Dear All Saints and St Mary'sThis Sunday is the start of Passiontide, and our attention is fixed even more firmly on Holy Week and the suffering or passion of Jesus. Our Old Testament reading tells of Ezekiel's vision of a valley of dry bones being brought back to life. Our New Testament reading is the story of Jesus bringing his friend, Lazarus, back to life. Both these stories point forwards to Easter and Jesus' resurrection.However, to look at these stories as no merely a pointer, is to miss the richness and depth of what both these stories have to say to us.Ezekiel's vision is a message of hope for a people feeling rejected and downtrodden. In the despair of Israel's exile in Babylon, God spoke to the people of restoration. This was not just a restoration of their land, but also a restoration of their spirit. But above all it was a restoration of their trust in God.At the heart of John's telling of the story of Jesus and Lazarus is Jesus' declaration "I am the resurrection and the life". It is in Jesus that we get the new life that we long for. That life is more than just bringing a a dead person back to the life that they knew before. It is a life that gives us the hope that the pain and suffering in the world can and will be overcome. It is a hope that even death itself has been defeated.We will have more opportunities to reflect on this in or communion services at 8.00 am at All Saints and at 10.00 at St Mary's. The 10.30 am service at All Saints is our monthly café service, where we will continue our discussions around the creed. This week we will be thinking about the church and what it means to believe in the church. At 6.30 pm there is a service of Passiontide music and readings at St Mary's.This gives the following services for this Sunday 22nd March:8.00 am All Saints: Holy Communion (said)10.00 am St Mary's: Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints: Café Church6.30 pm St Mary's: Passiontide music and readingsIn the coming week we have our usual midweek services. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday. As such, there will not be a benefice service. St All Saints and St Mary's will each have their own services for Palm Sunday at the usual times. However, there will be service of Holy Communion at 8.00 am at All Saints. In addition, our Lent groups will continue on Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon. This gives the following services for the coming week:Tuesday 24th March 7.30 pm Vicarage Lent groupWednesday 25th March 9.00 am All Saints Celtic morning prayerWednesday 25th March 2.00 pm St Mary's parish rooms Lent groupThursday 26th March10.00 am St Mary's Holy CommunionSunday 29th March8.00 am All Saints Holy Communion (said)10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Holy CommunionAs we continue our journey towards Holy Week and Easter, let us pray for the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.Yours in ChristMark
Mothering SundayDear All Saints and St MarysI 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 Sunday 15th March - Mothering Sunday10.00am - Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Holy Communion - All SaintsThe week aheadMon 16th Mar 10:30am – Tiny Tots, All SaintsTue 17th Mar 10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms Tue 17th Mar 7:30pm – Lent Group OneWed 18th Mar 9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All SaintsWed 18th Mar 2:00pm – Lent Group Two, St Marys’ Parish RoomThu 19th Mar 10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’sFri 20th Mar 11:00am – Living After Loss, St Mary’sSat 21st Mar 12:00pm -1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’sSun 22nd March 8:00am – Holy Communion, All Saints10:00am –Holy Communion, St Mary’s10:30am – Cafe Church, All Saints6:30pm – Passiontide Music & Readings, St Mary’sBlessingsRevd LizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, Fishponds
Dear All Saints and St Mary's,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.There are plenty of opportunities to join us for Worship:Sunday 8th March8:00 am Holy Communion, All Saints10:00 am Holy Communion, St Mary's10:30 am Muddy Messy Church, All Saints5.00 pm Generations, All SaintsThe week aheadMon 9th Mar 9:00 am – Tiny Tots, All Saints Tue 10th Mar 10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish Rooms Tue 10th Mar 7:30 pm – Lent Group One, Vicarage Wed 11th 9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints Wed 11th 2:00 pm – Lent Group Two, St Mary's Parish Room Thu 12th Mar 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary's Sat 14th Mar 12:00 pm- 1:30 pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary'sSun 15th Mar 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary's10:30 am – Holy Communion, All SaintsBlessings,CharlieOrdinand- All Saints and St Mary's - Bristol Diocese
Be a Blessing this LentDear All Saints and St MarysThrough 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 202610.00 am - Creative Church - St Marys10.30 am- Holy Communion with Baptism, band and Junior Church - All Saints6.30pm - Evensong - St Mary'sThe week aheadMon 2nd Mar10:30am – Tiny Tots, All SaintsTue 3rd Mar 10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish RoomsTue 3rd Mar 7:30pm – Lent Group One, VicarageWed 4th Mar 9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All SaintsWed 4th Mar 2:00pm – Lent Group Two, St Marys’ Parish RoomThu 5th Mar 10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’sFri 6th Mar 11:00am – Living After Loss, St Mary’sFri 6th Mar 2.00pm - World Day of Prayer - Argyle Morley URCSat 7th Mar 10:00am – Coffee Morning and Book Sale with Bristol Repair Cafe, All SaintsSat 7th Mar 12:00pm -1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’sSun 8th March8:00am – Holy Communion, All Saints10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s10:30am – Messy Muddy Church, All Saints5:00pm – GenerationsBlessingsRevd LizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, Fishponds
Lent - A time to pause“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 BobServices this Sunday - 22nd February - Lent 18am - Holy Communion - All Saints10am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Cafe Church - The Holy Spirit - All SaintsThe week aheadMon 23rd Feb 10:30am – Tiny Tots, All SaintsTue 24th Feb 10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish RoomsTue 24th Feb 7:30pm - 9:00pm – Lent Groups, VicarageWed 25th Feb 9:00am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All SaintsWed 25th Feb 2:00pm - 3:30pm – Lent Groups, St Mary’s Parish RoomsThu 26th Feb 10:00am – Holy Communion, St Mary’sSat 28th Feb 12:00pm-1:30pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’sSunday 1st March 10:00am – Creative Church, St Mary’s10:30am – Holy Communion & Junior Church, All Saints6:30pm – Evensong, St Mary’s
Greetings from Charlie (Ordinand)Dear All Saints and St Mary’s, 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 Sunday’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 Saints10:00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10:30 am Messy Muddy Church - St. Valentine, All Saints7:15 pm Generations, All Saints The week ahead Mon 9th Feb 10:30 am – Tiny Tots, All SaintsTue 10th Feb 10:30am – M4T, St Mary’s Parish RoomsWed 11th Feb 9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All SaintsThu 12th Feb 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’sSat 14th Feb 12:00 noon -1:30 pm – Saturday Lunches, St Mary’s Sunday 15th February 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s10:30 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 Ordinand- All Saints and St Mary's - Bristol Diocese
