Dauner News Update September 27, 2007
CHURCH YEAR NUMBER 10 OFF TO A RUNNING START
The Fuveau Chapel Church of Christ embarked this month on its tenth year of existence with a reprise of most of the outreach activities through which we have made known the name of the Christ in our neighborhood. Here is a brief overview.
1. CEM (Christians on Mission)
The ninth class of our discipleship training program is composed of two young men of very different backgrounds. The first, Justin Smith, 19, of Lausanne, Switzerland, is the son of long-time missionaries Brady and Stephanie Smith and plans to continue theological training in the U. S. after his internship in Marseilles. Justin had an excellent scholastic career in high school and is, according to all reports, a gifted camp counselor. The second student is… Raphaël Enderlé ! A brand new convert from Marseilles, Raphaël, 18, has been more visibly transformed by Jesus than just about anyone I have ever seen. CEM will be a great and wonderful challenge for his soul.
2. SENIOR RETREAT
Last September, I was ready to pull the plug on this three-day retreat for senior citizens at the Bonnefoi Center because of decreasing attendance. But the number of participants more than doubled (from 7 to 15) and the event seems to be attracting more and more interest. Heureusement ! (a good thing), as we say in French. It is by far the most unhurried and spiritually refreshing retreat we sponsor.
3. ADO-RATION
With the preteens graduating to teenage-hood and with several new faces from nearby schools, the teen group has grown to over 20 members. A new Teen Choral Group began rehearsals this week, and a teen mission trip is being planned for February.
4. CHILD EVANGELISM
Two other regular programs, Club Cool (primary school) and Foi en Folie (10-12 year-olds), were also bursting at the seams as they began the year’s activities. Diana Hutchinson has scheduled three concerts featuring Harmony Chorale and the youth chorus for the month of December.
Three other subjects deserve mention, even though they are yet future at the writing of this update. Please pray that the holy intentions and hopes we have for them may be accomplished:
1. A meeting with the men of the congregation, to explore how they can become as active in serving the church as their female counterparts.
2. An eight-session seminar on marriage presented by Arlin and Pamela Hendrix of Lyon (October 7, 13, 14). The interest is high for this timely topic, and it will be a great occasion to introduce people to the church and to bring them along further in their spiritual walk.
3. It appears that two neighboring catholic parishes will ask me to take responsibility for their weekly Bible study groups. This is a measure of the growing recognition in the community of our role as authentic voices of Christian truth.
May God give you true joy in his Son and grant that you see his purposes carried out in your life.
Max and Prisca Dauner