Jesus is a fabulous storyteller. He would also use images and pictures to help us understand who God is and what that means for the world. In this week’s gospel as we approach the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost, Jesus uses the image of an “Advocate” to describe the Holy Spirit. “Advocate” is often the word that is associated with courtrooms. An advocate is a person who can speak on our behalf, who will champion our cause. 

Advocacy is a real gift – the ability to find the right words, the most persuasive way of changing hearts and minds. Often, I view this as the Holy Spirit being my advocate before God. It’s a good place to start. However, there is another way of viewing this. What if the advocate is there to also plead to me, not just for me? As we enter the end of the season of Easter, then we are assured by Jesus of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives – an advocate – who is will speak the truth to us about who God is and how that directs and guides us. The Holy Spirit is “The Advocate” in our lives, one who as we meet in prayer and worship promises to speak to us the truth of God so that our lives can be shaped more closely to reflect that of Jesus Christ. May the Spirit advocate for us and to us in our lives and may we open ourselves to listening.

This Sunday at All Saints we return with Muddy Messy Church at 10.30am – come and enjoy the spring garden and learning about our Saints (What do you know about St Dunstan?). St Mary’s holds its APCM annual meeting after the 10am Holy Communion service. I look forward to seeing you there.

SERVICES THIS SUNDAY – 10^th MAY

8am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10am – Holy Communion (and APCM)  – St Marys

10.30 – Muddy Messy Church – All Saints

(Generations will meet the following week on the 17^th May with another young people at All Saints at the earlier time of 5pm).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Mon 11th May

10:30am – Tiny Tots, All Saints

Tue 12th May     

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms

Wed 13th May

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

Thu 14th May

10:00am – Ascension Day Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Fri 15th May

11:00am – Living After Loss, St Mary’s

Sat 16th May

12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

12:00pm-3:00pm – Spring Fair & Crafts, All Saints

Sun 17th May

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

10:30am – Holy Communion and APCM All Saints

 5:00pm-7:00pm – Generations BBQ

Blessings

Revd Lizzie