Dear Friends,

The Feast of Pentecost which we celebrate this Sunday marks a profound moment in the life of the Church when the Spirit came, as Jesus promised. In our reading from Acts 2:1–21 (links below), we see the Spirit descend like a mighty wind, enabling the apostles to speak in different tongues and proclaim the wonders of God. This was not just a dramatic event; it was the birth of a new community formed and energized by the life-giving Spirit. The Spirit broke down barriers of language, culture, and fear, making way for unity, bold proclamation, and mission.

In our Gospel reading from John 20, Jesus gives his disciples the precious gift of peace before breathing his Holy Spirit on them. He reminds them of the Spirit’s power to forgive sins and to re-shape us in the image that God made us. Through the Spirit’s power we receive the gifts of wholeness and healing.

Pentecost challenges us to open our hearts anew to the Spirit’s presence, trusting that God is still speaking, still empowering, and still breathing life into the Church today. May we, like the first disciples, be filled with the Spirit and proclaim the good news in ways that touch hearts and change lives.

Yours in Christ,

Ian

Worship this Sunday

Sunday 24 May 2026

Pentecost

FELTON St Katharine

9.00am Morning Worship

WINFORD St Mary & St Peter

11.00am Eucharist

NEMPNETT THRUBWELL St Mary

4.00pm Evensong

STOWEY St Nicholas & St Mary

6.30pm Evensong

Next Sunday:

Sunday 31st May 2026 – Trinity Sunday

10.30am Eucharist (Bishop Sutton)

Readings & Collect

Acts 2: 1-21

John 20: 19-23

God, who as at this time

taught the hearts of your faithful people

by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:

grant us by the same Spirit

to have a right judgement in all things

and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;

through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

BCP Collect:

O God, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people,

by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit;

Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things,

and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;

through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,

who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit,

one God, world without end. Amen.

Bishop Michael’s Visit – Thanks

Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a positive and encouraging visit by the Bishop of Bath and Wells to these parishes on 17th and 18th May. +Michael was thrilled to be part of our worship and to meet our school pupils, churchwardens, officers and PCCs.

For your prayers

As friends and followers of Jesus we rejoice that we share in his new life, and that we are led by his life-giving Spirit.

We pray for the CHURCH here on earth, for Bishops Michael & Fiona, and for all clergy and lay ministers … that they will serve they church with humility, holiness and inspiration;

For our NATION, Our King, his government and the leaders of all the nations, that they may promote peace and justice, freedom and human well-being;

For OUR WORLD … especially the situation in the Middle East and all areas of war and conflict … send your Spirit of peace among us;

For our FAMILIES and those who are close to us … as we pray for our communities we pray especially for those who live alone, those who are ill, in pain, or undergoing treatment;

Eternal God, we remember before you those who have died in the faith … grant them rest and light perpetual … comfort those who grieve, and give us hope in the resurrection of your Son, our Saviour.

Contact

Revd Dr Ian Mills, Rector & Area Dean

The Rectory

4 Parsonage Lane

Winford

BS40 8DG

Telephone: (01275) 474504

chewvalleywest@gmail.com