Chaplaincy of Aquitaine News Letter April 2011 THE CHAPLAINCY OF AQUITAINE is part of the Church of England Diocese in Europe, working in partnership with The Intercontinental Church Society, in ministry to people who speak English. It covers Gironde, Dordogne and Lot-et- Garonne. Services are held at the following venues, please see inside for details. BORDEAUX (33) Chapelle de l’Assomption, 370 bd Président Wilson, (opposite the British Consulate). CHACELADE (24) Chapelle de Saint Jean, (opp. The Abbey) SORGES (24) NE of Périgueux, Eglise de Saint Germain, (in Le Bourg, on N21). LIMEUIL(24) Near Le Bugue, Eglise de Sainte Catherine; STE ATHALÈE (24), East of Sarlat, Parish Church, on D47 ALLEZ (47): West of Villeneuve-sur-Lot. DODAS (47): just off the D215, north east of Agen. DOUDRAC (47): on D50 between Castillonès and Villeréal. EVALS (47): to the north of Monflanquin. MOTETO (47): east of Duras, (Notre Dame Parish Church). BERTRIC BURÉE (24): Parish Church, (D708 between Ribérac and Verteillac). From the Chaplain Chaplain’s Letter Is the Lord building the house?.… and how is He building it? Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives sleep to his beloved. (Psalm 127:1-2) As I am writing this, international military action has started in Libya and the people of Japan continue to battle with the aftermath of an earthquake/tsunami, and the nuclear accident that resulted. Please read Roger Cheale’s contribution to the recent ChapAid newsletter on the events in Japan and our response as a Chaplaincy. Our actions might seem small or insignificant in relation to the scale of this disaster, but everything done with a loving and generous heart, however small it may seem, is known and valued by our Lord. Please continue to keep these two countries in your prayers. For our 6 local Annual Meetings in March we used the fol- lowing Bible readings: Psalm 127; 1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-12; Matthew 28:16-20. In the local meetings I have focussed on Ps 127 and the Gospel reading, with the questions ‘how is the Lord building the house?’...and ‘is He building it?’ (if you missed this sermon, and would like to receive a copy, please contact Amy). On our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the 9th of April in Bordeaux I hope to focus on the third reading from 1 Peter 2, on being ‘living stones’, signifying how everything we do in this Chaplaincy is meant to be inter-connected and alive in Christ by His Spirit. In our AGM Holy Communion service we hope to give thanks for those who have served Christ and the Chaplaincy in various roles over the last 12 months and to pray for those who take up new responsibilities or continue in their roles. We also hope to see the majority of our Con- gregational Worship Leaders licensed. An event I am very much looking forward to. Our new website has become operational. I think it looks great! It’s address is www.churchinaquitaine.org I would like to draw your attention to the following events: - Unlocking the Growth Seminars (22-25 May 2011 ) by Mi- chael Harvey, known from Back to Church Sunday. Michael has much Church-growth experience to share. He is also a very entertaining speaker. Please watch your pew-sheets for details on where these 2-hour seminars will take place; - Cafe Church Bergerac has asked the Chaplaincy to join them in organizing a Graham Kendrick Concert on 3 June 2011 , in the St Jacques church, Bergerac (8pm). This might be a perfect
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Chaplaincy of Aquitaine
News Letter
April 2011
THE CHAPLAINCY OF AQUITAINE
is part of the Church of England Diocese
in Europe, working in partnership with
The Intercontinental Church Society,
in ministry to people who speak English.
It covers Gironde, Dordogne and Lot-et-
Garonne.
Services are held at the following venues, please
see inside for details.
BORDEAUX (33) Chapelle de l’Assomption,
370 bd Président Wilson,
(opposite the British Consulate).
CHA�CELADE (24) Chapelle de Saint Jean, (opp. The Abbey)
SORGES (24) NE of Périgueux,
Eglise de Saint Germain, (in Le Bourg, on N21).
LIMEUIL(24) Near Le Bugue, Eglise de Sainte Catherine;
STE �ATHAL�E (24), East of Sarlat,
Parish Church, on D47
ALLEZ (47): West of Villeneuve-sur-Lot.
DO�DAS (47): just off the D215, north
east of Agen.
DOUDRAC (47): on D50 between
Castillonès and Villeréal. E�VALS (47): to the north of
Monflanquin.
MO�TETO� (47): east of Duras, (Notre
Dame Parish Church).
BERTRIC BURÉE (24): Parish
Church, (D708 between Ribérac and Verteillac).
From the Chaplain Chaplain’s Letter Is the Lord building the house?.… and how is He building it?
Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD guards the city, the guard keeps watch in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the
bread of anxious toil;
for he gives sleep to his beloved. (Psalm 127:1-2)
As I am writing this, international military action has started in
Libya and the people of Japan continue to battle with the aftermath
of an earthquake/tsunami, and the nuclear accident that resulted.
Please read Roger Cheale’s contribution to the recent ChapAid newsletter on the events in Japan and our response as a Chaplaincy.
Our actions might seem small or insignificant in relation to the scale
of this disaster, but everything done with a loving and generous
heart, however small it may seem, is known and valued by our Lord.
Please continue to keep these two countries in your prayers.
For our 6 local Annual Meetings in March we used the fol-
lowing Bible readings: Psalm 127; 1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-12; Matthew
28:16-20. In the local meetings I have focussed on Ps 127 and the
Gospel reading, with the questions ‘how is the Lord building the
house?’...and ‘is He building it?’ (if you missed this sermon, and
would like to receive a copy, please contact Amy). On our Annual
General Meeting (AGM) on the 9th of April in Bordeaux I hope to
focus on the third reading from 1 Peter 2, on being ‘living stones’,
signifying how everything we do in this Chaplaincy is meant to be
inter-connected and alive in Christ by His Spirit. In our AGM Holy
Communion service we hope to give thanks for those who have
served Christ and the Chaplaincy in various roles over the last 12
months and to pray for those who take up new responsibilities or
continue in their roles. We also hope to see the majority of our Con-
gregational Worship Leaders licensed. An event I am very much
looking forward to.
Our new website has become operational. I think it looks
great! It’s address is www.churchinaquitaine.org
I would like to draw your attention to the following events:
- Unlocking the Growth Seminars (22-25 May 2011) by Mi-
chael Harvey, known from Back to Church Sunday. Michael
has much Church-growth experience to share. He is also a very
entertaining speaker. Please watch your pew-sheets for details on
where these 2-hour seminars will take place;
- Cafe Church Bergerac has asked the Chaplaincy to join
them in organizing a Graham Kendrick Concert on 3 June 2011,
in the St Jacques church, Bergerac (8pm). This might be a perfect
2 Useful Numbers: Chaplain: Revd. Dr Paul Vrolijk 05 53 23 40 73 , 8 Chemin du Garonna, 24240 Sigoules.
reports including Archdeaconry statistics, and directory of all the churches in the Diocese - well worth
having and interesting to read too!! Madeleine Holmes
News from ICS Praying for a church…just like yours Ever read ICS ,ews and Prayer Diary? If not, April is a good month to begin the habit…or if you
regularly read it, look out for its more user friendly layout! Pick up one from church or call us (see
below) for a sample copy.
But what is ICS ,ews? Why might it interest me? The first half contains news of and testimonies
by Christians from international, English-speaking churches across the world where ICS and its mission
partners are helping people like you to discover God’s love. You will find stories of churches very like
yours, though thousands of kilometres away, facing similar challenges yet in different contexts: articles about the
church in Chile; how a parish transformed its understanding of Christian witness in the EU; and of Elsie, who took
groups of her friends abroad to visit fifty different international, Anglican churches. The editorial team – Jeannette and
I in the ICS office and volunteers Dennis and Elizabeth – create it to inform, encourage and feed from Scripture
people just like you.
The second half of ICS ,ews has, though, an even more important purpose: our Prayer Diary enables you to
become a stakeholder in God’s mission through praying for others. I invite you to use it to pray for our outreach to
tourists and the mission and ministry of Anglican churches of which ICS is patron. Your experience of God’s love and
of being in a church means you can pray for ICS. All it involves is reading prayer points or a set prayer and saying
‘amen’. Its new, easy to use format has photos, news items and prayer needs in one place and reflections to broaden
your horizons.
Prayer matters to God, changes us, and affects others. We distribute some 4000 copies of ICS ,ews and Prayer
Diary to enable its recipients to pray regularly for Anglican chaplaincies from Rotterdam to the Falklands. So give
ICS ,ews and Prayer Diary a try!
David Healey is General Manager of Intercontinental Church Society. For more information, to subscribe or obtain a sample ICS ,ews
and Prayer Diary call ICS +44 1926 – 430 347, e-mail or go to www.ics-uk.org We also publish an e-mail bulletin ,ews and Prayer
Update and depend entirely on donations to enable our work. Registered charity no.: 1072584
O heavenly Father, open wide the sluice gate into my heart that I may receive your living water and be fruitful.
Prayer of a Punjabi Christian
4
Around the Chaplaincy Though we are many, we are one body.
Lot et Garonne Allez, Dondas, Doudrac Envals and Monteton April services Sunday 3rd Holy Communion, Doudrac 11.00 Revd. Liz Morris
Sunday 10th Morning Prayer, Monteton 10.30 Roger Verrall
Sunday 17th Palm Sunday Procession and Holy Communion, Dondas 10.30 Revd. David Jones
Sunday 17th Palm Sunday Procession and Prayer and Praise, Monteton 10.30 Revd. Liz Morris Thursday 21st Holy Communion and Stripping of the Altar, Monteton 18.00 Revd. David Jones
Friday 22nd Good Friday Prayers at the Cross, Allez 14.00 Roger Verrall Friday 22nd Good Friday Prayers at the Cross, Dondas 14.00 Colin Pratt
Friday 22nd Good Friday Prayers at the Cross, Monteton 14.00 Revd. David Jones
We'll also be counting on your manpower to make it a memorable day! Please mark the date in your diary and contact
the wardens to indicate how you can help.
Easter Day, Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 7.08 a.m. – United we stand! For those who were able to make the Easter 2010 ecumenical sunrise service along the quays, their memory is still
vivid of the sharing and joy of celebrating the Risen Lord together.
This year on Easter morning – same time but different station! – Christians from all over the CUB
(Communauté Urbaine de Bordeaux) will join together at the main entrance of the Parc Bordelais, avenue Carnot (not
far from the Assomption) at 7.08 a.m. to experience something completely different and wonderful! Volunteers from
the various churches have been working hard since last June to prepare this gathering based on John's Gospel "He saw
and he believed".
For those attending the sunrise service, a light breakfast (coffee & croissants) will be available immediately afterwards
at the Assomption, hopefully in the company of the sisters of the Assomption before they head off to their own
service. Le Christ est ressuscité ! and it's pleasing in His sight to see many denominations sharing in that joy together.
Anyone interested in singing with the ecumenical choir or orchestra is most welcome to join choir director, Jean-
Marie Despeyroux, on Wednesday, April 6, from 8.30 to 10.30 p.m. at the Eglise Evangélique, 73 avenue March
Desbats, Pessac.
Easter Day Holy Communion Service at the Assomption, 10.30 a.m. An Easter Holy Communion Service will be led by the Revd Bramwell Bearcroft at 10.30 a.m. in the Chapel. Spread
the word to your English-speaking friends! The service will be followed by coffee and an Easter Egg Hunt in the
garden (weather permitting) for the young ones.
�ews from last month
Bordeaux Local Annual General Meeting. On Sunday, March 20th immediately following the Holy Communion
Service, the Bordeaux Church Annual General Meeting was held. We thank David Tervet, Chaplaincy Warden, for
having travelled to Bordeaux with his wife to chair the meeting. Grateful thanks were given to everyone who worked
so hard over the past year in the various jobs and challenges that English-speaking ministry offers in Bordeaux! We
look forward to a new and exciting year ahead, with our Assistant Chaplain at the helm – ably aided by his wife,
Jennifer, and the other members of the clergy team working in Bordeaux.
World Day of Prayer at the Temple de l'Eglise Réformée in Mérignac. the World Day of Prayer, people are
encouraged to become aware of the other countries and cultures. They are also encouraged take up the burdens of
other people, to sympathize with the problems of other countries and cultures and pray with and for them. The World
Day of Prayer aims to demonstrate that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence
in the world.
On Friday 4th March, a group of around sixty people, women but also men, came to listen first to the presentation of
the country, this year Chile, then to participate in the celebration, the theme of which was this year 'How many loaves
have you?'
With a narrator and a group of four ladies (representing the Anglican, Reformed and Roman Catholic chuches in
Bordeaux) the celebration started by wishing a 'good day' in various local languages. Then the service went on in a
relaxed and prayerful atmosphere. Mme Ghislaine Galy presented a very meaningful interpretation of the bible
readings. We sang seven hymns and songs ending with the now popular 'The Day thou gavest Lord is ended' in
French.
A very appertizing table of Chilean food was prepared by the ladies who did a very good job with all these local
delicacies. Once more, it was a pleasure to be able to participate in this warm and friendly celebration.
We are all waiting for next year when Malaysia will lead us in the theme "Let justice prevail". The door is open for all
of you who were not been able to come this year.
�ewsletter contributions. If you have any ideas, thoughts, projects or events that you would like to share, please
send your contribution to Lindsay Mégraud ([email protected]) before the 18th of the month.
Turning to God through prayer goes along with turning to mankind. By being demanding of ourselves and generous with
others, we give expression to our conversation in both a concrete and a social way.
this year. They are looking for volunteers and ideas for stalls and games so please contact them with your
suggestions. In particular we need someone to ‘man’ a select �EARLY �EW Clothes Stall and someone else to
organise a Handicraft stall. This needs some thought now in order to get everyone making items to fill the table.
Carole Sapsford is running a Plant Stall. Please can you let her have any spare plastic pots for seedlings and
remember when you are dividing and thinning out plants this Spring to put some bits in a pot to bring on for the
stall. Also, there will be a “Home Produce” stall so donations of vegetable seedlings would be very welcome.
Any questions please speak to Carole. Carole will also be giving demonstrations in the art of flower arranging
during the afternoon. REMEMBER - Carole needs any spare plastic pots for seedlings
Can you help Dan and Kirsty Jones? They have a little request! Their friend, who is a former colleague of Dan, is a brilliant pianist and lovely teacher and a deeply committed
Christian. She's asked if she can visit for 2 nights on the 24th May as she will be in France doing the rounds of
European friends. That week is Flo's birthday so their spare room will be taken by family. Is there someone in the
church who would love to put up a friendly, artistic girl from Wales for a couple of nights? [email protected]
Chancelade/Sorges The main event in March was our Annual Centre Meeting, chaired by the Chaplain, which took place after a service
of Holy Communion in Sorges church at which Patrick Sturges was formally licensed as a Congregational Worship
Leader. The centre looked back over a year which had shown some remarkable successes The Centre contributed
is largest sum ever to the Chaplaincy – nearly ten thousand Euros – as well as raising over 4000 Euros for ChapAid.
The hard work of committee members and the loyal support of church members all contributed to this success, but
particular thanks were returned to Veronica Dare-Bryan whose well organised golf day and ‘scratch’ Messiah were
the major fund-raising events.
Elizabeth Brook has agreed to stand as Centre Warden alongside Liz Oaten who has now completed three years on
her own in the post. Elizabeth also agreed to take over as the contributor to this newsletter, Patrick Sturges having
stepped down after seven and a half years in the job.
On a personal note, I offer Elizabeth every good wish for her tenure as newsletter contributor. I leave at the same
time as Christine Scott who has been an outstanding ‘editor-in-chief’ and I should like to thank her for her consid-
erable patience at receiving our copy – usually two or three days late!
Services in April
Sunday 3rd – Mothering Sunday. Family and Mothering Sunday service at Sorges at 1100, to be led by Sheila
Marshall.
Sunday 17th – Palm Sunday. Service of Holy Communion and presentation of palm crosses in the Chapelle St
Jean at 1030. This service will be led by Rev’d Brian Davies
Sunday 24th – Easter Day. Service of Holy Communion in the church at �égrondes (next village to Sorges on
the Thiviers road) at 1100. This service will be led by Rev’d John Morgan. This service will replace the Tuesday
service which would normally have taken place on Tuesday 26th April.
This usual fourth Tuesday service at Sorges will not take place. Forthcoming events;
Don’t forget the Chaplaincy AGM to be held in Bordeaux on Saturday 9th April. If you would like to attend,
please let Liz Oaten know as she has a place available in her car.
The Strawberry Tea is planned to take place at 3.00 pm on Wednesday 25th May at Liz Oaten’s house,
Le Cavou. There will be more details in the next newsletter.
Limeuil April Services 3rd 10.30am Morning Worship David Albrecht
10th 10.30am Holy Communion Revd Paul Vrolijk
17th 10.30am Palm Sunday Morning Worship Revd. Caroline Gordon Walker and Roger Cheale
21st 10.30am Maundy Thursday Holy Communion Revd. Caroline Gordon Walker
22nd 3.00pm Good Friday Prayers at the Cross joining with our Roman Catholique neighbours,
Local Annual Meeting At the Limeuil Annual Meeting held on the 13th March David Albrecht was appointed as Assistant Warden and
Gill Little, Patrick Brewster and Amy Owensmith were elected to the Committee.
CW Liz Oaten 05 53 05 42 76
Elizabeth Brook 05 53 52 50 91
NL Elizabeth Brook 05 53 52 50 91
PC Alexandra Billing 05 53 62 86 11
CW Jennifer Lord 05 53 31 18 04
David Albrecht 05 53 36 55 97
NL Barry Borsberry 05 53 74 95 67
PC Charlotte Sullivan 05 53 61 81 61
Diary dates On Good Friday (22nd) the Limeuil church choir is being joined by singers from Monteton in a performance of
Stainer’s Crucifixion. This is an extremely moving and emotional work and a most fitting start to the celebration of
Easter, and which, when previously performed here two years ago, was very well received by a most appreciative au-
dience. Everyone is welcome to come to this special occasion. We would very much like to have a packed church on
the day. Entrance is free and there will be a retiring collection. The timing has provisionally been set for 5.00pm, but
please check nearer the day for the latest arrangements.
The Bring and Share lunch which would normally take place on the fourth Sunday in the month is being cancelled
this month and instead, an Easter Day lunch is being arranged at the Hotel du Chateau at Campagne. Please contact
Mike Kelly on 05 53 29 87 19 in good time to book places.
On Monday 25th April a Vide Grenier is being held in the port at Limeuil at which the St. Catherine’s will be taking
a stall. Please look out any unwanted items you might have which can be donated to help to raise funds for the church.
Please contact Sandy Berkley on 05 53 73 85 14.
Come Dine With Us. In addition to the event being organised by David Albrecht and notified in the March
newsletter, two other Come Dine With Us events will be taking place on April 29th - the day of the Royal Wedding.
Large screen TV’s are assured at all three events so that this historic occasion can be viewed in comfort. For further
details and to book places, please contact :- David Albrecht (Monflanquin) 05 53 36 55 97, Chris Scott
(Berbiguières) 05 53 29 39 40 or Anne Penfold (Vézac) 05 53 30 46 01.
These are all church fund raising events and a charge will be levied to cover the cost of the meal.
We continue to hold Fellowship Meetings at various locations within the vicinity and these present the perfect
opportunity to meet up with others to explore the works of the Bible and also to get to know others over a friendly cup
of coffee or maybe even a light meal. To find out more, why not contact :- Jean Dix (Tuesday group) on 05 53 54
54 48; Anne Penfold (Friday, East) 05 53 30 46 01; Roger Cheale (Friday, west) 05 53 57 16 74
Finally we would like to remind our readers of the excellent work carried out by Resto du Coeur and of the help and
support they provide for the less fortunate and needy members of the local community. However, they can only con-
tinue to do this with help from charitable donations. Please remember the local community during your next shopping
trip! All kinds of non perishable and tinned foods, milk, babies nappies etc., are all greatly appreciated, or you can
make a cash or cheque donation through Jean Dix our local liaison.
��������
April Cooking Frances Pengelly
We are sitting in the Moroccan sunshine drinking mint tea and watching the crowds and general
hubbub down below in Place Djema-el-Fna, Marrakech. During the day, people from the
mountains, dancers, snake charmers, storytellers, fortune tellers, fire eaters and musicians have the
use of the square. The backdrop of the High Atlas, snow capped and mysterious, is dramatic, the
scene colourful and slightly frightening down below the café terrace on which we sit. The orange sellers and spice
and dried fruit dealers hang over their beautifully arranged carts hoping for trade from tourists. This square is one of
the most famous in the world. The shadows lengthen, and suddenly the place is filled with men erecting trestle tables
and kitchens, lighting charcoal fires, arranging seating. The evening meals have started, and the smell of meat and
fish grilling on bright braziers is everywhere. We leave our terrace to look at the stalls. Small, old working
Moroccans are tucking into harira, a soup made with chickpeas, lentils, beans and off cuts of meat or chicken.
Gigantic heads of animals stand in cooked rows, I didn’t look too closely, I have to admit! What charmed me most
were the large pans of eggs, all hardboiled and arranged in pyramids. I have never seen so many eggs! Vegetables
were arranged in tidy bundles on stalls waiting to be cooked, mint and parsley in profusion. Olives set out in bowls to
accompany the dishes, and pancakes served with honey.
Rooted in rural Berber traditions, Moroccan cooking which was later dominated by the great royal dynasties with
influences from as far away as Baghdad, finally came to full maturity when the Spanish influences on Moroccan food
were clear on the expulsion of the Moors from Spain in the 15th century.
Food traditions come from the Mediterranean, Atlantic, the countryside and the mountains. Fish, fruit and meat and a
rich range of herbs and spices, make Moroccan cooking, not surprisingly, one of the most exciting and admired
cuisines in the world. The famous herb mixture made by the head of the spice shop is ‘ Ras l’hanoot’ this is a mixture
of 20-40 different spices. Women are the traditional cooks of Morocco and called ‘dadas’. They are of Sudanese
origin brought into the country in the 17th century. They are the guardians of the traditional recipes, often having
their own ‘signature dish’.
Bread with olive oil, tea and a choice of crêpes and fruit is usually served for breakfast. Lunch is the main meal
of the day often a salad starter and then something rich and spicy. My favourite starter was grilled sardines with
a tomato stew. Very garlicky and delicious. Here are two fish recipes. Fish cakes, Kefta Bil Hout, an
interesting beginning to a meal. Using a food processor for 5 seconds only to chop, add 500g fish filets; l½ tsp
ground cumin, pinch of chilli, 3 garlic cloves, l egg, ½preserved lemon rind, handful of parsley or coriander.
Sprinkle 5tbs flour on a board and roll mixture into small balls and flatten. Shallow fry, serve with lemon
wedges. You can buy preserved lemon in supermarkets. For a main course you could choose a meat or
chicken tagine served with plain couscous. Here is a recipe for Roast Cod with Potatoes and Tomatoes, Hout Bi
Bata Wa Tamatem. For the Chermoula Sauce chop a large bunch of coriander, ltsp each of ground cumin,
paprika and chilli pepper, 6tbs olive oil and juice of a lemon. Marinate 6 cod filets in this for an hour.
Meanwhile roast for 50 minutes in an oiled dish in a very hot oven lkg sliced new potatoes, 500g peeled
tomatoes, making sure the vegetables are well covered with oil. When cooked place cod filets on top of the
vegetables, skin side up, return dish to oven and cook for l0-l2 minutes, until flesh flakes. Pour over Chermoula
Sauce letting it dribble down over vegetables. Garnish with parsley.
Beyond Our Borders Madeleine Holmes
The Wonder of the Beyond
During the 40 days of Lent we are called to spend time with God, to ponder our ministry,
what God wants from us and to ponder Him and our relationship. In doing so we are able to take
time out to really look at the world around us, to truly see the people we are speaking to and living alongside. To
actually lay aside the ‘busyness’ of our lives which sometimes puts a veil between our world and us.
God’s nature is a brilliant tool for encouraging us to ‘see’ the world around us and Spring is a superb time,
as we see growth where there appeared to be death or dead things…. The magnolias, daffodils and green shoots
never fail to arouse in us the wonder of the beyond…. A man who has lost his sense of wonder is a man dead.
(William of Thierry, 1085-1148) Mmm.
Have you heard or read David Adam? One time miner who discovered he wanted to become a vicar, and
one of his many parishes was Lindisfarne, the island off the Northumbria coast. Following on from the B our B
of March I picked up David’s latest book called ‘The Wonder of the Beyond’ and read it from cover to cover. It
is not an autobiography but he relates points in his life when he has been nudged to open his eyes and his heart to
see we belong to a world, which, is far greater than we ever imagine.
David suggests that as we embark on this journey of opening our eyes and heart we will see that
everything is unique and full of wonder; everything is a subject in its own right; everything within creation has a
potential to create awe; that every single moment is eternity and we are explorers of a world without frontiers
(Beyond our Borders?) and that through all this we see and feel more and more that ‘you are in God and God is
in you’. David reminds us that this is what we must set ourselves to experience day by day.
At the same time I picked up this book, I was given a gift – ‘All will be well’ Julian of Norwich – 30 Days
with a great spiritual teacher compiled by Richard Chilson. Each day gives something to read (not a lot!) at the
beginning of the day – a short prayer (mantra) – a review of the day and a short night prayer- that’s it! The
short prayer is to be memorised and repeated throughout the day, for instance ‘Out of his great courtesy, he never censures us.’ Some years ago, during his ministry in Danby in the North York Moors, David became convinced that a
simple approach to prayer would be helpful to his parishioners and his first book The Edge of Glory: Prayers in
the Celtic Tradition was published (1985). If like me, you had been brought up in a traditional Anglican church
with a set liturgy for each service, much would have been committed to memory and recalled for lone worship.
However here was a superb collection of prayers to add to my memory, very much in the Celtic tradition – for
instance this is my favourite (and one I manage to remember!)
You, Lord, are in this place
Your Presence fills it
Your Presence is love.
You, Lord, are in my heart
Your Presence fills it
Your Presence is love. (we are encouraged to add more verses, just changing the last word of the first line and
as we pray picture the reality.)
Both Julian of Norwich and David Adam encourage us to pray throughout the day from memory, from
their writings, the Celtic prayers, the poets, the psalms, hymns and those who have written words which touch the
heart and encourage us to memorise.
Probably the best known of the Celtic prayers to the Trinity is the Hymn of St Patrick:
I bind unto myself today
The strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One, and One in Three.
The poets often speak of this Presence ever near and breaking into our lives. We can all experience with Gerard
Manley Hopkins that:
The world is charged with the grandeur of God.
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil.
Edwin Markham’s rhyme:
He drew a circle that shut me out,
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win.
We drew a circle and brought him in.
Did you know the Celtic knot with its under and over pattern could symbolise the joys and sorrows of our
lives and is endless without beginning or end – a sign that life is eternal – the Wonder of the Beyond is here and
now and for ever.
Awaken us to your glory Dispel the darkness of night
Destroy the heaviness of heart Cure the blindness of sight
Heal the deafness of ears
Open the mouth that is dumb
Restore a gentleness of touch
Encourage a sense of adventure
Bring us an awareness of you
Awaken us to your glory.
(David Adam, Tides and Seasons, SPCK, 1989, P.128)
With love and prayers, Madeleine,
PS – David’s book ‘The Open Gate – Celtic prayers for Growing Spiritually’ Second Edition 2006 – is especially
suitable for those being confirmed, new Christians and anyone wanting to refresh and find structure for their
devotional life. I would recommend having this alongside your bible.
Hopebuilders (part of Fields of Life charity) Richard Shreeve Project Uganda 2011
It was cold, dark and damp as I started off at 1.30am on 21st January, on the first part of my journey to Uganda,
where it would be dark, but somewhat warmer, when we eventually arrived some 22 hours later.
At Birmingham, I was glad to check-in my luggage, without problem, thanks to the power of prayer. Both suitcases
were well over the limit, crammed full of children's clothes, donated by members of the congregation. From
Birmingham I flew to Amsterdam, where I met up with the rest of the Hope Builders team, who had flown in from
Dublin, and at 1030 we took off for Uganda. The familiar, but not unpleasant smell of the tropics, greeted us as we
stepped off the plane. We loaded our luggage on to the lorry and climbed aboard the buses, which took us for an
overnight stay at the guesthouse in Kampala. After a cup of tea it was off to bed, having been without sleep for 36
hours. Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny, we were up at 7 o'clock for breakfast, then off to Bethel Royal
High School (Royal is in the name because the Royal Schools in Northern Ireland, donated a large
proportion of the building costs of the school) in Nasagongola district. What should have been a 3 hour journey took
5 hours because of a massive traffic jam. We arrived at the school at 1 o'clock, to be greeted by a crowd of
waiting children, and school teachers. After a quick lunch, we were able to start building, because the advanced
party, had been there 4 days, preparing for the arrival of the rest of the team.
We were using large concrete blocks 18ins x 9ins x 6ins and weighed above 25 kg each. The building grew
quickly, as we worked non-stop in the sun, despite the temperature being above 40 degrees C. The work was hard,
but everyone worked without complaint, and it was only the power of the Holy Spirit that gave us the strength to
work in these conditions. We finished work at 6.30pm, washed and changed, and had our evening meal. After-
wards, we had our daily devotions, led by our Pastor, and then we sat about talking and resting before bedtime.
Sunday was a day of rest, a late breakfast about 8.00 o’clock, and ready for Church at 10.00 o'clock. There
was a large congregation, which had grown since the school was built last year. It was a very different service to
what we are used to, for a start it was outside in the sun, and the congregation show their joy of worship with sing-
ing, dancing and clapping. The Pastor was also the headmaster of the school, but the Preacher for the day, was a
young girl of about 11 years old, who preached on the greatness of God (1 Kings 18 verses 18 – 40). She preached
without notes and in English, which was translated for the rest of the congregation, and gave a very uplifting ser-
mon. We had a lazy afternoon, recovering from the journey, and getting ready for work on Monday.
Monday to Saturday we were up at 6.00 and started work at 6.30 just as it got light. We stopped for break-
fast and lunch, then continued to work at pace on the building. The building went up quicker than expected, due to
everyone's extra efforts. As there was building work needed at a nearby orphanage we were able to complete all
the brickwork, for 2 blocks, containing 3 classrooms each, and a small mill house by Saturday evening. David our
leader was amazed at the speed at which we worked. A person in Northern Ireland had donated the money for a
milling machine, for producing maize porridge and flour, to the school. There was much joyous singing, dancing
and praising God, late into the evening, by the local population, on the afternoon that the milling machine was de-
livered. It would ease the burden of crushing maize for the children's breakfast meal, and earn some money for the
school.
The Saturday afternoon, we finished work early as we were going to the orphanage for a dedication service
of a new multi-purpose building which contained a kitchen, a large hall used as a dining area, and sports hall and
offices. The orphanage is called New Beginnings, and was started by Roger Arnett who had been a member of
Hope Builders for many years and had helped to build many schools. He had sponsored Ugandan children, and one
of them called Sunday, had died from measles. Roger had been affected deeply by the death of this child and had
attended his funeral. He then decided he was going to build an orphanage to help the many neglected, abused and
abandoned children of Kampala and its surrounding area, and to date has 53 children, some of which have been
drug users, and most were used to begging and sleeping on the streets of Kampala and one of the children is deaf
and dumb. It was a very moving service, led by our Pastor, and especially poignant, when the plaque, dedicated to
the child, on the 7th anniversary of his death, was unveiled. After the service, Annette, a former teacher and head-
mistress, now an inspector of schools for the Nasagongola district, spoke of how she had met Roger at the funeral
of her student Sunday, realised they were brothers in grief, and vowed to help him with the orphanage and is now
an unpaid director of New Beginnings. Afterwards the children sang and danced for us and then the team distrib-
uted sweets and pop to the children.
To be continued next month.....
The Bible;
That’s the Book. The Book indeed,
The Book of Books;
On which who looks,
As he should do aright, shall never need
Wish for a better light
To guide him in the night…..
God’s cabinet of revealed counsel ’tis;
Where weal and woe
Are ordered so
That every man may know.
Nor can he be mistook
That speaketh by this book.
It is the Book of God.
Christopher Harvey 1874
Hope is like a road in the country; there was never a road, but when many people walk on it, the road comes into exis-
tence.
Lin Yu Tang
Radio Liberté Radio Liberte's March Recording goes on the air on Sunday 20th (8am and 12noon),
Tuesday, 22nd at 1.30pm and Friday 25th at 12.30 on Radio Liberte: 96.1 MHz or you can go via your
computer to the podcast on www.radioliberte.fr and listen there any time. This recording will also be
available on the website for the Chaplaincy, as are all the previous recordings. This month's recording
was a dramatised reading of the Bible, The Passion according to St John (John 18:1-19, 24) very ably
read and acted by four members of Chancelade church at the Riberac studios. It is hoped that this very moving
reading of the last days of our Lord Jesus Christ will stimulate some comments and perhaps questions that can be
addressed when we continue the story in April and tell the good news of Easter.
Let us pray so.
My thanks to Sheila and John Marshall, Lin Tarrant and Philip Pearce together with Marc Videau who read Peter!
Blessings this Lent and I look forward to speaking to you in April
Madeleine
A super picture of the reading is available on: http://picasa.google.com/
AQUITAI�E CHURCH SERVICES APRIL 2011
SUNDAY 03 APRIL 10.30 Service of the Word - Bertric Burée 10.30 Holy Communion - Bordeaux 10:30 Morning Worship – Limeuil 11.00 Holy Communion - Doudrac
11.00 All-Age Worship - Sorges
11.00 Holy Communion - Ste Nathalène
18.00 Evensong – Bertric Burée
PALM SUNDAY 17 APRIL 10.30 All Age Worship - Bertric Burée 10.30 Holy Communion - Bordeaux