Planting, planting ...

 




Sun's finally come out! Pascal got enthusiastic and planted out the rest of his seedlings, but found he had to create new vegie patches to contain them all.

In our pastoral rôle we often feel that our job consists of planting: ideas, Biblical principles, encouragement ...

For example, in my Junior High School Sunday School group, we are looking at why the Bible is essential to our well-being - it's our instruction booklet, the lamp to our feet, our bread, a mirror for ourselves, a purifying fire, and the images go on.

We calculated how much time we spend in front of our different screens! then we calculated how much time we would need every day to read through the Bible in one year if it took just over 70 hours of reading to get through it (12 minutes a day). So our challenge for this week is to read one of the books of the Bible for 10 minutes each day. One of the teens chose Genesis, the other Revelation! Then they decided that I should read the Psalms!

I'm reading them in The Message. It's quite a different take - sometimes quite surprising, and I'm enjoying reading them this way. It's also very reassuring because given our current social context, I'm reminded how much the LORD is sovereign and that He will have the last word.

"God's business is putting things right;

he loves getting the lines straight,

Setting us straight. Once we're standing tall,

we can look him straight in the eye." Ps 11:7

"Up, God! Aren't you fed up with their empty strutting?

Expose these grand pretensions!

Shake them up, God!

Show them how silly they look!"  Ps 9:17-20

And my prayer and desire: "I'm not trying to get my way in the world's way. I'm trying to get your way, in your Word's way. I'm staying on your trail: I'm putting one foot In front of the other. I'm not giving up."

 Ps 17: 4,5

Our job is to explain our HOPE

Yesterday my husband and I attended our regional Pastors' meeting at Lyon. Our day started with a discussion on the following text.

1 Peter 3:13-17

New International Version (NIV)

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats^[a]; do not be frightened.”^{[b] 15} But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

We said a lot of things on this text: we will suffer for following Jesus because He overturns the values of this world;  we need to keep Christ at the centre of all things, then we will act correctly and in harmony with His heavenly principles; we mustn't sin ourselves when hard-pressed by circumstances or persecution; we need have no fear (remembering that perfect love casts out all fear); and, in particular, there was a discussion about our main task as Christians. I highlighted the text : it's our testimony to who God is in our lives and from whom we get our hope. So this powerpoint reminds us that HOPE is the distinguishing feature of all mature Christians. God gives us the rest: peace, faith and love.

This discussion also comes after a seminar we organised in our church about how to understand persecution. It is a weekend course written by the Open Doors - Brother Andrew's organisation and has been done in many situations where Christians are persecuted. As events unfold in France and we see decisions being made which don't correspond to a majority viewpoint, we feel the oppression and the combat. We need to be and are actively preparing our flocks...

Gay marriage & Gender choice debate in France

I'm posting a commentary written by Lauren Moore who is also an Aussie missionary working in France. She sums up a very worrying situation and I'm grateful for her perspective. I'm really worried at the way government is operating here and rough shod decisions and lack of correct, informed, public, intelligent and respectful debate. Even if our rôle as Christians is primarily to proclaim the Kingdom of God and not to try and impose our way of living and believing (if not, we would be practising the equivalent of the sharia - think about it!), we do have a rôle to play in stating our beliefs and explaining why we understand things in that way - we have to be an alternative voice.

"The gay marriage debate is officially over in France last week, but yesterday the protests continued. There have been 3 major protests, gathering Catholics, Protestants and non-believers alike, to protest against the law to allow gay marriage and same sex couples right to adoption. There is also a change in the education system, to teach children that there is NO difference between male & female, that gender means nothing. (I promise I'm not exaggerating). Despite the protests being massive (hundreds of thousand up to millions of protesters gathered in Paris), nothing has been heard. Literally nothing in any of the articles of these laws have been stopped. Gay marriage, same-sex adoption, and the teaching that there is no gender have all been passed."

Still accounting!

Still going through my diary to record my 'business' trips and note ministry expenses and found this entry at the end of January:

internet connection down so made the most of it by sorting through emails. After sorting, cleared out 1500 emails from between November 2012 and end of January 2013! Mmm, definitely feel lighter after that!

(PS wish I could lose kilos as quickly! - come to think of it, if I spent less time on the computer and more on getting out, I could lose kilos almost as quickly. Keeping up communication today is a very time-consuming process ....)

Accounts

It's when we run out of money that I realize I haven't done my ministry expenses claim forms for a while! So here I am at my accounts work. Usually, I'd rather not have to bother about all this money stuff, but it is interesting to look back over the last few months and to take stock of our ministry activities. Especially when you remember why you thought it was a good thing to organize at the time.

An example: in my diary somewhere in mid-January I had noted during one of our World Day of Prayer meetings : "About oecumenism - it's now over 500 years since the great split in Christianity - 1000 years if you go back to the split between orthodox and catholic. It's only in the last 50 years that the number of mixed marriages between Protestant and Catholic (and can be noted now between different religious backgrounds such as Muslim and Christian, Jewish and Christian ...) has really increased. Learning to live with each other, to respect each other, to concede that the other's relationship with God has its own sense and validity is such a recent thing really - and what strikes me is that it has come about because people have turned away from religious faith and practices in such a big way. As people were less tied to religious practice, they formed other alliances and now our formal institutions are being forced to related to each other through oecumenism; forced by the changes in society and the (often valid) questionning of past practices and beliefs.

Now we Christians are working in a spiritual desert - and you can't erase 500 years of animosity in 50 years. But this spiritual desert is making us ask all the right questions and opening us up to God's leading in a much clearer way. And here I am in Lamastre - a country town in the middle of Ardèche - working alongside women from the Reformed Church (more liberal theology, and quite liturgical), nuns from the Holy Sacrement Order and Catholic lay women, looking for ways to attract more children and their families into the World Day of Prayer, an ecumenical experience par excellence! In our discussions we are pinpointing the fact that this generation of children have no real spiritual 'prejudices' and their parents don't know anything much to transmit to their offspring.

Our challenge : work together for the Kingdom and see more of this generation intelligently informed of the spiritual choices we all have to make.

We are all accountable to God for this.

So I'm glad after all that I have to do my accounts!!

Grains of Hope - for French speakers!

This will test your French!

You know I participated in the organisation and running of the big women's conference at the beginning of April. Well, they also planned to publish a collection of meditations on the theme "May Your Kingdom Come" using contributions from a great variety of women connected to the Femmes 2000 organisation.

I had something on hand so contributed one small offering based on 1 Cor 15: 35-58 which many of you heard me speak on when on Home Assignment in Australia.

The editors managed to compile this collection and print it in time for the Congress. Here is the advert!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUP7jIuqTv8

Each meditation is like a grain/seed of hope to its readers, as much as the idea itself was an encouragement to the authors. At the congress we had times labelled "Graines du Royaume/Seeds of the Kingdom" which gave a chance to several women to explain their particular ministry and how the Lord lead them and encourages them to be witnesses in His Kingdom. It's been a real boost to hear of so many things done in the name of the Lord and from many very small, even tiny beginnings (miniscule steps of faith) some amazing things have happened. The Kingdom is advancing, inexorably!!

Le contentement/Being satisfied

Had a lovely 3-day retreat at the SIM France guest house and offices. Soula Isch took on the question of being content/satisfied. Here is one of the reflexions she found to share with us.

Vis le jour d'aujourd'hui, Dieu te le donne.
Live today right now, God gives it to you
Il est à toi,
It is yours
vis-le en lui. 
Live it in Him.
Le jour de demain est à Dieu,
Tomorrow is God's
il ne t'appartient pas.
It doesn't belong to you.
Ne reporte pas sur demain
Don't carry over to tomorrow
le souci d'aujourd'hui.
Today's worries.

Demain est à Dieu, remets-le lui.
Tomorrow is God's - give it over to him
Moment présent est 
The present moment is
une fête passerelle.
a festive passage/bridge.
Si tu la charge des regrets d'hier, 
If you load it up with yesterday's regrets
de l'inquiétude de demain,
and tomorrow's worries,
la passerelle cède,
The bridge will collapse
et tu perds pied.
And you will stumble.

Le passé ? Dieu le pardonne.
The past? God pardons it.
L'avenir ? Dieu le donne.
The future? God gives it.
Vis le jour d'aujourd'hui
Live the present day
en communion avec lui.
In communion with Him.

Bernadette Coupey.

Christ is Risen!

Have a blessed Easter, all of you.

I've used this painting before, but love it, so you are getting another dose!

Feeling thankful because, although I would prefer Easter to be the biggest celebration of our church and it's not, today we have been able to organize for many people to participate in the service.

Especially thankful to have got the teens involved - working the computer, reading texts with several voices, playing music....

Praise the Lord, this Easter morning we will have 'real' music: here is Claire practising with Bernard. There will be a piano, 2 or 3 flutes, a guitar and me on tambourine!!!

Last night we had a youth group - not as many turned up as hoped, but a visiting pastor spoke about Heaven - what the Bible says about heaven and hell, the last judgement, what it will be like, what we will do in Heaven. It lead to some deep discussions and a couple of teens who are really searching had a chance to develop the subject.

We are feeling more encouraged - thank you for holding up this ministry in prayer.

Good Friday - thanks to Bronwyn for this

AND A GOOD FRIDAY WAS HAD BY ALL 

 

You man there keep those women back

and God Almighty he laid down

on the crossed timber and old Silenus

my offsider looked at me as if to say

nice work for soldiers, your mind's not your own

once you sign that dotted line Ave Caesar

and all that malarkey Imperator Rex

well this Nazarene

didn't make it any easier

really - not like the ones

who kick up a fuss so you can

do your block and take it out on them

Silenus

held the spike steady and I let fly

with the sledge-hammer, not looking

on the downswing trying hard not to hear

over the women's wailing the bones give way

the iron shocking the dumb wood.

Orders is orders, I said after it was over

nothing personal you understand - we had a

drill-sergeant once thought he was God but he wasn't

a patch on you

then we hauled on the ropes

and he rose in the hot air

like a diver just leaving the springboard, arms spread

so it seemed

over the whole damned creation

over the big men who must have had it in for him

and the curious ones who'll anything if it's free

with only the usual women caring anywhere

and a blind man in tears.

Bruce Dawe

Australian Poet - 1964

Meetings, meetings, meetings

In the last 10 days I've had the following meetings:

Fri- the SIM France Director and Personnel Manager came to visit us in our 'natural surroundings'! We shared our frustrations and our sense of loneliness in this country ministry. Pascal had written his Moral Report for the church's Annual General Meeting so we had concrete things to discuss.

We aren't alone, but at present that's how we feel.

That evening I attended the launch of the next issue of a new magazine created by a dynamic group of women here in Lamastre. A great collegial effort, creative, united, respectful of each other's differences and qualities, encouraging, beautiful, wise. They had 2 guys there to slam taking words provided by the audience. It happened to be the International Women's Day. That's the sort of dynamic I'd love to see in our church. We are so far from that, although there are aspects which could lead to that if people would only let it happen.

Sunday afternoon, the church AGM. Just reports, but some discussion on the financial situation. We really need to see the sale of the former chapel and manse at the other village. Unfortunately, there wasn't much opportunity to discuss why we are not reaching other people outside of the church. No volunteers either for the Synod. One very significant confirmation this week of the people's lack of vision or understanding of what is church: Pascal asked them why they thought they were elected on to the Church Council and what a council's job was. No one had a real answer. The main one being: because someone has to do the daily admin business of church. Basically like it was a club.

Monday - a young couple and a new convert for lunch.

Tuesday - a day-long meeting at Valence with our Regional pastors. One pastor forced to end his ministry for lack of compatibility. I arrived at that meeting in tears - the aftershock of the AGM and all the scenarios going through my mind. I guess it was my pastoral crisis time. The good news is that there are great things happening in other churches, mainly bigger cities. Unfortunately, we also learned that someone from 10 km away from us had applied to the Valence church for membership! That's the drawing power of a big dynamic church.

Wednes - my RDV with my counsellor. More tears.

             - afternoon with G and C who helped me prepare for the next church service - a little theatrical presentation of 2 Samuel 12 and Luc 19: 1-10

             - that evening the AGM of Femmes 2000 south-east held in Montélimar. A positive time of reviewing the year's activities and updating on future projects which are looking good, including Hope For Europe congress for Women in Leadership the first week of April.

Thurs - I drive back from Montélimar in time to quickly prepare my ladies' group for the afternoon, which should have been followed by the first Spring term after-school English class. No-one turned up (I found out they had forgotten, but are definitely interested) so will turn up in 10 days for the next date.

 Fri - went to wisit someone in the country whom I'm counselling.

       - big rest the afternoon, then housework, emails, and tried to get my head around the rest of my preparation for leading Sunday's church service. Pascal leaves for Lyon and his other church with its AGM

Sat - shopping, finish planning service with M and C's help. Youth group that evening, but my colleague is leading it, so I go to the Catholic church for a jazz concert! All alone! Bliss - sense of freedom and the music was a call back to life and joy, even with a gospel song!

Sun - lead the service, incorporating several changes - still very aware of appealing to the teens who are grumbling away and whom we risk losing. Very grateful to all those whom I enrolled to help - went well and felt God had been very much part of the whole process.

      - slept the afternoon away with a quite a bit of telly!

Mon - this morning spent in a follow-up meeting for the World Day of Prayer. Globally very positive and a special bonus in being an ecumenical group of women. We have our differences, but we work well together.

So yes, busy. My questions are always: is this leading somewhere positive? Is it part of building up God's Kingdom? Do I really need to be part of this? How is God leading?

That was the World Day of Prayer

My workshop with Vito (Italy), Marie (Belgium),
Claire & Marc (Franco-australian)

The kids chose questions from a box and asked our 'foreigners' about their experiences in coming to France.

ex. 'What are the difficult aspects of arriving in a new country?'; 'What do you miss the most from your home country?'How do you would  like people to treat you?'

 

I had the task of leading the first part

The kids define the word 'foreigner'

The first celebration Friday with Sylvie, our coordinator(L), Tatyana who spoke of being a foreigner, Philippe and Claire-Lise (who composed a song especially for the day), Henriette, our former coordinator. Took place in our church.

Pascal greets people for the beginning of the afternoon service.

The symbolic gesture - joining together multi-coloured scarves to show unity inspite of our differences

We had smaller numbers this year - was it because it was the school holidays? or because it was France? Pascal thinks it could be because the novelty has worn off.

31 kids for the Wednesday programme

38 in the afternoon service

56 with only 3 children in the evening service

Pray for France

objectiffrance.fr

PRAY FOR FRANCE!   The Campaign is under way - join us to make a difference!

See the web site - CCFOF or Impact France

And read the following -

This week (March 10-16) we are praising "The God of Inheritances" as we celebrate how God has used his people in France and how He is still blessing them and making them a blessing today!

Below you will find the major themes for each day (as translated from Objectif France's prayer guide)!

Prayer Topics

Sunday, March 10: Martyrs - Witnesses

Monday, March 11: Martin de Tours - Intimacy

Tuesday, March 12: The Huguenots - Prophecy

Wednesday, March 13: Destined to be a voice

Thursday, March 14: Hesitant destiny

Friday, March 15: Human and humanitarian rights

Saturday, March 16: Love and relationships

Virtually praying

This past Sunday, we tried something new to bring our community together in a way we'd never tried before with a virtual prayer group. Please "like" us on Facebook to see how to join us for the next two Sundays of the campaign at 7:00 PM Eastern here in the United States. There may be other "spontaneous" times of prayer that will be announced on our Facebook page during these next few weeks, so don't miss out!

May you be blessed again this week as you go forth in prayer and intercession for France!

In Christ,

David Broussard
President, Impact France

The French and the Vatican

Just heard yet another news item on what's happening at the Vatican on French National radio.

Ever since Benedict announced his resignation, the French press, TV, radios and newspapers have been reporting on what's happening.

For a country which has wanted to ignore religious beliefs in the public domain for so long, this is getting a bit ridiculous. Only 8% of the population consider themselves to be practising Catholics, although nearly 60% would say they are Catholic because they were baptized as babies in the Catholic church.

It's also interesting to see what and how the press are reporting on events. A few weeks ago (only!) they were full on about the the legislation on "Marriage for All" (the right for homosexual couples to get married and the question of adoption in homosexual couples) and very strongly supporting the bill being debated in Parliament. They minimized all opposition and tried to ridiculize those who spoke out against homosexual marriage especially in the huge demonstrations organised by religious groups - the main work and support base was done by Catholics and the Catholic Church tried to make its voice heard in a serious, valid manner.

Now, we have daily snippets of information which don't tell us anything major: apart from the main news about the resignation and the information that it's the first since 1400s;  the Cardinals all arrived the other day: they will soon lock them in; the fire has been lit. This mornings news was about the crowds in the Vatican square coming to see, wanting to be part of the action.

It's significant the way they talk about religious facts: the crowds were multinational and the cacophony of different languages spoken compared to those in the TOWER OF BABEL! What's the implication ? That these people are all waiting for the judgement of God and for the Tower (The Vatican) to be knocked down? What's the attitude of the reporter in this? Is he just trying to show off a minimal knowledge of Biblical history? Is he anti-Catholic (hoping they will be judged???) Why didn't he at least give them credit for being believers and use the image of Pentecost??? That would at least have been a proper Christian image and relevant to the beginnings of the Christian church.

Even if the Catholic Church has deviated from the vision God first had of building up His people, there are real believers in their midst. Many in those crowds are there to pray and not just to all the Saints and Mary Mother of God, but to their Creator God who made it possible for all of us to enter His Kingdom through the faithful actions of His Son Jesus Christ.

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BONNE ANNEE !

BONNE SANTE !

This is what the French wish for each other at the beginning of each new year. They send out SMSs or electronic cards, some still send traditional cards by snail mail throughout January.

Most Christmas decorations were taken down after 6th January when they traditionally celebrate the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. There are several versions of the Galette des Rois (pastry or bready type round patisserie in honour of the 'Kings') and this is shared by families, at work places, through invitations to friends, etc.

It's surprising to note how many holidays are still connected to a religious celebration, and yet how ferociously the French want to keep out any religious references in public life ! But these are all occasions for our churches and believers everywhere to organise events which remind people of the original reason for these days. Our church did 2 Christmas play performances with 115 people in the public at each performance. One of our best this time around. However, we didn't do anything for Galette des Rois. We'll have to get cracking to organise something appropriate for Easter, but not sure the energy levels will hold up.

I close in wishing each and everyone of you, dear readers, a blessed New Year in 2013. The Lord didn't return end 2012, nor did the world end, so God still has plans for us. May we be counted amongst the faithful this year, enjoying our special status of Child of God. May we be able to communicate the joy, the peace and the love this brings us. May we be a blessing to others.

So this is Christmas

Claire excelled in her decorations again for this, our first Christmas in our lovely new house.

We did the French version of Christmas : Pascal and I attended the Reformed Church's afternoon play on 24th, then we had our Christmas meal en famille. Just the five of us. Claire did the organisation. A game, a film, and one present to open.

The menu: foie gras and tarama; lettuce salad; wild boar casserole and potato balls; local cheeses; and a home made bûche de Noël of which Claire and I are very proud. It's our first!

I always have a bit of a downer at this time because I'm so inbued with our family christmases in Australia. Lots of family, several occasions, church in the morning. I miss that and haven't managed to transmit it to my own family.

The next day, 25th, we had a French breakfast while skyping the family and then we were allowed to open the rest of the presents!

It was pleasant and intimate - we have such busy and varied lives that being together is becoming a luxury and a precious time to keep for ourselves. However, I do have a special thought for all those who do end up alone or isolated or who are far from family and/or friends.

I hope your Christmas was a special time and particularly stamped with the wonder of the Christ child and his mission on earth.

As part of the end of year celebrations ...

This was the last in a series of 9 English lessons for an after-school activity I held. 5 girls came every Thursday and they learned a simplified version of Little Red Riding Hood. They performed in front of their parents and we then shared an 'apéritif' - pre-dinner drinks - to celebrate Christmas.

"Take the cake to Grandma, please. She's very sick."

"Oh, Grandma, what big eyes!"

Claire has helped me each Thursday. She was the prompter and props person.

It was a good time of explaining our different Christmas customs. They were quite fascinated by the Aussie Christmas cards I had kept over the years. They all were born in this area and have lived here all their lives. They are young, modern French families, but very rooted in this country culture. 2 of the families went to England earlier this year, leaving this region for the very first time. They are connected to the Catholic church and send their kids to the Catholic Private school and it's interesting to note the differences in their way of thinking to even the people in our church, who were also born and raised here.

I hope to continue to get to know them.

Next English sessions will be in Spring.