Mission FPC
In the presence of Mr Jean-Louis Scheuer, the mayor of Drulingen, and local MP Mr Patrick Hetzel we experienced a dynamic time of worship led by the band ChyL’s, a group of young musicians who feel called to present the Gospel through music.
Thierry Le Gall, director of the CNEF’s Pastoral Service among parlementarians, gave a talk on the church’s place in contemporary society. He reminded us that we need to be visible through our actions, motivated by Christ’s love, and emphasized our opportunity, within the legal framework of laicity, to proclaim what we believe while showing respect for our contemporaries. Finally he strongly emphasized the reponsability we all have as a church to pray for our nation and its leaders at all levels, irrespective of whether we agree with their policies.
In his address after the celebration the mayor recalled the good relations the town has always had with the FPC Mission. In an interview Thierry Le Gall asked MP Patrick Hetzel to outline some subjects of prayer for France. He made reference to the crisis of confidence in authority, not only in France but in the whole of Europe, and the resulting difficulty of governing in such an atmosphere where egoism is ever more evident. He also spoke of the important debate on the end of human life, including the issue of assisted suicide.
The children were given the opportunity to tackle the theme in their various age groups, guided by staff from the participating churches, to whom thanks is due, as well as to the whole team which led the afternoon recreation.
After a picnic lunch with plenty of opportunity for personal exchanges, Thierry Le Gall gave a talk on Laicity, defining the concept and taking questions from the floor. This was followed by reports in which Vilodec, Tim4, FPC and the Solidarity Fund (Fonds de solidarité) presented grounds for thanksgiving and challenges for the future.
The youth from the APC churches in the Hagunau circuit enjoyed a special Saturday evening programme (US: program) with Thierry Le Gall. Victor, one of the organisers, commented: “I was particularly grateful for the quality exchanges on the serious and complex issues of public debate. Our speaker was a good communicator and very accessible. His talk on the Sunday morning enabled me to bring together my view of politics and my Christian faith. It was wonderful to see how God is at work even in the hearts of politicians. I was especially grateful that the young people were made aware of the need for a eirenic public debate. Several of them told me how glad they had been to get a fresh perspective on politics. The exchanges we had and the suggestions we received were taken very seriously, which could mean a fresh interest in the political debate and renewed action for a country in which it’s worth living.”
The weekend was an intensive time but rich and appreciated by many. We left with a fresh impulse to take our place, as Christians and as churches, in the service of our dear French homeland!
Mission FPC
Leave a Reply