DECEMBER 2021 B E N E F I C E M A G A Z I N E ALL SAINTS Grove Road, Fishponds, Bristol www.allsaintsfishponds.co.uk “Come Gather, Come Worship, Come As You Are” ST. MARY’S Manor Road, Fishponds, Bristol Holding Together In Hope www.stmarysfishponds.org.uk 70p
All Saints Church Fishponds DONATE* Please help us to keep the Church, Hall and Grounds safe for safe for this and future use. You can donate in the following way TEXT HQJB01 to 70331 to give £3 HQJB01 to 70970 to give £5 HQJB01 to 70191 to give £10 OR GO TO http://easydonate.org/HQJB01 You can scan this code bar to take you to the donate site *Your donation will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme, operating DONATE, a charity registered in England and Wales (1149800) and Scotland (SC045106). In addition to any text donation, you will incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). *For Terms and Conditions, see www.easydonate.org St. Mary’s Church Fishponds Giving Our church is funded almost entirely by donations and fund raising. We provide several different ways of giving to enable people to give in a way that they are happy with. Some do standing orders and the envelope scheme. For those who don’t carry cash anymore, or who have forgotten their wallet we have a card reader in church which can take card payments including contactless, apple pay and google pay. You can also use this QR Code code that will take you to our donation page. Beavers Monday’s 6.15pm Tel: 0117 958 4164 Contacts for Scouting Groups Cubs Thursday’s 6.45pm East Bristol Partnership Office Co-ordinator Amy Donaldson Tel: 0117 958 6412 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.ebpbristol.org.uk 2 Scouts Thursday’s 8.00pm Tel: 078 5452 0595 www.13thbristolscouts.uk
CONTACTS for the BENEFICE of ALL SAINTS CHURCH & ST. MARY’S CHURCH Vicar Revd. Lizzie Kesteven - Tel: 0117 965 0856 Curates Revd. Janey Hiller - Tel: 0117 239 0625 Revd. Diane Simms - Tel: 0117 951 8419 Licensed Lay Reader Mark Simms - Tel: 0117 951 8419 Licensed Lay Reader & Permission to Officiate Graham Biddlecombe - Tel: T.B.A. Church Warden Church Warden PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer Baptisms Weddings/Funerals Contacts for All Saints Church Elaine Seretny Nigel Heath Chris Whitehead Tam Pearce Anita Lavis Safeguarding Officer Helen Whitehead - Tel: 0117 965 4697 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Contacts for St. Mary’s Church Church Warden Mary Ewing Church Warden PCC Secretary PCC Treasurer Baptisms Mary Ewing Tel: 0117 382 6324 Pete Walker Matt Timms Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Hannah Gazeley Email:[email protected] Email: [email protected] Weddings/Funerals Amy Donaldson Email: [email protected] Safeguarding Officers Kate Hancocks & Clare Munoz 3 Email: [email protected] Tel: 0117 902 5257 Tel: 0117 965 2893 Tel: 0117 965 4697 Tel: 078 0098 7672 Revd Lizzie Kesteven Tel: 0117 965 0856 Tel: 0117 307 9117
ALL SAINTS CHURCH & ST. MARYS CHURCH Welcome you to join them at their Christmas Celebrations Sunday 5th 6.30pm - Advent Carols - St. Marys with seasonal readings Sunday 19th 4.30pm - Nativity Service - All Saints 6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight - St. Marys with seasonal readings Wednesday 22nd 6.30pm - Carols & Christingles Round the Yew Tree - All Saints Friday 24th CHRISTMAS EVE 4.00pm - Family Carol Service - St. Marys 6.30pm - Carols by Candlelight - All Saints with seasonal readings 11.30pm - Midnight Mass - St. Marys Saturday 25th CHRISTMAS DAY 10.00am - Christmas Day Service - St. Marys 10.30am - Family Holy Communion - All Saints (Welcome to bring present to show and tell) Sunday 26th ST. STEPHENS DAY 8.00am - Holy Communion - All Saints 10.00am - Holy Communion - St. Marys 4
Animals at Christmas: a tale of two pictures Image by Wokandapix The idea of animals at Christmastime may conjure up images of cute puppies in pointy red hats and fluffy kittens popped into knitted stockings. Or perhaps even bring to mind some of the more elaborate pet costumes – reindeer, elf or santa - that seem to have become popular in recent years. Those of us who have lived with animals in one way or another, know what it is to feel a special bond to a furry or feathered friend. They become a muchloved part of our families, our lives and our celebrations. So it’s natural to want to include them in all things Christmassy. Sometimes, though, animal friends can become little extensions of our human selves. The growth of ‘pet influencers’ on social media is a recent phenomenon which portrays animals as having human-like lifestyles - playing dress-up with friends, going on lunch dates or trick-or-treating, lounging on the bed in a onesie – all aided by an industry which produces designer pet-wear and accessories to suit all manner of tastes. The top ‘pet influencer’ on Instagram is jiffpom – a Pomeranian dog, who has over 30 million followers across various social media channels and who has (presumably with human help?!) posted hundreds of images and videos of his fluffy self in various poses and costumes, spawning a range of merchandise. The fact that jiffpom is a living, breathing, sentient being seems to be incidental to the marketable ‘product’ he (and many like him) have become. Let’s move on to Picture 2 Image from www.animals-partner.blogspot.com/ The traditional Nativity assembles into one ‘scene’ all the characters and storylines from the birth of Jesus narratives found in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Mary, Joseph and the swaddled baby Jesus are surrounded by the angels, shepherds, magi and oh-so-many-animals! 5
The first thing to notice in this image is that the animals are just that - animals. The humble contrast to the images of ‘animals-as-comical-little-people’ above, is striking. The nativity animals participated in the story of Jesus’ birth not because they played a part set for them by humans; rather it was their very animal-ness that meant they could be an integral part in the story’s unfolding. There was a relationship between the humans and the animals which involved the animals ‘working for’ the humans – the camels, for example, were beasts of burden who brought the magi and Mary to Bethlehem. But, as the assembled scene shows, the humans and animals shared a mutuality of purpose in their participation; to be the first gathered worshippers of the Godchild, Jesus. This inclusivity of all flesh around the word-made-flesh is deeply profound. This symbolism is further emphasised by Jesus, the bread of life, having an animal feeding trough as his first resting place. The clean and the unclean come together in a radical redrawing of the boundaries around who can belong to God. Traditional nativities depict an ox and an ass; symbols of the people of Israel and the Gentiles respectively. Their inclusion in the nativity scene alongside each other and in close proximity to the holy family is a symbolic forward echo to the work of Christ in reconciling all creation. How might we reflect on animals in the light of these two pictures? In the Judaeo-Christian tradition, animals are afforded great dignity. God’s creativity is displayed in abundance through the multitude of animals, birds and sea creatures we share the earth with; all of which God created with joy and called ‘good’. In biblical times, animals were a sign of prosperity and God’s blessing and were to be treated with honour. Animals are integral to the covenants God makes (for example the covenant with Noah was with his family and all the animals). And animals are part of the creation that groans in expectation for the redemptive plan God has for the world. Let’s pause for a moment with a couple of questions for us to ponder over advent: • What do these two images reveal to you about your relationship with animals? 6
• What do they tell you about what animals are really ‘for’ in God’s plan for his creation? My prayer for us all leading into Christmas is that we can be inspired afresh by the animals in the nativity scene. That they will be our ‘pet influencers’! I pray that we will continue to reflect the humility of Christ and to nurture our inclusiveness towards all others. And as we busy ourselves with advent and Christmas activities, I pray that we will do so with a renewed and shared sense of purpose; namely that just like in the assembled nativity scene, each one of us is drawn together in the end to worship with joy and wonder the God-madeflesh, Jesus Christ. Amen. Revd Janey DECEMBER READINGS for ALL SAINTS CHURCH & ST. MARY’S CHURCH 5th Second Sunday of Advent (Purple) Malachi 3: 1 - 4; Philippians 1: 3 - 11; Luke 3: 1 - 6. 12th Third Sunday of Advent (Purple) Zephaniah 3: 14 - end; Philippians 4: 4 - 7; Luke 3: 7 - 18. 19th Fourth Sunday of Advent (Purple) Micah 5: 2 - 5; Hebrews 10: 5 -10; Luke 1: 39 - 45. 24th Christmas Eve (White) Isaiah 52: 7 - 10; John 1: 1 - 14. 25th Christmas Day (White) Titus 3: 4 - 7; Luke 2: 1 - 7. 26th First Day of Christmas (White) St. Stephens Day Acts 7: 51 - end; Matthew 10: 17 -22. 7
Sunday 19th - 4.30pm NATIVITY SERVICE Service for all the family. You are welcome, (adults & children) to come dressed as a character from the nativity. CHRISTMAS EVE You are welcome to join St. Marys at 4.30pm for their Family Carol Service At 6.30pm All Saints for their Carols by Candlelight, (please bring a torch) 11.30pm All welcome to St. Marys for Midnight Mass Wednesday 22nd - 6.30pm Carols & Christingles Round the Yew Tree This year we are combining our Carols round the Yew Tree with Christingle. So please bring all your family, children and friends to this special time to sing some of your favourite carols. Donations will be for the Childrens Society GIFTS AND TOYS AT CHRISTMAS We plan to collect toys and gifts again this year in church to donate to Barnardo’s and Bristol Young Carers here in the Bristol area. Like all of us, both charities have seen challenging times over the past two years and our support is needed as much as ever. NEW gifts and toys are needed for children and young adults in the age range 0 -16 years. The items should be unwrapped, in order to help to allocate them to the right age range. We invite you to bring your gifts, to place under the Christmas tree in Church any time from the beginning of December. They can also be delivered to Tiny Tots in the Hall on Monday mornings. 8
Tiny Tots and helpers will deliver these before Christmas, so the closing date is December 21. We do hope to collect a good number of gifts with your help. Hope you can support this venture. John Waldren and Tiny Tots. PRAYER PAGE ✴ Help us Lord, to use December as a time of reflection to prepare ourselves for Christmas, so we can celebrate its joy in the right spirit but that we also remember people throughout the world, countries at war, the misplaced, refugees, asylum seekers and the homeless. Help us, to have sympathetic hearts, to do what we can in terms of practical support. ✴ Christmas will be a sad time for many who have lost loved ones, help to comfort them Lord, by your Holy Spirit. We also remember all who work in hospitals and other health care sectors. ✴ Lord, grant us the wisdom to care for the earth and till it. Help us to act now for the good of future generations and all your creatures. Help us to become instruments of a new creation, Founded on the covenant of your love. ✴ Help us to never despair that the problems of the world are so huge and we are so small: we are not alone. You are with us, the source of light and strength. Help us always to have hope in our hearts, and to do what is right and good. ✴ Jesus, the Light of the World, as we celebrate your birth, may we begin to see the world in the light of understanding you give us. As you chose the lowly, the outcasts, and the poor to receive the greatest news the world had ever known, so may we worship you in meekness of heart. May we also remember our brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves in this season of giving 9
“Dear All Saints and St Marys In the New Year we are going to run the Living in Love and Faith Course that the Church of England has recommended to all parishes. It is a 5 week course which looks at Christian faith in regards to sexuality, marriage, relationships and identity. We are at this stage asking people in the congregations to give us an idea of their desire to join a group and to give us an indication of what time and in what manner (face to face or online) that they would like to engage with these important aspects of life which we need to reflect on. There are sheets at the back of St Marys and All Saints to sign up to, or if you feel more comfortable then please ask Revd Lizzie about the process and how to sign up. The groups are deliberately small in number (5 to 6) people each, and it might be that several groups meet at the same time and place but then split into smaller groups for the parts of the course which require discussion. The key is that a safe environment is created to enable people to be both honest and vulnerable. It may be that you have already decided what you think and feel about these issues, or that you are not interested in them. It may be that you are unsure of what they might entail or how they will be used. If so then please talk with Revd Diane, Revd Janey or Revd Lizzie as we have all had different experiences of the process so far and would be happy to share anything that might help you discern if you want to join in with a group. If you think that “this is not really for me” then I urge you to especially join. I suspect that many of us will know people, or have family who are grappling with relationships, sexuality, marriage and identity and they might ask us questions about that and the “church”. This is an opportunity to expand our own knowledge and thinking and feeling by listening carefully to 10
others. It is a way of equipping us to be witnesses to God’s light and goodness in the world today. Once we know how many people want to be in a group and whether that is face to face, online or during the day or evening then we will make sure that they can happen and you will be invited to join a group. Blessings, Revd Lizzie Meet Monday’s during term time from 10.30am til 12noon Children from birth to 4years of age welcome along with their parents, grandparents or carers. A morning listen to a story, singing, craft time then refreshments and play time. For more information contact Cynthia on 0117 965 1849 Need accounts prepared for your business? Need a Self Assessment Tax Return completed? WE CAN HELP! H & F ACCOUNTANCY For all your tax and accountancy needs. We do payroll and VAT too! Sarah Hendy 0117 951 7615 Reasonable rates. Telephone Frank FitzGibbon 0117 932 9321 For young people from year 7 and upwards. To meet, to talk, learn, pray and have fun together. 2nd Sunday of the Month - 7.15pm For information contact Nigel on 0117 965 2893 or Revd. Lizzie 11
COFFEE BREAK TIME (Answers on page 26) Across 1. Provisional meeting place of God and the Jews (Exodus 25:9) (10) 7. David’s third son, killed when his head got caught in a tree during a battle with his father (2 Samuel 18:14ñ15) (7) 8. They ruled much of the west coast of South America in the 15th and early 16th centuries (5) 10. Small deer of European and Asian extraction (4) 11. Seized control of (Numbers 21:25) (8) 13. Terror (Luke 24:5) (6) 15. First World War heroine shot by the Germans in Brussels, Nurse Edith ____ (6) 17. Stormy (8) 18. A bitter variety of this, together with lamb and unleavened bread, was the Passover menu for anyone ‘unclean’ (Numbers 9:11) (4) 12
21. Arson (anag.) (5) 22. How John Newton described God’s grace in his well-known hymn (7) 23. Habitation (Isaiah 27:10) (10) Down 1. ‘_____ and see that the Lord is good’ (Psalm 34:8) (5) 2. ‘The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as ____ as a lion’ (Proverbs 28:1) (4) 3. One of the exiles, a descendant of Parosh, who married a foreign woman (Ezra 10:25) (6) 4. He escaped from Nob when Saul killed the rest of his family and joined David (1 Samuel 22:19ñ20) (8) 5. City and lake in Central Switzerland (7) 6. ‘Offer your bodies as living ________, holy and pleasing to God’ (Romans 12:1) (10) 9. Pouches carried by horses (Genesis 49:14) (10) 12. One who accepts government by God (8) 14. Aromatic substance commonly used in Jewish ritual (Exodus 30:1) (7) 16. He asked Jesus, ‘What is truth?’ (John 18:38) (6) 19. Are (Romans 13:1) (5) 20. ‘You are to give him the name Jesus, because he will ____ his people from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21) (4) LIVING AFTER LOSS Have you had to face a loss? Bereavement / Retirement / Health Problems / Redundancy etc. Do you need to talk? Then you are very welcome to come and talk to friendly people over refreshments at St. Mary’s Church Parish Rooms Friday 3rd, 17th & 31st December, 11am - 12noon For information contact Revd. Lizzie 0117 9650 856 13 CHRISTMAS TO - DO - LIST BE - buy presents - wrap gifts - send gifts PEACE DONATE - shop for food BE - see the lights SOMEONE IN A HUG
All Saints Services and DUTY TIME 8.00am Services 10.30am Wardens Sidesperson Readers 8.00am Holy Communion Revd Janey & Revd Diane - 10.30am N. Heath / E. Seretny 10.30am C. Edwards-Mlangwa 1st lesson 10.30am 2nd lesson Prayers Parish Street D. Williams C. Powell D. Simms Albert Terrace DUTY TIME St Mary’s Services 5th 2nd Sunday of Advent Open Church 10.00am Services 6.30pm Wednesdays - 9.00am Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints 14 Revd Lizzie & Mark Advent Bible Study Advent Carols - Revd Lizzie & Revd Janey Sunday 5th, 12th - 10.30am Rehearsing the Nativity Play Please bring your children along on these dates, so that they are able to take part on the day. Sung Holy Communion Revd Janey & Mark 5th 2nd Sunday of Advent - Revd Janey & Mark No Service S. Cook - - - - - Alcove Road 12th 3rd Sunday of Advent 12th 3rd Sunday of Advent Holy Communion
Duty Rota for December Sunday 19th TIME 8.00am 10.30am 8.00am 19th 4th Sunday of Advent - Holy Communion 10.30am N. Heath / C. Whitehead 10.30am 10.30am A. Lavis A. Wren 10.30am C. Whitehead M. Simms Alexandra Park TIME 10.00am 6.30pm 19th for December Friday 24th 4th Sunday of Advent Creative Church Revd Lizzie & Revd Diane Carols by Candlelight Revd Janey & Revd Lizzie Christmas Eve 4.00pm Family Carols Revd Lizzie & Revd Janey 11.30pm Midnight Communion Revd Lizzie, Revd Janey & Revd Diane For children aged 7+ and upwards. Meet on a Friday in All Saints Church from 6.30pm till 7.15pm 15 Nativity Service 4.30pm Revd Lizzie, Junior Church & Tiny Tots Wardens Revd Janey & Sharon E. Seretny / G. Smith - Friday 24th Christmas Eve 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight Revd Diane & Revd Lizzie Wardens N. Heath / G. Smith Sunday 26th Feast of St. Stephen 8.00am Holy Communion Revd Lizzie Warden S. Cook Ashdene Avenue Saturday 25th Christmas Day 10.00am Christmas Communion Revd Janey Sunday 26th Feast of St. Stephen 10.00am Holy Communion Revd Lizzie St. Mary’s Church Friday’s 7pm New members are welcomed Saturday 25th Christmas Day 10.30am Family Holy Communion Revd Lizzie, Sharon & Elisa Wardens M. Lavis / D. Williams
J. B. LANDSCAPES General Build and Maintenance Nick Tuftnell Counsellor Fully qualified BACP registered and based locally 07988 136267 tangate-counselling.co.uk [email protected] Tel: 0117 939 1316 Mob: 07792 097 234 [email protected] www.jblandscapesbristol.co.uk A family run business. James Bufton Qualified Landscaper kitchens Bathrooms Wetrooms loft conversations From concept to completion for all aspects of home build & renovation [email protected] 07748 397329 local family business 16
All Saints Church & St. Marys Church SAFEGUARDING TRAINING COURSE Saturday 19th March 2022 The Diocese now require DBS to be updated every 3 years instead of 5 years so they have arranged to come to All Saints, Link Room, Community Hall, to run a C1Safeguarding training course . This course is for all who work with children and vulnerable adults and PCC members. It will be run by Clare Wagstaff, who led it in 2019, so it is now due for renewal. If you attended then or anyone who has done DBS since, needs to attend to this course to update their training. I will contact you all individually early in the new year, but in the meantime note this date in your diaries and please make every effort to attend this mandatory training. Many thanks for all you do, to support Safeguarding in your activities. Best wishes Helen Whitehead (Parish Safeguarding Officer, All Saints) h C A turkey crown, a rib of beef, Crisps and nibbles, lots to spare. Christmas crackers and serviettes, Paper for wrapping and cards to send, Nuts and oranges, figs and dates The list goes on, there seems no end. In all this rush it’s good to pause And think about that special Day, When shepherds watched and angels sang As a Baby lay in a bed of hay. 17
Would you be willing to Would you be wil l ing to suppor t someone to change their life? If you are prepared to listen, be patient, and have your faith put to work then there are people with criminal convictions who need a mentor like you to support them to reach their goals and change their life. We offer training to enable individuals from churches to do this. Making a difference in the life of an ex-offender Imagine for a moment, how you might feel if you moved to a new town or city where you don’t know anyone, you have no job, you need to register with a GP because you have a health condition which needs a regular prescription, but you have no fixed abode…. and on top of all that you have a criminal conviction. These are some of the challenges ex-offenders face on release – even one or two of these would be tough for anyone, but for exoffenders these are layered over each other - which makes coming out of prison such a difficult and vulnerable time. Whilst offenders very much look forward to ‘life beyond the gate’ at the end of their sentence, they also have a lot of anxiety around how things will turn out for them. There are so many unknowns. • Will they find somewhere safe to live? • What if they get back in with the ’old crowd’ – or what they are sought out? • Will they find work? • Where will they get medical or mental health support if they need it? • How will they spend their time? • What will happened to their children, their partner and other relationships? 18
Mentor Me is a project run by the Bristol-based Christian charity SixtyOne. Through the project, ex-offenders are supported by a mentor who works with them to set the goals they would like to achieve on release. Mentors become a touchpoint in the week for the mentee – someone who is independent from ‘the system’ and who is there for the mentee to encourage and enable them to work things through until they feel re-settled back into life, work, health, family and home. Mentoring an ex-offender who wants to start a new life free from crime, is a wonderful way to demonstrate God’s love, mercy and compassion – it is a real ministry of grace. MentorMe are keen to recruit new volunteer mentors, and are running their next training course in in the new year. Wondering if you might fit the bill? As the MentorMe website states: “Mentors need to be reliable, understanding, patient, and empathetic but do not need to be experts - life experience and a good sense of humour are more important!” Mentors are fully trained and supported at every stage of the process. If mentoring an ex-offender is something you’d like to find out more about, you’d be very welcome to have an informal chat to me (Revd Janey), or feel free to contact MentorMe direct at www.sixty-one.org/mentorme or call 0117 403 7905. Training Sessions (All sessions must be attended if you wish to be considered as a mentor) Saturday 22nd January - 9.30am to 3.30pm Thursday 27th January - 7.00pm to 9.00pm Saturday 5th February - 9.30am to 3.30pm Thursday 10th February - 7.00pm to 9.00pm Thursday 17th February - 7.00pm to 9.00pm (Above date ONLY for those planning to apply) Venue: The Meeting House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol BS1 2NN To book a place email [email protected] or call 0117 403 7905 MentorMe a project of SixtyOne www.sixtyone.org 19
SAINT’S FAMILY HOLIDAY CAFÉ Help Santa bring joy this Christmas. We are hosting a family fun day with lunch for families in need this winter. Please help us fill Santa’s sleigh with a gift for each child. All Saint’s Family Café is a bunch of volunteers who want to fill a hunger gap, increase social connections and provide a space for children to explore, create and have fun! We are looking to make things better for families living in poverty. In Eastville 1 in 4 children are experiencing child poverty and 40% of 10/11 year olds have excess weight (Eastville Statistical Ward Information 2021). This winter we are offering a big celebration for the whole family. Santa has volunteered his time but his sleigh is empty. Can you help us buy some treats this winter for the children and their parents? Please donate today to ensure we can fill Santa's sleigh! http://easydonate.org/HQJB02 For every £5 donated we will be able to buy 1 gift. For more information or to volunteer Email Amy [email protected] * Your donation will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme, operating as DONATE, a charity registered in England and Wales (1149800) and Scotland (SC045106). In addition to any text donation, you will incur your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org The all meet on a Tuesday evening at St. Mary’s Church, Manor Road For times and other information please visit the following website https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-for-parents/register-your-daughter/ For the Guides look for ‘176th Fishponds Methodist (Bristol) And Rainbows and Brownies look for 1st Fromeside Rainbows & 176th (Fishponds) Bristol Brownies 20
SUDOKU PUZZLES (Answers on page 26) EASY The Walk to Remember Ve went well on a very wet Sunday in October at Ashton Court Estate. I did part of the course, while two of our sons completed it. There was a good turn out so I hope The Hospice will have raised a good amount of sponsorship. In our case and thanks to the MEDIUM generous support from All Saints folk and other friends, we will be sending in excess of £400 to St Peters Hospice My grateful thanks to all those who supported me and my family again. All the best, John St. Mary’s Churchyard Gardening Group Meet every Monday from 10am till 12noon To do a spot of gardening and tidying up the grounds You are very welcome to come and join them. Tea & biscuits provided 21 COFFEE MORNING Saturday 5th December 10am - 12noon All Saints Church, Grove Road Come and pop in for a cuppa or two!
for CHILDREN God Gave Us Christmas By Lisa Tawn Bergren and David Hohn, Authentic, £7.99 This sweet story helps young children understand the true meaning of Christmas, and to discover how very much God loves them. As Little Cub and her family prepare to celebrate the most special day of the year, the curious young polar bear begins to wonder… “Who invented Christmas?” So Mama and Little Cub head off on a polar expedition to find God and to see how He gave them Christmas. Along the way, they find signs that God is at work all around them. Through Mama’s gentle guidance, Little Cub learns about the very first Christmas. A Pirate Christmas Activity Book By Suzy Senior, Bible Society, £3 Here is an activity book, full of crafts and games based on Suzy Senior’s popular children’s book. It may help children aged two to five to feel immersed in the Christmas story, using stickers. They can make their own guinea pig, draw a treasure map and cook party treats to get into the pirate Christmas spirit! It Begins in Bethlehem – a Nativity Rhyme for Christmas time By Bob Hartman and Mark Beech, 10Publishing, £2 This new Christmas children’s booklet offers a fresh perspective on the nativity, with glorious rhymes from Bob Hartman and lively illustrations by Mark Beech. It could be helpful when sharing the message of Christmas with children in your family, church and community. Nativity Activities – a puzzle and colouring book By Martin Young, 10Publishing, £2.99 A festive fun activity book for young children, packed with mazes, spot–the–difference, drawings to copy, colouring pages, word puzzles and lots more. 22
SATURDAY LUNCHES @ St. Marys Church Every Saturday from 12noon - 2pm Free light lunches of soup, sandwiches, tea/coffee, and biscuits. All are welcome. Christmas Party on the 18th December ALL IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER 1500 years ago, on 7th December 521 that St Columba, Irish missionary who spread Christianity in Scotland, was born. He was one of the Twelve Apostles of Ireland. 250 years ago, on 25th December 1771 that Dorothy Wordsworth, writer, poet, and diarist, was born. She was sister to the poet William Wordsworth. 175 years ago, on 21 December 1846 that the first surgical operation in Europe using anaesthesia took place. Robert Liston amputated a servant’s leg at University College Hospital in London. 150 years ago, on 24th December 1871 that the world premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Aida, was held in Cairo, Egypt. 100 years ago, on 6th Dec 1921 that the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in London. 23 It ended the Irish War of Independence and established the Irish Free State (with effect from December 1922.) 80 years ago, on 7th December 1941 that the Japanese made their surprise bomb attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. The USA, UK, Netherlands, New Zealand, and other countries declared war on Japan the following day. The War in Europe had now become a World War. 75 years ago, on 18th December 1946, that Steve Biko, South Africa antiapartheid activist, was born. Founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, he was beaten to death by state security officers in 1977, aged 30. 60 years ago, on 4th December 1961, that birth control pills became available on the NHS.
50 years ago, from 3rd to 16th December 1971, that the Indo-Pakistani War took place. It was one of the shortest wars in history, but still between one and three million Bangladeshis were killed. Indian victory leading to the founding of Bangladesh. 40 years ago, on 14th December 1981, that Israel annexed the Golan Heights, formerly part of Syria, which it had occupied since 1967. 30 years ago, on 25th and 26th December 1991, that Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as President of the Soviet Union, and the next day the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. The 12 remaining Return of Drop-in Lunchtime Concerts Friday 10th December 1pm - 2pm ‘Bristol Veterans Band’ New venue at St Mary’s Church, Manor Road Cup of tea/coffee from 12.30pm: 50p Admission free / retiring collection ALL WELCOME 24 For all those jobs that you haven’t the time to do!! Window Cleaning Painting ~ Plumbing Carpentry Gardening ~ Decorating Ring for a FREE quote Tel: 0117 939 0529 Mobile: 07954 161 210 Soviet republics became independent states. 25 years ago, on 10th December 1996, that South African President Nelson Mandela signed a new constitution, completing the transition from white minority rule to full democracy. 20 years ago, on 2nd December 2001, that Enron, the world’s largest energy trading corporation, collapsed, sparking one of the biggest corporate accounting scandals in US history. 15 years ago, on 30th December 2006, that Saddam Hussein, President/dictator of Iraq (1979 to 2003) was executed for war crimes. ‘COLUMBUS’ at your service
WORD SEARCH Christmas is nearly here! Two thousand years ago the Jews were longing for the coming of their Messiah. The Old Testament had promised that when He came, He would preach good news to the poor, bind up the broken hearted, proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, comfort all who mourn and to bestow on His people a crown of beauty instead of ashes. Jesus did all those things. He was and is the Son of God, and whoever has seen Him has seen the Father. Whoever believes in Him will have the best gift of all – His Spirit within them, which gives them eternal life. Messiah Broken Heart Freedom Darkness Favour Prisoners Comfort Mourn Bestow Crown Beauty Ashes Son God Jesus Seen Father Whoever longing thousand 25
FROM THE EDITOR Congratulations to Ella from St. Marys Church, her drawing was chosen for our Benefice Christmas card, it is also on the front cover of the this months magazine. So well done Ella. Well it’s the end of another year, and one that we still have had to take care and be safe, think ‘patience’ is what a lot of us have had to deal with this year, let’s hope and pray for a better 2022. So moving on to next year, the deadline for articles will be Sunday 12th December. You can email me at [email protected] or give me a call 0117 3079117. Leaves me to thank you all for taking and hopefully reading the Benefice Magazine and to wish you all a ANSWERS TO THIS MONTHS CROSSWORD & SUDOKU’S 26 E A S Y M E D I U M ACROSS: 1 Tabernacle; 7 Absalom; 8 Incas; 10 Roes; 11 CaptureD; 13 Fright; 15 Cavell; 17 Cyclonic; 18 Herb; 21 Sonar; 22 Amazing; 23 Settlement. DOWN: 1 Taste; 2 Bold; 3 Ramiah; 4 Abiathar; 5 Lucerne; 6 Sacrifices; 9 Saddlebags; 12 Theocrat; 14 Incense; 16 Pilate; 19 Exist; 20 Save.
Roles & Contacts for All Saints Church Parochial Church Council Members Luci Heath Anita Lavis Tam Pearce Mark Simms Diane Simms John Waldren Alison Wren Elisa Williams Chris Whitehead Dave Williams Deanery Synod Representatives Chris Whitehead Tel: 0117 965 4697 Tiny Tots John Waldren Tel: 0117 956 3208 Gift Aid Chris Whitehead Anita Lavis Tel: 0117 307 9117 Mike Lavis Vacant Junior Church Lizzie Kesteven Tel: 0117 965 0856 Electoral Roll Helen Whitehead Tel: 0117 965 4697 Tel: 0117 307 9117 Tel: 0117 965 4697 Magazine Editor / Adverts Hall Booking Secretary Elisa Williams Tel: 079 7395 3445 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Roles & Contacts for St. Marys Church Matt Timms Parochial Church Council Members John Ewing Edward Gleed Sam Toogood John Anson General Enquiries Matt Timms [email protected] 27 Hannah Gazeley Deanery Synod Representatives Leigh Cooper Director of Music / Choir Tel: 0117 962 2093 Notes / News / Weekly Sheet Sam Toogood [email protected] Bob Bartlett Andrew Cooper
Do you need somewhere to hold a celebration or meeting? ALL SAINTS COMMUNITY HALL Part of the Parish of All Saints Church Could be your answer It can cater for small or medium size function. Has kitchen facilities, plus adequate on site parking Our rates are very competitive. For details please contact Elisa Tel: 0117 9584164 / 07973 953445 Or visit our web site: www.allsaintsfishponds.co.uk You are very welcome to view before booking. 28
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