Greetings All Saints and St Mary’s, Hope you have all had good weeks and known the God of goodness and mercy at work in your life. This week we've had several reminders about how the little things in life can make a big difference. Our gospel reading for All Saints makes reference to the special place that ‘little ones’ have in God’s Kingdom, and our Gospel for St Mary’s is the much-loved parable of the mustard seed; the smallest of all seeds but which grows so big it shelters and sustains a host of other life in its branches. At our Ethical Buying Workshop last Saturday, we were reminded too that many small actions can add up to have a big impact, and someone shared a wonderful quote – it was painted on the side of the Berlin Wall after it fell, that says, “Many small people, in many small places, do many small things that can alter the face of the world.” When some of the things we encounter in life or hear about on the news seem ‘too big’ to do anything about and we can be tempted to inaction, it is such a positive encouragement to be reminded that even the smallest action we take, a word of kindness, a helping hand, a thoughtful gift, or spending time with someone who is lonely can seem so simple, but can come together to make a huge impact. Churches can be like the mustard seeds; small ‘seeds’ with the potential to grow together in ways that give spiritual shelter and blessing to those far beyond our immediate community or walls. This Sunday 26th September we have the following services: 8.00am Holy Communion at All Saints - with Revd Lizzie and Revd Diane preaching 10.00 am Harvest Festival – All Age Holy Communion at St Mary's - with Revd Lizzie and Revd Janey and we are joined by the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides Here are this week’s Roots at Home and Activity sheets.
And in the week ahead… Monday 27th 8.15am – Morning Prayer on zoom. Please email stanneseastville@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the circulation list for the link. Wednesday 29th 9.00am – Celtic Morning Prayer at All Saints. Thursday 30th 10.00 – Holy Communion at St Mary’s. From October onwards, we move into a new season – and rota! And we’re going to be having Sunday morning gatherings each week in both churches again. In response to the Worship Surveys, there will be a fresh pattern where we will alternate Holy Communions with some different ways of gathering and activities aimed at helping us to grow as worshipping and missional communities. So, next Sunday 3rd October, there will be: · 10.00am – St Mary’s – Open Church (Christian Aid) · 10.30am – All Saints - Holy Communion with Baptism · 6.30pm – St Mary’s – Choral Evensong More details will follow in next week’s email… I leave you with a couple of verses from the Little Things Poem by Julia Carney, written in 1845: Little drops of water Little grains of sand, Make the mighty ocean, And the pleasant land. So the little moments, Humble though they be, Make the mighty ages Of eternity. Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Make our earth happy, Like the Heaven above. May your week be one where you know the blessings of the small things – both given and received - and where all those little blessings combine to make a big difference. Every blessing, Janey _______________ Rev. Janey HillerCurate and Pioneer Minister All Saints & St Mary's, Fishpondswww.theriveruk.wordpress.com www.justcallmejaney.wordpress.com @Mthr_Kerfuffle
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