Dear All Saints and St Marys This weekend, and last weekend, are often called “Petertide”. After Saint Peter no less! St Peter and St Pauls Saints day falls on the 29th June, which marks the anniversary of their martyrdom in about the year AD64. They were both leaders and witnesses to Jesus and the early church in different and remarkable ways. Their gifts laid the foundations for the spread of Christianity.
For this reason it has been the custom that the weekends that fall at this time are times of ordinations in the Anglican church. Mrs Diane Simms, who has worshipped alongside Mark and her children at All Saints for over 30 years, and more recently at St Marys, will be ordained this coming Sunday at 10.30am at Bristol Cathedral. It will be such a delight to welcome her back into both the parishes as she begins this new ministry amongst us and we look forward to being a blessing to her and being blessed by God through her.
Due to restrictions of numbers, not many are allowed to gather at the cathedral in person –
however, you can watch from home online and the links are below. I have also attached the service order for the ordination.
https://www.youtube.com/c/bristolcathedralvideo https://bristol-cathedral.co.uk In our benefice we will still have the 10.30am Holy Communion at All Saints in the morning and at St. Mary’s a celebration at 5pm with Tea and Cake followed by Holy Communion at 6pm Sunday 4th July 10.30am Holy Communion at All Saints with Junior Church - with Revd Janey. This cannot be live streamed this week. However you can watch the Cathedral channel online if you want to see the ordinations, and watch and pray as Diane Simms is ordained - these are taking place at Bristol Cathedral at 10.30am (Link Above) 5pm – Tea party celebrations to celebrate Diane becoming a Revd! – St Marys Church before the service – everyone is welcome – and it will be mainly outside. 6.00pm Holy Communion at St Mary’s - with Revd Diane Simms Deaconing and Preaching and Revd Lizzie Celebrating. This will be shown on the St Marys Facebook Page.
Please note that GENERATIONS has been moved to the next Sunday 11th July as a number of our young people are self isolating having had year groups and bubbles close in schools and colleges.
Here are this week’s Roots at Home and Activity sheets.
The weekly sheets for both churches – where you will find information about the coming week and also people to pray for - are at the bottom of this e-mail.
A reminder also that St Marys Fair has been postponed till the 24th July
It seems fitting therefore that this Sunday is also being called Thank you Day. A day to say thank you to everyone who has helped friend and neighbour, family and stranger during the last year or so. One of the primary responses to God, a God who loves us and makes us in God’s image, is to respond to that with thanksgiving. So for St Peter and St Paul, for Diane and for all of you may you know that same thanksgiving and a huge thank you from me for all that you are and do. Post Communion Prayer – St Peter Almighty God, who on the day of Pentecost sent your Holy Spirit to the apostles with the wind from heaven and in tongues of flame, filling them with joy and boldness to preach your gospel: by the power of the same Spirit, strengthen us to witness to your truth and to draw everyone to the fire of your love, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen Blessings Lizzie Revd Lizzie Kesteven Vicar of All Saints Church and St Marys Church, Fishponds Interim Co Area Dean of Bristol City Deanery Advisor for Spirituality and Spiritual Direction for Bristol Diocese 0117 9650856 07973917720