There’s always lots happening at St Michael’s

This news page is where you’ll find all the latest announcements and information about our work in the church and the community.

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Thy Kingdom Come
Thy Kingdom Come 2025 ...
Gift Day May 2025
👉 Click here to donate PLEASE CHOOSE FUND "CHURCH REFURBISHMENT" FROM THE DROP-DOWN MENU For ...
Testimonies
Testimonies You're Invited to Testimonies Night – Sunday 25 May! At our evening celebration on ...
Re:fresh
Re:fresh Re:fresh is for women of all ages and life-stages. A chance to come together ...
Plant Swap
Plant Swap On Saturday 10 May we are hosting a Plant Swap from 10am to ...
The Gifts of Mindfulness for Silent Prayer
The Gifts of Mindfulness for Silent Prayer Saturday 10 May Our culture can seem very ...
Prayer Gathering
Prayer Gathering On Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm we are gathering in St Michael's Centre ...
The Alpha Course
The Alpha Course We’ve been running Alpha at St Michael’s for many years, and hundreds ...
Vision Night and Annual Church Meeting
Join us for an evening of inspiration and vision at our Annual Meeting and Vision ...
Easter
Easter 2025 Join in with all things Easter, as we reflect on the cross and ...
Service of Celebration for the Life of Dave Carey
Service of Celebration for the Life of Dave Carey. Dave Carey - a much-loved member ...
Over 65's Afternoon Tea
Over 65's Afternoon Tea Sunday 6 April Always popular, these teas give a chance to ...

Thy Kingdom Come 2025

Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.

Since it began in May 2016,  God has grown TKC from a dream of possibility into a movement which unites more than a million Christians in prayer, in nearly 90% of countries worldwide, across 85 different denominations and traditions- so that friends and family, neighbours and colleagues might come to faith in Jesus Christ.

Every person, household and church are encouraged to pray during the 11 days in their own way.

It is our hope & prayer, that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus Christ and His love for the world, will hear it for themselves and respond and follow Him.

Specifically, We are all invited to pray that God’s Spirit might work in the lives of 5 people who have not responded with their ‘Yes’ to God’s call.

Download a copy of the prayer journal

Prayer Journal

The Novena is basedon the Lord’s Prayer and contained a devotion for each day between Ascension Day and Pentecost. Download a copy below.

Lord’s Prayer Novena

The daily devotions can also be found on the Thy Kingdom Come App, which you can download to your device via the Google Play or Apple store

This year there is also an invitation to have a digital detox. You can download a copy of the Digital detox devotional

Digital Detox Devotional

More info on Thy Kingdom Come can be found at thykingdomcome.global

Gift Day May 2025

👉 Click here to donate PLEASE CHOOSE FUND “CHURCH REFURBISHMENT” FROM THE DROP-DOWN MENU

For centuries, St Michael’s Church has stood at the spiritual and physical heart of our community. A place where lives have been transformed and generations have gathered to worship, learn, and serve. With a rich history dating back to the 14th century (and even earlier to Norman times), this sacred building has long been a place where people discover the beauty of Jesus and the strength of community.

Now, it’s our turn.

As part of our Heart of the Community project, we’ve already seen amazing progress:
✅ The St Michael’s Church Centre has been built
✅ Existing buildings have been renewed
✅ We’ve given away over £600,000 to projects working with the poor and marginalised.

Now, it’s time to complete the final and stage — the refurbishment of our historic church building. We still need £360,000 to achieve this.

With all necessary permissions soon in place, we will be ready to:

  • Level the flooring for accessibility and safety
  • Improve seating capacity to welcome more people
  • Install toilet facilities
  • Relocate the vestry
  • Refresh the overall décor

Full details and plans can be found via stmichaelsbristol.org/churchrefurbishment

This isn’t just about bricks and mortar — it’s about creating a space that will better serve a growing community and continue to point people to Jesus.

Over a decade ago, the previous Bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill said:“I think God loves audacity. I think He loves people to think up projects which mean that their only hope of achieving them would be to trust in Him.”

That’s exactly where we are now — trusting God and inviting us all to respond.

Can you give a one-off gift ?

We ask everyone to think and pray about what we can give. Every donation—big or small—will make a real difference.

The total cost of the project will be £464,000. We already have £104,000, leaving us to raise £360,000 to complete the project.

👉 Click here to donate PLEASE CHOOSE FUND “CHURCH REFURBISHMENT” FROM THE DROP-DOWN MENU.

Alternative ways to give:

Give online by internet banking

Please use the following details: Account name: Stoke Gifford PCC St Michael’s, Sort code 30–16–11, Account Number 01814843. Please make sure you quote the reference as: “Gift Day“.

Give cash or cheque

Please fill in the paper form (you can download it here) and hand in to the office together with your donation.

Cheques should be made payable to Stoke Gifford PCC St Michael’s.

Don’t forget to fill in the Gift Aid declaration on the back of the form if you pay tax, as it means we can claim extra on your donation.

Thank you for helping us restore our beautiful church building — and with it, our mission to remain the heart of our communities for generations to come.

Testimonies

You’re Invited to Testimonies Night – Sunday 25 May!

At our evening celebration on Sunday 25 May, we’re setting aside time for something truly special: an evening of testimonies.

Have you experienced God’s faithfulness in your life? Do you have a story of how you met Jesus, a powerful answer to prayer, or a moment where God showed up in an unexpected way?

We’d love to hear it.

No story is too big or too small — if God has moved in your life, your testimony could be just what someone else needs to hear. Come and be part of a night filled with encouragement, honesty, and faith.

Share your story. Inspire someone. Celebrate what God is doing.

Let us know on the form below


Re:fresh

Re:fresh is for women of all ages and life-stages. A chance to come together for an evening of connection, and be encouraged.

Slice & Dice

Our next event will be on Friday 7 November. All women from St Michael’s are invited for an evening of pizza, board games & chat
Tickets for this fantastic evening are just £8 each and include pizza and soft drinks. Please bring your own alcohol if you would like to.
There will be plenty of board games to choose from and others to play them with!  But if board games aren’t your thing, just come along for the pizza and chat.
Please get your tickets in advance, so we can cater for the right numbers

Click here to book

Plant Swap

On Saturday 10 May we are hosting a Plant Swap from 10am to 12pm in St Michael’s Centre. It’s running at the same time as the Repair Cafe and will be in the Lower Hall.

A great opportunity to share any surplus plants with others and swap for something different or buy plants, for a small donation, if you don’t have any to swap. If you have grown too many seedlings or have divisions of plants then bring them along to share with others.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to share surplus plants and pick up new plants. We ask for a small voluntary donations if you don’t bring any plants to swap. All proceeds will be donated to North Bristol & South Gloucestershire Foodbank.

If you have grown too many seedlings or have divisions/cuttings of plants or self-sown seedlings, then bring them along to share with others.

All plants welcome: Tomatoes, Veg, Flowers, Herbs, Houseplants etc.

Please label plants and bring them in single containers ready for people to take away. 

If you have plants to share, or if you would like more information, please contact Rebecca Bishop via the office, or just bring along your plants on the morning.

The Gifts of Mindfulness for Silent Prayer

Saturday 10 May

Our culture can seem very noisy and busy sometimes, pushing us towards endless activity as if it is not enough simply to be here, to appreciate the beauty all round us and to offer love and kindness.

Using examples from the Bible of how Jesus lived in desert places and alone in the hills, together with guided mindfulness practices and reflections, this one day workshop explores how we can make more space for God in our lives. 

This one-day workshop is on Saturday 10 May from 10am to 4.15pm and tickets are £20. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance. Click here to book

Please bring your own packed lunch, refreshments will be provided.

This is our 4th day led by Tim Stead at St Michael’s Church, Stoke Gifford. Tim has been an ordained Anglican priest for 20 years in the Oxford diocese. He is currently a freelance mindfulness teacher and writer having trained with the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. He has written several books, as well as running 8 week mindfulness courses and training for healthcare professionals:www.timsteadmindfulness.org

Prayer Gathering

On Thursday 1 May at 7.30pm we are gathering in St Michael’s Centre for a whole church prayer gathering.

Prayer is key to everything we do, and an important part of our individual lives. This is a wonderful opportunity to gather and pray as a church, and listen to God together.

Why not count yourself in and come along for an evening of prayer and worship?

The Alpha Course

We’ve been running Alpha at St Michael’s for many years, and hundreds of people have enjoyed the space to ask the big questions of life in a relaxed and open environment.

Alpha is a place where no subject is off-limits, and no question is too silly, difficult, or controversial (really!). It’s a place to find out what Christians believe, to see whether any of it adds up in practice, to decide what you think and – if you’re up for it – to give some of it a go.

Our next Alpha course begins with a taster session on Wednesday 1 October 2025. Express an interest in coming along here

Our next in-person course will be in the autumn.

if you have any questions please email Alpha@stmichaelsbristol.org.

How Alpha works:

We meet once a week, on a Wednesday, for 8 weeks. There is a Saturday together in the middle for a slightly longer time of food and discussion.

  • Alpha always starts with food.
  • There’s usually some live music.
  • Then there’s a 30-minute presentation on different aspects of faith and Christianity, covering topics like, Who is Jesus? How and why should I pray? How does God guide us?
  • We then get to respond to what we’ve heard, share our own thoughts and experiences, and chew over any questions raised. These discussions are often the best part of the session, and we get to hear from others as well as contribute our own perspective – if we’re up for that.
  • The evening finishes at 9.30pm

Please get in touch

To find out more about Alpha, or to sign up for the next course, please contact us!

Join us for an evening of inspiration and vision at our Annual Meeting and Vision Night!  On Wednesday 23 April at 7.30pm, we’ll be gathering in St Michael’s Centre Auditorium.

Throughout the evening we will be looking forward at our vision, values and strategy. 

And we’ll also complete our formal Church of England annual meeting requirements as the PCC.
What is the PCC?

The PCC (Parochial Church Council) is the governing body of St Michael’s overseeing our ministry and mission. It is responsible for ensuring compliance with policies, proper recruitment and staff management. The PCC is required to hold an APCM (Annual Parochial Church Meeting) where reports are shared, accounts approved, and new members and officers are elected. Anyone can come to the annual meeting; only those on the electoral roll can vote.

Do I need to book to come?

You can just turn up, but it would aid us in planning if you could register in advance. Please click here

If you have questions to raise during the meeting, please can you submit them in advance on this form

The documents for this meeting are now available on this link. 

Serve on PCC

The PCC (Parochial Church Council) is made up of Clergy, Church Wardens, members of the Deanery and Diocesan Synods and a number of elected members. Being a member of the PCC means you are part of decision making, and carries some legal responsibilities. PCC members are considered ‘trustees’ by the Charity Commission.  To stand for election to the PCC you must be 16 or over, on the church Electoral Roll, regularly take communion, and be legally allowed to be a Charity Trustee.

At the meeting on Wednesday 23 April we will be electing new members. If you have an interest in standing, please contact the PCC Secretary via the church office or speak with Simon.

Annual Meeting Documents

In line with our commitment to being more eco-friendly, we will not be printing multiple copies of the meeting documents.  Please download in advance or bring a device with you that you can access the internet on.  Printed copies will be available on request in advance. – please sign-up to request them.

Easter 2025

Join in with all things Easter, as we reflect on the cross and celebrate in the hope of the resurrection.

Maundy Thursday 17 April

7.30pm St Michael’s Church -Join us for a service of Holy Communion.

Live stream link here

Good Friday 18 April

All-Age Good Friday Trail

Searching for Easter

10am – 11.30am St Michael’s Centre

Come and join us as we embark on an Easter Trail around Stoke Gifford. It starts at 10am at St Michael’s Centre, when a special trail pack will be given out. The pack includes:

  • A map showing the 8 stations dotted around Stoke Gifford
  • Symbols that take us through the Easter story
  • A word puzzle to complete
  • Items to collect to make an Easter garden at home
  • QR codes to scan that take us to videos of Eye Witness accounts from key characters in the Easter story

At 11.00, everyone will join back together in the church auditorium for a time of worship and reflection on what we have just discovered.

It promises to be a fun, engaging and interactive morning with an opportunity to reflect on the Easter story.

Good Friday 18 April

Good Friday Reflective Service

12pm in Church – Join us in Church for our Good Friday Reflective Service with Holy Communion. Stay for as little or as long as you like. Arrive or leave on the quarter-hour. Communion will be at 1.45pm.

Live stream link here

Easter Sunday 20 April

  • The Nine o’clock in Church
  • The Ten-thirty in the Centre
  • The Six-Thirty in the Centre

Join in as we celebrate the Good News of the risen Lord Jesus! All services will also be live-streamed on our YouTube channel

At all three services we will also be having Baptisms!

Read a digital copy of “Why Easter?” here.

Service of Celebration for the Life of Dave Carey.

Dave Carey – a much-loved member of our Church Family –  sadly passed away last month.  Dave was the Buildings Manager at St Michael’s for many years before his retirement in 2019. His hard work was integral to the vision and building of St Michael’s Centre, and the development of the Old School Rooms.  


A Celebration of Life for Dave will be held on Wednesday 16 April at 10.30am in Church. There will be refreshments afterwards in the Auditorium in St Michael’s Centre.  To help the family plan, we would like to get an idea of the number of people planning to attend. If you plan to come, please fill in this short form here.


Dave’s family have placed a book at St Michael’s Centre reception for people to share stories and memories of Dave. The family would love to read what Dave meant to people, so please do pop in to share yours.
Please do continue to pray for Dave’s wife Kim and their children – Becky, Sarah and Toby.

For those who are not able to attend, the service will be live-streamed via our YouTube channel. Click here for the direct link

Over 65’s Afternoon Tea

Sunday 6 April

Always popular, these teas give a chance to connect together with old friends and meet new ones whilst enjoying a scrumptious tea. 

Bookings are essential, so book early to secure your place!
Why not come along to join in with our traditional Evensong service in church at 5pm after the tea?  You would be very welcome.

Bookings open Friday 7 March.

Click here to book

You will get a confirmation email of your booking.