In February of 2008 they set off with their daughter Ann for another two week stint at St Peter's church in the skiing resort of Zermatt.  Ann recalls a time when they shared the 1 bed roomed Chaplains flat as children "money was always tight and it seemed as if my two brothers and I were always either eating pasta or sharing a packet crisps and one sausage.   John smiles at her affectionately "It did you good! Anyway, I'm sure it wasn't that bad! ". "No" says Gillian eager to get the record straight "However,  money was tight. It was also a very busy time in our lives but we usually managed an hour or two to visit the sites.  These days John and I travel up to the Kleine Matternhorn in the cable car and watch the boys skiing and snowboarding back down the slopes.  How the time has flown!" 

So what does it mean to be a Chaplain of an English speaking church?

"Well"  says John "There are no permanent Rectors or Curates at these sites so English speaking ministers are encouraged to apply, with the approval of their diocese, for one or two week's outreach to one of the  holiday resorts.  There are campsites in France and Italy, a Thomson Holiday site in Ibiza and the three churches here in Switzerland along with the site at Kandersteg.  This year we've come out to Zermatt with our daughter Ann and a member of our congregation from Wattisfield in Suffolk.  Next time we'd like to bring more Christians from our Parishes. "

The excellent booklet 'A Church in the Alps' by Cicely Williams, explains the importance of the alpine church "Inevitably in a mountaineering centre there will, from time to time, be accidents to climbers; it is good to know that the ministry of healing has continued down the ages.  Fortunately not all the special duties attached to the chaplain at Zermatt are so distressing.  There are sometimes couples who, for various reasons, would like to be married in the church.  In accordance with Swiss law they must first conclude a civil marriage, after which a religious ceremony takes place.  There have also been baptisms and confirmations - indeed it seems that there is ample opportunity for the English church in Zermatt to fulfil every aspect of the work of the church at home". (p44)

Is it a holiday or is it all work?

"I suppose it's a combination of both, really." Says John " Perhaps you could call it a Christian holiday!  We open the church every day to holiday makers of all nationalities and you'd be surprised at how many people call into the church.  The busiest times are at the end of the day, when people have finished skiing or walking in the mountains.  On Sunday there are two regular services at 10.00am and 6.30.

  There's also a weekly bible study - we hold this late in the day but early enough for people to get back to their hotels for their evening meal.  We also have an Open House evening with mulled wine when we give a short talk about the church and the mountaineers who are buried in the church yard.  Gill and I also visit local hotels and Sports clubs to put up notices and take the opportunity to talk   about the church and what it can offer.

An organist is usually found among the visitors; lesson-readers, bell-ringers and sidesmen are selected Sunday by Sunday; and during the winter season there is a resident church warden.

Those who come with us in the ministry team can take part in all of those activities or just some of them, it really is a matter of choice.  We really would like to encourage others from the benefice to join us."  Details of the next visit will be posted on the web site late in 2008.

     Available from the Gonnergrat Railway station are 3,4, 5 and 8 day Passes for the many cable cars, gondolas and trains which climb up into the mountains. The views of the Matterhorn and Alpine ranges are unforgettable.
     Zermatt itself is the size of a small town but, because there are no cars allowed, it's a particularly restful place to spend the day and wander around the shops and museums.