Sister Anne Delphine, from the Monastère des Bénédictines has sent an invitation to their Ecumenical Celebration for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Tuesday January 20th at 18.00. Monastère des Bénédictines, 2 impasse de Pied-Foulard, Pailles. 79370.There is also an Ecumenical Service on Thursday January 22nd at 18.00 at à l'Eglise Saint Jean-Baptiste, St Jean D’Angely.

Saturday 10 January
Lumiere de Bethlehem: This is an ecumenical service where the local Scouts arrive with a flame brought all the way from Bethlehem. It is a contemplative service, essentially in the dark, until the torch arrives to bring light to the world. The whole congregation is invited to light their own candles from it. It is very moving and so encouraging to see so many youngsters enthusiastically involved. Last year the service was at the Temple in Cognac. This year it is at the church in Cherves, starting at 17.00. We look forward too welcoming you to this beautiful service.

Sunday 11 January
There is the usual monthly service of Holy Communion celebrating the Baptism of Christ on Sunday 11 January in the Temple Cognac at 10.30.
There will be Morning Prayer at 11.00 at Chef Boutonne.

Please note whilst Heather is on sick leave there may be changes to the advertised services so please check the website regularly.
We wish Heather a speedy recovery and a speedy return.

These photos are from the Christmas Day Service in Jarnac (thank you William). The flowers were arranged by Sandy. The crib scene comes from Peru with the sheep being made in Bethlehem by the L'Arche community there.
Like those in Charente, the L'Arche community provides a workplace for 45 adults with learning disabilities (https://www.larche.org/countries/palestine).
They run a small hotel, which welcomes visitors and pilgrims to Bethlehem, hopefully helping to make sure that not too many people arrive in the town only to discover that there is no room for them in the inn. They also make decorations from felted wool, including these sheep, made from wool from the flocks which graze in the fields nearby.
With all good wishes,
Florence

On Sunday we celebrated an Ecumenical Service at Jarnac where there were over 80 in the congregation. On Monday we held the annual Ecumenical Carol Service at Courcelles with over 80 in the congregation. On Tuesday over 40 joined us at Chef Boutonne. There was hearty singing in French and English at all three services to accompany the lessons, also in French and English.
Thanks go to Simon Freeman for playing for each service and for organising and rehearsing the Pop-Up Choir who led the singing so well and also sang three choir items.

Thank you to everyone who contributed so generously again for Resto de Coeur and to the offertories for the Chaplaincy charities. To all those who brought mince pies and other delicious goodies, pineau and mulled wine. To Florence and Cyril for leading at Jarnac and to Liz and William for setting up and clearing away, to Nicky for leading at Courcelles and to Pat and Alan Jenkins, Andy and Wanda for setting up and clearing away at Courcelles. Thank you to Geoff for leading at Chef and to Wanda and Andy for setting up and clearing away.
Three most excellent services with a wonderful atmosphere of joy and celebration.

On Friday morning William Jones (Local Warden from Cognac) took the offerings from the Carol service AND the Mothers Union present boxes/bags to the collection centre in Cognac. In the previous week gifts from Courcelles, Champagne Mouton and Chef Boutonne were taken to their Restos. Each centre had more helpers than usual and the atmosphere was upbeat and very festive with seasonal decorations and music.Once again a HUGE Huge thank you to everyone who has donated so very generously. Sally Freeman (Comms Officer)

We have just received this letter of thanks form the Royal British Legion. Talk you to everyone who contributed and thank you again to all those who led our three wonderful services.

This morning we had a glorious Carol Service in Jarnac along with our friends from the EPUF. It was great to share the advent story in the series of lessons and carols, in alternate languages. As always the whole congregation, of more than 100, enthusiastically joined in the singing. The French do appreciate this part of our heritage. An element of the Chaplaincy “scratch” choir did two solo pieces which were appreciated. We made it well known that our part of the collection would be going to Médecins sans Frontières and to Shelterbox. This will be 270 euros.
Everyone, perhaps our French friends especially, liked the coffee and mince pies afterwards. It was a marvellous opportunity for us to share our faith, and other conversations of fellowship.
Thank you Florence for the sympathetic service, and to Simon for his contribution of the music (and hard work with the choir). And to Sandy Evans for the spectacular altar decoration, helping to set the scene. Must not forget to thank the various bakers for their provision of mince pies.
Altogether a resounding success!
Looking forward to next year.

William

Ray's Christmas Cake Raffle has raised the most amazing 380 euros!
Once again Ray thank you, I think this is the most we have ever raised and it is all due to you. Thank you.

The raffle was drawn yesterday at Champagne Mouton and was won by Haydn Worrall, local Warden for Champagne Mouton. Congratulations Hadyn (he's promised to send a photo: "....before the gastronomic delights begin!"
A huge thank you to everyone who bought tickets at services across the Chaplaincy over the last 2 months. Everyone has been especially generous this year.

And a HUGE thank you to all who have brought beautiful festive gifts for Resto de Coeur to our services over the last 2 months. Each of our FOUR Worship Centres has been wonderful in showing the love, goodwill and generosity of spirit of the membership of our Chaplaincy.

THANK YOU

Dear Chaplaincy Family,

Please don't forget our Ecumenical Carol Services: Sunday Dec 14th 10.30 at Jarnac, Monday Dec 15th 6pm at Courcelles and Tuesday December 16th at Chef Boutonne. Please bring seasonal nibbles to share afterwards at each of the services. Thank you.

As we lit our second Advent candles today at Champagne Mouton and Courcelles we prayed:

Heavenly Father, you call us to repent of our sins; soften our proud and stubborn hearts. Lord Have mercy.

Lord Jesus, you declared the forgiveness of God: teach us to forgive one another. Christ have mercy

Holy Spirit, you search our hearts and show us the truth: direct us in your way to righteousness. Lord have mercy.

Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou Charentes
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2025

We had 4 Poppy boxes circulating and retiring collections at the various appropriate services.
I am delighted to announce that we raised 471 € for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal 2025.
I will be sending this to the South West France Branch in Bordeaux.

Well done all and Thank You.
William Jones Local Warden Cognac. November 2025

There will be three Ecumenical Carol Services in December;

Sunday December 14th at 10.30am at Jarnac.
Monday December 15th at 18.00 (please note earlier time) at Courcelles (followed by festive nibbles)
Tuesday December 16th at 18.00 (please note earlier time) at Chef Boutonne (followed by festive nibbles)

Please invite all your friends (French and English and other nationalities) for these wonderfully inclusive services.

Dear Chaplaincy Family,

Our Advent Service will be held at Chef Boutonne on Sunday November 30th at 11am, followed by lunch at Resto des Canards
3 course menu with choice of starter, main course and dessert 26€ Starter: Broccoli and Stilton soup OR smoked salmon
Main: traditional Christmas lunch OR cod
Dessert: Christmas pudding OR apple crumble
Reservations to Wanda by no later than Sunday 23rd November.
(wandamckerchar@aol.co.uk 09 64 12 29 54 ) This will be wonderful time for fellowship as we enter Advent.
Kind regards, Sally Freeman (Comms Officer)

Dear all

You may be pleased to hear that this will be short and sweet as I am surrounded by boxes – from my importation of all my worldly goods.
This has been a busy week and I have not had much opportunity for unpacking!

Welcome to those who are new to this Chaplaincy and are receiving this email for the first time.
We look forward to getting to know you

This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and their will be 3 special services across the Chaplaincy:

1030 – Service of Remembrance in St Nicholas Church, Courcelles with members of the RAF Association
1100 – Service of Remembrance in our own Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, Chef Boutonne
1030 – Eucharist with act of Remembrance in The Protestant Temple, Cognac

The Liturgical colour is Red and The readings for Remembrance Sunday: Job 19 23-27a, 2 Thessalonians 2 1-5, 13-end, Luke 20 27-38. Individual services may use different readings.

On Armistice Day – 11 November – at 11am each town and village in France will hold their own act of Remembrance, and will read out the names of those on their war memorials.

During the week there will be a quiet day for members of the Mother’s Union on Thursday

Please pray for our Chaplaincy and its council, and for all our congregations, particularly for those in pain or distress or in need of support.
Pray that we can be good neighbours to each other as Jesus asked us to be
And continue to pray for peace in this broken and troubled world.
God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA

Dear all

Well I am back in France with all my worldly goods which were delivered to me this morning – I am surrounded by boxes and random pieces of furniture, but have managed to retain a flat space to enable me to use my laptop.
Thank you for your help Nikki!
I fear it might be some time before I can get everything into a suitable place, and unpack the myriad of boxes.

Following on from the House of Bishops announcement two very powerful statements have been made by senior C of E clergy.
One from the Dean of Southwark, and the other from the Dean of Canterbury.
I urge you to follow the link and open the attachment
The Very Rev’d Dr Mark Oakley’s sermon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLM_J8YH8Fk

I also attach information re the Bishop’s Advent appeal

Please pray for the Chaplaincy Council and Lay Wardens as they meet on Tuesday morning to consider a new proposal to ensure fair representation on the Chaplaincy Council from all 4 worship Centres.

Tomorrow we will be celebrating All Saints in the morning:

All Saints Eucharist service in St Nicholas Church, Courcelles, at 1030
All Saints Eucharist service in the Parish Room, Champagne Mouton at 1030.
Readings: Daniel 7 1-3, 15-18, Ephesians 1 11-23, Luke 6 20-31

The Liturgical colour for All Saints is White

We will gather on Zoom at 1900 tomorrow to celebrate All Souls – where we commemorate those we mourn.
If you intend to join us in the evening you might with to have a candle and means of lighting it when we get to that part of the service.
This will be a quiet reflective service – with some suitable hymns which you can sing (provided you are on mute) or just listen to the St Mary’s singers
Join All Souls service
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85963551527?pwd=Vf9aV1gU8085Bb9H0waZv7ug4Wr2bP.1
Meeting ID: 859 6355 1527
Passcode: 034283
If you are not able to join us I attach a copy of the order of service which you might wish to read at home.
God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou-Charentes

There will be three services on Sunday: Eucharist at Champagne Mouton and at Courcelles and a Special Zoom service at 19.00 for All Souls led by Heather. Please send the names of anyone you would like to be included to Heather.
Thank you.

Dear Chaplaincy Family, Next Sunday there will be two Eucharist services: Champagne Mouton and Courcelles (10.30). Raffle tickets for Ray Smith's Christmas Cake will be on sale (5 euro each or three for 10 euro). This is the 20th year that Ray has been making his cake. Thank you Ray...let's make this a bumper year for raising funds for the Chaplaincy.After the service at Courcelles there will be lunch in a local restaurant (Mazeray) but if you wish to go you must contact Stevie as soon as possible (p.sheldon@wanadoo.fr) as the deadline for booking was October 25th. Usual donations for Resto du Coeur will, as always, be most welcome. In addition there will be a box into which you are invited to place special gifts for RdC clients for Christmas, eg Christmas chocolates and food items, special toiletries, perfumed candles, small gifts (together with gift bags or wrapping paper) for men, women and children . (It would be very helpful if all extra gifts could be brought by Advent Sunday, 30th November to allow time to organise wrapping and distribution.) This is a Mothers' Union initiative this year ; your support will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. On November 9th there will be Eucharist services for Rememembrance Sunday at Cognac and Courcelles and Morning Prayer at Chef Boutonne. At Courcelles there will be a RAFA lunch following the service organised by Ann Walters and Karen Burke. Please let Karen (familleburke1@gmail.com) and/or Ann (walpcs@yahoo.co.uk) know as soon as possible if you wish to attend ( Sophie's - the Relais d'Asnieres, 17400 Asnieres la Giraud.) Sunday November 30th is Advent Sunday. There will be just one service that day. Eucharist at 11.00 at Chef Boutonne. As it is the fifth Sunday it would be wonderful to welcome Chaplaincy members from across our four centres to share in this service. Also, there will be lunch afterwards at: The Restaurant des Canards - 3 course menu with choice of starter, main course and dessert 26€ :Starter: broccoli and Stilton soup OR smoked salmonMain: traditional Christmas lunch OR codDessert: Christmas pudding OR apple crumbleReservations must be sent to Wanda as soon as possible, certainly no later than Sunday 23rd November.( wandamckerchar@aol.co.uk 09 64 12 29 54 ) This will be wonderful time for fellowship as we enter Advent. Kind regards, Sally Freeman (Coomms Officer)

Dear all

I hope everyone in the Chaplaincy has survived Storm Benjamin without too much damage (apart from Wanda and Andy’s Tivoli).

I have attached a letter from Bishop Robert that came out to Clergy, Churchwardens and Chaplaincy Secretaries.
The update on Living in Love and Faith is included in this letter.
Please continue to pray for those who will be very disappointed with this decision.

What a momentous occasion this week when the King and the Pope prayed together in the Sistine Chapel.
Bishop Robert was invited to be there and everyone is invited to listen to him talk about the event.
Bishop Robert was privileged to be invited to be one of those present at the historic service in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday 23 October when the King and the Pope prayed together.
All are invited to come together on zoom on Wednesday 29 October at 1900cet-1930cet (1800gmt-1830gmt) when Bishop Robert will reflect on the event, his experience and the ecumenical significance for the wider church and for our diocese.
The link for the meeting is https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81606744343?pwd=Negu6mb3JRfMzbesCVx8EkuM0L4RVh.1

The Diocese is wanting to have as many videos as possible of people, groups or Chaplaincies reading the Nicene Creed:
Our celebration of the Nicene Creed continues in November with a series of personal reflections from varying perspectives.
In December, we would like to be able to share a video that includes as many voices from around our diocese as possible.
That means we need your help in sending us a recording of yourself, chaplaincy or group reading the Nicene Creed.'
It’s as simple as that. Key things to remember:
• It needs to be with Communications Team by the end of November.
• You can read the Creed from the attached document if it helps.
Thank you, we very much look forward to you being part of this exciting video. I hope that chaplaincy congregations would consider doing this

The service tomorrow will be a Eucharist service to celebrate Bible Sunday at 1100 at Chef Boutonne. Readings: Isaiah 45 22-end, Romans 15 1-6 and Luke 4 16-24.

Please remember that the clocks go back 1 hour on Sunday – both in France and in the UK – so we get an extra hour in bed!

I leave you with a thought for the week (attached).

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

Dear all
Hopefully less typos this week!

Thank you for my birthday messages. I have had a lovely week with my son, finding ammonites on Lyme Regis and Charmouth beaches (part of the Jurassic Coast of England), and spending 2 nights on a widebeam canal barge moored on the river in the very centre of Bath. I am now visiting my Dad who was 98 last month.

I was delighted to see all the reports from the Harvest services across the Chaplaincy – thank you for your generosity.
There is a great need in our rural communities for this help.

The Mother’s Union will collate special Christmas donated items (chocolate, treats, gifts etc) for distribution to local Resto du Coeur .
I gather there will be a special collection box for these donations in Chef Boutonne church and other worship centres may wish to make their own arrangements for such collections in addition to the weekly collections.

Tomorrow in the 18th Sunday after Trinity. The Liturgical colour is Green. There will be a Eucharist service at 1100 in Chef Boutonne Church. The readings for tomorrow are: Genesis 32 22-31, 2 Timothy 3 14-4.5, Luke 18 1-8.

Be kind to yourselves and to each other
God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou-Charentes

At the recent Harvest Service at Courcelles we were pleased to welcome 5 members of the local Resto du Coeur team. We asked about giving Christmas boxes. They were very keen and suggested we could include Christmas treats of food and chocolates (and personal hygiene items are much needed). The Mothers Union will collate all the items and box them up.
We look forward to receiving Christmas donations at all the services throughout the Chaplaincy, leading up to Christmas. (The sooner the better please.) And, if you would like to bring a completed box, that would also be very welcome.

Thank you for your continued generosity.

Karen Burke , Local Warden, Courcelles and MU Secretary.

Harvest Festival Services in the Chaplaincy. Thank you to everyone fro your generous donations for Resto du Coeur at all the Harvest Services. Thank you to all our Ministry Teams for leading us all in Worship together. Thank you for everyone who prepared the churches for our services. Thank you to Sandie Evans for preparing the beautiful altar at Cognac.

Dear all,
Ihave now completed the very interesting and very intense clergy consultation at the College of St George, Windsor Castle.
The subject of the week was ‘Forming a Human Being’, with the Early Church Fathers, led by a team from the Theology Department of the University of Aberdeen.We looked at the writings of Melito of Sardis from the 2nd Century, Irenaeus of Lyon, also in the 2nd Century, Gregory of Nyssa in the 4th Century, and St Maximus the Confessor in 7th Century.
Lots of things to reflect on, to process and to inform future sermons and teaching opportunities.
It was also very important to get into the rhythm of the daily offices and services – Matings, Eucharist and Evensong/Evening Prayer held in St George’s Chapel with a magnificent choir.
Altogether a spiritually nourishing and uplifting experience.

Tomorrow my son and I go to spend a few days on the Jurassic coast in Dorset, an then on to Wiltshire and Bath.

Further to my email of 20 September informing you that I and another person were working with the Diocese to try to resolve issues that arose on Trinity Sunday, I am very sad to report that the other person has asked for that process to be postponed. I am afraid that I do not know why.
Please continue to pray for us all, and for the work of this Chaplaincy.

The Archdeaconry Synod will be held on Zoom on Thursday evening next week. Attendance is not limited to Clergy or Archdeaconry Synod reps – all are invited to take part. Please contact Sally Freeman sally.simon@icloud.co for details of the Zoom link if you would like to join.

The services tomorrow – the 17th Sunday after Trinity will be:
Harvest Eucharist – Courcelles – at 1030
Morning Worship – Chef Boutonne at 1100
Readings: Deuteronomy 26 1-11, Revelation 14 14-18, John 6 25-35. Psalm 100

We are still in ‘Ordinary Time’ so the Liturgical colour is Green

Bed kind
Love God
Love one another

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou-Charentes

Ray Smith’s Christmas cake raffle!
Once again I am donating my homemade Christmas Cake to be is raffled to raise funds for the church. Entries will cost €5 for one entry or three entries for €10. As I am going to be away during November and December I am arranging for the cake to be taken to all our venues during November and early December by Pat and Allen Jenkins and Wanda McKerchar.
This I believe will be the 20th year that I have made a Christmas cake to be raffled to raise funds for the church so let’s try and make it a record.

Ray Smith

Dear All,

This has been a week of sorrow and of joy. We pray for all those caught up in the horrible events in Manchester, and for all communities who are living in fear, wherever in the world they are. Aggression and hatred has no place in our world and must be resisted. We continue to pray for peace and for understanding between peoples and communities.

The marvellous news announced this morning is that the new Archbishop of Canterbury is to be the current Bishop of London - Bishop Sarah Mullally. I was fortunate to meet her at a WRNS event in London last year and was able to thank her for all her timely and helpful advice that she provided to us during the pandemic. As a lone priest in rural Cornwall with 6 parishes and 12 churches I was very grateful for her guidance during those difficult times, and was delighted to be able to thank her in person. My final words to her were “God bless you in your future ministry…….”!

Other things to celebrate are a very successful Mothers’ Union Tea party hosted by Sue and Charlie Wilcock – thank you to everyone involved in the planning and delivery.

This week we had a planning meeting with members of the current worship team, publicity, safeguarding and Lay wardens – sadly no-one from Champagne Mouton was available – but we were able to draft out dates for services and events in October, November and December

On Sunday 2 Nov we will celebrate All Saints in the morning services, and All Souls via Zoom in the evening. If anyone would like their departed loved ones included in that service of reflection please send their names to me. I will send a link to the service in the email at the end of October.

On Remembrance Sunday – 9 November – we will hold services in Chef Boutonne, Cognac and Courcelles.

From Advent Sunday (30 Nov) we will stream Zoom Evensong each Sunday evening during Advent.

This year we will hold 2 Chaplaincy Carol Services – one in Courcelles (Monday 15th Dec) and one in Chef Boutonne (Tues 16th Dec), as well as the usual Ecumenical Carol service in Jarnac (date and venue to be confirmed).
We are also able to offer a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve (which I hope we can stream on Zoom) at Chef Boutonne, as well as a Christmas Day Eucharist in the other 3 worship centres.

I will be at a Clergy Conference in St George’s House, Windsor Castle next week, and although this is part conference/part retreat I will be keeping in touch with emails as this is a work event. It is a privilege to be invited to Windsor again – St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle is where the last Queen is buried and was set up for the Dean and Chapter to say prayers daily for the Monarch and the Royal family.

I will then take some time to visit my family and to oversee the loading of my furniture etc to be shipped to my new rental house here. Again, as there are a number of meetings etc that I need to be involved in, I will be available on email during this time.

The Harvest Eucharist services tomorrow 5 October will be:
1030 Courcelles and1030 Champagne Mouton. Readings: Deuteronomy 26 1-1, Revelation 14 14-18, John, 6 25-35. Psalm 100

Gifts of perishable and non perishable goods are very welcome – and there will be an opportunity to bring them forward during the first hymn. All produce will be donated to the local branch of resto du Coeur. Please be generous. (This week is the 40th anniversary of the founding of Resto du Coeur in France.)
The collection at these services will be divided between the Chaplaincies charities which this year are Resto du Coeur and Shelterbox.

Please pray for each other, and for the work of our Chaplaincy
Be kind
God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou-Chrentes

His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Downing Street has announced.

The 106th Archbishop of Canterbury since Saint Augustine arrived in Kent from Rome in 597, Bishop Sarah will be the first woman to hold the office. She will be installed in a service at Canterbury Cathedral on 25th March 2026.

Sarah Mullally has been the Bishop of London since 2018, the first woman to hold that role, and previously served as the Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter.

Prior to her ordination in 2001, she was the Government’s Chief Nursing Officer for England – the youngest person ever to be appointed to that role at the age of 37 – having previously specialised as a cancer nurse. Bishop Sarah has described nursing as "an opportunity to reflect the love of God".

The Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) for Canterbury nominated Bishop Sarah following a process of public consultation and prayerful discernment that began in February this year. The Canterbury CNC was made up of representatives from across the Church of England, the global Anglican Communion and the Diocese of Canterbury.
The most senior bishop in the Church of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry combines many roles including serving as the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan, as well as primus inter pares – or first among equals – of the Primates of the global Anglican Communion, which consists of around 85 million people, across 165 countries. In the House of Lords, the Archbishop of Canterbury is one of 26 bishops who comprise the Lords Spiritual. 

Bishop Sarah said: “As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager.
“At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply - to people and to God’s gentle prompting - to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing.
“I want, very simply, to encourage the Church to continue to grow in confidence in the Gospel, to speak of the love that we find in Jesus Christ and for it to shape our actions.
“And I look forward to sharing this journey of faith with the millions of people serving God and their communities in parishes all over the country and across the global Anglican Communion.
“I know this is a huge responsibility, but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has.”

Lord Evans, Chair of the Crown Nominations Commission for Canterbury, said: “It has been a great privilege to have chaired the Crown Nominations Commission as it sought to discern who God is calling to lead the Church of England and Anglican Communion as Archbishop of Canterbury. That discernment began with the public consultation, which heard the voices of thousands of people as they expressed their hopes for this nomination, and continued all the way through to the Commission’s final meeting. I would like to thank all those who took part in this process, particularly those who took time to share their views in the consultation and the members of the Commission who worked so diligently over several months, ably assisted by the Appointments Secretaries and by the Appointments and Vocations team at Lambeth Palace. I shall be praying for Bishop Sarah as she prepares to take up this new ministry in the coming months.”   

Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, said: "I welcome and commend the nomination of Bishop Sarah as the next Archbishop of Canterbury and invite the churches of the global Anglican Communion to pray for her as she prepares to take up this important ministry. May God grant her wisdom and discernment as she seeks to listen to Member churches, encourage mutual support, and foster unity.
“The Anglican Communion Office is fully committed to supporting her ministry as she works with other Provinces and the Instruments of the Anglican Communion. Let us pray that God will pour out His Spirit on the Anglican Communion to boldly share Christ's transformational love and the hope of the Gospel in today’s world.”

Appointment process – key dates
Following the announcement, the next stage of the appointment process is the Election by the College of Canons of Canterbury Cathedral, which will take place before Christmas.
On 28th January 2026, there will be a Confirmation of Election at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, at which Bishop Sarah will legally become the Archbishop of Canterbury.
On 25th March 2026, there will be an Installation (sometimes referred to as an ‘enthronement’) at Canterbury Cathedral, which denotes and marks the start of the new Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry.

Biography
Born in Woking in 1962, Bishop Sarah became a Christian at the age of 16. Before being ordained, Bishop Sarah worked as a nurse in the National Health Service, which she has described as "an opportunity to reflect the love of God".
She specialised as a cancer nurse and, at the age of 37, became the Government's Chief Nursing Officer for England, the youngest person ever to be appointed to the post. Bishop Sarah was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in recognition of her outstanding contribution to nursing. She was ordained in 2001 and served her curacy in the Diocese of Southwark, initially as a self-supporting minister, before leaving her government post in 2004. 
In 2012, she was installed as Canon Treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral and three years later took the role as Suffragan Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter. On 12 May 2018, Bishop Sarah was installed as the 133rd Bishop of London at St Paul’s Cathedral, the first woman to hold the role. Bishop Sarah is married to Eamonn, and they have two grown-up children, Liam and Grace.

The MU had an afternoon tea in lovely September sunshine on Tuesday 30th September. Sue and Charlie hosted, and everyone enjoyed a traditional afternoon tea. The raffle was very well supported, and there were books and MU cards for sale. 20 members, their friends and partners attended, and we made a magnificent €432 for MU funds. This afternoon tea is our main fundraiser each year to provide funds for our Away From It All (AFIA) holiday.
Rev. Nicky Marshall updated us about the family who enjoyed the holiday this year, they had a wonderful time and are still talking about it!
I would like to thank all those who attended, and those who continue to support our branch of MU, either as members or friends. We cannot continue to do the work that MU champions, of helping families, without your help.
If you would like to know more about the work of MU worldwide then please go to: www.mothersunion.org
Sue Wilcock Chair

Dear all

I am not sure how we are almost in October!

We are now in the season of Creation tide, and so we have our Harvest services planned over the next 4 Sundays. The following readings will be used for all 4 Harvest services: Deuteronomy 26 1-11, Revelation 14 14-18, John 6 25-35 and Psalm 100.
Please invite friends and neighbours to join in these celebrations of all the good gifts around us. Florence has kindly provided a french translation in the service sheets so all can follow the service.
Please bring your gifts to the Harvest services – fresh and non perishable goods – all can be received by Resto de Coeur.
We have invited someone from each of the local Restos to come to talk to us in the service so we can learn more about their work.

The collections during our Harvest services will be shared between the Chaplaincy charities for this year – Resto de Coeur and Shelterbox. Please be generous.

I ask you to continue to keep this Chaplaincy in your prayers, praying that difficulties will be overcome and that we, filled with the love of God, and with love and respect for each other, can shine as Christians in this dark world.
I am aware of so many members who are awaiting, or recovering from surgery and we pray for them and all in need of healing and an easing of pain.

Sue and Charlie Wilcock are hosting a Mothers’ Union Tea party at their house on Tuesday – this is a major fundraiser for our branch of the Mothers’ Union. There will be a raffle so even if you cannot attend you could contact Sue or Karen Burke to buy a ticket.
Anyone who is planning to come needs to make sure they have contacted Sue or Karen by teatime on Sunday.

The Harvest Eucharist service for Sunday September 28th is at 1100 at Chef Boutonne – 16 Ave de l’Hotel de Ville, 70110 Chef Boutonne

There will be a planning meeting on Thursday October 1st to discuss events and services for Advent and Christmas so please make sure that you have indicated to your Lay Wardens, or me, what your ideas are so we can include them in our discussions.
Amongst all the other events and services it is my intention that each worship centre will be offered a Eucharist on either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou-Charentes

Dear all

This part of France has had an interesting week with strong winds, high temperatures and even an earthquake near Royan. This weekend we are forecast further storms. Such fun!
I wonder if anyone received the UK phone alert test call last week, or the French equivalent on Friday of this week. I am afraid that neither my UK or my French phone received an alert. If there is an emergency perhaps someone might knock on my door as they evacuate!!

Some of you will know that I came to France on a ‘House for Duty’ contract and as I had intended to buy my own house once my house in Cornwall had sold the Chaplaincy agreed to give me a housing allowance rather than rent a house for me. Unfortunately the housing market in Cornwall is stagnant – nothing is selling, so I have decided to take my house off the market and prepare it for long term rental. I am in the process of arranging to bring my furniture and all my worldly goods to France very soon. The small Air B&B that I am currently renting in the Chaplaincy is too small to accommodate all my furniture I have agreed to rent the adjoining house and garages which is owned by my current landlord. This Air B&B will then become my office. I will finally have a ‘proper’ address in France – it has only taken 7.5 months!)

The Holy Cross service at Cognac last Sunday, which included the annual re-dedication of members of the Mother’s Union, went well.
Both Florence and I had the honour of being welcomed as new members of the MU. (Nikki has been a member for some time).

The MU members have produced some activity bags to be used by young children in church. There are 2 bags for each worship centre.
The bags were quality tested by the children who attended the service at Cognac, and seemed to have had their approval.
Thank you MU members.
Following some issues that occurred on Trinity Sunday at Chef Boutonne, the person involved and I are now working with the Diocese to try to resolve the issues raised.
Please pray for us, for the Chaplaincy, and for all involved in the process.

Tomorrow the Church celebrates the Apostle and Evangelist St Matthew. The Liturgical colour is red. The readings are: Proverbs 3 13-18, 2 Corinthians 4 1-6, Matthew 9 9-13. Psalm 119 65-72

The service tomorrow will be at 1100 at Chef Boutonne – Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, 16 Ave de l’Hotel de Ville, 79110, Chef Boutonne

Be kind to each other
God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou-Charentes

There was wonderful service at Cognac this morning.

Dear all

I trust that you are all surviving the wet (and in some places) the windy weather.

We continue to pray for everyone on the Chaplaincy Prayer Many thanks to Lenna Clark who compiles this every month for us.
If you wish to add anyone to this list please let her, or me, know.
We particularly pray for those who are recovering from, and those preparing for, surgery and procedures to relieve pain. We give thanks for the skills and dedication of all who work to provide healthcare.
In the Old Testament reading this week we have the account of Moses cure for snakebite. The image of a serpent on a pole is used to this day as a symbol of healing.

Mothers' Union
Our Chaplaincy is the only one in France with a branch of The Mothers’ Union. Once a year we include in a service, an act of re-dedication of the members, and this year it will take place during the Eucharist service at Cognac.

"The mission of the Mothers’ Union is to show our Christian faith by the transformation of communities worldwide, through the promotion of stable marriage, family life and the protection of children.
We aim to achieve this through carrying out our objectives:
• To encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children
• To maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service
• To promote conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children
• To help those whose family life has met with adversity
• To promote and support married life"

Membership of the worldwide Mothers’ Union is open to all who have been baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity and who support the mission and objectives of the Mothers’ Union. You don’t need to be a mother, or even a woman, to become a member. If you want to find out more about membership please contact Sue Wilcock or Karen Burke.

We are extremely grateful to the members of our local branch who are preparing some children’s bags for each of our 4 worship centres. These will contain age appropriate small toys, books and activities that can be used by children during our services. Not all our worship centres have young children who attend regularly, but we do have visiting children/grandchildren. In this way we are extending and demonstrating our welcome to all.

The 14 September is the day that the Christian church celebrates as Holy Cross Day and this year, as it falls on a Sunday, our services will reflect this.
The Liturgical colour for tomorrow is Red.
The readings are: Numbers 21.4-9, Psalm 22.23-28, Philippians 2.6-11, John 3.13-17

The services in the Chaplaincy on September 14th are:
1030 – Eucharist in Cognac – at The Temple, Rue de Temple, 16100, Cognac
1100 – Morning Prayer – at The Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, 16 Ave de l’Hotel de Ville, 79110, Chef Boutonne

Be kind, respect and love each other
God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

Dear all
We remember at this time the family and friends of HRH the Duchess of Kent who died yesterday after a long life of service .
Statement from the Archbishop of York on the death of HRH The Duchess of Kent:

"Today, we mourn the death of Katharine, HRH The Duchess of Kent, who was born here in Yorkshire and whose Royal Wedding was held at York Minster in the city whose freedom she held. Katharine was an advocate for children and young people's welfare throughout her life. She taught and encouraged generations of young musicians. Millions will remember her comfort and kindness exemplified in her embrace of Jana Novotna in the final at Wimbledon whose Patron she was for many years. In 1994 her own deep and profound faith led her from Anglicanism to Roman Catholicism a moment the then Archbishop of Canterbury described as a ‘personal decision of a devout Christian on a spiritual journey’. She was held in high esteem by all who met her and knew her. I pray for the repose of her soul, and that HRH The Duke of Kent, their children and all the Royal Family may know the consolation and comfort that comes from our common Christian faith. May she Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory."
Stephen Cottrell. Archbishop of York

Thank you to everyone who came to the Chaplaincy service and BBQ last week, and to all those whose planning and involvement meant we had a wonderful experience of how we can come together as a Chaplaincy on a ‘5th Sunday’.
The music at the service was fantastic – thank you Simon and Sally.
The BBQ at Nicky's house was a real success despite the persistent downpour! Thank you for your hospitality Nicky.
Thank you to those who provided, erected, and put away the gazebos and other forms of shelter so that we could cook and eat our food under shelter.

There are 4 ‘5th Sundays’ a year and it is my intention that we celebrate each one at a different venue in the Chaplaincy.
The next one will be on Sunday 30 November. It will be Advent Sunday – the start of the church’s new year, and I propose we celebrate this in the Chaplaincy church in Chef Boutonne.

The services tomorrow – The 12th Sunday after Trinity will be:
1030 – Eucharist at Champagne Mouton (Parish Room, Champagne Mouton, 16350 – opposite the church)
1030 – Eucharist at Courcelles (Eglise Saint Nicholas, Rue de l’Eglise, 17400, Courcelles

The readings for tomorrow are: Deuteronomy 30 15-end,
Philomen 1-21, Luke 14 25-33. Psalm 1.

Love God and love your neighbour as yourself
God bless
Heather

The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

Well what a BBQ that was!! A HUGE thank you the team who battled the wind and pouring rain to put up the gazebos (and were throughly soaked!!) and then those who persevered to get the BBQs lit. Despite the pretty atrocious weather we had a lovely time. As usual the Faith Lunch was plentiful and included everyone sharing their meat as well. Over £200 was raised on the raffle (thank you Wanda). And thank you Nicky for hosting us....you were so right ...we went forth in faith and were rewarded. Thank you to everyone who helped to take down the gazebos and load the cars, trailer etc at the end.
Heather preached on the 'community' of our Chaplaincy family at Courcelles and that was on show in absolute abundance yesterday.

Dear all, news for those who are finding the chairs at Chef Boutonne to be less than ideal. Shirley has crocheted some cushions for the chairs and donated them to church.If you would like to use one, they will be available as you come into church. Thank you for the thought and the deed Shirley. The fitting out of the room at the back of our church in Chef Boutonne continues.For a long time (before I came) it was realised that the Chaplaincy needed a safe in order to securely store our church silver, our service books and registers, other documents (not to mention the body of Christ between Maundy Thursday and Easter morning). New safes are very expensive, and a small wall safe would neither be sufficiently secure or large enough.I have been looking out for a suitable safe but any that are advertised on social media go very quickly.This week I located a large fireproof safe advertised – miraculously in Chef Boutonne.Andy McKerchar and three other strong men managed to collect it and move it into church. Thank you – it was not an easy task.I am told that they had to take the door off the safe to move it which reminds me of the Bernard Cribbin song ‘Right said Fred’ about the movement of a piano…!m“…with the doors off, even with them all off…”Last week Nikki and I were contacted by The Rev’d Philip Averay, Vicar of Chepstow, who is walking on a pilgrimage from Wales to Rome, and, rather like the disciples, he is relying on the kindness of strangers.His route was through Civray and then Champagne Mouton and he asked if any of our Chaplaincy members could find a bed for him for the night. He managed to find himself a bed in Civray, and I am pleased to say that Hayden and Henry were able to provide accommodation for him for the following night.Thank you both on behalf of the Chaplaincy. Due to circumstances beyond my control, and on the instruction of Archdeacon Peter, there has been a delay in the publishing of the new service rota however attach the planned services for September and October can now be found on the website. Geoff will be contacting members of the worship team/musicians to complete the details. The Service on Sunday 31sr, as it is a ‘5th’ Sunday with be a Benefice Eucharist at Courcelles (Eglise St Nicholas, Rue de l’Eglise, 17400, Courcelles). It will be followed by a bring and share BBQ in Nikki’s garden (86 Rue du Petit Chatenet, 17400 Mazeray). However much we scour the weather forecast it will be what it will be. Nikki is hoping to have plenty of shelters to protect us from anything very wet!Please remember to bring your couverts and anything you want to cook on the BBQ.I know that many people are offering lifts for those from other worship centres in the Chaplaincy – please contact your local warden. The readings for Sunday Trinity 11 are: Ecclesiasticus 10 12-18, Psalm 112 Blessings of the Righteous, Hebrews 13 1-8, 15-16, Luke 14 1, 7-14God bless and be kind to each otherHeatherThe Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MAChaplainC of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good ShepherdPoitou Charente

Dear Chaplaincy Family
Just a reminder about our extra service on Sunday 31 August at 10.30 at Courcelles. It would be great to have a crowd.

This will be followed by a Bring and Share BBQ afterwards at Nicky's home nearby:86 rue du Petit Chatenet, 17400, Mazeray. Please join us to meet up with friends from around the Chaplaincy. Don't forget your food (to cook on the BBQ) and covers.

To help with planning please can you let Local Wardens: Karen and Phil Burke (familleburke1@gmail.com) know if you will be there. If you would like a lift from Cognac please contact William Jones (williamjones@orange.com) who may be able to arrange something.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Dear all
Many apologies for the lateness of this email – therefore it will be short and sweet.

Welcome to those who have joined us for the first time – we look forward to meeting you in person.

The Eucharist service tomorrow – The Feast of St Bartholemew – will be at 1100 in The Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, 16 Ave de l’hotel de Ville, 79110, Chef Boutonne
The readings are: Acts 5 12-16, 1 Corinthians 4 9-15, Luke 22 24-30.
Psalm 145 1-7

We have finally set out the dates of the Harvest Festival in each of the 4 Worship Centres:
28 September – Eucharist - Chef Boutonne
5 October – Eucharist - Courcelles
5 October – Eucharist - Champagne Mouton
12 October –Eucharist – Cognac with Resto de Coeur

Simon has sourced music to enhance our celebration of the Eucharist – so as well as The Gloria we will sing the Sanctus and Benedictus and the Agnes Dei.
The Courcelles and Cognac congregations are using this and David Hawken and I will be introducing this into Chef Boutonne and Champagne Mouton.

Be kind to each other and pray for each other

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charente

Dear All,

I trust that those of you in France are managing to stay cool this weekend. I note on social media that so many events have been cancelled or curtailed due to excessive heat.

Friday 15th August was the Feast of The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is a Bank Holiday in France.

The collect:
Almighty God,
who looked upon the lowliness of the Blessed Virgin Mary
and chose her to be the mother of your only son:
grant that we who are redeemed by his blood
may share with her in the glory of your eternal kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

It was is also the 80th anniversary of VJ Day – the Church of England has provided the following prayer resources that you may wish to use at home:

“The 80th anniversary of VJ Day is a moment of profound significance for our nation.
It is a time to remember with deep gratitude the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
In an increasingly dangerous world, I encourage all our churches to participate in these commemorations, to ring their bells,
to offer prayers for peace, and to provide spaces for their communities to come together in remembrance.
As we honour the past, so we renew our commitment to building a more peaceful and just world for all.”

+Hugh Nelson, Bishop to the Armed Forces

Prayers for the 80th anniversary of VJ Day

God of the nations,
our refuge and our dwelling place,
we remember with thanksgiving
those whose service achieved Allied victory in the Pacific,
and hold before you all those who suffered
from the devastation and trauma of war.
As we pray for those who suffer the atrocities of war,
strengthen our resolve to pursue what makes for peace,
through the one in whom we are reconciled and made one,
even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For those who served and died in the Second World War

O God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those men and women
who have died in active service, particularly in the Second World War,
whose sacrifice brought Victory in Europe and in Japan.
As we honour their courage and cherish their memory,
may we put our faith in your future;
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever. Amen.

For those who serve t

O Lord God of Hosts,
stretch forth, we pray, your almighty arm
to strengthen and protect our service men and women.
Support them in times of conflict,
and in their rest and training keep them safe from all evil;
endue them with courage and loyalty;
and grant that in all things they may serve without reproach;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For the peace of the world

O God, who would fold both heaven and earth
in a single peace;
that the design of your great love lighten
upon the waste of our wraths and sorrows
and give peace to your church, peace among nations,
peace in our dwellings and peace in our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We remember in our prayers those in our communities who are in need of prayer.

The service on Sunday 17 August – the 9th Sunday after Trinity will be :
1100 - Eucharist at Chef Boutonne with the dedication of the new cross.

The readings for Sunday are: Jeremiah 23 23-29, Hebrews 11.29-12.2, Luke 12 49-56 and Psalm 82




God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charente

All members and friends of MU are welcome for coffee on Thursday 28th August at 10.30am at Saintes Golf Club. No need to book for coffee but if you would like lunch then please contact Sue Wilcock or Karen Burke. We will be planning our Christmas gift boxes and catching up on all things MU. More information from Sue Wilcock.

Dear all

Thanks to the generosity and skills of Derick Godfrey who made it, and the efforts of Derick, Bob and Andy who installed it, Chef Boutonne Church finally has a suitable cross in place.
Thank you all of you – it looks fantastic.
It will focus our worship for many years to come.

Today, 9 August, the Church of England commemorates Mary Sumner who founded the Mothers’ Union in 1921.
The Collect (special prayer) for today is:
Faithful and loving God,
who called Mary Sumner to strive for the renewal of family life:
give us the gift of your Holy Spirit,
that through word, prayer and deed your family may be strengthened and your people served:
through Christ our Lord.
Amen

We have the extraordinary privilege here in this Chaplaincy to have the only branch of the Mothers’ Union in France.
All are welcome to join – we have a number of social activities as well as working for families in our Chaplaincy.
You do not have to be a mother, or even a woman, to join.
Our Chair is Sue Wilcock – please contact her for more information

Date for your diary! Sunday 31 August is a 5th Sunday, and I aim to ensure we rotate the 5th Sunday services around the Chaplaincy.
We will therefore have a Chaplaincy service at Courcelles on that day.
Nikki has kindly offered to host a BBQ at her home after the service.
It will be a bring and share lunch with everyone bringing their own meat or alternatives to be cooked on the BBQ.
You will also need to bring your plates, glasses and cutlery, and it would be helpful to bring a picnic table and chairs
Nikki’s address is 86 rue du Petit Châtelet, 17400, Mazeray.

This coming week is set to be a hot one (in the UK as well as in France) so please try to keep cool – I have resorted to sitting with my feet in a bowl of cold water – living the dream!

Please continue to look after each other and pray for those in need or sick in mind or body or spirit.
We pray that Jane will make a speedy recovery from her fall.

If anyone would like us to bring communion to them at home please let me know.
This is a service that is always available – in an emergency, or when circumstances mean that someone cannot attend a service.

The services tomorrow 10 August, the Eighth Sunday after Trinity are:
1030 Eucharist – Cognac – in The Temple, Rue de Temple, 16100 Cognac
1100 Morning Prayer – Chef Boutonne – Church of Christ the Good Shepherd, 16 Ave de l’Hotel de Ville, 79110 Chef Boutonne

The liturgical colour is green.
The readings for tomorrow are: Genesis 15 1-6, Hebrews 11 1-3, 8-16 and Luke 12 32-40

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

Dear all

And so August has arrived – I am rather daunted by a Facebook post showing that it was not advisable to travel far today (Saturday) in France as the roads would be overwhelmed with July holiday makers returning home and August holiday makers setting off. I plan to not have to travel far.
I know that many of you, in France or in the UK, will have plans during the August holidays.
I pray that you will have safe journeys and enjoy time with friends and family.

There will be 2 services in the Chaplaincy tomorrow, the 7th Sunday after Trinity:
The Liturgical colour is Green
Eucharist at 1030 Courcelles – Eglise Saint Nicholas, Rue de l’Eglise, 17400 Courcelles
Eucharist at 1030 Champagne Mouton - Parish Room, Place des Tilleuls, Champagne-Mouton 16350 (opposite the church)

This Chaplaincy is committed to supporting our local Restos – who provide food and essential for the needy in our communities.
At EVERY service we collect donations – please be generous – add something to your shopping basket each week if you can.

The readings for tomorrow as I know so of you like to read them at home: Ecclesiastes 1. 2,12-14 & 2. 18-23, Colossians 3 1-11, Luke 12 13-21
We continue to pray for those who are recovering from surgery, and those who are suffering in mind or body or spirit. We pray for healing and relief from suffering.
We pray for those who mourn loved ones. May they be sustained and comforted in their loss.

God bless
Heather

The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
C of E Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

GOOD NEWS!!!!!
The roadworks in front of our cburch in
Chef-Boutonne will be finished ahead of schedule so ACCESS AS NORMAL for the Eucharist service on 27th Jul.
Please let me know if you need a parking space as before. Sorry that Andy will not be there ( airport pick-up) but I shall be there as usual.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Wanda

Many thanks to all who attended the Mothers Union Boat trip on July 21st at Saintes. We had a wonderful afternoon, with MU members, family and friends.
Feedback from one of our number, summarises it perfectly :
‘What a superb afternoon. Quiet, calm, close to nature. Plenty of air. And some interesting things to discover. So relaxing.’
Go to the MU page on the website and discover what MU are doing in the Poitou Charentes and worldwide on : www.mothersunion.org

There will be a Eucharist service at Chef Boutonne at 1100.

Note for Local Warden Wanda: Please remember that the road in front of the church is closed until the end of July and so access is slightly tricky. The best option is parking in Place Pré (which should feature on your sat-nav). There is a short easy walk (7 minutes) to the church from there.

Yellow Déviation (diversion) signs are in place. Rue de la Laiterie is your target. Approaching from the west of this road on your left you will pass will pass a " plastiques usine" and a large Rullier sign on your right. Take the next left turn onto Rue Auguste Gaud.
Approaching from the east end of Rue de la Laiterie take the first turn on the right after the roundabout ( Rond Point de la Gare) onto Rue Auguste Gaud.
PLEASE NOTE: There is a yellow " Route Barrée " sign there BUT IGNORE IT as you will reach the car park before you meet the closed road. At the STOP sign at the crossroads go straight ahead and Place Pré is on the right. Andy and I will be visible at the roadside to greet you.

The chaplaincy's wheelchair will be available if needed plus volunteers to help carry any bulky or heavy items. Water will be available on arrival. Please allow more time than usual for the services on 20th and 27th.
The readings for the 5th Sunday after Trinity are:
Genesis 18. 1-10a
Colossians 1 15-28
Luke 10 38 to end

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

Having thoroughly explored ,by car and on foot, the possible ways to approach the church during the roadworks, the best option is to advise parking in Place Pré (which should feature on your sat-nav) for our Eucharist services on 20th and 27th July. There is a 7 minute walk from to the church. The pavement is unaffected by the roadworks.
Yellow Déviation (diversion) signs are in place. Rue de la Laiterie is your target.
Approaching from the west of this road on your left you will pass a 'plastiques usine' and a large Rullier sign on the right. Take the next left turn onto Rue Auguste Gaud.
Approaching from the east end of Rue de la Laiterie take the first turn on the right after the roundabout ( Rond Point de la Gare) onto Rue Auguste Gaud.

PLEASE NOTE: There is a yellow " Route Barrée " sign there BUT IGNORE IT as you will reach the car park before you meet the closed road. At the STOP sign at the crossroads go straight ahead and Place Pré is on the right. Andy McKerchar and Wanda will be visible at the roadside to greet you.

The chaplaincy's wheelchair will be available if required and volunteers to help carry any bulky or heavy items. Water will be available on arrival.

The main point to remember is that we all need to allow more time than usual for these two Sundays.

Finally, if you wish to join us for lunch at the Restaurant des Canards on 27th July (choices of main course - Sunday roast OR trout OR homemade beefburger) please let me know by 10pm on Wednesday 23rd July.

Kind regards,
Wanda Mckerchar Local Warden

Rev'd Florence's Lorrain's First Eucharist. Sunday July 6th followed by a bring and share lunch. A truly wonderful occasion.

Please note the Bring and Share Lunch after the service of Holy Communion will be held in the salle of the local Catholic church. This is in Rue de la Font Batant, close to the Temple, a very easy walk.

Also, if you do not want to leave food in the car we will find a corner in the Temple reception room for you to leave a bag.

Sunday July 6th 10.30 at Temple de Jarnac, 18 rue Abel Guy, 16200. Florence's first Eucharist as a celebrant priest, a very special day for Florence and for our Chaplaincy. The service will be followed by a 'bring and share' lunch in the garden of her house, walking distance from the Temple.
Please give yourselves enough time before the service to find parking, which can sometimes be difficult in Jarnac. I would recommend either Place du Chateau or Place Charles de Gaulle. These are both in the centre of the town, between the Temple in rue Abel Guy, and Florence's home at 56 rue des Chabannes.

Everyone is welcome for the lunch afterwards. Do bring something that can be shared with others. Importantly, do not forget your own covers (plates, cutlery, glasses, etc) and liquid refreshment so that you may enjoy what is on offer.

See you there!

Please note that our Service of Holy Communion will be led by The very Reverend Florence Lorrain at 10.30 next Sunday July 6th at the Temple Protestant, 16 Rue Abel Guy, Jarnac. 16200.

Dear all
Double email today as I have included information about both this Sunday’s (tomorrow) and the following Sunday’s as I shall be away for most of this week at a diocesan conference for Women in ordained ministry in Madrid.
This is a work event and so I can still be contacted by email, or on the Chaplaincy phone (see below).
Nikki has been specially invited as she is one of only 6 PTOs in the Diocese who were also the first to be ordained priest 30 years ago.
There will be a special service at St George’s, Madrid on Thursday at 1830CET to recognise this momentous anniversary.
All are welcome to join in person, or via the livestream – on this link
www.facebook.com/stgeorgesmadrid/live_videos/

This Chaplaincy marked the Feast of Pentecost last Sunday in Cognac, with members of the congregation responding to the invitation to wear red.
Pentecost is essentially the birthday of the Christian church as the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples to equip them for the work ahead.
Thank you Sue Wilcock for this photograph – the congregation, filled with the Holy Spirit, prepared to carry the light of Christ out into the world.
The Pascal candle was symbolically extinguished and Pascal Candles are no longer used on Sunday mornings. They will only now be lit for funerals and baptisms.
We are each tasked with carrying the light and sharing it with all.
You will note the bags of offerings for Resto De Coeur from this service.
Please keep Paul Davies and Paul Jennings in your prayers as they complete their Congregational Worship Leader course next week.
We look forward to news of the arrangements for their commissioning service, and look forward to welcoming them into the Ministry Team.

This Sunday is another important day in the Church’s year.
As we move into ‘Ordinary Time’ we start with Trinity Sunday - a celebration of the doctrine of the Trinity – God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy spirit.
As we continue to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, the Bishop has suggested that on this Sunday (as we did during the Easter season) we omit the ‘..and the son..’ words from the Nicene Creed in recognition of our unity with our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters (who not include these three words in their creed as they were added some years after the original agreed wording).

Bishop Robert has also encouraged all Chaplaincies to sing The Hymn to the Trinity which was written by his predecessor Bishop Geoffrey Rowell.
I attach a copy of it – you may wish to read its powerful words emphasising love.

For Trinity Sunday the liturgical colour is white, but from next Sunday the colour will be green.

Readings for this Sunday are:
Proverbs 8 1-4, 22-31
Romans 5 1-5
John 16 12-15

As we embark upon Ordinary Time, some of you will notice that we have two different groups of readings that are set for each Sunday
Either Track 1 (continuous) or Track 2 (related)
Track 1 enables a congregation to hear the whole of a particular book of the Bible over a period of Sundays.
However, in a multi centre Chaplaincy when services are not held in the same church each week, I find it preferable to follow Track 2 (related), when the theme of the Old Testament reading, the psalm (when used) and the Epistle relate to the Gospel reading.

The readings for Sunday 22 June – The First Sunday after Trinity – are:
Isaiah 65 1-9
Galatians 3 23-end
Luke 8 26-39


I remind you that there will be no service in the Chaplaincy on Sunday 29 June as this is when Florence will be ordained priest by Bishop Robert on Holy Trinity, Brussels.
I urge each congregation to watch this service, individually or in groups, which will be live streamed at 1030 that morning.
I know she will appreciate your thoughts and prayers as she embarks upon this major step in her ministry journey.
There will be a livestream of the service on the YouTube channel of Holy Trinity:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XuNyyfhcHY


On Sunday 6 July – The Third Sunday after Trinity – there will be only one service in the Chaplaincy and that will be Florence’s first Eucharist as priest
I encourage you all, worship team and all 4 congregations, to come and support her, and to enjoy a wonderful bring and share lunch in her garden nearby.
I realise it is a long way for some of you, but perhaps local wardens for each worship centre can ensure that lifts may be arranged for those without transport.

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes
06 21 32 31 28

Eucharist service at Chef-Boutonne 11h00 on Sunday 15th June - PLEASE NOTE there is the annual brocante at the Château de Javarzay so there is likely to be an increase in traffic. It is recommended that you allow a little extra time for parking.

Eucharist at Chef-Boutonne 11h00 on Sunday 22nd June - Wanda will make a block booking for lunch at the Restaurant des Canards after this service. Please contact her by 22h00 on Wednesday 18th stating main course choices : Sunday roast OR chicken Caesar salad OR trout. 09 64 12 29 54 wandamckerchar@aol.co.uk

William Jones this morning at the Resto du Coeur handing over our gifts. As usual it was very warmly received, on this occasion by one of the lead organisers.

Thursday 19th June at 12 midday. At the home of Eileen and Mick. Raffle with allproceeds going to this years AFIA Holiday. All welcome. Address information and numbers attending to Sue or Karen please.

On Sunday there will be one Chaplaincy service at 1030 in the Temple in Cognac to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost (what we used to call Whitsun).
We remember and celebrate the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in tongues of fire, preparing them and empowering them for the work ahead.

If you are in the Poitou Charentes I urge you to join us for this service (there is plenty of free parking in the square by the Temple).
There will be an opportunity for everyone to receive personal prayers, and to be anointed with Oil of Chrism which was blessed by the Bishop on Maundy Thursday.

The Liturgical colour is red and it has become traditional for congregations to wear red in church on this Sunday

I remind you that the Chaplaincy Council is committed to supporting the local Resto de Coeur (foodbanks) in our area and so each worship centre/church will receive donations at services.
These donations comprise part of our offering and go directly to the local Resto after the service.
Please remember to bring something each week – it is much needed for some in our communities.

I have attached the readings for Pentecost which are:
Acts 2 1-21
Romans 8 14-17
John 14 8-27

God bless
Heather
The Reverend Heather Aston MBA, MA
Chaplain
Chaplaincy of Christ the Good Shepherd
Poitou Charentes

On Saturday May 31st Peter and Liz were married at Leicester Cathedral.

Warmest congratulations were sent by the whole Chaplaincy Family.

Tomorrow will be the penultimate Sunday of the Easter season.
The Christian church celebrated Ascension Day on Thursday and we look towards the fire and wind of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost next Sunday at Cognac.

The liturgical colour for tomorrow, the 7th Sunday of Easter, is white and the readings are:

Acts 16 16-34
Revelation 22. 12-14, 16-17, 20-end
John 17 20-end

There will be a Eucharist at Courcelles at 1030 and Morning Worship at Champagne Mouton also at 1030.

The first post-service coffee of 2025 in the gardens at Chef Boutonne. Also celebrating Caroline Matthews' birthday.

A reminder - lunch at the Canards restaurant after the service on 25th May. Choices: Roast Salmon or Burger. Please contact Wanda McKerchar by 10pm Wed May 21st.

Dear Chaplaincy Family,

Thank you for you support at the AGM on April 30th, whether in person, through your prayers or your messages. It was an excellent AGM, with new members elected and thanks and goodbyes expressed to those standing down. We will soon be publishing photos and details of the new team. In the meantime here are a few photos of the day.

The Dawn Service, Aube de Pâques at the Monastère Pié-Foulard, Prailles. Our Chaplain Heather brought the butterflies and Wanda decorated them all 100! The theme was "Hope" and there was an explanation of why butterflies were chosen to symbolise this in the service booklet.Paul and Beverley Jennings from our chaplaincy completed the Dawn Walk in the rain. A memorable moment was Heather was dancing round the candles with the nuns!!!! 30 people attended the Easter Day Service at Chef-Boutonne and 27 at the service in Courcelles.- two wonderful celebrations of our Risen Lord Our Chaplain Heather has sent a message to the nuns at the Monastery offering our condolences on the death of Pope Francis. As a Chaplaincy we offer our condolences to our Catholic sisters and brothers.