At the end of April, several of our Ambassadors gathered in Paris for the national Local Groups meeting. Groups from Île-de-France, Annecy, Côtes d’Armor, Marseille, Montpellier, Lyon and Amiens were represented. During the weekend, we explored the theme: Salt, light and environmental crisis – Jesus’ commitment, inspiration and simplicity.
Local Groups are groups of Christians committed to ecology and love for God who come together to take collective action at a local level. To this end, they can learn and discuss issues of faith and ecology, raise awareness among those around them about the link between biodiversity and the Bible, and finally take local action to promote biodiversity. Each Local Group is unique and has its own DNA based on its members, their individual interests and motivations. This is what makes this network so powerful!
The objectives of our national meeting were to encourage one another, build relationships, equip one another, and share our ideas. The programme included three workshops on: the Church’s social commitment, Jesus’ example of simplicity of life, and the historical inspiration of Christian groups who have acted for change in their contexts. Each workshop included a presentation as well as time for discussion, during which we were able to talk about Jesus’ relationship with society (within, above, outside or apart from) and examples such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Brother André and William Forth. These workshops encouraged us to take action within our churches and local groups to fulfil our role as salt and light in our societies.
The programme also included an evening of worship and a screening of the documentary La Nouvelle aventure mobile (The New Mobile Adventure) about intermediate vehicles, means of transport between bicycles and cars. We were able to reflect on ideas for alternative ways of getting around that have less impact on the environment. On Saturday afternoon, we took part in a meditative walk in Montsouris Park, guided by the Île de France Local Group.
These few verses served as our refrain throughout the weekend:
Look at the birds. They do not sow, they do not reap. They do not store crops in barns. And your Father in heaven feeds them! You are worth much more than the birds! […] Observe the flowers of the field, see how they grow. They do not spin or weave. Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his wealth was never dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers. […] Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat? What shall we drink? What shall we wear?’ For the people who do not know God are always seeking these things. You need all these things, and your Father in heaven knows that. Seek first the Kingdom of God and what God asks of you. He will give you everything else as well. (Matthew chapter 8, verses 26, 28-29, 31-33).
We came away from those few days feeling encouraged and strengthened. This gathering also gave us an opportunity to get to know each other better and to experience fraternal communion by praying for one another.
We were particularly blessed by the Île de France Local Group for their hospitality and help in preparing for this weekend. We were also touched by the assembly of Paris Alésia Free Evangelical Church, which welcomed us to its premises and to their Sunday service.
We look forward to seeing you again or meeting you next year for the fourth edition of the National Meeting of Local Groups (location to be determined)!