Advent 2022

What are you doing in Advent? Do you have an advent calendar or candle? Perhaps you are reading a book of reflections, or signed up to receive devotional emails from a Christian organisation?

There are lots of different resources and options for us to tap into during this time, and here are just a couple:

Action Advent from LICC – download an Advent Calendar full of ways to make a difference.

Lectio 365 and Family Advent from 24-7 Prayer.

There are also lots of Reading Plans on YouVersion – this one comes recommended: 21 Gifts of Advent.

If there is something that you’re enjoying using, why not share it on the Connect Facebook group?

Whatever you choose during this season of Advent, here is a prayer for us all:






Putting Faith into Action

Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. James 4:15,17

Shop

When we buy coffee, only 7-10% of what we pay goes to the actual growers. Shop Fairtrade for a more equal distribution.

Many big companies – particularly Amazon and Starbucks – are notorious for dodging taxes and not paying their fair share. Go for independent cafés and retailers instead, when you can – including our own Coffee Shop here at St Michael’s

Buying second-hand clothes from eBay and charity shops is cheaper, more fun, and far better for people and the environment than buying new. It reduces the market for exploitative sweatshops, and stops ‘fast fashion’ from using up precious resources and going to waste.

Give

Pitching in financially at St. Michael’s Church enables us all to better serve our communities and our global partners.

10% of everything given to St. Michael’s is funnelled straight to our mission partners who are living and sharing the good news on the ground in Bristol, the UK, and around the world.

We can donate to poverty relief charities too. If every member of St. Michael’s church gives the cost of one Tesco Meal Deal per week towards mosquito nets, we as a church could protect a quarter of a million people from Malaria every year.

Serve

Some of our local mission partners need volunteers to make a direct difference in people’s lives – that could be you.

The befriending program connects lonely refugees and asylum seekers with local people who can give a couple of hours a week to spend some quality time with them. More info at bridgesforcommunities.com/programmes/b-friend

Bristol Christian charity inHope need people to help feed the homeless and vulnerable in Bristol with jobs like serving food, washing dishes, and preparing food parcels. Visit inhope.uk/get-involved/volunteer to sign up or find out more.

Share

Why not Tell your friends and family about the habits you’ve been building and actions you’ve been taking?

Remembrance Sunday 2022

Sunday 13 November is Remembrance Sunday

Our ten-thirty will begin outside with everyone gathering around the war memorial on The Green at 10.25am.  If you are worshipping at the nine o’clock, why not stay for coffee and then attend the act of Remembrance?

We will be joined by the Royal British Legion, and local Uniformed Groups. A short act of Remembrance will take place, with the laying of wreaths and 2 minutes silence.

After this everyone else will gather in the auditorium in St Michael’s Centre, from there, our young people will go to their groups in the usual places.  Our live-streamed online service will begin at 10.45.