Category: St Michael’s Church

The Fatherhood of God – a message from Julie

Posted on by Laura Thomas

Dear friends,

Just after Christmas last year, my husband Chris and I had to say goodbye to our much-loved Springer Spaniel, Millie.  We’d had her for 12 years and she very much belonged to the season of life of us being ‘home alone’, with our children having grown up and left home.  We were very sad, yet at the same time so grateful to have had her in our lives for these years.  We both felt that we had ‘one more puppy in us’, so set about exploring options, and in early February we welcomed a new four-legged friend, Poppy, into our home.  She came to us as an ‘older’ puppy – about 16-months old – beautifully behaved in some respects (having spent her early months with a dog trainer), but it took some weeks for us to crack her toilet training!  And she had SO much energy…

It felt at times like we, and our home, had been hit by a whirlwind!

But through all those challenging early weeks I really felt God speaking to me about the nature of his love.  We had known and loved Millie deeply for so long; we were ‘familiar with all her ways’ (as King David wrote in Psalm 139).  Poppy we didn’t yet know in the same way, yet we loved her – not because she had done anything to deserve our love, but we loved her because we’d chosen her.  In fact, we chose to lavish our love on her – and she responded so gladly and willingly.  Now, four months on, it very much feels like she’s part of our family – and we’re becoming familiar with all her little ways!  I thought you might enjoy this picture of Poppy with Chris, on the Malvern Hills.  It all reminded me so much of this verse from a letter written by the Apostle John:

‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!’, 1 John 3v1

As we celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, I know that for many of us there may be feelings of sadness as we remember fathers who are no longer with us, or fathers who may not be able to be there for us in the way they once were, or perhaps even fathers we never had an opportunity to know.  But the fatherhood of God is something we are all invited to know and experience for ourselves, and His enduring presence with us through all the ups and downs of life is something we can count on. I love this promise of God: ‘Never will I leave you: never will I forsake you’, Hebrews 13v5.

May you know the reality and comfort of God’s love in this season of your own life.

And may these simple resources speak to you of this reality, and the fact that your Father in heaven loves you, has chosen you, and longs to lavish His love on you.

May God bless you and keep you in His love and care.

 

Julie Bradley

Revd Canon Julie Bradley, Associate Minister

Supporting Ukraine

Posted on by Laura Thomas

Information on the Bristol response to Ukrainian Refugees – click here

Information on volunteering with Love Bristol helping refugees with the visa process – click here

We are currently in discussions with Bristol City Council and South Glos Council about becoming a Welcome Hub for providing support and space for Ukrainians to access. One of the requirements of a Welcome Hub is that they have a Welcome Hub Leader – if you feel that this is an area of Ministry that you would like to be involved in please get in touch.

If you are interested in hosting a refugee please go to the Gov website to register your interest.

 

Donate items via Barnabus Fund Food Gives Appeal

Thank you to all those who have bought items in and those who have taken them to the Swindon collection point for the Ukraine Barnabus Fund appeal. We have taken lots of full car loads of essential items so far which is fantastic! 

The current need is for the following:

Food  tinned food with pull lids, energy bars and food you can eat on the run.

 

Donate Financially

Donating financially is one of the quickest ways to practically help. Below are four different ways.

Donate to the UK Disaster Emergency Committee Fund Click here

DEC charities are in Ukraine and neighbouring countries meeting the needs of all refugees and displaced people: By donating to the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, you’ll help DEC charities provide food, water, shelter and healthcare to refugees and displaced families.

  • £30 could provide essential hygiene supplies for three people for one month
  • £50 could provide blankets for four families
  • £100 could provide emergency food for two families for one month

Donate to Moldovan Mission

Moldovan Mission’s CEO, Mark McCormick, is the founder and former leader of Gotesti Baptist Church. He works closely with St Michael’s Mission Partner Ruslan Telpiz and other Pastors throughout Moldova.  Click here

Message from Mark: “We are at this moment supporting our Pastor Partners, as they help those who are fleeing the Ukraine. They are meeting the refugees on the border and giving food and accommodation. If they wish to go to Romania then they are transporting them. All this they are doing at their own expense. So we are trying to raise funds for them. If you would like to help please use our donations page and mark your donation Refugees. Thank you“.

Donate to Epaphras Trust

Epaphras Trust works in four countries: Kenya, India, Nepal and Ukraine and is a Mission Partner of St Michael’s Church. Trustee and church member Ken Hart has been to Ukraine around 20 times in the last 18 years. More info and details on how to give: Click here

Donate to the #HelpUkraine Emergency Appeal. Click here

This campaign is being organised by a community partnership of Ukrainian churches and organisations in Great Britain,  and the funds raised will provide accredited and registered Ukrainian charities with medicine, food and vital services. Donations can also pay for blankets, hygiene packs and trauma counselling.
  • The Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of the Holy Family of London
  • Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church in Great Britain
  • Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB)
  • Association of Ukrainian Women (AUW)
  • Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM)
  • Plast Ukrainian Scouts in Great Britain
  • Association of Ukrainian Teachers (AUT)
 

Prayer

  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.
  • At Kidz Club, the children wrote some prayers for Ukraine. They are simple and heartfelt. Let’s join in praying them together.

Mothering Sunday Message from Vicky

Posted on by Laura Thomas

As I write the sun is shining – long may it last!

At this time of year, I love seeing the daffodils coming out (there’s a patch just outside our kitchen window) – the yellowness of them always brings such joy and hope of new life. This is also a time when we are looking forward to Mothering Sunday. Mothers’ Day comes with all sorts of emotions, so let’s take care of one another as we enjoy celebrations, as well as holding some of the difficult things. Let’s take the chance to celebrate all the women in our lives, both past and present; all that they are or have been, and how much of an amazing impact they have, and have had, on us and those around them.

The lovely daffodils also remind us that it’s not long until Easter. The Easter story is such good news for all of us. There are lots of religions out there, all describing different ways to reach God. The brilliant thing about Christianity is that God has already done the reaching, as he came to live among us in the person of Jesus. Jesus didn’t only come and live with us; he has shown that he is stronger than death itself by dying and coming alive again, which is what we celebrate at Easter. He did this so that we can get to know God for ourselves. If you don’t yet know God for yourself (or even if you do!), why not come and join in one of our Easter services and find out more? We have reflections on Good Friday and services and celebrations on Easter Sunday. All the details can be found here

As we continue to hear about all that is going on in Ukraine and Russia, it is sometimes hard to know what to pray. A good place to start is for ourselves not to give up.  We know God is with us, as well as with those facing violence and fear in Ukraine, so let’s pray for hope and for peace, and until that happens let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to bring strength not to give up.

It feels that, 2 years after our first lockdown, things are beginning to return to normalI hope this makes you feel glad, but for those of you for whom this makes you feel anxious, please be assured of our prayers.

God bless and love to you all