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
Click here to download an easy to follow examen prayer.
Prayer Apps and websites
Everyday Faith is a free daily devotional app from the Church of England.
Lectio 365 This comes recommended by Tom. It’s a UK based daily devotional that helps you pray the Bible every day, written by leaders from the 24-7 prayer movement and produced in partnership with CWR. Inspired by Lectio Divina, a way of meditating on the Bible that’s being used by Christians for centuries
Daily prayer Complete services for morning, evening and night prayer from the Church of England
Pray As You Go This UK based outfit (produced by Jesuit Media initiatives) have been producing material long before the digital age – a daily prayer session combining music, scripture and questions for reflection, based on Ignation Spirituality.
Bible in One Year Fantastic Bible in a year, with Nicky Gumbel reflections, with audio if required. You Version The definitive Bible app, now with built in audio! A staple for many, including our very own rector, Si Jones
Going Deeper – Silence and Stillness
One Minute Pause A simple way to connect with God in the middle of this busy time. This app invites you into the simple practise of releasing everything to God, restoring your union with God and inviting him to fill you.
Centering prayer A well-constructed app that allows you to adjust timings for silent prayer – includes prayers, scriptures and reflections.
Soul Time Highly recommended by Archbishop Justin Welby – who also contributes. ‘Christian meditation made simple’ – ‘learn Christian meditation with insightful courses from experts like Danny silk (one of the senior pastors from Bethel Church). It has some really good Bible based meditations on combating anxiety/stress/anger.
Tom’s video sessions on Practising Silence can be found here
