Tag: jesus

Week beginning Sunday 3rd May 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Matt Foxx on Unsplash

Thomas the disciple asks Jesus anxiously – “But how will we know the way” in this week’s Gospel. And it’s a good question, one that I have asked on many occasions. Normally it is about looking at a map, or asking the Sat Nav – how am I going to get from here, the place I am in right now – to there – the place that I want to be or need to get to. 

Most of the time we ask that question when thinking about travel. But it’s also a great faith and life question – How do we know the way? Who do we ask? Where are the signs? What can I do to prepare so that I get there safely? 

Jesus response is to say “I am the way” – and for Christians that has been a solid foundation and manta – a cornerstone to rely on – when navigating life. In the early church Christians were often referred to as “People of the Way” – and it is something that I think still speaks volumes about what we are called to be and how to live. If we keep our hearts, heads and focus concentrated on the person of Jesus and the way that he showed us how to live, how to be with people and how to love others and the world – then we have a good road map to follow. 

WORSHIP THIS WEEKEND – SUNDAY MAY 3RD

10:00 am – Creative Church – St Mary’s – Parables of Jesus

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

6.30 pm  – Evensong – St Mary’s

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tue 5th May

10:30 am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms

Wed 6th May

9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

Thu 7th May

10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Sat 9th May

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

Sun 10th May

8:00 am – Holy Communion, All Saints

10:00 am – Holy Communion and APCM, St Mary’s

10:30 am – Messy Muddy Church, All Saints

​​​​Please find attached the weekly sheets, fayre poster and readings for this week – and I look forward to being with you all.

Blessings

Rev’d Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 19th April 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

We made it! Tired feet, sore muscles, blisters and a few bramble scratches  – some amazing sunshine, and moments of torrential rain – but this Friday a group of 10 young (and a few not so young) pilgrims made it to Bristol Cathedral. We walked 55 miles from Swindon to Bristol Cathedral and we have had a good journey. I am heart stoppingly proud of the young people who have held each other when they needed to and cheered each other along the way with conversations, prayer, food, more food and a mountain of chocolate. They have been amazing.

You have all been with us – your generosity and kindness have enabled us to do this – from pit stop butchers sausage rolls in Cricklade to an incredible well needed pub dinner in Sherston. Thank you – it made such a difference, and we prayed for you along the way with thanksgiving in our hearts. We met some incredible people, whose hospitality matched yours, from fresh milk and hot meals from the farming community in Brinkworth to cake at Malmesbury Abbey. Everywhere we went people blessed us, God blessed us and I know we also blessed them in our journey. Thank you. I am sure you will hear stories from this week for years to come that will continue to bless us all. God is Good.

The services this week will be

SUNDAY 19th APRIL

10:00am – Holy Communion at St Marys

10:30am – Holy Communion at All Saints

Join us for worship and prayer at both churches as we hear of the story of the Emmaus Road.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Mon 20th April

10:30am – Tiny Tots, All Saints

Tue 21st April

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms

Wed 22nd April

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

Thu 23rd April

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Sat 25th April

12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

Sun 26th April

8:00am – Holy Communion, All Saints

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

10:30am – Cafe Church, All Saints

Please find attached readings and weekly sheets

Blessings 

Revd Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 12th April 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info

Christ is Risen Alleluia – He is Risen indeed – Alleluia!

Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash

SUNDAY 12th APRIL – SERVICES

8am- Holy Communion – All Saints

10:30am – Benefice Service of Holy Communion – All Saints

6:30pm – Evening Prayer – St Marys

Happy Easter (Again!) because Easter is more than a weekend but lasts a full 6 weeks. During this we have some of the most vivid gospel stories of Jesus risen life, starting this Sunday with Jesus’ encounter with Thomas who is full of doubt and faith.

2000 years later CS Lewis, a person who was full of faith and doubt, wrote the Chronicles of Narnia, detailing in fantasy fiction a story which speaks of resurrection and love. A story which has invited people across generations to connect with the Christian faith story. CS Lewis also wrote poetry and one of those that I rediscovered this Easter, speaks of love found in the elements – water, fire, air and earth. It reminds me that the joy of Easter is only possible because of the love that God shared in all things from Creation to the Cross.  I wanted to share it with you this week as a poem and prayer for our faith journeys.  It is one I will be taking with us on Youth Pilgrimage this coming week  – do pray it with us as we walk. 

Love’s as warm as tears – CS Lewis

Love's as warm as tears,
Love is tears:
Pressure within the brain,
Tension at the throat,
Deluge, weeks of rain,
Haystacks afloat,
Featureless seas between
Hedges, where once was green.

Love's as fierce as fire,
Love is fire:
All sorts - infernal heat
Clinkered with greed and pride,
Lyric desire, sharp-sweet,
Laughing, even when denied,
And that empyreal flame
Whence all loves came.

Love's as fresh as spring,
Love is spring:
Bird-song hung in the air,
Cool smells in a wood,
Whispering, "Dare! Dare!"
To sap, to blood,
Telling "Ease, safety, rest,
Are good; not best."

Love's as hard as nails,
Love is nails:
Blunt, thick, hammered through
The medial nerves of One
Who, having made us, knew
The thing He had done,
Seeing (with all that is)
Our cross, and His.

This week we worship together as a Benefice at All Saints – 10.30am Holy Communion. Join us there for our continued Easter celebrations and worship. 

THE WEEK AHEAD

Mon 13th Apr – Fri 17th Apr

Youth Pilgrimage

Wed 15th Apr

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

Thu 16th Apr

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Fri 17th Apr

11:00am Living After Loss, St Mary’s

Sat 18th Apr

12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

Sun 19th Apr

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

10:30am – Holy Communion, All Saints

Blessings

Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 29th March 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Paul Moody on Unsplash

This Sunday the churches mark the beginning of Holy Week. This last week of Lent we journey with Jesus and the disciples as we remember together the places and events of that week of Jesus life. It is a turbulent time,  full of joys, sorrows, crowds and conversations.  We are invited to ask some of the most profound questions about life and death.  What does this mean for me? What does this mean for the world? 

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of this moment. All over the world people will gather, as we are also invited to do, to join processions which retell the story of Jesus entry into Jerusalem. The people were eager for change, enthusiastic in their desire for a new leader, on the verge of revolt as they welcomed Jesus into the city. The King that they wanted so badly came on a donkey, offering peace and non violence as a response, rather than aggression or war. 

In a world where some see war and violence as a possible solution to global friction and disagreement, perhaps it is most pertinent that Jesus offers the world a very different path to follow.  We are invited this week to look on, journey with, the humble Son of God, who radically came to show us a new way to live. 

The services this Palm Sunday – 29th March

8am – BCP Holy Communion – All Saints

10am – Palm Procession and Holy Communion – St Marys

10.30am – Palm Procession and Holy Communion – All Saints

Services in Holy Week

Tuesday 31st March

6.30pm – Celtic Holy Communion – All Saints

Wednesday 1st April

6.30pm – Taize Service – All Saints

Thursday 2nd April

6.30pm – Agape Meal – All S

7.30pm – Washing of Feet and Holy Communion with Vigil – St Mary’s

Good Friday 3rd April

1.30pm – Liturgy of Good Friday – St Mary’s

2pm – Last hour at the Cross – All Saints

Saturday 4th April

7.30pm – Easter Eve Vigil – St Mary’s

Easter Sunday (5th April)

10am – Easter Communion with Baptism – St Mary’s

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

6.30pm – Easter Choral Evensong – St Mary’s​​

​​

Rev’d Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 15th March 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by K8 on Unsplash

I have always liked that Mothering Sunday is also known as “Refreshment Sunday” – it brings to mind images of cake and good coffee. Mothering Sunday comes exactly halfway through the season of Lent, giving us a time of reprieve from whatever it is that we have “given up” for 6 weeks. It is the pitstop that we need to be refilled with joy and rejoicing, before approaching perhaps the hardest part of our Christian story, the crucifixion. 

I also find it interesting that the readings for Mothering Sunday blends some of the complex tensions of this day. In one Paul reminds us in Colossians of the gifts of compassion and kindness. In the other we are at the foot of the cross, with Mary and the disciple John, staying with Jesus in his final hour. So the rejoicing in what we are encouraged to be in Christ, is also held with the way in which Christ made this possible.

Perhaps the line that helps to bring these together is Paul’s encouragement to “bear with one another”. On this day, as we come together to celebrate Mothering in line with our faith in the God of all creation, who died for us – then may we be a refreshment to each other by “bearing with.”

Services on Sunday 15th March  – Mothering Sunday

10:00am – Holy Communion – St Mary’s

10:30am – Holy Communion – All Saints

​​​The Week Ahead

Mon 16th March

9:00am – Tiny Tots, All Saints

Tue 17th March

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 7:30pm – Lent Group One

Wed 18th March

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

2:00pm – Lent Group Two, St Marys’ Parish Room

Thu 19th March

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Fri 20th March

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

Sat 21st March

12:00pm – 1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

Sun 22nd March

8:00am – Holy Communion, All Saints

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

10:30am – Cafe Church, All Saints

6:30pm – Passiontide Music & Readings, St Mary’s

Blessings,

Revd Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 8th March 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Frank Albrecht on Unsplash

This week’s Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus and the woman at the well — a moment where Jesus gently crosses cultural boundaries to notice and speak to someone others might have ignored. From this simple interaction, the conversation deepens. Jesus speaks of ‘living water’ — the grace of God that refreshes and renews us. Reminding us in the third week of Lent that God meets us in ordinary places and welcomes us just as we are, ready to guide us. 

This week at Messy Muddy Church, we continue our exploration of saints. No spoilers about who we’re exploring! But they were known for their courage of faith. 

The woman at the well also shows great courage. After meeting Jesus, she goes and tells others about her experience. Her story reminds us that faith often grows through simple witness, honest conversations, curiosity, and openness. 

May we be encouraged this week to notice God in the simple moments each day, and may we all be a little more courageous in our faith.  

This week’s Worship  

There are plenty of opportunities to join us for Worship:  

8:00 am Holy Communion, All Saints  

10:00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s  

10:30 am Muddy Messy Church, All Saints  

5:00 pm Generations, All Saints  

The week ahead  

Mon 9th March

9:00 am – Tiny Tots, All Saints 

Tue 10th March

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 

7:30pm – Lent Group One, Vicarage 

Wed 11th March

9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints 

2:00 pm – Lent Group Two, St Mary’s Parish Room 

Thu 12th March

10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s 

Sat 14th March

12:00 pm- 1:30 pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s 

Sun 15th March

10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s 

10:30 am – Holy Communion, All Saints  

Blessings,

Charlie
Ordinand- All Saints and St Mary’s – Bristol Diocese 

Week beginning Sunday 1st March 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Jack Niles on Unsplash

Through Lent this year we are asked to look at a number of encounters between God and specific people. This week we get a glimpse of conversations between God and Abraham in the Old Testament and the meeting of Jesus and Nicodemus in the New Testament. Both are fascinating insights into who God is.

The encounter with Abraham in Genesis focuses on Blessing. We hear God say

I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing,

God blesses Abraham, but does that in order that Abraham will be a blessing to others. Like springs of water that start in a very specific place, that then ripple out to form rivers and streams to refresh, sustain and support all other life.

We need God’s blessing in our lives, we need that refreshment that sustains us so that we can also be a source of blessing to others. I have known a great number of people who have blessed me with their wisdom, goodness and presence. I hope that I have at times also been a blessing to others.

How have we received blessing in our lives? Perhaps more importantly how have we then also blessed others.

Services this Sunday – 1st March 2026

10:00 am – Creative Church – St Mary’s 

10:30 am- Holy Communion with Baptism, band and Junior Church – All Saints

6:30pm – Evensong – St Mary’s

The Week Ahead

Mon 2nd March

10:30am – Tiny Tots, All Saints

Tue 3rd March

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms

7:30pm – Lent Group One, Vicarage

Wed 4th March

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

2:00pm – Lent Group Two, St Marys’ Parish Room

Thu 5th March

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Fri 6th March

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

2:00pm – World Day of Prayer – Argyle Morley URC

Sat 7th March

10:00am – Coffee Morning and Book Sale with Bristol Repair Café, All Saints

12:00pm – 1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

Sun 8th March

8:00am – Holy Communion, All Saints

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

10:30am – Messy Muddy Church, All Saints

 5:00pm – Generations

Blessings

Revd Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 22nd February 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Rubaitul Azad on Unsplash

“Above all, don’t lie to yourself. The man who lies to himself and listens to his own lie comes to a point that he cannot distinguish the truth within him, or around him, and so loses all respect for himself and for others. And having no respect he ceases to love.”

That is a quotation from The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky (please excuse the gender-specific language).  I have long treasured these words, since I know that, when faced with my frailties and enduring imperfections, the easiest way to avoid the pain is to lie to myself.  It usually does not start out in a grand manner – rather, I pretend something didn’t really happen; or I excuse my own bad behaviour as I was tired.  There are many other ways of avoiding – but in the end, this is about lying to oneself.  And Dostoevsky points out that lying is only the first dangerous step.  What follows is that we become uncertain about the truth about ourselves.  Deep down, our self-respect is lessened – and so our respect for others decreases.  It is a long slippery slope.

Yet Lent is a time to pause – a time for a truce, with ourself and God.  Can we notice and admit those little indications that things are not going well?  And that we are ready to take some responsibility for this?  This is not self-abasement; rather, Lent is a season for increased truth-telling.  Rejoice in what is going well (that helps with noticing when things don’t).  And when there are painful moments of recognition, simply acknowledge that.  I find it so easy to jump immediately to promising to do better, or beating myself up for not being perfect.  Wait!  First, tell yourself the truth – action and reformation will follow later.  God’s grace is required for that; and God’s timing is not to be rushed.

1 Peter 5 has these comforting words: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that God may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on God, because God cares for you.”  Lent does not promise instant change.  Rather, it is a season for starting afresh, offering us a time for patience, humility and honesty.  Let’s see where that lead us.

 Revd Bob

Services this Sunday – 22nd February – Lent 1

8am – Holy Communion – All Saints

10am – Sung Holy Communion – St Mary’s

10:30am – Café Church – The Holy Spirit – All Saints

The Week Ahead

Mon 23rd Feb

10:30am – Tiny Tots, All Saints

Tue 24th Feb

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms

 7:30pm-9:00pm – Lent Groups, Vicarage

Wed 25th Feb

9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints

2:00pm-3:30pm – Lent Groups, St Mary’s Parish Rooms

Thu 26th Feb

10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s

Sat 28th Feb

12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s

Sun 1st Mar

10:00am – Creative Church, St Mary’s

10:30am – Holy Communion & Junior Church, All Saints

 6:30pm – Evensong, St Mary’s

Blessings,

Rev’d Lizzie

Week beginning Sunday 15th February 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
Photo by Ahna Ziegler on Unsplash

This coming Wednesday is Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. This year we have picked Let me go there: the spirit of Lent by Paula Gooder for our Lent disciplines. This book is divided into six sections, one for each week between Ash Wednesday and Easter:

  1. The Wilderness: Desolation and Redemption
  2. On Recognition: Jesus and the Wilderness in Mark
  3. Who Are You? Jesus and the Devil in Matthew
  4. Testings: Jesus and Testing in Luke
  5. Follow Me: The Call to Discipleship
  6. If You Want to Follow…: The Character and Cost of Discipleship

Each week has a short bible passage and a reflection for each day of the week. At the end of the week, there are questions to reflect on the passages and how they relate to our lives and experiences. We will be using these questions during our Lent groups on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons in Lent. To allow enough time to read the week’s material in advance, the Lent groups will start on the 24th and 25th of February.

The book is available in paperback or e-book formats.  There are copies at the back of the churches. Please see Lizzie for more details.

As Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, there will be a service of Holy Communion with the imposition of ashes, instead of the normal Thursday communion service. The remaining services for the coming week will be as usual:

Sunday 15th February

10:00 amSt Mary’sHoly Communion
10:30 amAll SaintsHoly Communion

The coming week:

Wednesday 18th9:00 amAll SaintsCeltic Morning Prayer
10:00 amSt Mary’sHoly Communion
Sunday 22nd8:00 amAll SaintsHoly Communion (said) 
10:00St Mary’sHoly Communion
10:30All SaintsCafé Church

Wishing you the blessings of a good and holy Lent.

Mark

Week beginning Sunday 8th February 2026

On By Sam ToogoodIn Weekly Info
By Matija Bradaška – http://www.mks-sticna.si/slo/raziskuj/razstave/zbirke/slike

This week marks a brief return to Ordinary Time, as we observe the Second Sunday before Lent. In this week’s gospel, Jesus encourages the disciples to look beyond material possessions and self-interest, instead directing their hearts towards others and the Kingdom of God. 

A great example of this way of living can be found in St Valentine, the saint we’ll be exploring this week at Muddy Messy Church. Valentine was martyred on 14th February, a day that is still widely celebrated today, although the focus has shifted more towards romance. The Church, however, remembers St Valentine for his faithfulness, courage, and trust in God, even when that trust came at great personal cost. His life reflects Jesus’ call to live without fear, to let go of the need for comfort or security, and to place our trust in God’s love. 

This week’s Worship 

There is a lot going on this weekend with plenty of opportunities to join us for worship: 

8:00 am Holy Communion, All Saints 

10:00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s 

10:30 am Messy Muddy Church-St. Valentine, All Saints 

7:15 pm Generations, All Saints 

The week ahead 

Mon 9th Feb

10:30 am – Tiny Tots, All Saints 

Tue 10th Feb

10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms 

Wed 11th Feb

9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints 

Thu 12th Feb

10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s 

Sat 14th Feb

12:00 pm -1:30 pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s 

Sun 15th Feb

10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s 

10:30 am – Holy Communion, All Saints 

A prayer for this week 
Loving God, 
You invite us to trust you and to seek you. 
Help us to notice your presence in our lives. 
Free our hearts from worry and fear, 
draw us closer to you, 
and shape us by your love, 
so that we may love generously 
and care for those around us. 
Amen. 

Blessings,  

Charlie