SAINT STEPHENS SOUNDWELL SEPTEMBER 2020

St Stephens SOUNDWELL

Open Space SEPTEMBER 2020

Mission Partners with St Stephens:

Bristol City Centre Soup Run

Bristol/Uganda Link

Christian Aid

Community of the Sisters of the Church

Emmaus

Fair Trade

One25 Project

The Bristol Noise

St Stephens Church Road Soundwell Bristol BS16 4RH 0117 956 6257

visionatststephens@ gmail.com

www.saintstephen soundwell.org

saintstephen soundwell

@SoundwellChurch

CHARITY NUMBER 1131503

From the first small loaf, baked maybe by our stone age ancestors 10,000 years ago in the middle east, bread has brought change to our lives, first of all by allowing people to settle, and build permanent homes.

Bread has also been at the heart of our celebrations. From at least Celtic times, people have celebrated the first loaf from the first wheat of the year. This tradition was adopted by the Saxon Christians and re-named ‘loaf-mass’... or Lammas.

But with the beginnings of the in-dustrial revolution, and the movement of people into towns and cities, this tradition began to die out until it was brought back again by a Reverend Robert Hawker from Morwenstow. He changed it to the end of the harvest – but still with a loaf of bread at its centre.

However, bread has also had a difficult history, tied up with politics, and poverty, and justice issues throughout its history. When windmills were invented and built, people had more time to work on the land because they no longer had to grind their own wheat daily – but they had to pay for the privilege and they became economic-ally dependent on those who owned the windmills – some of whom ripped off the poor.

Continued overleaf>

AT the beginning of lockdown there was a shortage of toilet rolls–quite bizarre wasn’t it, that toilet rolls, of all things, were what many people were stockpiling.

I can probably understand the shortage of flour, when that happened, but toilet rolls??...

Anyway, with the ‘Season of Creation’, and the season in which we celebrate Harvest in our Churches fast approaching, I recalled that flour shortage and rememb-ered times gone by when my guilty pleasure had been watching Bake Off.

One of the most challenging weeks for the contestants is ‘bread week’, where they are asked to make all different sorts of bread; pitta, pizza, sweetbreads, structural bread... I hadn’t realised the complexities of bread making.

Also, as a part of the programme, I learned some history. In fact, I had to look this up on YouTube to remind myself and be able to share with you – Sue Perkins tells us: “Bread is at the heart of British life. For centuries the quest of ordinary men and women to get their daily bread has determined the structure and the layout of our towns and cities, it’s dominated our economy and even driven our politics.”

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The feeding of the crowd of more than 5000 people is a wonderful ex-ample of how abundant God can be.

But the wonderful part of the

miracle is not just the abundance but also where it came from, a small boy sharing his lunch of 2 fish and 5 loaves.

How do we share what we have and take a part in that miracle?

What little do we have that can be shared – not just at harvest time but throughout the year?

In the months to come, if we do face food shortages or price rises it will be the vulnerable who suffer the most.

It is in the sharing of bread that we remember and receive Jesus most profoundly, through celebrating Holy Communion.

It was in the breaking of the bread that the disciples on the Emmaus road recognised Jesus (as told in the gospel of Luke), and in the gospel of John we read of Jesus preparing a BBQ on the beach of fish and bread for his disciples.

In the breaking and in the sharing of bread we not only receive Jesus but we find community together.

In bread we see the provision of God and today we give thanks for all we have. In bread we see to the brokenness and the pain of our world, remembering injustices of the past and the present day and the carelessness with which we treat our world.

But also, in the broken bread we find the risen Christ who comes with healing and hope – and who is our daily bread on whom we rely.

Amen. LISA

The Bread of Life... JESUS! <Continued from overleaf

And bread today is still tied up with the stewardship of our earth.

Palm oil is used in the making of bread because it is sold at room temperature, is easy to bake with –and it is cheap, but we see the consequences with the burning of Amazon rain forests to clear the land for the growing of this crop.

Bread thus has history – and in its

history we find our own story too. Bread, therefore, features in the

ministry and teaching of Jesus. Jesus was aware of the physical

hunger which drew people to him in the hope of being fed. And we read in the gospels that he reminds them that spiritual hunger can be just as important. We need to not only con-sider our physical life but also to take care of all that makes us human.

God is concerned with all of that – our physical and emotional and mental and spiritual needs, and provides bread for us in all sorts of ways. Jesus reminded people of the manna that fell from heaven (not bread strictly but it looked and felt like bread) and how God provided for the daily needs of his people.

Let’s take a moment to con-

sider how God provides for us.

Not just in putting food on the table and a roof over our heads, but in a person to talk to at just the right time, or a sunset which shows up when we need it, or something to help us laugh. How often, though, do we forget God’s provision and all that we have?

Jesus’ ministry also included times of showing God’s abundance.

THE SISTERS OF THE CHURCH

HARVEST APPEAL THE SISTERS are grateful for our ongoing support and reach out to us for that to continue. The items they give out in their basic food parcels are all ambient food:

Tinned – fish, meat, or vegetarian, soup, baked beans, vegetables, rice pudding, fruit, custard. Dried pasta or rice, cereal, long-life milk and teabags.

They also serve hot drinks along with sandwiches and biscuits, so any-thing that would contribute to this is always gratefully received. (Not fresh or chilled items)

Food items can be left in the cup-boards in the porch of Church. If the main double doors are not your allocated entrance into Church for worship on Sunday or Wednesday, then please ensure those around you know you are simply dropping off food items, so they can stand back and wait for a moment.

Donations of money are also very helpful as the Sisters buy food and help people with gas/electric top up and bus fares.

The Sisters are aware that collect-ing and delivering food to them is more complicated at the moment, so if you prefer to help them financially instead, you can send them a cheque payable to ‘Sisters of the Church’, or BACS online banking to Sort Code: 05-92-99, Account: 65075960.

A PRAYER Mother Teresa Once Said: OUR VOCATION is to belong to

Jesus so completely that nothing can

separate us from the love of Christ.

What you and I must do is nothing

less than putting our love for Christ

into practice.

The important thing is not how

much we accomplish, but how much

love we put into our deeds every day.

That is the measure of our love for

God.

Celebration

Evening

with BISHOP MIKE,

A COMMUNION,

and the No Limits! Band

SUNDAY 17 JULY 6.30−8.30PM Refreshment interval included

Everyone is invited!!!

A GREAT evening of fellowship,

worship and encouragement,

so don’t miss out –

BE THERE!

FOR 06 SEPTEMBER LOVING GOD, our Bible reading today talks about love and loving your neighbour as yourself and put-ing on the armour of light each day.

Lord, although this pandemic we are living through has brought a lot of sorrow and tragedy it has also brought people together and helped us to reconnect with neighbours and friends and there have been many acts of kindness and love. Help us to continue to show this love to the people we meet this week.

As we approach the Autumn help us to notice and appreciate the changing season and all the beauty that brings with it; the leaves changing colours, the crisp morn-ngs and the autumn sunshine.

Thank you, Lord, that you give us so much beauty in our world for us to enjoy. You are the light of the world and we pray that you help us to show your light and love in all that we do this week. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for our schools, colleges and universities that have returned in the last week.

We pray that the staff and students have been able to have some rest during the holidays and have returned feeling refreshed.

Some students and staff will be apprehensive about returning in the current circumstances as things will be different and new. We pray that they will find strength and courage to get through this. Please be with the Head Teachers and their senior leaders as they deal with the con-stantly changing details being issued by the authorities. May the health and well-being of all the students and staff be the priority in their decision making. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

We pray for all the people through-out the world, especially during this pandemic where there is so much uncertainty. We pray for countries that are suffering through war and famine, through financial loss and through natural disasters.

Be with the people of your Church around the world and let us unite as a Christian Community and pray for and with our Brothers and Sisters

that they may praise and honour you during these times and always without fear of persecution. We pray for peace and hope throughout the world and in our community. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father we ask that you continue to be with all the doctors, nurses, care workers, shop workers and key workers who are continuing to work tirelessly to provide essent-ial care and services to us.

We thank you for their commit-ment and dedication.

As we continue to get back to some sort of normality help us to be mindful of what we are doing and to be considerate to other people around us. Many of us are scared for the future and have worries about job security, health concerns and financial worries.

Please bring peace and hope to all those who have anxieties and worries and help them to come out of the darkness they are in, in to the light of Christ.

We pray for our Government and the leaders of our Nations as they make decisions about the future and help us to be patient and considerate with the decisions that are made. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we thank you for the fellowship we share at St Stephen’s whether it be in Church or at home and on our cycle of prayer this week we pray for our Deanery Synod Representatives and for all the work they do. We pray for our See and Know children; Alfie Ball, Henry Ball, Alana Brand, Eli Brunt, Quinn Burgess, Ernest Burnham and Bow Burt. We also pray for all the residents of Woodland Avenue, Woodland Way and Yew Tree Drive. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord God, comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind and spirit, especially those known to us and those on our prayer board.

We pray for those in hospital; surround the frightened with your tenderness; give strength to those in pain; hold the weak in your arms of love, and give hope and patience to those who are recovering. Give them courage and hope in their troubles;

Continued overleaf>

Readings & Collects FOR SEPTEMBER 2020 FOR THOSE OF US who are unable to attend services or who wish to use the Sunday readings and Collect Prayer to worship at home, here they are:

SUNDAY 06 SEPTEMBER

13th Sunday after Trinity Ezekiel 33:7–11; Psalm 119:33–40; Romans 13:8–end; Matthew 18:15–20

ALMIGHTY GOD, you search us and know us: may we rely on you in strength and rest on you in weakness, now and in all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 14th Sunday after Trinity Genesis 50:15–21; Psalm 103:1–13; Romans 14:1–12; Matthew 18:21–35

MERCIFUL GOD, your Son came to save us and bore our sins on the cross: may we trust in your mercy and know your love, rejoicing in the righteous-ness that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord.

SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER

15th Sunday after Trinity Jonah 3:10 –4:11; Psalm 145:1–8; Philippeans 1: 21–end; Matthew 20:1–16

LORD GOD, defend your Church from all false teaching and give to your people knowledge of your truth, that we may enjoy eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

HARVEST Deuteronomy 8:7 –18; Psalm 65; Luke 12:16–30; Luke 12:16–30

CREATOR GOD, you made the good-ness of the land, the riches of the sea and the rhythm of the seasons; as we thank you for the harvest, may we cherish and respect this planet and its peoples, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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Prayers of Intercession

CELEBRATION OF

Harvest Service SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER & Wednesday 30 September

10AM IN CHURCH

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Prayers of Intercession continued and bring them the joy of your

salvation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

The loss of a loved one causes us such unbearable pain and sorrow and we become consumed with grief.

Please be with all those who feel this unbearable pain of loss at the moment and hold them in your loving arms and comfort them.

Help them to focus on the good memories they have and to be com-forted by the fact that their loved one is now at peace with you Lord.

Also, be with those who are remembering the passing of a loved one and are still feeling the sorrow and pain of their loss. Comfort them and hold them close to you and let them feel your love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God of love and hope, help us to ‘dress ourselves in Christ’ as we go about our daily lives this week.

Help us to show the light and love of Christ in all that we do and share it with the people we meet.

Your love is unconditional and unending. Make us instruments of love and praise and may our words, actions and lives be living examples of your forgiving, healing, life giving love.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

Julie Fudge

FOR 13 SEPTEMBER LORD GOD you are the father of all people and we come before you today with our prayers knowing that you will hear us, help us and guide us.

Thank You for the family of Christ into which you have placed us and the loving fellowship that we enjoy together. As we study Your Word and seek to encourage each other, we pray that the Word of Christ would dwell in us richly.

We pray today for reconciliation and forgiveness in our own lives. Peace will begin with us and we ask that the change we all so long for in the world would be present in our own lives and be an example to others.

Lord we ask you to help us to seek out opportunities to work for understanding and tolerance between people of different religious backgrounds, different social back-grounds, different racial and political backgrounds.

We pray especially that religious views would not lead to bitterness and hatred between us your children whom you so love and with whom your patience and tolerance is boundless.

Help each of us to be willing to learn and also recognise the need to be accountable to each other as well as to you, as we seek to grow in grace together.

Bless those that you have sent to equip us, and we pray that those who have been graced with the gift of teaching may motivate us all to be willing learners of you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord today we pray for victims of fire, flood, earthquake, famine or disease. For those whom disaster has left homeless, injured or bereaved. Abundant God, be with those of us that desire and need your restoration and healing. As we remember the way your son Jesus Christ cast out demons we remember today all those who live in the depths of depression and mental illness. Today, we ask for your blessing and healing touch upon them.

God of every land and nation you spoke your word and revealed your good news in Jesus Christ. We pray for our troubled world its peoples and their leaders. We pray for those caught up in war and violence.

May peace be found and good sense flourish that we may see the end to injustice. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose hearts have been saddened by the death of someone close and dear to them, for members of our families who have died and whose anniver-sary we recall.

Help us to experience the comfort of the Holy Spirit within us, and the fellowship of the church family around us until we are reunited once more in your heavenly kingdom.

Jesus Christ is the light of the World, a light which no darkness can quench. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for all those on our prayer board and in our con-gregation. Felix Channer, Sophie Cullimore-Davies, Jack Donovan, Finley Field, Daisy Fletcher, Mason Garrett, Reggie Griffin, and all those living in Acacia Avenue, Acacia Close, Acacia Road.

We pray for the Sacristan and Servers for all the work they do.

We ask for you blessing on them all and that they feel your presence this week. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Be with us Lord in the week ahead as we go out into the world.

May our lips always speak the truth, may the ears which have heard your word listen only to what is good and may our lives as well as our worship be always pleasing in your sight for the glory of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

Nicola Read

FOR 20 SEPTEMBER HEAVENLY FATHER, as these diffi-cult and challenging times continue help us to keep focussed on the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

These nine attributes help us as individuals and as our community at St Stephens to live according to your word and embrace the Holy Spirit in our lives.

These attributes form a framework for us all to live our lives, love and support our loved ones and help our community and those we meet each day; Love, Joy, Patience, Peace, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control.

Love enables us to seek the high-est good for others, no matter their behaviour.

In these challenging times Heavenly Father help us to see the good in everyone even when their behaviour seems to not be in accordance with your love O Lord.

Joy is rooted in you Heavenly Father, it is rooted in you and comes

from you. Please let the joy of our faith in you shine through to all those we see each day. This joy will show our family and friends that despite these difficult times our love and faith will keep us directed by you.

In these times where the World feels a difficult place to be in, remind us Heavenly Father to be patient and kind. Remind us that a smile can show both patience and kindness and can be easily seen even when we wear a mask. Please let our smile be the sign of your love radiating through us from you. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Dearest Heavenly Father. At these times it is often so easy to spend time wondering if this virus will ever be conquered and overcome. Remind us Lord that Faithfulness needs to be at our core, giving us that confidence that You will help us through this time and guide us out the other side. That your love will be there through you to help and support those around us, in our families and in our community. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In our cycle of prayer this week we pray for the Pensioners group and the Knit and Natter group.

Even though they cannot yet meet in person remind them that your love will support and guide them and that soon we will all be together. We also pray for Hector Hargrave, Asa Herbert, Chloe Holbrook, Bill Holmes, Aida Holmes and James Hughes. Lord please show your love to them each day.

Also we remember and pray for those living in Alexandra Close, Alexandra Gardens and Alexandra Place. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father it is your Love that will support us and guide us in these difficult times as we adjust to a world with viruses like Covid. Love is the glue that holds us together. Love that comes directly from you through the Holy Spirit. Never let us lose sight of this and please remind each day as we go about our daily lives that your love will guide and keep us safe.

Lord at our lowest,You are our hope.

In our darkness, You are our light. In our weakness, You are our

strength. In our sadness,You are our com-

forter. Lord, fill us with us with Your

strength, peace and joy. Merciful Father, accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

Marianne Saunders

FOR 27 SEPTEMBER HEAVENLY FATHER we thank you that we are able to meet here together in Your Name, and we remember those who are joining with us in prayer at home for many different reasons.

At this time of year when we are thinking of the Harvest of the land, we pray that you will sow the seeds of your love in our hearts that they may grow and flourish so that we can share and give generously of our love and time with everyone we meet in our daily lives. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord as we travel along this path of life not knowing what lies ahead, we pray that you will be our guide, putting your loving arms around us when we feel alone or vulnerable, holding us close when we stumble or fall.

We remember those who are sick at home or in hospital and pray for those who take care of them.

We pray for their families and friends who are worried and fearful for them.

We pray for all those who mourn the loss of a loved one, and we bring to you all those known to us and on our prayer board.

We pray they will know the comfort of your presence ever near them. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Now let us pray for our nation and peace throughout the world.

We thank you for Elizabeth our Queen and all the Royal Family, for Boris Johnson our Prime Minister and his Government who have to make difficult and very often un-

popular decisions that affect our daily lives, please help us to under-stand the reasons for these decisions.

We thank you for our Ministry Team Lisa, Sandy & Peter and for the unfailing love and support they give us, for Gill Mayo our church warden and her team who work to support us all and the running of our church. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

In our cycle of prayer this week we pray for our Men’s Group and our Ladies Group here at St Stephens.

For those attending See & Know: Alice James, Kayla James, Dolly Lark, Grayson Lark, Ellie Laver, Finlay Linton, and Rex Lovell.

And for all those living in Anchor Road, Baglyn Avenue, and Barring-ton Court.

We also remember the children of our parish returning to school, some for the first time and others going to new schools, and we think of our young adults going off to University to start a new chapter of their lives.

Lord Bless them and keep them, make your face to shine upon them, that they may know your unfailing love. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Heavenly Father we pray that you will be with us through this coming week.

Give us courage, strength, faith and hope for the future.

Pour Your Holy Spirit upon us that we may feel Your presence ever near.

FATHER hear the prayer we offer Not for ease that prayer shall be But for strength that we may ever Live our lives courageously. Be our strength in times of

weakness On our journey be our guide Through endeavour, failure, danger Father be thou at our side.

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.

Gill Ogborne

OPEN SPACE PAGE 5

FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE!

WE’RE always in a hurry. Pre-lockdown it was balancing the commute, work, family, friends and that healthy lifestyle we swore we’d stick to at New Years.

Now, since Covid-19 it’s worrying about cooking 3 meals a day, keep-ng the kids entertained during the summer holidays, work, keeping in touch with friends and family as well as trying to keep active. All of this coupled with the anxieties and heaviness of a Global Pandemic and its impacts on our lives, financial or otherwise, as well as such global unrest, 2020 thus far has been a difficult one for the best of us.

Whatever it is that has had your focus throughout the past couple of months, it is important to have some time of stillness, peace and joy for yourself, not only to collect your thoughts, to have some ‘me time’ and get ready for the rest of the day, or indeed the next day, but also to be closer to God.

It is in those little moments when we are relaxed and still, that God speaks to us; reminding us of what we have to be grateful for, the real things we should be focussing on personally, the relationships we should be nourishing but also gives us a chance to recharge our batteries.

For some people, this is the time they use for their daily prayer or meditation.

However, being physically still doesn’t always come naturally to everyone, so it may not be the first

thing you reach for initially. But this time you carve out for

yourself can look different for every-one. For some it’s journaling, or enjoying that first tea/coffee in the morning (or a cheeky drink in the evening), for others it’s having a bubble bath, and for those more active of us, it’s a good workout to get rid of that pent up, anxious energy.

It doesn’t even need to be an individual thing, speaking to the person most close to you be it a partner or friend could do the trick, or spending time with the family playing a board game or watching a film.

If you feel brave enough and have the means to, book a staycation or a long weekend away just to reset.

For me personally it’s prayer time in the morning–I have a small statue of a child in the hands of God and God always finds ways to speak with me when I gaze at it.

During lock-down, I have enjoyed praying the streets of the Parish as I walk them, often meeting some of you as I do – and this is something I hope to continue to do as we move forward.

Recently I updated my ‘Feel-Good Scrapbook’, where I take positive things people have sent or given me, (photos of items, cards, letters, drawings from children etc) and arrange them all in one place... it’s something I can revisit at a later date when I’m feeling a bit ‘meh’.

Whatever it looks like for you, I encourage you to make it a priority

to carve out the time, daily, weekly or even bi-weekly, to take time out for yourself and to be closer to God.

However often you choose to do it, you owe it to yourself to do so.

There are still four months left of 2020 and we can’t allow ourselves to feel burnt out when, to a certain ex-tent, we have been gifted the time to re-evaluate what means the most to us, thanks to lockdown.

You’ll be surprised at the positive outcome, how much better you feel in yourself and those around you will definitely notice and feel the difference.

You may already do this, or have begun this during lockdown, but if not, start slow and see if you can cultivate a habit.

“In your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forever more.” PSALM 16:11

2020 has left many people feeling a multitude of different emotions thus far, so if you have any hopes or fears you’d like me to pray for, please don’t hesitate to contact me and it would be a privilege to talk with you and pray with you.

My telephone is 0117 957 4297 or email is lisawigmore66@gmail.com.

LISA

WHAT IF 2020 isn’t cancelled? What if 2020 is the year we’ve

been waiting for? A year so comfortable, so

painful, so scary, so raw – that it finally forces us to grow.

A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber.

A year we finally accept the need for change.

Declare change. Work for change. Become the change. A year we finally band together,

instead of pushing each other further apart. Leslie Dwight

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A masking prayer:

LORD as I put on my mask, let it be a filter...

For my words to pass through as well as my breathing.

Let through only those words which are helpful breathings of love.

And stop those things in my speech that will be harmful to others.

Protect me also, O Lord, from the harmful things others may say to me.

Help me to realise that I may be a carrier of bitterness, thoughtless-ness, judgement and prejudice without realising,

And that some people are more word-vulnerable than others.

Give me grace to love those who cannot or will not filter to protect others and special grace to them, because they go through the world unprotected.

Help me also to be prepared to adapt and be brave and transparent so that all may have chance to hear.

Lord, be a mask to my mouth. And pin my ears forward for

listening. Amen.

THANK YOU

I WANT TO share with you, and ask you to thank him when you see him, for all that Paul Sanderson has been doing in and around the Church premises over the last few months.

He has power-washed the paths etc and the brickwork of the Church Hall (the Church stonemasonry is a bit too fragile to take that sort of cleaning or he sure would have).

He has weeded and cleared along the side and front of the Church Hall, and he has undertaken, almost single-handedly, to paint the inside of the Church Hall.

While I write this, he is still going on his marathon of painting of the Hall, but so far it looks absolutely fabulous!!

He is doing all of this in his own time and gifting us with both his expertise and hard work.

So thank you Paul... and please do thank him when you see him.

Thank you also to Gill Mayo, who sourced and arranged the fitting of new flooring in the Church Hall foyer and disabled toilet.

Thank you as well to the small team of people, which form part of the PCC, who have been working their way through the complex guidance from the CofE, the Government and other official bodies, in preparing for us to open the Church Hall responsibly and safely.

This has been a huge task and they have done a fantastic job.

We are not quite there yet, and that is perfectly fine as most groups are not in any great hurry, but they are doing a great job.

So, thank you to Sue Humphrey, Julia Merrifield, Carolyn Hawkins and Lorraine Sanderson for all your time and efforts.

Thank you also to Bill Bishop who will join the team after his holidays and to Sandy and Peter who join with me in an advisory/overseeing capacity.

LISA

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Celebration Evening

with BISHOP MIKE, A COMMUNION,

and the No Limits! Band

SUNDAY 17 JULY 6.30−8.30PM Refreshment interval included

Everyone is invited!!! A GREAT evening of fellowship, worship and encouragement,

so don’t miss out – BE THERE!

worship and encouragement,

Celebration

Evening

with BISHOP MIKE,

A COMMUNION,

and the No Limits! Band

SUNDAY 17 JULY 6.30−8.30PM Refreshment interval included

A GREAT evening of fellowship,

worship and encouragement,

so don’t miss out –

BE THERE!

CAR PARK IT IS GREAT NEWS that the build-ing and refurbishment work is beginning on the new Soundwell Academy.

This means that sadly for us, while the work is taking place, we don’t have access to use the car park on their site. The building contractor is not happy to take on the liability of ensuring that both we and our vehicles remain safe from harm whilst on their premises.

BUT... I have been speaking with the new

Head of the Academy, who is keen for us to use the new car park when the school has been handed back into his care.

So, while we can’t use it for this time (and possibly for a year) the future out-look is very hopeful.

Daffodil Bulbs THANK you to Tim, Matt, Mary and Nick, Ken and Julia, (and others of you who do so without me knowing) for tending the Church gardens.

They look absolutely fabulous and lots of local people comment on what a peaceful and beautiful place to be or walked past it is. So, thank you all for all you do.

They have some great plans for the future and would like to see an array of daffodils welcoming spring into the Church grounds.

So if you are able to supply any daffodil bulbs to allow them to do this, please do let Tim or Julia or myself have them.

Thank you!!

SAINT STEPHENS SOUNDWELL ● Revd Lisa Wigmore Priest in Charge, 52 Gladstone Street Soundwell, Bristol BS16 4RF Telephone 0117 957 4297

● Revd Sandy Cooper Associate Minister, 1 Deerhurst Soundwell, Bristol BS15 1XH Telephone 0117 967 2621

● Peter Robbins Lay Minister, 13 Wood Road Kingswood, Bristol BS15 8DT Telephone 0117 967 9576

● Gill Mayo Church Warden Telephone 0117 956 9796

SEPTEMBER CYCLE OF PRAYER BEGINNING SUNDAY OF EACH WEEK

06 Deanery Synod Representatives

See and Know: Alfie Ball, Henry Ball Alana Brand, Eli Brunt, Quinn Burgess Ernest Burnham, Bow Burt

Woodland Avenue Woodland Way Yew Tree Drive

13

Sacristan and Servers

Felix Channer, Sophie Cullimore-Davies Jack Donovan, Finley Field, Daisy Fletcher Mason Garrett, Reggie Griffin

Acacia Avenue Acacia Close Acacia Road

20 Pensioners Group & Knit & Natter

Hector Hargrave, Asa Herbert Chloe Holbrook, Bill Holmes Aida Holmes, James Hughes

Alexandra Close Alexandra Gardens Alexandra Place

27 Men’s Group & Ladies Group

Alice James, Kayla James Dolly Lark, Grayson Lark, Ellie Laver Finlay Linton, Rex Lovell

Anchor Road Baglyn Avenue Barrington Close

ALL GROUPS/MEETINGS/EVENTS: Cancelled until further notice!

SUNDAY SERVICES 10AM with an identical service each Wednesday following at10AM Places will need to be booked: Telephone: 0117 967 2621 See our website for adult & family activity and support materials: www.saintstephensoundwell.org

SINCE JULY

Funerals ● AUGUST 11: Janet Rosemary Deery (79). The celebration of Janet’s life was held at Westerleigh Crematorium.

Please hold her husband, Peter; children, Stephen, Ian and Alison, as well as their families, the wider family and their friends in your prayers.

SUPPORTING our Community AS YOU ARE very probably aware, St Stephen’s Junior School is the ‘Church School’ within our parish and as such has special connections with us. One of those many special connections is that we have the opportunity as Church members to be part of the ‘governing body’ of the school, to both support and encourage them in all they do. Training is provided and you will join myself and others from Church as part of this team – in fact you would be the fourth Foundation Governor, which is what we are called, and would be part of a larger team of people from the community.

It is important that our Church school has committed Christians on its govern-ing body, to help the school to continue to discover what makes a Church school distinctive. To know more, please see Nicola Read or myself and we will be only too pleased to chat to you about what is involved. Thank you. LISA

FROM THE REGISTERS

OPEN SPACE

YOUTH CHURCH BECAUSE of the complexities of holding Youth Church on Sundays we meet Saturdays on-line instead!

This takes place via Zoom at 9am (for 30– 40 minutess).

Pyjamas are welcome, as are any toys or cuddly things, puppets, and people of all ages!!

Please see the advert at right for the ID number to log in and for the required passcode.

(The ID code changes with the person leading the session but the passcode remains the same!)

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77487137556?pwd=akFGSm12SHlieWFxMkZHcUtMaUxKUT09

SS Y Saturdays on Zoom: September

5th Sept: 739 8735 2919 (Teresa)

click the link: 5TH SEPTEMBER

12th Sept: 724 4261 7817 (Peter)

click the link: 12TH SEPTEMBER

19th Sept: 739 8735 2919 (Teresa)

click the link: 19TH SEPTEMBER

26th Sept: 728 5566 3916 (Lisa)

click the link: 26 SEPTEMBER

PASSCODE = YChurch

See you at 9am! (approx. 30–40 minutes)

We Follow Jesus!

NB: for Sunday 6th September ONLY the TEA & TALK link will be: https://zoom.us/j/91463663168?pwd=UXFSMVF0Uy9SYzhsQmZwcCs4OE0wUT09