|
Dear La Côte Church family and friends,
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ next week, here is a short film that powerfully connects the reality and relevance of the Christmas story with those who are far from home this Christmas, as well as those who have nowhere to call home.
Far from Home is a moving portrayal of the first Christmas when Jesus was born into occupation, violence and threat in first century Bethlehem.
The 3 ½ minute film is narrated in English by Karam, a boy who lives in Bethlehem. I invite you to watch and pray for those caught up in the ongoing turmoil in Gaza and Israel.
Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5woSgBCiyvA
Jesus’ family were forced into temporary accommodation in Bethlehem before fleeing as refugees to Egypt, and their story resonates with the millions who have lost their homes in the region this year. Pray too for all who have fled oppression and aggression in search of safety. Sanctuary foundation https://sanctuaryfoundation.org.uk/ encourage us to share this video widely.
Thank you to all of you who have given generously to the collection for our Food Bank partners with provisions and toiletries. Christmas bags of toiletries were given out with much joy at the foodbank last night. Thank you too for the countless expressions of welcome and hospitality that you share, which bring light and hope to so many.
This final message of the year comes with my prayers for you as you celebrate Christmas. I hope that there will be much joy, festivity and cherishing of friendships and families even in the fray! I pray too for those among us who are struggling with grief and poignant memories. May the meaning of “Emmanuel – God with us” bring comfort, courage and renewed hope.
I look forward to celebrating with many of you over the coming days and to reconnecting with you all in 2025. The next weekly bulletin will be sent out during the week of 6 January.
With my prayers, thankfulness and love, Carolyn Cooke
Worship this week-end
Sunday 22 December - Fourth Sunday in Advent
10.00 Divonne - Holy Communion
Worship coming-up
Tuesday 24 December - Christmas Eve
15.00 Gingins - Crib Service
17.00 Gingins - Holy Communion
Both services will be followed by mulled wine and warmed spiced apple juice. Please let Anne or Carolyn know if you can help.
Wednesday 25 December - Christmas Day
10.00 Divonne - Family Holy Communion
CHRISTMAS DAY : if you are going to be on your own and you would like to celebrate Christmas day with others, please contact Anne de Tréverret
Sunday 29 December - First Sunday after Christmas
16.00 Gingins - Holy Communion
Sunday 5 January - Epiphany
8.45 Crassier - Early Said Eucharist
16.00 Gingins - Family Holy Communion with activities for small children within the service
Annual leave: Carolyn will be on annual leave from 26 Dec – 4 Jan. In an emergency please contact Liz Bramley from 27 Dec onwards.
Worship during this special season of Advent and Christmas
Everyone is welcome !
A last minute Christmas Gift!
La Côte Church calendar for 2025
A beautiful LA CÔTE CHURCH CALENDAR FOR 2025 on the theme of ‘Food in the Bible’, with photos and relevant Bible quotations, will be on sale from Sunday 10th November onwards in Divonne and Gingins churches.
PRICE: CHF 25.00 for 1 copy, CHF 20.00 each for 2 copies or more. All proceeds to our Church funds. Also suitable as a Christmas gift for family and friends.
PLEASE NOTE - If you are unable to attend one of our main services but would like Holy Communion or private prayer in person, please contact Carolyn Cooke.
For any prayer requests for yourself or others, please contact Peta Tracey who will share in confidence with our Tuesday prayer group where we pray for the needs of our world and community.
A La Côte playgroup in Divonne
We are looking at setting up a La Côte playgroup for children aged 0-4, which would meet in Divonne once a week in term time. For further information please contact Alison Ball (playgroup@lacotechurch.ch)
Coming up this week
Morning Prayer
Monday to Friday at 7.30 and Saturday at 8.30 - online
Here is the link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84315258948?pwd=WWZaMTRzZEpnNHV3ekZYRFRUYU96Zz09
Meeting ID: 843 1525 8948 - Passcode: 82966
A short break over Christmas and New year
The last Morning Prayer will be on Saturday 21 December. The next MP will be on Thursday 2 January 2025 (with Liz leading). So, there will be no MP from 23 December to 1 January inclusive.
Prayer Group December-February
Please note there will be no meeting in Dec., but the next two meetings will take place on Zoom: Tue. 21 Jan. and Tue. 4 Feb., 09.30-10.30.
If you would like to join the meeting, please use the same link as for Morning Prayer (see above under 'Coming up this week' and on church website). The Northumbria Community order of service, which we often use as a framework for our prayers, is available on the day at:
https://www.northumbriacommunity.org/offices/morning-prayer/
Our next meeting in person will be Tue. 18 Feb. 2025 at 09.15 chez John & Peta Tracey, 1267 Coinsins.
In the meantime, please contact the Prayer Group by email with any prayer requests in confidence: peta.tracey@lacotechurch.ch
Recent Happenings at La Côte !
If you would like to have a look at some photographs of recent happenings at La Côte Church please go to our website https://www.lacotechurch.ch/recent-happening/
Rotas in ChurchSuite
Dear church members and volunteers,
ChurchSuite is beginning to work more smoothly, thank you to everyone for your patience and commitment.
One step that would be very helpful for Anne is that you add in your unavailabilites. Click HERE for how to do this or contact Anne.
It is very important that you check ChurchSuite on a regular basis to view when you are next serving. For further information, click HERE.
The Lost Food Project (combatting food waste)
Members of la Côte Church are taking part in a food bank in Nyon. Click HERE for more information. If would like to supplement our food supplies, please bring rice or pulses to our Sunday services. Thank you very much.
Work with those seeking refugee status
Mentoring opportunities and Accommodation: Please speak to Diantha Terry with any thoughts you have.
Do you have jobs that need doing? Please contact Diantha Terry.
From your safeguarding team
Your safeguarding team promotes and works towards keeping our church a safe place where our congregation can feel secure and cared for.
Safeguarding is an integral part of the wellbeing of our Church community.
We are here not only to work with you through the formalities of short training or administrative safeguarding checks but to support you in strict confidentiality if concerns relative to abuse arise.
You can count on our understanding and goodwill in all things safeguarding.
Ever Guttierez, Cate Bichara and Liz Martinez
Contact email: Safeguarding@lacotechurch.ch
 Pledging and Giving online and in person
Many thanks as ever for your giving to the life of our church and thus to our mission and service within and well beyond our community.
Pledging gives stability to the church finances and ensures that budgets can be planned realistically. So however large or however small your commitment, please consider pledging. Contact our pledge administrator, Mark Warren (mark.warren@yahoo.fr) for further details.
If you are at church without any cash but would like to give to the collection there is a solution: we have a bank or credit card reader at church to contribute to the collection using your card.
Here are the bank details for our church:
IBAN CH42 0022 8228 5504 9740 H
Holder The La Côte Anglican Church Development Association, 1267 Coinsins
BIC UBSWCHZH80A
You can also do so by scanning the QR code below
You may also like to remember La Côte Anglican Church in your will.
Merci beaucoup, thank you very much!
Follow us on social media!
You receive this email because you have joined the website newsletter *|DOMAIN_NAME|* With the address *|EMAIL|*.
Unsubscribe or contact Anne to no longer receive emails from us .
| 
