April 2026 - E-Magazine
- 16 hours ago
- 8 min read
Please click below for a printable copy of the magazine:
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Farewell Wully
On the afternoon of Ash Wednesday Wully Perks’ coffin was received into St James church where it lay overnight in the chancel following a short service led by Joanne Hodge. The church remained open until 6pm for those who wished to come and say their private farewells to a much-loved friend and lay minister.
Wully's funeral took place the following day, Thursday 19th February which, poignantly, would have been his 86th birthday. The hymns were joyous, including ‘Angel voices ever singing’ and ‘One more step along the road’, a wonderful testament to Wully's faith and ministry.
Ian Wallace read the family tribute and raised many a smile from the congregation as he related humorous anecdotes of Wully's life.
Norma Felstead gave a touching recitation of the poem 'Tis a fearful thing to love what death can touch' on behalf of Mary. The congregation of 253 included family, friends, civic officers, representatives of the Mothers' Union, the Royal British Legion, the RAOB, the clergy of Yate parish and beyond and all four churches, all of whom bore witness to how much Wully was loved.
The funeral ended with interment in St James' churchyard where he lies alongside his great friend John Powell.
God bless you and keep you Wully, you will be sadly missed by all whose lives you touched. Michaela Mackenzie |
Happy Easter Yate 2026—God’s Controlled Explosion!
Hello and a happy Easter!
First of all – big thanks to everyone for making me and Ruth and the family so welcome, both at the licensing service a few weeks ago, and in your friendliness and warmth as we’ve come along to the services and midweek events for the first time. It’s great to be here!
I wonder if you have ever witnessed a controlled explosion – where dynamite is used in a quarry, or a building is demolished? The sudden power and shock and the ground trembling beneath your feet. I remember as part of a holiday in Disneyland Paris going on the set of the film Armageddon, where they told us to stand still, hold on to something, and then out of nowhere came bangs, fireballs and ground shakes. I can still feel the heat and smell the smoke as explosions went off all around us. Thankfully it was controlled and I survived, and I soon swapped Armageddon for the much more friendly “It’s a Small World” ride!
Easter is like God’s ultimate controlled explosion. It was all planned, it was destined to happen that the Son of God was to give up his life and be subjected to such a painful death. What happened next was to be the biggest explosion that the world has witnessed. Not the sad destruction of the types of missiles we are seeing raining down on populations at the moment, but God’s huge blasting of a hole through the impenetrable wall of death. Death destroyed in one crucial moment in history. When Jesus was resurrected on Easter Day, it was like one huge portal suddenly created between us and God, between earth and heaven, for you and me to walk through safely and wonderfully into God’s loving arms.
This isn’t just a nice thing to feel good about when we die –it’s about here and now. No longer do we need to be alone, tackling life and sometimes struggling in our own strength. No longer do we need to live as if this life is all there is and cling on to things that come and go and slip through our fingers. Instead, we can feel the force of this explosion of life that God made happen through Jesus and make our way through the window he’s created. Today, say a simple prayer to ask Jesus to bring his life to you and lead you into the presence of God, to experience his pure love, his acceptance of you, and deep peace that he calls your name. The landscape of our lives is never the same again after the explosion of Easter morning! Revd Peter Huxtable |
After the licensing of Revd Peter Huxtable as the Rector of Yate Parish on Wednesday 4th March 2026
L-R The Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol, Revd Peter Huxtable, Rector of Yate Parish and Revd Christopher Bryan, Archdeacon of Malmesbury |
A Celebration of the Ministry in the Parish of Yate
On Wednesday 4th March I was privileged to attend the Service of Licensing of our new Team Rector Revd Peter Huxtable at Saint Mary’s church. What a wonderful experience! Such a heartfelt service of welcoming joy, praise and thanksgiving.
We were greeted on arrival by the band which was very enjoyable. The church was full and the service quite interactive; all happily joined in with the responses and singing of the hymns, some of which were new to me, but this did not detract from the enjoyment. The presence of the band and the leadership of our Choir Mistress and organist Mary Perks certainly enhanced the uplifting sound. So many smiling faces. The hymns and songs were well chosen by our new rector.
All four churches in the parish were well represented, and St Mary’s church was delighted to welcome the many visiting ministers and clergy who participated, including the Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol, who led the service and licensed Revd Peter. Several from Revd Peter’s previous parish in Nottingham had also made the journey to join us.
The readings were well chosen and beautifully delivered by Paul Belcher and Norma Felstead, and our prayers were led by Revd Wanda Morris together with Revd Peter. The formal part of the service was interesting and at times moving. I particularly enjoyed hearing representatives of the organisations (listed below) as they each gave Revd Peter their own personal welcome, and then he was joined with his family in front of the congregation.
Revd Dave Brae Area Dean Elizabeth Cross Cathedral Cllr Karl Tomasin South Glos Councillor Cllr Alan Monaghan Deputy Mayor, Yate Town Council Cllr Louise Harris Dodington Parish Council Rep Revd Leigh Maydew Churches Together Bethan Scriven Headmistress St Mary’s School Michaela Mackenzie Churchwarden Jim Bradshaw Mother’s Union Rep Revd David Jones Fromeside Mission Area |
Representatives of our parish community then came forward to present the symbols of ministry to Revd Peter.
Julia Brine Water for Baptism Jenny Shiles Bread and Wine Lisa Bush Symbol of Community (Parish map) Karl Benji Common Worship John Ward Oil of Healing Luke Hayward Large Bible
All asked for God’s grace and help and support for Revd Peter in his new post as Team Rector and in his work with our Ministry Team. Revd Peter himself acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the ministry team during the time before his appointment.
The lovely evening ended with refreshments in the Youth centre - thank you to the team for organising this and to all who provided cakes. You certainly looked very busy!!
My apologies if I have missed anyone, and I repeat how much I and many others enjoyed this truly wonderful evening.
Welcome Peter, Ruth, Kate, Will and Emma
Alison Sleath (Choir) |
Foundations Safeguarding Training
Saturday 2nd May 2026 at St Mary’s Youth Centre 9.30am – 12.30pm with cake and coffee from 9am
This training is for all those who undertook the training in 2023 and are now due a refresher or for those who are required to undertake Foundations training.
To book your place; or to get the link for the online version email or speak with Beverley or Ian Hodgson – see Useful Contacts page. |
Lent and Easter Services 2026
Maundy Thursday 2nd April
Join us at St Nix Church, Abbotswood, for a shared meal at 6.30pm to be followed by our Maundy Thursday service at 7.30pm.
Stripping the altar will take place at all four churches following the service.
If you wish to attend the shared meal, please let Pam (parishoffice@yateparish.org.uk) or Helen Belcher know.
Good Friday 3rd April
11am Good Friday Walk of Witness from Chipping Sodbury Baptist Church to Yate Town Centre
2pm Hour at the Cross St Mary’s
4pm Messy Easter at St Nix
Holy Saturday 4th April
11am Easter Family Fun Time at St Mary’s
7pm Easter Vigil at St James
Easter Sunday 5th April
Holy Communion services in each church at normal times other than the dawn service at St Peter’s at 6.30am |
Services throughout the Parish
Sunday 5th April Easter Day - White Acts 10: 34-43 Colossians 3: 1-4 Matthew 28: 1-10
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am All Age Worship 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion
St Peter 6.30am Easter Sunrise Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 12th April 2nd Sunday of Easter - White Acts 2: 14a, 22-32 1 Peter 1: 3-9 John 20: 19-end
St James
10.30am Parish Communion
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Sunday 19th April 3rd Sunday of Easter - White Acts 2: 14a, 36-41 1 Peter 1: 17-23 Luke 24: 13-35
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion
St Peter 6.30pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)
Sunday 26th April 4th Sunday of Easter - White Acts 2: 42-end Peter 2: 19-end John 10: 1-10
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion
St Nix 9.30am Morning Worship
St James 11.00am Morning Worship
St Peter 6.30pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)
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Yate Parish EventsAll events require an events form!
Please remember to complete an event form for any events you are planning around the Parish. This will ensure the date is added to the Google Calendar and will also ensure your event is advertised.The form can be found on the Yate Parish website, under the Parish Admin tab: I'm Organising an Event | Yate Parish |
Enter into the Presence of God at 630 Praise at St Mary’s Yate
First and third Sunday of the month 6.30-7.30pm Refreshments from 6pm
Contemporary Worship Songs Applying Faith to Everyday Life |
The Mothers’ Union Meetings for 2026 are: -
They will begin at 2pm and all will feature a short time of worship and will finish with refreshments.
Thurs 16th April Visit to CHSW Thurs 21st May - St Mary's—Spring of Hope Shelter speaker Thurs 18th June - Anniversary outing tbc Thurs 16th July - St Mary's Cream tea Sat 8th August - 150 yrs Celebration Service at Bristol Cathedral Thurs 17th September - St Mary's - Chris Farrell speaker Thurs 15th October - St Nix - Desert Island Discs/books Thurs 19th November - St Nix - 6 days reflection Thurs 17th December - St Mary's - Christmas Gathering
All visitors are very welcome to all our meetings.
Contact: Jacky Fredrickson 07501670265 for more info. Website: muyate.org.uk
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Readings for Morning and Evening Prayer The Table below has the readings for Morning and Evening prayer. Prayer books are available from the Parish Office. |
Weekly at St Mary’s
Thursday Communion at 10.00am
Compline @8pm
Before the lockdown happened, we had recorded the saying of Compline. We ask that each evening at 8pm we light a candle in our window and pray together for our nation using the words of the Compline service - it takes just over 5 minutes.
Visit the parish website and click on the recordings to listen; you will find the words of the service there too.
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