Scattershooting on my way to the American Church in Paris

It's a challenge going to church each week around here.  I know most of you get in your car, drive a few miles, and there you are.  To get to our new church, we first ride a bus, next get on the metro, then walk about a mile (maybe less? It's usually cold, so it feels like a mile) to attend church each Sunday.   I attached a map so you can see where we go.  The church is located near the Musee d'Orsay, in the center of Paris.  We live near La Defense & the Bois de Boulogne.

But, when we get there, we're all glad we came!  We went to the traditional service yesterday for the first time--we usually attend the contemporary, which begins at 13:30 (great to be able to sleep late!).  We always love attending traditional worship during the Advent season with all the Christmas carols, decorations, and special music--today was no exception.  The choir sang, the chime choir played and it was a great service.

*Aside: It was really nice to hear a big organ again--I've really missed that sound! I took organ lessons back in the day at First UMC Big Spring with the incredible Charles Parham--my homies will smile when they read his name.  He was absolutely fabulous and fabulously talented.  During his offertories, you might hear anything from "The Flintstones" to the Big Spring High School fight song.  I had to learn 100 hymns from the Baptist Hymnal before my teacher would let me take organ lessons, it was a huge deal to me.*

Great article from The Washington Post about The American Church in Paris

The American Church in Paris was founded in 1814, the first American church founded outside the United States.  And, of all places in the world, the pastor is from Fort Collins, Colorado.  Yes, Pastor Scott Herr is from my husband's hometown.  He's a very gifted speaker, a Presbyterian minister, so we Nornes Methodists feel right at home there.  We really enjoy the services and the diverse congregation.  I am hoping to get more involved in a Bible study or small group there as we continue to feel more comfortable living here.  Recently, the Nobel Laureate Laymah Gbowee visited and spoke here. (we were so bummed to miss it!!)  The church also held a screening of the documentary about Ms. Gbowee and the other women who brought peace during the Liberian civil war called "Pray the Devil Back to Hell".  Such an inspiring story of courage and faith!! Here's more about Ms. Gbowee:
The Spire/American Church of Paris

Sunday is a good day for us to eat out and stroll around Paris.  Yesterday, we were so excited to eat at Chipotle, a favorite of ours from Houston.  We recently met Damon Biggins, the guy bringing Chipotle to Paris.  (His son, Sevin, is in Laura's class at ASP.)  His fun wife, Michele, grew up in Midland.  So we are very excited to know Damon is in the process of opening another Chipotle at La Defense, near our home & Paul's work!!  Yes!!  Mexican food!!  Blog-worthy!!

I threw caution to the wind and had a Corona & lime!  Only cost about $7....

We always walk by several embassies as we go to church--the German, the Finnish and the South African.  Yesterday, the South African was a shrine to Nelson Mandela, who passed away last week.  These moments provide my girls (and me!) with a sense of how we really are ALL connected.  As my hero, Glennon Doyle Melton says, "We all belong to each other".

Okay, this post is sounding like the stories on the CBS Sunday Morning show--interesting, but not really going anywhere...LOL  So, I must be scattershooting again...but here's the take-away:  We can do hard things if we get Mexican food, spend time with family, and go to church.  And, we belong to each other.  Say that to each other every day--that's what Nelson Mandela would want for us all.

The Dallas Omni