Dear All Saints and St Mary'sOne of the joys for me of holiday time is the space to read. As soon as one book is finished, another is selected from the pile to start something new. I enjoy following the real and fictional life stories of different people and how they cope with the ups and downs that life presents them with. I find that for me "rest" comes from the pure escapism into another person or characters world, and how that feels. I find reading, be it fictional or non-fiction, is a way in which to expand and explore and practice empathy - the ability to walk a little in someone else's shoes.Empathy is a key way of living, connecting and relating as humans. As the fires burned in France, Spain, Canada and the UK after one of the hottest summers on record, who could not feel empathy for all those who have been impacted directly by the chaos and fear that they have brought? On the other side of the coin, empathy can also teach how to share the joys and excitement of others, that way in which we can genuinely feel glad at other's achievements, hopes and dreams, being able to delight with them. In the gospel reading this week, a woman approaches Jesus and say's "Have mercy on me, Lord". She appeals to his empathy, a desire for him to know her world and her needs. At first Jesus appears to ignore her, but her persistence and challenge to Jesus to see her and help her are finally answered. Her story is one of many, ones in which we can step into her shoes and ask - What would I do? How would this make me feel and act? And it is again one of many where Jesus meets that need with compassion and grace. May we also know that compassion and build on our own empathy through knowing other people's stories and the paths that they walk.Services this Sunday - 16th August 202610am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Holy Communion with Hymns - All SaintsTHE WEEK AHEAD Wed 19th Aug 9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All Saints 2:00 pm – Bible Book ClubThu 20th Aug 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’sFri 21st Aug 11:00 am – Living after Loss, St Mary’sSat 22nd Aug 12:00 am-1:30pm - Saturday Lunches, St Mary’sSun 23rd Aug 8:00 am – Holy Communion, All Saints 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s 10:30 am – Cafe Church, All SaintsPlease find attached the weekly readings and sheets for this week's services. St Mary's has the Holiday Hangout space again next week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And I look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible over the coming week.Revd LizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, Fishponds
Dear All Saints and St Mary'sAnyone who saw the pictures of the floods in Valencia in 2024 will appreciate the power that water can have. Floods and storms are some of the clearest signs of a chaotic and destructive power that is beyond human control. Jesus' disciples were far more aware of this than most of us today. As fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John knew the danger of the storms that could blow up on the Sea of Galilee without warning, storms that were beyond human control and dwarfed the works of people.In this Sunday's gospel reading (Matthew 14.22-33), Jesus' disciples were trying to row their boat through one of these storms. In the midst of the wind and waves, Jesus came, walking on the water, in complete control of these destructive and chaotic forces. The disciples must have recalled the ancient stories of God parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the River Jordan (Joshua 3) for the people of Israel to pass through. It may have reminded them of the image of God moving over the chaotic waters of creation, parting the waters to allow the dry land to appear (Genesis 1). No human could control the waters, only God. They could see that Jesus was the Son of God, the great I am in human form living among us.We can reflect more on this this Sunday at 10.00 am with Holy Communion at St Mary's. The 10.30 am service at All Saints is Muddy Messy Church. Note that there is no 8.00 am service at All Saints this Sunday.Sunday 9th August10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Muddy Messy Church We have our normal services for the coming week. Next Sunday is the third Sunday of the month so we have Holy Communion at St Mary's at 10.00 am and All Saints at 10.30 am.Wednesday 12th All Saints 9.00 am Celtic Morning PrayerThursday 13th St Mary's 10.00 am Holy Communion\Sunday 16th St Mary's 10.00 am Holy CommunionAll Saints 10.30 am Holy Communion May God guide you through the storms of life and land you safely on the shore.Yours in ChristMarkMark SimmsLicensed Lay MinisterBenefice of all Saints and St Mary Fishponds
Dear All Saints and St Mary'sAnyone who saw the pictures of the floods in Valencia in 2024 will appreciate the power that water can have. Floods and storms are some of the clearest signs of a chaotic and destructive power that is beyond human control. Jesus' disciples were far more aware of this than most of us today. As fishermen, Peter, Andrew, James and John knew the danger of the storms that could blow up on the Sea of Galilee without warning, storms that were beyond human control and dwarfed the works of people.In this Sunday's gospel reading (Matthew 14.22-33), Jesus' disciples were trying to row their boat through one of these storms. In the midst of the wind and waves, Jesus came, walking on the water, in complete control of these destructive and chaotic forces. The disciples must have recalled the ancient stories of God parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14) and the River Jordan (Joshua 3) for the people of Israel to pass through. It may have reminded them of the image of God moving over the chaotic waters of creation, parting the waters to allow the dry land to appear (Genesis 1). No human could control the waters, only God. They could see that Jesus was the Son of God, the great I am in human form living among us.We can reflect more on this this Sunday at 10.00 am with Holy Communion at St Mary's. The 10.30 am service at All Saints is Muddy Messy Church. Note that there is no 8.00 am service at All Saints this Sunday.Sunday 9th August10.00 am St Mary's Holy Communion10.30 am All Saints Muddy Messy Church We have our normal services for the coming week. Next Sunday is the third Sunday of the month so we have Holy Communion at St Mary's at 10.00 am and All Saints at 10.30 am.Wednesday 12th All Saints 9.00 am Celtic Morning Prayer Thursday 13th St Mary's 10.00 am Holy CommunionSunday 16th St Mary's 10.00 am Holy CommunionAll Saints 10.30 am Holy Communion May God guide you through the storms of life and land you safely on the shore.Yours in ChristMarkMark SimmsLicensed Lay MinisterBenefice of all Saints and St Mary Fishponds
Dear All Saints and St Mary'sI wonder what word you'd use to describe your week?For some it may have been busy. For others, perhaps uncertain, hopeful, or even joyful. Sometimes it feels as though a single word can sum up the days we've just lived.If I had to choose one, and it seems to crop up often for me, it would be enough. I often find myself thinking I don't have enough time, enough energy, or simply enough. I wonder if you can relate? I also know that I can be my own biggest critic, and that's not always very helpful!This Sunday's Gospel begins with people who are also thinking in terms of "not enough". Yet Jesus gently changes the question. Rather than focusing on what is lacking, he invites them to notice what is already there.I won't say any more—you'll have to come along on Sunday to explore that together! But perhaps over the next couple of days we might each pause and notice the gifts, opportunities, and people God has already placed in our lives. They may be more than we realise.Our Worship this Sunday10:00 am Creative Church, St Mary’s10:30 am Holy Communion with Hymns, All Saints6:30 pm Sung Evensong, St Mary’sThe week ahead:Wed 5th Aug 9:00 am – Celtic Morning Prayer, All SaintsThu 6th Aug 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary’s|Fri 7th Aug 11:00 am – Living After Loss, St Mary’sSat 1st Aug 12:00 -1:30 pm - Saturday Lunches, St Mary’sSun 9th Aug 10:00 am – Holy Communion, St Mary's10:30 am – Muddy Messy Church, All SaintsA PrayerMay God give us eyes to see the gifts already in our hands, courage to offer them in his service, and peace to trust him with the rest. AmenBlessings,Charlie