On behalf of the organising committee, may I offer sincere thanks to all those in the three churches of the Partnership, and further afield, who contributed to the success of the Partnership Birthday celebrations last Sunday.  I am very grateful to all who attended on the day – an astonishing 400 – as well as those who took part in the items on the Bowl stage, those who organised displays, and those who acted as stewards and who helped in many other ways such as transport and the refreshment marquee, and especially to the ministers in the three churches, for their encouragement and support.  We were fortunate in having sun and no rain on the day – prayers answered.  The bucket collection raised £240 towards the Brighter Futures appeal for the new radiotherapy unit at GWH.

Daniel Pitt (Christ Church).

The next workday will be on Saturday 23rd May.  We’ll meet at 10.00 by the bridge which takes the path over the lane to Rabley, by the entrance to Poulton Farm.  The location is shown in the map below.

The work list includes:

•  Dealing with ivy on trees near the site boundary, overhanging adjacent access roads);
•  Applying weed killer to tree stumps on bridge embankment to prevent further damage;
•  General tidy, including of rubble under bridge a couple of hundred yards to the NW.

Everyone is welcome.  No previous experience is needed.

Please bring clothes suitable for the weather on the day, some drink and lunch.  Tools will be available.

More information from Dick Millard  (dick.millard@btinternet.com)

The Bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill says, “Our Synod is at its best not only when differing views are represented, but also when the rich diversity of gifts available to us across our diocese are brought together. It is important that in today’s world we have people of prayer, stature and vision standing for election who will embrace the right range of competencies to play their part in the decision making of our Diocese.”

The Bishop of Swindon, Lee Rayfield adds, “The next few years are going to be hugely significant for the Diocese of Bristol, and indeed the future of the wider Church of England.

Nominations are now open for people to stand for Diocesan Synod (the advisory body to the Bishop of Bristol) for the next three years. You have until 19 May 2015 to get yourself nominated.

Any church member on the electoral roll over the age of 16 is eligible to stand for election. You don’t even need to be a PCC member first. All licensed clergy are eligible too. And to stand, you simply need to get nominated by two members of your Deanery Synod. We can help you with this bit if you have no idea who this is.

Find out more from the Diocesan website.