It is rare to find a piece of scripture from the fiery prophet Ezekiel that feels comforting. Yet this week in the scriptures of Ezekial and later in Marks gospel we have images of two different types of places that give shelter. The Cedar Tree in the Old Testament gives a majestic picture of a strong and sturdy place where creatures can make a home. In Marks picture there is a scrappy and straggly shrub of a mustard seed which gives a place to call home to all creatures who find their way to it. I love both images as they connect deeply to how I know God. “What does the kingdom of God look like?” is the question that is pondered by Jesus. The picture he then draws us to is that of a tree in which all creatures can find a home and make a home. We all need a home. Somewhere we can go to where we are safe and warm. A place where we know how we are connected together as people and tribes. A place that is protective and welcomes us. It can be large and secure like the Cedar and as scrappy and straggly as the mustard tree – as long as we know it is our home and that we are invited to take our place in it. Come and take your place.

Our worship this weekend Sunday 16^th June 

10am – Sung Holy Communion – St Mary’s

10.30am Holy Communion with Hymns – All Saints

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday 18th June

10.30am – M4T – St Mary’s

Weds 19th June

9.00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints 

9.15pm – All Saints PCC

Thursday 20th June

10.00am – Holy Communion  – St. Mary’s 

Saturday 22nd June

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

Sunday 23rd June    

8.00am – Holy Communion – All Saints 

10.00am – Sung Holy Communion – St Mary’s 

10.30am Cafe Church – All Saints 

On the mountain height of Israel  I will plant it, in order that it may produce boughs and bear fruit, and become a noble cedar. 

Under it every kind of bird will live; in the shade of its branches will nest winged creatures of every kind.

Ezekiel 22:23

Blessings and prayers 

Revd Lizzie

This past week has given us time for sombre and grateful remembrance as we have marked the 80^th anniversary of D Day. Amongst all the formality and history, what struck me most was the humility and grace of the various veterans that were interviewed. Alongside this was the power of grief and loss that was still raw after such a vast amount of time. For those of us born after these events it can be too easy to lose that reality of human suffering amongst the details of history and sadly also a nostalgic narrative that can soften the sad reality with a patina of acceptable memories. These dignified veterans were and are the core of this period of commemoration.

Listening to them and their pleas for peace for the future gained extra power by the coming together of people and leaders from a diversity of countries, sharing in a common humanity. They were united in this commemorative act.

It would be wonderful if humanity could simply be united in genuine love and grace, and this is the vision Jesus gives us in this weeks text. When his family come for him, waiting outside and concerned about his sanity, Jesus radically redefines the definition of family. The shared value is the acceptance of God, but this forms a new family that welcomes all-there are no barriers, no exclusions. He is not rejecting his blood family-he is expanding it, so we too are part of this vast, diverse and dynamic human family, and this is the good news that we can reflect upon this week.

The services and events for the coming week are:

Sunday 9^th June

8.00 – Holy Communion – All Saints

10.00 – Holy Communion- St. Mary’s

10.30 – Muddy Messy Church – All Saints

7.15 – Generation Youth Group – All Saints Community Hall

The Week Ahead

Monday 10th June

Tiny Tots – 10.30am – All Saints Community Hall

Beavers – 6.30pm – All Saints Community Hall

Tuesday 11^th June

Music for Toddlers – 10.30am – St Marys Parish Room

Wednesday 12th June

Celtic Morning Prayer – 9.00am – All Saints Church

Thursday 13th June

Holy Communion – 10.00am – St. Marys Church

13th Cub Scouts – 6.45pm – All Saints Community Hall

13th Scouts – 8.00pm – All Saints Community Hall

Friday 14th June

Living After Loss – 11.00am – St. Mary’s Church

Choir + – 6.30pm – All Saints Church

Saturday 15th June

Saturday Lunches – 12-.002pm – St. Marys Church

Sunday 16^th June

10:00am – Holy Communion – St. Mary’s

10:30am – Holy Communion – 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

Revd Kester de Oliveira

As we embark on the season of Trinity, a season that lasts till All Saints Day, we return to the gospel of Mark. Mark’s gospel brings with it a sharpness and urgency to Jesus’ ministry. This week we are reminded of the conflict that arose early on between Jesus and his fellow religious leaders of the day. 

Conflict, discord, disagreement between individuals, groups and nations is something that we are all very aware of. Some conflicts are easily resolved, and although challenging at the time, they can be significant moments of learning and understandings. Other conflicts can be overwhelming and messy and seemingly impossible to find resolution. 

Yet learning to live well together is a holy calling. That doesn’t necessarily mean coming to some middle ground and compromise, indeed it can be a call for all people in that conflict to be changed – for everyone to move to a different position or place. 

Sometimes, when pondering and praying, just by physically moving to a different place and position can help adjust how I think and feel about an idea, a situation or a person. Lying on my back looking up at the stars, moving closer to a window to stare at it more fully, bending in prayer or rising to stetch my limbs can bring a fresh way of observing and being in the world. A reminder that we are rooted in our bodies, as living and breathing gospel people and recognising that the other person staring back at me, is also just as precious in God’s sight.

Our worship this Sunday 2^nd June

10am – Creative Church – Looking at the Saints – St Marys

10.30am – Holy Communion with Junior Church – All Saints

6.30pm – Evensong – St Marys

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 3^rd June

10.30am – Tiny Tots – All Saints

Tuesday 4th June

10:30am – M4T  – St Marys

 Weds 5th June

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints 

Thursday 6th June

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

Saturday 8th June

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

Sunday 9th June

8:00am – Holy Communion – All Saints 

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

10:30am – Muddy Church – All Saints 

 7:15pm – Generations – All Saints 

Please find attached the readings, weekly sheets and also the Holiday Bible Club Poster 2024 – places are filling up so book soon to confirm a space.

Blessings

Revd Lizzie

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

From the very start of the church, Christians have recognized God the Father, the transcendent creator, above and beyond the created order of time and space, loving all that we know into being. We have known God the Son, the incarnate word of God, the visible image of the unseen God, living, dying, and rising in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. We have experienced God the Holy Spirit, the presence of God with us, strengthening us and guiding us into all truth. At the same time Christians have held onto the fundamental truth that there is only one God and that we believe in one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Over the centuries, pondering the mystery of God has led to a rich tradition of ideas of what this means, both for us as individuals and for the church as a community committed to following the way of Christ in the power of the Spirit. This Sunday, we have an opportunity to reflect on some of these ideas at the 8am Holy Communion at All Saints and the 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s.

At Café Church at All Saints, we will look at our next character from the book of Samuel. Saul, the first king of Israel, was a tall and handsome man, looking every part the king.  Yet he was never quite sure of himself and failed to trust in God. He became consumed by his jealousy for his young general, David, and David’s success on the battlefield. We will look at how David reacted to Saul’s jealousy, and what it might mean to love our enemies.

This gives the following services for this Sunday:

8.00 am – All Saints – Holy Communion (said)

10.00 am – St Mary’s – Holy Communion

10.30 am – All Saints – Café Church

We have our usual midweek services with Celtic Morning Prayer at 9am at All Saints on Wednesday and Holy Communion at St Mary’s at 10am on Thursday. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, so we have Creative Church at 10.00 am at St Mary’s, Holy Communion with Junior Church at 10.30 am at All Saints and Evensong at 6.30 pm at St Mary’s. This gives the following services for the coming week:

Wednesday 29^th May

9.00 am – All Saints – Celtic Morning Prayer

Thursday 30^th May

10.00 am – St Mary’s – Holy Communion

Sunday 2^nd June

10.00 am – St Mary’s – Creative Church

10.30 am – All Saints – Holy Communion

6.30 am – St Mary’s – Evensong

So, in union with Christ and in the power of the Spirit, let us pray to the Father:

Holy God,
faithful and unchanging:
enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth, and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen

Yours in Christ

 Mark

This Sunday is the great Feast of Pentecost, and I can’t help but hum and sing to myself the hymn “Come Holy Ghost our Souls inspire”. I find the ancient lilting tune of the 16^th Century to be both haunting and comforting. It is perhaps also poignant as it is the hymn that is sung at the Ordinations of Deacons and Priests, normally the first verse and line being a solo by the Bishop, It has always felt like a moment of complete trust and fragility. Not many people enjoy singing solo lines in front of hundreds of people, and yet on our knees in prayer as the body of Christ, we ask for the Holy Spirit in that place to “inspire our souls”. 

The Holy Spirit is the inspiration in our lives. Often described in multiple ways, breath, fire, wind, power –  to try and explain that life force that is in each person we encounter. The drive and force and breath of our lives. This week in worship join us as we pray, sing and reflect on this part of the Christian faith.

THIS SUNDAY 19^th MAY – PENTECOST

10am – Sung Holy Communion- St Marys

10.30am – Holy Communion with Hymns – All Saints

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday 20^th May

10.30am  – Tiny Tots – All Saints 

Tuesday 21^st May       

10:30am – M4T – St Mary’s

Weds 22^nd May          

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints

Thursday 23^rd  May     

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

Saturday 25^th May     

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

Sunday 26^th May          

8.00am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10:00am Sung Holy Communion, Trinity – St Marys

10.30am Cafe Church – All Saints

May God’s peace and protection and blessing rest on each and everyone of us, may we encounter the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives and may we in turn be inspired to bring light and goodness in  God’s name to other people in the week. Amen

Revd Lizzie

Thy Kingdom Come

“Thy Kingdom Come” are some of the most powerful words of the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples and teaches us today. They invite, welcome, anticipate and encourage into our lives, what God desires for the world. Not the little kingdoms that we build around ourselves, but the bigger, bolder vision of a world created, at rest, in love, and at peace. Sometimes we feel a fair distance from that, and yet – each week – we sincerely pray it.

 “Thy Kingdom Come” is the strapline for this time of prayer between the feasts of Ascension and Pentecost. A time when the church prays for the coming of God’s kingdom, in that we accept the task that Jesus gives us and wait and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us in that task. For us in the parishes it is also a time of APCMs and the importance of reflecting together whilst looking back on what we have noticed and been part of, and looking forwards towards where we might be taken by the Holy Spirit in the coming year. 

This is also the week that Christian Aid Week occurs, a time when we can be part of and are invited into being part of seeing God’s kingdom come through the work of this Worldwide Church. Envelopes are available in both churches as we worship together this week.

Our services this week include

8:00am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10:00am – Sung Holy Communion (followed by the APCM) – St Marys

10.30am – Muddy/Messy Church – All Saints

7.15pm – Generations – All Saints

THE WEEK AHEAD 

Tuesday 14th May

10:30am – M4T – St Mary’s

Weds 15th May

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints 

Thursday 16th May

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

Friday 17th May

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

Saturday 18th May

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

12:00 – 15:00 – Spring Fayre (with Dog Show) – All Saints 

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

Sunday 19th May

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

10:30am – Holy Communion – All Saints 

12.00  – All Saints APCM 

I love the month of May – especially when we see the sun a little more. I found a 7 fold piece of poetry about creation that I wanted to share with you, as we are invited into the rest that God desires for his Kingdom.

Blessing and rest, delight in everything, 

Sustained by your strong love and richly blest, 

This is the gift you give, the day you bring

Blessing and rest.

This is the ‘gladness of the best’, From the lines in the east where linnets sing, 

To where the last light lingers in the west.

You lift the cares to which I used to cling, 

As you yourself descend to be my guest 

And show me how to find in everything 

Blessing and rest.

Malcolm Guite  – Parable and Paradox

May you all know the blessing and rest that God desires for the Kingdom.

Blessings

Revd Lizzie

Fruit that will last 

 

 

Hello there!

This week I enjoyed my first taste of Cheddar strawberries. The luscious red fruits gleamed at me temptingly from their prominent podium on the greengrocer’s stall on Henleaze High Street, shouting ‘Buy me!’ I was smitten. In this Sunday’s Gospel reading from John Jesus is giving a pep talk to his disciples. He is sending them out as God’s beloved into the world to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last’.  We also want our strawberries to last beyond summer, don’t we? That’s why we bottle them and make jam. But jam isn’t just admired in a jar, it gets eaten pretty quickly. But what kind of fruit could Jesus be talking about –that has a lasting quality and enduring impact, I wonder?

Love in action

Jesus sees how his disciples have stuck with him through thick and thin. So at this moment, before he goes to the cross, he confirms his love for them and his trust in them by calling them no longer servants but friends. Friends of Jesus love God, love one another, and love people beyond their inner circle – and commit to one another in love. Where might this happen through All Saints and St.Mary’s, as we become better informed and more aware of the experiences of young people and their gifts and needs?

Loving our communities

It all comes down to love. Yet love is not passive. Love is active and committed to everyone’s wellbeing and flourishing. I witnessed that kind of love in effortful action at the first ever Citizens UK Youth Assembly in Bristol held last Monday at City Academy. In the words of Senior Community Organiser, Fiona Meldrum, the event was  ‘an exciting opportunity to reimagine what Politics could look like at across Somerset and Avon when we are able to bring communities and decision makers together for the common good. There is no doubt that we are all concerned about the recent rise in violence in our communities. Sometimes fear can lead us to retreat. But through community organising, we are building the power to offer hope that things can be different and we can find solutions to tackle this issue.’

Primary and secondary students from Taunton to Bristol had spent months with teachers and trainers from Citizens UK –and with support from faith communities and other local support networks– calling for changes in their local communities, culminating in addressing the Police and Crime Commissioner candidates in person. The story continues below the weekly information. You can find out more about Citizens UK here. 

Services this Sunday 5^th May

Readings: Acts 10:44-48; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15.9-17

10.00 – St.Mary’s – Creative Church

10.30 – All Saints – Holy Communion

6.30pm – St.Mary’s – Evensong

Services and events in the week ahead

Monday 6^th – Tiny Tots not meeting due to Bank Holiday

Tuesday 7^th – 10.30 – 11.30 – St Mary’s Parish Room – Music for Toddlers

Wednesday 8^th – 09.00-9.30 – All Saints Church – Celtic Prayers

Thursday 9^th – 10.00-11.00 – St Mary’s Church – Ascension Day Holy Communion

Saturday 11^th – 12.00-1.30 – St Mary’s Church – Saturday Lunches – all welcome

Sunday 12^th

08.00 – All Saints Church – Said Holy Communion

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

10.30 – All Saints Church – Messy Muddy Church

At the Citizens Youth Assembly young people movingly shared their stories about situations and events that had made them feel unsafe, angry or fearful. We heard about actions they’d already taken to change and improve matters. The young people finally presented a list of formal ‘asks’. They called on the PCCs to work towards further specific goals to enable young people to feel safer and flourish. The PCCs agreed (budgets permitting) to do so. Here is one of their asks. ‘Will you acknowledge the importance of diversionary activities (such as boxing) in preventing youth violence and crime and will you ring-fence money to fund it for the next four-year term?’

Reflective prayer was included in the evening. A row of students held lit candles in the darkened school hall to remember victims of knife crime while we listened to Stormzy’s words: Lord I’ve been broken, although I’m not worthy, you fixed me, now I’m blinded by your grace, you came and saved me.

The Youth Assembly was the most inspirational and thought-provoking event I have attended in a long time.

Let us pray and commit to finding ways to engage with young people and work with them on local issues of common concern, and may this week’s prayer spur us on to do so. 

Risen Christ, your wounds declare your love for the world and the wonder of your risen life: give us compassion and courage to risk ourselves for those we serve, to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

Revd Diane, curate

As we continue in the seasonal joy of Easter we are invited to reflect on one of the “I AM” sayings of Jesus in John’s gospel. There are 7 different ways in which Jesus describes himself by using the words “I AM”.  The last one of these is “I AM the vine” as Jesus speaks with his friends about what his life is about and will be about for them and others. It is a powerful image of connection. The fruit that we see on vines, be them beautiful to look at or good to eat are dependant on being attached to the vine. Jesus asks us to consider how we each flourish, and what it is that connects us and nourishes our lives. 

A way of connecting, is our worship when we come together to give thanks for God and the life and love that we can know through God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Cafe Church is back this weekend at All Saints at 10.30am, with a chance to have some more informal time together, studying and discussing the biblical themes in the Book of Samuel. If you haven’t been to Cafe Church before then it is a great way to get to know people better, to learn together and from each other as well as to have what my kids call “Second Breakfast!”.

All Saints also have a quiet and short communion at 8am and St Marys has a sung Communion at 10am.

 

This Sunday 28^th April 2024

 

8am – Said Communion – All Saints

 

10am – Sung Communion – St Marys

 

10.30am – Cafe Church – All Saints

 

The Week Ahead

Tuesday 30th April 10:30am – M4T

Weds 1st May 9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints

Thursday 2nd May 10:00am – Holy Communion – St. Mary’s

Friday 3rd May 10:00am – ‘Living After Loss’ Group – St. Mary’s

Saturday 4th May 10:00am – Coffee Morning Repair Café – All Saints

12.00 – 2:00pm – Saturday Lunches – St Marys

Sunday 5th May 

10:00am – Creative Church – St Marys

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

 6:30pm – Evensong – St. Mary’s

Malcolm Guite’s poems bring me a huge amount of joy and Christian spiritual nourishment, so I commend the following to you all. Looking forward to worshipping with you this weekend.

 

I AM the Vine

How might it feel to be part of the vine?

Not just to see the vineyard from afar

Or even to pluck the clusters, press the wine,

but to be grafted in, to feel the stir

Of inward sap that rises from our root,

Himself deep planted in the ground of ove,

To feel a leaf unfold a tender shoot,

As tendrils curled unfurl, as branches give

A little to the swelling of the grape,

In gradual perfection, round and full,

To bear within oneself the joy and hope

Of God’s good vintage, till its ripe and whole.

What might it mean to bide and to abide

In such rich love as makes the poor heart glad?

 

Blessings

Revd Lizzie

The apostle John is depicted in Eastern Christian art as an old man. His words radiate the wisdom of years. He himself witnessed to Jesus’ love in action at first hand He has seen, heard and touched the Word of life (1 John 1.1). John wrote the words we find at 1 John 3:18 as a wise and gentle pastor to his flock, the early church. He cares for them just like his friend and teacher Jesus would. Calling them “Little children” is not meant to belittle, but to underscore his role as their mentor. He hopes his message will give them the courage they need to put love into action and to speak and follow the truth.

Words and speeches are in abundance in the run up to our elections for local councillors and an Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner. There have been flyers through doors and conversations with candidates on our doorsteps. In order to vote wisely, it is good to find out as much as we can. The colour of the rosette they wear is not as important as the experience and commitment they offer. Is this person the most likely to make the wards of Eastville and Fromevale safer, happier, more pleasant and friendly neighbourhoods to live in? What do their actions tell you about their commitment to the wellbeing of residents?  Do they make a point of listening to young, middle-aged and older people? Do they know and value faith communities? As Christians we need to discern which of their proposals we consider the most Jesus-shaped. Because with them we will be playing our part in making Fishponds a place where people love their neighbours in truth and action more and more. 

The apostle John is not naïve about the cost of being a good neighbour. ‘Laying down our lives’ each day, means taking the time to learn about people’s struggles, letting go of some of what we want, in order that others can receive what they desperately need. Members and volunteers of our churches are at the very heart of this courageous work across all ages.

The great news is that the love of Jesus is open to all. May God help us at St.Mary’s and All Saints to offer open doors and open hearts in welcome.  May we use our time and buildings wisely to serve people lovingly, and to worship in the name of Jesus Christ, our living Lord,

Services this Sunday

 

St Mary’s  – 10.00  – Sung Eucharist

All Saints – 10.30  – Holy Communion with Hymns

 

Events in the week ahead

Monday 22^nd – 10.30 – All Saints – Tiny Tots

Tuesday 23^rd – 10.30 – St.Mary’s – Music for Toddlers

Wednesday 24^th – 9.00 – All Saints – Celtic Prayers

Thursday 25^th – 10.00 – St.Mary’s – Holy Communion

Saturday 27^th – 12.00 – St.Mary’s – Saturday Lunches

Services next Sunday 28^th April

08.00 – All Saints – Holy Communion

10.00 – St.Mary’s – Sung Eucharist

10.30 – All Saints – Café Church

 

COLLECT for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

 

Risen Christ,

faithful shepherd of your Father’s sheep:

teach us to hear your voice

and to follow your command,

that all your people may be gathered into one flock,

to the glory of God the Father.

 

 

May our heavenly Father hold us secure in his love,

Jesus our Good Shepherd lead us into new pastures

and the Holy Spirit help us hear God’s voice above the clamour. Amen

 

In election season and always. 

 

Revd Diane, assistant curate, St Mary and All Saints Fishponds.

Jesus Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!! Alleluia! Alleluia!

The earliness of Easter this year has tied in with the joy of the stirrings of Spring. The themes of new life and rebirth are perfectly illustrated by what we can see around us as nature seems to wake up and we can feel the vibrancy of spring in the air. 

This very action surrounds us with beautiful transformation. The longer days, feeling of warmth and the sight of blossom give us real joy after the darkness and cold of winter. It is the very essence of new life, rebirth, creation and recreation,  a tangible signpost to the greater transformation and resurrection of Jesus. 

Nature has not vanished, but has subdued itself, become hidden. Now it is re-emerging. The working out of nature directs us to God and this rebirth of Jesus, helping us to process it and recognise it, placing it within the natural world but at the same time  emphasising that it is beyond the natural world-like Jesus himself there is the natural and the divine.

In Sunday’s Gospel reading from Luke we encounter a very present, very physical Jesus. He encourages the disciples to touch him to verify his physicality. This is the Jesus of creation, physical like the physical world around us. Yet his body is  changed. To underline his physicality he eats with them. This is our embodied Jesus, human and divine, and his divinity shines forth when he teaches the disciples about the meaning of his Messiahship and all that they have experienced.

Our services this Sunday, the 3^rd Sunday of Easter:

8.00  – Holy Communion at All Saints

10.00 – Holy Communion at St. Marys

10.30 – Messy Muddy Church at All Saints

19.15 – Generations Youth Group at All Saints

The Week Ahead

Monday 15th April.

10.30  Tiny Tots All Saints

Wednesday 17th April 

9.00 Celtic Morning Prayer All Saints

Thursday 18th April

10.00 Holy Communion St. Marys

Friday 19th April

11.00. Living after Loss. St. Marys 

Saturday 20th April

12.00 Saturday Lunches  St. Marys 

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

Revd Kester de Oliveira