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Mothers Union

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News from the Chaplaincy

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Chaplaincy News

HOLY WEEK

On Maundy Thursday there will be a Way of the Cross Service at Chef Boutonne at 6.00pm led by Rev Nicky Marshall. (The service can be found in Reflections.) On Good Friday there are two services; 2pm at Courcelles and 7.30 at Cognac. We look forward to welcoming you.

Last week a group of various church representatives in the Cognac area met to discuss a message to be given to the local Muslim community during their season of Ramadan. Stuart and Evelyne Woodrow and Florence Lorrain took part. This message will be read our in the Mosque this Friday 22nd March. (An English translation is provided below.)

Chers frères et chères sœurs de la communauté musulmane du Cognaçais,

Une fois encore nos calendriers concernant nos moments du Ramadan et du Carême coïncident, et fidèles à ce qui devient une tradition entre nos communautés (musulmane, catholique, anglicane et protestante), nous voulons nous joindre à vous pour partager ce temps si cher à nous tous.
Loin de penser à un hasard qui fait coïncider ces calendriers, nous voulons croire qu’il s’agit du temps que choisit Dieu, notre Créateur, pour nous interpeller sur la situation de notre monde et nous donner l’occasion de nous redire l’essentiel.
C’est pourquoi, en ces moments où la paix est mise à mal par ces guerres qui occasionnent la mort de milliers d’innocents, nous voulons comme par le passé, joindre nos voix aux vôtres pour implorer la miséricorde et la clémence de Dieu notre Père commun, afin qu’Il nous conduise à une paix durable.
C’est donc l’occasion pour nous de vous réitérer notre disponibilité à poursuivre avec vous et à travers nos actions communes la recherche de solutions pour la consolidation de notre lien d’amour et de fraternité, comme nous avons pu le faire lors de notre rassemblement pour la Paix le 4 novembre dernier et lors des Lumières de Bethléem le 10 décembre.
Nous souhaitons à toute votre communauté un mois de Ramadan béni et ressourçant, ainsi qu’un joyeux Aïd El Fitr.
Que Dieu vous bénisse et vous garde.
Fraternellement,
vos frères et sœurs des communautés catholique, anglicane et protestante réformée.

Dear brothers and sisters of the Cognaçais Muslim community,
Once again, our calendars for Ramadan and Lent coincide, and in keeping with what is becoming a tradition between our communities (Muslim, Catholic, Anglican and Protestant), we want to join you in sharing this time so dear to us all.
Far from thinking that it's a coincidence that these calendars coincide, we want to believe that this is the time chosen by God, our Creator, to challenge us on the state of our world and give us the opportunity to remind ourselves of what's essential.
That's why, at a time when peace is being undermined by wars that are claiming the lives of thousands of innocent people, we want to join our voices to yours, as we have in the past, in imploring the mercy and clemency of God, our common Father, to lead us to lasting peace.
We would therefore like to take this opportunity to reiterate our readiness to continue working with you and through our joint actions to find solutions to consolidate our bond of love and brotherhood, as we did at our gathering for Peace on November 4 and at our celebration of the "Light of Bethlehem" on December 10.
We wish your entire community a blessed and rejuvenating month of Ramadan, and a happy Eid El Fitr.
May God bless you and keep you.
Your brothers and sisters in the Catholic, Anglican and Protestant Reformed communities of Cognac.

Palm Sunday

PARKING FOR PALM SUNDAY SERVICE

A very high attendance is expected for the service at Chef-Boutonne on Sunday 24th March at 11h00. Please be aware that extra parking is available at the Hôtel de Ville opposite the church - some marked spaces are visible from the main road but there is also more parking available to the rear of the building.

Chaplaincy AGM Thursday 25th April 10.30 Chef Boutonne

Chaplaincy Council Elections
Could you help with the day-to-day running of our Chaplaincy? At this year’s Annual Meeting we will need to elect at least three new members of Council, a representative for the Archdeaconry Synod, and two Churchwardens. If you are ready to volunteer, nomination forms can be found on the website under the ‘Forms’ tab. If you would like further information, please contact one of the current Churchwardens (Wanda McKerchar and Andrew Chambers) or the Chaplaincy Council secretary (Charlie Wilcock).

NOTICE OF REVISION OF CHURCH ELECTORAL ROLL
Diocese in Europe
Chaplaincy of Poitou-Charentes
Notice is given that the Church Electoral Roll of the above Chaplaincy will be revised by the Chaplaincy Council, beginning on the 11th day of March 2024 and ending on the 4th day of April 2024. After the revision, a copy of the Roll will be published by the Chaplaincy Council on the website for at least 14 days and a copy of the Roll will be available for inspection on a reasonable request being made to the Council.
Under the Church Representation Rules, a lay person is entitled to have his or her name entered on the roll if the person
(a) is baptised,
(b) is aged 16 or over, and
(c) has made one of the following three declarations and duly applied for enrolment:
The first declaration is that the person is a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it and is resident in the parish.
The second declaration is that the person is a member of the Church of England or of a Church in communion with it, is not resident in the parish, but has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.
The third declaration is that the person is a member in good standing of a Church which is not in communion with the Church of England but subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and is also a member of the Church of England and has habitually attended public worship in the parish during the preceding six months.
Application Forms for enrolment can be obtained from the Church Electoral Roll Officer or form the Chaplaincy website under the ‘Forms’ tab. In order for a person to be entitled to attend the annual parochial church meeting and to take part in its proceedings, an Application Form for enrolment must be returned by the date shown above for the ending of the revision of the Church Electoral Roll by the Chaplaincy Council.
Any error discovered in the Roll should at once be reported to the Church Electoral Roll Officer (Andrew Chambers - andythomcham@hotmail.com).
Dated this 10th day of March 2024 Charlie Wilcock
Secretary to Chaplaincy Council

Mother's Day and Events coming up

Mother's Day at Cognac. The altar with the flowers . There were several bunches for each person so that there could be a wider outreach. Florence gave a very interesting explanation of the colours of altar clothes and vestments used in the liturgical calendar. In particular, the “rose” which is used on only 2 days in the year. Please book for the John Bost visit on March 16th. Don't forget to book for lunch on 24th by 20th March. Also the Easter Wreath making workshop, places are limited and finally please can you think about events to mark our 20th anniversary.

Visit to John Bost Foundation 16th March

The Jarnac Ecumenical group is organising a trip to the John Bost Foundation in Dordogne on Saturday 16th March (see flyer above). This will be an opportunity to learn both about the history and the current reality of the work they do there. We will be welcomed by the director and the chaplain of the Foundation, and a hot meal will be provided for us in their canteen. Car-sharing from Jarnac is possible (and encouraged). Arrival at the Museum of the Foundation is 10.30am. Please contact Florence Lorraine and book you place before March 2nd

Message from Council

Any donations made to our named charities, following the closing down of CATCH, will go through the Aquitaine Charity association.
Please address the given amount to the Chaplaincy Poitou Charentes treasurer :
1/ by cheque made out to the Chaplaincy PC sent to chapel/office address or
2/ by bank transfer, stating clearly it is for MSF or any other charity in the title.
We will ensure it is swiftly forwarded.
Many thanks.

SAVE THE DATES

Dear Chaplaincy Family,The Church Council met on 29th January and we have some Save the Dates for you: 21st February Curry and Quiz Lunch, Chef Boutonne, 25th after service lunch at Chef Boutonne, 29th February MU Lunch, Games afternoon in March, date tbc, 21st April Sing to God at Champagne Mouton, 24th April Deaf Awareness Course at Chef Boutonne, AGM 25th April 10.30 Chef Boutonne followed by a Faith Lunch. More details on all these events to follow. But please check Events regularly Watch out for February's Jubilate...coming soon to your Inbox.

Lunch after service at Chef-Boutonne 28th January

The next church lunch will be on Sunday 25th February when the main course will be pasta bolognese - deadline for bookings 10pm on 21st February. The Restaurant des Canards will be open for Palm Sunday, 24th March - please check the website for further details in February and March. June, Jane and Wanda

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Our world is scarred by terror and violence. Millions are forced to leave their homes in search of refuge and safety. God of welcome, grant us the grace to risk embracing the stranger, tending their wounds and standing in solidarity with them. Strengthen our resolve to be kind and merciful and to act towards our sisters and brothers at all times as you do towards us. In our weakness and fear we know that we often pass by on the other side, turning away from those who need our help. God of power, despite our lack of charity, open our hearts to experience the length, width, height and depth of your love, so that we may love you more and love our neighbour as ourselves. Fill us with your love. Make us one in you.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) takes place each year This year is: 18th to 25 thJanuary. This special week provides an opportunity to focus our prayers on Christian unity, as well as speak about and experience Christian unity personally, in our village, town or county as well as engage with what happens at a national level.

This year the theme ‘You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself’ (Lk 10:27) has come from an ecumenical team from Burkina Faso, facilitated by the local Chemin Neuf Community (CCN)They have reflected on the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, and all are encouraged to Go and do likewise. It is a story about crossing boundaries that calls our attention to the bonds that unite the whole human family. Brothers and sisters from the Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou, Protestant Churches, ecumenical bodies and the CCN in Burkina Faso collaborated generously in drafting the prayers and reflections.

During the WPCU there are two Ecumenical Services: Sunday January 21st at 11.00am in Cognac Temple and Tuesday January 23rd at 18.00 at St John Baptist Church, St Jean D’Angely.
There is also a Eucharist Service on Sunday January 28th at 11.00 am in Jarnac, Cyrille Payot will be preaching
AND at Chef Boutonne the 11.00 Eucharist will be followed by a Chaplaincy Lunch. Please see Events for details and make sure you contact Wanda to book your places by no later than January 21st

February 2024 Jubilate - copy to Sally Freeman sally.simon@icloud.com by January 20th please.

Fundraising Lunch after Communion Sunday January 28th

Sunday 28th January – Chef Boutonne - Fundraising lunch after the Communion ( our usual restaurant is closed until March.)Apéros and nibbles will be served before a main course of creamy chicken stew (with leeks and peas) rice and carrots (Jane, June and Wanda) followed by dessert or cheese. Water, tea and coffee will be provided but please bring your own extra drinks - wine etc. AND your couverts (cutlery, crockery, glasses).Cost: 10€ per person (or 5€ if providing a contribution to the meal). There will be a small raffleReservations MUST be made by 10pm on Sunday 21st January by contacting Wanda 09 64 12 29 54 wandamckerchar@aol.co.uk and she will welcome offers of food as mentioned above.We very much look forward to welcoming you to this new venture!June, Jane and Wanda

Happy New Year to all who work so hard to make our Chaplaincy such a happy, fulfilling and inclusive place of worship. A special thank you to our Ministry Team and Council members, who give freely of their time and talents to ensure that we have the opportunity to worship and share fellowship in our native (to most of us) tongue. As we move into 2024 and a new chapter in the life of the Chaplaincy, we ask God's guidance as we continue to work together, support each other and welcome all comers to our worship and fellowship. Thank you and may God Bless you. Nicky.

We look forward to welcoming you to Holy Communion at Chef Boutonne 11am December 24th and Holy Communion on 10.30am on December 25th at Courcelles. We have received this message and Christmas Wishes from: Jeannette Spaanderman, Communications Coordinator for the Intercontinental Church Society Dear All, I am pleased to attach the ICS News and Prayer Update for January 2024! (This can be found in Publications under January 2024). As this year draws to a close, we want to thank you for your support, for your prayers, your interest and friendship, especially as we celebrated our 200th Anniversary. We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to being in touch again next year, when we hope to see many of you at the Zoom prayer meeting on 25 January! (sign up here)Also, if you have any Used Postage Stamps, please collect these for ICS and send to: Mrs Sylvia Leyton, 1a Mount View Road, Olivers Battery, WINCHESTER, SO22 4JJ Thank you!

Christmas Services

We had two wonderful services on Sunday 17th December 2023. The first, lessons and carols in the south, an Ecumenical service in Jarnac with over 60 attending. The second, also lessons and carols at Chef Boutonne. We have further services this week. On Christmas Eve at Chef Boutonne Holy Communion at 11am and our Christmas Day Holy Communion at Courcelles at 10.30am. Please see the services side bar for more information. Photos from Chef Boutonne , thank you Sam Brett.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Carol Services this Sunday. There are two: a Joint Service with the Eglise Protestant at 10.30 at Jarnac and at 11.00am in our lovely Stone Chapel at Chef Boutonne. Last night a congregation of 50 at Courcelles shared in our Ecumenical Service of Lessons and Carols, led by Sue Wilcock and our Pop-Up Choir (Simon Freeman). Thank you to all the readers and the helpers for the refreshments afterwards. The collection raised 197 euros for Medécins sans Frontières. AND on December 3rd there was a hugely enjoyable concert held at Chef of Christmas Songs, directed by Catherine Chambers. This raised a wonderful 250 euros each for the Chaplaincy funds and Medécins sans Frontières. Thank you to all the performers.

Today we celebrated the second Sunday of Advent and lit the second candle of the Advent Ring.
God our Father, you spoke to the prophets of old of a Saviour who would bring peace. You helped them to spread the joyful message of his coming kingdom. Help us, as we prepare to celebrate his birth, to share with those around us the good news of your power and love. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the light who is coming into the world. Amen.

Advent

Christmas Cake Raffle. Ray's Cake raised 345 euros. Thank you Ray, and everyone who bought tickets. The winner was Valérie Petry, our Administrator. CONGRATULATIONS Valérie. Carol Services: You are invited to join La Lumière de la Paix in Cognac on December 10th. Bring your candle (see below). Please note we have TWO Ecumenical Carol Services: Courcelles Tuesday 12th December 18.00 (please bring some festive nibbles to share afterwards) and Jarnac Sunday December 17th 10.30

Fundraising Update: Advent Antics Wednesday November 29th raised £590. Thank you to everyone who came and all those who worked so hard on the day and beforehand: making, creating, cooking, collecting items, setting up, clearing up and hosting. Well Done Everyone!

What's Happening this week? LAST CHANCE to buy Christmas Cake Raffle tickets!!

Reminder... Reminder.... Sunday December 3rd Advent Services: at Courcelles and Champagne Mouton (see service details on left of Home Page) AND a Concert of Sacred and Secular Christmas Songs at Chef Boutonne Dec 3rd (click on poster below for details and/or contact Catherine Chambers) We look forward to welcoming you all. Last week some lovely Christmas Wreaths were made at the workshop at Chef Boutonne.

Remembrance Sunday November 12th 2023

British Legion Poppy Appeal 2023
This cause is close to the hearts of many ex-patriots. Indeed, in our midst there is a good number of ex-servicemen.
My story starts about a month before Remembrance Sunday. In order to find a supply of poppies for the Chaplaincy, our Warden, Wanda McKerchar, was put in touch with Duncan Andrews, chairman of the Bordeaux and SW France branch of the British Legion. I had the pleasure of meeting him in Cognac to receive a supply, and to assist him in an act of remembrance.
Duncan’s branch had set themselves the task, helped by other organisations such as RAFA, of putting poppy crosses on all British war graves in Grand Aquitaine. The main part of these, are associated with the sinking of a battleship off the coast of Landes. Crosses were placed on all of the Commonwealth Graves plot in a cemetery, on the west side of Cognac, where eight airmen are buried (photo below).
Remembrance Sunday this year fell on the day of our usual Holy Communion service here in Cognac. We were able to decorate the Temple and had a good turn out in the congregation (the largest for some time). We were all moved by the service of remembrance led by Charlie Wilcock, himself a retired serviceman.
Back to the poppies. From all of our worship centres, and other likely and unlikely places, the Chaplaincy collected the tremendous sum of 300 euros for the Royal British Legion. Thank you to all who contributed.
For myself, I am pleased that the tone of Remembrance is now much more about the sacrifices made by ordinary people and their families, not just in the World Wars, but also in the conflicts since, rather than jingoistic.
In these troubled times, prayers for peace are so very relevant.
William Jones (November 2023)

BREAKING NEWS - Search for our Chaplain – There are three applicants for the four House for Duty posts in France. We are delighted that all three have included our Chaplaincy in their applications. Interviews are this Friday November 24th. Please can you pray that someone is called to serve God with us here in the Poitou-Charente. AND This Sunday is our Safeguarding Service and Holy Communion at Chef Boutonne at 11am. We look forward to welcoming you.

Dear Chaplaincy Family, Please make sure you check all the details of the Advent and Carol Services in December. All Service details and dates are on the left hand side of the Website Home Page. This includes, dates, times, venues and Local Wardens to contact. Please note Christmas Cake raffle tickets must be paid for BEFORE 3rd December when the draw will be made. There are lots of Events coming up. Please check Events at the top of the Home Page. AND click on the photos below to enlarge the images. Please remember to book your places for lunch after the Safeguarding Service (Nov 26th) at Chef Boutonne by November 22nd

Remembrance Sunday November 12th 2023

A moving ceremony of Remembrance was held at Chef Boutonne.
A Wreath of Poppies was laid at the Altar by Angela Larmuth.
John Larmuth read the exhortation and Cornet player Penny Williams played the Last Post and Reveille.

At the Temple Cognac, a Special Service of Remembrance was led by
Charlie Wilcock. Charlie read poems by Wilfred Owen ‘Anthem for Doomed Youth’ and Charles Henrywood’s Remembrance Hymn. Poppies were laid on the Altar and in the church by William Jones. Rev Nicky Marshall officiated.

At both Chef Boutonne and Cognac a 2 minute silence was observed.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Christmas Cake Raffle AND Christmas Wreath Making Workshop AND Advent Antics

CHRISTMAS IS ON ITS WAY. Please don't forget to buy tickets for the Christmas Cake Raffle AND November 22nd Wreath Making Workshop. 2.30-4.30pm 45 euros. BOOK NOW. 🎄You will create your own personal Christmas wreath - (with guidance of course )to take home & decorate your door.🎄All quality materials provided , different colour palettes available from traditional - modern. Which you will select from our Christmas flower bar.🎄 Refreshments and cake provided, and have some Christmas fun while creating something you can reuse next year. Come join Monpetitjardin for what promises to be an afternoon to kick-start your Christmas 🎄. Advent Antics - Hamper Raffle, Lunch, Christmas Fayre, Cake Stall, Books and much more. November 29th 12.00 - 4.00pm. Cognac Salle, Rue du Temple 16100 Contact Liz and William Jones

Please don't forget the Christmas Wreath Making Workshop on November 22nd. Also all copy for Jubilate to sally.simon@icloud.com by November 20th. And a date for your diary November 29th Christmas Antics 12.00 - 4.00 in Cognac. More details to follow.

Breaking News******The Advert for our Chaplain is LIVE ******See: House for Duty-France. Diocese for Europe: europe.anglican.org The Section 11 meeting was held on October 9th (Minutes in Publications, OCTOBER 2023). Preparations are underway for December's Jubilate. Please can you send items to: sally.simon@icloud.com Thank you.

******Reminders****** Copy for December Jubilate to Sally Freeman by 20th November please. sally.freeman@icloud.com

Games afternoon at Chef Boutonne 11th October: A lovely afternoon spent playing games and chatting. Huge thanks to Pamela (cake queen), Angela (plants, jams and chutneys queen), Leona (raffle queen), David (shove-halfpenny champ and provider of indoor boules), Maureen ( Scrabble queen), JulieMargaret (indoor boules champ) and to Barry and Andy for being such good sports.
As Barry said, "I'm only here for the tea and cake!" but played shove-halfpenny with gusto!
A great afternoon - thanks all for your support. See you next time with guest appearance from Cracker!!!!!!

Harvest Festival Sunday October 8th at Cognac. This included the Rededication Service for Mother's Union members and our Warden Wanda McKerchar became a member. It was followed by a Bring and Share lunch.

Please make sure you look at Events for forthcoming activities. Also Publications for the Funding our Future (the RIB is there under October for making donations to the Chaplaincy (it is also on the Donations Page). Council Minutes can be found in Publications (select month). Additional dates for your diary: SING to GOD October 29th at Chef Boutonne. All welcome. Lunch after service at Courcelles, Sunday November 5th at Le Relais, Asnieres-la-Giraud (opposite church, 6km from St Jean on main road to Saintes (N150)).Plenty of parking. Inclusive menu 20 euro: starter large buffet, choice of 5 plats (at least one fish), cheese, dessert, wine. Contact p.sheldon@wanadoo.fr by October 23rd to be included on table reservation. Christmas Wreath Workshop 22nd November 2.30 - 4.30 AND Christmas Cake Raffle.

Harvest Services and Jubilate

We look forward to welcoming Chaplaincy members to our Harvest Services at Champagne Mouton and Courcelles on Sunday October 1st. In addition, we welcome the return of Jubilate. It will be dropping into your Inbox today. (This month it will come from David Hawken (thank you David) until we work out how to transfer the Mailing List!) You can also find Jubilate in Publications/Information under OCTOBER, along with October’s Together in Prayer. Some reminders: Harvest Service and MU Service next Sunday 8th at Cognac and SING to GOD (October 29th) please let David Hawken have your hymn selection by October 8th. Please check out the Events Page for all forthcoming activities across the Chaplaincy.

NEWS FLASH Looking to The Future

At Chef Boutonne on Sunday 24th September we had the first of our four Harvest Services. It was lovely to welcome everyone and to receive the very many gifts for Resto du Coeur. After the service Wanda McKerchar launched the ‘Funding our Future. A guide to giving.’ Members of the congregation were given the colourful leaflet. Members at Champagne Mouton, Courcelles and Cognac will receive theirs at their Harvest Services. It will also be published in Jubilate (out in October) and can be found on the website (Publications/Information SEPTEMBER 2023) “ Looking to the future we all want to grow our Chaplaincy to thrive and grow” Our Plans: “To seek a chaplain on a ‘house for duty’ basis,….”The Chaplaincy Council, after lengthy discussion and prayerful reflection have decided to advertise for a House for Duty Chaplain. We look forward to sharing these plans with you over the next few weeks. If you have any questions or concerns please contact a member of Council (all contact details can be found on the website Church Officers). PS Someone left a mobile phone after the Bring and Share. Please contact Andrew Chambers.

Harvest Festival

A warm welcome awaits you at Harvest Festival, Chef Boutonne Sunday September 24th, 11am. All produce to go to Resto du Coeur. Our Service will be led by Archdeacon Peter Hooper. Coffee afterwards and a Bring and Share Lunch.

Dear Chaplaincy Family, Sunday 17th September is our Zoom Service. Please go to churchinacquitaine.org and follow the Church Online services.
We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at the first of our Harvest Services beginning on Sunday September 24th at Chef Boutonne, followed by a Bring and Share lunch. Archdeacon Peter Hooper will be leading our service. (Please check out the other Harvest Services in our other centres on the left hand side of the Home Page.)

Concert and Cake
On Sunday 10th September at 3pm there was a fund-raising event in our lovely church and garden at the Stone Chapel, Chef Boutonne. Catherine Chambers’ Performing Arts students had prepared their end of year concert. They remarked what a shame it was to put in all this work and only give one performance. Catherine thought that this “…might be an idea…” and offered it to the Church Council who kindly agreed to host the event.

Morning Prayer was held at 11am, followed by a picnic and then: “Andrew and I re-organised the church area into a performance space for our cast. The acoustics are excellent for singing in the church.”

Sound technician and stage manager Richard ensured all the technical ‘stuff’ worked before the arrival of the performers, in time to test all their soundtracks and warm up their voices This also gave them the opportunity to adjust to performing in a different space.

A number of well-known songs from popular shows were offered to the audience including: Oh What a Beautiful Morning, Surrey with the Fringe on Top, In love with a Wonderful Guy, I Want to Live, Many a New Day, I Dreamed a Dream, Wandrin’ Star, Happy Talk and many others. Audience members commented on how the songs brought back many fond memories.

Catherine: “It was pure joy for all of us to entertain those who had booked seats. I know everyone who came thoroughly enjoyed our performance and the wonderful tea and cakes that Wanda and her team of ladies organised afterwards. We are very grateful for all the wonderful comments and encouragement. Best of all we raised €187.00 which was excellent. A big thank you to all who came to support us.”Catherine Chambers.

Checkout the churchinfrance website

Dear Chaplaincy Family,

There are lots of events coming up in September and October. Please check regularly for all the Service details (left hand side of the Home Page). Please don't forget to bring along your donations for Resto de Coeur. During the cost of living crisis the need is even greater. Click on Events to see a full list of dates, events and venues. Click on the MU page for details of the MU Annual Renewal of Vows Service and the Quiet Day. In Publications/Information you will find past services, sermons, Together in Prayer...and lots more....just search by the month. In October we will be publishing the relaunched Jubilate (let Sally Freeman have items for this by September 20th.) If you have any problems navigating the website contact Sally Freeman (sally.simon@icloud.com).

Please read News and check Events page regularly. There is lots happening.

Dear All,There will be the usual service Sunday 10 September at Cognac10.30. WARNING: Some will already be aware, but it is the weekend of the Cognac Coupe de Chauffe. This is a great festival of street art with performances of all sorts: music, jugglers, mime, exhibitions etc. All free! But it does mean that the centre of Cognac is pedestrianised with the roads blocked as you approach the centre. Parking will be in demand, but hopefully not excessively at that time on Sunday morning. The attached map shows where I think the road blocks will be. I have marked recommended routes into the Place Beaulieu, close to the Temple. But you may choose to park in Place Gambetta, near Place Martelll where the previous block was, or where you can, and walk in the rest of the way. Please make allowances for this potential disruption. However the upside is you may wish to stay on after the service and soak up some of the atmosphere.Looking forward to seeing you.William and Liz Jones – Local WardensON THIS SUPER SUNDAY 10th - There is also a service of Morning Prayer at Chef Boutonne. Afterwards there will be a picnic in the garden. This is not a Bring and Share but we invite everyone to bring their picnic and eat together before the concert. The Concert and Cake is at 3pm …booking IS ESSENTIAL BY SEPT 9th…please contact Catherine Chambers or Wanda McKerchar. We don't want you to be disappointed. There will be tea and cake after the concert. We look forward to seeng as many of you as possible at Cognac and/or Chef Boutonne

Photos from Morning Prayer at Champagne Mouton Sunday 3rd. Don't forget: Sunday 10th at Chef Boutonne 3pm-5pm Concert and cake . Please see the notice above. Booking is essential. Contact Catherine Chambers or Wanda McKerchar

Afternoon Tea Report

Afternoon Tea Wanda reports …….The day began under a grey sky and with light rain as we put up the five tivoli in the garden of our church of Christ the Good Shepherd in Chef-Boutonne. By the time the stallholders had arrived and the tables had been set the sun had begun to break through and the temperature was very pleasant after the canicule!Thirty four guests gradually arrived and the garden was filled with friendly chatter, lots of laughter and background music ( our neighbours had been warned and invited). The food was plentiful and delicious, the raffle and stalls were successful and a jolly good time had by all.Huge thanks to The Team for their help in planning , organising and hard work on the day, to everyone who donated or loaned items and to those who came along to make the afternoon so successful. We raised 518€ for Chaplaincy funds.Well done everyone!

Lunch after church

Wanda reports from the bring and share lunch in the church garden at Chef Boutonne: ‘We had a super lunch and it was lovely to share together, we were also able to raise a glass of fizz to Margaret and Don Mace for their 58th wedding anniversary courtesy of their donation. ‘ Please join us for our next lunch details to follow.

Mothers Union Boat Trip

Mothers Union enjoyed a wonderful boat trip on Tuesday 8 th August. We embarked at Saintes aboard the electro -solar board the ‘Bernard Plissay III’ unique in Europe. The staff were informative and fun. After a beautiful and eco - friendly cruise we arrived in Chaniers. We had a lovely lunch before returning to Saintes on the boat. If you would like to join in with events such as this and enjoy some fun , fellowship and raise some funds to help local families then MU could be for you! More information from Sue Wilcock MU President

Songs of Praise Love and Marriage

‘We had a lovely service of Praise and Thanksgiving this morning at Courcelles. Over 30 members of the Chaplaincy celebrated love and marriage and helped Pat and Alan Jenkins mark their 60th Anniversary. Several other couples in the congregation are celebrating special anniversaries over the next few months and we wish them every blessing. ‘

Holy Communion at Chef Boutonne on Sunday July 23rd.

Holy Communion

There will be a service of Holy Communion at Chef Boutonne this Sunday. Everyone is most welcome to stay for coffee afterwards.

NEWSFLASH - Beetle Drive Friday July 21st 14.30-16.30 at Chef Boutonne.

Dear Chaplaincy Family, Just to let you know that the website is currently undergoing some maintenance work which means that some sections may not be fully functioning. Please bear with us (and thank you Maria). Also, just to remind you...Council agendas and minutes can be found under Publications/Information. Click on menu, select month for a drop down menu. (July 17th's minutes can be found under July.) Any problems navigating the website please contact Sally Freeman: sally.simon@icloud.com

Sunday July 16th Please log on to the online service churchinaquitaine.org. Chef Boutonne – Garden - Andy and Geoff are working hard on the ramp for the emergency exit for wheelchairs. We hope to be able to use the garden in August. After the service on 9th July a team of enthusiastic volunteers met to plan fundraising/social events for the coming months - an interesting variety with something to suit everyone. Please check the Events page regularly for details. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sunday July 2nd

Our Chaplaincy Family including Haydn Worral (being welcomed as Local Warden for Champagne Mouton) and Phil and Karen (Local Wardens at Courcelles).

Trinity Sunday Services in our Chaplaincy

On Sunday June 5th there were two Services of Holy Communion. Rev Terence Handley presided at Courcelles with Charlie and Sue Wilcock and Rev Nicky Marshall at Champagne Mouton with Catherine Chambers. (Here are a few photos from Champagne Mouton.)Rev Nicky Marshall's Sermon for Trinity Sunday can be found in the Publications section iff the website. (Search JUNE.)

Pentecost Chef Boutonne

May 28th 2023. Meet some of the Team: Chef Boutonne Pentecost. (Left to right.) Catherine Chambers, Geoff Cornwall (PTOs), Sam Brett, Rev Nicky Marshall, Neil Harvey (PTO), Wanda Mckerchar, Andrew Chambers (Chaplaincy Wardens).

Zoom Service May 21st

May 21st an Uplifting Zoom service led by Archdeacon Peter.

Each congregation in the Chaplaincy was represented and we were also joined by Sharon and Chris from the UK. As always, it was lovely to be able to meet for worship in this way. Archdeacon Peter led the service on the theme "Thy Kingdom Come" - words which, as he pointed out, we repeat every time we say the Lord's Prayer. In his talk we were invited to consider our Christian journey and the active part we play to help His kingdom come to Earth, not only through prayer but also through our actions in daily and church life.

Peter ended by inviting us all to wear something red for our Pentecost celebration next Sunday, 28th May. The altar at Chef-Boutonne will be suitably adorned, thanks to Nicky, and we look forward to welcoming you to the service at 11am at the Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, 16, Avenue de l'Hôtel de Ville, 79110, Chef-Boutonne. Lunch is available at the Restaurant des Canards afterwards - details of menu and how to book on the Events page on the website www.churchinfrance.com. See you there - wearing something red !?!

Wanda – Warden

Council News

May 16th - The Church Council met and welcomed Wanda McKerchar and Andrew Chambers as they made their declarations in their new roles as Wardens. (Summary notes can be found in Publications under MAY 2023.) We also welcomed Stuart Woodrow onto Council and Charlie Wilcock who is co-opted as Minutes Secretary. The minutes of the meeting will be published on the website shortly.The next meeting will be on June 28th when the main item on the agenda will be the future appointment of a Chaplain.

Coronation Lunch

On Sunday May 7th there was a Bring and Share lunch in the garden of Rev Nicky Marshall. It was a wonderful afternoon of fizz, cake and fellowship.

Christmas Service at Chef Boutonne in The Stone Chapel
Chaplain:Vacant
Assistant Chaplain:Vacant
Church Wardens: Wanda Mckerchar and Andrew Chambers

Tel: 06 21 32 31 28

Registered Office (for postal deliveries)
16 Avenue de l'Hotel de Ville, 79110, Chef Boutonne.
Tel: 06 21 32 31 28
office.goodshepherd@sfr.fr


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