From the Vicar's Desk
Friday 24 April
Sunday Service
I hope you will join me in the basement for our Live Sunday Service at 10.00am. There's a new Order of Service which you can get by clicking here: please download that before Sunday. As we are now in Easter Season it does contain a few changes and, chief amongst them is that we are going to do some singing together! I have introduced three songs, two of which will be same every week and the words are included in the order of service; the third will be chosen each week and is available along with the music for the other two by clicking here (next week's should look tidier).
Live Streaming Problems
You may well be aware that I have had some internet connectivity issues and I am working hard to ensure that interruptions to the streaming are as unlikely as possible. There are a number of complications which I am working to overcome, one of which you can help with if you are watching on the website (rather than through Facebook or YouTube). We have realised that often, when a live stream 'drops out', viewers are sent to the most recently uploaded video. So on Sunday morning that can mean that you suddenly find yourself watching Morning Prayer instead. This should be a simple matter of switching a setting in our account with the software we use - but that hasn't worked. So we've raised the issue with the company who are looking into for us. Meanwhile, if the live stream disappears, please go back to the SMR Live page and load the page again - this should bring you back to the live event. And thank you for your patience.
Connecting with the Community - Food Banks
We have run the pop-up Redcliffe Emergency Foodbank for two weeks now and it's good to be able to make a real contribution to the lives of some of those most impacted by Covid-19 itself or by the effect it is beginning to have on the economy. We are always keen to receive donations (click here to see what we are looking for) either at FaithSpace or at Ebenezer Church in Horfield as we are partnering with North Bristol Food Bank. If you can't get out, could you consider making a donation to the North Bristol Food Bank which is supporting our food bank, or to Churches City Fund which is coordinating financial contributions to food relief across the city.
Connecting with the Community - Foster Care
The response to the plea for more foster carers has been astonishing: thank you if you have offered yourselves to this programme. This is being run with the City Council and in partnership with the churches across the city. Over 30 people have come forward in response to the plea for temporary foster carers, a dozen of which have come through appeals made by church leaders. If you feel drawn to help with this major piece of work with some of the city's most vulnerable young people, please click here to find out more.
Caring for the Congregation - ContacTree
The work of the ContacTree continues: thank you to all those who have offered to make phone calls or contact people in other ways. It's great to hear that so many people are well and being well supported by friends, neighbours, family and church.
Caring for the Congregation - Study Groups on line
Following the successful transition from real-world to virtual-world of the Lent Group, Aggy and Becky are starting an online bible study group, starting at 8pm on Monday 4th May. The topic is Wisdom and Ministry, and the first session will be focusing on Leadership and Collaboration. The study sessions will run every two weeks. Please click here if you'd like to know more about being part of this on-line learning group.
In future weeks we want to start up other on-line fellowship groups and I am keen to hear what you think would help you in your spiritual growth in this difficult time. My contact details are below.
The return of the plea for a treasurer
Despite the arrival of Covid-19 and the postponing of the annual meeting, David Harrowes (our current PCC treasurer) has a new role that he has agreed to take on for a national organisation at the beginning of May which means he really does need to hang up his spreadsheet very soon. The Wardens and I are very keen to find a new treasurer and would ask anyone who might be able to help to contact me (see below) very soon.
Contact me
If you would like to comment on anything in this newsletter, please email me: dan.tyndfall@stmaryredcliffe.co.uk
Look forward to being seen by you soon !!
Dan
Canon D F Tyndall
Vicar, St Mary Redcliffe
0117 231 0067
0776 929 6220
More blog posts
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
Keeping You Updated During the Interregnum As I prepare to go on maternity leave at the end of August, I want to share some important updates regarding our Sunday Services and communication during the Interregnum period. We’ve taken time to consider what is sustainable and meaningful in this season of transition, and while some of the changes have been difficult, they are intended to ensure we can continue to worship together well. Service Changes 8am BCP Eucharist We’ve made the difficult decision to pause this service during the vacancy, following a PCC vote (with 3 votes against). This is due to the limited availability of clergy to cover two Eucharist services on a Sunday. We’re grateful that this decision has allowed us to secure strong cover for the other services. If you’re looking for an early service, the Cathedral offers Morning Prayer at 7.40am and BCP Eucharist at 8am. This change to the 8am will happen from the beginning of October. Mattins & Evensong These will continue with support from a growing team of Lay Leaders. If you're interested in helping lead, please speak to Simon Goodman. Please note: bespoke online orders of service will no longer be produced weekly. Instead, we will use a standard booklet and hymn book in church. Online viewers will receive a standard order of service plus a document with Bible readings and hymns. 10.30am Sung Eucharist Some small changes are being made to simplify things for visiting clergy: Notices will be read by a Church Warden, Duty Warden or Church Representative Communion distribution will return to queue formation A Gradual Hymn will replace the Responsorial Psalm - there is simply not the resource to produce a weekly or termly Psalm hand out in church. We’ll use a standard “Eucharist during the Vacancy” order of service (in booklet form), with hymn books provided in church. As with other services, online resources will mirror this setup. These changes to the 10.30am will happen from the 17th August. Christingle Service Due to the scale of this service and the planning it requires, we’ve made the difficult decision to pause it this year. Without full-time clergy to oversee preparations and lead the service, we don’t believe we can deliver it safely or well. We know this will be disappointing, but this service will be back. Ongoing Communication Thanks to Chris Duncan and Sam Love, we will continue to send out a weekly email during the Interregnum. I’m very grateful to both of them for stepping up to support in this way. We know some of these decisions may not affect everyone, while others may feel them more deeply. We don’t expect universal agreement, and that’s okay — your questions and thoughts are welcome and valued. All we ask is that feedback is offered with kindness and respect for those who have worked hard to make these plans in a short space of time. Thank you for being part of this community and for your ongoing support as we navigate this together.
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer, Assistant Priest
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
Preached by the Revd Simon Goodman, Curate
Preached by the Revd Canon Dan Tyndall, Vicar
