To La Côte Church family and friends and visitors,
Dear *|FIRSTNAME|*
Like orphaned lambs we will be without a locum priest this Sunday ... and so like naughty teenagers left home alone we get to play “grown-up” and experiment!
After Clare’s reflection last Sunday on prayer – that ‘inward / upward’ expression of our faith, the enactment of our relationship to God – we felt that it would be interesting to revisit the ‘outward’-facing question of sharing our faith with others.
There are a number of relevant passages in the New Testament. Without wanting to fall victim to the temptations of “soundbite theology” – where the protagonist finds a passage of the Bible and wields it like a sword to his or her own ends – we do need to read and understand the Bible. What those who have gone before us had to say – about what Jesus said, about what they thought. The passages range from the Great Commission in Matthew, which exhorts us to “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18, NIV), to Peter’s more gentle, maybe more passive “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:16).
I wonder where each of us sits on the spectrum of evangelisation? How many of us cheerfully “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage ...” (2 Timothy 4:2)? Or do we rather take comfort in the apocryphal “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary” attributed to Saint Francis of Assisi, but apparently not something he ever said?
We are fortunate enough to live in countries where we are unlikely to be martyred for sharing our faith, but we all know that this isn’t necessarily easy and can come at a cost. Is it possible therefore to consider that our faith is a private affair, not to be waved around in public? The Gospel of Saint John suggests that it is not that simple – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last ...” (John 15:16). Saint Paul tells Timothy that he should “not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:8).
Diantha Terry and Phil Clifton will be sharing some thoughts with us at 4pm this Sunday in Gingins. We hope you will come to join us in a lay-led service of Evening Prayer with a conversation about sharing faith in lieu of the usual reflection.
Until then, go well
Chris Potter
RIP Nick Nightingale
It is with sadness that we have learned of the death of Nick, husband of the Revd Sue Nightingale, whom many will remember for her ministry with us 1999-2002.
Nick's family have set up a web page in his memory and we have sent a tribute and recollections/photos on behalf of La Côte.
https://nicknightingale.muchloved.com/
Carolyn's visit to the Holy Land
You might be interested in reading Bishop David's blog about the recent study-pilgrimage to the Holy Land for Ministry Experience Scheme interns, which was led by Dr. Clare Amos and Fr. William Gulliford, accompanied by Bishop David and our Chaplain, Revd Carolyn Cooke.
There is a lovely photo of Carolyn celebrating the Eucharist on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
http://eurobishop.blogspot.com/2022/07/scripture-stones-spirituality-and-human.html
Offering accommodation to Ukrainian refugees
In Switzerland – contact OSAR Organisation Suisse d’Aide aux Réfugiées. https://www.osar.ch/agir/aide-pour-les-personnes-refugiees-ukrainiennes/familles-daccueil
In France – http://www.ain.gouv.fr/situation-en-ukraine-accueil-et-solidarite-a7226.html
Or – contact the local association ALIAS 01 who work in the Pays de Gex to support integration of refugees, including Ukrainians arriving. Please click HERE.
Please click HERE for more information from our La Côte Church website.
Adjusted Covid Measures at La Côte Anglican Church
Update 7 April 2022 - Read more
PLEASE NOTE – If you are hesitating to come to one of our main services but would like Holy Communion or private prayer in person, please contact Revd Adèle Kelham.
For any prayer requests for yourself or others, please contact Peta Tracey who will share in confidence with our Tuesday prayer group where we pray for the needs of our world and community.
Worship this week-end
Sunday 31 July – 7th Sunday after Trinity
16.00 Gingins
Lay-led in person service of Evening Prayer with a conversation about sharing faith between Phil Clifton, Diantha Terry, Chris Potter and the congregation.
Please note that this service will be live streamed.
Here is the link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81045040912?pwd=Q2NVZFZST1BPc0czNncxSjdQMzhnQT09
Meeting ID: 810 4504 0912
Passcode: 554860
HERE is the order of service.
Worship next week-end
Sunday 7 August – 8th Sunday after Trinity
16.00 Gingins Holy Communion celebrated by Revd Adèle Kelham
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