The sound of bells from St Michael’s Church is here to stay.

The Parochial Church Council was granted a temporary licence in September 2018 to make safe and preserve the original bells and evaluate a modern digital bells system.
The digital bells were installed in the church tower in early December 2018 and tested and adjusted over a nine-month period to get the most realistic sound.

The Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC) visited the church in November 2019 to see the system and hear the bells. They noted that the system was effective and “evidently greatly appreciated by the congregation and neighbouring community”.

A faculty for permanent use of the digital bells was granted earlier this year so long as:
• any future alterations or replacement of the system is referred to the DAC
• they are rung for “ordinary use” (excluding times when muffled* bells would be required), and
• the PCC is encouraged to progress the preservation and repair of the bells.

There were once four bells in the bell chamber: there are now only three. There is no record of what happened to the missing bell. In July 2019 the bells were removed from their pivots and supported on a timber platform to remove the weight from the historic bell frame – which is included on the Church Buildings Council’s list of significant frames

*Muffled or half-muffled bells can be rung to mark funerals and other solemn occasions.

This November Gift Day supports the ministry and mission of St Michael’s Church, as we aim to be a Christian heart at the centre of the community.

Living to make a difference through discipleship, outreach and service.

Read on for more info, or click here to fill in a pledge form

Supporting Ministry & Mission

One Church, One Vision

Our vision is living to make a difference by being a Christian heart at the centre of the community.

Our vision is realised by focusing on Discipleship, Outreach and Serving our Community.

To make our vision happen, we hold 2 gift days a year. One in November to support day-to-day ministry, and one in May to support our resources and buildings.

Giving Thanks

Our gifts make this vision possible. This year, we’ve:

Recruited new staff team members – Youth Minister, Children and Families Minister, Students and Young Adults Worker and Buildings, Facilities & Technical Services Manager.

Welcomed Tom Benyon as Associate Minister – allowing us to expand our ministry in Cheswick and through Life Groups.

Replaced the roof on our historic church building.

Thank you for joining us on this adventure of generous giving that enables our vision to become a reality.

Key Priorities for 2018-2021

Children’s Ministry

Jesus is calling us to invest in the lives of children and families. We’ve employed a paid Children and Families Minister this year to grow this ministry and lead our amazing volunteers.

New Housing Areas

In Cheswick and Harry Stoke we’d like to plant new Life Groups, grow young leaders and meet community needs for all ages.

Young Adults Ministry

Students, 20s and 30s are absent from most churches. We would like to resource ministry among this generation.

 

Church Building Repairs

We aim to invest in the Church building by providing toilets, renewed flooring, improved seating and repairing the dry stone wall.

This Appeal is an Invitation…..

To everyone who belongs to St Michael’s

We have a vision for growth of our congregations and our community outreach. We require faith, boldness and generosity in our giving according to our circumstances. By God’s grace and our commitment, we will have the resources to take hold of these opportunities.

If you’re not yet giving

Some of us haven’t yet been able to support our ministry and mission. Could now be your time to begin giving financially?

If you’re new to St Michael’s

Maybe you’ve recently joined church and not yet become part of the vision to be a Christian heart at the centre of the community. Would you consider giving towards the development of our ministries to enable the vision?

If you can give more

Some of us are in a better financial position than before. Please pray about increasing your giving.

Click here to fill in a pledge form

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.