Dear Friends in Christ,How are you doing with your Lenten observances? The desire to give up things such as chocolate or social media are laudable but also so easy to stray from. Or there’s the temptation to abstain and then binge when Lent is completed (or is that just me!).But maybe we can take on new things-ways of behaviour, devoting more time to spiritual practices. Whilst our other period of preparation at Advent is one of joyous anticipation, Lent is more poignant and sober, but also a time of beauty and depth. But both conclude in times of joy.The book we are studying for Lent (Searched me Out and Known Me by Charlie Bell) this week reminded us what we base Lent upon-Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness (note not a desert as is often thought). Jesus needed this time alone with God to discern his own identity following his baptism before he began his ministry.So as we continue in our Lenten journey let us mirror and reflect upon this foundational moment in Jesus’ life.This Sunday. 16th March. Lent 2 10:00am Holy Communion – St. Mary’s10:30am Holy Communion with Hymns – All SaintsThe week aheadMonday 17th March Tiny Tots 10.30am - All Saints Community HallMonday 17th March Evening Lent Group 7.30pmWednesday 19th March Celtic Morning Prayer 9.00am - All Saints Church Wednesday 19th March Afternoon Lent Group 2.00am to 3.30am - St. Marys Church (note new time)Thursday 20th March. Holy Communion -10.00am. St. Marys ChurchFriday 21st March Living After Loss 11.00am to 12noon - St. Marys ChurchSaturday 22nd March Saturday Lunches 12noon to 2.00pm - St. Marys ChurchNext Sunday. 23rd March. Lent 3 8.00am - Holy Communion – All Saints10:00am - Sung Holy Communion – St Marys10.30am - Cafe Church – 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. AmenBlessingsFr Kester de Oliveira
Dear All Saints and St MarysAs a young man, on two occasions I decided to give up alcohol for Lent. One year, I was successful, not drinking a drop until Easter Day. Yippee! I was so proud of that achievement – which, of course, defeats the whole object of a Lenten discipline. This is not meant to be about our moral strength or determination. Rather, Lent is a season to be more attentive to the presence of God, and our neediness. So, on the other occasion, I managed to avoid alcohol for 36 hours – but, by the Friday evening after Ash Wednesday, I gave up. I can remember sitting in the pub with my pint of beer, thinking “I’ve blown it. What a weakling!”. Until I remembered that wonderful story about two people who go into the Temple (Luke 18). The Pharisee is proud of his achievements; the other one – you or me – says “God, I’ve blown it again. Sorry. How can you help me be better next time? Thank you for not abandoning me”.Services this weekend for the 9th March 20258:00am. Holy Communion – All Saints10:00am Holy Communion – St. Mary’s10:30am Muddy Church – All Saints4:15pm Generations (Crazy Golf)The week aheadMon 10th 10.30am - Tiny Tots – All SaintsMon 10th 7.30pm - Lent GroupTues 11th 10:30am – Music for Toddlers - St. MarysWeds 12th 9:00am - Celtic Morning Prayer – All SaintsWeds 12th 1.00pm – Lent Group – St MarysThursday 13th 10:00am – Holy Communion - St. Mary’sSaturday 15th 9.30am - Safeguarding Training – All SaintsSaturday 15th 12noon - 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St. Mary’sSunday 16th 10:00am – Holy Communion – St. Mary’s10:30am – Holy Communion – All Saints
Numbers, Poems and GraceDear All Saints and St MarysOn February 27th this week, the church remembered the Poet and Priest George Herbert. (1593-1633). He was a prolific writer. Through books, poems and hymns he managed to craft something about the ordinary life with God's remarkable and extraordinary grace. He is both deeply serious and yet hopeful and light to read. I was gifted a book of poems a few months ago, a collection by Janet Morley. In it, at the beginning of Lent, is a poem by George Herbert. It is called Trinity Sunday. Weird perhaps to think of Trinty Sunday at this point in the year - but the poem, albeit it brief, is more about the way in which three's come together for good and grace. There are three verses, three virtues, three nouns, three verbs to end. It feels that it combines the whole of the three theologies of creation, contrition and resurrection. I leave it here for your prayers and ponderings as we make our way towards Lent.Trinity Sunday by George Herbert Lord, who hast formed me out of mud,And hast redeemed me through thy blood,And sanctified me to do good;Purge all my sins done heretofore:For I confess my heavy score,And I will strive to sin no more. Enrich my heart, mouth, hands in me,With faith, with hope, with charity;That I may run, rise, rest with thee.This Last Sunday before Lent - 2nd March10.00 - Creative Church - St Marys10.30 - Holy Communion with Band and Junior Church - All Saints6.30pm - Evensong - St MarysThe week aheadMonday 3rd 10.30am Tiny Tots - All Saints7.30pm - Lent GroupTues 4th 10:30am – Music for Toddlers - St. MarysAsh WednesdayWeds 5th 9:00am - Celtic Morning Prayer – All Saints10:00am – Holy Communion - St. Mary’s1.00pm - Lent Group - St Mary'sFriday 7th - 2.00pm - World Day of Prayer - All SaintsSaturday 8th 12–2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St. Mary’sSunday 9th8:00am – Holy Communion – All Saints10:00am – Holy Communion – St. Mary’s10:30am – Muddy Messy Church – All Saints4.30pm – Generations – Crazy Golf at Frenchay.Revd LizzieVicar of All Saints and St Marys Churches, FishpondsInterim Co Area Dean Bristol City Deanery
Waiting on WaitingDear All Saints and St MarysThe middle of February brings us into a betwixt and between time. The days are still cold, yet they are also noticeably longer and lighter. We are moving away from winter, but spring is not quite here. There are glimpses of what is to come, and yet it feels as if we are still in the thick of it.Easter, the ever-moveable Calendar feast comes as late as possible in 2025, and so that gives a rare opportunity of a three-week gap before Lent even begins. It feels a bit like the waiting room, before the waiting room. Or the departure area, that isn't quite yet the actual departure area. What possible purpose could this extra waiting space bring?I want to rush through it...to not consider its importance or notice its possible usefulness. Yet, perhaps it is a time to slow the steps down and not race through the year wishing it away - getting to of 2025 and looking back saying "Where did the year go?" These three weeks before Lent can be a blessing, a time of not requiring more from me than the attention to just the space it brings. So it is not a drag, or a bind to reach March - but the move from the speed of a sprint, into a steady jog, so that we can walk more easily into the year, and on the way hear more clearly God's call on our lives. This Sunday 16th February - the services are10.00am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys10.30am - Holy Communion with Hymns - All SaintsThe week aheadMonday 17th No Tiny Tots - Half term!Tuesday 18th No Music for Toddlers – as its half term! Wednesday 19th 9:00am - Celtic Morning Prayer - All Saints Thursday 20th 10:00am - Holy Communion - St. Mary’s Saturday 22nd 12.00 - 2:00pm - Saturday Lunches - St Mary’sSunday 23rd 8.00am - Holy Communion - All Saints 10:00am - Sung Holy Communion - St Marys 10.30am - Café Church - All Saints Blessings and peace to you all.Revd Lizzie
