LEADER: Sylvia Robinson
Treasurer: Brigitte Alexandre
Secretary: Janet Campbell
CHURCH WEBSITE: http://church-in-france.com/
OUR BRANCH
The branch of Christ the Good Shepherd, Poitou Charentes was inaugurated in 2005 with about fifteen members. Rosemary Hill thought that she was the only member in the chaplaincy until Joyce and Alan Bache arrived and increased the membership to 3!
After finding a few more members there were several meetings held at Rosemary’s home, before a publicity stand was set up at the chaplaincy 
Christmas Bazaar in 2003. Amazingly, more existing and lapsed members came to light that day, plus several possible new ones, and it was decided that the time had come to officially start a branch. The chaplain encouraged us to do so.
Since 2005 the membership has increased to 30, including 2 male members.
Due to the size of the chaplaincy it is impossible to meet on a regular basis so we arrange a programme of events throughout the year, some in the “north” and some in the “south” of the chaplaincy. We have our annual Quiet Day, our Bring and Share Lunch and our AGM centrally so that as many members as possible are able to attend. The rest of our programme consists of Treasure Hunts, Lent Lunches, coffee mornings, strawberry teas and BBQs, and we have a stand at the chaplaincy summer fete and the Christmas Bazaar. We keep in touch by E-mail, and via. our monthly chaplaincy magazine, and of course through our prayers.
In 2010 we set up our first AFIA holiday, raising the funds (almost 1000 euros).
During 2012 we arranged our usual Lent lunches which were well attended. In April we enjoyed a car treasurer hunt followed by cheese and wine party. A summer BBQ was held in June. Revd Hazel Door led us in a Quiet Day in September.We were again able to send a family on an AFIA holiday in July raising the funds through a chaplaincy-wide “Hymnathon” in April.
Our African themed stall at the chaplaincy summer fete 2013
one of the hand-made quilts raffled for the AFIA holiday, and our autumn “Quiet Day” – lunch is not usually quiet!!
