The sojourn continues

Another week has passed since we arrived. It’s been busy in different ways. We had the pleasure of entertaining Nathanael for a few days. We went to Paris, and walked him into the ground; it’s a great city to wander round, but there is such a lot to see. It’s been more than 50 years since my previous visit to Les Invalides, and Napoleon’s tomb. It’s still a shock to realise that he was, and in many ways remains, a great hero to the French. But so much of the nation’s legal system, transport and education derives from his energetic transformation of post-Revolutionary France. We also visited the Chateau at Versailles; the interior is splendid– the Hall of Mirrors is stunning – and we enjoyed seeing many of the fountains gushing forth, with musical accompaniment; this only happens on certain days.

We’ve just passed the ‘First 100 Days’ of Emmanuel Macron’s presidency. They’ve been much less tumultuous and controversial than President Trump’s were; but neither man has a high popularity rating in their own countries. In a sense, Macron’s position is understandable. He was elected largely because of the chaos of the opposition and the profound desire to block Marine Le Pen; but also as an expression of a need to change the way things were done. And some changes have been achieved. Curbs on the employment by MPs and ministers of family members, and steps toward more transparency in public life (for example, declarations on earnings and the claiming of expenses) have been taken. His desire to reduce class sizes in state schools has been partially achieved. But there are inevitable problems when so many new and politically inexperienced people are brought into government, and there is a certain sense of disillusion about the project (which may simply reflect the world-wide discontent with politicians.) He has not made himself popular with the unions by his intention to revise regulations about employment; so the French left will be able to indulge in their favourite pastime of strikes and demonstrations (once the holidays are over!)

In many ways France is still a good place to be. Security is still high (there have been a number of attacks on security personnel this year), but a little less obvious than it was when we were here over the New Year. At railway stations there are posters with clear advice on what to do in the case of a terrorist attack. But public services appear to be well maintained (here there are 3 refuse collections a week, and separate re-cycling collections). August is the month for some public works – so half the RER lines seem to be disrupted, and there are road closures for re-surfacing (even one locally that was completely renewed two years ago). But there are problems: the local paper reported on a growing shortage of doctors in rural areas.

We are always struck by the peculiarity that ‘secular’ France observes so many more religious festivals as public holidays than Britain with its established churches: we’ve just kept the Assumption, and Ascension Day, Pentecost Monday and All Saints are also jours fériés. (It may be that many people couldn’t say why they have these holidays!) And the ringing of the angelus bell three times a day (more obvious in villages than in towns) is something we always miss on our return home.

Church life at St Mark’s continues in its summer-time low-key way. As in most European Anglican churches, there is a healthy mixture of members from ‘every nation, tribe, people and language’ – at least it is closer to that Kingdom vision than many English parishes. We are looking forward to the baptism, on our final Sunday, of a young Russian-born woman, who now lives in France and who has come to faith in Christ, and chosen the Anglican Church as her spiritual home. Our music last Sunday was led by a man who works for the French branch of Jews for Jesus. The church roll displays a wonderful mixture of names from all over the world.

We’re now preparing for this Sunday’s service. The third Sunday is normally an all-age, even ‘Fresh Expressions’ service; but with the lower numbers we can expect we are opting to lead a less formal kind of Communion service. Compiling the liturgy is stimulating, but also challenging in some ways.  Please pray for all who will be involved.

And next week we shall be tour-guides again, as our oldest grandson, Samuel, is coming to stay with us (travelling on his own by Eurostar.)