French Church

Three weeks ago now I tried out a fourth French-speaking church and went along with someone I know who goes there so that he could introduce me to people. He wasn’t that good at introducing me but it didn’t matter. I managed to get talking to some people and we were standing in the passageway which was the way out of the church, and lots of people said hello and greeted me with kisses even though they’d never seen me before. One lady came over, found out that I was a student and asked if I’d like to come round for lunch! I was a bit taken aback by the offer, after my previous experiences of not speaking to anyone in French churches, but thought ‘why not?’, thanked her and accepted the invitation. It turned out she was having all the students to lunch - 12 of us - by herself, and had prepared a lovely 3-course meal! It was a lot for a lady (in her 60s) to take on! But I for one certainly appreciated it and was inspired to see how much time and care one lady had put in for us.

After lunch some people left quite promptly and then Nicole (the lady) asked those who remained if we’d like to play a board game. Out came a choice and the others chose Trivial Pursuit (in French of course)! Normally I avoid this game in English, as it’s so hard, but I thought it might develop my language so didn’t protest! It wasn’t actually that bad playing, because they didn’t expect me to know the answers and there was a smaller group of us (7, split into 3 teams). I managed to win 2 triangles, called ‘slices of camembert’ in French, for my team, one was a maths question and the other a question about French grammar which my native French team mates would’ve got wrong! I was glad they trusted the English girl on a matter of French grammar and quite pleased with myself too!

This is the church I now go to and I enjoyed seeing two baptisms last week.

Fiona x