May 2021
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News
Easter trails and online celebrations at St Michael’s
Revd Tom Benyon with scruffy during the Good Friday Zoom service
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t Michael’s Church organised two Easterthemed trails over the holiday period, one around Stoke Gifford village and another in Stoke Park. Emma Stafford, children and families’ minister said: “Local family activities have been limited over lockdown, so an outdoor Easter trail seemed like the perfect idea.” “It’s been a great success – over 50 families so far have scanned the QR codes and submitted their answers to the questions about Jesus and the Easter story. There was something for everyone and preschoolers enjoyed counting all the chicks along the trail as well.” Everyone who completed the trail got a certificate and we will be announcing the winner of the prize draw shortly. “I’m grateful to all the children at St Michael’s School who decorated beautiful cut-out hearts to mark the end of the
trail. They are a sign of God’s love for us all this Easter and are on display in a window at the St Michael’s Centre.” “I had fun doing the trail – I think I know how many chicks there were, but I may have missed one or two,” said Zoe, aged 7. Like most churches across the UK, Easter looked very different for St Michael’s again this year. Due to restrictions, the popular Good Friday ‘Messy Church’ service took place on the Zoom videoconferencing platform, as did the Easter Day family celebration. “We have had a whole range of online events this year. Whilst we were unable to meet in person, we had well over 200 people join us on Zoom for our family service on Easter Day which was great fun. It was so lovely to see so many faces, young and old, join in with our worship,” said Revd Tom Benyon, the associate vicar at St Michael’s.
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