This, from the website of the French BU, translated by Friend of the Gathering Place and BMS Mission partner CK

From the French Baptist Union (Federation Baptiste de France)

France under shock

Once again, our country has experienced the horror of terrorism, dark, cold, blind and blinded. .France, where the state of emergency has been decreed, wakes up in pain , grief and bereavement. Beyond outrage, sadness and misunderstanding , the Federation Baptiste says all its compassion for the victims and families affected by these murderous attacks . The Federation Baptiste encourages all our churches to support and to help in actions and in prayers

The Bible invites us to true, loving, authentic and committed prayer

1 Timothy 2:1-8

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle – I am telling the truth, I am not lying – and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
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Darkness cannot drive out darkness,
Only light can do that
Hate cannot drive out hate
Only Love can do that

ML King
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We pray for the victims and their families
We pray for French authorities and government
We pray for medical staff helping the victims
We pray for armed forces mobilized in our country and abroad in maintaining security
We pray for our chaplains in charge of accompanying those who , in the army, in hospitals , airports , prisons , need to hear the Gospel
We pray for our enemies
Let us pray for our country
Pray that God will protect us from all evil on the outside and inside of ourselves

We receive many messages of solidarity from our different foreign partners
We thank them for their prayers and their fraternal thoughts
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Goodness is stronger than evil;
Love is stronger than hate;
Light is stronger than darkness;
Life is stronger than death;
Victory is ours through Him who loves us.

Desmond Tutu

It has been interesting to see what's being posted on social media in response to events in Paris, and indeed the (sometimes ugly and evil) responses in print and broadcast media.  Please don't believe the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday or other vile islamophobic drivel (sorry, don't usually rant quite so blatantly here, but it makes my blood boil).

Some people have turned their Facebook profile pictures into French tricolour as a sign of solidarity.  Neither of my two French-born Facebook friends has.  There are other folk like me who haven't, and who feel uneasy about the use of national flags, setting one nation-state over against another.  Maybe my views are coloured (no pun intended) by seeing the English St George flag appropriated by right-wing extremists to such an extent that I, and many fo my friends of all politcal and religious hues would never fly one.  In Scotland the saltire is proudly displayed as a symbol of identity and shared values, maybe had I grown up here I'd think differently, I don't know.

After a deal of pondering, I've decided today to use the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation in lieu of my planned prayers of approach today, and I will place a globe on our Communion Table... it is one world and we are all God's children.  Maybe coexistence is less than ideal, but it's surely a massive step forward.

The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

It's very rare I have a lie-in, usually the kitties have me up and active long before the radio-alarm goes off.  Today they let me rest, until I was wrenched from slumber by the news of events in Paris; news that left me shocked, speechless, impotent, sorrowful.  I have friends who have family in Paris, and some are still waiting for confirmation their loved ones are safe.

So, as I have no words, I'm borrowing some from others, far wiser than myself, each of who knew the pain of hatred directed towards them and those they love... a photo, above, with a quote from Martin Luther King, and a song adaptation of words by Desmond Tutu

  Goodness is stronger than evil;
  love is stronger than hate;
  light is stronger than darkness;
  life is stronger than death.
  Victory is ours, victory is ours
  through him who loved us.

Desmond Tutu (born 1931) adaped John L Bell (born 1949) © Desmond Tutu

On the far side of the planet, it is late Friday evening... with daylight saving probably almost 10 p.m. by now.  And in a room in a university a book launch has been held for a publication in which my essay is chapter one.  Obviously I couldn't be there... but I did drink a toast in tea!

There is something that appeals to my naughty side that likes the idea of a group of grown-ups reflecting on "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and a series that has titles including 'Father Christmas' and 'The Witch'.

This will be our lunch time series for Advent 2015... and this afternoon I am enjoying starting work on it.  More posts to follow as time moves along...