The Diocese of Bristol faces a number of challenges particularly in how best to use its resources, including its finances, in furthering God’s mission. These challenges will affect every Anglican Church in the Diocese, including ours.

As part of the response to the challenges the Deanery will be hosting an evening to engage in conversation about the future. If you would like to contribute to this conversation then please do contact your reps Vanessa Conte or Chris McConnell or speak to Mat.

Posted: 30 Jan 2010 @ 10.43

Many of you will know of the exciting project planned with Bristol Christian Fellowship at the ‘Ark’ building. The current ‘working’ name for the project is ‘The Source’.

After much prayer, thought and discussion the working group has distilled a vision. ‘The Source: a place of connection and creativity’.

For the purposes of the project we have defined ourselves as a partnership seeking to witness the fullness of God by serving the community in Kingsdown and Cotham.

Our mission statement is motivated by our Christian faith and commitment to the local area. We want The Source to become a place that provides good connections for individuals and bridges across different communities. We want The Source to inspire creativity and for it to be a centre from which we can serve others. We aim to achieve this by a combination of hospitality, encouragement of the creative arts and offering therapeutic services. We want to actively promote issues of social justice through our activities at The Source.

At this stage the detail of how this vision will be realised is not defined. That task will be taken on by a new Trust consisting of members of St Matthew’s and BCF which may in time also include other local residents. If all goes to plan the new trust will be formed by Easter and will begin the work of creating a business plan and working towards making the vision a reality.

Do continue to pray for this exciting project. If you’d like to know more speak to Vicky, Mat, Simon Pugh-Jones, Max Beseke or James Rimmer.

Posted: 30 Jan 2010 @ 10.34

St Matthew’s has been chosen as one of the churches to trial a new Communion Prayer for use in churches where there are a significant number of children. We will use it for the first time on Sunday February 7th.

As part of the 6 month trial we are asked to feed any comments back to the Church of England. If you have any comments to pass them on to Mat.

Posted: 30 Jan 2010 @ 10.22

A mystery worshipper from the Ship of Fools web site has hit St Matthew’s for the second time, the previous occasion was ten years ago. This time he/she came to the Context Commissioning service that was held for the students of Trinity College so was not exactly typical of Sunday worship at St Matthew’s and different people would have been involved. However much of the atmosphere and environment would have been the same. Read for yourself what a total outsider thought.

Posted: 17 Jan 2010 @ 17.42

We are sorry but due to adverse weather conditions the healing prayer space on Wednesday 13th January at St Matthews has had to be cancelled. If you would like someone to pray with you then please do contact Mat Ineson or Tanya Lord and they will be able to help.

Posted: 13 Jan 2010 @ 16.17