Holy Trinity Stapleton
The Spire on Bell Hill
Contact Details:
23 Park Road
Stapleton
Bristol
BS16 1AZ
Monthly Letter | Church of England News |
News & Events
A big thank you to all those who returned their CMS boxes. A total of £149.39 was collected - a very worthwhile amount which goes towards helping our Mission Partners, the Kirks in Chile, and the Moneys in India. The good news is that the Kirks will be visiting us at the end of March and the Moneys hopefully later in the year.
If anyone else would like to support their work by having a box, please contact the Parish Office.
Lent and Lent Groups
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period from Ash Wednesday to Easter. In the Anglican Church, Lent is a time of preparation for Christians. It is a time for prayer, repentance, giving and self-denial or abstinence. Here in Stapleton we always have a series of Lent Meetings in one or two homes and also in the Church Hall.
Jesus spent forty days in the wilderness before the beginning of his public ministry, so we spend forty days in preparation for the celebration on Easter Sunday commemorating Jesus rising from the dead.
In the Anglican church, individuals may abstain from certain foods during Lent or give up or reduce time spent watching television or using the computer to allow time for reading the Bible or going to a "Lent Group" in order to draw closer to God. Others may prefer to do something more active like helping with a "soup run" in the city or helping with the homeless, cooking meals for someone elderly or not well, gardening and other practical jobs that would benefit others, helping to clean our church or tidy the area adjacent to the church hall.
In addition to the practical jobs, though, it should still be a time of reading the Bible and setting aside time for personal study and reflection.Some important dates for your diary:
Ash Wednesday: the first day of Lent is on 22nd February.
Palm Sunday is on 1st April; Maundy Thursday is on 5th April, when we remember The Last Supper shared by Jesus with his disciples; Good Friday is 6th April when we remember Jesus' crucifixion and Easter Sunday is on 8th April when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Lent Groups
Here in Stapleton this year we again have a Lent Course using the "York Course" material on the theme "Handing on the Torch" looking at a number of challenges facing the Church today with all the changes in our society and communities, including an ageing society, a fearful society, a rapidly changing society, the spread of individualism and lack of community as it used to be, changing culture and priorities in a changing world and some of the challenges facing our churches today.
At present we are planning to have a group on Thursday mornings meeting from 10.30am to 12.00 noon in the Church Hall from Thursday 23rd February each Thursday until the 22nd March.
There will also be a group on Thursday Evenings at Park Road in Stapleton. This group will meet each Thursday evening from 7.45pm until 9.30pm. from Thursday 1st to 29th March.
The Lent Groups will start with a short time of refreshments, followed by a time of listening to a CD which will include questions and discussion by Archbishop John Sentamu, Archbishop of York; Rachel Lampard who has worked for the Methodist church since 2000 looking at political issues of today; Clifford Longley a Catholic author, broadcaster and journalist specialising in religious affairs and Bishop Graham Cray who is involved in the engagement of the Gospel with contemporary culture , youth ministry and the theology of renewal.
After listening we have an extended time of questions and discussion together, seeking to get a better understanding of each weekly subject.
The groups usually have a range of church members with different backgrounds and experiences of life and the church, which makes for times of stimulating discussion.
The meetings aim to start and finish promptly at the times advertised.
For further information, please speak to the Parish Office or to e-mail click here.
Tearfund One Voice Praver Week
At Tearfund we've got a couple of useful tools in our box. The sharpest of these is prayer - and we depend heavily on it. That's why we're hoping you'll join the One Voice Global Poverty Prayer Movement 2012. Around the world, Christians and churches will be praying with one voice, about things that disturb God: poverty, injustice, corruption, children dying for lack of food.
Between 26th February and 4th March we'd love it if you'd pray with us - and make ripples with those you know (friends, small group, church...) to get them on their knees with you! Come visit us - or rather our website at
www.tearfund.org and find out how you can get involved. Let's pray our part. Let's depend on God
Fairtrade Fortnight 2012
Fairtrade Fortnight this year runs from 27th February to 11th March. There will be more information in next month's magazine but if you would like to get involved why not visit
www.fairtrade.org.uk to find out what is going on and how you might get involved.
Daniel and Ellelein Kirk, with David and Joshua, visit to Holy Trinity: Sunday March 25th
Book this date in your Diary as Daniel and Ellelein come to join us for Sunday Worship at Church at 10.30am and afterwards at the Church Hall for an informal lunch, followed by a presentation of their work in Chile working for CMS.
Daniel and Ellelein have come to the end of their second term of service in Chile and have been in the UK since early December. They will stay until June, sharing with supporting churches information about their work in Vina del Mar where they have been living and also about their future work in Valparaiso.
Daniel says it has been a real joy to serve at the church in Gomez Carreno for the past six years. Their church of "La Resurreccion" is going through a challenging time as their Minister for eight years Danny Morrison, has moved on and the congregation have been forced out of their comfort zone. They give thanks for the growth under the Morrisons' ministry and pray that the church in unity will be able to pay for a Chilean Pastor for the first time.
Valparaiso church plant
Valparaiso was the main port of Chile for centuries. Many houses cover the hills that overlook one of Chile's most distinctive ports. The city though is run down in many places and very different from neighbouring Vina del Mar which has a more modern touristy feel with a long stretch of pristine beach. With over 270,000 Valparaiso is one of Chile's largest cities yet it has no Anglican presence there.
The new church will be aimed especially at university students, as most of the region's Universities are in Valparaiso, and also young professionals but with a desire to break through some of Chile's class system by showing that the Gospel should impact everyone, rich and poor alike.
Daniel and Ellelein's boys David and Joshua are mostly in good health, while Ellelein has been busy with several discipleship groups before returning to the UK as well as all the work of running a home.
Daniel and Ellelein thank us for our prayers, cards, emails and financial support from Holy Trinity and look forward to meeting us in March when they will share what they have been doing these past three years. Please continue to pray for them, our Mission Partners working for CMS (previously SAMS) in Chile, South America.
Evening Praver at Holy Trinity - A short reflective service led bv members of the congregation.
Busy life, busy lifestyle? A busy and noisy week? Too much to do and not enough time, too much noise? Telephone ringing, traffic noise everywhere, television too loud, computer printer disturbing the peace? and perhaps much more from other sources.
You need space and a time to reflect? You may say "some silence would be great."
Why not come to church on a Sunday Evening for a short "reflective service" of about half an hour, starting at 6 30pm and consisting of Bible readings, a short homily and Intercessions. Sometimes we have a few hymns led by Richard Morgan playing the organ when he is available to come. We then finish shortly after 7pm, when there is an opportunity to catch up with fellow church members.
Our Bible readings are taken from the Lectionary ie recommended readings for the day and a short "homily" based on the Bible readings is read by one of the leaders for that particular evening.
"When are these shorter services?" you say. Well they are generally on alternate Sundays at Holy Trinity. We follows the order of service for Evening Prayer in Common Worship. The service is led by a small group of church members who would love to see new people, either other church members or visitors.
It is best to check each month in the church magazine or on the notice sheet to see which Sundays Evening Prayer takes place.
Why not take some time out on alternate Sundays and come and join us for a short traditional service, and enjoy a time of quietly reflecting on God's word.
Letter from Viv
My Dear Friends,
I hardly know where to begin. I little thought when I last wrote for Stapleton News that I would "celebrating" the New Year in Intensive Care at Frenchay Hospital.
I have experienced much of God's most loving grace during this time and we (myself and my family) have been overwhelmed by the love and support from the wonderful church family at Stapleton and other friends. I hope to be able to share much of this with you during the coming weeks. The meals have been great and all of the other support just fantastic - lifts, washing, ironing etc. My room has resembled a florist shop. It has been lovely to receive all of the kind messages and cards and I have been particularly touched by those from past CYFA members (including chocolates and flowers from handsome young men!!!!) other churches and past church members. I don't know how to thank you all.
When I was so ill I found it hard to pray so it was so re-assuring to
know that you were praying for me. The hastily arranged prayer-
time on New Year's Eve in church was a great blessing and I know
that Neil found this a tremendously uplifting and helpful experience.
These prayers have been answered in a powerful way. The medics
at the hospital were somewhat confounded by my excellent recovery, - I remember the
"I lift up my eyes to the hills, from where will my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth"
I was able to leave this with a fellow patient who asked for prayer.
The witness of those who visited and prayed at my bedside was powerful prompting conversations with others In the ward and all of your love and concern and help has spoken mote powerfully than words of the Gospel of Christ.
There is much, much more to say but I use the words sent to me on my birthday to say "May God shower his blessings upon you."
God bless you all.
Vlv Robertson
Trip to Highgrove
There has been quite a lot of interest in the proposed trip to the gardens of Prince Charles' home at Highgrove so Viv will try to make a booking for the spring of 2012 when the bookings open.
The visit will take between 3 & 4 hours, allowing time for refreshments and to visit the shop. This year the cost was £16.50 per person and we arrange our own transport, but can offer lifts.
There is a flat walk of approximately 2 miles around the gardens, which are wheelchair accessible (pushers can go at no cost).
More news to follow.
Would you Like to Join the Music Group?
Do you enjoy making music? Would you like to join the Music Group and help to lead our worship?
We are always pleased to welcome new members to the Music Group who help to lead worship at 10.30am on Sundays. Maybe you would like to join us for the Candlelight Carol Service this year? We practice on Wednesdays at 7.00pm until about 8.30pm in the Church Vestry and you should aim to be able to come to most practices.
We have a faithful core group of singers, but would welcome more, and would love to have some members who can play instruments, to help us give a more varied lead to the worship. It is not essential to read music, although members do need to be able to sing in tune!
More information from the Parish Office, 0117 958 5556 or any group member.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Colston's School/Church Community Link
Colston's School and Stapleton Church have formed a "Community Action Link". Members of the Sixth Form (Post 16), under the direction of Mr Yaxley, have already made valuable links with Glenfrome School where pupils and staff will support pupils with reading and maths as well as "Tag Rugby" with Colston's 1st XI, and hopefully a "Street Dance" club.
The Community Action group will also clear local footpaths and may undertake some Art projects in the area. We would welcome suggestions of places that may need clearing or tidying up. It is also hoped that "one-off" garden clearance can be offered to individuals and that regular visits to older people and to events in the school can be arranged in the future.
Please email office@holytrinitystapleton.org.uk or phone the Parish Office on 0117 958 5556 if you have any ideas of areas that could be cleaned up, or you or someone you know who lives within the Stapleton/Eastville area, would welcome some help.
Altar Flowers
If you are able to help with providing flowers for the altars in church, please sign the copy of the new rota on the Church notice board for any of the weeks that are available. Many people like to do this in memory of a loved one. Money can be provided from the Flower Fund to cover the cost of flowers and we can find some one to arrange the flowers for you if you prefer. Tel the Parish Office on 0117 958 5556 for more information.
Prayer Ministry
At Holy Trinity we offer prayer ministry after every 10.30am service. This is open to anyone who asks. Just stay behind after the service and ask one of the ministers. Prayer can be for healing or any other personal need or on behalf of others and will be treated as confidential.
We also have a prayer time each month, specifically for the needs of the parish and individuals. It is on the 4th Tuesday of the month - October 26th this month in the Church Vestry.
Lots of people have found this ministry very helpful - as an unhappy young man said to a street pastor recently when he offered to pray for him "I know people who've had that prayer stuff and it really works".
If you would like prayer for any reason do let us know. The contact number is 0117 958 5556 or you can click here to e-mail
Stapleton News Parish Magazine
Why not take out a year's subscrition to our magazine?
It is only £3.00 a year and you get the magazine delivered to your door.
If you would like to subscribe for yourself, or as a gift, please contact the Parish office on 0117 958 5556 or you can click here to e-mail.
If you have any articles or events that you want to be included in the Parish Magazine you can now e-mail the details to the editor. Just click here for link.