Thursday 24 May
On 24 May, Rev A. Huijgen travelled to Ganges (Hérault) for the synod of the UNEPREF. The president of the union, Jean-Raymond Stauffacher, gave a short tour of the centre of Montpellier. The congregation has three locations, opens its downtown location daily to people who want a cup of coffee, and also maintains a sort of coffee bar (called Café Théo) in the centre together with some other churches in Montpellier. Montpellier has been a very Protestant city, with more than 10,000 Protestants at its peak. However, these were severely oppressed and dozens of executions of leading Protestants who refused to renounce their faith also took place in the city centre. Protestant churches in Montpellier were demolished at the Protestants' expense.
The big challenge for UNEPREF in recent times has been restructuring: meeting pressure has been reduced and more takes place in committees. The commission permanente is the central authority (say: executive board). Administratively, it is the three coordinations led by as many pilotes that are most important: vocation, édification and mission.
Friday, 25 May
On Friday, the synod was opened. Chairman is Guy Maillard (elder from Montauban). He will serve for a total of three years.
The theme of the synod was "en avant pour transmettre" ("forward to pass on tradition") - a theme tailored to youth and youth work. This theme also featured strongly in the président's speech. He stressed that transmettre only goes if you have your mission clearly in mind. It is downright alarming that about 85% of adolescents who have made profession of faith (often happens in UNEPREF at the age of about 14) disappear from the church.
In addition to these central points, Stauffacher indicated that the first major review of the new church structure will take place next year. He also introduced "Martine", the UNEPREF's fictional average church member. She is a woman in her 50s whose children were raised Christian, but who kissed the church goodbye (often because they went to college and either secularised or joined another church in the big city). Martine often struggles to talk about her personal faith, but she does enjoy volunteering for the local church.
Theological work has been done by a committee that has written a reflection on points raised in newer denominational texts, such as the one adopted last year by the EPUDF (Eglise Protestante Union de France).
During the evening meal, a number of contributions focused on youth work. Among others, plastic relay batons were handed out (with which we were allowed to rhythmically bang on the table) to represent the need for transmettre. To understand the symbolism, it is necessary to mention that the French word for a relay baton is a témoin, i.e. a witness.
26 May
On Saturday, the report of the ethics committee was discussed. Understandably, people are particularly concerned about issues around beginning and end of life.
An important and big part of the synod was the new plan for catechesis, prepared by Joel Landes and Harriëtte Smit, who has been sent out by the GZB for youth work in the French churches. A plan of almost 80 pages had been made, which has now been reduced to 28 pages. Remarkably, catechesis here covers all age groups, including the truly elderly in the church. The discussion focused on the age at which children make profession of faith. It was emphasised that confession of faith is not an end of the learning process, but a moment in the learning process. Although the church situation is totally different, I think there is also much to be learned in this document for our churches.
On Saturday, Rev Huijgen delivered his short speech, which annexed to this report goes.
There was a solid contribution from the GZB, through a presentation by Tim Verduijn and Diane Palm. The GZB has formulated a number of spearheads. Youth work is one of them, but also, in addition, work among migrants. So if French churches have a plan for work among migrants, they can apply for a grant.
27 May
On 27 May, there was a festive service at Ganges church. Two pastors previously confirmed were welcomed to UNEPREF: David Bouillon, who comes from the United Protestant Church in France and teaches theology in Switzerland, and André Geske, who comes from Brazil. In addition, Timothée Calvot was confirmed as pastor, having actually been performing pastoral duties in a congregation for six years. The candidates were not only laid hands on, but were then embraced by all who had laid hands on them.
Another impressive and striking feature was Nicolas Fines' sermon. He is a youth worker, not a preacher. His father is a preacher but can hardly speak anymore due to Parkinson's. Yet he did the scripture reading while his son was in the pulpit, and it went well. That is where transmettre did become very visible.
The church service brought the synod to a close. There was a long talk, followed by a meal. Speaking of meals, there was good eating during this synod, which added to the joy of the meeting.
