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June 2020
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
We are in such a tumultuous time living with the Pandemic and the global racial upheaval due to the killing of George Floyd. We pray that this painful period will bring us new understanding and tolerance. We pray that you are staying safe, wearing masks, washing hands frequently, and practicing physical distancing, while feeding your spiritual souls.
As you can imagine, each of the three European churches we support, the American Church in Paris, the American Church in Berlin, and, the Vienna Community Church, have each been facing their own unique challenges, providing spiritual and emotional support to their congregations despite physical distancing. Bible study, prayer groups, Sunday services with poignant and caring messages and soothing music have been sustaining us all. But, in the midst of this effort to creatively reach out and support the personal journeys of all our church members and attendees, the financial trauma to the churches has been significant.
The American Church in Paris (ACP), a Beacon on the Seine since 1857, with its many ministries and outreach efforts, has adopted the slogan, “ACP Not Cancelled-Together in Christ , While Physically Apart”. Week by week, ACP has found ways to bring together all the many ministries within the congregation. We hope you have had the opportunity to take part in some of these offerings. There are current and archived programs and services at: acparis.org . My husband and I attend ACP services every Sunday as well as other sessions during the week. We find them very helpful. We have discovered that 1000 people from 70 countries are also participating, a wonderful outreach opportunity. To help us remember why so many love the music that fills our hearts and souls during our church services, we are delighted to include a lovely musical interlude at the end of this letter, graciously curated by our beloved Fred Gramann, whose music and concerts have lifted us up throughout the years.
ACP has suffered enormous financial losses as a result of the pandemic. Many of you know that ACP normally supplements its stewardship giving with support from caring donors like you, but also from renting space to nursery schools and counseling groups, and providing wedding blessings. Each has enabled ACP to maintain its vision and mission in bearing witness by word and deed to the love of God as revealed in Jesus Christ. And to provide a place of worship in the American Protestant tradition.
Over fifty percent of the monthly financial resources that support ACP are gone, and while the church is tenaciously and creatively cutting back on all nonessential expenses, its needs are still overwhelming. So, we turn to you, who care about ACP, to prayerfully consider if you are able to help out at this time, to provide relief and encouragement, both spiritual and financial, so that ACP can continue to minister to an ever-expanding community. If you would like to contribute through the AFCU, please click here and designate your donation as COVID-19. AFCU is a 501(c)3 organization, so contributions are tax deductible in the US. If you prefer to donate directly to ACP, please click here.
We all pray for more effective treatments for COVID-19 and for a vaccine that will protect all of us, but as this period of caution and regulation continues, we hope you will be with us on this journey. And we thank you for all your concerns and prayers.
May the love of Christ be with you,
Sincerely,
Jane Kendall for the American & Foreign Christian Union
Please feel free to email me on: janeakendall@att.net or call my cell:201-400-8852
A Musical Interlude at the American Church in Paris
Relax, sit back, close your eyes, and be transported to ACP’s lovely sanctuary
A balmy summer afternoon in June 2020
Toccata In D minor, MaxReger. Fred Gramann, Organ
Simple Song, C. Drury
Agnus Dei, Bizet, FrédéricGoncalves, soloist, Fred Gramann, accompanist
Passacaglia in C minor -Fred Gramann, The ACP Bronze Ringers
Ride On, King Jesus – JohnBernard, Ténor, Fred Gramann, Piano
Be at Peace and Stay safeACP is Vibrant
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