The American Church in Paris

Pentecost, from the ancient Greek for "the fiftieth day", commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2 in the New Testament. Pentecost is sometimes described as the Church's birthday.

The ACP will celebrate Pentecost Sunday in a number of ways:

• The hymns will be sung in English, French or German.
• At the 11h00 service there will be a Language Choir drawn from our congregation which will assist in the reading of Acts 2. To volunteer (no, you don't have to sing, just read), please contact Fred Gramann.
• We would like everyone (yes, you!) to dress in red or have on something red!
• We will decorate the sanctuary with red plants which will be used afterwards to adorn the courtyard area.
• Special music will be offered by the Wheaton College Men's Glee Club.
• And to top it all off there will be.... (No, wait! That's supposed to be a surprise.) You'll just have to attend the service to catch the Spirit!

Children's Rights

Dr. Elizabeth Milovidov, Esq. will talk about to talk further about children's rights – in particular, child safety in schools in France and issues of bullying, school violence, and games such as the choking game or ‘jeu du foulard.’

Elizabeth Milovidov, Ph.d., Esq., is a former California litigator, international lawyer and General Counsel turned law professor and children’s rights advocate. Elizabeth is an American attorney who has lived and worked in France since 1995. She obtained a B.A in Economics from UCLA and a J.D. / M.A. in political science from UC Davis.

After practicing law in a San Francisco law firm for four years, Elizabeth moved to Paris in 1995 to obtain an MBA / MA in International Trade. She then worked at Meritor Automotive as Assistant European Counsel before joining Genesys S.A. as Legal Counsel specializing in Internet and new technologies. She eventually became General Counsel and her last position in the corporate world was General Counsel – Operations for Netsize S.A. in 2006.

In 2006, Elizabeth left corporate law to obtain a Ph.D. in International Relations and has since oriented her career towards academia, where she currently holds positions as Assistant Professor at the American Graduate School and the University of Cergy-Pontoise Law School. As a parent, lawyer and scholar, Elizabeth has shifted her focus to children's rights, and in particular, to education and awareness for business responsibility, internet safety and other areas of concern for child safety and protection.  She regularly lectures on these subjects, offers workshops to parents on Internet safety as well as advises small businesses on strategic change to include children’s rights initiatives in their business practices.

Una Kelly and Aurélie Radisson — The right to asylum, the situation of asylum seekers in France, and the concrete actions of Secours Catholique

Una Kelly is a 32 year old veterinarian. She moved from Scotland to France as a child, and still considers herself a migrant. Aware of her privilege as a European, she has chosen to commit herself for those that come from further away and that aren’t welcomed in France in the same way as she was. She has been a volunteer for the last 5 months at Secours Catholique. One afternoon per week, she receives asylum seekers and helps them access their rights.

Aurélie Radisson is in charge of the reception unit in the Cèdre, a Secours Catholique agency for asylum seekers and foreigners in fragile situations. As part of her mission, she supports the field actors of Secours Catholique – Caritas France in their actions for migrants.

Una and Aurélie will speak about the right to asylum, the situation of asylum seekers in France and the concrete actions of Secours Catholique so that their dignity and their rights are respected. They will show you how their commitment, as a worker and volunteer, is a political and spiritual one.

Thurber Thursdays is an adult community gathering and growth time that is open to all. We share a meal at 18h30 and the evening program begins at 19h30.

Come support ACP's Youth Mission to Africa

ACP is a mission church and, for the past three years, a group of students have committed time each summer to travel to Africa to serve those less fortunate. During 7-20 July, approximately fifteen team members from our congregation will be traveling to Libreville, Gabon and partnering with Envision Culture during our stay in Africa. If you would like more information about this host organization and the country of Gabon, please visit their website.

While in Libreville, our team will work with medical, children’s, and construction ministries. The two medical clinics are operated by Gabonese Christian nurses and doctors, who share the Gospel while caring for people’s basic healthcare needs. Hope House, a home for abandoned children founded by an Alliance pastor and his wife, cares for the physical, emotional, and educational needs of more than 30 children. Our team will also have the opportunity to travel approximately three hours into the jungle to a village called Ebel Abanga, were we will work alongside the locals in a construction project, teaching E.S.L., and running a daytime program for children.

In order to accomplish our goals each participant must raise 1,800 euros. This total includes the cost of travel and transportation, meals and lodging, a grant giving project, and the project costs with Envision. It is our goal to ensure that medical, physical, spiritual, and financial help is provided in partnership with local Gabonese organizations.

One of our biggest and most fun fundraising initiatives is AFRICA NIGHT which will take place this year on Friday 24 May from 18h30 to 22h30 in the Theater. It is a night to experience African food, dance, and music from the four corners of the continent and meet the wonderful youth going on the trip. Come join our unforgettable sendoff party by reservation only at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at a coffee our table this Sunday!

We will also be holding a silent auction for two paintings. One was generously donated by Frank Vescio, whose work will decorate the halls of the theatre on Africa Night. The other was donated by Myriem Monghal, a Moroccan artist. The paintings will be on display in the theater this Sunday after the 11h00 service and Deborah Naa Darkua First-Quao will be there to accept your silent bid as well as speak to you about his inspiration from life in Mali. The starting bid is 200 euros. All proceeds go the youth trip in Gabon.

We encourage you to participate in ACP's all-church small-group studies. Our aim is widespread participation. Small group studies are being held in homes throughout the city, as well as the church house, on different days and times. The groups combine Bible study, community, and practical action.

Interested in leading a new group? Please contact Anne. Leaders will be given prayer and a short training by Pastor Wahila.

The following groups are formed and ready to welcome participants:

• Weekly study, Paris VI, Wednesday evening with Camilla Furman
• Couple study, twice a month, Versailles, with Angela and Dominique Grelet
• Saturday morning brunch circle with Felicia Henderson
• Community Bible Study International study of First John on Sundays from 15h30 to 17h00 in the library. As the study guide suggests, "The First Letter of John is tender, reassuring, affectionate and practical." Please contact Ariel Brown for further information.

Please come to our welcome table during the coffee hour or contact the group leaders directly.