Author: Laura Thomas

The Church of England have published a digital charter – a voluntary pledge to help make social media and the web more positive places.

As a church, St Michael’s has signed-up to this charter.

As part of a live Q&A at Facebook UK’s Headquarters, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, launched the digital charter and social media guidelines and encouraged Christians and others to sign up to it.

The charter is centred on the five principles of: truth, kindness, welcome, inspiration and togetherness, and the opportunity for people to sign-up to show they support the principles.

It is hoped that people of all faiths and none will use the charter to consider how their own online interactions can affect others, both for good and bad.

Archbishop Justin Welby said:

“Social media has transformed the way we live our lives. As Christians we are called to engage in a way which is shaped by the example of Jesus.

“As we respond to the call on each of us to be witnesses to Jesus Christ, I encourage all of us to consider how we live our lives as witnesses online. 

“Each time we interact online we have the opportunity either to add to currents of cynicism and abuse or to choose instead to share light and grace.

“My prayer is that through these guidelines and charter we can encourage regular and not-so-regular churchgoers, sceptics and those who are surprised to find themselves interested, to be open to think and experience more of the Christian faith.”

The charter and guidelines also have the backing of the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, who said:

“While there is a time and a place for complaint and criticism, too often today this takes place not to encourage improvement but to vilify an individual or group. Sometimes it’s about counting to 10 and asking whether a spiteful statement on social media will change a situation for the better.

“Today, we are saying that the Church wishes to be present in the digital sphere, and the same force for social cohesion which it strives to be in the real world, and we want to work alongside social media companies in their work to make social media a safe and enlightening space for all.”

Over the past few years, our staff team has grown and changed. We want to help you get to know the St Michael’s team! So, in the first of an occassional series, we put some questions to our new Associate Vicar, Tom Benyon.

 What motivated you to come to St Michael’s?

Ever since training at Trinity College, Bristol we have felt called to the West Country and specifically Bristol, so when a friend of mine drew my attention to the post I was very interested. I had not visited St Michael’s before but had heard about it spoken of in lots of positive ways. Sara and I visited the 10.30am service ‘under the radar’ in Autumn 2018 and loved it, so it felt very natural to apply for the job. We really loved the vision of the church – to be a Christian heart at the centre of the community – and felt excited at the prospect of being in a church that is both committed to the transformation of its local area, but also with a vision to impact the wider community, Bristol and beyond.

What have been your first impressions?

The centre is obviously an amazing resource and there are clearly many things going on throughout the church, but what has struck us the most has been the warmth and kindness of everyone who has welcomed us. So, thank you for this.  A lot of people have expressed just how much they love this church community- which to my mind is always a good sign!

 What are you most looking forward to you in your ministry here?

I’m looking forward to working closely with the team, getting to know as many people as possible and generally getting ‘plugged in’. I am especially passionate about prayer and whole-life discipleship and how we can learn together to become more Christ-like. To that end, I’m particularly looking forward to working with life groups amongst other things.  

What do you do to relax?

I love hanging out with the family, going on bike rides, watching sport (rugby, tennis, football) and reading novels to my boys. Sara and I love going to see live music and theatre when we can. I’m a bit of an introvert and I like nothing better than hiking across countryside with Lottie the dog for company. 

I hear you have a bit of an am-drammer in you! What’s your favourite part that you’ve played?

Believe it or not I played King Lear at university – it took me ages to learn the lines. It was a pretty earnest, student production (I was 19 trying to play an 80-year-old!) but I think we did okay. More recently I have been directing plays rather than acting in them. I was especially proud of a Romeo and Juliet set on a housing estate and a production of Death of a Salesman, with Richard (Dickie) Attenborough’s grandson in the lead role. I have missed the drama side of things since moving into ordained ministry – perhaps new opportunities in Bristol may emerge.

What’s your favourite bible verse or story, and why?

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him so that you may overflow with hope in the power of the Holy Spirit’. Romans 15:13

I love the exuberance of this prayer from Paul, with its focus on hope and trust in God. I want to ‘overflow with hope’!

And lastly – important information for anyone in church- what’s your favourite cake?

As someone who loves cake but now is ‘gluten-free’ that is a painful question! Quite a number of gluten-free cake options may taste okay but they have the consistency of wet sand. That said, Sara’s chocolate and coconut torte is just about perfect.

Each summer we hold an outdoor church celebration.  It’s an event for the whole community of Stoke Gifford, and a great chance for everyone to worship together as a whole church family at the heart of the community.

This year we’re expanding the fun into the afternoon as well!

Everyone is welcome. It all starts at 11.00am on Sunday 23 June, and takes place on The Green, Stoke Gifford.  

After the celebration the fun will continue!

11am – 12pm Church on the Green.   
Simon will be leading the service and Tom Benyon will be speaking. 
The theme this year is Let your Light Shine!

12pm Lunchtime! Bring your own, or buy a burger or hot dog from the barbecue!

12.30pm Games available on the Green.

1.30pm Choose from:  a Walk, Film in the Auditorium, Board Games or Football.

3.30pm Cream Tea is served!

6.30pm Evening Celebration

It’s a great chance for us all to be together for fun and fellowship, and don’t worry if you are coming by yourself, there will be people to welcome you!

If the weather is bad we will still go ahead – we are working on a wet weather plan.

And if the weather is good – don’t forget your sunscreen!

For this week only, Church on the Green will replace the 9am and 10.30 services.

Paper copies of the service order will be available, or you can download a copy here

In a private service today, Tom Benyon was formally licensed as Associate Vicar at St Michael’s by Bishop Viv, Bishop of Bristol.

We are delighted to welcome Tom and family to St Michael’s!

Tom will be working alongside the existing leadership team. And we’ll be celebrating as a church at the 6.30pm Celebration this coming Sunday 9 June, when Tom will also be commissioned by Bishop Lee, Bishop of Swindon.