It would be easy to allow the death of Alison Coulavin to overshadow the past year – as a founder member & president of the Church Association, with her seemingly boundless energy and many gifts she played a vital role in our Church. In some ways she was our heart, and we miss her greatly already. However different people are volunteering to take on the roles she filled, and I’m sure she would want us to move forward, and see her absence as an opportunity to grow. We give thanks for her and pray that we may build on her legacy to us. That includes our co-operation with other local churches, in which we have played a significant part this past year.

As always a large number of people fill different roles to enable our Church to function. Recently I counted 20 different names on the rota undertaking different jobs for our Sunday service. The majority of our members are active in contributing to Church life, for which we give thanks. There is always room, though, for others to be involved, so do not hesitate to volunteer your services. It would take too long to mention everyone by name, but I for one am extremely grateful to each of you. I do however want to particularly thank our large team of members who look after our children and teach them on Sundays, giving up time to prepare and the opportunity to share in most of the service. We also thank Shona for hosting a monthly meal & bible based discussion for students, which they so appreciate.

This autumn we launched a monthly French language communion. Attendance has been disappointing thus far, around 15 on average, but those coming have been appreciative. It has also permitted us to benefit more fully from Pierre Ledent’s ministry amongst us, for which we give thanks, and given further opportunity to Fanny Belanger to develop her gifts as she prepares for ordination with the American Episcopal Church. Her Bishop has decided that she & Xavier should move to USA in the autumn to attend a seminary there, which is good news for them, if challenging, but we shall be sad to lose their contributions to our Church life.

Howard & Dona Diehl have continued their work of sharing with individuals and in groups, which is greatly appreciated, and providing a link with the other local English language Church. We await their return with Lilan from their mission visit to China with anticipation. We were blessed by Howard leading our Weekend Away in the autumn.

I can only repeat my annual expression of thanks to Alan & Val Golton for their support and fellowship, which I value, and their ministry amongst us.

We have already thanked our Churchwardens and Treasurer & Secretary for their dedicated service. The challenge of a financial deficit for the second year running is concerning, and an issue facing many chaplaincies in Europe in the wake of the financial crisis which has reduced the number of expatriate employees. We are blessed to have some reserves from previous years, but these are not inexhaustible and should not be recklessly spent. The pay of Church of England clergy and the cost of our pensions is far higher than that of our colleagues in other French Churches, as I am only too aware. Whether we can and should continue to employ me or a successor needs consideration. We are calling everyone to a day of prayer about our finances this coming Wednesday, and need to listen to what God may say to us about this issue.

We have enjoyed a range of social activities as usual, mostly organised by John & Nell, as well as the regular meals overseen by our catering team. This social aspect has an important part in enabling the friendliness and relaxed atmosphere that strikes visitors. We need to ensure though that there are opportunities for deepening our faith & discipleship beyond the Sunday services, although we know that distances make it hard for everyone to be involved. We also must provide true Christian fellowship which offers mutual care & support, drawing on the resources the Holy Spirit supplies. We have much in which we rightly rejoice in the life of our church, but must also look for ways in which to grow further.

It has been a difficult year for a number of our Church members, with unemployment, housing issues, bereavement and other personal challenges. Marian and I are very grateful for the prayers, care & support which we have received during the deaths of three parents and her brother over a few months. We pray that between us we may offer the same love to everyone in our different needs. St Marc’s is a wonderful church to which to belong, as ex-members who have moved away often remind us, and I give thanks to God for the privilege of being Chaplain here with all your support. I pray that I and we may be faithful in listening to him and following Jesus along the paths he is tracing for our future. Thank you.