Assistant Chaplain
The Reverend Robert Gamble
A Word from the Assistant Chaplain:
I’m often asked by Poles to explain Anglicanism.
For us, the highest authority is all the bishops of a NATION meeting TOGETHER. So, for example, when the United States became an independent nation, Anglicans there formed a church independent from the Church of England. “Anglicans” are a family of independent churches in England, the USA, Canada, Japan, Nigeria, Australia, Malaysia, the Phillipines, etc. We are united by being in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury of our parent Church of England.
Since the historic choice of the Polish nation is clearly Roman Catholicism, we aren’t here trying to make converts. Our parish is a Church of England parish, under Bishop Geoffrey Rowell, Bishop of Gibraltar and in Europe. The Polish government recognizes us as “Kościół Anglikański w Polsce”.
We primarily serve Anglicans and other English-speaking Christians who live here in Poland or are visiting here. Some Poles feel comfortable worshipping with us, but you will find that there is no pressure to change your denomination.
Anglicans are comfortable with great diversity, especially here in Poland. Some are conservative, some are liberal. We respect the culture of each nation. We honor our differences, but are united by our sense of the importance of worshiping God together, the importance of our being together in the presence of Jesus Christ as we receive the sacrament of Holy Communion.
I myself am an American priest of the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A. I first visited Poland in 1958 as a college student, for “an exotic summer vacation behind the Iron Curtain”. When, in 1992, I decided to be in Poland full-time, I put my ordination “into hibernation” so to speak. I have become a publisher in Poznan.
But when Fr. Stuart Robertson was transferred to Barcelona, I became the only Anglican priest living in Poland, and so have felt called to serve the Warsaw parish until Bishop Geoffrey and the parish find a vicar who can live in Warsaw.
I am happy to answer any questions about Anglicanism and our understanding of our place in the Universal Church. You may write or call me at the address and phone number below, or come to our services, Sundays at 10:30am, where we are guests in the Roman Catholic chapel Res Sacra Miser, Krakowskie Przedmieście 62, Warsaw, when we will have a chance to talk at our weekly coffee hour following the service.
Honorary Assistant Chaplain:
The Reverend Robert Gamble
assistant.chaplain@anglicanchurch.pl
tel. (mobile) (+48) 602-782-497