Those we are praying for…..

Bruce McKay, Sylvia & Jack Smith, Pamela Wiltshire, Ron Savage, Valerie & Richard Comer, Rev'd Father Robert Britton, Iris Dayment, Max Barton, Gerald, Lin Shepherd and the family of Iris Reason.

Mark Elliott and his comrades, that they may return safely.

We pray for Mel Watkins who died last week, and remember Toni and all the family as they mourn his loss.

Please keep Amy updated as to who needs prayer. We commit to praying for one month unless otherwise advised.

Pray for our Growth TogetherPlease continue to pray for growth in our Christian community

Eternal Father, look with your love on your people of this benefice and the wider Partnership, and pour upon us the gifts of your Spirit. Draw us to you and one another that our growing unity may bring healing of life to all, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen

Priest-in-Charge of Benefice – Rev. Jordan Ling 0117 3304953Focal Minister for St Aidan’s – Rev. Canon Trevor Denley 07960 329127

Focal Minister for St Michael’s – Rev. Nicola Callen 0117 9658833Assistant Curate – Rev. Michelle Martin 07804 610929

East Bristol Partnership Office Tel: 0117 9586412 Email: eastbristol.org@gmail.com

All notices for the following Sunday to be sent to Amy Donaldson, East Bristol Partnership Administrator by midnight on Tuesday.

News from the Pews

4 Churches working together in East Bristol as part of the East Bristol Partnership

St. Aidan’s St John’s St Michael’s St Ambrose ‘Reaching Out to ‘Serving the ‘Serving the & St Leonard’s Welcome In’ Community Community ‘At the heart Worshipping God’ of Two Mile Hill’ of the Community’

Welcome Sunday 21st February

Our Collect Prayer for today – The Second Sunday of Lent Almighty God, by the prayer and discipline of Lent may we enter into the

mystery of Christ’s sufferings, and by following in his Way may we come to share in his glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What’s happening this morning:St Michael’s Church 9.00am – Eucharist with Rev. Michelle Martin St Ambrose Church 10.00am - Eucharist with Rev. Canon Paul DenyerSt Aidan’s Church 10.30am – Lay-led Service with Neil ?

St John’s Church 10.30am – Eucharist with Rev. Jordan Ling leading and presiding and Rev. Michelle Martin preaching

Readings: Gen. 15.1-12, 17-18; Phil. 3.17-4.1; Luke 13.31-end;

Look inside to see what else is going on……

www.staidanbristol.co.ukSpecial notices….Lent Study Groups are being held on; Tuesday evenings 7.45pm at Trevor’s house, 31 Dundridge Gardens starting on Tuesday 16th February and Thursday lunchtimes 12pm in Church starting on Wednesday 17th February.

St George Community FairSaturday 12th March

11.00am – 2.00pmCome and see the range of Voluntary Groups and Agencies working in St George at this free Event, to be opened by the

Deputy Lord Mayor. Download a Programme at www.staidansbristol.co.uk/fair

St Aidan’s APCM will be held on Sun 24th April. The deadline for all reports will be the 12th March.

We are asking for donations for Lilies for Easter. There are forms available for you to give the name/s of anyone you wish to be remembered. A list will be displayed with the lilies on Easter Sunday. Please give the forms and monies to Sue or Pat by Palm Sunday.

Regular weekly events….

EVERY 1ST SUNDAY IN HALL 9.45am – 11am

Sundays fortnightly 3pm - Deaf @ St Aidan’s

Tuesdays 7.00pm - Evening Prayer in the Lady Chapel

Wednesdays 3.30pm – Messy Church, Air Balloon Primary

Thursdays 9.15am – Morning Prayer in the Lady Chapel

Thursday mornings 10am – 12pm in the Café area of Church

Thought for this week….by Rev. Canon Trevor DenleyA Poem for Lent by Ann WeemsLent is a time to take time to let the powerof our faith story take hold of us,a time to let the events get upand walk around in us,a time to intensify our living unto Christ,a time to hover over the thoughts of our hearts,a time to place our feet in the streets ofJerusalem or to walk along the sea andlisten to his Word,a time to touch his robeand feel the healing surge through us,a time to ponder and a time to wonder….Lent is a time to allowa fresh new taste of God!Perhaps we’re afraid to have time to think,for thoughts come unbidden.Perhaps we’re afraid to face our futureknowing our past.Give us courage, O God,to hear your Wordand to read our living into it.Give us the trust to know we’re forgivenand give us the faithto take up our lives and walk.

We heard in our Gospel reading Last Sunday of Christ’s time in the wilderness, we too spend time in the wilderness. It might not be a geographical one, but a

wilderness none the less. Our wilderness can be surrounded by busyness and people but we can still feel isolated and alone.We also celebrated love, as it was Valentine’s day.Christ came through the wilderness because he knew he was loved by his heavenly Father, loved beyond question and loved beyond understanding, and so are we. As we travel Lent this year, let us take the time to allow ourselves to be loved both by God and by those around us. Let us take the opportunity to drop the armour that keeps God and friends at arms - length, and let us love BACK.Special notices and upcoming events for all…….

Lent groups - This year we will be looking at the book ‘Looking through the Cross’ by Graham Tomlin recommended by the EBP. It’s a wonderful opportunity to study together and unite in our faith. There will be a sign-up sheet for purchasing the book and those who have kindle’s will be able to buy online if you so wish.

There will be opportunities across the Partnership to join several groups….- St Aidan’s - Starting Tues 16th Feb 7.45pm at 31 Dundridge Gardens

- Starting Thurs 18th Feb 12pm in Church- St John’s - Starting Sat 20th Feb 10am in Church- St Michael’s - Starting Fri 19th Feb 2pm in Church- All Saints - Starting Mon 15th Feb 7.30pm at 53 Stonebridge Park- St Mary’s - Starting Wed 17th Feb 7.30pm at 89 College Road

You are welcome to join any of the groups meeting across the Partnership

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYERFriday 4th March 2016 at 2pmAll Saints Church, Grove Road, FishpondsTheme: ‘Receive Children. Receive me’

This is not just a day of prayer for women but for everyone! Please join us for the service and refreshments after.

Coming to St Aidan’s Church: Holy Week 2016Walk the Prayer Labyrinth. A Prayer Labyrinth is an ancient pathway which has been used by people for many centuries as an aid to contemplative prayer and reflection. As people slowly walk the path, either alone or with others, it helps them to create a space to be

still, to listen and to wonder; something we have lost in a society which is always busy. Find some time this Holy week to come and walk the prayer labyrinth. This simple pathway will be laid out on the floor of St Aidan’s church for people to make their own journey; through the winding path, into the centre and then back out again. Check out this website to see a brief history of prayer labyrinths and to see how the prayer labyrinth has been built and is being used at Westminster College:http://www.westminster.cam.ac.uk/index.php/the-prayer-labyrinth

Watch this space for confirmation of dates and times!

For more information, please speak to Michelle.

St Ambrose and St Leonard’s ChurchSpecial notices…..BIRTHDAY LIST - Christine Parker has been collating a list of birth dates over the last year. If you did not receive a birthday card last year from the church, please give your details to Christine. Or email her on: christine6190@hotmail.co.uk.

Future items for the pew sheet should be given to Joanna – joannaphillips@blueyonder.co.uk who will pass them on to Amy, EBP Administrator. Many thanks.

Regular weekly events….. HOLY COMMUNION

Wednesdays at 10am followed by coffee morning at 10.30am

Monthly on 1st Tuesdays 7pm – Healing Eucharist

Beehive Centre weekly events….. Weekly on Mondays 11am - Bereavement and Support Weekly on Mondays 2pm-4pm - Ping pong for over 55’s Weekly on Tuesdays 9.30am-12.30pm - Foot Care SessionsWeekly on Tuesdays 10.30am - Level 1 Walking GroupWeekly on Tuesdays 12.30pm – Lunch Club Weekly on Tuesdays 1.45pm - Film Club Weekly on Wednesdays 1.30pm-4pm – Arts and Crafts

Weekly on Wednesdays 1pm - Level 3 Walking GroupWeekly on Thursdays 10am Beehive Toddlers GroupWeekly on Thursdays 10am-12pm - Beginners Computer ClassWeekly on Fridays 10.30am-11.30am – Line DancingWeekly on Fridays 12pm-3.30pm - Senior Citizens Bingo ClubWeekly on Fridays 2pm-3pm - New Age KurlingFortnightly on Wednesdays 10am-12pm - Holistic Massage Monthly on 3rd Mondays 2pm-4pm – Bingo

Please call the Beehive direct on 9354471 for enquiries on these and other activities….

www.stjohnsfishponds.comSpecial notices….We pray for Mel Watkins who died last week, and remember Toni and all the family as they mourn his loss. His funeral is at Westerleigh Crematorium at 3.30pm on Wednesday 24th February.A Lent Study Group is being held on Saturday mornings 10am starting on Sat 20th Feb.

Italian MealIn aid of Crisis Centre Ministries, especially the Wild Goose

CaféSaturday 12th March at 7pm in the hall

Tickets available from EBP Office, Nicola Callen or Clare HayesSt John’s is holding a spring cleaning day on Sat 19th March from about 10 30am. If you can push a broom, or wield a duster, we need you. Please come along and give a hand.

St John’s APCM will be held on Sun 10th April. The deadline for all reports is 12th March.

We are moving the front two pews because they are loose and so are a health and safety issue. We also want to free up more room for wheelchairs. We know there are other loose pews, which Nigel and Jackie are planning to fix, so please let them know if your pew is loose.

We want to get rid of the piano in the hall. Does anyone want it, or know how we can dispose of it. If so please let Anne know.

The PCC are aware that we have been struggling recently to keep the church as clean as we would all like. To try to resolve this the Standing Committee have agreed that we will

arrange for a cleaner. We anticipate that we would need someone for 3 hours a week, which would mean a weekly cost of £30 which equates to about 60p a week each. We will pay for this from general funds, however we would ask you to consider if you can increase your giving to help cover the cost. We plan to review the situation in three months’ time, to see if this is affordable and sustainable in the longer term.

In order to mark Fair Trade Fortnight, the Developing World Group will be holding a raffle – you may win a lovely hamper of Fair Trade Goodies. Also, there will be cakes/marmalade/jewellery etc. for sale – after the 10.00 a.m. service on 6th and 13th March. On those two Sundays, the Group will be providing coffee and from all the above, we hope to raise some money for our funds – also to raise awareness of Fair Trade and what we are all about.

St Michael’s ChurchSpecial notices…..A Lent Study Group is being held on Friday afternoon 2pm in Church starting on Fri 19th Feb.

St Michael’s PCC will next meet on Mon 7th March at 7.30pm.

St Michael’s APCM will be held on Sun 17th April not Sun 13th March as previously advised. The deadline for all reports will be the 12th March.

I will be ordering Real Easter Eggs from Traidcraft - these are chocolate eggs with a bar inside and the story of Easter inside in the shape of a cross. They cost £3.99 each and I am happy to order for other churches if anyone would like any. Please let me know on 01179839906. Many thanks. Jackie Elliott.

Regular weekly events…..

HOLY COMMUNION 1st and 3rd Wednesdays at 10am

with Prayers for Healing followed by

Coffee afternoon in Church every Friday 2pm-4pm &

Coffee morning every Saturday 10am -12pm. Everyone welcome