Church of Scotland, Geneva

Transcription

1 Newsletter: Spring 2014 It has been an interesting start to the year for our congregation. Having considered the Auditoire de Calvin to be our spiritual home since 1959, for the past weeks we have been gathering in the more ornate Chappelle des Macchabées. Despite some initial anxieties, and a few practical issues to be resolved, it has been an interesting and positive experience. Having our normal routines disturbed turns out to have been refreshing as well as challenging. This change also serves as a reminder of how quickly our congregation changes. At a recent lunch to welcome new people it occurred to me that several of them, now regular members of the congregation, have never seen the inside of the Auditoire. For them the Chappelle with it s colour and intimate size is their church home in Geneva. The date for moving back into the Auditoire is not yet clear, but we still hope that we will be there early in April in time for our Easter celebrations! You can read about the details of what has been happening to the building in this newsletter, and it certainly seems to be a thorough Home from Home job. By the time we return the stonework will be clean and the walls and freshly painted, we will have better lighting and a new sound system, new chairs to sit on and a new organ to be played. Of course the experience of worship does not depend on the quality of the physical surroundings, but I'm looking forward to what will feel like a new beginning. Likewise the experience of worship does not depend on the numbers of people attending, but a full church certainly can create a special atmosphere. That is why our Congregational Committee has set May as a month when we can make a special effort to gather together, and to invite others to join us. We don't come to church because of the building, but it will be an added attraction and so we will make a special effort to welcome all who want to come. As soon as we get a definite date for returning to the Auditoire we will of course spread the word as fully as possible. Meantime, if you haven't yet managed to join us the Chappelle des Macchabées, you should give it a try before it is too late. It certainly feels and looks and sounds different from what we have been used to. Wishing you a blessed Lent and Easter, Ian Manson Minister: Revd. Ian Manson 20 Ancienne Route 1218 Grand Saconnex Tel/Fax: Church Office: 6 ch. Taverney Tel: cofsg@pingnet.ch geneva.com Church Bank Account: UBS 279-C Events Tuesday, 25 March: Congregational Committee meeting Sunday, 3 May at 20:00: GAOS Choral Group with Peter Biliington & Rebecca MacDonald 8-11 May English Cursillo #62 Sunday, 18 May: Organ concert by Saya Hashino & friends Sunday, 25 May at 17:00: Fête de l'epg: organ concert by Lionel Rogg with Vincent Thévenaz Thursday, 5 June at 20:00.: Official inauguration of new organ with François Delor. Sunday, 15 June: Annual Congregational Meeting June: Fête de la Musique. Easter services Palm Sunday, 13 April - family service (if we are back in our Auditoire, service will be 11:00; otherwise it will be at 11:30) Thursday 17 April at 20:00 - Communion service Friday 18 April at 11:00 - Good Friday service Sunday 20 April at 9:30 - Church Breakfast followed by Easter Day celebration at 11:00

2 Page 2 The best proof that Christ has risen is that he is still alive. And for the immense majority of our contemporaries, the only way of seeing him alive is for us Christians to love one another. Louis Evely The Gospels do not explain the Resurrection; the Resurrection explains the Gospels. Belief in the Resurrection is not an appendage to the Christian faith; it is the Christian faith. John S. Whale Our old history ends with the cross; our new history begins with the resurrection. Watchman Nee The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison, but a passage into God s presence. Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won t stay there. Clarence W. Hall Church Life Women's group We are continuing to meet for lunch on the first Monday of the month at in the Ecumenical Centre cafeteria. Do come along and join us and bring along any ideas you have for other events we might like to do together. Contact Christine Bunn for further details on Bookstall Hello, everyone! This is Mrs Standin calling on behalf of Boss Lady Mary C., who is unavoidably committed to other compelling duties right now. So, oldster that I am, I will begin with a nostalgic reference to the Bookstall s early days when three banana boxes housed our entire stock of books. Now, we are awash with generous donations and need your help to come, browse and please buy these truly super bargains. Apart from a wide choice of fiction, you ll find bible study and other spiritual materials, all ready and waiting to support your Lenten resolutions. Also available are Bibles, for an Easter gift perhaps or more simply as an extra copy to take on your travels or the daily commute. We ll also be putting out our small selection of decorative Easter eggs plus thanks to the generous help of Antonia Bruce that rarity in local shops, a fresh supply of Easter cards with a biblical text in English. Also not to be neglected are the booklets by in-house and other authors as well as our many gift ideas, all priced as low as can be and still make the Stall s ends meet. So, the Boss Lady and her happy team of helpers look forward to welcoming you very soon. Meantime, warmest greetings on their behalf, and from me, Flowers Mrs Standin (aka Ritchie) During the renovation of the Auditoire for the first three months of this year flowers have not been required in the Chapelle of the Maccabées. However a dedication can be put in the Order of Service on these Sundays and money can be contributed to the Flower Fund for use in the Auditoire later in the year. As soon as we are back in a newly painted and refurbished Auditoire I do hope you will continue contributing flowers on a particular Sunday to remember the passing of a loved one, or on the occasion of a celebration, a birthday or anniversary, or for the sheer joy of seeing fresh flowers in the Auditoire or on a Sunday morning to glorify God and our group of Carers are always happy to have flowers to take to those who are ill, are housebound, or are in hospital. Please add your name to the flower rota which is pinned on the notice board in the Salle and let me know that you have done so. Thank you. I would also like to make a special appeal for flowers and arrangers for Easter Sunday (20th April) when we like to fill the Auditoire with flowers to celebrate this special day in the church s year and for the joy of being back in a bright and beautiful Auditoire. I look forward to hearing from you, Janet Askew

3 Page 3 Sunday School needs YOU! Would you consider joining our Sunday School team, to help the children explore the mystery and joy of God, and to help them discover how the stories of God s people connect with their own emerging experience of God? We need a couple more volunteers (male or female) to help bolster our team. No teaching or Sunday School experience required! The Godly Play curriculum provides all the words and props you ll need and the approach of Godly Play means the children and adults wonder together about the messages of the Bible stories. It s a real joy and privilege to be part of this wonder-ful experience. And you don t need to commit to too many Sundays once a term would be fine and would be a great help. If you d like to know more, do come up to the Salle and see us in action one Sunday. If you are interested, please talk to one of the Sunday School team or Freda at Freda.craeye@neuf.fr Our children thank you! Youth Group The Youth Group has been studying the Kingdom of God. We have recently studied Daniel and have looked at various other books of the Bible to discover what God's Kingdom is all about. We have implemented a games Sunday the first Sunday of the month. If any member of the congregation has a "Uno" game which they would like to donate to the Youth Group, it would be greatly appreciated. On occasion, some of the elders of our church will be guest speakers during Youth Group over the course of the next eleven months. The Youth will get to know the elders and begin to understand how our church is organized. The youth are looking forward to getting to know the elders and appreciate the elders' contribution to their group. If you are interested, please contact Lidian at dsharksharks@gmail.com; Bring a Friend to Church Month Springtime is coming very soon. The Auditoire will be completely refurbished by the month of May and we would like to encourage as many people as possible to come along to church during that month to enjoy the new facilities. Think of your friends who might want to come to see the changes to the building, or who might just enjoy the experience of worshiping with us. If we all make a special effort to be in church in May, and to invite others to come with us, it could be a special experience. Believe in me and streams of living water will flow from within. (John 7:38) The next Cursillo, in English, will be held on 8-11 May. It is a three day residential, weekend which starts on Thursday evening and ends Sunday evening. Many of us have shared on such a weekend a profound experience of Christian life, refreshing, renewing and sometimes transforming our walk with God. It is best described as an experience, leading to discovery and appreciation of what is fundamental in Christianity. Some have said: It is not a retreat, it s an advance! Interested to know more? Contact Rev. Ian Manson, Eleanor & Jurg Strittmatter, Janet & Arthur Askew, and many other members of our congregation to find out more. The message of Easter is not that Jesus is alive, it is so much more. The message of Easter is that Jesus has risen! Colin Smith The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison, but a passage into God s presence. Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won t stay there. Clarence W. Hall Our justification hinges on a risen life, present in us now because Christ is present with us now. Paul F.M. Zaul Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime. Martin Luther

4 Page 4 Paul s Prayer for Spiritual Growth When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21 Ecumenical Lenten Study Groups (Ash Wednesday 5 March Easter Sunday 20 April) Every year, during Lent, the English-speaking churches in Geneva offer an opportunity to take part in ecumenical study groups. This year, the groups are looking at Richard Foster s book Celebration of Discipline The Path to Spiritual Growth. Eugene H. Peterson wrote of this book, Like a child exploring the attic of an old house on a rainy day, discovering a trunk full of treasure and then calling all his brothers and sisters to share the find, Richard Foster has found the spiritual disciplines that the modern world stored away and forgot, and has excitedly called us to celebrate them. For they are, as he shows, the instruments of joy, the way into mature Christian spirituality and abundant life. We will look at six studies on selected chapters of the book: Meditation Prayer Simplicity Solitude Worship Celebration The groups will have a chance to share responses to the chapter, answer some questions to promote reflection and discussion, and look at some bible verses over the following week. Seven groups will be meeting in different locations from Chavannes de Bogis on the right bank to Collonge Bellerive on the left bank. Wishing everyone a blessed time of study and a very happy Easter I have a mission. God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connections between persons. He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do his work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, While not intending it if I do but keep His commandments. Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. He does nothing in vain. He knows what he is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sing, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about. I do not ask to see; I do not ask to know; I ask simply to be used. John Henry Newman Janet Askew

5 Page 5 Congregational Committee The Congregational Committee last met on Tuesday, 28 January. The committee received favourable reports regarding the Christmas mini-fair, Thanksgiving Dinner and Burns Supper. All events had been happy occasions, with good atmospheres, successful both from a fundraising and community point of view. Lidian Shark has taken over the lead with the Church Fundraising Group and welcomes all who are interested to join, stressing that the joint objectives of the group are to raise funds and for getting people together. Preliminary financial results for 2013 predict a shortfall and efforts will be made in the 2014 budget to redress the trend. Additionally, the Finance Sub-Committee will look at how the church may evolve financially in the next 5 to 10 years, developing strategy to reach balanced budgets. The Mission Sub- Committee reported on both the Ekwendeni and Lalgadh projects outlining a new funding trend in which the church will respond to requests for specific needs identified by the projects, thus allowing for more regular and reliable remittances. The decision was taken on 2013 year-end givings for donations to be made to: Solidarité femmes, Versoix Au Coeur des Grottes La Main tendue. The committee follows closely developments with the Auditoire renovation; the church is represented at weekly site meetings and we are able to report that work is well on track; delivery of new chairs and installation of the organ are scheduled for the time of the works completion. The old chairs have been redistributed through Rosithwa Golder of Témoigner Ensemble via an announcement it their newsletter. The bulk went to an evangelical African congregation in Geneva with smaller quantities going to an African immigrant congregation in Aigle and an evangelical group in Geneva. The minister has been posting photographs of the renovation works on the church s website at: auditoire_changes.htm Suzanne Murray-Jones has indicated her wish to step down as editor of the newsletter sometime over the next year or so; committee members were asked to reflect on who could take over this role. The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for Tuesday 25 March. Since the beginning of 2014 the committee meetings start at hours, as opposed to the former time of hours. The meetings are open to all members of the congregation who are most welcome to join. to you. Would you like to know more about, and take an active role in, the practical affairs of the church? Then membership of the Congregational Committee would surely appeal The committee meets 5 times a year and discusses a wide range of topics related to the temporal affairs of the church. The annual congregational meeting, which is scheduled for Sunday 15 June, will elect 4 new members to replace those who have completed their 3-year terms of office at that point. It you would like to join the committee, propose someone to stand for election or just get some more information please see the minister or any of the members below: Elected members to Christine Bunn, Ian Colliar, Nan Braunschweiger, David Hogg Elected members to 2015 Lesley Reddy, Nicola Hollyman, Lidian Shark, Gilbert Owusu-Manu Elected members to 2016 Grace Ansah, Han Broere, Douglas Murray-Jones, Ewart McKenzie. Nan Braunschweiger, Secretary But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the first fruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. Corinthians 15:20-25 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 And this is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. 1 John 2:25

6 Page 6 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 Caring for One Another One of the realities of life is that, whatever our age, we are all getting older! Particularly as we advance in years through 'middle age' to the troisième âge, ageing is something that takes on an ever-increasing importance in our lives very often accompanied by increased preoccupation with what getting older implies. Concerns about our health, about our financial situation, about changes in family relationships, about life and death itself, all take on greater importance as we grow older. We are blessed here in the Church of Scotland Geneva by having a broad range of ages within our congregation. But there are certainly a good proportion of our members who fit into the categories mentioned above. How do they cope with advancing years? What are their fears and concerns about getting older? What kind of support would they appreciate as they grapple with the range of issues that arise as they enter this latest phase in their lives? The Caring for One Another core group is planning some kind of gathering to take place later this year on the subject of ageing. It will be an opportunity for members of the congregation to share their experiences, their hopes and their fears for the troisième âge. We hope to have some experts join us who may be able to share relevant information or give helpful pointers, but it will be mainly a sharing day all part of "caring for one another". To help us prepare for the gathering, please do let any of the members of the Caring for One Another core group (see names below) know of any particular subjects or issues that you would like to see included in the discussions that day. That way, we can try to ensure that our time together is the most productive possible. Finally, do also continue to let any member of the Caring for One Another core group know of any care needs that you may know about. Remember if no one knows that you, or someone else, is unwell or going through a rough patch or in need of any kind of support, then it's hard to be able to respond to these needs. God bless you all as we continue to care for one another. Jim Sharp for the Caring for One Another core group: Terry Angleys, David Asbury, Janet Askew, Christine Bunn, Revd Ian Manson, Jean Murray, Eleanor Strittmatter, Rosaleen Walker Children s Questions: Sometimes children come to me with very interesting questions. Or perhaps I should say, sometimes children ask their parents very interesting questions, and the parents suggest they should ask the minister! This question came to me from Joséphine Paul (age 6), and I thought I might share it with you, along with my attempt at an answer. If you children ask such questions, why not send them in and I can respond to them in future newsletters. Will disabled children still be disabled in heaven? That is a really good question. Whenever we see people who are struggling with life for any reason it can make us wonder why God allows people to be less than perfect and why some have more difficulties to overcome than others.

7 Page 7 We all have some things which we are naturally good at and some things which seem more difficult for us than for other people, and that becomes particularly obvious when we see someone whose body does not work properly. In the gospels we have many stories of Jesus meeting people who we would call disabled: people who were blind or lame or very sick. In one case we are told that other people debated why they were like that, but Jesus' first concern was to make them better. He said that he did this so that everyone could see how much God loves all people. (see for example the story in John 9:1-11) If we know that is what God wants we can be sure that when we get to heaven, all the things that are wrong with us will be put right. Not only will our bodies be made perfect, but all the anger and hurt and worry that we feel will no longer be there. You can read about this in the bible, for example in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Ian Manson News from Will Stalder You are more than welcome to visit anytime! And we appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the church and us as we start. And yes, there's another baby on the way that's due in May 2014! We are super excited! We think Auggie is excited as well. He likes to sing to the baby and blow raspberries on Courtney s tummy. We appreciate your prayers for a healthy child (we won t know if it is a boy or girl until it is born). We also appreciate your prayers as I'm set to have hip surgery at some point upon my return to Scotland. I injured it playing soccer (football UK) with a bunch of youth in the community. That s what I get playing soccer with kids 1/3 my age! More than anything, we are concerned about the timing of the surgery and birth of our new child. The last thing Courtney needs is to have to take care of 3 babies at once (One of them being me). Well, we hope you are well and pray God s blessings for you in the coming year. Please do keep us updated on how you are doing. Our new address will be as follows: Will & Courtney Stalder The Manse Manse Road Methlick AB41 7DG Aberdeenshire Scotland UK Many blessings, Will and Courtney Stalder (and, of course, Auggie) Behold, children are a gift of the LORD; The fruit of the womb is a reward. Psalm 127:3 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5 But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. James 1:17 We hope that this New Year has been treating you all well and that you have been keeping your New Year resolutions. At the end of February we are flying back to Scotland where I am to be ordained and inducted as the new minister of Methlick Parish Church (Church of Scotland) on 27 February Congratulations to Barbara & Andrew Couper-Lynch on the birth in Morges of Hannah Mary-Elizabeth on 20 January 2014, little sister to Benjamin Ian Michael ( ). All are doing splendidly Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me. Matthew 18:4-5

8 Page 8 Renovation of the Auditoire: Good progress so far Work on refurbishing the Auditoire began on 6 January: it is scheduled to finish by 4 April, and then we shall receive the new chairs and new organ. So far, work is up to schedule, half-way through our "exile" in Salle Paroissale. meaning that we are just about the Chapelle des Macchabées and At present, the church looks quite impressive, dressed overall with scaffolding. The stonemasons have cleaned all the stonework, re-pointed joints so that they look clean and fresh, and are mending or replacing damaged stones. The painters have done an overall preparatory coat to stabilize the surfaces, and are preparing paint samples The electrician is preparing for the installation of new lights in the ceiling and in the niches, We hope this will give everyone a clearer view, including musicians and Bible readers. A new sound system is also to be installed; we hope that modern technology will help everyone to hear clearly, whether voices from the pulpit or lectern are loud or soft. Meanwhile, don't the angels on the pillars look sweet with their protective hoodies? All the work is being ably coordinated by Jean Zryd, the architect of the Fondation des Temples, which looks after historic Geneva churches. We are very grateful to him. Once the main building work is over, two large trucks should arrive in the following week, bearing organ and chairs. The new organ is already virtually completed in Aubertin's workshop in the Jura, and will be dismantled, brought to Geneva, reconstructed in place, then tuned and voiced; tuning regulates the pitch of the organ pipes, while voicing regulates their sound quality.

9 Page 9 The chairs from Treske should arrive during the same week; these will need to be unpacked, so we should like to hear from volunteers. The old chairs from the Auditoire have all found good homes, in three different "new" churches in Geneva and Vaud, thanks to the "Témoigner Ensemble" movement, and in one family home. The previous organ was bought by a dealer in Germany, who tells us that he has another parish potentially interested in it already. We are very happy that the chairs and the organ are likely to be used well. God willing, and with good cooperation from everyone, we hope to be back in the renewed Auditoire before, or at least by, Easter. May it be so! Thank you all for your patience, Peter Tulloch, for the renovation group (Christine Bunn, Ian Manson, Douglas Murray-Jones, Alice Tulloch)

10 Page 10 Our Congregation's Beginnings In the mid sixteenth century, at the time of the Reformation, John Knox studied with Calvin and led worship for the English speaking refugees in Geneva before returning to Scotland, taking with him Calvin's ideas. We can think of him as a founder of the Church of Scotland, both nationally in Scotland and in Geneva. After Knox's time, there is a very long gap of over 300 years before the Church of Scotland reappears in Geneva. Amongst the records handed over to me by George Shering, our previous Session Clerk, the earliest is a leather bound notebook, containing handwritten lists of preachers and notes concerning our church in Geneva from 1867 until the end of This is my main source of information about our congregation's early days. Our temporary move to the Chapel of the Maccabées has spurred me on to look closely at how our congregation started up there in 1867 and how it has evolved since then. With the coming of railway travel, Switzerland became a tourist destination and in 1863 Thomas Cook led his first of many guided tours of Switzerland from London. It was probably this rapid influx of visitors which led to the Church of Scotland sending out preachers to take services during the summer months in the Chapel of the Maccabées, where we are now worshipping while the Auditoire is renovated. Records show that, from 1867, there was a steady stream of ministers arriving from all over Scotland, from parishes and universities, to take services for periods ranging from a few weeks to a couple of months. From then on services have been held in Geneva for at least part of every year with the exceptions of 1888 to 1891 when the Chapel of the Maccabées was undergoing extensive renovations and also during the two World Wars from 1915 to 1919 and sporadically from 1939 to In 1922 the Rev J H H McNeill was appointed on a more permanent basis, where he remained for 3 years, to be followed from 1926 to 1935 by Rev T M Watt. It was the Rev T M Watt who first compiled the notebook, obtaining records from Church of Scotland in Edinburgh and from Rev Charles Martin of the Geneva church. Rev Charles Martin served as a pastor at Jussy and then the Fusterie. His family, originally Huguenot refugees, owned the land of the Cenacle in Malagnou and he had the present house built. His name is commemorated in the Promenade Charles Martin in Malagnou. Frank Martin, the great Swiss composer, was Charles Martin's tenth and last child. When Charles Martin died at the age of 91 in 1934, he was described as a great friend of the congregation and one of its founders as a permanent congregation. In his retirement he had preached regularly for the congregation right up into his late eighties. After the First World War a more international outlook appeared. The YMCA, YWCA and the World Student Christian Federation had already been established in Geneva before the end of the 19th century, all forerunners of the ecumenical movement. Members of staff from these organizations played a role in our congregation, with men from all over the world taking services and giving talks on international events. Immediately after the first world war the League of Nations, forerunner of the United Nations, was founded with its headquarters in Geneva. At that time special services were held in St Pierre to mark each annual assembly of the League of Nations; often with very prominent preachers such as the Archbishop of Canterbury. The growing international importance of Geneva is reflected in some of the special services held. On July , there was a Service in the Cathedral for the Scottish School Journey Association for about 460 Glasgow and Edinburgh Secondary School Girls and Boys. There were a series of League of Nations summer schools for schoolchildren for which services were provided. In 1930 a service for 200 participants in the Christian Endeavour Convention from USA was held in the Auditoire. At that time the Auditoire was used by a Swiss German congregation. In 1929 the Church of Scotland re-united with the United Free Church of Scotland, following a split which had taken place in The Scots Kirk in Lausanne had been founded by the Free Church of Scotland in 1876 but it is only after the union of 1929 that mention of the Lausanne church appears in our records. Indeed in the same month as the union took place the minister from Lausanne came to preach in Geneva. There are also references to the Lausanne minister taking occasional services in Geneva during the second world war. From 1937 to 1939 there was no longer a permanent presence in Geneva and services had reverted to the summer months only. After the outbreak of the Second World War the Chapel of the Maccabées was no longer used; initially because, with the war, there was no heating for the chapel. Instead the congregation, or what was left of it, initially met monthly and then increasingly sporadically in the American Church in the Rue de Monthoux. In 1940 it was decided to donate the congregational funds to relief efforts because of the great need in wartime and even the hymn books were sent to British prisoners of war. Owing largely to war conditions, in particular the departure of officials of the League of Nations and the ILO, the number of members and adherents of the Scottish congregation

11 Page Brigadoons: Be y Morris elizabeth.morris@bluewin.ch Bible Reader Coordinator: Nicola Hollyman nicolahollyman@hotmail.com Caring for One Another: Jim Sharp jimsharp@bluewin.ch Choir Director: Lucie Goater luciegoodman@yahoo.co.uk Church Fair: Lesley Reddy lesley.reddy@yahoo.co.uk Church Flowers: Janet Askew janetaskew@bluewin.ch Congrega onal Commi ee: Nan Braunschweiger gen.cong.sec@gmail.com Crèche: Kathryn Moreno akmoreno@neuf.fr Cursillo: Eleanor Stri ma er jurgstri ma er@yahoo.co.uk Diary Coordinator: Michelle Buckingham mbuckingham@bluewin.ch Fic on Bookstall: Mary Couper coupermar@gmail.com Free Will Offering: Jurg Stri ma er dropped from 40 in 1940 to 16 in Rev Robert Mackie, a Church of Scotland minister served as General Secretary to the World Student Christian Federation in Geneva from 1938 and played a major part in the life of the Church of Scotland in Geneva until After the outbreak of World War Two he, with his wife and young son, made their way through enemy occupied France in 1940 to North America, returning to Geneva by When services resumed after the war on a monthly basis in 1945, the Chapel of the Maccabées was no longer available at a suitable time and services were held in the much smaller Chapelle des Pélerins (now called the St Léger chapel) in rue St Léger in the Old Town. Although a chaplain was appointed in 1945 services were held only monthly and by 1947, when the resident chaplain left, a local committee had been formed to oversee the provision of worship twice monthly, mainly using local resources jurgstri ma er@yahoo.co.uk Fabric Sub-commi ee: Douglas Murray-Jones dmurrayjones@aol.com Mission Projects: Eric Gerelle erg@ibex.ch Newsle er: Suzanne Murray-Jones Murrayjo@unhcr.org Session Clerk: Alice Tulloch alicetulloch@voila.fr Sunday Coffee Rota: Terry Angleys angleystak@wanadoo.fr Sunday School: Freda Craeye freda.craeye@neuf.fr Treasurer: Ewart MacKenzie, mackenzieje@hotmail.com Ushers: Arthur Griffith griffith@bluewin.ch Woman s Group: Chris ne Bunn bunnc@bluewin.ch Website: Eric Gerelle erg@ibex.ch Youth Group: Lidian Shark dsharksharks@gmail.com Prominent among the preachers was the Rev Robert Mackie and during the summer months ministers continued to come from Scotland to lead worship. Rev William Barclay, at that time a lecturer at Glasgow University, and well known to this day for his Bible commentaries, led worship during July On September 23 that same year a service was held in St Pierre to mark the 400th centenary of John Knox and the induction of Rev Niall D Watson as minister of the congregation. From that time on there has been a continuous,year round ministry provided by Church of Scotland ministers in Geneva; in 1957 a Kirk Session was constituted and by 1959 the congregation was installed in the then newly renovated Auditoire de Calvin. From its beginnings providing summer time worship for tourists to Switzerland in 1867 the congregation gradually evolved over the decades into a permanent, international worshipping community with its own minister. Alice Tulloch As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 5:13-14 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10