Welcome!
The church has been at the heart of the community for over eight hundred years. While village life and landscape have changed much over that time, the church remains home to a friendly and welcoming congregation who do their best to keep it going for future generations. All Saints' is a place for prayer, reflection and worship, where you will find a warm welcome.
Services in the BeneficeSunday 20th June
Morning Worship in All Saints', Stone at 10.30 am Parish Communion in St Michael's, Hill at 10.30 am Evening Prayer in St Mary's, Berkeley at 6.00 pm Sunday 27th June Benefice Communion in St Mary's, Berkeley at 10.30 am Click the following link for services at Gloucester Cathedral:
https://www.gloucestercathedral.org.uk/worship/services/services-live-stream/ Porch library
Now the weather is improving we are able to reinstate our little village library. Please leave books or jigsaw puzzles in the porch. Thought for Sunday, 6th JuneLook not on the west?
Comrade, look not on the west; ‘twill have the heart out of your breast; ‘twill take your thoughts and sink them far, leagues beyond the sunset bar. Lines from AE Houseman’s poem “The West”. He is equating sunset in the west with death, counselling a silent comrade not to be drawn that way. His doubts about the afterlife are even clearer in the final verse: When you and I are spilt on air, long we shall be strangers there; friends of flesh and bone are best: Comrade, look not on the west. A view of death for our time, perhaps? Not to think about it until it is inevitable and to doubt any life or meeting beyond death: long shall we be strangers there… St Paul in 2 Corinthians has a much more optimistic, but realistic, outlook: So, we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. That is a great reassurance to those of us of a certain age, feeling more and more worn away. St Paul holds out a much more appealing prospect than Houseman: For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison… for the things that are seen are transient but the things that are unseen are eternal. Whether you accept Houseman or St Paul’s version of death is a personal choice. If you think the world and consciousness are just some accidental occurrence and the material world is all there is, then you may agree with Houseman that friends of flesh and bone are best. For me, although I love Houseman’s poetry, St Paul makes much more sense of life and death. Belief in immortality is based on belief that the ultimate nature of reality is mind, not matter. That is a wholly rational belief. St Paul was convinced by his glimpse of that supreme mind in his Damascus Road experience and his testimony is convincing. So, although our outer nature may be wearing away quite obviously, we may look with confidence on the west. Steve Chandler - Reader Two special visitors...Tabitha (and Harry) wanted to see Georgia and Jordan on their wedding day!
A prayer for our new priestDear Lord
Thank you for being with us during this last year, even in the times when we have forgotten to look for you. We ask for your guidance as we begin the process of advertising and appointing a new Priest in Charge for our parishes of Hill, Stone and Berkeley. Help us to remember that you have a plan for us and may your spirit guide us in how we can join in with that plan, for the good of the wider community and those yet to know of your love for the world. Please send the person you know we need to live and work amongst us to further your kingdom, in Jesus name. Amen. 
Private prayer in churchIf you would like to enter the church for a moment of private prayer, please contact Naomi (details below). She will arrange for the church to be unlocked for you.
Should you need someone to talk to, or you'd like someone to pray for you (or with you), contact Naomi (details below). At the moment All Saints' doesn't have a vicar.
For general enquiries you can contact Naomi by emailing stonechurchwarden@gmail.com or phone 01454 260376. For enquiries about weddings and funerals, please contact David Bainbridge: 01453 810049 Facebook:Search for "All Saints' in Stone"
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Upcoming Events:
Colour Key: Berkeley Benefice St Mary's - Berkeley All Saints' - Stone St Michael's - Hill Benefice Services
During the next few months (depending on Covid restrictions) there will be a 10.30 am Sunday service each week in one of our three churches. Our Lay Readers, the ‘Eleven’ team and the Stone Leading Worship team have stepped into action to take the majority of these services, and we have priests booked for Parish Communion services. Risk assessments and careful planning to manage services have been done for each of our very different churches. It is a good idea to arrive early for a service so you have enough time to ‘check in’ - hand sanitising and finding a socially distanced seat mean it could take longer to settle in. You'll be asked for a name and contact number from each ‘bubble’ so we can assist ‘Track and Trace’ if need be. Don't forget to bring a face covering. Foodbank in Thornbury.
www.thornburybaptistchurch.org.uk/?page_id=734 Meals for those in need in Gloucestershire. www.thelongtableonline.com/ |