Welcome to St Mary’s church, Fishponds!
Nestled in an oasis of green in the urban sprawl of northeast Bristol, next to Fishponds Park, the congregation of St Mary’s Fishponds has been worshiping God and serving our community for over 200 years. We offer a warm welcome to anyone who wants to come, wherever you are on your journey through life and faith, through hospitality, worship, prayer and pastoral support. As half of the benefice of All Saints and St Mary, we work closely with our partner church All Saints. We believe in a God who is compassionate and surprising, just and merciful, and we would love you to join us.
Coming Up
This week:
- Week beginning Sunday 12th July 2026
Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash As I prepare for my first weekend as a newly ordained deacon, I simply want to say thank you for your welcome, encouragement, prayers, gifts and cards. Beginning my ordained ministry is both joyful and humbling, and I am excited to start this new chapter with you all.
Throughout many seasons of life and faith, I have found myself returning to these words from Isaiah:
“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you and help you…”
(Isaiah 41:10)These words have encouraged and nurtured me for many years, and they felt especially significant throughout my ordination weekend. Again and again, the same message seemed to emerge in different ways: in Bishop Neil’s charge to us as ordinands, in the gospel reading in the ordination service, and in the beautiful Stopford anthem, Do Not Be Afraid, sung at Evensong in St Mary’s on Sunday evening.
It’s struck me that, as helpful as these words have been to me, perhaps these are words many of us need to hear and be reminded of from time to time.
Whatever lies before us — new beginnings, uncertainty, worries, responsibilities or challenges — may we hear again God’s gentle reassurance: Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Our worship and readings this weekend help point us to this continual presence.
I am looking forward to settling into the Benefice full time, getting to know you all a little more, and seeing what God has in store. My new contact details are at the bottom of this email, should you wish to get in touch at any time.
The opportunities to join us for worship this Sunday are:
8:00 am – Holy Communion, All Saints
10:00 am – Sung Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10:30 am – All-Age Communion Celebration, All Saints – Join us to celebrate our young people, Junior Church and Muddy Messy Church
THE WEEK AHEAD
Mon 13th July
10:30 am – Tiny Tots, All Saints
Wed 15th July
9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints
Thu 16th July
10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s
Fri 17th July
11:00 am – Living After Loss, St Mary’s
Sat 18th July
12:00 -1:30 pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s
Sun 19th July
10:00 am – Baptism and Holy Communion St Mary’s
10:30 am – Sung Holy Communion, All Saints
Generations at the vicarage – Speak to Revd Lizzie
Blessings,
Rev’d Charlie
If you wish to worship at home, you may find this service helpful.
St Mary's, Fishponds 