Teach us to PrayDear All Saints and St MarysThis week at All Saints, with children and families from both parishes, we have celebrated the joy of God's world and creation and the gift of science with over 50 children and 25 adult volunteers at Holiday Bible Club "Whizz, Bang Wow!" We have danced, sung, played, made things, talked about God, prayed and been together in a really special way. If you fancy having a sing along to what we have been doing then click the links below and enjoy!What underpins all of this, as it does with all Christian life and Church is lots of prayer. Prayers for places to be filled, for people to come and be part of something special, for everyone to be safe and blessed by others.This week's gospel reading sees Jesus respond to the disciples ask - "Teach us to pray". As we look towards the services of worship this weekend then we have the chance not just to understand that more deeply in our own lives, but to experience it with others. That is possible in communion services, but also our cafe church service which offers an informal service style looking at the theme of Devotion.May we continue to be a ceaselessly praying parishes. Worship this Sunday 27th July 20258.00am - Holy Communion - All Saints10.00am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Cafe Church - Book of Romans - All SaintsEveryone is welcome. The week ahead Tuesday 29th 2pm – 5.30pm All Saints Family Cafe Weds 30th July 9:00am Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints Thurs 31st July 10:00am Holy Communion - St. Marys Thurs 31st July 2.00pm - 5.30pm All Saints Family Cafe Thurs 31st July 7.30pm St Marys PCC Friday 1st Aug 11:00am Living After Loss - St. Mary’sSaturday 2nd Aug 10.00am - 12noon Coffee Morning & Repair Cafe - All Saints Saturday 2nd Aug 12.00noon - 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St Mary’s Sunday 3rd August 10:00am Creative Church - St Marys 10:30am Holy Communion - All Saints 6:30pm Choral Evensong – St. Mary’s With blessing and thanksgiving and prayersLizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, FishpondsInterim Co Area Dean Bristol City Deanery
Dear All Saints and St Mary'sThis Sunday’s New Testament reading, from Paul's letter to the Christians at Colossae (Colossians 1.15-end), opens with a poem that stands out from Paul's usual prose. It is thought by many scholars to be a hymn that was already in use in the church before Paul wrote the letter and might have been familiar to the its first readers. It places Christ above all of creation as the image and fullness of God, through whom all things were created and through whom God is reconciling all creation to himself.This is the fundamental claim of the Christian faith. It is through Christ that we can truly know God. It is through Christ that we can be fully reconciled to God. It is only when we see creation in the light of Christ, that we can see it as the work of an almighty and loving creator. It is when we see acts of loving kindness in the light of Christ, that we see them as reflecting the love of God that Christ reveals.In the remainder of the letter, Paul goes on to describe the practical implications of who Christ is. It makes all people equal, whatever their race, religious background, or social status, for all are loved by God (chapter 2). It encourages compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience (3:12). It puts the love of God, which we see in Christ, at the centre of all we do (3.14-17). While some of the detailed instructions Paul gives are specific to the culture of the time (3.18-4.6), his Christ centred approach is still a guide for living today.This Sunday, we have Holy Communion at St Mary's at 10.00 am and at All Saint's at 10.30am.This week the Holiday Bible Club will be taking place at All Saints, so there will be no Celtic Morning Prayer this Wednesday. There will, however, still be Holy Communion at St Mary's on Thursday at 10.00 am. Next Sunday, we have our normal fourth Sunday pattern, with Holy Communion at 8.00 am at All Saints and 10.00 at St Mary's. The 10.30 am service at All Saints will be Café Church, where we will be continuing our look at Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome.This gives the following services for the coming week:Sunday 20th July 10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Holy CommunionThursday 24th July 10.00 am St Mary's Holy CommunionSunday 27th July 8.00 am All Saints Holy Communion (said)10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Café ChurchPlease note that, because of the Holiday Bible Club, there will be no access to All Saints grounds from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm on Wednesday 23rd, Thursday 24th and Friday 25th July.As we look ahead to the coming week, and particularly thinking about the Holiday Bible Club, let us pray for the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit in all we do.Yours in Christ Mark
Dear Friends,This past week has been an important one in our Diocese. Last weekend saw Bishop Vivienne carry out her last tranche of ordinations before her retirement. This is a weekend always marked with joy as it is such a wondrous occasion, the passage of people, into their ministries. It is a time of transition-each person has had their period of discernment, training, and now they step forth into their next phase. Some to become deacons,to serve in their local churches. Others becoming priests. All stepping into the demanding but glorious calling of being servant leaders following in the footsteps of Christ.For all the candidates it is a time of joy but also fear and excitement, but also of feelings of being totally unworthy of the task ahead.I was blessed to be a part of this and greatly appreciate all the love and encouragement that I experienced from everyone during that weekend and look forward to serving you as priest.All this is about love of God and one another, and the gospel reading this week exemplifies this. It is the familiar story of the Good Samaritan, reminding us that when someone needs help we do not filter that need through prejudices and suppositions but provide lavish love to whoever needs it. The story challenges us to reflect upon who has helped us in those desperate times in our lives and who have we been able to help in theirs? Just as it is so vital to offer help, it is also vital to receive help. This is to follow the example of Jesus, the servant king and Son of God., This Sunday 13th July Fourth Sunday after Trinity8.00am Holy Communion - All Saints10.00am Holy Communion - St. Marys10.30am Family Service - All Saints7.15pm Generations Youth Group - VicarageThe Week AheadMonday 14th July 10.30am Tiny Tots - All SaintsWednesday 16th July 9.00am Celtic Morning Prayers - All SaintsWednesday 2.00am Benefice Bible Book Club - St. MarysThursday 17th July 10.00am Holy Communion - St. Marys ChurchFriday 18th July 11.00am Living After Loss - St. Marys ChurchSaturday 19th July 12.00am Saturday Lunches - St. Marys Church.Next Sunday 20th July Fifth Sunday after Trinity10.00am Holy Communion - St. Marys10.30am Holy Communion - All SaintsMay 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, Fr Kester
Celebrations and thanksgivingDear All Saints and St MarysThis weekend Bishop Viv will ordain new Deacons and Priests in Bristol Cathedral. This is a wonderful occasion for the whole church, and also especially for us as we celebrate alongside Fr Kester as he is ordained priest to serve in the parishes of All Saints and St Marys.One of the readings this weekend in the Old Testament reading of Micah speaks of "doing justice, walking humbly and being kind". It has struck me that as we approach this weekend it will also be the final ordination in Bristol for Bishop Viv as she looks to her retirement. We send her our blessings and prayers and thanks for her episcopal ministry. She has lived out those three qualities of Christian discipleship - a call of justice, kindness and humility. As we pray and discern for a new Bishop of Bristol, may these words of scripture be our guide. Our Junior Church will be looking at this on Sunday, and I invite you all to contribute your thoughts, prayers and wisdom to this process. This weekend of celebration and thanksgiving areSaturday 5th July - - 3pm - Ordination of Fr Kester - Bristol Cathedral Sunday 6th July - 10.30 am - Benefice Service - All SaintsSunday 6th July - 6.30pm - Choral Evensong - St MarysEveryone is welcome to all the above and also to a celebration in St Mary's parish rooms at 6pm-8pm on Sat 5th July post the ordinations. Let's come together and celebrate in all these different ways this weekend. God is good!The week aheadWeds 9th July 9:00am - Celtic Morning Prayer - All Saints Sunday 13th July8:00am - Holy Communion - All Saints10:00am - Holy Communion - St Marys10:30am - Junior Church Family Service - All Saints7:15pm - Generations - Vicarage With thanksgivingRevd LizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, FishpondsInterim Co Area Dean Bristol City Deanery