“ Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Colossians 3:2 Greetings dear friends, This week is my last week with you as your Curate before I head off to take up my new post in Hereford! The last few weeks I’ve been saying many ‘goodbyes’ and having my ‘last’ turn at things, and felt that the sadness of that. One of the things that has held me together is remembering that God writes the story. All the chapters he’s written so far (and all the amazing ‘characters’ within them – that includes you!), I carry forward with me in my heart, and will discover how they feed into and shape the story to come. I’m sure there will be many new challenges and surprises, but I’m encouraged by the idea that it's all woven together into a bigger vision of God for my life. In some small way, that is me setting my mind “on things that are above, not on things that are on earth”, as I trust God in the transition and in the new chapters beyond. You have been wonderful people to be amongst. This Sunday 31st July is a fifth Sunday, which means we have our Benefice Service.
This will be a service of Holy Communion at 10am at St Mary’s, led by Rev. Diane, with Rev. Janey preaching.
There is no 10.30am service at All Saints this week – instead there will be an 8am BCP Holy Communion led by Rev. Janey..
Roots Materials are here for you to use.
In the week ahead, we have: Wednesday 3 August
9.00am Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints Church Thursday 4 August
10.00am Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church
Next Sunday 7th August, we have:
10.00am Open / Creative Church at St Mary’s
10.30am Holy Communion at All Saints
6.30pm Evensong at St Mary’s
It seems fitting to end with the beautiful prayer Paul writes to the church in Colossae, which is found in chapter 1 of his letter, and to make that my prayer of blessing for you this week: May you “be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you] to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light.” Amen to that! Rev Janey
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All Saints & St Mary's, Fishponds
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Sabbath "summons us to intent and conduct that defies the most elemental requirements of a commodity-propelled society." - Walter Bruggemann