And you can read more about the Solitude practice here
Community
Our latest series is on Community and runs each Sunday from 26 October until 16 November. Community is important, but despite the unprecedented connectivity of the modern era, genuine community is vanishing.We will be exploring this over 4 Sundays. Resources are available for Life Group in the Life Group Leaders shared drive. The Rule of Life podcast also has a 4-episode series which is available on Spotify.
The teaching is from the Practicing the Way resources, which can be found online here
We also recommend the Practicing the Way book by John Mark Comer
“Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Live as he did: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did” by John Mark Comer (Available from all good book stores ISBN 0281086672 and on Amazon ))
There is also a podcast specifically on the book – listen on spotify here.
Don’t we get any money from the Church of England?
All ministry at St Michael’s is resourced by us.
We have amazing buildings, don’t we have lots of money?
The short answer is no. We still have daily running costs on our buildings, and we have loans which still need to be repaid.
Why is there a gap in our finances?
Expenditure is always tightly monitored. But there is a gap in our finances, because only 50% of those who worship here give financially to the Church.
We are thrilled to have achieved our Bronze Eco Church accreditation with A Rocha and are working towards achieving our Silver Award.
Eco Group
St Michael’s Eco Group was formed in October 2021 on the back of celebrating Climate Sunday the previous month. In the two years that have followed, we have achieved a lot and come a long way.
The following things we have set up and happen regularly:
*NEW* Ecover washing and washing up liquid refills available to buy at Repair Cafe and on first Sunday of the month.
We buy Eco-friendly washing up liquid in bulk and sell
We grow some of our own vegetables
We have recycling facilities in every room and in the churchyard
We use ECO friendly paper
Our toilet paper is either recycled or Eco friendly
All our toilet roll holders are made from recycled tetra paks
We have put the following things in place:
We no longer use disposable cups in any of our Church Services
We have twinned all our toilets through a toilet twinning charity
We have held Clothes Swap Events
We have held Plant Swap Events
We have held community litter picks
We have installed solar panels on our Church Centre
We have put up a Bee pole in the Churchyard
We have a water butt on site
We have held a 5-week sermon series on God’s Creation
We have created, published and analysed a sustainable travel survey
We have updated our travel page to include all forms of sustainable transport
Left an area of the Churchyard un-mowed and wild
We no longer serve individually wrapped biscuits
It is hoped that by all of us making small changes we can help to influence the culture at St Michael’s to help us look after our Environment. If you would like any more information on the Eco Group please contact eco@stmichaelsbristol.org
Going forward we are looking to:
Have an energy audit on all our buildings
Plant wild flowers to encourage more wildlife
Buy more Eco-friendly items in bulk to sell
Look into having an electric charging point installed in our car park
No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
John 1.18
Our Christmas theme this year is At the Heart of Christmas. The theme is an invitation to everyone to discover – or rediscover – the good news of God’s saving love as revealed in the birth of Jesus. It is also a challenge to each of us to ponder in our hearts – as Mary did – what the extraordinary events of the first Christmas might mean for us now and in the years ahead.
We are thankful to still be able to meet in person for our Christmas services and events.
Face coverings are a legal requirement in our buildings (unless you are exempt).
In line with government advice, even if you do not have symptoms, please take a lateral flow test before attending any of our services or events.
If you do test positive with a lateral flow or feel ill, please do not attend.
We look forward to worshipping Jesus together, in-person and online.
Christmas Services
for themes, readings and speakers for Sundays in December – see here
Christmas Eve
15.00 Crib Service – St Michael’s Centre – in-person only
23.15 Midnight Communion – St Michael’s Church BOOKING ESSENTIAL CLICK HERE TO BOOK
Christmas Day
10.00 All Age Christmas Celebration- St Michael’s Centre – in-person and online
