France

Gracie and I lived in Montpellier, France from 1988-1991, completing our Masters of Theology at the Institut Protestant de Theologie in Montpellier. I have continued to return nearly every year, first to complete my Doctoral dissertation and then to participate in annual retreats with the Fraternité Espirituelle Les Veilleurs and in the ecumenical spiritual renewal conferences Embrase Nos Coeurs. I have a growing relationship with the Eglise Reformée de Belleville in Paris through my friendship with Pastor Serje Jacquemus and missionary Randy Greer.

Fraternite Espirituelle Les Veilleurs
« Spiritual Community Watch and Pray»

I have been an active member of this spiritual community since 1992. Les Veilleurs (the watchpersons) was founded in 1923 by pastor Wilfred Monod, a pastor in the Eglise Reformée de France. Pastor Daniel Bourguet is currently the Prior of this movement.
To become of member of Les Veilleurs a person commits to follow the rule, accompanied by a mentor until they are ready to become an Observateur. An annual covenenant to follow the rule includes committing to :

1. Take three moments for prayer and reflection on Scripture if possible, morning, noon and evening.
2. Recite the Beatitudes (Matthew 5 :1-10) around the noon hour.
3. Remember Jesus suffering and death on the worlds behalf on the cross on Fridays through varied and changing practices. Some people fast, visit someone in jail or in the hospital, read the passion story...).
4. Commitment to participating in a Sunday service of worship in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and our new life in Christ.
5. Attempting to take spiritual retreats throughout the year for prayer, silence and study.
   

Without tangible organization or legal status, the Order is an "invisible monastery" that helps each member deepen his or her spiritual life. About two hundred people, most but not all Protestant, are connected through daily prayer across the French-speaking world.

Bourguet: "Our rule is very simple. It consists mainly in consecrating three moments of the day to meditation." No liturgy is imposed, the intent being to allow each Watcher (Veilleur/euse) to remain within the biblical tradition he or she finds most comfortable. Indeed, belonging to a community is one of the principles of the movement, which does not want to appear to be a new Church. "The majority of us are very active in the life of our parish," notes Bourguet.

The prior estimates that the Fraternity's impact on French Protestantism is growing. "In France, as elsewhere, theological reflection has moved the Reform away from the spiritual life a bit. After some years, we are rediscovering this aspect of the faith, and many are calling on les Veilleurs (the Watchers), especially to enrich their retreats."

Many of us at Tierra Nueva read daily scripture reading from a common Biblical list that is used by many in France and in our ministry in Honduras. You are welcome to download this list from the links below:

http://www.hermitary.com/articles/bourguet.html
http://www.protestinfo.ch/Articles.asp?Index=1529
http://www.erf-clr.org/communautes_et_centres.php?rub=184&nid=218&tag=1180

>>Download Bulletin from Les Veilleurs<<

>>Download Daily Scripture Readings - January 14 - March 24<<