<b>To the congregation of St Luke’s Church, Fontainebleau, for Sunday 5th</b><b>November 2023, from Revd Dr Donald McFadyen</b><br>Today, which here in the Warmington Benefice we are celebrating as All Saints’<br>Sunday, it seems right to address you as the ‘Saints of Fontainebleau’! Warm greetingsfrom Netta and me.<br>Last Sunday I told the benefice that I had been appointed Chaplain of St Luke’s andtherefore we were moving on. Such announcements are never easy - tears wereshed on both sides - and are only bearable because we are convinced that it is Godwho has called us to come and be with you. As Archdeacon Peter Hooper hasremarked about the way things have fitted into place, ‘This has God all over it.’ Weare therefore very excited about what the future will hold, and look forward tomoving to Fontainebleau and getting to know all of you as we serve God together.<br>In the meantime, and as the Good Book says, to another group of saints:‘Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand withoutblemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Saviour,through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all timeand now and for ever. Amen.’ (Jude, 24-5)
We are delighted to announce that Reverend Dr Donald McFadyen will take on the role of part-time Chaplain at St Luke's Church. We take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to the Diocese, Archdeacon Peter, and Bishop Robert. Their guidance and support have been invaluable and without which we would not be where we are today. We also express our thanks to the Council, the Ministry Team, and the entire St Luke's family for your patience, your support, and your prayers throughout.We begin a new chapter at St Luke's, one of hope and joy. May we all welcome Donald and Netta with the support they will need and with God's love, and may we remain committed to fulfilling God's work here in Fontainebleau, together.Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Thanks be to God! We are very confident that the Lord has been and remains an integral part of this recruitment process. We ask that you hold Donald and Netta in your prayers as they take steps to leave their home, family, and friends to make a new home here.Below you will find the letter from Bishop Robert about our appointment:"The Bishop in Europe is pleased to announce that he has offered the post of Chaplain to St Luke’s Church Fontainebleau, France, to the Revd Donald McFadyen, currently Vicar of the Warmington Benefice in the Diocese of Peterborough and Associate Tutor / Staff Mentor with the Eastern Region Ministry Course (ERMC). Donald has accepted this, though, of course, the offer is subject to completion of the usual formalities. Donald and his wife Netta expect to move to Fontainebleau once he has fulfilled his notice period to his current parochial role and the necessary formalities have been finalised. Donald will however remain in his part-time role with the ERMC which will combine beautifully with his part-time role in the Chaplaincy”. Archdeacon Peter adds “This is really excellent news and almost brings to an end the process to find a new Chaplain for Fontainebleau. I would particularly like to give thanks to those who have been part of this discernment process. Thanks also to all who have worked so hard in keeping the mission and ministry activities of the Chaplaincy ongoing. I would also ask that you hold Donald and Netta in your prayers as they bring to an end their ministry in the Diocese of Peterborough and prepare to come to join us in France.” Further information regarding a licensing date will be confirmed once all the formalities have been completed.In Christ's perfect love,Rachel, Leigh, and Patrick
Please note we have many things happening in the next couple of weeks to add to your calendars :October 20th at 11 am : M&M Women's Bible Study at Dawn's. Contact dawnjarisch@gmail.com or nancyjinfr@gamil.comSaturday 21 October: Vestry cleaning from 9:30 All (ages) are welcome to join in. We plan on emptying the vestry and giving it a thorough clean out to then put it all back together in some useful order. We will need a tall step ladder, bin bags, mops and "serpières", cleaning products, cloths, and a vacuum cleaner. Flasks of coffee and refreshments would be lovely too. Contact: leighmontillot@gmail.com 06 2649 1375Sunday 29th: Choir Practice meeting for Carol Service after church. If you would like to join the choir, contact glenyskennedy@orange.fr3-5 November Ministry Weekend : Tyndale Seminary Group (Housing needed) We will have a group of students from the Tyndale Theological Seminary coming to Fontainebleau. This is a seminary that provides full ride scholarships for students from the developing world. The Dean, Ken Moser, visited St Luke's many years ago when Bill Wilson was our chaplain." - We have a little team of students who are voluntarily serving churches by running whole services and we thought it would be great if we could run a weekend of things for your congregation. We would love to be able to use the weekend to bless your church and give the students an opportunity for ministry experience alongside us.3-5 November- Friday evening youth group meeting- Saturday morning Men’s breakfast - Sunday morning church service"Needed : housing for up to 14 students, the average age is 27 for Friday 3rd Nov and Saturday 4th Nov. Contact Leigh if you can offer a room or two or three....leighmontillot@gmail.com , 06 2649 1375Friday 10th Nov: Council Meeting Saturday Nov 11th: Cheese and Wine with Les Amis Contact lisa.taylor405@wanadoo.frSunday Dec 10th: Evening Carol Service. Mulled Wine and Table top Christmas sale following. Contact Friday,Dec 22 evening: Carol singing at Chateau de Fleury with Les Amis. Contact simonhbayly@gmail.comWeekly Rota Sign up : Volunteers needed and much appreciated! PLEASE SIGN UP HERE (GENIUS) - Contact rachelj-s@hotmail.com or helen.varin51@gmail.comUpcoming Sunday ServicesOct 22: Ministry Team (Nancy Austin)Oct 29: Reverend Gary Wilton and his wife, Gillian, Holy CommunionNov 5th: Tyndale Seminary Group with Nancy AustinNov 12th: Father Grant Holmes Remembrance Service, Holy CommunionNov 19th: Father Grant Holmes, Holy CommunionNov 26th: Ministry Team (Mike, Glenys & Deigan) Christ the KingDec 3rd: Ministry Team (Christopher & Barbara) Advent SundayDec 10th: Ministry Team (Marie-Celine & Rachel) Christingle ServiceDec 10th Evening: Ministry Team (Nancy & Glenys) Carol ServiceDec 17th: Revered Adam Thomas, Holy CommunionDec 24th: Ministry Team (Nancy Austin)December 24th EVENING: Service at Eglise Réformée
