Digital Bells – an appealing option

After decades of silence the sound of church bells will once again ring out across the village green at Stoke Gifford!

Reverend Canon Simon Jones said: ‘The installation of a digital bells system is a unique marriage of a medieval structure and 21st century technology.  We will now be able to call parishioners to worship, celebrate weddings, mark funerals and herald local and national celebrations in a quintessentially time-honoured fashion.

Three years ago we shared that the existing bells  (one of which dates back to 1450) were unsafe.  They were beyond economic repair or renovation. Local residents were invited to hear a trial of electronically-reproduced bell sounds from the church tower.   The feedback from this trial was overwhelmingly positive.

The church authorities are taking a great interest in the project as St Michael’s is the first church in the Diocese of Bristol to install such a system.  It’s taken time to gain the various ecclesiastical permissions, to make safe and preserve the original three bells,  and to evaluate a modern, state of the art, digital sound system, which will be installed in the newly re-roofed and refurbished church tower.

Once the system is in place on 4 December, there will follow a 15-month appraisal period, after which an application can be made to retain the system permanently.

Simon added: ‘The new digital bells will be in operation in time for our annual Carols on the Green service on 8 December, when the hundreds of people who attend this popular event will be able to hear – many for the first time –  the sound of bells ringing out across The Green.’

The digital bells system will take a few days to install and commission. Over this period they will be tested at various times in order to perfect the sound and decide which of the many available peals will be appropriate for St Michael’s Church.

Among the many advantages of digital bells is that they are relatively inexpensive, easy to operate, virtually maintenance free, faithfully reproduce pre-set peals – and do not require bell ringing practice sessions!

We so thrilled to be able to have the sound of bells again!

 

Living to make a difference: Thanksgiving and Gift Day 2018

” At St Michael’s, we are privileged to be part of a vibrant, growing church.  It’s encouraging to see the continued growth of our ministry and mission, both locally and overseas.  Since last year’s Gift Day, we have 4 new Life Groups, a new Youth team, new Associate Vicar starting in January 2019 and much more besides, including a repaired Church Tower. Thank you to everyone who has given their time, money and prayer support in 2018. Our November “Gift Day” is a chance for us to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness and to renew our commitment to living generously. How will you give in 2019 to help deliver the vision of St Michael’s?  With your support we will achieve our church’s vision and lay stronger foundations for the future.  Thank you for your generosity. “

Revd Canon Simon Jones

Our Vision
St Michael’s, Stoke Gifford is a lively, growing Anglican Church.  We share a vision of “living to make a difference” by being a “Christian heart at the centre of the community”.

Our Strategy
Discipleship: through Life Groups, Youth & Children’s groups, helping each of us grow in our friendship with Jesus.
Outreach: to creatively share the Good News of Jesus with others.
Serving the community: in a variety of ways that generate goodwill and community regeneration.

Our Investment in Ministry & Mission in 2018
Thanks to your generosity in giving your time and financial support in 2018, we have blessed many more people through evangelism and outreach.
We are thankful for our thriving ministry in Children’s, Youth and Student work; Alpha, Baptism, Marriage and Parenting Courses, Divorce Recovery Workshop; Men’s Ministry, Singleness Ministry; Over 65s; Pastoral Presence, Coffee Shop and Community Events.

 

Our Future
We have a vision for growth of our congregations and our community outreach.  We require faith, boldness and generosity in our giving according to our circumstances.  By God’s grace and our commitment we will have the resources to take hold of these opportunities.
In 2019, we’d like to increase outreach in our New Housing Areas, develop being a regional resource church and strengthen Discipleship, Outreach and Serving the Community through even more Life Groups.

Our Financial Target for 2019
In 2018, we have been blessed to receive generous lump sum gifts in addition to regular donations.
In 2019, we’d like to increase our regular monthly giving to meet our regular monthly expenditure.
We’d like to encourage everyone to join in our journey of generosity.

Together we can raise the additional £5000 per month (£60K p.a.) in regular giving required to pay for our exciting Ministry and Mission plans.

Our Giving
Our parish relies on the generous financial support from those who attend St. Michael’s. Giving and gratitude go together and we give out of gratitude for what we receive from God.
‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ 2 Cor 9:7

Our Challenge
Many of us faithfully and sacrificially give, even in difficult financial circumstances, to support the work of God and this Parish.
If you live in a household which is not yet contributing financially to God’s work at St. Michael’s, please prayerfully consider how you can change that.
‘Each one of us should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.’ 1Peter 4:10

Our Response

If you are not yet a regular giver to the Church, please pray about starting regular, planned giving.

If you are an existing regular giver, please prayerfully consider increasing your gift.

If you receive a windfall gift, for example, a bonus or inheritance, please consider making a lump sum gift to St Michael’s

If you are a tax payer, please take advantage of Gift Aid by signing a declaration form. This will mean an extra 25p on every £1 you give.

Our Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life, love and your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to be generous in return, and support our Parish as it seeks to serve you and proclaim the Gospel afresh to each generation.
‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God’. Philippians 4.6

Download a giving form

If you would like to talk to someone in confidence about giving please speak with Alison Volkmer or Rob Farrell.

Alison Volkmer  – Financial Controller

Rob Farrell – Treasurer St Michael’s PCC

 

 

Associate Vicar News

Following interviews at the end of October, we are pleased to announce that Tom Benyon has been appointed as Associate Vicar at St Michael’s. Tom is currently curate at St John’s church in Peasdown, Bath. He has a background as a teacher, and during his curacy has been responsible for developing  small group ministry  at his church, and beginning a men’s ministry.

Tom says:

I grew up in North Bucks and went to school near Oxford. After my degree in English literature at Edinburgh, I went on to teach English and Drama in secondary schools in London and Hong Kong, as well as direct numerous school productions. We moved West for me to train for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol and I’m currently into my fourth year as a curate in Peasedown St John, Bath. I am married to Sara and we have three wonderful boys, Elijah (10), Zachary (8) and Raphael (5), a dog called Lottie and two chickens (!). We are thrilled to be coming to Stoke Gifford and serving amongst you at St Michael’s. We look forward to joining your church family shortly- in the meantime, have a wonderful Christmas season!

Tom and family, will be joining us in the early new year.

Please pray for them as they prepare to move and join the leadership in our Church.

Tom