It has been another exciting year in Wengen. The seventeen chaplains and those who have travelled with them have had the joy of helping people find Jesus though public worship in the beautiful St Bernard’s Church, private prayer wherever it is sought, and through the everyday conversations with people in cafés, shops and on the mountain slopes.  

I want to share a testimony of faith with you that we received after this summer’s ministry. 
‘Having recently returned from a holiday in Wengen, I want to thank you for the ministry in the church. I have worshipped in St Bernard’s over many years and have found peace and pleasure in the building. I love the window with eagles and the words of Scripture that accompany it. The welcome has always been warm and the worship inspiring. However, when I visited two years ago, I was in a particularly difficult place, grieving the death of my sister, coping with a big issue at our home church and feeling the reality of a pending serious operation. Mark, your visiting chaplain, helped me very much with his talks about Moses and the Holy Spirit, spending much appreciated time with me and my husband, leading us in prayer and generally encouraging us. Having now come out of the other end of the tunnel, it has been a pleasure to see Mark again, not just to thank him but to acknowledge a shared faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord. Your work of ICS is so important, it changes lives, encourages people and brings peace and wholeness.’ 

Your support has enabled this ministry to flourish. There have been repairs and ongoing maintenance to the church and the chaplain’s flat. We are in the process of ensuring the church fulfils Swiss fire safety law and the height of the balcony in the flat has been increased to ensure that those who stay there are kept safe. These capital projects help to provide ministry and mission in English for everyone, but they require funds. 

The Psalmist wrote ‘I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord.’ (Psalm 121:1-2). As we approach a century of ministry in the English Church, please consider how you can support this exciting work. Each individual chaplain raises significant funds to support this ministry either from their home churches, prayer partners or themselves. ICS also subsidises this ministry; it costs ICS about £9000 per year, on average £260 for each Sunday that the church is open for worship. Please will you consider a gift to support this valuable and fruitful ministry? 

With deep gratitude and every blessing, 

Yours in Christ 

 Tim Wright (The Revd Canon) 
Recruitment and Short-term Mission Manager