Christmas eve reflection
This was a year of big changes, all happy ones!
Firstly two graduations. Well, sort of. Catrin completed her degree at Université de Bordeaux Montaigne in Musicologie, chanson française, jazz et musique actuelle. Gwilym had a fancy graduation ceremony to mark his degree in Theology and Worship at London School of Theology.
Gwilym began work at Saint Peter’s, Harrow as Head of Music and Creative Arts, while Catrin is teaching English in Bordeaux awaiting continuing adventures serving in an orphanage in South Africa before possibly training in Musicotherapy.
The Saturday after Gwilym’s graduation we moved house, from Pessac into a new apartment further into the middle of Bordeaux in a new area that is still being built, Euratlantique. We’re very pleased with the flat, on the fourth floor overlooking the future Jardin de l’Ars and with big windows giving us views out over the south of the city — for the moment mainly building sites. Moving was as traumatic as ever, compounded by both Pat and Catrin being ill. Oh well, we hope that we’re settled for a while!
Summer holidays accidentally included the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol which was held in Cardiff Bay and the Edinburgh Festival. We enjoyed reconnecting with our inner dragons and exploring the birthplace of Harry Potter.
Then came the next milestone, Gwilym got married to Elizabeth Elkins, who he met at LST. They married in Norwich and we were glad to see brothers, sisters and some nephews and nieces reunited for the occasion.
Catrin was bridesmaid for Gwilym and Beth, and also for a couple from Bordeaux who married in the Cevennes in November. Bordeaux seems to be the colour of choice this year for weddings. Alan was privileged to preach for both occasions, the first in English and the second en français.
In Bordeaux the other big news is the start of a new church in the Chartrons area of the city, led by our friends and colleagues, Maxime, Demelza and James. The Chartrons has seen churches come and go over the years and was once served by a historic Eglise Reformée, whose imposing and architecturally important building is still there. Catrin is involved with the new project while Alan and Pat continue with the International Church.
Following the house move Alan attempted to change to a nearer choir, but the new and excellent group rehearse too much at weekends so finally he and Pat went back to Arianna in Pessac.
Recent riots in Bordeaux against the backdrop of the unfolding drama of Brexit have found their counterpoint in Alan and Pat being given permanent right to remain in France, cartes de séjour valid for 10 years. We have the official receipts and the cards should be ready in February.
In a perturbed political climate it is good to celebrate the birth of the King of kings, whose kingdom shall have no end. We’ll be spending Christmas Day with folk from China, Congo, Nigeria, the United States, and England and Wales.
Firstly two graduations. Well, sort of. Catrin completed her degree at Université de Bordeaux Montaigne in Musicologie, chanson française, jazz et musique actuelle. Gwilym had a fancy graduation ceremony to mark his degree in Theology and Worship at London School of Theology.
Gwilym began work at Saint Peter’s, Harrow as Head of Music and Creative Arts, while Catrin is teaching English in Bordeaux awaiting continuing adventures serving in an orphanage in South Africa before possibly training in Musicotherapy.
The Saturday after Gwilym’s graduation we moved house, from Pessac into a new apartment further into the middle of Bordeaux in a new area that is still being built, Euratlantique. We’re very pleased with the flat, on the fourth floor overlooking the future Jardin de l’Ars and with big windows giving us views out over the south of the city — for the moment mainly building sites. Moving was as traumatic as ever, compounded by both Pat and Catrin being ill. Oh well, we hope that we’re settled for a while!
Summer holidays accidentally included the Eisteddfod Genedlaethol which was held in Cardiff Bay and the Edinburgh Festival. We enjoyed reconnecting with our inner dragons and exploring the birthplace of Harry Potter.
Then came the next milestone, Gwilym got married to Elizabeth Elkins, who he met at LST. They married in Norwich and we were glad to see brothers, sisters and some nephews and nieces reunited for the occasion.
Catrin was bridesmaid for Gwilym and Beth, and also for a couple from Bordeaux who married in the Cevennes in November. Bordeaux seems to be the colour of choice this year for weddings. Alan was privileged to preach for both occasions, the first in English and the second en français.
In Bordeaux the other big news is the start of a new church in the Chartrons area of the city, led by our friends and colleagues, Maxime, Demelza and James. The Chartrons has seen churches come and go over the years and was once served by a historic Eglise Reformée, whose imposing and architecturally important building is still there. Catrin is involved with the new project while Alan and Pat continue with the International Church.
Following the house move Alan attempted to change to a nearer choir, but the new and excellent group rehearse too much at weekends so finally he and Pat went back to Arianna in Pessac.
Recent riots in Bordeaux against the backdrop of the unfolding drama of Brexit have found their counterpoint in Alan and Pat being given permanent right to remain in France, cartes de séjour valid for 10 years. We have the official receipts and the cards should be ready in February.
In a perturbed political climate it is good to celebrate the birth of the King of kings, whose kingdom shall have no end. We’ll be spending Christmas Day with folk from China, Congo, Nigeria, the United States, and England and Wales.
Comments