It’s been seven weeks now since St. Alban’s last service at the church of the Dominicans in Strasbourg, but thanks to the internet and the web-based system called Zoom, Fr. Mark is able to make direct contact with listeners and viewers on computers, mobile devices and telephone. On Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and all the Sundays since we have been able to join in worship with each other, to see and speak to each other and catch up on news.
As well as regular Sunday worship at 10.30h, Tuesday Prayers are taking place again as Zoom sessions. These are from 18.30h to 19.15h on Tuesdays and use as a framework the Evensong service.
On Wednesdays at 11.00h Andra Muiznieks is offering to lead us in a series of half-hour sessions of Contemplative Prayer as a way of managing stress, cherishing silence and deepening our inner life.
And on Thursdays at 10.00h you can drop in via Zoom for Coffee with Mark; a visit and gentle conversation with your favourite morning beverage for as little or as long as you’d like. For children aged 8 to 12 the regular Children’s Class is resuming on Sundays at 18.00h, again via Zoom.
Times of Zoom sessions and log-in details can be found in “News and Views from St. Alban’s”, Fr. Mark’s regular newsletter sent out via email. If you would like to take part in services or other activities, contact Fr. Mark on +33 3 69 57 40 03 or write an email to:
anglican.chaplaincy.strasbourg @gmail.com
Fr. Mark writes/Mark écrit:
“This is the Easter Season. For Christians, it is a time for hope and the renewal of life’s possibilities. This is one thing that resurrection teaches us: we mustn’t give in to death and despair. The words of a gospel song of my youth still ring true: “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.” And until that future comes, whatever that may be, let’s take care of ourselves in the here and now. And let’s be attentive to the lessons that we have to learn in this time. And of course, there is Sunday worship online at our regular time. There are many opportunities for us to stay connected, be nourished spiritually and challenged intellectually. And it’s all just a few clicks away!”
“Ceci est la saison de Pâques. Pour les chrétiens, c’est un temps d’espérance et de renouvellement des possibilités de la vie. Nous ne devons pas céder à la mort et au désespoir. Les paroles d’une chanson gospel de ma jeunesse sonnent toujours vrai : « Parce qu’il vit, je peux affronter demain. Parce qu’Il vit, toute peur a disparu, parce que je sais qu’il détient l’avenir, et la vie vaut la peine d’être vécue simplement parce qu’il vit. »
Et jusqu’à ce que cet avenir arrive, quel qu’il soit, prenons soin de nous ici et maintenant. Soyons attentifs aux leçons que nous apprenons en ce moment. Et bien sûr, il y a le service du dimanche en ligne à notre heure habituelle. Il existe de nombreuses opportunités pour nous de rester connectés, d’être nourris spirituellement et stimulés intellectuellement. Et tout cela en quelques clics !”
On Sunday 4th October St. Alban’s celebrated the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi with a Harvest Festival. This also marked the end of the Season of Creation which began on 1 September. Christians around the world have committed themselves to the work of protecting the Earth, through prayer and hands-on activities.
During the service, Madeleine and Louisa took it in turns to read out the Canticle of Creation by St. Francis.