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Dear La Côte friends and family,
The season of Epiphany which began on Sunday, is an invitation to “come and see” and draw near to the one at the heart of our faith who changes everything.
Over the coming weeks we are offered snapshots of the Word made flesh and encouraged to think about how we can respond to his light. Last week the Magi from the East, stepped out on an unknown journey which eventually led them to worship the infant king and offer him gifts.
This coming Sunday we draw back the veil on Jesus at his baptism, as the heavens open and the Spirit descends on him like a dove.
Malcolm Guite’s sonnet eloquently opens our eyes to Christ’s light.
Beginning here we glimpse the Three-in-one;
The river runs, the clouds are torn apart,
The Father speaks, the Spirit and the Son
Reveal to us the single loving heart
That beats behind the being of all things
And calls and keeps and kindles us to light.
The dove descends, the spirit soars and sings
‘You are belovèd, you are my delight!’
In that quick light and life, as water spills
And streams around the Man like quickening rain,
The voice that made the universe reveals
The God in Man who makes it new again.
He calls us too, to step into that river
To die and rise and live and love forever.
(from Sounding the Seasons, 2012, Malcolm Guite)
At the start of 2026 we are acutely aware of the shadows of grief. Many of us will take time this coming Friday, to sit in darkness and light a candle in prayer for those whose lives have been torn apart by tragic death and injury in Crans Montana. We may well recall the suffering of others known to us. Sitting in darkness, may the words of this sonnet breathe consolation and nurture our trust in “the single loving heart that beats behind the being of all things and calls and keeps and kindles us to light.”
O Loving One, reveal to us
Your single loving heart
beating behind the being of all things.
Call us, keep us and kindle us to light. Amen
Switzerland has declared a National Day of Mourning on Friday 9 January 2026.
There will be a national ringing of bells throughout the country at 2pm for five minutes, followed by a minute of silence to commemorate those affected and involved in the tragedy that took place in Crans-Montana on 1 January 2026. During the ringing of the bells, the Federal Council and the churches invite the public to pray quietly, to commemorate the dead and to show solidarity with those injured and their families. The ringing of the bells is also a token of thanks to all those who are working tirelessly to tackle the crisis. This applies particularly to rescue workers, people with medical, psychological and pastoral responsibilities, and political leaders at all levels.
At a local level, the Pastorale Nyonnaise, (the Joint group of churches in the Nyon area), will lead a time of silence, candle-lighting and prayer in the Temple de Nyon, of the Swiss Reformed Church, on Friday 9 January 2026, from 18.30-19.00. (See flyer above) Everyone is welcome.
For your private use and for those who are not able to attend, here is a link to the prayers prepared by the Faith groups in the Canton de Vaud that will be used during this service.
Carolyn Cooke
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