Week beginning Sunday 13th October 2024

Money, money, money
Must be funny
In the rich man’s world
Money, money, money
Always sunny
In the rich man’s world

All the things I could do
If I had a little money
It’s a rich man’s world’ 

Money, Money, Money-ABBA

Dear Friends in Christ,

I was reading an article about how much money the Democrats and Republicans have raised for their election costs, and it was staggering. The power of the ‘tech bros’ like Elon Musk through their staggeringly huge fortunes is increasingly alarming. Money-the presence or absence of it-seems to be increasingly the goal of life in the modern world. 

Yet so many others have so little. We see that in Fishponds-the homeless, those struggling with paying for heating and food. The gaps in society seem to grow ever bigger.

This Sundays Gospel reading  has the challenge to the rich young man. Can he give up his wealth to serve Jesus? It seems to be his stumbling block. Yet we need to also remember that it’s not having money in itself that’s evil but the love of it. History charts the wealthy who have shared that wealth. Its placing money above anything else that is the issue-especially when it replaces God in our hearts, and it can be anything that we put in the place of God that can become our stumbling block, not just money. I hope that the rich young man was able to see this and came to follow Jesus.

Sunday 13th October.  Twentieth Sunday after Trinity

8.00am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10.00am – Holy Communion – St. Marys

10.30am – Messy Muddy Church – All Saints

7.15pm – Generations – All Saints

The Week Ahead

Monday 14th October

10.30am – Tiny Tots – All Saints Community Hall

6.15pm – Beavers – All Saints Community Hall

Wednesday 16th October

9.00am – Celtic Morning Prayer –  All Saints Church

2-3.30pm – Benefice Bible Book Club – St. Mary’s Church

Thursday 17th October

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

6.30pm – 13th Bristol Cubs – All Saints Community Hall

8.00pm – 13th Bristol Scouts – All Saints Community Hall

Friday 18th October

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

Saturday 19th October

12 – 2pm – Saturday Lunches – St. Mary’s Church 

Next Sunday 20th October. Twenty First Sunday after Trinity

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

10.30am – Holy Communion – All Saints Church

Looking ahead

Thursday 24th October – Fr Roger’s funeral – 2.15pm – St John the Baptist Church, Ruardean. All Welcome.

Saturday 26th October – Quiz Night – 7pm start.  All Saints Community Hall – Price £6 per person includes jacket potato with filling of choice

This academic year we welcome Charlie Blackett, who will be with both parishes on a long term placement as she trains to be a vicar. Charlie is at St Mary’s next week, please chat to her at coffee and ask any questions

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

Christmas 2023

You may have noticed that ‘Follow the Star: Join the Song’ has been the Church of England’s Christmas theme for 2023. Our choirs at All Saints and St.Mary’s have enjoyed singing ‘The First Nowell’ to a lively new tune by Bob Chilcott.

Our carol services often draw the biggest attendances of the year. Carol-singing, whether in church or around the Yew tree (at All Saints), helps many people draw closer to God and each other through the journey from Advent to Epiphany.

One highpoint this year was when Years 3 and 4 from Fishponds Church of England Academy held their carol service at St.Mary’s. Children as young as 8 sang solo verses in Silent Night and Away in a Manger in front of a large audience. Their poise and confidence were no doubt mixed with trepidation – but the point is, they clearly enjoyed communicating the Christmas story through singing it.

Each year particular lines in carols stand out, according to whatever is going on in our personal lives, or in the world at large. Even words from a children’s carol ‘Don’t give up now, little donkey, Bethlehem’s in sight,’ may resonate with anyone studying hard to obtain a qualification in order to follow their chosen career path.

Some folks will reach Christmas Day noticing the absence of a loved one at the table, others will be rejoicing in the arrival of a new baby. In each case the words ‘And He feeleth for our sadness and He shareth in our gladness’ (from Once in Royal) may ring true.

Finally – and so significant for our times – there are lines containing an urgent call to peace. ‘O hush the noise ye men of strife and hear the angels sing!’ (It Came upon the Midnight Clear).

I wonder which carol lines have stood out or helped you this year? Why not share them (better still, sing them!) around the Christmas dinner table between courses – after the cracker jokes have been told.

Across the Benefice our worship continues through 23rd, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the rest of December with the following services. Everyone is very welcome and we hope you will find something suitable, as we welcome the Christ-Child – God with us.

SERVICES ON 23rd DECEMBER, 24TH CHRISTMAS EVE and 25TH CHRISTMAS DAY

AT ST MARY’S, MANOR ROAD, FISHPONDS

23rd Dec4.00pmSaturdayFamily Carols and Christingle
24th Dec10.00amSundayAdvent 4 Holy Communion
24th Dec11.30pmSundayMidnight Mass for Christmas
25th Dec10.00amMondayAll Age Communion

AT ALL SAINTS, GROVE ROAD, FISHPONDS

24th Dec8.00amSundaySaid Holy Communion Advent 4
24th Dec10.30amSundayAdvent 4 Morning Worship
24th Dec7.30pmSundayCarols by Candlelight
25th Dec10.30amMondayAll Age Communion (bring a present to show everyone)

UPCOMING SERVICES AND EVENTS

28th December to Sunday 31st December

Thurs 28thSt Mary’s10.00amHoly Communion
Saturday 30thSt Mary’s9-11amFamily Breakfast
Saturday 30thSt Mary’s12-2pmSaturday Lunches
Sunday 31stAll Saints8.00amBCP Holy Communion
Sunday 31stSt Mary’s10.00amJoint Benefice Holy Communion
NOTE: At All Saints there will be no Celtic Prayers at 9am on Wed 27th December
NOTE: At All Saints there will be no 10.30am service on Sunday 31st December because we are all worshipping together at St.Mary’s at 10am instead.

Whichever services you attend, we hope that you will enjoy hearing and singing the Christmas story afresh, and find time to pause and to wonder.

May the Christ-Child fill your heart and home with the melody of his love.

Wishing you Christmas Love, Joy and especially Peace!

Revd Diane – with Revd Lizzie, Revd Kester and Mark LLM

Posadas have been hosting Mary and Joseph


Mary and Joseph have been on their way (by donkey) to Bethlehem starting at Advent and lasting to Epiphany. Thank you to all who created and passed on the figures. They have found room at the inns of: Fishponds CE Academy, Quarry Court, New Pooles Lodge, Purdy Court and several homes of parishioners. Last Sunday during Creative Church Baby Jesus figures were made and added to the kits.

PLEASE COULD MARY AND JOSEPH RETURN HOME WITH THEIR POSADA KIT TO ST.MARY’S ON OR BEFORE SUNDAY 7TH JANUARY 2024.

THANK YOU! We look forward to reading your journal reflections for Mary and Joseph’s stays.