Dear Friends in Christ

After 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 Day

10:00am Creative Church : St Marys
10.30am All Saints Patronal Festival: Holy Communion with Baptism : All Saints
6.30pm Choral Evensong : St Marys

The week ahead

Mon 4th Nov 10.30am Tiny Tots - All Saints Community Hall
Tues 5th Nov 10:30am Music for Toddlers: St Mary’s
Weds 6th Nov 9:00am: Celtic Morning Prayer: All Saints
Thursday 7th Nov 10:00am: Holy Communion: St. Mary’s
Saturday 9th Nov 10:00am: 12.00 – 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches: St Mary’s

Next Sunday 10th November.

08.00am: Holy Communion; All Saints
10:00am: Remembrance Sunday Holy Communion St. Marys, followed by civic Act of Remembrance in Fishponds Park
10:45am: All Age Remembrance Service with Scouting Groups: All Saints
7.15pm: Generations Youth Group

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