Weekly Bulletin - 31st October
Welcome to our weekly church bulletin, here's what is coming up in the life of St Andrew's and St Bartholomew's!
This Sunday - James 3:1-18
9am Communion service at St A's
10.30am All Age Worship at St A's
3:30pm Evensong Celebrating Churchdown's Generations at St B's
6pm Encounter Service at St A's
To find out what's happening during the week click here to view our full church calendar.
News and Notices
Important – Parish Giving Scheme
If you give to the church through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS), please note the following update.
A message has been sent to you this week (by email or post, depending on your communication preferences) explaining that the PGS website and digital user portal have been undergoing a revamp since 13 October, making the portal temporarily unavailable.
The new website is on schedule to launch on 30 October. If you were hoping to respond to the September call to review your giving using the online service, there's not much longer to wait.
Thank you for your patience and continued generosity.
— Christopher Phillimore
All Age Livestream Update
Starting this Sunday's All Age Service, we will no longer be livestreaming our All Age Services. This change is to help encourage greater child participation and create a more relaxed, engaging environment for families in church. We appreciate your understanding and support as we make this adjustment.
Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Course
The next Kintsugi Hope Wellbeing Course begins on Tuesday 4 November 2025, 7.00–8.30pm in the Lounge at St Andrew's.
Running for 12 weeks (with a break over Christmas and New Year), the course will explore topics such as Anxiety, Disappointment & Loss, Resilience, and Forgiveness in an informal, safe, and supportive setting.
Cost: £10 (includes a Wellbeing Journal and light refreshments).
To find out more or register your interest, please email Judy Strawson at judystrawson@googlemail.com.
Remembrance Service – Help Needed
St John's are hosting the Remembrance Service this year on Sunday 9 November at 10:30am.
They are looking for volunteers to help with marshalling cars and pedestrians: two people from 9:30am, and a few more from 10:15amuntil the end of the service.
Hi-vis jackets will be provided. If you can help, please contact the church office at admin@stastb.church.
Women's Breakfast – Saturday 15 November
Join us at 9:00am for a Women's Breakfast, where we'll enjoy food together followed by a short talk.
Breakfast options include cooked bacon or egg rolls, with continental options also available.
We'll focus on Thanksgiving and developing a habit of gratitude, with a panel session exploring God's faithfulness through good and tough times.
Worship Bangers at Encounter – Sunday 16 November
Join us for an evening of worship bangers at Encounter on Sunday 16 November, 6–7pm.
Enjoy a joyful night of worship featuring classics from the 80s, 90s, and early 00s — songs from Graham Kendrick, Martin Smith, Matt Redman, Michael W. Smith, Robin Mark, Darlene Zschech, Reuben Morgan, Kevin Prosch, and more.
Worship will be led by Jo, Christopher, and the band — come ready to sing your heart out and celebrate God's goodness together.
The Friends of St Bartholomew's – Christmas Coffee Morning
Join us on Tuesday 18 November 2025, 10.30am – 12pm at St Andrew's Church Centre for our festive Christmas Coffee Morning.
Enjoy cakes, Christmas cards, a raffle, and bric-a-brac.
Tickets: £2 (includes coffee and a mince pie) – available from the Church Office, Committee Members, or on the door.
Men's Breakfast – Saturday 29 November
All men are invited to the next Men's Breakfast, to be held on Saturday 29 November 2025.
We'll be welcoming Ian Davies, who has worked in various Christian outreach organisations for many years. Ian is a researcher and writer, and will be speaking about supporting and learning from those who suffer religious persecution.
Please arrive from 8.30am; breakfast will begin at 8.45am.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Our Sisters – Book Launch
You're invited to celebrate the launch of Our Sisters, a new book by Anna Townsend, who joined St Andrew's over the summer.
In the book, Anna shares stories of Christian girls in Pakistan affected by forced marriage and abduction, and the incredible activists working to help them. The event will include readings, Q&A, and time for celebration.
Endorsed by Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors, and others, this is a powerful opportunity to learn more about the persecuted church.
Date & Time: Wednesday 26 November, 7:15pm At St Andrew's
Christmas Gospel Choir
As the evenings draw in, we're reminded of both the darkness in the world and our ongoing need for Jesus' arrival. You're invited to join us as we prepare our hearts and proclaim the joyful news of His advent by singing together in our Christmas Gospel Choir.
All are welcome (ages 11–121), no prior experience required, and no need to read music.
Performances:
TalkWell Carol Service (formerly TicPlus) – Tuesday 3 December, 19:00
St Andrews Carol Service – Sunday 14 December
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 20:00–21:30 at St Andrews, starting 5 November. Come along, bring a friend, and don't worry if you can't make all rehearsals.
Tickets for the TalkWell Carol Service: £7 each or £20 for a family.
Our Thanksgiving Service
Our Thanksgiving Service to remember those who have died in the past year or longer ago will take place on Sunday 7 December 2025 at 3pm at St Andrew's.
All are invited to the service, which will include moments of reflection and the opportunity to light a candle in memory of a loved one. Refreshments will be available afterwards.
Alpha Course – Starting Thursday 15 January 2026
Alpha is for anyone who's curious about life's big questions — why am I here, where am I going, what's my purpose?
The nine-week course meets on Thursday evenings at St Andrew's Church, 7:30–9:30pm (video until 8.30pm, then small group discussion). There's a break for school half term, and sessions are friendly, fun, and informal.
Sign up via the link. Questions? Email alpha@stastb.church.
Staff Update
Rhiannon Reeves has taken redundancy from her role as Creative Worship Pastor following the staff restructuring earlier in the year. While this change has been difficult for her, Rhiannon wants to prioritise her health and well-being and is putting her trust in God's timing.
We are deeply grateful for her dedication and the many ways she has blessed our community. Please keep Rhiannon and her family in your prayers as she steps into this next season.
If you would like to include any updates in the weekly bulletin, send them to Adam. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday at 1pm.
Giving at St Andrew's and St Bartholomew's
Generous giving is an integral part of Christian discipleship. The apostle Paul says that giving is a primary responsibility for Christians: '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 Cor 8:7. For more information on how to give and where your money goes please download our giving flyer here.
Please click here to make a one-off donation or set up a direct debit.
Pastoral Care
As part of our Christian community, we provide mutual support for one another. Much of this happens informally with friends within the church and through the connect groups. However, sometimes people will require more personal support and encouragement either as a 'one-off chat' or on a more ongoing basis. We have a pastoral care team who can provide this type of care. Please contact Nigel Roe (Team Leader) on 07780 994827 or Rosi White on 07426 357967.
Weekly Prayer Zoom Details
Every Thursday
7.30pm Zoom Prayer
Meeting ID:726 2837 5971 Passcode: STAPRAYER
Or click here
Green Tips
Make your clothes last longer: Always wash dark and black garments inside out to retain their colour for longer. Unless its filthy, never wash denim.
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Contact us
St Andrew's Church Centre, Station Road, Churchdown, Gloucester, GL3 2JT
www.stastb.church
01452 712154
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 12.30pm
Closed Tuesday 9.30am - 11.30am
Click here to get in touch with someone in the team.