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November E-Magazine 2022

In this edition:

  • Jesus a vaccination against the doom news

  • Away from the Rush and Closer to God, Lee Abbey

  • Meet the Youth Missioner for the Yate and Fromeside Mission Area

  • The Season of Invitation

  • Christmas Tree Festival 2022

  • Mothers' Union Yate - News for November 2022

  • Avent Sunday

  • Ring the bells for the coronation of King Charles III

  • Yate Parish Labyrinth of Lights from Sunday 20th October until Thursday 1st December

  • Safeguarding Foundation Training

  • Dates for your Diary

  • Services throughout the Parish

 

Please click below for a printable copy of the magazine:







 




 

Jesus a vaccination against the doom news

November is a cold, dark and miserable month, which is perhaps why the church during this time focuses on the triumph of Christ over evil. When it gets dark, we all feel a bit deflated and less hopeful, so it is good to remind ourselves that evil is defeated. November begins with All Saints’ and All Souls’ where we celebrate all the heroes of the faith that have gone before us, like St Peter, and our personal heroes that we have loved and lost. This same theme continues with Remembrance Sunday, when we remember heroes great and small who died in the many wars since, and including, the First World War. Finally, we celebrate Christ the King, where we acknowledge Jesus as the king of the whole world who has triumphed over evil. All these celebrations stand in stark contrast to the daily dose of doom via the news. I have often wondered why the news is so doom laden, trading in fear and despair. I think it is for two reasons; one is about money, the other is about culture. I think the media is obsessed with fear because it makes them money. Years ago, we only had three channels and one TV. Now we have thousands of channels and loads of devices to watch. It’s harder to grab people’s attention, so what is the best way to increase viewing figures? Perhaps it is to frighten people or make them really despairing and angry. As humans we naturally respond faster to fear and anger and maybe the media have hijacked this natural response to make money. The second reason is cultural. It would seem that the people on TV all know each other, have all been to the same schools and universities, or they are all married to each other or related to each other. It’s like a very small village cut off from the rest of the country. Imagine if everyone on TV was from Yate, went to Brimsham Green School and then on to UWE. You would get the same ideas and the same culture. The message of the media is that everything is going badly and its all pointless and that the world is full of terrible, scary people or ridiculous, incompetent people. It’s all very bleak. The Christian faith is a vaccination against the bleakness and doom-laden reporting in the news. We, in the Church have a different story to tell, it acts slowly and doesn’t grab your attention but it is true. At All Saints and All Souls, we celebrate the incredible stories of hope in adversity over 2000 years of Christian history. We celebrate, William Wilberforce who against all the odds ended the slave trade. We celebrate Elizabeth Fry who built a prison system centred on reform and we celebrate the MU who today carry on this work fighting slavery and serving in the prisons. Doom news makes us watch but doesn’t spur us into action. The lives of the Saints give us hope and spur us into action. The same is true for Remembrance where we acknowledge the horrors of war but also celebrate the incredible sacrifice and heroism of ordinary people to preserve our freedom. Finally, at the festival of Christ the King we celebrate that Jesus, through mercy and love, has broken the power of evil and set us free. Perhaps this is the central difference between Christ and the doom-laden news. Each night it seems we are tempted into thinking the worst of our fellow humans. Each night we are told of an unforgivable act of cruelty and injustice and are invited to hold onto that bitterness. At the centre of our faith is an act of cruel injustice, Jesus goes to the cross and intimately understand what it is like to be a victim. But Jesus breaks the power of evil by forgiving his executioners. His resurrection shows us that evil is defeated and through mercy and forgiveness we can make Jesus visible today. So this November lets take the Covid jab and also take the Jesus jab and vaccinate ourselves from the doom. Let’s remember the heroes of the faith and how Jesus has defeated all evil. Then we can make Jesus visible, even in November. Rev Hywel Snook

 

Away from the Rush and Closer to God Lee Abbey

Have you ever needed a holiday, but then returned home more exhausted than when you went? Then you need a few days at Lee Abbey, surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation, and ministered to physically and spiritually by the team. Lee Abbey is a gentle reflection retreat where pressures of our society seem far away. The accommodation is clean and comfortable, with great mattresses, soft towels and plentiful food. Oh! and there is a lift. Everything is done for you. When you first arrive afternoon tea is served, then you have time to settle in before the evening meal followed by the first devotional meeting of the weekend. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. It was good to eat and spend some time with our own group, but it was also good to eat and spend time with others: so much to share from our different Parishes and backgrounds. There is no pressure to attend any of the meetings but most people do because so much is gained from them. Yate Parish was well represented and each one of us gained something special from being there. Some simply expressed how aware they were of God’s presence in the quiet beauty of His creation. Some felt spiritually refreshed from the meetings and others gained much from conversations they had at mealtimes with old and new friends. All were inspired and refreshed by the surroundings, and the ability to enjoy them and relax in God’s presence. The first weekend we spent there was just after the Queen had died and many of us were anxious to hear the speech that the King gave on the Friday as well as the Proclamation on the Saturday. In response to our requests one of the team spent his spare time downloading from his computer, to present us with everything we had asked for. Nothing is too much for the team at Lee Abbey. The message made reference to the Queen’s service to her country and her God and the service God requires of us. They certainly demonstrated that in their own lives, as well as preaching it.

Norma Felstead


 


Meet the Youth Missioner for the Yate and Fromeside Mission area

My name is Charlie, I am married to Justin, we have 3 school aged children and we live in Yate. Having grown up in Yate parish, I have worked as a registered nurse for the last 17 years; I was a Theatre Sister at the Bristol Children’s Hospital and most recently I worked as a prison nurse. Alongside my nursing career I volunteered for a number of years as a Youth Leader with St John Ambulance. Since having my own children I stepped away from this and focussed my spare time on volunteering with various types of children’s and youth work in the parish, including running Messy Church with my husband. In April 2020 I started the 2 year Exploring Christianity Course run by Bristol Diocese. At the time being a nurse in the pandemic was really challenging, so I found great comfort in these studies and it really enabled me to deepen my faith. Through careful discernment it has led me to feel that I was being called to something else other than nursing. When this role in the Yate and Fromeside Mission Area was advertised I felt drawn to it, and upon a successful interview I was faced with closing the chapter of being a practising nurse, something that I had done and enjoyed so very much and stepping out in faith into my new chapter. I am very much looking forward to working as the Youth Missioner, and getting out across the Mission Area meeting new people. It is not easy being a young person nowadays, many are still overcoming challenges post pandemic, alongside the usual stresses and pressures of life. So I really hope that we can grow a team to reach the young people right across the mission area and walk alongside them offering support, strength and guidance to them and their families. I feel that God is calling me to strengthen the Mission Area working and building on the great work that is already taking place among families, young people and children. There will be a focus of growing in numbers and what we offer, to really shine a light for our children and young people so that they may come to know Jesus through a variety of groups, activities and a whole lot of fun.


Charlie Blackett


 

The Season of Invitation

The Advent wreath is that funny set of different coloured candles we display at the front of church each December. For those old enough, they will remember the Blue Peter Advent crown, which was removed from the programme when it caused someone’s house to burn down. Other than a reminder of Blue Peter, does the Advent Wreath serve any purpose? Firstly, the wreath is a count down to Christmas and cheers us up. Winter in Britain can be dark and depressing so it’s good to remember that even though it is dark, the light is coming. Secondly, each of the candles points to a different person or group in the Bible. Each of these people lived before Jesus and are lights that shine in the darkness of their time and look forward to the great light to come. Each of these stories reminds us of how God invites us to be in relationship with him. The sequences of candles is: 1 Patriarchs 2 Prophets 3 John the Baptist 4 Mary, the mother of Jesus 5 Christ, the light of the world The candles fit into the theme of each Sunday set of readings in Advent. On the first Sunday we remember that God called the patriarchs in Genesis, the fathers of the Jewish people. Here God invites just one family into a relationship with him.

On the second Sunday we remember that God called the prophets of Israel, to remind them of the promise of God and to foretell the coming of Jesus. Here God invites the nation of Israel to come back into their relationship. Then, on the third Sunday, we remember that John the Baptist said ‘ Jesus is here so get ready.’ Here John invites the people of Jesus’ time to come back into a relationship with God ready for Jesus to start his ministry. On the last Sunday of Advent we remember Mary and the promise made to her that her son would redeem the world. Here the whole world is invited to be in relationship with God no matter who they are, where they have come from or what they have done in the past. This Advent in Yate Parish, we continue this invitation which began thousands of years ago with Abraham. We have the opportunity to invite friends and family to church and join us in the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It could be like the prophets we are inviting people back who haven’t been for a while, or like John the Baptist’s call to everyone to faith, no matter who they are. In November we will be giving out some invitation cards just like we did for harvest. We are asking everyone to use these cards to invite friends and family to the various events in the run up to Christmas, and Christmas itself. We will give three cards, one for yourself and two to give out. Three thousand years ago God began his great invitation to Abraham, 2500 years ago he continued with the prophets and just over 2000 years ago Mary was invited to bear God’s son. Today let us continue in that great invitation with our friends and family too.

Revd Hywel Snook

 

St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival 2022

This year’s Christmas Tree Festival at St Mary’s Church Yate, now in its 7th year, will run from 3 to 11 December and is taking a new approach. For the first time we are combining our traditional decorated tree display with a display of paintings featuring trees - 30 trees and 30 paintings. Read on to learn why. During the 2021 festival, a chance conversation introduced the organisers of the Tree Festival to Sean Suleman, a local artist - not just with a paintbrush but with other strings to his bow (or should we say brush!). Sean is a founder member of local charity Blonde Angel Street Team. The Team was created in 2019 by a group of volunteers with one common goal: to help homeless people on the streets. They regularly collect kindly-donated supplies and distribute them throughout the year at weekly drops in Bristol at College Green and Broadmead, providing hot food and drinks, snacks, toiletries, clothing, bags and other essentials. The Team is a 5,000-strong non-profit Facebook group who collect and deliver these items to homeless people in Bristol so that they feel human again. In addition to the drops an enthusiastic mobile team covers the waterfront and other areas of Bristol, including Bradley Stoke and Yate. The group also caters for shelters and newly-housed people needing essential supplies. Their short-term aim is to give back, bringing kindness, happiness and smiles. Their big goal is to help to get people off the streets into container homes, hostels or rented accommodation, and into jobs – thereby saving lives and building hope.

The focus of the Christmas Tree Festival has always been to involve and engage with as broad a spectrum of the local community as possible, helping to convey the true message of Christmas. We invite you to enjoy the opportunity to meet with friends old and new, experiencing the sights and sounds of Christmas over a cuppa and a warm mince pie. Funds raised during the Festival will be shared 50/50 between St Mary’s Refurbishment Projects and the Blonde Angel Street Team to support their ongoing works in the community. Entry to the Festival is FREE!! Sean recently told me these drops and supplies have never been in more demand - Bristol currently has over 80 homeless people on the streets and the most basic items are needed. We need your help so throughout the festival there will be opportunities to donate towards our fundraising and there will be a collection point at St Mary’s Church for items which the Blonde Angel Street Team can distribute – they have asked in particular for scarves, hats, gloves, socks, jackets, pot noodles, hand warmers, small torches with batteries. Monetary donations are passed on as Greggs Food Vouchers so the homeless can enjoy food and a hot drink. This event has grown each year and is a fantastic chance for anyone to be part of a Christmas celebration and community event whilst raising funds for local causes. We are always on the lookout for new sponsors. It is very simple to get involved as we fill the church with a magnificent display of decorated trees, each with their own unique design, colour and light display. To be involved please contact the parish office at parishoffice@yateparish.org or call 01454 313105.

 



 



 




 

Ring the bells for the coronation of King Charles III

Have you ever thought of learning to ring the church bells? Bell ringing is a team activity that stimulates the brain and helps keep you fit, and it also makes a glorious sound! Ringers come from all walks of life and all ages. It’s never too late to learn. Almost anyone can ring: you don’t need to be musical, good at maths or particularly strong. And you can learn to the level you are personally happy with. Ringing is a very sociable activity; we like to visit other towers informally or for an organised outing. In our parish there are bells at St Mary’s, St James and St Peter’s, and we hold regular practices on Mondays at St Peter’s (Wapley) and on Wednesdays at St James (Westerleigh), both starting at 7.30pm. If you’d like to have a go, call Kathryn on 01454 318157 or Bryan on 07778 610328 to find out more.

 

Yate Parish Labyrinth of Lights from Sunday 30 October until Thursday 1 December

Our Labyrinth in St Mary's Churchyard will be marked out using light ropes and hearts in the trees. Each heart can be dedicated to the memory of a loved one or a prayer intention you may have. Fill in a form so that we can display your message or prayer on a board near the labyrinth. It will show that even in the darkest time of the year the light of love still shines. November is a dark time of the year but walking the labyrinth can allow us to pray without words, walking with God and allowing him to bless us. Fill in the form online at yateparish.org/labyrinth-of-lights


 

Safeguarding Foundation Training Date: 12 November 2022 Time: 10am - 1pm (coffee from 9.30am) Venue: St Nix Church This session is for all volunteers across the Parish whose role requires them to undertake safeguarding training. If you are uncertain whether you need to attend, please contact Beverley Hodgson on 07913387478 or email yateparishsafeguarding@gmail.com

 

St Mary’s Christmas Tree Festival 2022 Saturday 3 December until Saturday 10 December

with a concert on the final evening of seasonal music by our friends the Apollo Wind Band. Our opening evening on Friday 2 December will also feature the return of some of our most popular entertainers. If you would like to show your support by sponsoring a tree, making a donation or joining our programme of weekend entertainment (singing, dancing etc), please contact the Tree Festival Team by emailing parishoffice@yateparish.org.uk or calling 01454 882230.

 

Dates for the Diary

Sunday 13 November Remembrance Sunday Saturday 19 November - 12noon-2pm Soup & Pudding @ St Mary’s Also Craft items and preserves for sale Saturday 19 November - 7pm St James Autumn Supper & Quiz. Westerleigh Village Hall. Tickets £12. Call Kathryn (01454 318157) byo drinks Fri 25 Nov & Wed 30 November - 10-12am Wreath Making Workshop in St James Church, Call Kathryn (01454 318157) to book Sunday 27 November - 2-4pm St Mary’s Church Advent Sunday Event Saturday 3 December - 11am-1pm Christmas Fair in St James Church Friday 9 December - 6pm Carols in Kingsgate Park with mulled wine and mince pies Monday 19 December - 6pm Carols around the tree, Westerleigh Village Green, followed by drinks in the New Inn Sunday 11 December - 3.30pm Messy Christingle at St Nix

 

Services throughout the Parish

Sunday 6 November

3rd Sunday before Advent—Red

Job 19:23-27 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-end Luke 20:27-38

St Mary

8.15am Communion

10.30am All-Age Service

6.30pm 630 Praise

St Nix

10.30am Communion

St James

10.30am Communion

St Peter

4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)

Sunday 13 November—Remembrance Day

2nd Sunday before Advent—Red

Malachi 4:1-2a 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 Luke 21:5-19

St Mary

8.15am Communion

10.00am Remembrance Service & Parade

6.30pm 630 Praise

St Nix

10.00am Remembrance Service

St James

10.00am Remembrance Service

St Peter

4.00pm Remembrance Service



Sunday 20 November

Christ the King Sunday before Advent—Red

Jeremiah 23:1-6 Colossians 1:11-20 Luke 23:33-43

St Mary

8.15am Communion

10.30am Morning Worship

6.30pm 630 Praise

St Nix

10.30am Communion

St James

10.30am Communion

St Peter

4.00pm Evening Worship (Book of Common Prayer)

Sunday 27 November

1st Sunday of Advent—Purple

Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-end Matthew 24:36-44

St Mary

8.15am Communion

10.30am Communion

6.30pm 630 Praise

St Nix

10.30am Morning Worship

St James

10.30am Morning Worship

St Peter

4.00pm Communion (Book of Common Prayer)

 

Mammas Club

Join a community of women in St Mary’s Church at 11am every Friday (term time only). Mammas Club is a drop in café for you and your family. Come along and enjoy the company of other women on the journey of parenthood. We will have tea, coffee and light bites!

 

Who Let the Dads Out

Third Saturday of every month 10am at St Mary’s Youth Centre. Come for breakfast with the children. Toys and chat, share precious time with the little ones.


 







 

Morning prayer in Yate Parish


Do you find prayer a little difficult? Would you like some inspiration? Go to the Yate Parish Facebook page to join in Morning Prayer led by our ministry team. You can watch live at 7.30am Monday to Saturday, or watch at any time later in the day. Many people have found it a great start to their day.

 

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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