Weekly Bulletin - 9th Jan
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 - David 1/14; God Sees your potential
9am Communion service at St A's
10.30am Informal Worship with Children's and Youth Groups at St A's
3:30pm Evensong at St B's
6pm Revival Prayer at St A's
To find out what's happening during the week click here to view our full church calendar.
News and Notices
Gateway Forum
Friday 9 January, 7:00–9:00pm
Dan Button and GTS invite everyone to the next Gateway Forum at Christchurch, Abbeydale, GL4 5EQ.
Dr Stephen Goundrey-Smith will give a presentation exploring our Christian response to emerging technologies:
I (Thou) Robot: God, Morals and Machine Beings
The evening begins with refreshments, a welcome and introduction, a one-hour presentation, and Q&A.
Cost: Free (donations greatly appreciated)
Please register in advance: info@gtstheology.org
More information: GTS Website
Women's Breakfast
Saturday 10 January, 9:00am
Join us for a Women's Breakfast, followed by a short talk on the theme 'New Beginnings'.
We are delighted to welcome Anna Townsend, who recently launched her book Our Sisters, sharing stories of Christian girls in Pakistan.
Breakfast options include bacon or egg rolls, with continental choices also available.
24-7 Week of Prayer 2026
Sunday 11 January – Sunday 18 January
The 24-7 Week of Prayer begins this Sunday 11 January!
There is still time to sign up and join in, either in the Prayer Room or off-site at a location and time of your choosing.
New for 2026: a guide to help you pray through The Lord's Prayer is available to download from the church website here.
Please take a moment to fill in a 24-7 Prayer postcard (anonymously) with anything you sense God is saying. These can be posted in the red 24-7 postbox in the church foyer, or emailed to prayer@stastb.church.
Special events during the week:
Prayer Walk around Churchdown Schools – Tuesday 13 January, led by Rachael Champness. Meet outside Chosen Hill School at 1:20pm.
Encounter Service – Sunday 18 January, 6:00–7:15pm. Final gathering of the week, focusing on prayer and seeking the Lord together.
Alpha Course
Starting Thursday 15 January 2026
Alpha is for anyone 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, 7:30–9:30pm at St Andrew's
(Video until 8:30pm, followed by small-group discussion.)
There will be a break for school half-term.
Sign up for Alpha here
Questions? Email alpha@stastb.church
Safeguarding and Safeguarding Training Update
A reminder from the Safeguarding Team:
Every adult in our church who can, should read our Safeguarding Policy (found here) and know how to respond if someone discloses a concern or if something doesn't seem right.
Parish Safeguarding Officer: Corinne Phillimore
Admin support: Debi Parry and Sue Francis
All church members are asked to complete the online Basic Awareness (BA) trainingvia the Gloucester Diocese website: Gloucester Diocese Safeguarding Training.
Next steps after completing the training:
Go to Records → My Training Record → Edit my Profile
Scroll to 'Local Reporting':
Type safeguarding@stastb.church
In 'Additional Local Reporting email' box, type safeguardingadmin@stastb.church
Click Update Profile
Email safeguardingadmin@stastb.church to confirm completion
Thank you for helping us keep our children and vulnerable adults safe.
Lent Course for All Connect Groups
Foundations of Our Faith – a five-week Lent course hosted by Dan Button (GTS).
The course explores the ancient origins of Lent as a time of fasting and training for new disciples preparing for baptism at Easter.
All Connect Groups are invited to attend instead of usual gatherings, and anyone else is welcome.
When: Wednesdays, 7:30–9:00pm (refreshments from 7:15pm)
Where: St Andrew's Church
Dates: Wednesday 25 February – Wednesday 25 March (5 weeks)
Women's Day
Saturday 7 March 2026
Please hold the date for Women's Day 2026. The theme will be 'Living Waters'.
We are delighted to welcome Becky Harcourt, who leads a church in London, is part of the SOMA National Leadership Team, and is an Open Doors Ambassador.
Women's Day will focus on God's Spirit as our Living Water. More details will follow in the new year.
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:717 8863 5477 Passcode: STAPRAYER
Or click here
Green Tips
If you can, try and buy sustainable food options, buy better meat but less often for example.
Follow us!
Instagram
Facebook
Youtube
If you wish to join our private Facebook please click here.
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.