Reformation and a Revelation - Sunday, 27 October

Today was Reformation Sunday, and the worship and sermon at The American Church in Paris (my favorite Sunday morning haunt) were absolutely edifying and challenging. The place was full as always, and Luther, Calvin, Cranmer and Knox were present in their stained glass windows!

And, as always, the coffee after the service was good and strong and hot! This non-denominational Protestant church attracts people from all over the world for whom English is a first or second language (and who are visiting or working in Paris) - just imagine the lively conversations that take place over coffee.  The #63 bus stops right outside the church, so lots of parishioners board it at the same time to go home, and they continue their conversations there.  Today I eavesdropped on a journalist and a mathematician who were talking about their recent articles/books and the changing landscape for freelancers in Paris.  The women of the church publish the best guide for living here that I've seen - it's called "Bloom where You're Planted" and covers everything from schools to shopping to renting/buying to services to health care to raising a family to starting a business to .....  So if I were to ever decide to actually move to Paris, you can pretty easily guess where I'd first start connecting with people! http://www.acparis.org/

Ms. Anderson (left) talking to
some folks after the service.

This church has a great music program - choirs, soloists, organ, piano, handbells, etc. (plus very fine free recitals by visiting musicians every Sunday afternoon).  But choirs and soloists from all over the world also come to The American Church to offer their unique gifts to enhance the Sunday worship services.  Today was a revelation!  An amazing virtuoso solo handbell player, Christine Anderson from California, played her arrangement for handbells and piano of "Fount of Blessings" between the Epistle and the Gospel and "Be Still My Soul" for the Offertory.  Wow!  It was something I've not seen before and am unlikely to see again.  Here's a video of her in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkkC4oMdJ54