WELCOME TO ST PETER'S CHURCH
Serving God by serving you,
your family & the community
WEEKLY NEWS
To keep up to date with the latest news and events, have a look at the Week Ahead.
Covid restrictions continue in order to keep everyone safe. Whilst in church, we encourage you to wear a mask, covering your mouth and nose at all times. Please be respectful of social distancing and avoid congregating at the back of the church.
You can join us at our Sunday Eucharist at 10am, or you can come along to our Midweek Eucharist at 12noon on Wednesdays.
Sunday services will continue to be streamed on our Facebook page at 10am.
You can also follow services on the Church of England website here.
ST PETER'S CHURCH - COVID-19 UPDATE (EASTER 2022)
Although general restrictions may have eased, here at St Peter’s we are continuing to do all we can in order to protect you and your loved ones. We know that you will be wanting to do the same.
As part of our ongoing precautions against the spread of Covid, and in line with guidance from the Church of England, you no longer need to book to attend a service. It is your choice whether to wear a mask, however, we would continue to encourage it, especially when you are moving around the church and / or receiving Communion, as the ventilation in the building is poor.
Revd Lizzie will continue to take lateral flow tests prior to each service and we would encourage you all to do so as well. If you test positive for COVID, feel unwell with either COVID or cold symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID please do not attend but join us instead live on our Facebook page.
Please also ensure you are fully vaccinated and take the opportunity of having the booster when you are offered.
The Church of England has said that parishes can now offer the Common Cup. We will do this, but please be aware that this involves a transmission risk, which cannot be mitigated against. Just because the Common Cup is now available, does not mean that you have to share it. Communion is equally valid in one kind only, and there is no pressure or judgement around your personal choice in this matter. If you are vulnerable or concerned, Revd Lizzie would encourage a cautious approach to this offering.
Additionally, we are relying on your integrity not to take from the chalice if you are feeling unwell in any way.
If you wish to share, having received the bread, move away from Revd Lizzie to consume it, and make your way to the chalice bearer who will administer the cup.
Please do not touch the chalice and under no circumstances can bread be intincted (dipped) into the wine.
Singing is allowed - with masks, and you can share the Peace verbally.
We are continuing to adapt our practices as appropriate and we hope in the coming weeks to reintroduce the offertory hymn and the coffee after the service.
Each month our COVID-19 precautions will be reassessed by the Standing Committee. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.
Scroll down to read our new Vision Plan, created in response to the pandemic, and discover our new service structure.
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2022
Please support the incredibly important work of this charity during Christian Aid week from 15 - 21 May.
To find out more, and make a donation, visit https://www.christianaid.org.uk/appeals/key-appeals/christian-aid-week
Thank you
OUR COMMUNITY COFFEE SHOP IS NOW OPEN ON MONDAYS!
Our community cafe is going from strength to strength under Nic's new management, and we are welcoming so many more visitors through our doors, especially families and young children, who are of course very welcome.
We are open every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 1.30pm. (Last orders placed at 1.10pm.)
Come along and enjoy a slice of homemade cake and a hot drink, with friendly volunteers, good company and cheerful chat.
Suggested contribution £1.50 per item.
Keep an eye on the latest news on the Facebook page.
ASCENSION DAY DEANERY WALK
Come and celebrate Ascension Day with us!
Join our Area Deans, Lizzie and David, as they walk to, and pray at, every church in the City Deanery on Thursday 26th May.
Times of the walk are to be confirmed.
The day will conclude with a service in the Cathedral at 6pm.
HM THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE
The celebration of the Jubilee will culminate in a special weekend of events from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June.
These will include church services, the Trooping of the Colour, concerts, the lighting of beacons, and other events.
You may wish to add these prayers for HM The Queen Elizabeth to your daily prayer.
Gracious God, we give you thanks
for the reign of your servant Elizabeth our Queen,
and for the example of loving and faithful service
which she has shown among us.
Help us to follow her example of dedication
and to commit our lives to you and to one another,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O Lord, the Way, the Truth, and the Life,
we give you thanks for your servant Elizabeth our Queen.
May she ever be provided with all she may need
for her ministry among us,
strengthened to meet every demand
which her office may make,
and in all things nourished by your word and example,
who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign,
world without end.
Amen.
You will find lots of other prayers and resources for this special event on the Church of England website.
ART IN CHURCH - MISSION, THEOLOGY AND THE BEAUTY OF GOD
If you are interested in any aspect of Christian art, you may be interested in this short series of talks about the use of art in the church.
There are four talks which will be held in various churches around the diocese on Wedensday evenings through June and July.
Have a look at the poster and see if you would be interested. It's free and open to all.
NEW SERVICE STRUCTURE
At St Peter’s, the PCC are committed to ensuring that in-person fellowship, worship and pastoral care will continue as we find a new, post-Covid normal. Alongside this, we also feel it is important to continue to welcome and nurture the online community as well. For this reason, a new ‘mixed mode’ of ministry will continue to ensure we cater as effectively as possible to all, and enable God’s word and God’s love to be made known as fully as possible in this changed society - both in-person and online.
Looking at the particular areas of need within our local community, the monthly service plan, structure and timing of church groups and activities has been amended. This changed structure enables us to move forward in a mixed mode of ministry, catering to both in-person and online communities, all part of the same church family. In amending the service pattern, all forms of worship that did exist will continue, but at a different time or frequency.
Visit our Services page to find out more.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR CHURCH
Generous giving is an integral part of Christian discipleship. As Paul writes, "But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
2 Corinthians 8:7
The church, along with many other charities, has been hit particularly hard by the Covid pandemic. We rely on your continued, generous support to keep St Peter's open for worship. Maintenance of the church needs to continue, and energy prices are rising.
The Parish Giving Scheme has been set up to best manage regular donations. Donations can be made on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, and your money will always be used in your parish.
Through your generous commitment, we can be assured of a regular source of income, and you will benefit from a system that is secure, confidential and easy to use, supporting your church today and in the future.
You can set up your donation easily on the Parish Giving Scheme website or call 0333 002 1271 and someone will set up your direct debit for you. You will need your bank account details, as well as the following information:
Parish Name: Filton St Peter
Our PGS Code: 05 06 05 077
Lines are open Mon-Fri 9-5pm
Please be sure to tick the box stating that you would be happy for your donation to increase marginally in line with inflation. You can find out more details about this by going to the PGS website.
Did you know that you can also support St Peter's, at no extra cost to you, whenever you shop at Amazon? Click on the link to visit the website and select "The Parochial Church Council Of The Ecclesiastical Parish Of St. Peter, Filton" as your chosen charity. Every time you shop at smile.amazon.co.uk Amazon will donate a percentage directly to the church. And it won't cost you a thing!
OUR VISION & PRIORITIES
NEW VISION PLAN LAUNCHED
For the past year the PCC has been developing the new vision plan for St Peter's in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This was launched on St Peter's Day, 27th June 2021, and reflects the changes that St Peter's has made in response to a new way of worship.
Click on the images below to read all about our Vision and Priorities for the next couple of years and how we hope to serve the individuals, families and communities of Filton.
If you would like to help in any way please be in touch.
WHO WE ARE
A welcoming Anglican Church with its heart in the sacraments and its place at the centre of the community
St Peter's Church is a church devoted to developing a holy consciousness. We believe that worship is something that can be expressed in everything we do, whether that be nourishing our bodies with food, chatting with friends, playing music, or enjoying nature. Our philosophy is deeply rooted in the Holy Scriptures and Sacraments; life’s only guidebook. Whatever your age, gender, race or ability, there is a special place for you at our Church. We offer members a chance to become part of something greater, to grow their love for God and for one another in our beautiful community. Get in touch today or swing by for a visit.
REVD LIZZIE GREGORY
JOHN CHAPMAN
THOMAS MOLLER
AMY ATKINSON
POSITION TO BE FILLED
Youth Worker
VIV WILKINSON
FAITH TUTTON
ALISA STARR
OUR SAFEGUARDING OFFICERS
JOHN CHAPMAN
ANNE-LOUISE PAM
Contact details to follow
SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46.1
