Erin Imbert

Erin Imbert, Librarian at Faculté Jean Calvin

Erin Imbert, Librarian at Faculté Jean Calvin

I grew up in a Christian home in the United States. While I attended a Baptist church during my childhood, I first encountered an explicitly reformed theology in high school, which provided the theological structure and consistent worldview that confirmed me in the faith and formed my Christian life. I studied business and economics in college and worked as an accountant for eight years. During that time I was asked to serve as treasurer for the Huguenot Fellowship, a non-profit organization in the U.S. that supports the Faculté Jean Calvin. Through my involvement with the Huguenot Fellowship I came to love the work of the Faculté and also, incidentally, met my husband, Professor Yannick Imbert. Prior to moving to France in 2016 I studied at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. As a lover of both books and theology, I am delighted to serve as the new librarian at Faculté Jean Calvin. I look forward to welcoming friends of the Faculté to the library on their next visit.

Quand Dans La Nuit

Kim Tran

Kim Tran

Kim Tran is the multi-talented Directeur (head of operations) of the Faculté Jean Calvin seminary in Aix-en-Provence, France. He kindly provided a marvelous video performance of a French Christmas song.

Click on Quand Dans La Nuit.

To view the lyrics and translation, click here.

Merry Christmas from The Huguenot Fellowship

Quand Dans La Nuit

Kim Tran

Kim Tran

Kim Tran is the multi-talented Directeur (head of operations) of the Faculté Jean Calvin seminary in Aix-en-Provence, France. He kindly provided a marvelous video performance of a French Christmas song.

Click on Quand Dans La Nuit.

To view the lyrics and translation, click here.

Merry Christmas from The Huguenot Fellowship

Christiane Conand

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I was born in 1964 in Strasbourg to a Christian family, member of the Reformed Protestant Church of Westhoffen (Bas-Rhin). I’ve lived in the South of France since 1987. I’m married, have two children, and a 2-year-old grandson, Matteo. Since September 1994, I’ve been the Principal Controller of Public Finance for Aix-en-Provence. Since 2002, I’ve been a member of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lambesc (Secretary of the Council 2006-2014, and Treasurer since 2015.)

I first learned of the Faculté Jean Calvin (FJC) thanks to Annie Bergèse who asked me to assist her at a conference. I did not imagine then that she would be the reason I would become so involved. In 2012, I discovered the extent of the outreach of the FJC as a member of the delegation from the National Union of Independent Reformed Evangelical Churches of France to the FJC Council.

With concern for the Word of God, and the commitment that this requires, I have recently accepted the responsibility of Treasurer of the FJC. I’m relying on the grace of God to help me best accomplish this responsibility.

Report from FJC Professor Pierre Sovann

Report from FJC Professor Pierre Sovann

Dear Friends,

As the end of my first term of service with the FJC coincided with Christmas celebrations, I have not been able to give you this update earlier in December, as planned. But it is not too late to wish you a very happy and blessed New Year 2017!

My first impressions were very positive in every respect: my relations with the administrative team, my integration into the board of Professors, my contacts with students, were most satisfying, far beyond what I anticipated.

Yannick and Erin's eNews

Dear friends and partners in the ministry,

We hope, and pray, that this first newsletter of the, still new year, 2017, finds you well!

The past month has been relatively quiet here in France. With the Christmas break, Yannick's teaching has been minimal. Moreover, the students are on their one-month internship. This allows for more writing and reasearch time. It also gives us a more flexible schedule. In the meantime, Erin is busy working on her French with a tutor and helping the church with their "Explorer" Bible school for kids 8-12 yo. It's a lot of work, and a lot of French!

Report from FJC Professor Rodrigo De Sousa

Report from FJC Professor Rodrigo De Sousa

I would like to offer a report of some of my experiences and my academic activities since my arrival at the Faculté Jean Calvin. The report comes in two parts. In the first part, I make some observations about how my family and I are adapting to this new context. In the second, I give a general outline of my first teaching responsibilities and experiences at the school.

"Minuit, Chrétiens"

Kim Tran, Director of Faculté Jean Calvin, is a talented singer and musician, as well as, administrator. He graciously provided a link to a YouTube video (click here) of his moving performance of "Minuit, Chrétiens" ("O Holy Night").

Take note that our English version of this classic Christmas carol is somewhat different than a literal translation of the French lyrics, which begin...

Midnight, Christians, is the solemn hour,
When God as man descended unto us
To erase the stain of original sin
And to end the wrath of His Father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night that gives it a Savior.

Using the Wikipedia article "O Holy Night" (click here), you may be interested to follow-along and to compare the French lyrics, based on a poem by wine merchant and poet Placide Cappeau (love that name); a literal English translation; and the more familiar version by Unitarian minister John Sullivan Dwight.

May we hear and truly take to heart the words...

People, stand up! Sing of your deliverance,
Christmas, Christmas, sing of the Redeemer!