Weekly Bulletin from La Côte Church 4 September 2025

Dear La Côte Church family and friends,

At Gingins on Sunday afternoon, we will consider Paul’s short letter to his dear friend Philemon, written while Paul was imprisoned in Ephesus. The letter gives us a remarkable insight into the life and loving relationships that characterized the first-generation Christian churches. Paul’s theme is the practical outworking of Christ’s life in a loving church community, with two sub-themes:

1. The deep mutual participation in God that Christians share as the outcome of their rebirth to faith in Jesus

2. How to persuade someone you love to do something difficult and demanding, yet deeply pleasing to God, with grace and love

Ancient Roman slave-collar found in Italy with a bronze disc announcing the reward for returning the runaway slave to his or her master, Zoninus, 4th-6th century AD

The letter focusses on Philemon’s runaway slave, Onesimus, who seems to have stolen quite a bit of money from Philemon to finance his escape. But Onesimus had met Paul, had become a believer in Jesus, and was a great practical help to Paul during his imprisonment. Paul’s purpose in writing to Philemon was to persuade him to take Onesimus back, but not reluctantly or grudgingly. Rather Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus in a way that reflects their shared life in God: as a beloved brother in Christ.

This is not ancient history. We, too, are sometimes challenged by the need to persuade loved ones to act wisely and lovingly. Paul’s appeal to Philemon, based on the deepest possible relationship – the sharing together of Christ’s life – is a great encouragement to us all. That shared life is a defining characteristic of the Church, both in Paul’s time and for us today.

Chris Talbot

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 7 September - Twelfth Sunday after Trinity

8.45 Crassier - Early Morning Said Eucharist

10.30 Crassier - Monthly, messy and godly play session, for under 5s with parents, grand-parents and carers!

16.00 Gingins - Holy Communion

Worship coming up

Sunday 14 September - Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity

10.00 Divonne - Morning Prayer - Café Hope (Sunday Club restarts)

16.00 Gingins - Holy Communion

Sunday 21 September - Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity

Bonmont Ecumenical Service for the “Jeune Fédéral” (traditionally a day of prayer and fasting for the State).

8.30: Join us for a prayer walk in nature from Chéserex to the Cistercian abbey at Bonmont.

10.30: A service of Taizé music, readings, and prayers in the abbey – everyone is welcome.

More information here.

16.00 Gingins - Evening Prayer (with Sunday Club. Please let Betty know if you are bringing children).

Click here for more details

FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE SERVICE PLANNER CLICK HERE

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 or Betty Talbot.

The Wonder of Creation

As part of this season, Louise would love to receive any of your creations – paintings, drawings, photos, sculptures, arrangements, poetry, prose – which express the beauty of Creation. We hope to display and share these expressions of wonder in our service on 5th October service.

More details here.

Children & Youth programmes for the Rentrée

Our new Children & Youth programmes are starting up with something to offer all ages.

Under 5's
Monthly, messy and godly play session starting 7 September. More details here

Primary school age
Sunday Club led by our volunteer Sunday Club team and held every second, third and fourth Sunday of the month from 14 September. More details here.

11yrs upwards
Online sessions with Joy starting 7 September.
Exploring the Jesus "I am" sayings - see flyer here.
19h 10-14yrs
20h 15yrs plus
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89334429017?pwd=QIadee1FKS0me54mIgm0J4PfkwkOCQ.1
Meeting ID: 893 3442 9017 Passcode: 479443

Youth Alpha Course led by Armel on Sunday evenings from 14 September. Further information and to sign up to Alpha here.

You can find more information on our programmes here or contact Betty Talbot.

WALKING TOGETHER IN FAITH
AN ONLINE LAY LEARNING COURSE

If you are hungry to learn about Christianity, do explore this online study course starting in early September. It is open to all lay members of the Church – whether you are simply looking to learn more about the Christian faith or exploring the possibility of formal lay ministry.

There is still time to sign up to this enriching course.
Please submit your application by 8 September.

If there are some of us in the area who sign up to do the course, we could arrange some in person gatherings.

Click here to find out more: https://www.europe.anglican.org/lay-learning-course

Girls' Gathering

We are pleased to announce the start-up of a new discussion group for women at La Côte. The aim is to meet once a month on a Tuesday evening, so that those who are not available for day-time events can also join in. This will be an opportunity to share a simple pot-luck meal together, hear a speaker on a particular contemporary issue and discuss informally, as well as to spend time getting to know each other better.

At our first meeting, on Tuesday 30^th September, Liza Zogib will speak on the topic of Nature and Spirituality. We will gather in the parish rooms of the Nyon Protestant church at 19h30. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Sarah French and Heidi Hawkings.

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

For full details on all activities that our regular groups offer please visit our website here.

Click here for zoom links and other details

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/

ChurchSuite - New September/October Rotas

Services up to October have been added to ChurchSuite.

Please double check any services that you have been scheduled for and arrange to swap if you are no longer available. For further information, click HERE

It is very important that you check ChurchSuite on a regular basis to view when you are next serving, and it is very helpful if you could fill in any dates you would like to help, and also to add in your unavailabilities. Click HERE for how to do this or contact Liz.

In the future we will also be sending out an email to all those scheduled for the coming month so that you have more notice to double check your availability or arrange a swap.

Happening elsewhere

Cello Arte

27th Festival of Chamber Music in Pays de Gex from 28 August - 7 September. Full details here.

Ignatian Spirituality Community

Ignatian Way Day - Saturday 11 October. Full details here.

If you would like someone to explore your spiritual life with and have a desire to deepen your relationship with God, then spiritual accompaniment could be for YOU! Click here to find out what the Ignatian Spirituality Community can offer you.

Diocese in Europe
Environmental Champions Conference 2025 Online 1st October at 19h00

Details here

Clothes collection for Eastern Europe 10-15 September

Tyrrian Livesley is once again organising a collection of second-hand clothes in good condition for Eastern Europe - this time warm clothing for autumn and winter will be greatly appreciated. Please see the attached information here for details of how and when to drop off your donations. Thank you very much!

Protect Versoix River

The Vaud Cantonal authorities are currently planning to develop a landfill in this area, which will potentially cause untold harm to the water, bird, plant and animal life that depends on the river and adjoining land.

Click here for more information. If you would like help to write the letter in French please let Liz Le Feuvre know.

The Lost Food Project (combatting food waste)

Members of la Côte Church take part in a food bank in Nyon. Click HERE for more information and if you'd like to participate.

In addition, if you would like to supplement our food supplies, please bring rice or pulses to our Sunday services. Thank you very much.

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.

All information can found here

And you can come and talk to us - Cate Bichara and Liz Martinez

Contact email: Safeguarding@lacotechurch.ch

For useful resources click here and scroll to 'links of interest'!

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 using your bank app.

You may also like to remember La Côte Anglican Church in your will.
Merci beaucoup, thank you very much!

You can also donate by credit card by clicking here

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