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