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Church of England Diocese in Europe THE CONGREGATIONS OF ALL SAINTS, VENDÉE Click here for information on
forthcoming services |
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Anglican churches outside the United Kingdom, ministering to English-speaking people, are supported by ICS (Intercontinental Church Society). The society assists around 70 congregations and 55 chaplaincies in mainland Europe, South America, the Falkland Islands, North Africa and the Gulf. In many cases chaplains are recruited, church buildings owned and chaplains' salaries assisted or underwritten. ICS sends over a hundred Anglican Ministers annually to over 20 European resorts inviting holiday-makers to English-language services held in the open air or in local churches. Congregations and chaplaincies operate in similar ways to a parish, holding regular services, providing pastoral ministry, baptisms, confirmation, and burial of the dead according to the Church's rites. The Congregations of All Saints, Vendée, seeks to extend the ministry of worship, fellowship and prayer to the increasing number of English-speaking people who reside in the Vendée or who are regular visitors.
Mission Statement "Where there is no vision the
people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). The mission statement was discerned by
the Chaplaincy Council in November 1999. Commitment: is essential if we are to grow, not only in
numbers but also in maturity. We are called to be committed to one another in
prayer, to encourage one another and to ‘disciple’ one another. Communion:
this means ‘fellowship’ and an important part of our fellowship must be
expressed in worshipping God in the Spirit of unity. As our fellowship
develops and grows there will be those not only from differing denominations
but even those from within the Anglican tradition perhaps from High church,
Low Church, Evangelical and Charismatic backgrounds. Commitment: To grow in faith and in Love of God and for one
another. Communion: To worship God through Jesus Christ and in the
Spirit of unity. Community: To serve, to share and to challenge. The mission statement encourages a
spirit of generosity and of tolerance—a willingness to appreciate each
others’ spiritualities and preferred approaches to worship. Worship therefore
aims to provide an environment which is non-threatening to those unaccustomed
to regular worship, and may not correspond entirely with one particular
preference or spirituality. Community: reminds us that as a body of Christians we have responsibility both
towards each other and towards our neighbours. As well as sharing the Gospel
in word we are called to demonstrate it in "action". This may
include hospital visiting, befriending the lonely, helping any one in need……
but also helping each other to grow to maturity in Christ by discerning one another's
gifts and encouraging their use. These are extracted from the mission
statement of the Chaplaincy of the Poitou-Charentes. As a pastoral area
reaching out from that Chaplaincy we are challenged to reflect upon them as
we begin our journey of fellowship together. Brian Davies.
SERVICES Click here for information on forthcoming services |
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Brian and Pam Davies Email : briandpam@free.fr |