Inside this issue: V
••• Spring in the Garden ••• The Pastor’s Cat! ••• [email protected] ••• Easter Cookery
••• Prayer Focus Clock E A S T R ••• La Voix de la Bible ••• Belloc news ••• Beyond our Borders V
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine is part of the Church of England Diocese in Europe, working in partnership with The Intercontinental Church Society, in ministry to people who speak English. It covers Gironde, Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne.
CHURCH SERVICES,APRIL 2012 (see Around the Chaplaincy for location details)
SUNDAY 01 APRIL PALM SUNDAY 10:30 Service of the Word Bertric Burée 10:30 Holy Communion Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion Limeuil 10:30 Morning Worship Monteton 11:00 Holy Communion Doudrac 11:00 Holy Communion Sainte Nathalène 18:00 Evensong Bertric Burée
Ste. Nathalène THURSDAY 05 APRIL MAUNDY THURSDAY 18.00 Holy Communion Limeuil TUESDAY 10 APRIL 18:30 Holy Communion Bordeaux 18:30 Easter Lessons and Carols Allez 18:30 Holy Communion Monteton WEDNESDAY 11 APRIL FRIDAY 06 APRIL GOOD FRIDAY 11:00 BCP Holy Communion Bertric Burée 14.00 Stations of the Cross Bertric Burée 14:00 Prayers at the Cross Allez SUNDAY 15 APRIL 14:00 Prayers at the Cross Dondas 10:30 All Age Worship Bertric Burée 14:00 Prayers at the Cross Doudrac 10:30 Morning Prayer Bordeaux 14:00 Stations of the Cross Sainte Nathalène 10:30 Holy Communion Chancelade 15.00 Chemin de Croix Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion Dondas 10:30 Morning Worship Limeuil SUNDAY 08 APRIL EASTER DAY 10:30 Prayer and Praise Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion Bertric Burée 11:00 Morning Worship Sainte Nathalène 10:30 Family Communion Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion Limeuil THURSDAY 19 APRIL 10:30 Holy Communion Monteton 10:30 Holy Communion Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion Saint Médard 11:00 Holy Communion Doudrac SATURDAY 21 APRIL 11:00 Holy Communion Negrondes 14:30 Holy Communion Negrondes 11:00 Holy Communion Sainte Nathalène SUNDAY 22 APRIL 10:30 Holy Communion Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion Bordeaux 10:30 Holy Communion Limeuil 10:30 Holy Communion + Licensing Monteton
TUESDAY 14 APRIL 11:00 Holy Communion Negrondes
SUNDAY 29 APRIL 10:30 Special Service Bertric Burée 10:30 Family Communion Bordeaux 10:30 BCP Holy Communion Limeuil Allez 16:00 Evening Prayer Monteton Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 2 Clerical obstacles in their way. Weddings are a way of reaching Wedding Ministry out to people who don’t normally come to church. At Corner weddings people are in a receptive mood and we can bring the teaching of the church to people for whom this may be their first encounter with church. They are Cn our Chaplaincy Prayer Diary* we are asked to pray for also a way of advertising that there are English services IWedding Ministry on the 25th of the month. Probably in this area. only Ministers and the wardens of churches where weddings are held know much about the weddings Of course, when couples are not living here, there can which take place in the Chaplaincy, so I thought people be problems in arranging meetings to discuss not only might like to know a bit more about them to inform the content of the ceremony, but also the meaning of their prayers. Christian marriage. Some couples do their marriage preparation with their local vicar in their own country. There has been a big increase in the number of weddings One thing that has struck me about the couples I have we take – last year there were over 50 enquiries and in met is how committed they are and how important it is the end 37 weddings took place. One reason for the to them to have a church service even if doesn’t actually increase is that families are getting more dispersed. The take place in a church. The couples who apply to us parents of the bride might live in England, the parents of are generally older, over 30 or more and very few have the groom have a second home in France and the couple been married before. They are very appreciative of the live in Australia. Aquitaine makes a good meeting place wedding ministry offered by the Chaplaincy. I received for family and friends and it helps that there are lovely from one couple a lovely photo of their wedding which little chateaux available for wedding receptions at very took place in an avenue of great oak trees in the grounds reasonable prices. of a chateau and they said how lucky they felt to have been able to celebrate their commitment to each other There has been a in this way. It is a privilege and a joy to be with couples change in Church at this important point in their lives. of England policy Caroline Gordon-Walker on weddings. You For more information about weddings access the used to be able to Chaplaincy web-site and also the Church of England marry only in your weddings website. own parish, but * If you want to receive a copy of the Prayer Diary each as families moved month, you can subscribe on the website. around couples were being prevented from getting married in the place where VVVVVVV they grew up because they no longer lived there. So now you can get married in any church or other suitable From your Editor venue with the permission of the priest or owner. It elcome to your Easter issue makes it easier in France that every religious wedding Wof ‘Spreading the Word’ must be preceded by a civil ceremony, because of the and I hope you’ll find plenty of separation of church and state. This can be at the local interest in its pages. Mairie or anywhere else in the world from Seattle to Vladivostok; so we don’t have to worry about legalities. Bob and I took full advantage However, although the couple are already married, we of the glorious Spring weather normally take full weddings, not wedding blessings: the over the past couple of weeks couple having been married in the eyes of law are now and have been working hard in the garden. And were married in the eyes of God. we glad we did, as while I’m writing this, it’s pouring with rain outside and forecast the same for the rest of The Church of England has also relaxed its conditions the week! Bob’s now getting our Sunbeam Alpine ready for weddings. The emphasis for a number of years for a classic car rally we’re going to do in Spain just after has been on mission-shaped church, rather than one Easter. Not done any rallying for 18 months so should be in maintenance mode where congregations are just fun. Still, as I always say, ‘as long as we finish...!’ concerned with their own affairs. There are services in market places, shopping malls, café church, so why Wish us luck and a Happy and blessed Easter to you all. restrict venues for weddings. If people want to come to us to have their wedding blessed, we shouldn’t put Gill April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 3 join the chain. I have also met with a prayer partner for over a year and we have experienced God’s love and Prayer comfort, through prayer, together.
Today I cannot imagine life without prayer and the “I’ve always gone to peace it gives. I’m convinced we witnessed a miracle church and said my prayers”. Words that seemed to roll four years ago when Gerry contracted Guillain Barré off the tongue each time I was asked about my prayer syndrome and I asked for prayer, both here and back life. That was until Gerry, my husband, and I received in Bath, to surround him. Now, as we make the move full immersion baptism at Manvers Street Baptist church back to England and an unknown future, not yet having in Bath on Easter Sunday 1989. From that day onwards found a house, my faith in God through prayer will God had his own ideas as to how my prayer life would sustain me. I hope my experience will encourage others change and progress. I had always shied away from to take that first step towards a prayerful life with God: praying out loud in groups or in church; this wasn’t me, after all if I can do it, anyone can! I felt awkward when I heard others praying and thought Chris Train I would never attain their ability or fluency, so remained VVVVVVV silent. My own prayers, said in private, were usually short, to the point and much the same each time. My experience of the 24 Hour Lot et Garonne Prayer Focus Clock Then, God led me to a lovely prayerful lady called Joan Newman who quietly asked me if I would like to become have to admit that I was totally ignorant of what a a member of the church’s prayer chain. No pressure, just I prayer focus clock involved and didn’t volunteer to be prepared to pray when required and pass the request take part but when the organiser Chris Train asked by phone to the next on the chain. This didn’t seem too if I would do one of the vacant hours I agreed. Chris arduous so I agreed, little knowing that, within a year explained the idea and sent me the prayer sheet which along with Gerry, I would be heading the chain and my focused on praying for our community and the way prayer life would take a dramatic leap forward. I was still forward in Lot-et-Garonne. reluctant to pray out loud, though, but again through Joan, God showed me the next step. Joan & I became The clock started at 6 o’clock on a Tuesday evening and prayer partners and I met with her once a month for my slot was at midnight. I tried to get all my chores out a time of prayer and reflection. She gently coaxed me of the way by early evening and wind down in readyness into praying with her and I soon found a peace which I for my shift. had never had before, prayer had become an important and necessary part of my life. It wasn’t long before I was Strangely enough, from around 8 o’clock I felt an leading intercessions in church and in small groups. increasing sense of peace. Was this prayer thing working already I wondered. After many years we moved away from England and I found myself in France, separated from all I knew and The only place in my house where I can be sure of those I had prayed with. Not for long! God led me to not being disturbed by one or more of my 5 dogs is in Mary Lodge who, after a year, asked me if I would take my bedroom. This is where I decided to pray. It was over the local prayer chain from her as she was not a February, remember how cold it was. My bedroom is “dot com”. In those early days there were 4 people on not warm so I sat in bed with my hot water bottle and the chain but through my involvement I met Madeleine read the New Testament until midnight arrived. Holmes and Charlotte Sullivan who encouraged me to keep going and who have become two of my dearest At midnight I lit a candle and spent a few moments friends. Today the chain is still growing and is, I feel, just enjoying the quiet of the night. The prayer sheet a vital part of the church life here in Aquitaine. It is so provided by Chris was a great help in giving direction to encouraging to hear of answered prayer and the peace my prayers and I worked my way through it. I glanced and hope it gives those who have requested prayers for at the clock and saw that only 20 minutes had passed. themselves or those they love. I will now be handing I started again, another 20 minutes. I must pray too the chain over to Helen Raphael and know it will be in fast! I decided to just sit and enjoy God’s presence good hands. Recently we held a 24hour prayer focus day, and concentrate on thinking of our Lord Jesus. I felt praying for the future of the church in Lot et Garonne the most incredible and peaceful inner calm. I may and those who serve locally. Feedback has been very have momentarily dropped off to sleep a couple of positive and it resulted in two more people asking to times so was I dreaming or was it something extra
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 4 and unexplainable. All of a sudden I was aware that Chaplaincy & Chap-Aid AGMs 1 o’clock was only minutes away. My time was up. I The Chaplaincy and Chap-Aid AGMs will be held on said a prayer for the person after me, Elizabeth Vellacott Saturday 21 April at Négrondes, just north of Sorges. and for Brian Jellyman doing a marathon 3 hour stint The timetable for the day is: between 3 and 6 am. 10:00 Coffee The rest of the night I slept like a log and awoke feeling 10:30 Chaplaincy AGM followed by Chap-Aid AGM great. Throughout the day that feeling persisted as others continued the prayer clock until 6 o’clock. Ash 12:30 (approx) Bring-and-share lunch Wednesday Holy Communion at Doudrac that evening 14:30 Holy Communion Service was a special culmination of the event for me. The agenda for the Chaplaincy AGM is as follows: An experience to be recommended. Prayer can be a 1. living powerful force and next time I’ll be the first to Opening prayer volunteer! 2. Apologies for absence Marian Evans 3. Approval of the minutes of the 2011 AGM and Special General Meeting of 1 December 2011 VVVVVVV 4. Matters arising from the minutes (not dealt with later in the agenda) A Story to tell.... 5. Reports on the life of the Chaplaincy • Chaplain’s report ow did Jesus come into my life? Ordinary, artisan- • Chaplaincy Wardens’ report Hclass families did not go to Church, but nevertheless • Local sector highlights we all knew we were ‘Church of England’. Our parents • Archdeaconry Synod report were married in church, and we were all baptized in • Keeping in touch (Newsletter, website, church and given Christian names. My brother and I advertising….) were confirmed, as were our other adolescent friends, but we gave religion no further thought except that, like 6. Chaplaincy finances politics, one did not talk about it. • Treasurer’s report • Approval of the audited accounts for 2011 But at 18 years old, something further happened in • Christian stewardship my life. I found a copy of the Gospel of St John which 7. Elections someone had left around and having nothing to do • 2 Chaplaincy Wardens at the time, I picked it up and read it. The part that • Members of the Chaplaincy Council transfixed my attention was the crucifixion, followed by • Auditor Jesus’ resurrection and his appearance to his disciples. Immediately, I knew that this was absolutely true and 8. Any other business (notified to the Chaplain at that very moment it became true for me, that Jesus as before 18 April 2012) another person is close to me, even alongside me. 9. Closing prayer That completely changed my awareness of myself and of The bring-and-share lunch will be organised by Liz other people. They became real personalities to me, not Oaten and Elizabeth Brook, the Sorges/Chancelade just people wearing clothes and exhibiting all the poses local wardens and we are very grateful for all the help of and pretences that are thought socially necessary. Like their sector in preparing for the AGM. We hope to see a rebirth to reality, that experience changed my life. So many of you at the AGMs and, if you are coming, it may how did Jesus come into my life? By the hidden hand of be helpful to contact Liz (0553054276 or elizabeth.oaten@ another believer, the one who had left the copy of the hotmail.fr) or Elizabeth (0553525091) or brook.elizabeth@ Gospel lying around, that was how he came, in quietness orange.fr) about the lunch. and with no kind of fanfare. Jennifer Lord & David Tervet R.E. Chaplaincy Wardens VVVVVVV
April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 5 THE WOMB AND THE TOMB Belloc Retreat 31 May – 3 June 2012.
He began human life as a single cell, an ovum, inside the By popular request, our annual retreat to Belloc in 2012 uterus of a woman. will be a month earlier than in 2011. The cell was joined by another. The origin of that other cell is unknown. Theme: (in conjunction Christians believe it came from God. with our focus on prayer Conjoined, the fertilized cell was a complete genetic in 2012) “Please....show pro-form of a human. me your glory” - Prayers The uterus was a warm, enclosed dark place. of Moses. Looking at Here the zygote was cushioned and protected, as it the interaction between began to divide. God and Moses, through The cells diversified to become specific parts of the Body. Scripture....and the The womb was His home from that time of Eostre* until paintings of Marc Chagall. the following winter. Then He forced His way out of its protection, and into Belloc, in its beautiful the world. setting, is a great venue More than thirty years later, some friends took His to reflect on God’s glory. lifeless form and carried it to the tomb. We aim for the retreat It was the same time of the year that his physical Being atmosphere to be relaxed and joyful, and we hope that began being created in the womb. many will be able to join us. Once again, His Body was protected. The tomb was Speaker: yours truly. As we do not have the expenses of round and sealed like the womb. an outside speaker, fees to this retreat will be lower than It was dark, safe and enclosed, but cold with no support in previous years. for life. Again he broke free from his confinement. Booking form: is available on our website or email/ A First Easter, a Second Birth. contact Amy Owensmith. The beginning of His new life. If you have never been on a retreat, and would like to know more, please contact me, or Amy, or somebody *A pagan festival to celebrate Eostre the goddess of who has been before. fertility and spring. (Also the time of Passover) Paul Vrolijk
©Jennifer Gray VVVVVVV La Croix du Courret 2012
Prayer study day at La Fargue led by Madge OLBY Friday 27 April 2012 from 10.30 – 16.00 Numbers limited. Please bring a bible and notebook. Please bring something to share for lunch – drinks will be provided Directions will be sent if required.
THEME – GOD – PRAYER – ME Please book in on [email protected]
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Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 6 Cooking in April Frances Pengelly you are a regular bread maker the recipe is very easy. Mix 1tbs dried yeast with 1tsp sugar and 150ml warm can remember as a child how much I looked forward water leave until frothy. Sift into a bowl: 450g plain to Easter. No chocolate eggs for the poor Vicarage I flour, 1tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg and salt (use children, but we had our own hens and Mum gave us more if you want to make a really the eggs to paint after she had hard boiled them. Early interesting bun), 75g currants, 50g on Easter morning we would walk up onto the edge of mixed peel. Make a well in the flour the moorland and roll the eggs down the small, reeded and pour in yeast mixture, milk, hillocks, the faces and flowers we had painted on the beaten egg and melted butter. Mix perfect spheres, jogging and banging down to the and then knead dough until light (6 pathway. We took the rolled eggs home and ate them minutes)! Leave to rise. Divide for breakfast, those that survived. Easter meant flowers, into 12 round portions and arrange and the villagers spent the Saturday decorating the on a greased baking sheet. Make a church. Who was coming on this great occasion? Is good deep cross on each bun and leave to rise again there a cake for tea? Probably a sponge cake made with for 25 minutes. Bake in a pre-heated oven 220C for 25 the small allotted sugar ration and filled with some sort minutes, watch them carefully. Melt 2tbs granulated of war-time jam. Nothing like the Simnel cake eaten in sugar with 2tbs water and brush hot buns to make past years. Britain had been made bereft of spices, dried them sticky and shiny. fruit and ground almonds and all the sugary and nutty things that generally appeared in fruit cakes in the past. Easter Biscuits. Sift 225g plain flour into a bowl and add ½tsp cinnamon and mixed spice, 85g currants, The ritual of the Simnel 25g mixed peel and 15g caster sugar. Mix this with cake has much rustic charm. one beaten egg, and enough milk to bind. Rest in Young girls who worked in fridge, roll out, shape and cook in a pre-heated oven country houses for years on for 15/20 minutes at 200C. When cool brush with end were given one day off a a little milk and dust with caster sugar. You could year on Mothering Sunday, use lemon zest instead of spices, I think they would be to visit their mothers. They nicer. Happy Easter and Good Cooking. would take with them a Simnel cake, baked, partly as a present and partly as a baking test in the kitchen of VVVVVVV their work place. How was their cooking progressing? Of all cakes the Simnel cake was a splendid affair, made with dried fruit, nuts and spices with a layer of marzipan in the centre and more cake mixture on top. Tricky to cook. It was finished off with marzipan on the outside, Could this completely enclosing it, and on the top were placed be the 11 balls of almond paste, depicting the 11 disciples, turning Judas was not included. The top of the cake was put point in under a high grill and the sugar became brown. Small your life? flowers were finally added, and the whole thing looked marvellous. How a young girl managed to carry this FOR SALE cake home along muddy pathways, stopping to pick her Myford ML7 Lathe on its own Myford stand. bunch of primroses for her mother, I cannot think, and no doubt the cake got a little bruised on the journey. There are copious amounts of turning tools and Certainly enjoyed at Easter Day tea. cutters.
The recipe for Hot Cross Buns has been around since Offers IRO 1,000 Euros, half to Chaplaincy the introduction of spices into the lives of cooks. These funds. Free delivery. are only made and eaten at Easter, which is a shame Contact David Albrecht 0553 36 55 97. because they are so delicious. Apparently they were first made by the Anglo-Saxons, way back in the dark ages, to honour the goddess Eostre, and as part of their festival of spring. The buns were made with a horn on top. Later, after Christianity came to Britain this was replaced by a cross, representing the Christian Easter. If April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 7 THE PASTOR’S CAT Women’s World Day of Prayer 2012 at Temniac hoever said the Creator Wdoesn’t have a sense of humour? any thanks to all who came and supported the day Mof prayer on 3rd March. This is a true story about the pastor of an American church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his It was great to have so backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor many family from Ste coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not Nats & Limeuil there. come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, A really big thank you so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and to Kevin and Robin for pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach providing the music and getting us all truly “praising the up and get the kitten. Lord” during the final hymn!
That’s what he did, all the while checking his progress in We hope that this event will the car. He then figured if he went just a little bit further, become a yearly celebration and the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the a service in which we can meet kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, and worship together with our the rope broke. The tree went ‘boing!’ and the kitten French brothers and sisters. It instantly sailed through the air - out of sight. was a joy to be able to share a time of fellowship and cake The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the afterwards and meet friends new and old. neighbourhood asking people if they’d seen a little kitten… No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he Our thanks go to the Sisters at Temniac. They are always prayed, ‘Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,’ so enthusiastic and and went on about his business. accommodating and have been A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met great friends to one of his church members. He happened to look into us, they hosted her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This this event free of woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he charge. asked her, ‘Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?’ The event raised 276€ to help support the projects in Malaysia. She replied, ‘You won’t believe this,’ and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had VVVVVVV begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, ‘Well, if God gives you a cat, I’ll let you keep it.’ She told the pastor, ‘I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, Do you know who your you won’t believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A Ancestors were? kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.’ For just 50€, all of which goes to Chaplaincy Funds, Gill will research Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique them and then provide you with a sense of humour. report and a family tree. Or why not make it a special gift for a Ed. This story was sent to me by a friend and I thought relative? you would enjoy it too! For more information speak to Gill Sweetman on 05 53 73 13 59 [email protected] VVVVVVV
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 8 Spring in the Garden Liz Oaten also have an autumn catalogue with winter and spring bedding and perennials. t last ! Snowdrops are nearly over, crocus are out and daffodils are coming out. In January I thought A Spring is the busiest time of year. It’s time to rotavate we wouldn’t have much of a winter, it had been so mild. the vegetable garden and start planting onions, potatoes Then came February with temperatures of -18°C and and sow the hardier seeds. Perennials need dividing and snow that wouldn’t melt. All very pretty, but so cold and the growth left on for protection over winter will need inconvenient! I fear I may have lost quite a bit in the removing . Snowdrops can be divided while the leaves garden. It is the first time I have seen daffodil leaves go are still green. Shrubs which flower on new wood need brown and soggy. The broad beans, which were doing so the old growth pruned off. Easy rule is don’t prune early well, are black and rotten. The purple sprouting broccoli flowering shrubs in the spring. Fuschias and lavateras has had it. can be cut down to the ground. Late flowering clematis needs cutting down too, to about a foot. The soil where If you are worried that a shrub hasn’t made it, scrape I live in Périgord blanc is very poor so I chuck organic the stem a bit further down with your finger nail to fertiliser around everything. The lawn gets fertiliser and see if there is any sign of green. If so, it should recover. ‘sulphate de fer’ against the moss. Then, when in full Normally I would say don’t tidy up the shrubs just yet. growth I spray the lawn weeds. Not very ‘green’, but it Leave the dead growth on for a bit longer to protect gets impossible if I don’t. them from further frosts. However, the weather is so Happy gardening! glorious at the moment that I haven’t heeded my own advice with certain shrubs! As for the perennials, as I write this it’s still a bit early to assess the damage. VVVVVVV March is the month for full go-ahead with rose pruning. At least the weather is lovely for it. When I was visiting a garden last year, the French owner gave me a tip for rose EASTER WORKSHOP protection against illness. Her roses were beautifully healthy. for children aged 4-10 Stir 2 tablespoons of savon noir (liquid soap, you can buy Where? Rooms next to Eymet Church it in supermarkets, cleaning When? Saturday 7th April 10am—2pm products area) 1 tablespoon of strong alcohol into 5 litres What will we do? Easter Arts and crafts and water, then spray the roses – hear the story of the first Easter every couple of weeks. Last year my main rose problem was deer. Finally we fenced the main garden area. It’s At 2pm we invite the adults the only thing that has worked. The deer had munched to join us for a short service their way through a lot of the perennials too before we in the church where the put up the fence. children will show what they have been doing A few people have asked me where one Please bring a picnic lunch - can buy plug plants. I get them through other refreshments will be provided the post from “Jardin Express”. They Cost: €5 per child always arrive in good condition, often with Organised by the Chaplaincy of Aquitaine, Church of England, (www.churchinaquitaine.org) in partnership with 2 plants in each plug – Arts cool, St Colombe de Lauzun 47410 (www.artscoolfrance.com) so, if you are careful, you can get more for your money. For more information or to book a place please phone It’s a bit late for ordering now, but they say if you send Rev Liz Morris on 05 53 58 71 90 your order with your phone number they can contact you if they’ve run out. www.jardinexpress.fr 03 22 85 77 44 They have a catalogue as well as the web site. They
April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 9 LIMEUIL – PART 2 - STE CATHERINE On the day of filming at n 1992 it was decided that St Martin would undergo a Limeuil there were cameras Iperiod of refurbishment. So the Limeuil congregation and cables everywhere. was asked to leave. As an alternative church Ste The church was packed Catherine’s was offered, and was gratefully accepted. (allocating seats had caused The congregation continues to meet there, at the top of the hill, to the present day. some headaches) During this second period of Limeuil’s history, there with extra bands and have been several chaplains and several changes of local choirs. There were Catholic priests. But out of this congregation, small endless rehearsals of in origin, has grown a stronger community, which has the hymns. Normally produced 3 members who found their Vocation, now the BBC provides ordained, and presently has 4 of the 7 congregational their own conductor, worship leaders in the Chaplaincy. Although she is also but they were so impressed by Barrie Simms’s musical a member of Ste Nathalene’s congregation, Charlotte skills that he was allowed to play this role. It was a great Sullivan is our current ordinand. occasion, a lot of fun, but also hard work. Caroline still has her Songs of Praise t-shirt. There have been several notable events in the present In 1994 a service of dedication was held at the Chappelle history of Ste Catherine’s. In St Martin, to celebrate its 8th centenary. The Limeuil 1992/93 there was serious congregation went back to its starting place, to join the flooding in Limeuil. There celebration. There was a High Mass in the morning was lot of rain in these years taken by the Bishop of Périgueux and attended by John and the Dordogne rose Hind, the Bishop in Europe and many other clergy. (One several feet, flooding Limeuil port and cutting off the amusing point was that the Catholics felt that on this access to nearly all the bridges. The only way to get to important occasion, they should have incense; so they Limeuil was via Le Bugue. On Christmas Day 1993 came to the Anglicans to ask whether we had a censer Neil Handley couldn’t get through, and with 30 people and anyone who could swing it!) The Anglicans played waiting in Ste Catherine’s, Caroline Gordon-Walker was a considerable role in the service, but the highlight was pushed into taking the service – almost her first. when the French bishop offered John Hind communion and he received it, so all the congregation felt able to (There were similar problems in 2010 when a wall receive. After the service there was a grand banquet collapsed, blocking the main access road. This in a neighbouring chateau and we then returned to St happened on Maundy Thursday and it was a tribute to Martin for an Anglican Evensong. To complete the the congregation that 120 people managed to reach the story, two years later when a new Anglican Chaplain was church on Easter Sunday. The road remained blocked being licensed, John Hind, who was taking the service, for several weeks, but the congregation kept on coming!) offered communion to the Bishop of Périgueux and he accepted it. In 1994 the BBC programme “Songs of Praise” was filmed in Limeuil. The BBC decided to locate a programme After the Chapel was restored and proper lighting in the Dordogne and chose Ste Catherine as the most installed, the Limeuil congregation returned to St Martin suitable church. The theme was harvest and it centred on for the summer months, But in the end the congregation our gifts to the Resto du Coeur. A basket of goods was was defeated by the owls and general lack of facilities. shown being brought up in church, then being taken to The Chapel is still used for occasional concerts and the Resto centre in Sarlat. The goods were then shown other productions. being distributed to families. The life of the Limeuil congregation carries on, and at last There was a lot of local filming of scenes and the BBC our surroundings at Ste Catherine have been updated. wanted some shots of harvesting. The problem was that There is now effective heating, and a cloakroom with the only crop being harvested at the time was tobacco washing up facilities and, most importantly, a loo. and that wasn’t considered politically correct. A French The electricity supply was upgraded at the same time, woman suggested it should be called ‘grosses salades’, so now kettles can be boiled, heaters run, etc. Life is which is what green tobacco looks like. more comfortable, thanks to all the people who gave so
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 10 generously to this huge project, financed entirely by the This year, perhaps as a reflection of the presence in the Anglicans. Thanks also go to the Chaplaincy Council, community of so many English speaking residents and who has offered to make up any shortfall of the full cost. visitors, Monsieur de Lary has invited us to read in either We still wait for the final bill! French or English, for previously our participation was limited to those who were comfortable in reading We enjoy excellent relationships with the Maire, who biblical text in French. has supported our project all the way, and also with Pere Bruno, which makes our use of Ste Catherine’s even We would like to invite you join us in this unique more enjoyable. inspiration: our objective is to enlarge our group of Chaplaincy of Aquitaine readers. The readings will start Throughout this time we have been fortunate to have May 29th and end June 2nd, twenty-four hours per day. the joy of music at the church, firstly with Barrie Simms, Please contact Liz Oaten, [email protected], then Joyce Crowest. We have been loaned a wonderful Veronica Dare Bryan, [email protected] or Amy organ, which is carefully maintained, and enriches all Owensmith, [email protected]. our services. Now there is a small team of people who Veronica Dare Bryan continue the music tradition, and Nasrine Talog-Davies has recently taken over the choir. Worship would not be VVVVVVV the same without them. Beyond our Borders We now look forward to many more years of worship at Jill Almvang, whom we remember each week in our Limeuil. prayers, recently sent an update from Haiti. She was Jennifer Lord actually having some R&R in Guadaloupe at the time and the following is an extract from her letter giving us VVVVVVV some idea of what life is like for her :
La Voix de La Bible Things I haven’t seen here in Guadaloupe - but am used to from Haiti: n 2008 Monsieur Roland de Lary, a • Generators for the electricity (THAT’s why I Imember of the congregation of the hear the birds singing so clearly in the morning here!) Cathedral of St Front in Perigueux • Goats grazing along the side of the road (though organised the first Bible reading I have seen several fenced in on farms...... ) in the Cathedral. In the first year • Chickens in the road (but they are on the farms the readings were restricted to the New Testament. with the goats, except for one on the beach yesterday!) The following year we were invited to participate • Armed security guards outside hotels/shops/ in this marathon Bible reading which, in 2009 was banks/private properties more ambitious, for the programme was set to read • Potholes the entire Bible out loud without interruption. The • Roads that look like you have entered a 24/7 off- readings were to be in French, taken from the French road competition practise zone text of the Ecumenical Bible. Chancelade/Sorges and • 4x4 vehicles as the norm Beutric Burée together fielded a team of 8 readers who • Tap-taps (they have public transport/bus stops, alternated reading fifteen minutes at a time, with several etc here.....) people doing a second fifteen minute reading. We chose • Walls around private property, and large metal a late afternoon period. In the two subsequent years we gates with peep-holes for the guards... also took on another slot for a further hour with two • Beaten up vehicles of all sizes and ages that still readers sharing sixty minutes. manage to get from A to B until they finally give up - normally at a peculiar angle in the middle of a very busy We all found this experience to be totally uplifting. road.. Perhaps the evening readings were even more spiritual as • People sitting on pavements selling their wares the occasional visitors to the Cathedral were absent and • Rubbish the moving atmosphere of peace and calm engendered • The smell of burning rubbish by the centuries’ old stones of the Cathedral imparted • Geckos their sense of Christian purpose and unity to all present. • Rats and tarantulas (though I haven’t been It was a privilege to partake in such a simple but explicit looking for them - but then I don’t in Haiti, but I still see gesture of Christian purpose. them now and again - rats in particular!) VVVVVVV April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 11 round the Though we are many, we are one body AChaplaincy
(24) Chapelle de Saint Jean, opp. The Abbey Chancelade CW Liz Oaten 05 53 05 42 76 NE of Périgueux Elizabeth Brook 05 53 52 50 91 Negrondes Church (until May 2012 as and Sorges NL Elizabeth Brook 05 53 52 50 91 Sorges Church closed for repairs) PC Alexandra Billing 05 53 62 86 11
April Services Sunday 8th Easter Day Negrondes 11.00 am Family communion Sunday 15th Chancelade 10.30 am Holy Communion + a naming service for the grandson of one of our flock Saturday 21st Negrondes 10.00 am Annual Chaplaincy Church Council meeting followed by bring and share lunch then at 14.30 Holy Communion. Tuesday 24th Negrondes 11.00 am Holy Communion .
e at Sorges are enjoying the use of Negrondes church while Sorges is undergoing renovation. Come and Join us Wat this lovely little church .... with heating ! The Annual chaplaincy council meeting on the 21st April is a good opportunity to meet with other parishes and exchange notes. A bring and share lunch will be enjoyed together after the meeting then Holy Communion. ALL WELCOME.
Here we are racing through Lent, and looking forward to celebrating Easter on the 8th of April. ‘Where does time go?’ you say. We all say it, and it seems more so as we get older. The years trailed gentle on when we were children with plenty of time to saunter through summer and autumn. Winter enthralled us with frost inside the windows, trees looking like they had been sprayed with sparkly white paint as the frost was so high. Toasty fires to warm us and time to talk before the all invasive TV took over.
Spring is now teasing us with uncommonly warm weather, my plum trees are in full flower and the peach bursting at the seams. What has this to do with us ? Do we race through life as if there is no time to stop and ponder, are we so busy that we don’t have time to share joys, hurts and fears with a friend?
My husband tells me we all have time, that is, the same amount of time. Surely you have more than me, I work, have children, do the garden. No, 24 hours in each day, the same for all and each hour is God given. Let’s try to deploy it with God and others in mind, spend some time in prayer each morning, catch just a few minutes with the Boss, see what He wants of you today. Think who needs a listening ear, some shopping, the logs cutting. We are His hands and feet, let’s try to use His time to His glory.
Sorges and Chacelade centre’s Annual Meeting is on Tuesday 27th April after our Holy Communion service. We encourage you all to come and have your say. Do please bring a snack for lunch if staying for the meeting . I look forward to seeing you all there.
We can promise you a warm welcome at all our services and look forward to meeting new and familiar faces. Have a very blessed spring. Elizabeth
VVVVVVV
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 12 CW Mike Duncan 05 53 91 30 64 Dronne Valley Church, Sheila Marshall 05 53 90 95 69 Bertric Burée (24): Parish Church, (D708 between NL Di Harris-Evans 05 45 98 05 31 Ribérac and Verteillac) PC Sheila Marshall 05 53 90 95 69
April Services
Everyone is welcome to stay for hospitality after the services Sunday 01 April 10:30 Service of the Word Sunday 01 April 18:00 Evensong Friday 06 April 15:30 Stations of the Cross Rev Brian Davies Sunday 08 April 10:30 Holy Communion Rev Brian Davies Wednesday, 11 April 11:00 BCP Holy Communion Rev Brian Davies Sunday 15 April 10:30 All Age Worship Sunday 22 April 10:30 Holy Communion Rev Brian Davies Sunday 29 April 10:30 Special Service
ern Britton to present a retelling of the passion story. TV presenter, Fern Britton, will present The Preston Passion Fon BBC One this Good Friday. The live programme will feature a combination of performances and drama from an outdoor location in the centre of Preston, Lancashire. Three specially written dramas - inspired by the real lives of Preston people through history and today - will depict the core themes of the Passion story.
Prayer - Just a reminder that the church prayer meetings started again in March and will be held as usual on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 5.00 p.m. We meet for just one hour and it is turning out to be a very special time for those of us who are there. We would love to see as many of you there as possible.
Women’s World Day of Prayer Forty members (men and women) from the congregations of Bertric Burée, Chancelade, the Roman Catholic and Eglise Réformée churches gathered on Friday March 2nd to celebrate the Women’s World Day of Prayer bilingual service which took place in the Hospital Chapel at Riberac. This year‘s time of prayer was prepared by Christian women of Malaysia, based on the theme “Let Justice Prevail”; a most enjoyable service with guitar and flute accompaniment and a wonderful opportunity to meet with our French friends.
SOCIAL EVENTS The coffee morning on the 25 February at Keith and Ingrid Lowe’s home raised a whopping 140 euros. Many thanks to them for their hard work and hospitality. Craft Group - will meet on the second Thursday which is 12th April 2pm at Sue Gamon’s house in Coutures. Everyone is welcome please ring 05 53 91 68 03 if you need directions. Jeudi Rendez-vous is “ Medieval Feasts, Food and Other Stories”, by Susie Patrick, 2 for 2.30pm on Thursday 19th April - chez Elizabeth Hesketh, Les Sigeunies, Verteillac - phone 05 53 91 11 76 for further information or directions. Randonnée - The next walk is onWednesday 25 April meeting at 10.30am. Fred Sapsford (05 53 91 52 19) is leading the walk and details of venue will be confirmed later.
HOME GROUPS: There are a number of existing Groups meeting in the Dronne Valley: Fortnightly on a Tuesday morning near Verteillac, contact Mike Duncan 05 53 91 30 64. On the other Tuesday at Susanna Isaac’s home, near Ribérac, contact Brian Cook on 05 45 98 43 00. Tuesday evenings near Ribérac contact Gwyneth Marison 05 45 24 06 89 Pastoral Care We can provide company, hospital visits, a phone call, a shoulder to cry on and hopefully much more. We really would appreciate being informed of perceived needs so that where possible we can be of help. If you know of anyone who would welcome a visit or call, please ring me (Pam Duncan) on 05 53 91 30 64 or email me at [email protected] so we can arrange for a member of the team to help out. April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 13 Limeuil (24) near le Bugue, Eglise de CW David Albrecht 05 53 36 55 97 Sainte Catherine in Limeuil Haut Gill Sweetman 05 53 73 13 59 NL Barry Borsberry 05 53 74 95 67 PC Charlotte Sullivan 05 53 61 81 61
April Services Sunday 1st April 10.30 Morning Worship and Holy Communion Jean Dix and Rev. Caroline Gordon-Walker Maundy Thursday 5th April 18.00 Holy Communion Stripping of Altar Rev. Gill Strachan Good Friday 6th April 15.00 Chemin de Croix Rev. Caroline Gordon-Walker Easter Sunday 8th April 10.30 Holy Communion Rev. Gill Strachan Sunday 15th April 10.30 Morning Worship Madeleine Holmes Thursday 19th April 10.30 Holy Communion Rev. Gill Strachan Sunday 22nd April 10.30 Holy Communion Rev. Caroline Gordon-Walker Sunday 29th April 10.30 Holy Communion Rev. Gill Strachan
he service on Easter Sunday, which will include an anthem sung by the Limeuil choir under the direction of TNasreen Talog-Davies, will be followed by lunch at the Auberge du Chateau de Compagne. A list for reservations will be displayed at the rear of the church and/or further information can be obtained by contacting Michael Kelly on 05 53 29 87 19. The service on the 22nd of April will be followed by our monthly “bring and share” lunch in the Salle de Marie at Port de Limeuil. All are welcome. Remember to bring your couverts.
Events The Annual Meeting held after the service on the 11th of March was chaired by the Chaplain and in addition to those committee members standing for re-election two new members were elected, Roger Cheale and Bob Sweetman. We are also pleased to report that Gill Sweetman was elected as Church Warden. A list of committee members is displayed on the notice board at the rear of the church. The Quiz Night on the 7th of March proved to be a fun evening for all those attending with those masters of the quiz Roger and Norman, together with their good ladies, in their usual good form. The evening was further augmented by a delicious meal of pie and chips followed by apple crumble, and to top all of that, the event raised €370 towards Chaplaincy funds.
Future Events This year’sCar Treasure Hunt will be on Friday May 11th and will be followed as usual by a restaurant meal. Contact Bob Sweetman to book your place! ([email protected]) 05 53 73 13 59
The Summer Fete, our big fund raising event of the year, will be held on Saturday the 30th of June at the Port de Limeuil. We really need to make this a huge success this year and we need everyone’s help. We urgently need things like books, CD’s, DVD’s. We also need bottles for the bottle stall. Anything bottled, such as wine, spirits, beer, fruit juices, etc, in fact, anything that comes in a bottle! The more diverse the more fun we can make it. We have three months to prepare for this so we want everyone to start digging out all of those unwanted items. We will also need volunteers to help on the day and leading up to it. So let’s do it! It is also planned that a number of commercially operated stalls will be present on the day. Anyone who can help or has items to donate should contact a member of the local Committee.
Finally, a word from our Treasurer. So that we can plan ahead more easily, we are now offering a numbered envelope scheme for giving. As an alternative to making an offering only on those weeks you attend church, this system will allow you to commit to giving a regular amount each week whether it be 1€ or 100€!!! The idea is that each week you put into the envelope the amount you have agreed, then, if you miss church one week you bring two envelopes the next week. As with the giving by direct debit, the amount you give is known only to the treasurer. We do urge people to consider joining this scheme as it will help stabilize our finances. We are also obviously always pleased if people do elect to give by direct debit via either French or UK bank accounts. Please speak to David Albrecht ([email protected]) or Gill Sweetman ([email protected]) if you would like more information on either scheme. Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 14 Ste. Nathalène (24) East of Sarlat, Parish Church, on D27 CW Kevin Sullivan 05 53 61 81 61 NL Robert Topp 05 55 29 22 39 PC Charlotte Sullivan 05 53 61 81 61
April Services Palm Sunday 01 April 11:00 Holy Communion Rev Paul Vrojlk Good Friday 06 April 14:00 Stations of the Cross Easter Sunday 08 April 11:00 Holy Communion Rev Caroline Gordon-Walker Sunday 15 April 11:00 Service of the Word Sunday 22 April 11:00 Home Group
STE NATTERS MATTERS
e are getting really efficient at setting up for services in the chancel now and in spite of the weather we’ve Wenjoyed great worship; a bit more finetuning and it will be approaching warm! It is a wonderful area to worship in and we’ll miss it when we move back into the main body of the church soon. We’re also looking forward to seeing a lot more of Madeleine in the future as she has agreed to lead the greater part of our non clergy-led services.
The annual meeting is on April 1st, we do hope to be wise on this day.
The fellowship group is gaining in strength and has been excellently led by Robin and Glenn. Here is something from Glenn for everyone: “I just thought I would share this moment and thought with you all. I have just come in after sitting and watching the sun dip below the horizon changing from brilliant white to deep orange in about 20 minutes. It was so peaceful with just the sound of the birds and a little music playing quietly in the background, the view from our garden is not spectacular but we look across a shallow valley and God’s creation is all around. God said “be still and know that I am God” and that is what we all need to do at least once a day, put your busy lives down, silence the phones, remove distractions and be at peace with God, that is what He wants. So forget what you want or what YOU like to think that He wants you to be doing, do what He really wants and know that He is an everlasting and loving God and be in His presence.” God is so good.
Chaplaincy website – for up to date news about our chaplaincy take a look at the website: www.churchinaquitaine.org There is a page for our local info: www.churchinaquitaine.org/ste-nathalene. We would love to hear from you if you have any comments or suggestions or if you would like to share any news with our church family.
A Worship Song: Take a look at “Pour Out My Heart” on youtube. Robin has been encouraging us to learn this worship song during fellowship group. It fits in very well with our focus on prayer.
Restos du Coeur: A reminder that we will be collecting non perishable food items for Restos du Coeur. If you have anything you could donate please bring it to the service and Judith will deliver it once a month. If you would like to find out more please take a look at the website: http://www.restosducoeur.org/
VVVVVVV
Some people try to get even with those who have done them a wrong. Why not try to get even with those who have done you a kindness?
April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 15 Lot et Garonne: (47) Allez West of Villeneuve-sur-Lot WE Paddy Atkinson 05 53 94 76 37 CW Roger Verrall 05 53 64 08 14 Dondas just off the D215, north east of Agen Doris Hogarth 05 53 20 21 76 NL Vanda Walton 05 53 89 63 03 on D50 between Castillonès and Villeréal. Doudrac PC Chris Train 05 53 64 31 76 Envals to the north of Montflanquin. Monteton east of Duras, (notre Dame Parish Church)
April services Sunday 1st 10.30 Morning Worship Monteton Roger Verrall Sunday 1st 11.00 Holy Communion Doudrac Revd Liz Morris Maundy Thursday th5 18.30 Holy Communion Monteton Revd Liz Morris Good Friday 6th 14.00 Prayers at the Cross Allez Roger Verrall Good Friday 6th 14.00 Prayers at the Cross Dondas The Chaplain Good Friday 6th 14.00 Prayers at the Cross Doudrac Sue Blomley Good Friday 6th 14.00 Prayers at the Cross Monteton Revd David Jones Easter Day 8th 10.30 Holy Communion Monteton Revd Liz Morris Easter Day 8th 10.30 Holy Communion St Medard The Chaplain Easter Day 8th 11.00 Holy Communion Doudrac Revd David Jones Tuesday 10th 18.30 Easter Lessons and Carols Allez Roger Verrall Sunday 15th 10.30 Holy Communion Dondas Revd Gill Strachan Sunday 15th 10.30 Prayer and Praise Monteton David Albrecht Sunday 22nd 10.30 Holy Communion and Licensing of Sue Blomley Monteton The Archdeacon and The Chaplain Sunday 29th 16.00 Evening Prayer Monteton Roger Verrall Monteton he Lot et Garonne Annual Meeting on Sunday 4 March, was held at the Salle des Fetes in Doudrac following the Tmonthly service of Holy Communion and was chaired by our Chaplain, Paul. The meeting was followed by most convivial Bring and Share lunch, hosted and organised by members of the Doudrac congregation. Evan Mackenzie also brought along many good things from Colin Pratt’s store cupboard of jams and preserves, which were duly sold for charity. (Evan’s account of Colin’s Memorial Service can be read under the Doudrac heading). Peter Walton, who was stepping down as a Local Warden, gave a report on the church year 2011-2012 where he thanked all the congregations in our sector for their work, with special thanks to Doudrac for hosting this Annual Meeting. The Committee had met ten times during the year and had received regular reports from each of the congregations. It was good to see more frequent services held at Dondas and at Envals because of growth in those congregations. It was also wonderful to learn that following on from Meryl Gregory’s departure from Allez, and all her hard work there with the help of Colin Pratt, organisation of services and other events now will be in the very capable hands of Judy and Paul Mazzotti, under the guidance of Lay Reader Roger Verrall. Peter commented that 2011 in the Lot et Garonne had been marked by both very happy and very sad events. Priests, Lay Readers, Worship Leaders, musicians, organists and choirs had led our worship so well that many more people had been drawn in to the church. The saddest event was the sudden death of Colin Pratt, whose tremendous contribution to the work of the Chaplaincy was summed up in all the moving tributes to him at his funeral before Christmas. The Memorial service for Colin, which had to be postponed, would be taking place on Tuesday 13 March at Monteton. Peter paid tribute to the Monteton Social Group who had worked hard throughout the year to bring people together to enjoy themselves in Christian fellowship and to raise funds for the Chaplaincy and the charities it supports. He cited particularly the Monteton Flower Festival last May, organised by Doris Hogarth, which attracted a large number of both French and English visitors. He referred to the large number of Carol services now held throughout our sector and which attract big congregations, and of the Parochial Visitation in January of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Agen, Monseigneur Hubert Herbreteau, who specifically asked to visit Monteton and to meet our Chaplain. Peter reported the count of numbers of people who had attended services in Lot et Garonne during one calendar year; it was estimated that in the year 2011, across the whole sector, 3700 attended our Sunday services. He then told us that the final Committee meeting of the church year had taken the form of an open forum, where the discussion was about how the English Speaking Church in Lot et Garonne Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 16 might develop in 2012 and beyond. He said that the new Committee would have a lot to think about. This was followed by reports from the Treasurer, Chap-Aid Co-ordinator and the Director of Music. The Chaplain thanked those on the Committee who were standing down, Peter Walton, Chris Train, William Parker and Jan Winser. He noted that Helen Raphael will be taking over Chris’ role with the Prayer Chain and thanked Roger Verrall for his continuing work as Local Warden. Elections of Committee members followed, with Doris Hogarth becoming the new Local Warden, Basil Tarr continuing as Treasurer, Vanda Walton continuing as Communications Officer and Marion Evans and Helen Raphael becoming newly elected members. Doris was also elected as a Chaplaincy Representative for the Committee, along with Sue Blomley.
Events Tickets for the visit of the Leeds University Union Dance Band on Saturday 7 April are now sold out.
The Archdeacon of France, The Venerable Kenneth Letts, who is visiting the Chaplaincy in April, will be leading the service at Monteton on Sunday 22 April at 10.30 when Sue Blomley will be licensed as Lay Reader. Come and meet our Archdeacon and celebrate with Sue at the Bring and Share lunch, which is being organised afterwards by Sally Davies in the Salle des Fetes at Allemans du Dropt! Please let Sally know beforehand what savoury or sweet dish you could provide, on 05 53 88 01 81 or on [email protected] , and please remember to bring your couverts! A plea from the Monteton Choir: they are in urgent need of an electronic keyboard for choir practices and for those services where there is no organist. If you know of one they might buy second hand or borrow on a semi-permanent basis, please contact Marjorie Etschmann on 05 56 61 45 18 or [email protected]
Allez March has seen the first Quarterly service here in Allez. This year proved to be an adventure for everyone involved without Meryl Gregory’s guiding hand. But that moment is past, hopefully successfully, but not without the guidance and support of many! For this help we are very grateful! Without Meryl’s home there was no venue for an organised meal following the service but this was replaced by an impromptu meal in a local restaurant. We all left suitably fed and watered! The search for a suitable venue to use for a gathering after each service continues; the use of the Allez Salles de fetes has been ruled out through excessive cost. Now as the season moves on we start to celebrate Easter with Roger Verrall leading our services on Good Friday and Easter Tuesday. The service of Readings, Prayers and Hymns for Lent, Passiontide and Easter on April 10th will be a repeat of the service first used last year and created especially for Allez by the late Colin Pratt. After this service will be an opportunity for everyone to associate and share a glass with an Easter biscuit or two, or even the other way round! Chant Allez are treating us to the biscuits – our thanks to them for this; also for their wonderful singing which adds so much to the worship here in Allez and many of the other churches used by the Chaplaincy.
Dondas The next services at Dondas will be Prayers at the Cross on Good Friday, 6 April, at 2.00-3.00 pm which will be led by the Chaplain, and Holy Communion on Sunday, 15th April, at 10.30 am when we are much looking forward to welcoming back Revd Gill Strachan. Doudrac Our next services will be Holy Communion on Sunday 1 April at 11h00 led by Revd Liz Morris, Prayers at the Cross on Good Friday 6th April at 14h00, readings and contemplation led by Sue Blomley and Holy Communion on Easter Sunday 8th April at 11h00, led by Revd David Jones. Colin’s Memorial Service As we gathered to celebrate the life of our friend Colin Pratt, just as it should, the sun came out and the views from the hill at Monteton were stunning. Our clergy and our lay readers were there in force and the Monteton choir was in fine voice. We sang many of Colin’s favourite hymns and listened to words of appreciation from our Bishop and our clergy. However, our memories of Colin should not be ones of gloom or sadness. As a surprise, and entirely appropriate for such a great sports’ fan, the choir sent us on our way with a stirring rendering of ‘Swing low Sweet Chariot’. Let us remember Colin with a smile; a life well spent. As we gathered in the Salle des Fetes afterwards, lots of happy memories
April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 17 were shared and a glass or two were raised. We are in his debt.
Water Lilies and Fellowship! Most of us have heard of Latour-Marliac, the Water Lily Garden at Le Temple sur Lot. Not all have managed to visit it. Happily Graham and Terry Davison have organised a visit on Thursday 24th May. This will be followed by a meal in the Garden Restaurant. We plan to meet by the market hall in Cancon and will set off at 09h30 on a short Treasure Hunt which will lead us to Temple. You will be able to tour the grounds before and after lunch. The meal, entrance charge and Treasure Hunt are all included for only 20 Euros per head. Please let the Davisons or Evan know if you can join us, on evan.mackenzie@ wanadoo.fr
Envals Our next service will be Holy Communion on Tuesday 27 May at 11h30, led by the Revd Gill Strachan and followed by lunch as usual in the Old School House. Please let Liz or David Rolfe know if you wish to attend, on 05 53 01 78 76.
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CW Pamela Prior 05 56 59 67 34 (33) Chapelle de l’Assomption, Bordeaux Christine Rychlewski 05 56 48 18 77 370 bd Président Wilson, (opposite Lindsay Megraud 05 56 96 44 17 the British Consulate). NL Lindsay Megraud 05 56 96 44 17 PC Rhian Foreau 05 56 36 99 63 April Services Sunday April 1st 10.30 Palm Sunday Holy Communion* Revd Bramwell Bearcroft Thursday April 5th 18.30 3rd Lent course and shorter Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Revd Bramwell Bearcroft Sunday, April 8th 10.30 Easter Day Family Communion and Baptisms followed by an egg hunt in the garden for the little ones Revd Bramwell Bearcroft Sunday April 15th 10.30 Morning Worship Christine Rychlewski Sunday April 22nd 10.30 Family Communion Revd Bramwell Bearcroft Sunday April 29th 10.30 Family Communion Revd Bramwell Bearcroft
Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group Sunday April 1st 10.30 Sunday School Anne Sharp & Rhian Foreau Sunday April 1st 10.30 Youth Discussion Group Jennifer Bearcroft & Kit Seguin
*Sunday School and Youth Discussion Group. For information about Sunday School or the Youth Group which is held on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month (except sometimes during school holidays), please contact Kit Seguin (05 57 64 82 41) or Jennifer Bearcroft (05 56 40 05 12).
orship services are varied in Bordeaux and each one has a special flavour. WFamily Communion services, held on Sundays when there isn’t Sunday School or the Youth Group, have an element of active participation by our young people. Morning worship allows us to delve more deeply into our biblical readings and praise through song. The Easter Day Service will include a musical surprise … or two. So let us count our blessings: each Sunday there’s something new and different and indeed, something for everyone!
Lent Course in 3 sessions We continue throughout the Lenten period to focus on prayer. Two very meaningful sessions have taken place – so don’t miss this last opportunity to talk and pray with others. Session 3: Maundy Thursday, April 5th at 6.30 p.m. prior to a Holy Communion Service
Choir practice for Easter morning Here’s your chance to lift your voice up in praise! There will be two choir practices in preparation for Easter Day. Please join the choir, led by Marion and Richard, on Saturday, March 31st, and Saturday, April 7th, at 2.30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Assomption. There’s a request for instrumentalists too! Be an active part of the the great celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 18 Easter workshop for kids (during the Choir practice) We are looking forward to seeing lots of little (and not so little) faces on Saturday, March 31st to work on fun craft projects for Easter. Why not sing in the choir this year – they need you and we’d love your children to join our workshop. A golden opportunity for everyone. Rendez-vous at the Assomption at 2.30 p.m.
Especially for the ‘facebook generation’ ! We now have an exciting parallel source of information about the events and happenings at the Bordeaux Church. Our facebook name is EnglishAnglicanChurchBordeaux. Take a look!
April Collection for the Foyer Fraternel Gouffrand. Spring has sprung – and the winter cold is hopefully behind us. However, with the financial crisis, needs are greater than ever at the moment. Infant’s milk has been especially requested by the Foyer’s food bank. Make a special Easter donation of food for infants for those families who are less fortunate than our own.
Ecumenical corner Ensemble Pour l’Europe, a European-wide ecumenical group, is planning a huge gathering of all Christians at the Place Pey Berland in Bordeaux on Saturday, May 12th. Please mark your diaries! For more information, contact Lindsay Mégraud.
Prior to May 12th, several conferences (no entrance fee) have been organised including: • Thursday, March 29th at 8.00 p.m. at the Lycée Eiffel : Les Pères de l’Europe. Conference by Prof. Marc Agostino, professor of history at the University of Bordeaux and animated speaker. • Thursday, April 12th at 8.30 p.m. at the Centre Beaulieu : Quel âme pour l’Europe aujourd’hui ? Conference by Gérard Testard, author of the book with the same title and former international president of Fondacio. Books will be available at Bordeaux church services (9€).
News of Past Events Bordeaux Church and its Annual General Meeting The Bordeaux Church is thriving and the different oral and written reports attested to that. We rejoice in welcoming new faces, new families, new adventures. And give thanks for all that the good Lord has brought us in 2011 and 2012.
On Sunday, March 18th, the Bordeaux Church Annual General Meeting was held. Chaplaincy Warden, David Tervet, representing the Chaplain, came to worship with us and then led the AGM. New people have filled certain positions and to them as well as the old guard still carrying on, we all give thanks.
Shrove Tuesday Several members of our congregation, young and young at heart, gathered together at the Presbytery on Shrove Tuesday to make, toss, and eat pancakes. Amazingly none ended up on the floor (or the ceiling!) and everyone enjoyed the chance to get together.
Journée Mondiale de Prière
On March 2nd a large crowd gathered at the Temple de Mérignac to participate in a prayer- filled and meaningful celebration based on “Let justice prevail”, prepared by an ecumenical group of women in Malaysia.
Newsletter contributions. If you have any ideas, thoughts, projects or events that you would like to share, please send your contribution to Lindsay Mégraud ([email protected]) before the 18th of the month.
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April 2012 Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter 19 Useful Numbers Chaplain: Revd. Dr Paul Vrolijk 05 53 23 40 73 8 Chemin de Garonna, 24240 Sigoules. [email protected]
Assistant Chaplains: Revd. Caroline Gordon-Walker, 05 53 29 36 03 La Veille Ferme, 24170 St Germain de Belvès [email protected] Revd. Gillian Strachan 05 53 58 12 58 La Gravette, 24150 Bayac [email protected] Revd. Elizabeth Morris 05 53 58 71 90 Maison Neuve, Plaisance, 24560 Issigeac [email protected] Revd. Bramwell Bearcroft 05 56 40 05 12 1 Lotissement de la Caussade, 33270 Floirac [email protected] Revd. Brian Davies 05 53 91 19 90 La Petite Maison, Le Bourg Fontaines, 24320 Champagne et Fontaines [email protected]
Clergy with permission to officiate: Revd. David Jones 05 53 94 71 81 Le Bourg, 47120 Loubès-Bernac [email protected] Revd. Ann & Revd. Michael Wooderson 05 53 06 39 76 15 rue des Ecoles, 24750 Trélissac [email protected] mg.wooderson@gmail. com Revd. Canon Tim Thompson UK: 01526 320 171 FR: 05 53 91 47 21 [email protected] Revd. Stephen Traves [email protected] Revd. John Morgan 05 53 54 18 90 [email protected]
Chaplaincy Wardens: David Tervet 05 53 20 86 69 [email protected] Jennifer Lord 05 53 31 18 04 [email protected]
Chaplaincy Administration: Amy Owensmith 06 07 04 07 77 [email protected]
Prayer Chain Co-ordinator Madeleine Holmes 05 53 04 85 44 [email protected]
Newsletter Editor: Gill Sweetman 05 53 73 13 59 [email protected]
Neighbouring Chaplaincies: Poitou-Charentes: Revd. Hazel Door [email protected] Midi-Pyrenées & Aude: Revd Canon Andrew Hawken 05 63 81 87 44 [email protected]
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine: [email protected] Chaplaincy website: www.churchinaquitaine.org Chap-Aid Website: www.chap-aid.com
Contributions to the Newsletter are always very welcome and should be received no later than the 20th of the month. Please send to: Gill Sweetman, Champ de Riviere, 24480, Bouillac. e-mail: [email protected]
If you wish to subscribe to the Newsletter, you may do it in two ways: Either: send your name and address, with a cheque for 24 Euros made payable to: ‘The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine’ to the above address, OR: send me your e-mail address and you can receive it without charge though donations to the Chaplaincy would be most welcome.
Chaplaincy of Aquitaine Newsletter April 2012 20