Au revoir, France

We’ve been back in Axminster for ten days, but it took several to recover from the long drive back. On the way to Calais we stopped for two nights at Chaumont, the capital of Haute-Marne, having visited en-route the source of the Seine (less numinous that the source of the Marne.) Chaumont itself has an attractive city-centre, with many Renaissance buildings. A particular feature is the large number of turret staircases which impinge on the street – presumably to save space inside. The basilica has some fine sculptures.

We had to endure another heat-wave before we left Grenoble. But just as the city gives reduced price travel on its public transport during high pollution, they also give free admittance to the art gallery (the Musée de Grenoble, normally the only city museum which charges for admission.) So we could enjoy air-conditioned comfort, while admiring the very impressive collection of late 19^th and 20^th century paintings. The Museum had had a visionary director who bought (or was given) the earliest examples of works by Picasso and others to be displayed anywhere in France. There was so much to see that we went two days running!

Now we are back home, we can reflect on our seven weeks in Grenoble. One notable aspect was very evident on our first Sunday at our local church: we were about the same age (or less) than most of the congregation, and they were all white and (probably) British. At St Marc’s, we had been among the oldest worshippers, and surrounded by many African and Asian Christians. It’s surely a foretaste of eternity where there will be people ‘from every nation, tribe, people and language’ gathered before the throne of the Lord. How impoverished our worship in England often is! We also missed the enthusiasm of praise and worship, and the directness of some modern worship songs.

We feel so blessed by all our times of locum ministry – even if they can be sometimes tiring and demanding. But we get to experience a more three-dimensional worship and church life, and gain so much from belonging – for a short time – to a more representative part of the Body of Christ. It’s a particular blessing that we can still be Anglican in so many different contexts. And it’s great to be able to spend time living in a different environment – and getting to see some new places.

We also experience life outside the confines of Britain, and are often saddened to realise how insular much of our attitudes are. The French, and others, are very aware of being European, and of the benefits that come from close co-operation and collaboration. The illusion that little England can go it alone is strange and incomprehensible to almost all other nationalities.

Not that France is perfect! There are many problems facing the country at present. The gilets jaunes are less active, but the growing divisions in French society which they highlighted have not gone away. The ‘new broom’ of Mr Macron’s La République En Marche has proved a disillusionment for many, and has not been free from accusations of corruption and incompetence. While we were there, some hospital staff were on strike because of huge problems in the emergency departments of many hospitals. But some things about France still feel better. Among other benefits, it was good to be able to watch the TV news without being swamped by talk of Brexit! And the news programmes also celebrate the diversity of French life, with frequent items on different regions.

So we say au revoir to France – for a little while. Whatever happens, we shall always feel members of the European Community.