World Day of Prayer

Here in our little country town - there is LIFE!!!

For more than 15 years, women from the Catholic, Reformed and Free Evangelical (that's us!) churches have been getting together to organize the local version of the Women's World Day of Prayer (that is now open to all, by the way.)

When I arrived as the new Pastor's wife, it was expected that I get involved. The first year was 2009 - Papua New Guinea. Quite close to home really! It was a nice, staid experience, but not necessarily my cup of tea. However, I was called up for the next year's organisation. The group was getting older and looking for younger women to take over. The several women that I took along with me to the meeting were all younger and very involved in the children's ministry in our church. We said that if they wanted younger participants, they would have to reach a younger age-group in order to pass on the richness of the idea of Christian unity and prayer along with the discovery of a different country each year.

The Catholic church was in the process of holding a Mission in the region; their version of evangelizing their own people to re-awaken believers and renew the church.

So our mixed group of women, including Catholic nuns involved in their mission, came up with idea of involving children in the WDP celebrations.

In practice, this meant organizing activities and an introduction to the World Day of Prayer and the featured country on the Wednesday afternoon preceeding the first Friday of March. Probably the only time I thanked God for the French education system of no Primary School on Wednesdays, and only the mornings for the Junior and Senior High Schools!

The kids came along for the afternoon, then we invited them to take part in the Friday evening celebration. Of course, this meant that the families would come with them. We held a traditional celebration in the afternoon for those who preferred it and who don't like to go out at night, then the family celebration in the evening. It worked really well - great attendances and a generally positive attitude to the different churches getting together. It's always held in our church, too, so we are better identified now.

To these celebrations, we added a participative Bible study in the morning to get the most out of the prescribed texts and a meal based on the recipes of the featured country.

This year is a little different. We held a meal and Bible study earlier, in order to recruit new people to help with the kids' section and the actual celebrations. Now we are finalizing our preparations for Wednes 27th Feb for the kids afternoon. Then we'll have the 2 celebrations in our church on Friday 1st March.

This is also an opportunity to invite kids from non-practising families, especially since the issue of migrants in France is a hot one now. How do Christians understand their rôle in welcoming/integrating foreigners? What does Jesus ask us to do? Compare what He says with the Old Testament rules stated in Leviticus 18 and 19. What is the definition of 'foreigner'? In French, the word for 'foreigner' is 'étranger' which means 'stranger' as well, so this year's celebration, written by the French committee, asks participants to define "who is a stranger to me?" In the kids' section we are going to help them to understand that anyone who is different to me could be considered as a stranger/foreigner, so Jesus is asking me to accept that person and to value his/her differences as if we were reaching out to Jesus Himself.

A precious lesson.

And a bit ironic that I'm involved in promoting a positive attitude to foreigners as I am one myself!!!

May His kingdom come ....

See the Aussie WDP web page : Aussie World Day of Prayer website

The time's they are a-changing ....

So sang Bob Dylan - and in his era the times were radically changing!

On a smaller, probably very insignificant scale on the French scene, especially since religious affairs and the State are nicely separated and may not mix, there is one change which should be noted.

The Eglise Réformée de France (French Reformed Church) and the French Lutheran Church have joined forces to become L'Eglise Protestante Unie : the United Protestant Church. Given that both are descended from the two major figures of the Protestant Reformation, Martin Luther and Jean Calvin, this is quite a momentous move and NOT to be ignored!

Both are historically recognized by the French State and have been strong cultural influences at different times in French history. For example, Protestants were instrumental in writing the Human Rights charter, in particular to guarantee religious freedom given that France had greatly suffered in the Wars of Religions.

The Reformed Church had been heavily influenced by liberal theology which lead to our Union of Churches forming in 1849 (The Union of French Free Evangelical Churches - l'Union des églises évangéliques libres de France). A significant number of believers felt that faith was a personal choice and should be openly adhered to, not just inherited. They also objected to the literary critical approach to the Holy Scriptures. They wanted to mark their difference also in being the first official church to be separate from State control. In other words, our churches became independant and undertook to pay their own pastors. Thus our name: The Union of Free Evangelical Churches of France. This was later formalized by the French Government declaring the separation of State and religion in 1905.

Getting back to the United Church: their numbers have been dropping dramatically for years and resources diminishing. The move was probably fuelled by the same reasons as the Australian Uniting Church. However, in our years of pastoring in the UEELF, we have been involved in various Ministers' Fraternals and have noted that a number of pastors in the Reformed Church were theologically evangelical. Can we assume that the Spirit is moving and that Christianity in France will awaken ?? Let's pray so.

English/French rivalry!

Now that David Beckham is joining the football club Paris Saint-Germain, is this a sign that English/French rivalry is finally over ?

The UK parliament has voted in favour of a law allowing same-sex marriages and the French government is in the final process after debating nearly 5000 amendments!!

On the other hand, we are hearing rumours of the UK leaving the European community (they aren't in the Euro zone anyway) and countries are looking at ways of protecting their independance.

On the religious front: here is some interesting news on the way migrant groups in France are contributing to the religious landscape here.

  The English in particular have brought their faith with them and, funnily enough, the French are very partial to their version of faith! Just as cup cakes are in fashion, and Gospel has been appreciated and sung everywhere, now Christmas Carol services are the 'must' and local Anglican communities (as well as other international churches) are making the most of this desire to really experience Christmas by organizing Carol concerts and home-made mince pies for their communities.

The English churches bring with them the community activities and spirit typical of their culture and the article gives a whole list of chances to meet together, to help one another and others, socialize, offer mother and toddler groups, etc; and chances to explore the Christian faith.

Rev Jeremy Cross of Christ Church, Brittany, has also noticed congregations are growing because "many people are happy to find a readymade English-speaking community".

The article concludes: "Whether in search of deaper meaning, family support, security, companionship, good works or even mince pies, the English-speaking flocks continue to worship."

Many other migrant groups have either formed churches or are changing the cultural landscape of existing churches. They are bringing a freshness, and through their need to integrate, they are helping French churches to question their own church culture and practices and this is enriching their communities.

Same-sex marriage debate

This subject requires a whole blog of reflexion to understand the ethical, social and theological positions. However, I will add my 10 cents worth with this commentary.

The British Parliament recently voted largely in favour of same-sex marriage in the name of liberty, equality and fraternity - very French of them really! I detest the attitude of various media when they report on the established church's reaction and the reactions of Christians of all denominations. Here is an example from the Guardian 5th February 2013.

"Permitting gay and lesbian people to marry is a progressive social reform whose time has come, and come rather more rapidly than many would have thought possible a generation ago. The change is right in principle, the moment is timely, public opinion is prepared for it, and MPs did well in leading and reflecting that sentiment. The vote should be conclusive. The religious traditions which oppose the bill – by no means all of them do – are going to have to adjust to the change over time, which the bill gives them scope to do. But adjust to it they should, the established church in particular. Within a generation, perhaps less, we will all be amazed at what the fuss was about."

How dare they claim 'liberty, equality and fraternity' in expressing their views as just and reasonable, whilst denying the right of others to differ in their opinion !

Our societies are now structured so that a moral majority point of view cannot dictate to a whole community. But that means we have a right to express our opinions and to participate in the debate. As Christians, we should be sounding warning bells - being prophets in our own time. However, whether others who don't share our Christian faith accept our point of view remains their responsibility and their choice. 

In France the anti-same-sex marriage groups got themselves organised to demonstrate their point of view. Protestants and Catholics (don't have any reports on other faith groups public demonstrations) joined forces to circulate information, debate material and petitions. Not all Protestants are against same-sex marriage. Not all Catholics either.

Media reports and government press releases never gave the true figures on the numbers of people in the streets. In one memorable demonstration in Paris 13th January 2013, organizers estimated nearly a million people in the streets. Media spoke of 300,000! Eye-witnesses and participants spoke of calm, positive reasoning and disciplined crowds.

The following Sunday  estimates between 150,000 and 300,000 demonstrators in favour of same-sex marriage and by association, the right to children for these couples, with eye-witnesses reporting on provocative behaviour and vulgar slogans.

OK, so I'm biased also. Who is more convincing when you compare these different approaches?

I don't appreciate being called 'homophobic' just because I don't think homosexuality is a natural expression of sexuality. I'm not afraid of homosexuality or those who are homosexual, but I believe God condemns the practices. I believe in God and so I accept His view of things. But I also say we do not define a person by his/her sexuality and we have often fallen into the trap of that. In the same way, being a mother is a part of my identity and my role, but it does not define who I am.