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.

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.

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).

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 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!

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 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

‘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.

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

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!

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

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.)

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).

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

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.

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