Conflict and HealingDear All Saints and St MarysAs we embark on the season of Trinity, a season that lasts till All Saints Day, we return to the gospel of Mark. Mark's gospel brings with it a sharpness and urgency to Jesus' ministry. This week we are reminded of the conflict that arose early on between Jesus and his fellow religious leaders of the day. Conflict, discord, disagreement between individuals, groups and nations is something that we are all very aware of. Some conflicts are easily resolved, and although challenging at the time, they can be significant moments of learning and understandings. Other conflicts can be overwhelming and messy and seemingly impossible to find resolution. Yet learning to live well together is a holy calling. That doesn't necessarily mean coming to some middle ground and compromise, indeed it can be a call for all people in that conflict to be changed - for everyone to move to a different position or place. Sometimes, when pondering and praying, just by physically moving to a different place and position can help adjust how I think and feel about an idea, a situation or a person. Lying on my back looking up at the stars, moving closer to a window to stare at it more fully, bending in prayer or rising to stetch my limbs can bring a fresh way of observing and being in the world. A reminder that we are rooted in our bodies, as living and breathing gospel people and recognising that the other person staring back at me, is also just as precious in God's sight.Our worship this Sunday 2nd June10am - Creative Church - Looking at the Saints - St Marys10.30am - Holy Communion with Junior Church - All Saints6.30pm - Evensong - St Marys The week ahead Monday 3rd June 10.30am - Tiny Tots - All SaintsTuesday 4th June 10:30am - Music 4 Tots - St MarysWednesday 5th June 9:00am - Celtic Morning Prayer - All Saints Thursday 6th June 10:00am - Holy Communion - St. Mary’s Saturday 8th June 12.00 - 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St Mary’s Sunday 9th June 8:00am - Holy Communion - All Saints 10:00am - Holy Communion - St. Mary’s 10:30am - Muddy Church - All Saints 7:15pm - Generations - All Saints
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Dear All Saints and St Mary’s From the very start of the church, Christians have recognized God the Father, the transcendent creator, above and beyond the created order of time and space, loving all that we know into being. We have known God the Son, the incarnate word of God, the visible image of the unseen God, living, dying, and rising in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. We have experienced God the Holy Spirit, the presence of God with us, strengthening us and guiding us into all truth. At the same time Christians have held onto the fundamental truth that there is only one God and that we believe in one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Over the centuries, pondering the mystery of God has led to a rich tradition of ideas of what this means, both for us as individuals and for the church as a community committed to following the way of Christ in the power of the Spirit. This Sunday, we have an opportunity to reflect on some of these ideas at the 8am Holy Communion at All Saints and the 10am Holy Communion at St Mary’s. At Café Church at All Saints, we will look at our next character from the book of Samuel. Saul, the first king of Israel, was a tall and handsome man, looking every part the king. Yet he was never quite sure of himself and failed to trust in God. He became consumed by his jealousy for his young general, David, and David’s success on the battlefield. We will look at how David reacted to Saul’s jealousy, and what it might mean to love our enemies. This gives the following services for this Sunday: 8.00 am at All Saints: Holy Communion (said)10.00 am at St Mary’s: Holy Communion10.30 am at All Saints: Café Church We have our usual midweek services with Celtic Morning Prayer at 9am at All Saints on Wednesday and Holy Communion at St Mary’s at 10am on Thursday. Next Sunday is the first Sunday of the month, so we have Creative Church at 10.00 am at St Mary’s, Holy Communion with Junior Church at 10.30 am at All Saints and Evensong at 6.30 pm at St Mary’s. This gives the following services for the coming week:Wednesday 29th May at 9.00 am at All Saints: Celtic Morning PrayerThursday 30th May at 10.00 am at St Mary’s: Holy CommunionSunday 2nd June 10.00 am at St Mary’s: Creative Church 10.30 am at All Saints: Holy Communion 6.30 am at St Mary’s: Evensong So, in union with Christ and in the power of the Spirit, let us pray to the Father: Holy God,faithful and unchanging:enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth,and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love,that we may truly worship you,Father, Son and Holy Spirit,one God, now and for ever.AmenYours in Christ Mark Mark SimmsLicensed Lay MinisterBenefice of All Saints and St Mary, Fishponds
