AS AUTUMN closes in, the Spanish sunshine of the Costa Blanca looks most enticing, although the weather has been stormy recently. In a warm and sunny break, nearly 100 diners were served a full cooked breakfast in the garden of Andrew and Kathy Johnson, in the coastal town of Calpe.

A team of 20 were cooking, pouring, serving, and washing up, all in support of the continued ministry of the Church of England in seven churches, including funerals, and the pastoral care of the sick and bereaved. The churches also support Caritas, EMAÚS, World Vision, and the Franciscan hospice at Palma de Gandia.

The diocese in Europe has to be self-supporting, and the local chaplaincy serves the expat community from Valencia to Alicante. Sunday services are held in the seven churches between Campello and Gandia.