Author: Laura Thomas

The Alpha Course

Posted on by Laura Thomas

The Alpha Course

We’ve been running Alpha at St Michael’s for many years, and hundreds of people have enjoyed the space to ask the big questions of life in a relaxed and open environment.

Alpha is a place where no subject is off-limits, and no question is too silly, difficult, or controversial (really!). It’s a place to find out what Christians believe, to see whether any of it adds up in practice, to decide what you think and – if you’re up for it – to give some of it a go.

We’d love you to join our next Alpha. Our next course begins with a taster session on Wednesday 30 April. To sign-up please click here .

We also have an online-only version for those who can’t get to the in-person course. The taster session for this is on Thursday 8 May and you can sign-up here.

if you have any questions please email Alpha@stmichaelsbristol.org.

How Alpha works:

We meet once a week, on a Wednesday, for 8 weeks. There is a Saturday together in the middle for a slightly longer time of food and discussion.

  • Alpha always starts with food.
  • There’s usually some live music.
  • Then there’s a 30-minute presentation on different aspects of faith and Christianity, covering topics like, Who is Jesus? How and why should I pray? How does God guide us?
  • We then get to respond to what we’ve heard, share our own thoughts and experiences, and chew over any questions raised. These discussions are often the best part of the session, and we get to hear from others as well as contribute our own perspective – if we’re up for that.
  • The evening finishes at 9.30pm

Please get in touch

To find out more about Alpha, or to sign up for the next course, please contact us!

Vision Night and Annual Church Meeting

Posted on by Laura Thomas

Join us for an evening of inspiration and vision at our Annual Meeting and Vision Night!  On Wednesday 23 April at 7.30pm, we’ll be gathering in St Michael’s Centre Auditorium.

Throughout the evening we will be looking forward at our vision, values and strategy. 

And we’ll also complete our formal Church of England annual meeting requirements as the PCC.
What is the PCC?

The PCC (Parochial Church Council) is the governing body of St Michael’s overseeing our ministry and mission. It is responsible for ensuring compliance with policies, proper recruitment and staff management. The PCC is required to hold an APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting) where reports are shared, accounts approved, and new members and officers are elected. Anyone can come to the annual meeting; only those on the electoral roll can vote.

Do I need to book to come?

You can just turn up, but it would aid us in planning if you could register in advance. Please click here

If you have questions to raise during the meeting, please can you submit them in advance on this form

Meeting Documents will be made available before the meeting and the link will be shared here.

Serve on PCC

The PCC (Parochial Church Council) is made up of Clergy, Church Wardens, members of the Deanery and Diocesan Synods and a number of elected members. Being a member of the PCC means you are part of decision making, and carries some legal responsibilities. PCC members are considered ‘trustees’ by the Charity Commission.  To stand for election to the PCC you must be 16 or over, on the church Electoral Roll, regularly take communion, and be legally allowed to be a Charity Trustee.

At the meeting on Wednesday 23 April we will be electing new members. If you have an interest in standing, please contact the PCC Secretary via the church office or speak with Simon.

Annual Meeting Documents

In line with our commitment to being more eco-friendly, we will not be printing multiple copies of the meeting documents.  Please download in advance or bring a device with you that you can access the internet on.  Printed copies will be available on request in advance. – please sign-up to request them.

The Gifts of Mindfulness for Silent Prayer

Posted on by Laura Thomas

The Gifts of Mindfulness for Silent Prayer

Saturday 10 May

Our culture can seem very noisy and busy sometimes, pushing us towards endless activity as if it is not enough simply to be here, to appreciate the beauty all round us and to offer love and kindness.

Using examples from the Bible of how Jesus lived in desert places and alone in the hills, together with guided mindfulness practices and reflections, this one day workshop explores how we can make more space for God in our lives. 

This one-day workshop is on Saturday 10 May from 10am to 4.15pm and tickets are £20. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Click here to book

Please bring your own packed lunch, refreshments will be provided.

This is our 4th day led by Tim Stead at St Michael’s Church, Stoke Gifford. Tim has been an ordained Anglican priest for 20 years in the Oxford diocese. He is currently a freelance mindfulness teacher and writer having trained with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. He has written several books, as well as running 8 week mindfulness courses and training for healthcare professionals:www.timsteadmindfulness.org

Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Posted on by Laura Thomas

Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Everyone is welcome to join in with an online prayer meeting for the persecuted church. It’s on Zoom on Monday 28 April at 7.30pm, for about an hour.

We use the video resources available from Open Doors and pray through the countries featured, where Christians need our encouragement as they face opposition, isolation and difficulties of many kinds – it would be great if you could join us!

Click here to sign-up