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The Chaplaincy ClarionThe Chaplain
Our Chaplain, Paul Vrolijk with his wife Janine, and children Hannah, Davita & Boaz, who joined the Chaplaincy in January 2009. We are delighted to announce that the family has been extended by the birth of Lydia on 5th February, 2010 [Acts 16:14,40]. News letters from the Chaplain are available to download for February and March.
Bible Reading and Conference A week-long continuous Bible Reading event at the cathedral in Périgueux is planned for the week of March 14-20. The entire Bible will be read night and day...136 hours of reading!
In conjunction with this event, Paul will give a conference in English in Périgueux on Monday March 15th, from 15:00 - 17:00. The conference will take place at 8, rue de la Constitution, which is across the street from the cathedral. There are several parking lots conveniently located.
The topic will be: "Women in the Jacob Story: Leah and Rachel - God working through the human mess?"
As we read through the Bible we come across certain passages that we might find quite disturbing. What to think of the position of women in the patriarchal narratives (Gen 12-50)? Abraham lies about Sarah's marital status so that she ends up in Pharaoh's harem (Gen 12) and repeats that feat a few years later (Gen 20). Leah and Rachel are treated as cattle by Jacob and Laban. Dinah is raped (Gen 34). Yet within the context of fierce competition for Jacob's love Leah and Rachel (and their 2 servants) bring forth 12 male descendants (and 1 girl) after whom the 12 tribes of Israel are named. The birth of Joseph appears to be the turning point of the entire Jacob-story.
This seminar will focus on the fate of Leah and Rachel in Gen 29-30, how their fate contributes to the overall story line of the Jacob-cycle and how God is at work in the midst of human mess. This seminar will be of interest for anyone with an enthusiasm for biblical narrative. The content of the seminar will be easily accessible to all.
Please note the date in your diary and spread the word throughout the various congregations, to encourage support for this important ecumenical event.
SOS HELP Crisis line in English: 01 46 21 46 46 SOS Help is a telephone listening service for the English-speaking community in France. Trained listeners are available every day of the year from 3pm to 11pm. The service is confidential and anonymous. In addition to compassionate, non-directive listening, we can provide information on community services and community resources available to English-speaking callers. SOS Help is staffed by volunteer listeners; other volunteers are involved in community liaison, fund-raising and publicity. Volunteers are always welcome, and should contact the above telephone number to request further information about recruitment and training.
Chairman David Payne 01 46 21 46 46 Web Site : http://www.soshelpline.org/
The Environment on the Chaplaincy Website The environment section covers news from the diocese and links to other websites. Please have a look at the site and let me have any ideas to Judith Thomason (05 53 30 47 94 or judith.thomason@wanadoo.fr).
Broadcasting - Radio LibertéHello Dear Listeners.
This month’s recording, going out on Sunday March 7th at 12 noon, Tuesday March 9th at 1.30 and Friday March 11th at 1230, is a very active debate between David Llewellyn and Guy Spencer (who were with us last month) plus Chris Clark, a member of the Bertric Burée congregation. Again we were sharing our thoughts on faith and no faith and touching on the environment/creation and our role in caring for it. The programme length was extended to 45 minutes with a short break for music by Lily Allen, a song called ‘Him’, about God.
We have received some complimentary comments regarding the previous programme but we do desire to know your thoughts and comments – please contact me, Madeleine Holmes via the email address below, or Radio Liberté. We need to know that we are proving the kind of discussion you want and to stimulate thought and then action regarding our environment.
Interestingly enough, most of the comments we have received were for the December recording, which some of us thought sounded like mayhem…. But which you, the listeners loved! Perhaps we should repeat something like this for Easter?
It is quite easy for you to tune into our programme now – you can listen live on the radio broadcasting on 96.1 FM; on your computer on www.radioliberte.fr live and on Podcast (www.radioliberte.fr) or our own website www.chapaq.org which contains links to the recordings.
IMPORTANT HELP LINES: Also on the programme I spoke very briefly about the help lines available to all English-speaking people who need a listening ear and the details are below:
CSF Cancer Support France (Riberac) We provide support for people with cancer and your carers by telephone, email, home and hospital visits; we also help you to ask the questions to which you need answers and point you in the direction of sound advice. Email: csfriberac@gmail.com www.cancersupportfrance.info
Pastoral Care Group We can provide company, hospital visits, a phone call, a shoulder to cry on and hopefully much more. We really would appreciate being informed of perceived needs so that where possible we can be of help. If you know of anyone who would welcome a visit or call, please ring me (Karla Flambert) on 05 53 90 99 52 so we can arrange for a member of the team to help out.
Till we meet again in March, hopefully with your views, God Bless you Madeleine Email address madeleine@peladis.plus.com
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