Our link is of particular importance, as it is a truly ecumenical link. St Nicholas is the first Anglican church in the diocese to twin with a Catholic church, which itself is shared with the Lutheran community of Stegaurach, and we share the partnership with our Roman Catholic friends from Arundel Cathedral.

Many visits have taken place since the summer of 2003; sixty-five of our German friends came to stay in 2004; and in July 2006, fifty-six from Arundel, including our own rock band The Alternatives, went to Stegaurach. In 2008 , fifty-seven visitors brought us the Tibetan cherry tree which is now flourishing in St Nicholas' front churchyard. In the summer of 2010 thirty-seven of us went again, (again with The Alternatives) when we visited Flossenburg concentration camp with our friends - a deeply moving experience, as it was there that Dietrich Bonheoffer, great friend of Bishop George Bell of this diocese, was executed in 1945.

In addition, there are many smaller personal visits and exchanges - families, students, au pairs, and work experience students in both directions.

We are looking forward very much the next big parish visit in August 2012. We have been raising funds towards parish hospitality to our visitors - the next event is on Saturday February - click here for details.

It was owing to Father Walter's work in India with Father Jeremias George, and to Stegaurach's support of his mission, that we learnt about FEAST, the Indian project which St Nicholas also now sponsors and helps as part of our outreach mission.

For further information and the background story of how the link between Arundel and Stegaurach came about, click here.