Beneficial - MAY AND JUNE 2025
Seasonal Verse
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. ISAIAH 43: 18 – 19
God is a mass of paradox and seeming contradictions. Yes, the Rock of Ages, the foundation of all we do and are, the Alpha and Omega, and ever-present help in trouble, ever faithful, ever sure; but also an ever-expanding, deepening companion on the journey. And it’s journeying that we do as humans. Look at society - only just over a hundred years ago women could not vote, children were sent up chimneys at eight years old, slavery was only recently being ended. ‘The arc of history bends towards justice’, President Obama quoted. Journeying is a creative act, responding to what you encounter whilst moving forward. God is present in all ages, but the blessings given us are new every morning. Like another journeying being - a river, it both always remains a river, but it’s also new in each heartbeat.I visited the Vatican museums recently, and one of the unexpected delights was just before the Sistine Chapel, in the rooms frescoed by Raphael: The Liberation of St Peter. Raphael is known for his beautiful bright colours, but here there is darkness and shadow too, known as chiaroscuro. Lent and Easter reflect this. Every story, every stage of the journey to the cross and beyond has its light and shadows, because all of life does. The hope of Easter is that the shadows aren’t overcoming the light, rather that the light emerges from within the darkness. And this doesn’t stop with resurrection, it continues. There is darkness still, but the light is also emergent, and we are part of that story.
ESPECIALLY for May and June
Come and be welcomed to the Benefice!
SCRUFFY CHURCH - a fun, family friendly service. 4 pm at St Stephen’s every 4th Sunday: 25 May & 22 June
COOL FUN & FAITH - a youth group for secondary school teens, at Stephen’s every 1st & 3rd Sunday, 7 – 8.30 pm: 18 May, 1 & 15 June. Bring your friends!
ST STEPHEN’S WORSHIP IN THE ROUND Sunday 25 May & 22 June – 10.45 am
This is St Stephen’s relaxed non-communion service on the 4th Sunday each month. Join us for coffee and pastries before the service from 10 am, and afterwards for a catch up.
HEADS UP ON WHAT’S HAPPENING
Saturday 24 May – St Stephen’s Marigolds church spring clean 10 am - noon
Saturday 24 May & 28 June – St Stephen’s Green Fingers garden tidy 10 am - noon
Friday 6 June & 4 July – Lansdown Friendship Club
A welcoming gathering for people with memory difficulties, their accompanying family and friends. Enjoy refreshments and a monthly theme at St Stephen’s Church Centre 2-3.30 pm.
Thursday 12 June & 10 July – Lansdown Neighbourhood Group
Meet friends old and new at this monthly coffee gathering at St Stephen’s Church Centre, 10.30 am – noon.
Friday 16 May, 7.00 pm @ St Stephen’s: The Darkest Burden & the Gurlitt Treasure Trove of Art with Desanka Rowell. A pop up talk. £8 including a glass of wine. Book via Eventbrite or the Parish Office.
Sunday 8 June, 2 – 5 pm, Lansdown Open Gardens. Admire the best of Lansdown! Buy your tickets here.
Monday 16 June, 6.30 pm @ St Stephen’s: Beacon of Lansdown community meeting. Come and give us your views on how together we can make St Stephen’s a church and community hub for today, tomorrow and the future.
Sunday 29 June, 1215 pm: Celebrate summer with a Benefice Bring & Share Lunch at St Stephen’s
Spiritual BUT NOT religious: Are you interested in joining a new monthly discussion group? Please email Philip to register interest.
Saturday 5 July, from noon: St Mary’s Charlcombe summer BBQ & raffle. £15 pp including wine & soft drinks. BYO plate/cutlery & glass! Book now.
DON’T FORGET . . .
Parent & Toddlers St Stephen’s Church Centre, Monday (during termtime) 9.30 – 11.15 am
Service Rotas and Youth helpers Volunteering is great for well-being! Helpers are always needed at both Benefice churches. It’s fun and a lovely way of joining our church families. Do get in touch to find out how you can get involved. Office
Music Bell ringers and choir members would be very welcome at St Stephen’s. Interested? Please contact the Parish Office.
St Stephen’s Centre A great place to hire for parties, meetings, community gatherings. Book via the Office
Giving Our need for everyone’s financial support is greater than ever. We cannot say how hugely appreciative we are for any kind and generous giving of whatever nature. To find out more, please contact our Treasurers: St Stephen’s Mike King | St Mary Judith Pepler
Friends of St Mary’s Charlcombe welcomes new members to support and cherish Bath’s oldest church still in use. Watch St Mary’s website for 2025 Friends’ events.
Saturday Police Beat with PCSO Ray: 31 May, 10 am – Noon in St Stephen’s foyer.
SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE – MAY/JUNE
Hangout, a themed activity time for children, operates every Sunday at St Stephen’s.
MAY
Sunday 11th 4th Sunday of Easter
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Hangout
Sunday 18th 5th Sunday of Easter
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Choral Communion + Hangout
SS 7 – 8.30 pm Cool Fun and Faith Youth Group
Sunday 25th 6th Sunday of Easter
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Worship in the Round + Hangout
SS 4.00 pm Scruffy Church
Thursday 29th Ascension Day
JUNE
Sunday 1st 7th Sunday of Easter
SM 9 am Eucharist (BYO Coffee)
SS 10.45 am Choral Communion + Hangout
SS 7 – 8.30 pm Cool Fun and Faith Youth Group
Sunday 8th Pentecost – Whit Sunday
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Hangout
Sunday 15th Trinity Sunday
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Choral Communion + Hangout
Sunday 22nd 1st Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Worship in the Round + Hangout
SS 4.00 pm Scruffy Church
Sunday 29th 2nd Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Hangout with Benefice Bring & Share lunch to follow
PRAYER IN THE BENEFICE
Monday We gather on Zoom for prayer at 8.30 – 9.00 am. Please email to receive the code.
Thursday Meditation in the Christian Tradition - 6.30pm-7ish St Mary’s, Charlcombe. A guiding thought, then 20 minutes of silence. Blankets and cushions provided.
Home Communion If anyone would value home communion, please contact the Parish Office.