Mary leads us into ChristmasDear All Saints and St MarysThis week we celebrate the last Sunday of Advent and that leads us into the full wonder of Christmas. The readings take on the focus of Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her magnificent song which declares the reshaping of God's world, and how we are all invited to be drawn closer to the crib of creation. God's story unfolds in the most unassuming and unexpected people. As Rachel Mann , theologian, remarks"God calls the unlikely, and Mary joins a long line of those who will take their place in God’s wondrous work of transformation."A peasant girl who gives birth to a peasant king. Gods call is universal, one for all people. It is the message of hope that kindles its place in the soul of humanity. It is the great triumph of truth, love and hope and one that the world craves to hear and that we wonder at as we sit with candles, sing with carols and relearn again how God intends the world to be.It is the way of community, it is the message of the church, it is our hope. So come and celebrate with us in the multiple different services to listen again to the word made flesh, a song of humanity. A song of joy.Worship this weekSunday 22nd December8am - BCP Holy Communion - All Saints10am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30 - Holy Communion with Hymns - All Saints6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight - St MarysChristmas Eve - 24th December4pm- Family Carols and Christingle - St Marys7.30pm - Carols by Candlelight - All Saints11.30pm - Midnight Mass - St MarysChristmas Day - 25th December10am - All Age Family Communion - St Marys10.30 - All Age Family Communion - All SaintsSunday 29th DecemberBenefice service of Holy Communion - All SaintsBlessings this Christmas.Revd Lizzie
Rejoice in the Lord alwaysDear All Saints and St Mary'sHappy Gaudete! What a great word to say and reflect on. It is a word that has been set to many a tune, but the one that always springs to my mind is the Steeleye Span 80's version - a gift of an earworm for your weekend!Here in the middle of Advent the season makes a slight change of step. This Sunday coming has been known as Gaudete Sunday - a word that means "Rejoice". The pink candle on the advent ring is lit. It marks a moment when our eyes can see in the faint distance the manger that we are asked to move towards in order to wonder at the gift of Jesus that God brings us all at Christmas."Rejoice" is the word that springs from one of the readings that we are given this Sunday - St Paul in his letter to the Philippians says this"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."It is an encouragement that despite the darkness that enfolds us that in everything by prayer we can bring our needs to God, and to be assured that the Lord is near and to be gentle with each other. Amongst the fever of Christmas preparations, I want to continue to cling to Advent, to stay in that place a little while longer in this season. Yet the call is to keep going, step by step, till we finally arrive prayerfully able to give over all that we need to God who comes to love the world. We have the joy of being able to welcome the Bishop of Bristol, Bishop Viv, to celebrate holy communion and preach at 10am at St Marys. Our rejoicing continues at All Saints in the afternoon at 4.30pm with our children sharing with us the Nativity. Both services full of the glimpses of hope, love and rejoicing that we are called to be part of. Bring yourselves, your families, your neighbours and friends to rejoice and join in the joy.Worship Sunday 15th December8am Holy Communion – All Saints10am Sung Holy Communion with Bishop Viv– St. Mary’s4.30pm Nativity Service – All SaintsThe week aheadMon 16th 10.30am Tiny Tots Christmas Party - All Saints7.30pm Advent GroupWeds 18th 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer - All Saints12 noon Funeral of David Godfrey - St. Marys6.00pm. Fishponds School Carol ServiceThursday 19th 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Mary’s11am - Advent GroupSaturday 21st 12.00noon - 2:00pm Saturday Lunches - St Mary’s 1.00pm - 6.00pm D&D fundraiser “Yuletide Ball” -All SaintsSunday 22nd 8.00am - Holy Communion BCP - All Saints10:00am Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am Holy Communion - All Saints 18.30 - Carols by Candlelight - St Marys In gentle prayerRevd Lizzie
Prophets and PeaceDear All Saints and St MarysOn this 2nd Sunday of Advent our attention is drawn to the prophetic voice of both Micah from the Old Testament and John the Baptist. It is also a Sunday when the advent theme of "Peace" is forefront. Prophets often come as messengers, but they are not necessarily associated with being peaceful. I doubt that the company of John or Micah would have been comfortable, with their message of repentance and a promise of God who will act like a refiners fire!However, it is a reminder to me that peace is hard won, however uncomfortable that may be. That the deep work of God that is needed in each of us even as it calls us to a place that can feel difficult and challenging. How can that be a good thing? What is God doing in this? I hold to the knowledge that each of us is made in the image of God. That God works on us, and keeps working on us, because God loves us. God is never done with me or you. In that way I believe we will arrive with God, ourselves and others at a place which is refined as like gold and silver.A prose that I came across this week by Casey Overton and is one I have found helpful for Advent - I offer it to you.Advent is an irrational commitment to a better future.Advent is a protest demand.Advent is still believing we are loved even when we have forgotten what love feels like.The scriptures cannot promise us smooth pathways nor can they entitle us to happiness.Instead, we are given recipes for the audacity to await our collective salvation even from the brink of death.May we know God's prophetic call to peace.This weekend's worship offering.Sunday 8th December08.00 - Holy Communion – All Saints 10:00am – Sung Holy Communion – St. Mary’s 10:30am – Service of the Word– All Saints (Link) and Nativity Rehearsal (Church) 7.15pm - Generations – Christmas Treats – All Saints The week aheadMonday 9th 10.30am Tiny Tots Christmas - All SaintsMonday 9th 7.30pm Advent Home Group Tuesday 10th Dec 10:30am M4T Christmas Party - St Marys Weds 11th Dec 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer - All SaintsWeds 11th Dec 2.00pm - 3-30pm Advent Group - St Marys Thursday 12th Dec 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Mary’s Friday 13th 1.00pm Concert - St MarysFriday 13th All Day - Briarwood School - All SaintsSaturday 14th Dec 12.00 – 2:00pm Saturday Lunches - St Mary’sSunday15th Dec 8.00am Holy Communion - All Saints 10:00am Holy Communion with Bishop Viv - St Marys 4.30pm Nativity Service - All SaintsA reminder that next Sunday (15th Dec) is All Saints Nativity in the afternoon - please donate toys that are given to children who do not receive much at Christmas.Blessings and PeaceRevd Lizzie
A Brand New Year - Happy AdventDear All Saints and St MarysWith trepid anticipation I have been waiting for something to arrive in the post for the last few weeks, and when it finally did a few days ago, I was as excited as a small child who waits for Christmas. The object of my eager longing - a new diary. Each year the church starts again at Advent. Not January, or New Year, but Advent. This is when the new diaries, new lectionaries, new readings all start over. For me the arrival of a new diary is a chance to start again, with good intentions, that my new diary will not end up as haphazard, dilapidated, worn and scribbled on as last years. I am just as hopeful this year as I look at my well kept new diary, with entries in December looking neat and ordered.As we begin Advent, we are asked to begin again. To start afresh with God. To come with all the hopes, dreams, worries and fears and lay them out to the Almighty. A spiritual cleaning is asked of us. I find that not only a good thing to do, but an essential thing for my soul. It helps me get things in order, builds a healthy spiritual perspective and confronts me with my need to listen more attentively to God, in worship, in Advent Groups, in fellowship at special services. Starting Advent well, like any new year gives sustenance for all that lies ahead.I hope and pray that as we start Advent together, you are as expectant and excited as I am.Our worship this weekend helps us to enter into that space of listening to God afresh - everyone is welcome to join us at all or any of them.Worship this weekend: Sunday 1st December 10am - St Marys - Toy Service - Guides and Brownies10.30 - All Saints - Advent Holy Communion with Band and Junior Church6.30pm - Advent Candlelit ServiceThe week aheadMonday 2nd Dec 10.30am Tiny Tots - All SaintsTuesday 3rd Dec 10:30am M4T - St. MarysWeds 4th Dec 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer - All SaintsThursday 5th Dec 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Mary’sFriday 6th Dec. 11.00am Living After Loss - St MarysSaturday 7th Dec 10.00am to 12noon Coffee Morning - All SaintsSaturday 7th Dec 11.00am to 2:00pm St Mary’s Christmas FairSunday 8th December8:00am Holy Communion - All Saints10:00am Sung Holy Communion - St. Mary’s10:30am Service of the Word and Nativity Rehearsal - All Saints7:15pm Generations - All SaintsGod of hope, who brought love into this world, be the love that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought peace into this world, be the peace that dwells between us. God of hope, who brought joy into this world, be the joy that dwells between us. God of hope, the rock we stand upon, be the centre, the focus of our lives always, and particularly this Advent time AmenBlessingsRevd Lizzie
My kingdom is not from this world (John 18.36)Dear All Saints and St Mary'sThis Sunday we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. In our readings we have various images of kingship. In Daniel, we hear of the "one like a son of man", to whom God gives power and glory, and whom all the people of the earth serve. In Revelation, John reminds us that we are citizens of Christ's kingdom now and that there will be a time when all will see and know him.In the reading from the Gospel according to John, we get a very different image of kingship. Jesus is on trial before Pilate, who asks him if he is king of the Jews. This is a loaded question. Being or claiming to be a king could be considered rebelling against the emperor. Jesus response is simple, yet loaded with meaning. "My kingdom is not from this world".The Greek word translated as "world", does not mean the earth or creation. Rather it means the way things are arranged or ordered. In our current passage, it specifically refers to the way that human political and economic systems work. This is why Jesus says that if his kingdom was of this world, then people would be fighting for him. That is the way the "world" works. But Jesus' kingdom is different.Christ rules in those who do the will of God (Matthew 7.21–23) and follow the teaching of Jesus (Matthew 7.24–27). It is way of humility (Matthew 5.3, Matthew 18.1–5), healing and wholeness (Luke 10.9), endurance (Matthew 5.10), and of sacrifice (Luke 18.18–30).In baptism we offer our allegiance to Christ as our king and commit ourselves to follow in his service. His rule is not restricted to a time or a place. It is within us, both as individuals and as a Christian community (Luke 17.20–21). As his subjects, he calls us to bear witness to his truth and follow in his way.This Sunday, there will be opportunities to reflect further on the rule of Christ at the 8.00 am Holy Communion at All Saints and at the 10.00 am service at St Mary's. At 10.30 am at All Saints, we continue our look at Paul's letter to the church in Rome, using the material from the Bible Society. This month we will be looking at what sin is and how it harms us, our society, and our world. In addition, we have the Christingle service at All Saints at 4.30 pm, in aid of the Children’s Society.This gives the following services for Sunday 24th November:8.00 am All Saints Holy Communion (said)10.00 am St Mary’s Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Café church4.30 pm All Saints ChristingleWe have our usual midweek services with Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints on Wednesday at 9.00 am and Holy Communion at St Mary’s on Thursday at 10.00 am. Next week is the Guides Toy Service at St Mary’s at 10.00 am. At All Saints there is Holy Communion at 10.30 am. As it is Advent Sunday, there will be Advent Carols at St Mary’s at 6.30 pm.This gives the following services for the coming week:Wednesday 27th November 9.00 am All Saints Celtic morning prayerThursday 28th November 10.00 am St Mary’s Holy CommunionSunday 1st December 10.00 am St Mary’s Guide Toy Service 10.30 am All Saints Holy Communion 6.30 pm St Mary’s Advent CarolsSo, let us pray that we might hear the call of Christ the king and respond to that call in loving service:God the Father,help us to hear the call of Christ the Kingand to follow in his service,whose kingdom has no end;for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, one glory.Amen.Yours in ChristMark
Dear All Saints and St MarysOne of my favourite story books as a child was "The owl who was afraid of the dark" by Jill Tomlinson. For me it evokes good memories, it was both a book that my mother read to me and also one that I was first able to read by myself. The baby owl Plop (what a great name!) discovers new things about the dark, that it can be a place of excitement and discovery and need not always be a place to be feared.Yet the darkness can be a scary place. As the nights draw in and the days shorten, so too do the readings we hear in church take on more sombre and darker notes. The bible stories remind me that the whole compass of life will involve rupture and darkness, uncertainty and fragility. How do God's people navigate the darkness and yet remain a people of light and hope? That is a question that has been asked time and time again.These past weeks of elections, budgets, remembrance and fracture illuminate a vulnerability and fragility of the world. The Church is not immune from the darkness, and it necessitates a need to be both repentant and reflective about how harm done is acknowledged and amendment keenly sought.In the Letter to the Hebrews it speaks of "how to provoke one another to love and good deeds" and to "not neglect meeting together". I was struck by how important both elements of this were to being able to discover the guiding lights when it feels dark outside. That we are called to be a people who "agitate" ourselves and others in love and that this is done most effectively when we meet others. Some of the most poignant, challenging and yet hopeful of moments in life are when we seek to be with others in the flesh, face to face.I wish to encourage us to do so, be it in church, cafes, parks or elsewhere in the spaces we work, play and encounter others. Meeting together, even when fragile and wobbly, is a possible way to be able to see in the darkness, so that it doesn't confound or frighten us, but allows us a path of light to follow.This week we meet to worship together - Sunday 17th November10.00am - St Marys - Sung Holy Communion with Baptism10.30am - All Saints - Holy Communion with HymnsThe week aheadMonday 18th 10.30am Tiny Tots - All SaintsTuesday 19th 10:30am Music 4 Tots - St. MarysWednesday 20th 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer - All SaintsThursday 21st 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Mary’sThursday 21st 12.00 Funeral - St MarysSaturday 23rd 12.00 Wedding - St Mary’sSunday 24th 8.00am Holy Communion - All Saints10:00am Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am Café Church - All SaintsBlessingsRevd Lizzie
Dear All Saints and St. MarysWhen a young boy, my family subscribed to a weekly comic which routinely told ‘war stories’. These were daring tales of soldiers and sailors who overcame mountainous odds, defeated enemies, and often won medals. This stirred the hearts of young lads. As the years rolled by, I noticed that the stories became more varied. We heard about spies, or radio operators, or scientists – all of whom eventually contributed to victory in the Second World War.And, more years further on, we now hear tales of the Women’s Land Army, or the Lumberjills (as the Women’s Timber Corps were affectionately known). There were plenty of others who contributed their part to the war effort, many of whom stayed at home and undertook mundane ordinary tasks which were vital to keep the country alive and flourishing. In this week of Remembrance Sunday, all these people deserve to be remembered. Of course, we must recall those who made the final sacrifice. Yet they were not alone. Many made a “living sacrifice” as Paul names it in Romans 12: “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”In addition, it is right that we remember those who have opposed injustice through their peaceful objection. Think of Rosa Parks who in 1950s Alabama courageously stood firm (or should it be “sat firm”?!), against racial prejudice. And here in the 1960s, there was the determined brave efforts of those involved in the Bristol Bus Boycott. There are many forms of evil in this world, each of which demands a different type of resistance. We may not personally be able to address each one of this world’s troubles; but we can choose what our particular contribution can be, to advance God’s kingdom. When we remember, we honour those who made for us the possibility of a better today. We honour the past partly by choosing well today. As the Kohima Epitaph says:When you go homeTell them of us and say:For your tomorrowWe gave our today.Best wishesBob
Dear Friends in ChristAfter a summer which has seemed very short of summeriness, we are in the time of year where there is a real change of mood. We transition to Autumn, with its golds and reds, but also the clock changes making the nights longer. The change from October to November takes into the season of remembrance, and then the gradually intensifying journey to Christmas.I was in Page Park with a friend and as we walked around it I was struck by the beauty of the trees, but also the mix of people and their pets simply enjoying being in this space. Being there felt so special and harmonious, creation in all its forms co-existing.Sadly, our readings remind us that the world isn’t like this. We’re admonished and commanded to welcome the stranger, something that should be second nature, but sadly isn’t the real experience of so many.The Beatitudes, the wonderful sermon where Jesus turns round the accepted social order in a series of timeless statements, recognises and values the poor, the grieving, the downtrodden, the people shoved down into the lowest parts of society. But they are not just identified, they are assured blessings. They are seen and loved by God, who sees so differently to how we see. The norms of the world that value success, fame and power will be utterly reversed, God’s order circumvents ours, valuing those we devalue, seeing those we are blind to, promises of hope and joy.Our services and activities for the week ahead:This Sunday 3rd November: All Saints Day10:00am Creative Church : St Marys10.30am All Saints Patronal Festival: Holy Communion with Baptism : All Saints6.30pm Choral Evensong : St MarysThe week aheadMon 4th Nov 10.30am Tiny Tots - All Saints Community HallTues 5th Nov 10:30am Music for Toddlers: St Mary’sWeds 6th Nov 9:00am: Celtic Morning Prayer: All SaintsThursday 7th Nov 10:00am: Holy Communion: St. Mary’sSaturday 9th Nov 10:00am: 12.00 – 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches: St Mary’sNext Sunday 10th November.08.00am: Holy Communion; All Saints10:00am: Remembrance Sunday Holy Communion St. Marys, followed by civic Act of Remembrance in Fishponds Park10:45am: All Age Remembrance Service with Scouting Groups: All Saints7.15pm: Generations Youth GroupMay the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. AmenBlessingsRevd Kester de Oliveira
