Author: Sam Toogood

Polymath bluffer, lover of cricket, Wodehouse, music and F.L.O.S.S, and home-dad to Hope and Robin.

Week beginning Sunday 18th May 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

“Then what?”

It’s easy, when we are involved in a conflict, to concentrate solely on winning the struggle.  But “then what?”  What will happen afterwards?  It’s a tragedy when relationships are so damaged by one disagreement that they take ages to repair afterwards.  We may have focussed too much on getting our own way that we forget that we have to live alongside others after that.

I imagine that we are all tremendously saddened by what is happening in Gaza/Palestine/Israel.  But I read the saddest comment this week, from a hard-right Zionist, who said “Israel belongs to the Jews.  When there are no more Arabs left within our borders, we Jews will simply live in harmony with each other.  There will be endless peace”.  Even if you ignore the plight of the Palestinians, is that hope or unrealistic fantasy?  Those who achieve their goals by fighting will have fighting in their blood.  It will take generations to unlearn that, and to learn the ways of harmony and living with difference.

So much of Jesus’s life and teaching seems to ask us “then what?”.  Most of the great parables prompt us to ask “what will happen next?”  Or even more: “what should I do next?”  Even the resurrection asks that.  The resurrection may be the triumph of life over death, of love over evil.  But then what?  As we turn towards Pentecost, this question urges, encourages us onwards.

Services this Sunday 18th May 2025

10.00 – Sung Holy Communion – St Mary’s

10.30 – Sung Holy Communion – All Saints

12.00 – St Mary’s APCM

Week Ahead

Monday 19th May

10.30am – Tiny Tots – All Saints 

Tuesday 20th May

10:30am – M4T – St Mary’s

Weds 21st May

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints 

Thurs 22nd May

10:00am –  Holy Communion – St. Mary’s                           

Saturday 24th May

10:00 – 11:30am – Coffee Morning for Christian Aid – St Mary’s

12.00 – 2:00pm – Saturday Lunches  – St Mary’s 

Sunday 25th May

8:00am – Holy Communion – All Saints 

10:00am – Holy Communion– St Mary’s 

10.30am – Café Church – All Saints 


Revd Bob.

Week beginning Sunday 11th May 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Galt Museum & Archives on Unsplash

This last week we have taken time to mark the 80th anniversary of VE day. It’s a time of celebration, nostalgia and sober reflection. The relief that was felt at the end of the European war inextricably linked to the reality of years of loss and suffering and a realisation that WWII was still raging. 

Watching the special events on tv, I was especially moved by the last remaining survivors of the services as they reflected on what this meant, all of them now in their 90s and older-a sombre reminder that soon these events will pass from living memory. Their dignity, strength and decency were tangible, as was the sense of the loss of so much to the war.

The plea for peace was framed with the awareness of ongoing conflicts, especially with the presence of Ukrainian troops. We need to remember, learn and reflect. 

Where is God in war? Nations and leaders may invoke their version of God to support their side, but Jesus is not with them. He is with all the people caught up in war. Jesus suffers alongside us when we suffer, shares our pain, our grief., stands alongside, knowing what is like to suffer. Let us be inspired by God to see the image of Christ in all of humanity, in all its richness and diversity but especially alongside those who suffer in the wars that continue to bring pain and suffering.

Amen

Sunday 11th May (Fourth Sunday of Easter)

8.00am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10.00am – Holy Communion – St. Mary’s

10.30am – Muddy Messy Church – All Saints

The Week Ahead

Monday 12th May

10.30am – Tiny Tots – All Saints Link Room

5.15pm – Squirrels – All Saints Community Hall

6.15pm – Beavers – All Saints Community Hall

Tuesday 13th May

10.30am – Music 4 Toddlers – St. Mary’s Church

Wednesday 14th May

9.00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints Church

Thursday 15th May

10.00am – Holy Communion – St. Marys Church

6.30pm – Cubs – All Saints Community Hall

8.00pm – Scouts – All Saints Community Hall

Friday 16th May

12.00pm – Living after Loss – St. Mary’s Church

Saturday 17th May

12.00pm – 3.00pm – All Saints Spring Fayre – All Saints Community Hall

12.00pm – 1.30pm – Saturday Lunches – St. Mary’s Church

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen

Blessings

Fr Kester de Oliveira

Week beginning Sunday 4th May 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

BBQs on the Beach

One of my enduring memories as a teenager was being part of a youth pilgrimage to Whitby. After a 70 mile week of walking, we awoke early in the morning at Whitby and made our way to the beach. There a group of 30 young pilgrims and their leaders celebrated communion and had a BBQ on the beach for breakfast. Every time I read John 21, the gospel for this Sunday, and hear how Jesus meets his disciples on the shore of Lake Galilee for a resurrection fish breakfast, I remember this faith moment. We had all been changed by our weeks walking together, tired from our journeying but full of hope for what might be next. May we know and notice this Eastertide the changes that God brings about in our lives, as we pilgrimage together in this season.

Our worship this Sunday 4th May

10am – Creative Church – St Mary’s

10.30am – Holy Communion with Band and Junior Church – All Saints

6.30pm – Evensong – St Mary’s

Plenty of times to join together this weekend, with the Fishponds Arts Trail, Repair cafe and Saturday lunches. The All Saints fair is in a fortnight on Sat 17th May. 

The Week Ahead

Monday 5th May

10.30am Tiny Tots – All Saints
Tuesday 6th May

10:30am – M4T – St Mary’s
Wednesday 7th May

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints
Thursday 8th May

10:00am – Holy Communion – St. Mary’s
Friday 9th May

12.30pm – Concert – St Mary’s
Saturday 10th May

12.00 – 2:00pm – Saturday Lunches – St Mary’s
Sunday 11th May

8.00am – Holy Communion – All Saints
10:00am – Holy Communion– St Mary’s
10:30am – Muddy Messy Church
11.30am – All Saints APCM
7.15pm – Generations – All Saints

Blessings

Revd Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 27th April 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

It’s that wonderful time of year when Spring feels really tangible. After the cold and dark of winter we start to see sunshine and colour everywhere. The days are longer and brighter, and you can smell the new fragrances of Spring in the air.

We are celebrating Christ’s  resurrection, the event that remade us as Easter people, a rebirth-the spring-of our own lives of faith. It is appropriate that we are doing so this coming Sunday in a Joint Benefice Service at St Marys to celebrate as a whole church community. Like Spring, this is a wonderful time, but also one of promise. Nature  does not stay permanently in Spring. 

Spring  is beautiful, but part of that beauty is its transitory nature. Christ’s resurrection is our spiritual spring, but then it becomes the spiritual summer with his ascending to be once more with God and the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Our own spiritual spring leads onto our spiritual summer where  we grow and develop, 

Thomas, aka Doubting Thomas, represents an important part of this faith journey. He is not reprimanded for his question. Instead, Jesus responds and provides the answer he seeks. And he continues to do so when we also ask questions. God does not force blind, unexplored faith. Our journeys with faith are unique and are all the richer for their questions, their times of doubt and reflection. God welcomes our most honest and heartfelt questions and will provide an answer-even if it is not immediately or not in the way we expect. Thomas is our example, so instead of Doubting Thomas he can be Bold Thomas, Thoughtful Thomas, even Faithful Thomas.

Amen

This Sunday 27th April (Second Sunday of Easter)

8.00am Holy Communion – All Saints

10.00am Joint Benefice Service Holy Communion – St. Marys NB. NO 10.30am service at All Saints

The Week Ahead

Monday 28th April

Tiny Tots – 10.30am All Saints Community Hall

Beavers – 6.15pm. All Saints Community Hall

Wednesday 30th April 

Celtic Morning Prayers – 9.00am.    All Saints Church

Thursday 1st May

Holy Communion – 10.00am. St. Mary’s Church

Cubs – 6.30pm.   All Saints Community Hall

Scouts – 8.00pm. All Saints Community Hall

Friday 2nd May

Living after Loss – 11am to 12noon. St. Mary’s Church

Saturday 3rd May.       

Coffee Morning  & Repair Café – 10am to 12noon.   All Saints Church

Saturday Lunches – 12noon to 1.30pm. Please note the change of time

Next Sunday 4th May (Third Sunday of Easter)

10.00am             Creative Church – St. Mary’s

10.30am.            Holy Communion – All Saints

6.30                    Evensong – St. Mary’s

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen

Week beginning Sunday 20th April 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

Happy Easter- when it comes!

For most of the last week, I have greeted people with a “Happy Easter” with the caveat….”when it comes”.  Not knowing if I will see that person again before the “Big Day” it seems the right greeting. And we are still in that paused moment, when Easter has not yet arrived, but it is very very near. 

Easter, when it comes, is the moment that Christians believe changed the world absolutely and forever. Having walked the road of Lent and Holy week, of foot washing, agape meals, silence and Good Friday we are now almost at that time. A time when around the world in all shapes and sizes people will gather and sing and say “Alleluia – Christ is Risen”. A statement of faith and truth for Christians. 

So may I also wish you a Happy Easter here, in the hope of seeing you and being with you to celebrate this over the coming weekend. 

EASTER SERVICES – 19th and 20th APRIL

7.30pm – SATURDAY NIGHT – 19th APRIL – Easter Vigil, Fire and First Holy Communion. – St Mary’s

10am – SUNDAY AM – 20th APRIL- All Age Holy Communion – St Mary’s

10.30 – SUNDAY AM – 20th APRIL- All Age Holy Communion – All Saints

6.30pm – SUNDAY EVE – 20th APRIL – Easter Choral Evensong – St Mary’s

Blessings and Happy Easter

Revd Lizzie. 

Week beginning Sunday 13th April 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

Palms – Hands, Branches and Donkeys

Every story has a beginning, a middle and an end (or so some say). This week, Palm Sunday arguably marks all three. It is an ending of Lent. A beginning of Holy Week. And it marks an interjection in the midst between the two.  A day of remembering, retelling, taking part in the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. A day which marks the beginning but also draws us to the ending . A week which sees processions, fickle crowds, rowdy temples, unjust trials, eating, sleeping, praying, dying and rising. It is the story which for Christians holds profound truth about who God is and how God acts. May we all be invited into this Holiest of weeks together.

This Sunday our worship allows us to open the palms of our own hands to receive God with the palm branches as we re discover again this life giving story.

PALM SUNDAY – Sunday 13th April

8am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10am – Sung Palm Sunday Holy Communion Service- St Marys

10.30 – Palm Procession Service – All Saints

7.15 – Generations Youth Group – All Saints

The week ahead

Tuesday 15th

11am – Pat Jones Funeral – All Saints

6.30pm – Holy Communion – All Saints

Wednesday 16th

9am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints

6.30pm – Taize – All Saints

Thursday 17th

10.30 – Chrism Mass – Bristol Cathedral

6.30pm – Agape – All Saints

7.30pm – Maundy Thursday Holy Communion – St Marys

Friday 18th

10.30 – Good Friday Children’s Activities – All Saints

1.30pm – Liturgy of Good Friday – St Marys

2pm – Last Hour – All Saints

Saturday 19th

12-1.30pm – Sat Lunches

 7.30pm – Easter Eve Holy Fire, Vigil and First Communion of Easter – St Marys

Sunday 20th

10am – Easter Sunday Holy Communion – St Marys

10.30am – Easter Sunday Holy Communion – All Saints

6.30pm – Easter Choral Evensong – St Marys.

Oh….and a interesting poem I discovered this week to ponder about a Donkey by GK Chesterton ( because…why not on Palm Sunday)

When fishes flew and forests walked
   And figs grew upon thorn,
Some moment when the moon was blood
   Then surely I was born.
With monstrous head and sickening cry
   And ears like errant wings,
The devil’s walking parody
   On all four-footed things.
The tattered outlaw of the earth,
   Of ancient crooked will;
Starve, scourge, deride me: I am dumb,
   I keep my secret still.
Fools! For I also had my hour;
   One far fierce hour and sweet:
There was a shout about my ears,
   And palms before my feet.

God Bless

Revd Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 6th April 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

This week brings us to the Fifth Sunday of Lent, and the beginning of Passiontide, leading us through the final weeks of Lent to Holy Week and Good Friday.

In John’s Gospel this week some of those closest to Jesus are beginning to understand where the road to Jerusalem is leading in the interaction with Mary, Lazarus and Judas.  

A time for us to particularly turn our thoughts and reflection to the Passion of Christ in the light of his suffering, taunting and subsequent crucifixion.  We all have the chance to delve into this together at St Mary’s this Sunday evening with Passiontide readings and music. 

Our worship this Sunday 6th April

10:00am – Creative Church – St Mary’s

10:30am – Holy Communion with hymns and Junior Church – All Saints 

6:30pm – Passiontide Readings and Music- St Mary’s 

The week Ahead

Monday 7th

7:30pm Lent Group 1 

Wednesday 9th

9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints 

2:00pm Lent Group 2 – St Mary’s 

Thursday 10th

10:00am Holy Communion – St Mary’s 

Friday 11th

12:30pm Lunchtime Concert – St Mary’s 

Saturday 12th

12:00pm Saturday Lunches- St Mary’s 

11:00am Stations of the Cross at Dither Wood (Bring a picnic, lifts available sign-up sheet at St Mary’s or speak to Charlie or Kester) 

Sunday 13th

8:00am – Holy Communion – All Saints 

10:00am – Palm Sunday – St Mary’s 

10:30am – Palm Sunday– All Saints 

7:15pm – Generations – All Saints Link

Blessings, 

Charlie 

Week beginning Sunday 30th March 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

This week we have a mini pause from Lent and celebrate “Mothering Sunday”. A  mix of traditions and emotions, Mothering Sunday comes originally from people returning from their work places to their Mother Church and parishes. One of the readings for this week is from Colossians. It speaks of humility, kindness, compassion and patience, all things that all people are encouraged to practice in daily life, rhythms and rituals. As a church we gather as a “family”, a hybrid of people of different ages and stages, life experiences, wisdom and folly and together collectively try to understand how these Christ centred practices might be lived out in life. 

Our worship this Sunday 30th March – (Remembering that the clocks go forward!)

8.00am – BCP – Holy Communion – All Saints

10.00am – Sung All Age Communion – St Marys

10.30am – All Age Communion (with band)  – All Saints

The Week Ahead

Monday 31st

7.30pm – Lent Group 1 

10.30am – Tiny Tots – All Saints

Tuesday 1st

10.30am – M4T – St Mary’s

Wednesday 2nd

9.00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints 

Thursday 3rd

10.00am – Holy Communion  – St. Mary’s 

Friday 4th

11.00am – Living after Loss – St Mary’s

Saturday 5th

10.00am – Coffee Morning and Book Sale with Bristol Repair Café – All Saints 

12.00pm- Saturday Lunches  – St Mary’s  

Sunday 6th

10.00am – Creative Church – St Mary’s

10.30am – Holy Communion and Junior Church – All  Saints 

6.30pm – Passiontide readings and Music– St. Mary’s 

Blessings

Revd Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 23rd March 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

This week our Lent course, from Charlie Bell’s book Searched me out and known me, looks at what it means to be “holy”, reflecting on Psalm 32 and today’s gospel reading from Luke’s gospel. The word “holy” has a rich range of meanings. This is just as true of the Greek and Hebrew languages in which the bible was originally written.

One meaning of “holy” is to be set apart for the service of God. When people refer to the communion table in church as the “holy table”, what they are saying is that this piece of furniture has been set aside for a specific use in our services. Because of that use, it is something special and should be treated with respect. In the same way, we are all set aside for God’s service in our baptism. As such, we are all holy and we are all saints, because we are set aside for God’s service.

But there is another much deeper and richer meaning to what it means to be “holy”. It is to have something of God about you. In Christian terms, it means to be Christ-like. Although we are made in the image of God, we can become more like Christ. This growing in the likeness of Christ is sometimes referred to as “sanctification”. It is the central purpose of our lent disciplines. We look to see where we are falling short or missing the mark and try to change our attitudes and behaviours, so we follow Christ more closely. In more traditional language, we repent of our sins.

We will have more opportunities to think about this at our Lent groups on Monday evening and Wednesday afternoon.

This Sunday we have our normal fourth Sunday pattern with Holy Communion at 8.00 am at All Saints and 10.00 am at St Mary’s. The 10.30 am service is Café Church, where we will be continuing our look at Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. This week we will be looking at chapter six and seven and considering what they teach us about freedom.

This gives us the following services for Sunday 23rd March:

8.00 am – All Saints – Holy Communion (said)

10.00 am – St Mary’s – Holy Communion

10.30 am – All Saints – Café Church

Our Lent groups continue this week on Monday evening at 7.30 pm and Wednesday afternoon at 2.00 pm. In addition, we have our usual weekly services of Celtic Morning Prayer at 9.00 am on Wednesday at All Saints and Holy Communion at 10.00 am on Thursday at St Mary’s.

Monday 24th March

7.30 pm – Lent group -Contact me for location

Wednesday 26th March

9.00 am – Celtic morning prayer -All Saints

2.00 pm – Lent group – St Mary’s parish room

Thursday 27th March

10.00 am – Holy Communion – St Mary’s

Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday, so we have services of Holy Communion at St Mary’s and All Saints. In addition, there will be a service of Holy Communion according to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer at 8.00 am.

This gives the following services for Sunday 30th March:

8.00 am – All Saints – Holy Communion (BCP)

10.00 am – St Mary’s – Holy Communion

10.00 am – All Saints – Holy Communion

As we enter the third full week of Lent, let us pray for God’s guidance and we seek to grow in the likeness of Christ

Eternal God, give us insight
to discern your will for us,
to give up what harms us,
and to seek the perfection we are promised in Jesus Christ, our Lord.

God bless,

Mark

Week beginning Sunday 16th March 2025

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

Dear Friends in Christ,

How are you doing with your Lenten observances? The desire to give up things such as chocolate or social media are laudable but also so easy to stray from. Or there’s the temptation to abstain and then binge when Lent is completed (or is that just me!). 

But maybe we can take on new things-ways of behaviour, devoting more time to spiritual practices. Whilst our other period  of preparation at Advent is one of joyous anticipation, Lent is more poignant and sober, but also a time of beauty and depth. But both conclude in times of joy.

The book we are studying for Lent (Searched me Out and Known Me by Charlie Bell) this week reminded us what we base Lent upon-Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness (note not a desert as is often thought). Jesus needed this time alone with God to discern his own identity following his baptism before he began his ministry.

So as we continue in our Lenten journey let us mirror and reflect upon this foundational moment in Jesus’ life.

This Sunday – 16th  March (Lent 2)

10:00am    Holy Communion – St. Mary’s

 10:30am   Holy Communion with Hymns – All Saints
 

The Week Ahead

Monday 17th March

Tiny Tots – 10.30-12.00 All Saints Community Hall

Squirrels – 5.15pm  All Saints Community Hall

Evening Lent Group  7.30pm

Tuesday 18th March

Music for Toddlers – 10.30am St Mary’s Church

Wednesday 19th March

Celtic Morning Prayer – 9.00-9.30am All Saints Church

Afternoon Lent Group – 2.00-3.30pm St. Mary’s Church (note new time)

Thursday 20th March

Holy Communion – 10.00am.  St. Mary’s Church

Cubs – 6.30pm. All Saints Community Hall

Scouts – 8.00pm All Saints Community Hall

Friday 21st March

Living After Loss – 11am St. Mary’s Church

Saturday 22nd March

Saturday Lunches – 12pm St. Mary’s Church

Next Sunday – 23rd March (Lent 3)

8.00am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10:00am – Sung Holy Communion – St Marys

10.30am – Cafe Church – All Saints

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen

 

Blessings

 

Fr Kester de Oliveira