Life Continues ...

Life continues after the terrorist activities of early January.

The 3 'shepherds' : the priest, the Protestant lay pastor and the Evangelical pastor celebrated Christmas on the day we usually celebrate the Wise Men's visit to baby Jesus at the local Elderly People's home.

Pascal reads the Bible text at the Aged Care Residence Christmas Celebration

I am always pleased to see 'my colleagues': 2 nuns from 2 different congregations who work in this area.

Last Sunday we had the Ecumenical Church service in the local (renovated at the State's and local council's cost) Catholic church. A significant celebration based around the text describing the Samaritan woman's meeting with Jesus around the well. The symbolism of water was very present and we were invited to transmit hand to hand water drawn from a well next to the church found during the renovations.

Transferring water as a symbol of God's spiritual gift to us : we were free to say a blessing or something to the person we passed the water on to.

Our common prayer time was punctuated by the Apostle's Creed and the Lord's Prayer. The priest, the lay pastor of the Protestant Church and the evangelical pastor (my hubby!) all played their part. This time more members of our churches participated in the celebration. After the Charly Hebdo and Jewish supermarket atrocities, our minds were firmly centred on the meaning of Christian unity and diversity as well as the concept of 'freedom of expression'. 

Yesterday we attended the consecration of one of our Union's pastors who has a part time position with the French Army. We were welcomed at the Army base chapel with a mixture of his parishioners (important that they support him in this other aspect of his ministry), Army chaplain personnel from Protestant and Catholic branches (no Muslim or Jewish chaplains there), and the military base hierarchy along with ordinary soldiers, the pastor's friends and family and some of his colleagues (us!).

Interesting context for a Christian service. A real sense of vocation amongst the chaplains. Humility and dependence on God especially the Holy Spirit. A common affirmation of our Christian faith through the Apostles Creed. A stated desire to respect the beliefs of others: Jews, Muslims, Atheists, agnostics and remaining open-minded in a multi-cultural, multi-faith context. A reference to patriotism and upholding the Republican values (I have to admit that I didn't feel all that implicated ;) ) A sense of supporting those who defend our living conditions in a 'free' country.

They mentioned those killed and prayed for the families of those who died in the Airforce plane crash in Spain. One person said "Killed for their country" as if they had perished in war, when they were in training for flying operations."Morts pour leur pays".

The chaplains accompany their units to outside operations in hot spots around the world and, apart from their presence and religious duties, they sometimes have a role in liaising with local populations. One of our colleagues was asked to liaise with the Christians, noted for himself the great needs of the local population and was able to raise a good sum of money through his church contacts in Lyon to directly help the people in need.

Laying on of hands for the consecration.

Life continues, but not always on the same trajectory. Events close to us, and far from us, nudge the paths we think we are on. Life is not a smooth journey, but is certainly meant to be lived to the full.