Chaplaincy of Aquitaine
News Letter
May 2011
THE CHAPLAINCY OF AQUITAINE Assistant Chaplain’s Letter is part of the Church of England Diocese Bramwell Bearcroft in Europe, working in partnership with The Intercontinental Church Society, Just over twenty years ago I was in training to be ordained as a priest. As part of that training in ministry to people who speak English. I was ordered to spend the best part of a week It covers Gironde, Dordogne and Lot-et- at Cambridge Crematorium. My responsibility Garonne. was to conduct the funerals for those who did not know a priest or minister or those who had no contact with a church. Services are held at the following venues, please Every half an hour a service would take place and I would be see inside for details. called upon several times a day to lead the service. On one particularly miserable East Anglian day I found myself BORDEAUX (33) conducting a funeral where there was just one mourner; an old Chapelle de l’Assomption, lady who was hard of hearing. Resisting the temptation to ask her 370 bd Président Wilson, to ‘sing up’ during the two hymns we got to the end of the (opposite the British Consulate). service and she left quietly.
Wondering why I had ever signed up for all this I decided to go CHA CELADE (24) and sit in my car and eat my sandwiches. As I sat there I became Chapelle de Saint Jean, (opp. The Abbey) aware of some road markings just outside the crematorium but could not read the writing because of the rain. As the time neared SORGES (24) NE of Périgueux, for the next service, I left my car and wandered to the edge of the Eglise de Saint Germain, (in Le Bourg, on N21). road to read the road sign. There were yellow markings on the road and the sign read ‘Do Not Enter Box Unless Exit Is Clear’. Just a few days ago I found myself sitting in a meeting in a LIMEUIL(24) Catholic school building in the middle of Bordeaux. It was about Near Le Bugue, Eglise de Sainte Catherine; the fourth such meeting I had attended and the purpose of the gatherings was to hammer out the details for the large STE ATHALÈ E (24), East of Sarlat, ecumenical gathering planned for Bordeaux on Easter Sunday Parish Church, on D47 morning. I have to confess that I was beginning to get drowsy when suddenly the conversation became very animated. The ALLEZ (47): West of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. Armenians, The Russian Orthodox, The Catholics and all the others started waving their arms around and gesticulating. As the DO DAS (47): just off the D215, north only (very) Englishman there I struggled for a moment to gather east of Agen. what was going on until suddenly there seemed to be accord. « Le Christ est Resussité !, oui, Le Christ est Resussité ! » There was much back slapping and shaking of hands…….. they DOUDRAC (47): on D50 between had been trying to decide what was to be the headline on the Castillonès and Villeréal. poster. They all agreed on this one point. St Paul wrote ‘If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are E VALS (47): to the north of of all people most to be pitied.’(1 Cor 15,19) . If there is no Monflanquin. resurrection then Paul is right…all our services, meetings, councils, rotas, newsletters etc etc mean nothing and we are MO TETO (47): east of Duras, (Notre indeed to be pitied for wasting so much time and so much effort. Dame Parish Church). If however we believe that Christ is indeed raised from the dead then we do have much to shout about. The road markings and sign at the crematorium reminded me that our way has been BERTRIC BURÉE (24): Parish made clear by Jesus .We can live our lives to the full in His love Church, (D708 between Ribérac and Verteillac). and know that death does not separate us from that love. We can say in all confidence, ‘Le Christ est Resussité !’ Useful Numbers: 2 Chaplain: Revd. Dr Paul Vrolijk 05 53 23 40 73 , Our new website has become 8 Chemin du Garonna, 24240 Sigoules. [email protected] operational! It looks great! The address is: www. Assistant Chaplains: Revd. Caroline Gordon-Walker, churchinaquitaine.org The old website will be 05 53 29 36 03 La Vieille Ferme, 24170, in the air for a short while, and for those who St Germain de Belvès. [email protected] surf to the old address, arrangements have been made for them to arrive on the new site. I would like to thank Revd. Gillian Strachan , 05 53 58 12 58 Peter Robinson for being our webmaster over the last years. La Gravette, 24150 Bayac. [email protected] And I would like to thank Charlotte Sullivan and Amy Owensmith for working so hard on the new website. Please Revd. Elizabeth Morris, 05 53 58 71 90 use this address for sending updates, new articles etc: Maison Neuve, Plaisance, 24560, Issigeac. [email protected] [email protected] So do take the time to visit the new Chaplaincy website, you can keep up with all the latest news, and up and coming Revd. Bramwell Bearcroft, 05 56 40 05 12 1, Lotissement de la Caussade, 33270 Floirac events. Please also update your bookmarks. [email protected]
Revd. Brian Davies, 05 53 90 25 85 “Les Voix de la Bible” (Voices of the Petites Cotes, Nanteuil Auriac de Bourzac, 24320 Bible) [email protected] The annual continuous Bible reading Clergy with permission to officiate: at the Périgueux Cathedral will take place Revd. David Jones , 05 53 94 71 81 Le Bourg, in the days leading up to Pentecost! All are 47120 Loubès-Bernac. [email protected] invited to attend the opening ceremony at the cathedral on Wednesday June 8th at 7:00pm . The event will conclude with Revd. Roger Watts , 05 53 81 82 16 a celebration at 8:00pm on Saturday, June 11th . Readers can Vedelle, 24610 Villefranche de Lonchat. [email protected] sign up at: [email protected] The chaplain will give a seminar in English entitled Revd. Ann and Revd. Michael Wooderson, “The Gospel according to Exodus” on Thursday, June 9th 05 53 06 39 76 15 rue des Ecoles, 24750 Trélissac. from 15:00 – 16:45 . This talk will feature the book of Exo- [email protected] dus and its relevance to the rest of the Bible, and is open to [email protected] all. The venue is in the same location as last year: 8 rue de la
Revd. Canon Tim Thompson Constitution, located just across the street from the cathedral. UK: 01526 320 171 FR: 05 53 91 47 21 Also at the cathedral, an exhibition entitled “La Bible : [email protected] Arbre de Vie” will present various cultural aspects of the Bible, and how they affect our daily lives. The French film Revd. Stephen Traves, “Catholique Anonyme” will be shown at Cap Cinéma at [email protected] 8:00pm on Thurs, June 9th. Tickets are 5€, reservations required. Come to Périgueux to listen and/or read… night or Chaplaincy Wardens: John Ralph 05 53 57 59 67 [email protected] day, with your family, your friends, in groups… For more information, phone Amy Owensmith on: 06 07 04 07 77. David Tervet 05 53 20 86 69 [email protected]
Chaplaincy Administration : Amy Owensmith, 06 07 04 07 77, [email protected] Graham Kendrick Concert Prayer Chain Co ordinator: Madeleine Holmes 05 53 04 85 44 In partnership with Cafe-Church Bergerac our [email protected] Chaplaincy is organizing a Graham Kendrick concert on Friday 3 June in Bergerac. We have been kindly offered the ewsletter Editor: Christine Scott Tel/fax 05 53 29 39 40 use of St Jacques Church in Bergerac . The concert will [email protected] start at 20.00h . Church to open at 19.15h. Tickets are free of charge, but there will be a retiring eighbouring Chaplaincies: Poitou Charentes: collection to cover the costs of this great concert. We hope Revd. Michael Hepper, 05 49 97 04 21 that many of you will be able to attend...and please think [email protected] about inviting those who might not normally come to Midi Pyrenées & Aude: Revd Canon Andrew Hawken 05 63 95 78 24 [email protected] church...this is a wonderful outreach opportunity to share with others! Chaplaincy of Aquitaine: Tickets are still available; if you would like to come [email protected] please contact your sector rep as soon as possible with the Chaplaincy Website: www.chapaq.org number of tickets you would like to order: PTO Chap Aid Website: www.chap aid.com 3 Bordeaux: Jennifer Bearcroft - [email protected] Bertric Buree: Karla Flambert - [email protected] Sorges/Chancelade: Elizabeth Brook - [email protected] Limeuil: Amy Owensmith - [email protected] Ste athalene: Charlotte Sullivan - [email protected] Lot & Garonne: Tony & Chris Mullen - [email protected] Tickets will be issued early May by email. IMPORTA T: As places are limited, please make your booking soon....and please let us know if, having ordered tickets, you are not able to come. We need to know, in order that we can enable other people to come in your place. Looking forward to seeing many of you on the night! Blessings, Paul.
Chaplaincy & Chap-Aid AGMs
A very big thank you to all the team at Bordeaux who helped to provide a fantastic venue for this year’s AGM. Paul, our Chaplain, led us in prayer and opened the meeting with the words of Psalm 127 (vv1-2)
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labour in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved
It was good to be given a small insight into the vibrant lives of our different sectors, with spoken reports and power point presentations from Bordeaux and Ste Nathalène. Thanks and appreciation were given to Christine Scott for her work as newsletter editor and also to Peter Robinson for his work in maintaining and updating the Chaplaincy website. And there was positive news and feedback from our treasurer, Bill Fisher on the Chaplaincy’s finances. Bill has now stepped down as Chaplaincy Treasurer after 20 years’ fantastic service, much through difficult times where we were supported by ICS in order to keep going. Bill deserves a huge vote of thanks for his tremendous efforts – and managing to keep everything on track, no matter where he was in the world. Australia, USA, India, Cambodia, France – it made no difference! Thank you too that Bill will keep us going until the end of June, so that we can find a new treasurer. Roger Cheale reported back on all the worthwhile work and the many different charities supported by Chap-Aid throughout the year and Brian Hogarth gave the financial report. A fine bring-and-share lunch was enjoyed by all, and the day was rounded of beautifully by a Holy Communion service in the Chapelle. Again great thanks to all involved for making the day so special.
Charlotte Sullivan and David Tervet
Chaplaincy Retreat and Weekend At the Abbaye be Belloc, 64240 Urt, 30th June /1st July to 3rd July 2011.
Programme: Thursday-Friday, Silent Retreat Friday-Sunday Parish Weekend; Theme: ‘Change of Heart’ led by Revd. Steve Smith.
For more information and a reservation form please contact: Amy Owensmith, Combe de Besse, 24220 Coux et Bigaroque, tel 06 07 04 07 77 e-mail [email protected] before 23rd June, please. A wonderful weekend of fellowship, prayer, laughter, quiet times, worship and joy. Not to be missed! 4 Around the Chaplaincy Though we are many, we are one body.
No power of hell, no scheme of man, Can ever pluck us from his hand; Till he returns or calls us home, Here in the power of Christ we’ll stand. Townsend and Getty.
CW Liz Oaten 05 53 05 42 76 Elizabeth Brook 05 53 52 50 91 Chancelade/Sorges NL Elizabeth Brook 05 53 52 50 91 PC Alexandra Billing 05 53 62 86 11 May Services Sunday 1st 11.00 All Age Worship Sorges - Patrick Sturges Sunday 15th 10.30 Holy Communion Chancelade - Paul Vrolijk Tuesday 24th 11.00 Holy Communion Sorges - Revds. Michael and Ann Wooderson
As I write this all the joy of Easter is yet to come, but you are now reading in the light of that glorious resurrec- tion morning. He is alive. Joy to the world. And yet we are told fewer and fewer people are experiencing that joy. They don't know about it because we, the people of the church don't tell them. Not just in church services and meetings, but at work, school and play we must 'show and tell ' Jesus to whoever we meet in life. We are to be salt, yeast and light in a broken world. It is our promise to Him who died for us, that we would follow Him whatever the cost. A few words and deeds do not usually cost us much in the free West, so let us all be determined to 'do our bit ' for Jesus every day, however humbly. Think how the world would change if we all did our mission work where we live and work and play. All joy to you all, and a filling of the Holy Spirit. Our Palm Sunday communion service at Chancelade was led by Fr Stephen Traves with music provided by Anthea Traves. A dramatized reading of St Mathews Passion brought it to life and gave all members of the congregation the opportunity to participate (even though we did have a female Judas and Centurion soldier!).
House Group During Lent the Sorges house group has been studying a selection of passages from the Bible Gateway Lent De- votions, which have been enjoyable and challenging. All are welcome to join this group (usually between 6-12 folks) as a one off or regularly. We have Bible study, sacred and secular discussions, prayer, socials and things in-between in varying doses!
Fundraising Events The Curry and Quiz evening held at Fleur de Jasmin in Thiviers courtesy of Donna & Ian Oxley was a great success and raised around 260 euros for Paralyses de France and Emmaus. The quiz taxed our brains and left some of us wanting...... the answers!
On the 25th May our Strawberry Tea will be held at the home of Elizabeth Oaten. Plants and books will also be on sale. Bring the family and their friends. It is an excellent opportunity to introduce someone to the Christian family and they will be sure of a very warm welcome.
Trouble and perplexity drive us to prayer, and prayer driveth away trouble and perplexity. Philip Melanchthon
If a thousand plans fail, be not disheartened. As long as your purposes are His, you have not failed. Thomas Davidson 5
Bertric Burée CW Janis Adams 05 53 91 32 89 Steve Long 05 53 31 36 48 NL Di Harris-Evans 05 45 98 05 31 May Services PC Karla Flambert 05 53 90 99 52 Sunday 1st 10.30am Service of the Word, Sheila Marshall Sunday 1st 6.00pm Evensong, Sheila Marshall Sunday 8th 10.30am Holy Communion, Rev Paul Vrolijk Wednesday 11th 11.00am Holy Communion, Rev Brian Davies Sunday 15th May 10.30am All Age Worship, Revds.Mike and Ann Wooderson Sunday 22nd 10.30am Holy Communion, Revds Mike and Ann Wooderson Sunday 29th May 10.30am Special Worship Service, Revd. Paul Vrolijk Everyone is welcome to stay for hospitality after the services
Prayer and Praise – Please join Karla and Roger Flambert at their home in Riberac on the 3rd Friday each month (this month is 20th May) for a Bring and Share Lunch starting about 1.00pm followed by singing, reflection and prayer. Tel 05 53 90 99 52 for more details.
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 Riberac, contact Brian Cook on 05 45 98 43 00. Tuesday evenings near Riberac contact Karla Flambert 05 53 90 99 52. Thursday evenings in St Aulaye contact Steve Long on 05 53 91 96 48
WED ESDAY PRAYER GROUP is starting again on 4th May at Bertric always on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays from 5.00pm – 6.00pm.
More fundraising news... We enjoyed a Fish & Chip Supper with wine, PUZZLES AND RIDDLES - a fun evening was had by all on the 8th April. Fred and Steve bravely cooked for 50 people while Carole and Sue got out the bread and butter and wrapped the fish and chips in newspaper ready to serve. The evening raised 100€ for Fields of Life and 209€ for the Church. A very big thank you to Fred, Carole and Steve and not forgetting our lovely Jan for hosting the evening and marking the papers with Lionel. Thanks also to all who came along and supported us. How about 'Pies, puddings and Puzzles' next time?
Dan Jones and Friends in Concert The church was packed on 10th April in anticipation of enjoying a concert by Dan Jones and friends, and they were not disappointed. Dan played with gentleness and great musicality, while Stu McMurrough (guitar) and Cecile Lencement (harp) entertained us to a mixture from Irish jigs to a Pachebel canon. Dan started with classical guitar music by Vivaldi, Bach and “Cinq Morceaux Espagnol”. He then switched to his smaller 9 stringed Guitare du 17ème siècle and played a “Pavane & Canarios” by Gaspar Sanz. Dan showed his versatility with improvisations on pieces by Hoagy Carmichael and Duke Ellington. The concert was given in aid of The Chaplaincy of Aquitaine and our charity Fields of Life with over 500 euros being shared between them. Many thanks to Dan and friends, the refreshment team and the many who helped in other ways.
A Prayer for Absolution The delete button on the keyboard before me erases every imperfection immediately. Just so, Lord, I trust you and ask you to obliterate my errors and faults speedily. Then I can begin a new day, a better way. A new page, in fact. Jennifer Gray 2010
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 (Karla Flambert) on 05 53 90 99 52 so we can arrange for a member of the team to help out. Caring for our church family and our friends and neighbours outside the church is an important discipleship role for us as Christians. Karla Flambert, as our Pastoral Care coordinator, recently attended a Workshop to exchange ideas with others from around the Chaplaincy working in this area. As a result Karla believes it would be good to organise our Pastoral Care into two types, people who like to 'do'; help in the garden, drive someone to an appointment or take them shopping; and people who 'listen', visit at home or hospital. Please gives this some thought and prayer and decide how your gifts fit into the Pastoral Care for our community. Then let Karla know what you can offer.
If you need help from Cancer Support France (by English speakers for English speakers) your contacts are 06 43 67 86 11 or [email protected] (Cancer Support France).
Dates for your diary Christian Aid Week is 15-21 May and Pam and Mike Duncan will be holding a coffee morning at their home (Les Siguenies 24320 Verteillac)
Thursday 19th May between 10.00 and 12.00. There will be Coffee/tea , cake and a raffle ticket for a simple draw (three prizes only) all for 2€. Les Siguenies is just north of Verteillac on the Angouleme road. For those with SatNav the co-ordinates are N 45022’ E 0023’
Randonnée The next walk is on Wednesday 18th May at 10.00 from the church in St Laurent des Combes, 16480. Further details from Fred Sapsford 05 53 91 52 19. Please note that walks in June and July will also start at 10.00am.
Jeudi Rendezvous –The next meeting will be on the 3rd Thursday as usual La Grande Vigne, St Martin de Riberac, at 2.30pm: Parking can be a bit tight at the house so it is advisable to come with a friend, or park at the Mairie car park in St Martin and share cars up to the house. If you need directions, phone 05 53 91 49 95. Looking forward to seeing you on the 19th. Everyone is welcome to discover more about gardening in the Dordogne!
Michael Harvey from Back to Church Sunday, will be visiting the Chaplaincy from 21-25 May and Dronne Valley Church is lucky enough to be able to host his 2 hour seminar at Steve Long’s home at La Gare, St Aulaye, 24410 to which YOU are invited. This will be on Monday 23rd May starting at 10.30 and followed by a bring and share lunch – please bring your own plates, cutlery etc. as well as food to share. All welcome.
Come Sculpt with Roger Adams at his studio in Champagne et Fontaines on Saturday 11th June from 2.30 – 5.00 p.m. Cost is15 euros which includes materials and a light afternoon tea. Please bring gardening type gloves.
Garden Party Wednesday 22nd June . Beth Dyer and Jenny Overfield, [email protected] and [email protected], are organising a Garden Party in the church grounds at Bertric Burée this year. They are looking for volunteers and ideas for stalls and games so please contact them with your suggestions. In particular we need someone to ‘man’ a select early ew Clothes Stall and someone else to organise a Handicraft stall. This needs some thought now in order to get everyone making items to fill their table. Carole Sapsford is running a Plant Stall. Remember when you are dividing and thinning out plants this Spring to put some bits in a pot to bring on for the stall. Also, there will be a “Home Produce” stall so donations of vegetable seedlings would be very welcome. Any questions please speak to Carole. She will also be giving demonstrations in the art of flower arranging. From Carole Sapsford: Thanks to everyone who has given me pots - I now need plants etc. to put in them! When you're dividing up your perennials etc. could you put one aside for the Plant Stall and bring it along to church.
Quick Quotes The most important questions we ask of God are the ones that have no answers. This leads to the deepest trust. Larry Crabbe
Christ went to hell for you because he didn’t want to go to heaven without you. General Booth Lot et Garonne WE Paddy Atkinson 05 53 94 76 37 Allez, Dondas, Doudrac CW Leslie Eckett 05 53 93 53 86 Envals and Monteton Peter Walton 05 53 89 63 03 NL Vanda Walton 05 53 89 63 03
PC Chris Train 05 53 64 31 76
May services Sunday 1st Holy Communion, Rives 11.00 Revd. Bramwell Bearcroft Sunday 8th Morning Prayer, Monteton 10.30 Roger Verrall Tuesday 10th Holy Communion, Envals 11.30 The Chaplain Sunday 15th Prayer and Praise, Monteton 10.30 Revd. Gill Strachan Sunday 22nd Holy Communion, Monteton 10.30 Revd. Caroline Gordon-Walker Sunday 29th Evensong, Monteton 16.00 Roger Verrall
Early June services Sunday 5th Holy Communion, Doudrac 11.00 Revd. Bramwell Bearcroft Tuesday 7th Holy Communion, Allez 11.30 Revd Liz Morris Sunday 12th Holy Communion for Pentecost, Monteton 10.30 Revd Liz Morris
Monteton Please note the change of venue for the Doudrac congregation’s service of Holy Communion on Sunday 1st May at 11.00 , which now will be held in the church in Rives. There is more information about this, under the Doudrac heading. The Flower Festival to take place at Monteton, on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th May in the lovely Church of Notre Dame, promises to be the event of the year in our sector! It coincides with the highly popular annual Hat Fair at Monteton on the Sunday, and with the theme of the floral displays being Bouquets et Bonnets or Hats off to Monteton, should prove to be un veritable spectacle! The organisers are still looking for people to help with the event, with the preparation of the church, with the receiving of guests and with the serving of refreshments on the day. Financial donations towards the purchase of flowers to be used in the displays will also be very welcome. If you can help with any of this, please contact Doris Hogarth on 05 53 20 21 76 or [email protected] A Summer Luncheon Party is planned for Friday 22 July at L’Orangerie in Duras, home of Jan and Barry Winser. Tickets at 12.50 euros per person, to include a bottle of wine between two, will be on sale from 15th May, with numbers limited to 100.
Allez The next service at Allez will be Holy Communion on Tuesday 7th June at 11.30, celebrated by Revd. Liz Morris.
Dondas We were blessed with lovely weather for our Palm Sunday Procession and Holy Communion Service. Most of the 26-strong congregation processed from the Salle de Fetes to the church, ably led in our singing by our celebrant, Revd David Jones, and pausing in the centre of the village to read the Palm Gospel. We also had a dramatised reading of the Passion Gospel later in the service in which several members of the congregation took part. As in previous years, we marked Good Friday with Prayers at the Cross led by Colin Pratt.
Doudrac Our service on Sunday 1st May at 11h00 will not actually be held at Doudrac but at the very fine church at Rives. This is not very far away and is on the D207 going north from Villereal towards Issigeac and Bergerac. This is because there will be a Roman Catholic mass that day at Doudrac.
Envals There will be a service of Holy Communion at David and Liz Rolfe’s home, The Old School House in Envals, on Tuesday 10th May at 11h30, to be celebrated by the Chaplain. If you wish to attend, (and a splendid lunch is always served afterwards), please contact them on 05 53 01 78 76.
CW Pamela Prior 05 56 59 67 34 Bordeaux Christine Rychlewski 05 56 48 18 77 Lindsay Mégraud 05 56 96 44 17 NL Lindsay Mégraud 05 56 96 44 17 PC Jerome Rychlewski 05 56 92 54 69 May Services Sunday 1st 10.30* Holy Communion led by the Revd Roger Watts Sunday 8th 10.30 Family Communion & Baptism led by the Revd Bramwell Bearcroft Picnic lunch at 1.00 p.m. & Sponsored Walk at 2.00 p.m.
Sunday 15th 10.30* Holy Communion led by the Revd Bramwell Bearcroft Sunday 22nd 10.30 Morning Prayer led by Christine Rychlewski Sunday 29th 10.30 Holy Communion led by the Revd Bramwell Bearcroft *Sunday School and Discussion Group for collégiens at 10.30 a.m. For more information, please contact Kit Seguin (05 57 64 82 41).
May 7th & 8th . An action packed weekend! Saturday, May 7th at 4.00 p.m. The Sisters of the Assomption have invited our congregation to join them in a Holy Communion celebration in the Chapel where Sœur Hélène de Jésus-Christ will take her perpetual vows. Sunday, May 8th. A Family Communion Service & Baptism will take place at 10.30 a.m. Let's ensure that our church family is numerous and welcoming. Following the service we will drive to Quinsac for a picnic at 1.00 p.m. followed by a Sponsored Walk for charity (see more below). We encourage you not to miss out on the action!
Sponsored Wa lk for the Chaplaincy of Aquitaine and its charity association Chap-Aid on Sunday, May 8th . Please join us for a 10 km sponsored walk, in aid of our Chaplaincy and two associations caring for the needy, in the beautiful Quinsac (rive droite) area amidst the vineyards and beautiful nature set up high above the Garonne River. And if you can't be a walker then please be a sponsor! The timetable will be the following: 1.00 p.m. – picnic lunch (optional) 2.00 p.m. – departure time for the walk (not optional!) For more information and sponsor sheets, please contact Christine Rychlewski on 05 56 52 98 28, e-mail [email protected], or Pamela Prior on 05 56 59 67 34, e-mail [email protected]
Calling all amateur photographers . Please send any photos which you may have taken at the Easter Ecumenical Service at the Parc Bordelais or the Easter Holy Communion Service at the Assomption to your communications officer, Lindsay Mégraud ([email protected]).
May Collection for the Foyer Fraternel Gouffrand. The Bordeaux Church is sponsoring the Foyer Fraternel Gouffrand as their local charity again in 2011 and part of our contribution is practical items. In May we'll be collecting ground coffee, tea bags and instant hot chocolate which you may leave in the basket labelled as such at the back of the church. With the financial crisis, needs are even greater now at the Foyer where they provide meals as well as food packages.
Spring cleaning? New or used summer clothing in good condition can be brought to church services during the month of May please for the sale at the Foyer on June 11th. If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:7,11
Any ideas/suggestions/com ments for the Chap-Aid charity association Board Meeting on May 27th? Please contact your Chap-Aid representative, Lindsay Mégraud (tel. 05 56 96 44 17).
Graham Kendrick Concert on Friday evening, June 3rd , in Bergerac. Jennifer Bearcroft is taking reservations for free tickets to this unique and special concert with Christian songwriter, Graham Kendrick (Shine, Jesus, Shine is a brilliant example!). You may contact her at a church service or by calling: 05 56 40 05 12. We will try to organize carpooling.
A Cancer Support France (CSF) group is currently being formed to help English-speaking cancer patients and their families in Bordeaux and its surrounding area. CSF groups are already running in the Poitou Charentes and Dordogne areas. Heather Cléda, our Hospital Visitor Coordinator, will be following the development of this Bordeaux antenna. For more information on how you might help, please contact Teresa Rekowska (CSF Ribérac Secretary) directly: e-mail: [email protected], Tel. 06 82 72 68 58 (message service available). For more information about CSF please view their website: www. cancersupportfrance.info