Beloved of God,

I can’t say when I first heard of Pastor André Trocmé or the protestant village of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon, but I’ve always been drawn to people of high moral integrity.  So when I heard the story of a village in France that harbored Jewish refugees during WW2 at great risk, I was captivated by it.  When I began planning my sabbatical, Le Chambon emerged as one place I wanted to see firsthand.  I wanted my family to get as close as possible to this story and the people and principles behind it.

At first, I had limited luck in my internet searches for information about whether a museum dedicated to the heroic efforts of the people there existed.  I could only find references to a temporary museum that once existed, or to the dream that a museum might one day be built.  But then I found an article by Dr. Patrick Henry, a retired professor from Whitman College.  His article gave a brief but thorough explanation of the historical context in which this “conspiracy of goodness” took place.  As time before our departure for sabbatical was running short, I tracked down his email address and wrote him, hoping he might respond.   Not only did he write back almost immediately, sharing information that proved immensely helpful as I prepared for our visit to Le Chambon, unbeknownst to me he blind copied Nelle Trocmé Hewitt, the daughter of Pastor André and Magda Trocmé.  Within a few hours of my initial inquiry I found myself corresponding with a woman who not only knew of Le Chambon, she had been at the epicenter of these events as both a witness and participant!  Nelly provided me with information about the newly opened state-of-the-art museum in Le Chambon, Lieu de Mémoire, as well as the names of contacts she knew.  And she urged me to see Pierre Sauvage’s film Weapons of the Spirit, before I left town—which I did.  The entire series of exchanges was a Spirit-inspired gold mine!

On May 3rd you have the opportunity to hear more about this incredible story of neighbor love that took place in Le Chambon and the surrounding farms and villages of the Vivarais Plateau.  Dr. Henry will address the combined Adult and Youth classes from 9:15am to 10:15am.  Then, following worship, we’ll share a simple lunch in the Fellowship Hall, as we view the film Weapons of the Spirit and continue our conversation together.  I hope you’ll come.

Throughout the Easter season we hear stories from the book of Acts which speak to the Spirit-infested power of the gospel life, which spins good news out into the world with untamable, centrifugal force.  Old boundaries fall away in the wake of such a force; and new connections into the community of Jesus abound.  Readings from the letters of John, like the excerpt above, remind us that everything that comes from God is predicated on LOVE. “Those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen,” writes John.  Whatever fears may seek to lay hold of us, skewing or dominating our lives and keeping us curved in on ourselves, says John, as we place our trust in the God revealed to us in Jesus, God’s “perfect love casts out our fear.”  When that happens, the unknown loses its ability to keep us in bondage.  And when this happens, incredible acts follow.

In his memoire, Pastor Trocmé wrote of the important role played by the parish’s Bible study leaders and group meetings: “It was there, and not elsewhere, that answers from God came regarding the complicated problems we had to resolve for the housing and hiding of Jews…It was there that we conceived of non-violent resistance.”¹ Through their animated discussion of the Bible and its role in their lives, these groups “saved the situation” in Le Chambon.  They provided opportunities for faithful reflection and the development of strategies for sheltering those fleeing from the German and the French authorities.

The work of the Spirit continues in our own day and context, and our job is to align ourselves—individually and communally—with the Spirit’s mission.   When we keep our hearts, minds, and bodies opened to the Spirit’s breath, we will end up in some surprising places!  That’s the journey we’re on together, as we sing with the Psalmist:

“When you send forth your Spirit, we are renewed—we are renewed!”

With you on the Way,

Pastor Erik

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¹ Alicia J. Batton, University of Sudbury, Ontario. Reading the Bible in Occupied France: Andre Trocmé and Le Chambon. p. 14.  Quoted from A. Trocmé, Autobiographie “André and Magda Trocmé Papers,” copyright Swarthmore College Peace Collection, 1960’s) 357.