Dear Friends,

This Sunday sits in that sacred, prayerful and hopeful time between the Ascension and Pentecost. Christ has ascended to the Father and his disciples must wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we hear how the disciples returned to Jerusalem after Jesus had been taken up into heaven. While uncertain about what lay ahead, they remained faithful as they spent their time in constant prayer along with Mary and the community of believers. There is something powerful in that example: it reminds us that the Church is born not out of power or certainty, but the faithfulness of those who make time to wait upon God.

Our gospel passage invites us to ponder the intimacy of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples which he offered on the night before he died. He prays that they may be protected, united, and drawn into the life and love he shares with the Father. Christ still holds us in that same prayer now as he sits at his Father’s right hand in glory.

As we welcome Bishop Michael to our worship this Sunday, may our time together deepen our faith, strengthen our unity and prepare our hearts to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Readings & Collect

Acts 1: 6-14

John 17: 1-11

Collect:

O God the King of glory,

you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ

with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven:

we beseech you, leave us not comfortless,

but send your Holy Spirit to strengthen us

and exalt us to the place where our Saviour Christ is gone before,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

BCP Collect:

O God the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven: We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Visit by Bishop Michael Beasley

We look forward to welcoming the Bishop of Bath and Wells, The Rt Revd Michael Beasley to our group of parishes on Sunday 17th and Monday 18th May. On Sunday, Bishop Michael will be preaching at our services at 8.30am (Regil) and 10.30am (Chew Stoke). Bishop Michael will return to the benefice on Monday afternoon when he will spend time with the Rector, visit our schools, and meet some of our treasurers, safeguarding officers, churchwardens and PCC members. The Rector and Bishop will pray a short service of Evening Prayer together in St Katharine’s, Felton at 5.15pm on Monday to which you would also be most welcome.

Do join us for worship next week and meet one of your bishops!

News from the Rector

The following announcement was shared on Sunday 10th May.

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share some personal news with you all. I have been appointed as Rector of Bath Abbey and will be leaving my role as Rector of these wonderful parishes during the summer. The announcement has been made at our four services this morning and at the Abbey.

The exact timetable is yet to be agreed, but I expect to be finishing my ministry here in August.

We arrived almost five years ago (to the day) as a family of two. We will leave as a family of three with deep gratitude for the love and support you have shown to us.

There will be opportunities for more formal goodbyes in the coming months, but for now we want to say thank you for your love and support during my years as Rector of these six parishes.

with best wishes,

Ian, Kelly-Ann & Iris

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com