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 Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Preached by Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Last Sunday marked the end of another choir term—and what a term it has been! We've welcomed new choristers, learnt plenty of exciting music, sung for some wonderful liturgies, and eaten what can only be described as a significant amount of biscuits. The day began with a very special visit from Sing Start! , who joined us for the Eucharist. Together we sang Litany of the Holy Spirit and Joanna Forbes L'Estrange's St Helen's Mass. A huge thank you to Helena from Children's Church for organising ice creams afterwards—a thoroughly appreciated post-service treat! We're also delighted that a large number of Sing Start! children will be joining our regular treble lines from September. This is tremendously exciting, not only for the choir's future growth but also for the long-term strength and sustainability of our music-making at SMR. In the evening, we gathered for a special service celebrating the composer Charles Wood, marking 100 years since his death. It was a fitting tribute to one of the great figures of Anglican church music—but the occasion was also notable for another reason. Several of our own choir members stepped into new musical roles and showcased talents beyond their usual singing duties. Our Head Chorister conducted the introit, one of the back-row singers composed the psalm chant, and our Corner Chorister wrote the organ voluntary. It's wonderful to see so much creativity and musicianship flourishing within the choir. The final service of the year was followed by the all-important choir party: pizza and a screening of Sister Act. Judging by the enthusiastic reaction afterwards, there is now considerable demand for I Will Follow Him to appear in a future service. We make no promises—but do keep an eye on next year's music lists... The choir is now taking a well-earned summer break, but music certainly won't stop at SMR. Sunday morning Masses will continue with a cantor leading the music, and we're looking forward to welcoming several excellent visiting choirs over the coming weeks, including St Andrew's Backwell, St Mary's Ross-on-Wye, and the Handful Chamber Choir. Our regular choir returns on Sunday 13 September, refreshed, recharged, and ready for another exciting year of music. Have a wonderful summer, and thank you to all our choristers, families, volunteers, and supporters for another fantastic year.
Preached by Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Preached by the Revd Dr Brutus Green
Preached by the Revd Dr Brutus Green
