From the Associate Vicar's Desk

Welcome to "From the Associate Vicar's Desk" for Friday 25th June

Journey back to church together

Plans are coming together for our weekend on 17th and 18th July bringing our church family back together in church. Please think if anyone you know is feeling nervous about returning, and see how you can encourage or support them to come along. We will have a chance to prayerfully reflect on all we have lost, on how God has sustained us, and on our hope for the future, concluding with a chance to enjoy some refreshments. All in a COVID-secure environment, as we continue to do our best to keep each other safe.

Having promised you a booking form this week, we're having a couple of problems setting up the system in the way we need to, so I will email again next week!

Thanks to those who have already offered to help, we could do with some more people to welcome people, help guide them through the church and to wipe down seats between pilgrims, so please let me know if you can spare an hour or two on the day.

Hello from Belinda!

We're all looking forward to the time when we can socialise safely at church. In the meantime, our new Junior Warden Belinda wanted to introduce herself to those of you she hasn't yet properly met. Read her message here.

Opening up again

Our staff team are working on a plan to open our doors more over the summer. As we prepare to welcome more people back into our beautiful church, it is more important than ever to have a great team at the door ensuring everyone is safe and welcome.Our Stewards and Sidesmen are preparing to resume their duties, and both teams would love to have some new members. Stewards welcome visitors during the week, and Sidesmen welcome people to services. If you would like to find out more or get involved with either of those roles, please let me know.

Congratulations to Ned

On Sunday we said thank you and farewell to Ned Tennet, one of our Choral Scholars. We found out this week that he has just been appointed Chorister Chaperone at St George's School/Chapel, Windsor. A wonderful opportunity for him, especially after a very challenging few terms for all our students. Congratulations!

Send on / Contact me

Please forward this email on those who might be interested in SMR and contact me here (rather than using reply please)

With my best wishes

Kat

Reverend Kat Campion-Spall

Associate Vicar, St Mary Redcliffe

07506 310564

Services this Sunday

8.30am : Morning Prayer

: live streamed only

: live stream here : words here

10.00am : Holy Communion

: live streamed public worship

: live stream here : Order of Service here : weekly sheet here

Tuesday 29th

12.30pm : Holy Communion

: live streamed public worship

: live stream here : Order of Service here

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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.