From French-speaking Rwanda to French-speaking France Giles Williams has found his linguistic interest leading the way. In Rwanda he was engaged in a project to turn the Bible into a language the Rwandans could understand. In France he is chaplain to a mixed congregation of English-speaking people where he is likewise a visitor from an alien language group.
For ten years Giles has been ministering to a cosmopolitan congregation of English and French people, many of them retired, plus others from northern European, African, Filipino backgrounds. Mostly those who attend Holy Trinity, Cannes are British. Recently the church has been blighted by Covid-19 and Brexit. There are only half the worshippers on a Sunday as there used to be.
Giles read modern languages at university and then studied African linguistics. Early on he had thoughts of working overseas and after a six-week taste of Nigeria he found himself drawn to a project set up by Peter Guillebaud in Africa. His day-job was translation. He also had a part in ministering to the congregation in Kigale cathedral. On returning from Rwanda he spent 15 years as a vicar in Woking, Surrey before becoming chaplain in Cannes.
In Cannes the worship is based on the same book as we use in England – ‘Common Worship’. The singing is greatly aided by a concert pianist who is at home with all kinds of music – hymns by Townend being not the least of them. A member of the Syrian Orthodox Church read the lesson last Sunday. The Cannes programme includes curry nights, prayer breakfasts and Christianity Explored. The congregation is active and generous.
Giles has a wife, Chris, and three grown-up sons who are currently working in the UK. As well as his chaplaincy work in Cannes he is area dean in the 44th diocese of the Church of England. Lest there be any doubt he has not forgotten how to speak English.
If you have a comment on this post please send an email to Revd John King at johnc.king@talktalk.net Edited extracts may be published. To forward this to a friend click on the chain icon below.
Comentários