November 2025 - E-Magazine
- The Team at Yate Parish
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
Please click below for a printable copy of the magazine:
Welcome to the parish Sue. We all look forward to getting to know you and supporting you in your work with our congregations
Who is Sue Gent? – read it in her own words
It was a delight to be welcomed so warmly to the parish of Yate at my licensing on 5 October. Archdeacon Christopher explained that my role as parish priest is half time but until there is a new team rector I shall assume many of the rector’s responsibilities and then work alongside the new rector when appointed. Thank you so much to everyone who worked hard to make sure the licensing was a wonderful occasion and to those who provided wonderful cake!
I live near Little Sodbury with my husband Shane who is a wonderful support. When not preaching or presiding at other churches in the diocese, we worship in the Sodbury Vale benefice. Until this last summer I was the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) for the diocese of Bristol, overseeing the discernment process for those exploring licensed lay ministry and ordained ministry, and the principal contact for those in training from this diocese. I began that role in 2020 (on zoom during Covid!) after eight years as a tutor on the faculty of Trinity College Bristol teaching pastoral theology, overseeing the part-time and context-based training and shaping the practical training. So in both roles I have worked with candidates for ministry from Yate and sent quite a few people to Yate on placement.
The then Bishop of London ordained me as a deacon in St Paul’s Cathedral in 1997, and I was ordained priest in 1998, so that is over 28 years in ministry! In fact, as DDO I used to organise the
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pre-ordination retreat, and it was lovely to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my ordination as a deacon during that retreat with those just about to be ordained three years ago. I was a curate in Notting Hill Gate in London and then set up a new chaplaincy to law firms in the city of London and was also responsible for a city church. During that time, I also trained in counselling and spiritual direction.
I came to faith in my first year at University in London while studying law, although I had been searching for God for a year while working as an au pair in Paris. I went on to qualify as a Solicitor, then became a partner in a law firm in the city of London, working in law for 12 years before studying theology. It was a busy time as I was also involved in the church working with youth, visiting newcomers, managing church accounts, leading home groups and intercessions and then taking on the church warden role. It all proved to be good experience!
In my spare time recently I have enjoyed catching up with friends who I couldn’t see so often when working full time and I have been helping my husband grow vegetables. I get the job of watering in the summer, then weeding and collecting leaves in the autumn. I am also in the early stages of learning the piano - only just venturing beyond the middle keys! We both love dancing (ballroom and Latin) which is great fun. I also make sure I walk each day and get exercise all the year round.
Both in my role at Trinity and in the Diocese, I loved being able to encourage others in whatever God was calling them to. I hope I will be able to enable others in their ministry at Yate and help us all move forward in our faith and, guided by the Holy Spirit, in our mission in Yate. I went on retreat before my licensing and was very aware of the need for God’s strength in all we do. I am so grateful for the team already in place in Yate and all that you all give. I look forward to getting to know you all better and working with those in the community as we prepare for the next phase of ministry and welcome a new team rector and team vicar.
Sue Gent |
A few photos from Revd Sue Gent’s licensing on Sunday 5th October 2025 at St Mary’s Church, Yate. |
Paul Belcher licensed as a Lay Minister
On the 11th October I was licensed as a Lay Minister (Reader) by the Acting Bishop of Bristol, Bishop Neil. The photo is of me with the Bishop after the service outside Bristol Cathedral. I would like to thank those who were able to come to the Cathedral and those who I know were praying for me as I took this step. I want to share with you a little of my story.
Growing up and living in south Wales I was always involved in the local Baptist Church. Over time, this included leading services and speaking in small chapels up and down the valleys. However, I did not consider a full-time position in church ministry to be the right fit for me, instead I worked as a university lecturer and later relocated to this side of the Severn Bridge to retire.
During lockdown, I was introduced to the local parish church, where I experienced the distinctive beauty of Anglican liturgy and worship. And so, I decided to enrol on the Exploring Christianity course to find out more about my new church context. Towards the end of the course, I felt powerfully drawn to lay ministry. The last few years have been a period of exploration. I am continuing my journey of discovery as I work through what I believe God is calling me to be and whatever that might involve.
If you want to know more about my journey, please come and talk to me. You will find me in a church near you!
Paul Belcher |
Services throughout the Parish
Sunday 2nd November 4th Sunday before Advent—Gold/White Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18 Ephesians 1:11-end Luke 6:20-31
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Morning Worship 6.30pm All Souls Service
St Nix 9.30am Communion
St James 11.00am Communion 4.00pm All Souls Service
St Peter 4.00pm All Souls & Evening Worship
Sunday 9th November 3rd Sunday before Advent—Red Remembrance Sunday Job 19:23-27a 2 Thess 2:1-5, 13-end Luke 20:27-38
St Mary 8.15am Communion
10.00am Remembrance Service
6.30pm 630 Praise
St Nix 10.00am Remembrance Service
St James 10.00am Remembrance Service
St Peter 4.00pm Remembrance & Evening Worship
Sunday 16th November 2nd Sunday before Advent—Red Malachi 4:1-2a 2 Thess 3:6-13 Luke 21.5–19
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 4.00pm Evening Worship
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Sunday 16th November 2nd Sunday before Advent—Red Malachi 4:1-2a 2 Thess 3:6-13 Luke 21.5–19
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 4.00pm Evening Worship
Sunday 23rd November Sunday next before Advent—Red Jeremiah 23.1-6 Colossians 1.11-20 Luke 23.33-43
St Mary 8.15am Communion 10.30am Communion 6.30pm 630 Praise St Nix 9.30am All Age Worship St James 11.00am Morning Worship St Peter 4.00pm Communion
Sunday 30th November 1st Sunday of Advent—Purple Isaiah 2.1-5 Romans 13.11-14 Matthew 24.36-44
St Peter
10.30am Parish Communion
No other service in the Parish
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Tree Fest 2025 schedule
Tree Fest 2025 is approaching fast, so here are some important dates for your diaries featuring events across, St James Westerleigh, St Mary’s Yate, St Nix Abbotswood and St Peter’s Wapley - something for everyone.
Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd November 10am till noon -Christmas wreath making workshops at St James, Westerleigh with Di Coslett. Reserve your place on 07952 091991. Cost is £15 per person – all materials supplied.
Friday 28th November Tree Fest 2025, opening night at St Mary’s - concert with Port of Bristol Shanty Crew, 6.30 for 7pm, tickets £10 from Eventbrite (details at www.yateparish.org/treefest25). Cider, wine, fruit juice plus nibbles, and raffle. Official Tree Fest opening during interval by special guest TBC.
Saturday 29th November 10.30am – 3.30pm come and see the decorated church & trees, enjoy a hot drink and mince pie or soup & roll lunch, along with a variety of musical interludes at St Mary’s….11.30am Fascinating Rhythm, 12.30pm TBC, 1.30pm TBC, 2.30pm Winterbourne Handbell Ringers. Children’s craft corner available all day.
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Monday 1st December 2.30pm – 4.30pm enjoy a delicious afternoon tea served in St Peter’s church, along with seasonal music and bell ringing
Saturday 6th December 10.30am – 3.30pm come and see the decorated church & trees, enjoy a hot drink and mince pie or soup & roll lunch, along with a variety of musical interludes at St Mary’s….11.30am Tribal Fantasy, 12.30pm The Loud Crowd (Yate & Sodbury Community Choir), 1.30pm Tuti Fluti, 2.30pm Sodbury Vale Musical Comedy Club. Children’s craft corner available all day.
Saturday 6th December 12 noon till 2pm Christmas Fayre at St James, Westerleigh, many stalls including cakes, tombola, Christmas decorations, refreshments and a visit from Santa Claus.
Saturday 6th December 6.30 for 7pm fantastic evening concert by The Rock Choir at St Nix, Abbotswood. Tickets £6, including a glass of mulled wine & mince pie, available from Eventbrite (details at www.yateparish.org/treefest25)
Monday 22nd December from 7pm carols on the Westerleigh village green around the Christmas tree – in the event of rain gather in the New Inn. |
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. |
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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