud.
http://www.allsaints.ch/

Our very close Anglican Church friends in Biel/Bienne
https://www.facebook.com/Biel-English-Church-630845540373369/

St Ursula’s Berne is another English-speaking Church in Canton Berne.
http://www.stursula.ch/

Christ Church Lausanne is another English-speaking Church in Canton Vaud.
http://www.christchurch-lausanne.ch/

The Diocese in Europe is the parent Diocese for Switzerland.
http://www.europe.anglican.org/

The Intercontinental Church Society is established to advance the Christian gospel by evangelical mission and ministry to English-speaking people throughout Europe and the world.
http://ics-uk.org/

The Swiss Reformed Church of Neuchatel whose Chapel at La Coudre we gratefully use for our Sunday services

.

http://www.eren.ch/

 

About


Neuchâtel English Church would love to have you come
and share with us in God’s love.  We’re happy to answer
any questions you have or to help you in any way we can.

Reach out to us today. 

Service Times:
 on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month. Please check website for full details.

Holy Communion
on the 4th Sundays at 5 pm

Service of the Word
on the 2nd Sundays at 10 am

Where we meet
The Neuchâtel English Church

EREN  Swiss Reformed Church
Crêt-du-Chêne,
La Coudre,   Neuchatel.
(opposite the Chaumont Funiculaire)

Who we are

Chaplain : Rev. Clive Atkinson (All Saints Church, Vevey)

Neuchâtel ministry team :  Rev. Kenneth Kvistad

Church Council: Jenny Veenendaal (Churchwarden, Synod representative), Pat Smith (Treasurer), Maggie Matthew (Secretary), Ann Morel Huber (Communications, website), Teblez Beyn & Abbie Therrien (ordinary members)

Rosemarie Zimmermann (organist),  Kirk Kvistad (Worship leading, occasional speaker and website assistance)

LATEST NEWS

Echos of the 2019 AGM held on Sunday 14th April

Rev. Clive Atkinson opened the meeting with a prayer at 11.30am.

Pat Smith (Treasurer) announced that there are currently 11 members on the Electoral Roll compared to 20 last year, mainly due to people moving away from the area or country.

Elections & Appointments

Churchwarden: Jenny Veenendaal

Council Members: The following council members were reappointed: Abbie Therrien (in absentia), Maggie Matthews, Teblez Beyn  and  Pat Smith.  Ann Morel Huber was proposed,  seconded and duly appointed. Rev. Ken Kvistad stepped down due to his imminent move to Geneva.

Auditors: Brenda Girardbille and Paul Matthews were reelected,

Safekeeping Officer: It was agreed that Rev. Clive Atkinson is to enquire if Jenny Veenendaal could take on this role as well as that of churchwarden and and what training it would necessitate.

In his Chaplain’s Report, Rev. Clive Atkinson thanked the community for their perseverance, following Rev. Roy Farrar’s passing and members moving away. He thanked Rev. Ken Kvistad for his ministry, Pat  Smith as Treasurer,  Ann Morel for her work with the magazine and Maggie Matthews as Secretary.  He informed the meeting that Mrs. Mieke Farrar is doing well and settling into the Vevey community.

Clive reminded the meeting of the focal points decided at the church meeting in January, the foremost being leadership. We are looking for someone to succeed Ken when he leaves.   Clive informed the meeting of the current discussions with priests (present and retired) from the Old Catholic Church (the French-speaking Catholique-chrétienne)  in view of future collaborations with Neuchâtel church

Clive moved on to the point of shared life and asked about progress on this point.  Jenny Veenendaal informed the meeting that a Bangers and Mash evening is currently in planning stage with Louise Spanner.

The third point, serving the community, was discussed, although Paul Matthews raised the point that perhaps the expansion of church numbers was more of a priority before more could be taken on board. Rosemary Zimmerman agreed that services were important and Teblez Beyne commented that the calm atmosphere was something she and her son much appreciated.

Churchwarden’s Report: Jenny Veenendaal began by echoing Rev. Clive Atkinson’s sentiment that the church is in a period of adjustment after Rev. Roy Farrar’s passing and that that we must honour his memory with his aims.  Spirited leadership continues and we are able to continue with 2 services a month. Rev. Ken Kvistad leads inspiring Bible Study Groups. We have participated in Ecumenical Services (Ken presided at the one in January). Taizé services are each month and there are plans for a joint service with La Coudre Church and picnic in the summer. These show our presence in the community, which is important. Ken thanked Jenny for all she has done and highlighted how much she is appreciated.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Pat Smith. She gave summaries of the current financial situation, showing a fall in income. Church rental costs have reduced due to services now only twice a month and the main church upstairs no longer being used. Pat asked for a confirmation of which charities we will give our 10% donation to in 2019 (currently Villa Yoyo, La Lanterne & Centre soc. protestant).  The budget for 2019 shows a deficit of about CHF 6’000. (in 2018, deficit CHF 4’300). Paul Matthews (auditor) commented that, while the church is not a business in the conventional sense, it must be appreciated that currently we are giving away more than we have as income and if this continues at the current rate, there will no more in reserves in 8 years. Rev. Clive Atkinson informed the meeting that in fact, under the currently financial situation, the European Diocese will be bankrupt in 3 years.

The financial report for 2018 was accepted unanimously and Clive thanked Pat for all her hard work.

Auditors’ Report : Paul Matthews and  Brenda Girardbille informed the meeting that all was found to be in order and that Pat Smith has done an excellent job in keeping the accounts.

The Assembly thanked the auditors for their work and for their report.

Budget 2019 It was agreed a pledge letter should be sent out this year to remind those who give. Rev. Clive Atkinson commented that in reality, Neuchâtel church gives 20% of its income to charity when separate charity giving is taken into account ( Beryl Baker & Calais refugees this year). He also raised the question as to whether it would better to give a larger amount to fewer charities in order to make more of a difference.  Rosemarie Zimmerman suggested raising money through events, but it was recognized that this requires significant time and energy and it was agreed to discuss this at a future church council meeting.  The budget was accepted.

Archdeaconry Synod Report

Jenny Veenendaal, the Synod representative,  informed the assembly that she has a copy of this which she can send to those interested.

Junior Church Report: There is currently no Junior Church.

Ecumenical Affairs: as discussed above

Any other business

Ann Morel Huber proposed that the magazine be discontinued and that her efforts be focused  on the website. Kirk Kvistad has offered technical support, and Ann would continue to update the website with information and email it to those members who wish to receive it.  Peter Veenendaal recognized the amount of work the magazine requires but wondered if those with no computer access would lose out.  He suggested that perhaps a reduced one-page information sheet would be better. Paul Matthews suggested putting information on the back of the service sheet which could also be sent out.

Ken  informed the meeting that negotiations about using the chapel at Les Charmettes care home have advanced and using this location would significantly reduce expenditure to 100.- CHF/month.  Rev. Clive Atkinson agreed to give dates to the community for an opportunity to visit. Jenny Veenendaal commented that further advantages of this location were that there was good parking, a room for having coffee and a larger room for services when more people are expected.

Date of 2019 AGM: to be fixed at a later date

Rev. Clive Atkinson closed the meeting with a prayer.

SERVICES Normally on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month: Service of the Word on the 2nd Sunday at 10.00, Holy Communion on the 4th Sunday at 17.00

Our address is Chemin du Crêt-du-Chêne, 2000 Neuchâtel (no street number)

  • Financial Giving

We do not receive any external funding, and rely on the gifts of its members to sustain the Lord’s work in Neuchâtel.

We are a church that believes in tithing, so 10%+ of our income is given to support missions in Switzerland and overseas.

We also support Beryl Baker, a medical missionary in Paraguay with the offerings at the Carol and Harvest services. These help her in her medical work with the Indian people of the Chacos.

If you would like to support us, the church maintains an account at the

UBS, Place Pury, Neuchâtel.

  • Account number: F28003141
  • Sort Code: 0290
  • IBAN: CH25 0029 0290 F28003141