Author: Laura Thomas

This message comes with my blessing and prayers as we head into the Autumn season.

Usually the beginning of this term brings with it a scheduled programme of events that are as familiar as a trusted friend and as regular as, well…clockwork!

Bonfire nights, Carols on the Green, Carol services, Nativity plays, Midnight communion, Christmas day celebrations…all are affected by the pandemic that has invaded our world.

We live in a time of unprecedented change. A change that is out of our control. We cannot follow the usual programme. Circumstances will not allow the ‘usual’ to take place. We notice this in our personal lives, our community interactions and in the activities of Church. As the ancient Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, said, “The only constant in life is change”.

I observe two opposing instincts (in myself) as a response to change. One is ‘escapism’ the other is ‘realism’. Escapism calls me to stick my head in the sand and wait for a ‘return to normal’. Realism calls me to respond to the circumstances with hope and faith. The community needs a ‘Church for changing times.’ Realism not escapism.

In John 5:19, whilst being persecuted Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing…”

So, what is the Father doing among us? May I humbly suggest a few observations. The Father is 1) calling us to rediscover the importance of community. 2)  asking us to pause to lament and repent. 3) Increasing our call to share the good news of Jesus. 4) Re-establishing an attitude of prayer and action.

We continue to open Church services to rediscover Christian community and respond to what the Father is doing. One small part of this is a plan to refurbish our Church building to build a servant hearted Christian community for generations to come.

By the end of October, all four Sunday services and Celebrations will have restarted, combining Live worship, with an ongoing commitment to Livestream to those at home.

May the Lord Jesus enable you to see what the Father is doing in you and with you.

God bless you all,

 

On Sunday 11 October Vicky Wicks is being ordained! We are so excited to share in this as church family.

In normal times, lots of people would be going to Bristol Cathedral for the service. However, to ensure appropriate distancing, and compliance with Covid-19 rules, ordinations are being done 2 at a time and with just 2 guests per person.

But the good news is, we can all still support Vicky. The service is being streamed live from Bristol Cathedral via youtube and also on the Bristol Cathedral Facebook and Twitter pages

Please note that the actual links will not be available until just before the service starts at 12pm on Sunday 11 October

On our update for Thursday 1 October, Vicky shared a bit more about her story – you can view that here

Annual Parochial Church Meeting for 2020

This year’s APCM and Vision Night had to be postponed from April due to COVID-19.  However we are now holding our APCM on Monday 12 October 2020 at 7.30pm. This will be via zoom only.

Click here to register to attend

The APCM is an opportunity to review the past year, look ahead to the coming year and elect Church Wardens and members of the Parochial Church Council (PCC).

Electoral Roll

You will need to be on the Electoral Roll in order to vote at the APCM. The deadline for applications was 23 September and has now passed. A copy of the roll (names only) is available to view in church or St Michael’s Centre. If you are on the Electoral Roll you can view the draft by logging into MyChurchSuite.

Please note that if you signed up to the new Electoral Roll in 2019, you do not need to sign up again this year.

Nominations for PCC

PCC membership operates on a three year cycle. We currently have up to two vacancies to be voted on during the APCM. If you are interested in serving in this way, please contact us.