July 2025 - E-Magazine
- The Team at Yate Parish
- Jul 8
- 7 min read
Please click below for a printable copy of the magazine:
Services throughout the Parish
Sunday 6th July 2nd Sunday of Trinity—Green Isaiah 66.10-14 Galatians 6.1-16 Luke 10.1-11,16-20
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am All Age Service 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 13th July 3rd Sunday of Trinity—Green Deuteronomy 30.9-14 Colossians 1.1-14 Luke 10.25-37
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise
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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Sunday 20th July 5th Sunday of Trinity—Green Genesis 18.1-10a Colossians 1.15-28 Luke 10.38-end
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 27th July 6th Sunday of Trinity—Green Genesis 18.20-32 Colossians 2.6-19 Luke 11.1-13
Parish Communion no other services in the parish on this day
St James 11.00am Parish Communion
(Revd Hywel Snook’s last service)
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Guess What? Do Not Be Afraid
In Covid I was in the bubble in St James where we developed a new liturgy which we used every week. The news was wall-to-wall fear and panic, so we started with a liturgy which went like this:
What did the Angel say to Mary? Do not be afraid
What did the Angels say to the Shepherds? Do not be afraid
What did God say to Moses? Do not be afraid
What did Jesus say to the disciples? Do not be afraid
What does the TV tell us every day? BE VERY AFRAID
The congregation had to put on a comic scared voice for the last part. Over the last few years fear has been pumped into us from all directions, there is a new reason each week to get scared. As humans we respond instinctively to fear which is why advertisers, politicians and the media pump us full of it. Worried about friends judging your loo? Don't worry, there's a handy product to help with that. I’ve got a better solution: find better friends. The use of fear is and always has been an effective tool of control. Humans have evolved to respond to threats very quickly, fear literally bypasses our emotional and thinking brain right to the brain stem. Fear shuts down love and trust. But in certain situations it keeps us alive.
Christianity is all about building love and trust, fear is all about shutting down love and trust. It is hard to trust people when
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you are scared and it’s impossible to love without trust. Many of the scary things in our world are not really scary at all. Most of the reason for our fear is imagined or far off. Fear drives division, distrust and hate - all things we should avoid. This is why God said “Do not be afraid” more than any other phrase in the Bible, 365 times in all - one for each day of the year.
God opens so many conversations with this phrase as it is only in a state of trust that we can hear God’s voice. In fact, it is only in a state of trust rather than fear that we can truly hear anyone’s voice. If you watch the news you will see panels and debates. The people on these panels are often so full of fear and distrust that they cannot even hear each other. Fear, especially in a time of change, is dangerous, it prevents us from hearing each other and God. We can only trust if we can hear and we can only love if we can trust.
We are currently going into a time of change and possible fear in this parish. Before I leave the adverts for both jobs will be out and hopefully some good candidates will apply. Even as I write this I can hear the fear monster rising, “Maybe nobody will apply, or nobody be appointed because…(insert conspiracy theory here)”
The answer to all of this is simple and comes from the most popular phrase in the Bible, “Do not be afraid”. After I have tootled off to the Valleys it is essential that we trust in God, trust the diocese and trust each other. So, for my almost final challenge I will say:
When you feel yourself being overwhelmed with the “What if” type fears, remember not what I say but what God says to all of us: “Do not be afraid”. When you hear others running around with great drama beset with fear, gently remind them: “Do not be afraid”. |
Support our Churches One Step (Or Pedal) at a Time Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust (GHCT) is delighted to announce that Ride+Stride is back for 2025, taking place on Saturday 13th of September.This annual event invites people across Gloucestershire and North Bristol to visit churches by walking, cycling, horse-riding or using public transport, all while raising money to support their upkeep. Funds raised are split between the participant’s chosen church and GHCT, which provides grants for vital repair and improvement work.In 2024, Ride+Stride raised over £36,000, supporting projects such as roof repairs, fire door replacements and improved wheelchair access. If you’d like to get involved this year, whether by taking part in the Ride+Stride itself or by putting on an event at your church, further information can be found at: https://ghct.org.uk/ride-and-stride
As in previous years, St James church in Westerleigh will be raising funds for Ride+Stride with a community breakfast. All are welcome to come between 9 and 10.45 am for a freshly-cooked full English breakfast or lighter option (including vegetarian or gluten-free), and your donations will help further the work of GHCT in supporting churches in our area.
Also in our parish St Peter’s and St Mary’s will be open to visitors all day with refreshments available. |
What’s happening at St James in July
Two New Sacristans
St James has fulfilled its commission to train two new Sacristans, Julia Brine and Andrew Rapson. Both are now fully aware of how to take care of and dress the altar, including preparing for Communion.
Our thanks to both of them for their willingness and service.
Westerleigh Fun Day Saturday 12th July 2pm-5pm
Come and join us for Westerleigh Fun Day on Saturday 12th July from 2-5 pm, after your relaxing breakfast in church that morning. There will be stalls and events on the playing field and in the church as well as refreshments in the village hall. There will also be a prize draw – among other things you could win a Tassimo coffee machine, a pair of reclining sun loungers or a £50 Tesco gift voucher.
Tickets are available on the day or by contacting Michaela on 07974 094449. All proceeds will go toward our organ restoration fund. |
New Interim Minister for Yate
The Bishop of Bristol has announced the appointment of the Revd Sue Gent to the role of Part-time Assistant Curate in the Parish of Yate.
This is an interim role to support the development of the Parish whilst it is in vacancy following the retirement of former Rector Ian Wallace and the imminent move of Team Vicar Hywel Snook to another role. We look forward to welcoming Sue who will doubtless bring considerable gifts to this role.
Sue will take up the post in the Autumn, with a licensing date to yet be confirmed. |
St. Nix – a smart new look!
We continue with our plans to spruce up our church inside and out, and the latest task has been to tackle the broken blinds in the church.
The addition of ‘stained glass’ film to the windows ensures that blinds are no longer needed to stop people squinting (or having to move seats), and coupled with the new lights, the result is a brighter and more colourful church space. People have also commented that it makes the building look more like a church from the outside.
We think you’ll agree that they add a bit of a ‘WOW’ factor, and if you get the opportunity to come along and see for yourself, they look even better when you’re in the space with sun streaming through the windows!
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Mothers’ Union Yate - July News Members from Yate Mothers’ Union will be attending a special Commissioning Service for our new President, the Rev Sarah Wyman at Bristol Cathedral on Thursday 3rd July at 12.30pm. Sarah will be commissioned by the Bishop of Swindon during the lunchtime Eucharist Service, and all are welcome to attend.
The Yate Branch July Meeting will be held at ST NICHOLAS CHURCH, YATE on Thursday 17th July at 2pm.
We look forward to hearing from Jim Bradshaw on his recent trip to Uganda Part 2. Visitors welcome!
For more information about Mothers’ Union please contact Jacky on 07501 670265 or jackyfredrickson@gmail.com
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Avon Fire & Rescue Band Concert St Mary’s Church Friday 18th July 7.00pm
The band will be playing a selection of music from classical to film to pop, something for all tastes.
Tickets are £8.00 which will include a drink and nibbles in the interval. Children under 16 go free.
Tickets available from the Coffee Shop at St Mary’s on a Sunday or online from Eventbrite
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/avon-fire-and-rescue-band-concert-tickets
Proceeds from the event will go to St Mary’s ensuring its ongoing use for and by the wider community. |
New LLM Trainee
Congratulations to Claire Hayward, newly accepted for LLM training. Well done Claire and thank you for your service. |
Readings for Morning and Evening Prayer The Table below has the readings for Morning and Evening prayer. The Facebook prayers will read the Old Testament in the morning but you can chose either reading for morning or evening. Prayer books are available from the Parish Office. |
Find out more
about The
Connection and Those Vicar Blokes on our website at yateparish,org
under the heading
Explore our Faith
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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