Archdeaconry of France – News of Church Growth and Development

Vendée

On 17 April an inaugural meeting of a new pastoral area was held. It is to be known as “All Saints, Vendée” and the priest-in-charge is the Revd Brian Davies. The congregations that form All Saints were formerly part of the Chaplaincy of the Good Shepherd Poitou-Charentes. After discussions at the local level and with the Archdeacon and Bishop David it was felt that the time was right to encourage establish a self-governing pastoral charge to promote further growth and development in ministry and service to English speakers in the Vendée. At the inaugural meeting, a Church Council, Archdeaconry Synod Representative, and Church Wardens were elected, and a vision statement agreed to guide the congregations in the process of prayer and discernment of future priorities for their mission and outreach.

Services are presently held as follows:

2nd Sunday, Puy de Serre, 11.00 am Holy Communion
3rd Sunday, La Chapelle Achard, 11.00 am Holy Communion
4th Sunday, Puy de Serre, 11.00 am, Holy Communion and Morning Worship (alternate months)

Further details can be obtained by contacting the priest-in-charge:
T: +33 (0)2 51 62 96 32
E: briandpam@free.fr

Anglican Congregation in the Gard

The Revd Jenny Deverill, a priest with Permission to Officiate in the diocese, attached informally to All Saints Marseille, had been encouraged by Bishop David to explore the potential for Church of England ministry in the Gard in Southern France (in the Languedoc-Roussillon region). Since October 2006 monthly services have been held in Boisset with an average attendance between 30-40. This past Easter there were 68 in attendance, with 41 communicants. The new “Anglican Congregation in Le Gard” is blessed with a significant group of younger families with children, and a Sunday School has been started. Jenny is now working with her lay leaders towards formal registration of the new congregation and integration into archdeaconry and diocesan life. Bishop David will pay a pastoral visit this new congregation on their first anniversary later this year.

Services are held on the first Sunday of the month at 10.30 am at the Eglise Reformée in Boisset.

Further details can be obtained by contacting the Revd Jenny Deverill at:
T: +33 (0)4 66 25 17 63
E: jennifer.deverill@wanadoo.fr

The Anglican Church at Arçay (Nr Loudun in the Vienne)

The Revd Geoffrey Colman has been given permission by Bishop David to organise a congregation in Arçay, as a new mission area, under the supervision of the Archdeacon of France. The pastoral charge covers approximately a 40 km radius from the town of Arçay.

Services are held at the Church in Arçay on the third Sunday of the month at 11.30 am.

Details can be obtained by contacting the Revd Geoffrey Colman at:

T: +33 (0)5 49 94 06 28
E: gandjcolman@wanadoo.fr