About our Church
In the main, the congregations comprise retired people who live in France, as well as folk who have second homes here, and holiday makers. Our congregations come from diverse Christian backgrounds.
For current church services please see our Home Page
Pastoral Care
This can be described as the positive promotion of loving Christian care for each other; and covers all aspects of our individual and communal lives. Because our congregations are dispersed over a wide area contacts have been named in each of the four quarters of the area covered by All Saints Vendée. If you need help, advice or information please phone one of the persons named below.
NW Vendée. North of a line from Bretignolles to Chantonnay, west of a line from Chantonnay to Légé.
Contact Jo Collinson 02 51 55 84 56
SW Vendée. South of a line from Bretignolles to Chantonnay, west of a line from Chantonnay to Marans.
Contact Lucia Golding 02 51 34 36 25
N. Deux Sèvres/Vendée. North of a line from Ste Hermine to Parthenay, east of a line from Ste Hermine to Marans.
Contact Pat & Geoff Kent 05 49 72 27 72
S. Deux Sèvres/Vendée. South of a line from Ste Hermine to Parthenay, west of a line from Ste Hermine to Marans.
Contact Curtis & Dee Parkyn 02 51 53 04 11
Prayer Co-ordinator - Dawn Collinson 02 40 33 12 21
Midweek Activities
Home Groups
There are currently 2 Home groups in existence which generally meet fortnightly. They provide a meeting place in which a small group can learn more about their faith, can take part in worship, and can share their knowledge and experiences in an informal non-threatening environment, where members feel free to open up about their faith and beliefs in comfortable and relaxed surroundings. The group decides what it is going to study or focus on using the numerous resources available. There is time for catching up and getting to know each other better over a cup of tea.
East Vendée . This group actually meets just over the border in Deux-Sèvres, near L’Absie, about 16 kms. from Puy de Serre Church. Contact Doug or Chris Green on 05 49 72 18 46.
South-west Vendée. A small group meeting in each member’s house in rotation. These are within a 19 kms radius of Moutiers-les-Mauxfaits. Contact Lucia Golding on 02 51 34 36 25.
Singing around the piano
A group of people, who enjoy singing around a piano, and who are NOT A CHOIR, would welcome you joining them in the Mouilleron en Pareds area, whether or not you are a singer.
So, if you love the old hymns, or like to sing gospel songs or spirituals, Boys Brigade choruses or Psalms, now is your chance to sing in a friendly, informal environment.
Contact Jacqui or Stuart Stainton-James by email at sjfamily66@hotmail.com.
The Ladies’ Circle,
The Ladies’ Circle meets on the 4th Thursday of each month in the commune of Mouillerons en Pareds. Its purpose is to share skills and talents in an atmosphere of friendly fellowship – and what a lot of talented and interesting people we have found among the group. Together we decide on our programme for the year.
Sessions may be led by one of our members, or, from time to time, we have a craft afternoon where everyone brings something that they are working on, so we may find out more about fresh hobbies that we may be interested in pursuing. We have had talks on and introductions to, for example, bees and making honey, dolls and doll’s houses, drawing and watercolour painting, making soft toys or sweets or sausages. We have got together to make table centres for Christmas and icing flower decorations for cakes. The Ladies Circle is not exclusive to members of the Church and there are members who do not go to any church. Contact Joan Stewart on 02 51 00 34 70
General Information
| Sunday School | No |
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| Church Buildings | ASV has the use of Roman Catholic church buildings. All services are followed by coffee and a bring and share lunch held in neighbouring rooms (salles de fêtes), hired from the local community. |
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| Ministerial Team | In addition to the Minister (position vacant) we have 2 Readers and one Reader in training. There is occasional assistance from resident or visiting retired clergy. |
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| Other Lay Assistance | Members of the Congregation assist with leading services, Bible readings, intercessions and welcoming |
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| Newsletter | A small team edits and produces the monthly 'Grapevine' which can be found under our Notices section and is distributed to all members of the congregation (mainly by e-mail). |
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Administration
Churchwardens
Barbara Kenyon (Lay Vice-Chairman of the Church Council)
Joan Stewart
Church Council Members
Richard Rackham (Secretary)
Maggie Jelley (Treasurer)
Dawn Collinson (Electoral Roll Officer)
Jo Collinson (Protection of Children and vulnerable Adults, now known as Safeguarding Officer)
Pat Kent (Pastoral Care Officer)
Chris Taylor
Ian Wallace
Polly Ward (Social and Fundraising)
Maureen Willis
Reader Members
John Matthews (Ministry Team)
Robin Kenyon (Archdeaconry Synod Representative)
Co-opted Members
Doug Green
Ian Jameson
Date of next Church Council Meeting 23rd. May 2012 at Les Essarts 9.45 am
Links
As well as the normal links within the Diocese of Europe, we have close links with The Church of the Good Shepherd Poitou-Charentes www.church-in-france.com and with the Rev. Tom Goode at the Anglican church meeting in Ranton , Vienne (formerly at Arcay under the Rev. Geoffrey Colman).
The Intercontinental Church Society (ICS) supported ASV with the provision of hymn books and has subsequently supported our priest-in-charge and congregation in the ICS prayer diary.
The Royal School of Church Music is an ecumenical Christian charity whose core purpose is education. RCSM France represents it here in France and you can find out more on www.rscmfrance.org
Ecumenical relationships
ASV has good relationships with local Roman Catholic priests and L’Église Reformée pastors. In January 2010 a joint bi-lingual service during the week of prayer for Christian unity was hosted by ASV. In addition ASV has a memorandum of understanding with the Bishop of Luçon in respect of the three Roman Catholic churches currently used.
For more details about activities see our notices section or visit the area for your specific church, listed on the right of this page.
Clergy
There is currently a vacancy for this role. Click here for full details of the vacant position
