###### Special notices and upcoming events for all…….

Those we are praying for….. we are praying for….. Ron and Beryl Lines, Derek Wiltshire, Trevor Morgan, Nigel Begbie, Kath Mounstephen, Pat Cumming, Stella Hopton, Gladys, Dennis Crew, Stuart, David Silvester, Marie, Nora Hopton, Rev. Father Robert Britton and Mary Gully.

########## RELEASE RELEASE is a new monthly evening service happening every 14th Sunday at 7pm. The next one will be on Sun June.

The service will be informal in style and will be based around contemporary worship. There will be a particular focus on issues arising in the workplace and in families. All are warmly invited to join us.

########## Pray for our Growth Together Please continue to pray for growth in our Christian community

Eternal Father, look with your love on your people of this benefice and the wider Partnership, and pour upon us the gifts of your Spirit. Draw us to you and one another that our growing unity may bring healing of life to all, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

The Archdeacon’s visitation Archdeacon’s visitation will be taking place tomorrow evening 7.30pm at St Johns Church. All are warmly invited to celebrate with us the hard work of our Church Wardens across the Benefice and the Deanery.

###### Thought for this week…..by Rev. Jordan Ling

The next EBP Joint Service is to celebrate Ascension Day and will be held on 14th 30th Thurs May 7.30pm at St Ambrose Church. Sun May is also an EBP Joint Service at St Mary’s 10.15am so there will be no benefice services that morning. All welcome, please make every effort to attend. Many thanks.

Although I write these words in the days leading up to the election we are sharing them together as a benefice with a new government emerging. There has been lots of speculation around how the votes will fall and whether any one party will gain a substantial majority. There has also been much discussion around the huge proportion of our voters who do not use their vote at all. It is the hard fought for democracy of our political system that young/old/rich/poor have an equal voice and it saddens me that politicians are seen to serve their constituents so poorly that some feel so disenfranchised they opt out entirely. As I consider the story of Zacheaus I picture a society where many choose to opt out of the religious and political system seeing their influence as negligible. Jesus brings a different message, he says our individual actions count, they have the power to change the world one soul at a time. Perhaps things have changed less than we think in 2000 years. If we find ourselves doubting the power Jesus has to change the world we live in perhaps we might reflect on how one person born 2000 years ago when TV, internet and advertising didn’t exist could engender such a following as he has today. Please join together in praying for our new government that Jesus’ message of care for those in need might define their policies and actions.

The next Baptism Preparation session The next Baptism Preparation session next Baptism Preparation session will be held on Sun May 4pm at St Aidan’s Church.

########## Is someone in your church considering part-time theological study?

Trinity College Bristol will host an Open Morning on Saturday, 16 May for prospective part-time students who want to find out more about the part-time courses starting in September 2015. To register please email j.norman@trinitycollegebristol.ac.uk or call 0117 968 0253.

From May 31st to June 21st we will be welcoming our Trinity College Placement May 31st to June 21st we will be welcoming our Trinity College Placement student Jo Pestell. Jo Pestell. Please do speak to her and ask her about what life is like training for ordination. Also please do give her feedback on ministry she is involved in whilst with us.

########## Priest-in-Charge of Benefice – Rev. Jordan Ling 0117 3304953 Associate Minister – Rev. Trevor Denley 07960 329127 Focal Minister for St Michael’s – Rev. Nicola Callen 0117 9658833 Assistant Curate – Rev. Michelle Martin 07804 610929 East Bristol Partnership Office Tel: 0117 9586412 Email: eastbristol.org@gmail.com

########## Watch out for the Mosquito’s!

After dirty water mosquitos are the biggest cause of death in young children under 5. St John’s Action for the Developing World Group is aiming to raise £500 to provide 100 lifesaving nets. Please support us by “buying” (minimum donation £1) a mosquito and putting it in the net. All monies to go in the mosquito collecting box at St John’s please.

########## All notices for the following Sunday to be sent to Amy Donaldson, East Bristol Partnership Administrator by midnight on Tuesday.