Recent Special Events – Christ Church Clermont-Ferrand

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

s part of our celebrations of Creation Season, and soon after the feast day of St Francis, Christ Church had a blessing of the animals – both in person and at distance, via photographs.
Here we see 4 dogs, Jasper, Ezekiel, Uriel, Amenadiel, photos of Quince and Sherry, the cats, hedgehogs, tortoises, cat and terrapin, and rats and a hamster. A fine selection of creatures.

Blessed are you, Lord God, maker of all living creatures.
You called forth fish in the sea, birds in the air, and animals on the land.
You inspired St. Francis to call all of them his brothers and sisters.
We ask you to bless these pets.

By the power of your love, enable them to live according to your plan.
May we always praise you for all your beauty in creation.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, in all your creatures!
Amen.

COOKING CLASS WITH CHEF FABRICE

*Happy Culinary students ready to taste the fruits of their labor*

EPIPHANY SUNDAY….Fit for a King

All Smiles as Phillippe Broder takes the crown

“Your Highness, if you find another small car in your food again, maybe we should speak with the kitchen”

CHRISTMAS DECORATING TAKES CENTER STAGE AT CHRIST CHURCH

Our intrepid Pippa is behind the camera so the decorating team can jingle bells

ANOTHER FULL HOUSE FOR THANKSGIVING 2023

Turkey and fixins as only the French can

Keeping an eye out for the early dessert thieves!

First “Wing it Sunday” after Easter

Our Nigerian Students brought the Holy Spirit of Music with them on Sunday May 7th. An impromptu service that raised our voices up higher and higher as the morning progressed. Carolyn Robertson joined the festivities in traditional Nigerian dress! It was a glorious day of praise.

Centennial Celebration Trinity Cathedral Paris

**Presiding Bishop Michael Curry brought his A Game!**

**Christ Church Joined the celebration!**

Restos du Coeur Service 2023

A group of CCCF parishioners recently assisted the ‘collecte’, the food collection for Restos du Coeur, gathering food donations at various supermarkets throughout the Clermont area.

Our intrepid compassion warriors at work. Well done!!

WINTER SUPPER 2023

Thanks to the generosity of Carolyn, we had a marvellous pot luck winter supper on 25 February. It was lovely to have more time to gather as a congregation- even the cat joined in – well he slept through most of the evening

This is one of the ways people get joyful!!!

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE

Our choir was in fine form as they led a full house in worship with the joyful sounds of a “Christ Church Christmas”. Special thanks to Julia for developing and directing a perfect evening!

THANKSGIVING LUNCH 2022

70+ Women, Children, and Men came together to celebrate and give Thanks for all we have received this year and in our lifetimes. The new canteen in Massillon School provided a perfect location to enjoy a traditional feast, perfectly prepared by our French Chef! Families brought amazing deserts and shared them with our happy throng. Our first silent Auction raised over 800 euros! Thank you one and all!

CONVENTION 2022

The Convocation of Episcopal churches in Europe converged on Clermont-Ferrand and Christ-Church for 4 glorious days between October 27th and the 30th. Bishops, Clergy and lay leaders gathered to pray, preach and teach. It was majesty in the service of our Lord and His refugee population. Now the hard work begins to put the words into action. If you have a heart for refugee’s contact our vestry to learn how you can help.

Abagail Nelson: Executive Vice President Episcopal Relief and Development
“We are the Solution”

Passing the cross and the torch to Florence and 2024

Our delegates Thoma and Miriam from Tbilisi Georgia

Sharing our common appetite for good works in His name

Rev Deacon Richard Coles smile says it all

Bishop Mark finally gets a well deserved break

Blessing of the Animals! Bishop Marc lead a lively service on Sunday, October 1st for mans and womans best friends! Sadie and Jasper were in attendance and we had a full altar of virtual pets receiving his blessing. It was a wonderful celebration of God’s creation. Thank you to everyone who brought a photo or pet!

June 4th, 2022 “Concert for Ukrainian refugees living in Clermont “

24 April- Presided by Archdeacon Walter Baer and farewell to Debbi and Pete Stevenson

A very beautiful sermon and farewell to two of Christ Church’s most amazing and dedicated family. They received a special tribute from the bishop and everyone had a word to say about our beloved friends. They will be missed.

Easter Sunday: last service with Susan as priest in charge etc….and farewell

Joint Good Friday Service with Eglise Protestante Unie:

Palm Sunday 2022

Palm Sunday was celebrated in lovely spring weather including a procession of song and palms around the church. Our sermon was presided by the Rev. Lucinda Laird who reminded us that we often arrive in a “present” where personal challenge and tragedy remind us that it is easy to cross into Faith but more difficult to remain.

Bishop Mark Visit, February 6th, 2022

Bishop Mark Edington, the Bishop of the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, with his wife Judy, visited our beautiful corner of France on 6 th January to lead us in worship. Our resident priest, the Rev Dr Susan Carter was away on her annual leave and Bishop Mark’s visit allowed us the opportunity to have a Eucharist service. He reminded us in his sermon
that we should ‘go and fish for followers of the gospel, …. and to seek out people to join us on this journey of faith’. The text of his full sermon can be found on our weekly messagepage or you can listen to him in person on the Convocation website at the following link: http://www.tec-europe.org/convocation/who-we-are/our-bishop-the-rt-rev-mark-dw-
edington/sermons/hopeful-words-in-hard-times

We were blessed to be able to share much fellowship time with Bishop Mark and Judy at a finger food lunch in the church after the service – covid friendly of course.

Baptised: Arman Durand, aged 2, January 9th 2022

During lockdown Alain Durand who lives some distance away in le Savoie, with his wife Indira, and their 2-year-old son Arman, joined us regularly for our zoom services. They have since made the long journey to join us in worship in person a couple of times. This time was special however as it was Arman’s baptism.

Little Arman brought joy to a very special Sunday, as you can see from these pictures and the Rev Dr Susan Carter performed her first baptism at Christ Church.

Alain’s godparents were Pippa Mahoney, a member of Christ Church and Alain Tournaire, a family friend. Alain Tournaire is a professional musician and during the service he played Ava Maria on the saxophone. Not only that, during the following covid-friendly reception in the church for the
whole congregation, he played the most wonderful music throughout.

Christmas Carol Service, Dec 15th 2019

Episcopal Youth Event (EYE)

This last Sunday 18th August, Caitlin Mahoney gave a talk on her EYE experience (Episcopal Youth Event) and her future involvement in EYE 2020

In Caitlin’s words – “As some of you know, I have been lucky enough to be asked to serve on the Planning Team for next year’s Episcopal Youth Event, or EYE, in America. Like me some of you would have been involved in hosting Youth across Europe, YAE and Juniors Across Europe JAE here in Clermont Ferrand, well EYE is a much bigger version. I would just like to explain a little about my experience of EYE and my continued involvement” More details here: EYE Christ church short talk

Welcome Back Picnic at Parc Monjuzet, 1st Sept 2019

Church Picnic, June 23rd, 2019

The annual church picnic was a great success and, this year for the first time, was held in Parc Bargoin in Chamalieres. We shared food, played games with the children and generally had a relaxing, fun time.

Pentecost Sunday, June 9th 2019

Christ Church Congregation celebrated Pentecost (Whitsunday) wearing red, symbolizing Joy & the Fire of the Holy Spirit!!

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