Beneficial - JULY AND AUGUST 2025
Seasonal Verse
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory
in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8, 1 - 4
This text reminds me that August has my favourite astronomical occurrence of the year: the Perseids Meteor Shower. Now before you write in, may I reassure you that I know meteor showers have nothing to do with the moon or the stars. Every mid-August the Earth passes through debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet - bits that the heat of the sun has caused to drop off this mass of ice and rock 25km across as it passes in its 137-year orbit. As the earth hits the debris it burns up in our atmosphere and meteors brighten the sky for an eye blink. The amazing thing is that these bits are the size of grains of sand … tiny pebbles at biggest. When heaven meets earth something extraordinary happens, and in Jesus we have both the most wonderful example of how to live abundantly as a human being, seeing and releasing the good in one another and our planet - and the promise of our Creator abiding within us and between us. Happy Summer.
ESPECIALLY for the summer -
SCRUFFY CHURCH - a fun, family gathering on the fourth Sunday returns in September.
COOL FUN & FAITH - a youth group for secondary school teens, at Stephen’s every term time 1st & 3rd Sunday, 7 – 8.30 pm: 20 July TASTER session so bring your friends! New term starts 7 September.
ST STEPHEN’S WORSHIP IN THE ROUND Sunday 27 July & 24 August – 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.
5TH SUNDAY COMBINED BENEFICE EUCHARIST SERVICE Sunday 31 August, 10 am at St Mary’s, Charlcombe with BYO picnic following.
THE MARK OF SUMMER Add this focused reading of St Mark’s Gospel to your summer list in preparation for September sermons. Watch out for ‘how to’ guidance in the clergy e-alerts, but basically read once as a novel; 2nd time slowly; 3rd time slowly with notes. Paperback copies of the Gospel are available in St Stephen’s foyer, or from the Parish Office.
HEADS UP ON WHAT’S HAPPENING
Sunday 13 July – St Stephen’s Church “Green Fingers” cake sale @ noon. Home-baked delights are on offer to be sold in aid of the church garden fund.
Friday 1 August & 5 September – 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 10 July & 14 August – Lansdown Neighbourhood Group
Meet friends old and new at this monthly coffee gathering at St Stephen’s Church Centre, 10.30 am – noon.
Spiritual BUT NOT religious: Are you interested in joining a new monthly discussion group? Please email Philip to register interest.
Saturday 13 September, 11 am – 4.30 pm: Heritage Open Day @ St Stephen’s with church tours and refreshments.
Family Eco Trail and Beating the Bounds Treasure Hunt: Fun for all the family, including the dog! Download from St Stephen’s website.
Summer Hangout: help create a St Stephen’s summer collage during the 10.45 am St Stephen’s Sunday services from 20 July, and throughout August (31 August @ St Mary’s).
Keep in touch! Follow St Stephen’s on Facebook and Instagram.
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: 26 July, 10 am – Noon in St Stephen’s Centre.
SERVICES IN THE BENEFICE – JULY/AUGUST
Hangout, a themed activity time for children, operates every Sunday at St Stephen’s.
JULY
Sunday 13th 4th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Hangout
Sunday 20th 5th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Choral Communion + Summer Hangout
SS 7 – 8.30 pm Cool Fun and Faith Youth Group Taster session
Sunday 27th 6th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Worship in the Round + Summer Hangout
AUGUST
Sunday 3rd 7th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist (BYO Coffee)
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Summer Hangout
Sunday 10th 8th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Summer Hangout
Sunday 17th 9th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Holy Communion + Summer Hangout
Thursday 21st SS 8.15 pm RSCM Compline
Sunday 24th 10th Sunday after Trinity
SM 9 am Eucharist
SS 10.45 am Worship in the Round + Summer Hangout
Sunday 31st 11th Sunday after Trinity
SM 10 am Combined Benefice Eucharist + Summer Hangout + BYO picnic following
SS NO SERVICE