Almost 1 in 3 people have cancer at some time in their lives. In the UK there are many secular support groups, but no Christian ones that I can find. God is stirring me to support, with His love, people going through cancer, and to pass on to them the same comfort I found in Him. I long to see a ministry develop which offers prayer, day and weekend retreats, hospital visiting/encouragement and practical ways to support families (e.g. meal delivery and house cleaning).

St Matthew’s has Bristol’s Oncology Hospital in our parish! What an opportunity we therefore have to ‘bind up the brokenhearted… to comfort all who mourn… and bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes’ (Isaiah 61). That is my desire as we start a ‘Cancer Prayer Support Group’ here in June.

Could you join me in the journey? Maybe your life has been affected by cancer and you would like to encourage others? Perhaps you could pray for or with people? Or bake cakes? Or offer worship at a retreat? If you can help in any way, please contact me on or via the office.

Yours in Christ, Helen Jones

Helen gives her testimony and talks more about the project in this podcast, recorded on Sunday, 13 May.

For Ethiopia is a local charity, linked with an area of rural Ethiopia. They support the local community, building wells, helping with schools and upgrading rural clinics with equipment and solar fridges.

Tickets £10 Bristol Phoenix Choir

(Phoenix Choir are one of the regular choirs that practise during the week at St Matthew’s)

Contact Polly or Sarah Reeve.

If you are involved in children’s work including Messy Church you are most welcome to attend. If you’d like to know more or want to provide input but cannot attend do speak to Cath Hubbuck or Mat Ineson.

Please do pray for us and for our children and those involved in working with them.

Come and join us on Monday night at 8pm for just one hour. No previous experience necessary.

Kate & Andrew would be delighted if members of the congregation at St Matthew’s would like to join them for the wedding ceremony.

Wayne Massey will be preaching. Hope to see you there

They married on Saturday 7th April in Billy’s home country of New Zealand and will move into a flat just off Cotham Brow.

Do pray for them as they settle in, introduce yourself to them and make them feel welcome. We look forward to all that God will do in them and through them during their time with us.

The week before, Emma and I and the children had visited Tyntesfield for the first time since moving to Bristol. What an amazing house and garden! And yet in many ways that big house spoke of a wealthy family who had invested in something that had fallen into ruin after they had died. And now the National Trust is raising money for this ‘museum’ for people to visit. Originally it was intended to speak of the wealth and success of a merchant banker. He couldn’t take that with him.

These two incidents remind me of a story that Jesus told about a farmer who does well and builds a barn, then works harder, does better and builds a bigger barn, and so on. Until one day he decides that his barn is impressive enough, and he will enjoy his retirement and his big barn. But that night, says Jesus, ‘he dies’ (see Luke 12:16-21). Jesus closes that story saying, ‘so it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God’.

In Matthew 7:19-20 Jesus says, “do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth where moth and rust consume…store up for yourselves treasures in heaven. …For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.”

What is the treasure of heaven that Jesus speaks about? I suspect treasure is more about relationships than material wealth. The kingdom of God certainly is. The two greatest commandments are about loving God and loving neighbour. Where are our hearts?

Mat

To the churches in Bristol, St Matthew’s and others,

Jesus loves you; powerfully and deeply. He knows what you are experiencing, He knows your struggles, He lived as you do & knows how you feel. Because He lived and died and rose, you are forgiven, accepted and saved. He is supreme, all powerful and yet yearns for your faith, you hearts and your trust.

As His church you are beautiful in His sight and He delights in your unity, in your outreach, especially to the marginalised, in your creativity, your kingdom generosity and your willingness to go to others rather than passively waiting for them to come to you. He delights in your desire for community, your prayers and you concern for the church in all the world.

In His great love He warns you to be wary of your wealth, self sufficiency and the risk of complacency. Do not fear offending others, beware of failing to stand firm for your faith. He warns you not to be so critical; do not focus on the differences but look to your common ground, in Christ.

Do not be complacent because persecution could come. God desires wholeheartedness and will use all our resources and gifts for His glory; to make Bristol a sanctuary where people can find safety in God’s love. St Matthews, you are a church on a hill; shine and stretch yourself. Make disciples, bring home the prodigals.