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 Canon Guy Wilkinson
We are so very excited to be part of The Forsytes , a new TV adaptation of John Galsworthy's beloved novels. Produced for Channel 5 and Masterpiece, the show’s first season - which premieres on Monday 20th October 2025 - was filmed almost entirely in and around Bristol between May and August 2024, with significant scenes filmed within St Mary Redcliffe. You can read more about the production on Bristol 24/7 and watch the series' trailer below.
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
On Monday 13th October 2025, members of the SMR staff team visited Bristol Archives to meet Senior Archivist Lucy Bonner and retired archivist Anne Bradley who has been leading the process of transferring archival documents from the church to the Create Centre - home of Bristol Archives - for a number of years. The purpose of the visit was to gather information on best practice for storing, preserving, organizing and transferring documentation to the archives, and to receive advice on how to meet the challenge of archiving in the digital era in which most documents are created and held digitally, rather than printed. This shift in process has had significant implications for the management of archival material, processes for which must now respond to risks associated with the fast pace of technological change and the likely future redundancy of current forms of digital storage technology. During the visit, the team were shown examples of important documents from the church archives, including the original deed for Redcliffe Pipe and the associated pipe lands, dating from around 1190-1200; the founding charter of Queen Elizabeth's Free School of Grammar and Writing from 1571; the C15th deed for one of William Canynges' chantries; and materials relating to the major Victorian restoration of St Mary Redcliffe that took place between 1842 and 1872. The staff team will continue working with Anne and Bristol Archives to embed processes that will ensure current data is preserved for the benefit of future generations.
Preached by the Canon Dr Stephen Spencer
Preached by the Revd Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar
