At the grand age of 45, I suddenly discovered that my eyesight was not as good as it used to be. So I swallowed my pride, accepted that ageing is okay and purchased some reading glasses. What these rather new things at the end of my nose (or pushed up onto my head) actually do is act as mini magnifying glasses. Suddenly small details and small print are suddenly readable again – it has been quite revolutionary.
This week St Marys celebrates its Patronal Festival, and we hear again the song of Mary in her words in the Magnificat – a song that begins – “My soul magnifies the Lord and rejoices in God my Saviour”. Marys response to Gabriel’s message that she is to be the bearer of God’s Son is to say – this makes my world larger, this expands my soul, this is something to be rejoiced in. As a young pregnant girl, where shame and danger of being ostracised would have been very real, she could have sung a very different song.
The words of the Magnificat, whether spoken or sung, for me have always felt rousing and hopeful. Mary does not lament her situation but instead rejoices that God has seen her and chosen her to be a central role in the salvation of the world. To “raise the lowly… to bring down the mighty,” to begin a new way of being. And in that she strode bravely into the world and by doing so changed ours.
Services for this Sunday – 13th September 2026
8:00 am – Holy Communion – All Saints
10:00 am – Sung Holy Communion – St Mary’s
10:30am – Muddy Messy Church – All Saints
7:15pm – 9pm Generations – All Saints
Muddy Messy Church this Sunday are looking at a new Saint – it’s been a been really creative year and a worship that suits all ages. Generations re starts Sunday evening and I’m looking forward to catching up with our young people and see what they have been up to in the summer.
The Week Ahead
Tues 15th September
10:30 am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Room
Wed 16th September
9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints
2:00 pm – Bible Book Club, St Mary’s Parish Room
Thu 17th September
10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s
Fri 18th September
11:00 am – Live After Loss, St Mary’s
Sat 19th September
12:00 pm– Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s
Sun 20th September
10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10:30 am – Holy Communion with Baptism, All Saints
Blessings
Lizzie
St Mary's, Fishponds 