Events – Page 2 – Christ Church News

Classical Music Concert in aid of Ukraine

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Date: 10th of December, 2022

The concert will start at 7.00pm with doors open at 6.30pm.

The program includes works of prominent European and Ukrainian composers from different eras. The compositions will be performed both in solo and in chamber ensembles.

All money raised, including the full price of the ticket, will provide:

1. Orthofix systems for civil Ukrainians, who were injured because of the war

2. Ex-NHS ambulance, loaded with disposable medical supplies eg. bandages, dressings, sanitizers etc. and shipping it over to a hospital in Ukraine.

Buy a ticket

If you cannot come to the concert, then you can make a donation on our website.

Performers:

Vira Symchych (Ukraine)
Denis Gravina (France)
Stefan Bulyha (Ukraine)
Alisa Zaika (Ukraine)
The Wessex (Swindon, UK)

The Programme:

Shumann: Drei Romanzen op.94
Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances
Alisa Zaika: “Chimaeras”
Skoryk: Melody
Deus Salutis – Welsh hymn-tune (Arr. by G H Jones and Mansel Thomas)
Georgio Susana: Restera La Luce
Trad spiritual: My Lord What a morning
Traditional Irish folk song The Rocky Road to Dublin (Arr. by Martin Eikeset Koren)
Lysenko/Konynsky: Prayer for Ukraine (Arr. by Tom Graff)

Classical Music Concert in aid of Ukrainechurchadmin2022-12-02T15:14:02+00:00

Street Pastors – Relaunch

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Anna Soulsby from Street Pastors will be talking at our 10am service about the need for 26 more Street Pastors to volunteer for shifts in Old Town. Uniforms and training will be provided.

Watch a short video about their work below.

There are a number of ways of getting to know more about being a Street Pastor:

Saturday 26th November an Introductory day event on the role & responsibility (R&R) of a Street Pastor.
These are always fun days and give a real insight to this ministry, free to all, no expectation to sign-up to anything, just rock up with a packed lunch.
By the end of this day people will know if Street Pastors is for them, or not. It is only at this point that we ask people to commit or leave with our blessing.
Training mandatory 12 themes: 5 in-person group sessions held in Swindon. 7 on-line live teachings with the Ascension Trust.
Six themes are ‘Core’ (R&R being one of them). Volunteers must complete 4 of 6, before they can join a team and go out on the streets.
BUT, they must complete all 12 within 18 months, to secure their position.
The local training is being planned for December, January & February
Observing on the streets
Anyone interested can join a team and go out as an observer for either part or all of a night, again without any expectation of making a commitment
Saturday 10th November 2022 – Swindon Street Pastors Fellowship Day
Periodically we bring everyone associated with Street Pastors together for a day of praise & thanksgiving, fellowship, testimonies and up-date. Always fun, great day. We’re extending an invite to anyone interested, especially if they’re interested in Prayer Pastors to come along. No cost, just rock-up with packed lunch.

Street Pastors – Relaunchchurchadmin2022-11-04T14:57:24+00:00

Thanksgiving Service

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A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the life ofHer Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Friday 16th September 2022 at 7pm Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon
organised by the Old Town Partnership of Churches.

Join our service tonight, if you are able. There will be a cheese and wine reception with soft drinks in the Community Centre @ Christ Church following the service to which all are invited.

Download the Order of Service

to join in.

If you are unable to join us this evening the service will be Audio Live Streamed on our YOUTUBE Channel and as a recording later today or watch it below.

God bless you and God bless our Swindon community at this time of national mourning. Please be assured of our love, friendship and prayers.

Revd Canon Simon Stevenette

Thanksgiving Servicechurchadmin2022-09-16T15:23:02+01:00

Condolence

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The death of Queen Elizabeth II

Please leave your messages of thanksgiving in the book of condolence at the front of church. Further details of a partnership civic service of thanksgiving to follow.
Please join us in praying for all those who mourn including the Royal Family. Please also join us in prayer for King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort.

God save the King

If you cannot join us in church then you can sign the Church of England’s online Condolence book

Condolencechurchadmin2022-09-09T22:17:01+01:00

Church Cycle Ride

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It’s not too late to pump up your tyres and join in! Visit some beautiful historic churches and meet some friendly people on the way ( there’s usually biscuits and a drink too).

Need some inspiration? Here’s a map of the last Plan I did.

You can download a list of the Wiltshire churches here and make your own plan.

The idea is to be sponsored to visit as many churches as you can and is open to cyclists, walkers, runners, horse riders, mobility scooterists. Money raised is split between our own church and Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, which gives repair grants to old churches and chapels. Sponsorship forms and all details can be found on the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust web site or contact Arline royandarline@gmail.com.

Support us in other ways

If you cannot cycle, walk or horse-ride around the churches, can you spare 1 hour to welcome those who visit our church on that day? A friendly smile and a jelly baby or cup of tea goes a long way when you have been on your bike all morning! Let’s give our visitors a welcome as they come to have their sponsor forms signed! Please contact Arline to give in your name and choose your hour.

Church Cycle Ridechurchadmin2022-09-03T16:38:07+01:00

Creation Restored

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9.30am-4pm Saturday, 17 September, Pattern Church, Swindon

The Rt Revd. Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, invites you to an inspiring ‘Creation Restored: Ministry in a time of Climate Crisis’ Diocesan day conference at the Pattern Church.

The aim of the day is to share in fellowship and explore the challenges, sensitivities, and opportunities of leading church life during a climate emergency.

There will be a diverse range of guest speakers and workshop leaders, including keynote speaker Dr Ruth Valerio, Global Advocacy Director at Tearfund, as well as sessions from friends from Green Christian, Operation Noah, the Youth Christian Climate Network among others, as well as some familiar faces from across the Diocese.

Please register via Eventbrite and do share this invitation. For further information, please contact Simon Taylor at simon.taylor@bristoldiocese.org

Creation Restoredchurchadmin2022-08-05T18:43:10+01:00

Bottom to Top – Bishop Lee’s Cycling Challenge

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Chris Stanley & Bishop Lee Rayfield

Being ill with Covid recently, has not stopped Bishop of Swindon, Dr Lee Rayfield, from getting on his bike once again to take on a huge fundraising challenge, cycling some 881 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats in just 13 days.

Bishop Lee will be cycling to raise as much money as possible to support local families in most need with a special Christmas gift. This is the second time that Bishop Lee has taken on such a massive quest.

Back in 2014, following chemotherapy and radiotherapy for Hodgkin Lymphoma, he rode from John O’Groats to Land’s End and raised £16,000 to equip and train church leaders from across Uganda to help them better serve their communities.

His plan was to cycle the other way round two years ago, but his quest was scuppered as he hit a patch of black ice breaking his femur and he also needed to have a replacement of his replacement hip.

After surgery, Bishop Lee is now able to fulfil his second challenge, but this time helping people in his hometown of Swindon in a challenge he has named ‘From the Bottom to the Top’.

To support this cause, members of the public can visit Bishop Lee’s JustGiving page at https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/from-the-bottom-to-the-top?utm

You can also follow his journey on his daily blog From the Bottom to the Top at https://bishopswindon.wixsite.com/my-site/blog

Watch an update from the Bishop below

Bottom to Top – Bishop Lee’s Cycling Challengechurchadmin2022-07-22T18:17:11+01:00

Wedding of the Year (so far!)

churchadmin2022-07-16T10:51:14+01:00

It’s a busy year for the Stevenette family.

Last weekend saw the wedding of Thomas Stevenette and Rachel (Rae)Cordon at St Mary’s Attenborough near Nottingham. All the Nottingham church family, choir, bellringers and flower arrangers were there and supported in every way. The Vicar also kindly allowed Simon to officiate so it was a very special time for them all.

Tom and Rae first met at Durham University. Rae is a primary School teacher. The Reception was held at Woolaton Hall and Park in Nottingham.

Their marriage adds a 3rd lovely Mrs Stevenette to the family with Elise, the 4th,future Mrs S, waiting in the wings. She and William are to be married this August.

You can see the family pictured below

From left to right Katy, Robert, Edward, Simon, Tom, Rae, Hugo,Nicola,William and Elise

Cutting the cake

Tom and Nicola

Rae and Tom

The brothers with Rae

Wedding of the Year (so far!)churchadmin2022-07-16T10:51:14+01:00

EXPLORE MINDFULNESS WITH TRAINED, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

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Join our On-line course, beginning Wednesday October 8th between 10am-12.15pm for 8 weeks until 30th November (no session 25th Oct) to include a half day
on Sat 19th November.

COST: Sliding Scale of £120 to £220
(further reductions available) With funding to subsidise costs for Swindon people and in collaboration with Christ Church Community Centre

Try before you sign up with our – FREE TASTER SESSIONS

Wednesday 13th July: 10am to 11am
Wednesday 7th September: 10am to 11am

We are also looking to support other people and groups. If you are involved in a particular group who you think would benefit from mindfulness sessions (one off or more than one), please do get in touch. Again, these will be subsidised to suit the group or individual.

To express your interest and for further information, please contact: Chris Smith, Christ Church Community Centre Manager
Mob: 07582 305760. Email: chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk

EXPLORE MINDFULNESS WITH TRAINED, EXPERIENCED TEACHERSchurchadmin2022-07-09T10:24:47+01:00

Platinum Jubilee Celebration and Service

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Grateful thanks to all those who helped with our Platinum Jubilee Tea Party last Sunday and for those who help to serve refreshments Sunday by Sunday. It was great to get together to celebrate the day in style.

We had a wonderful Old Town Partnership of Churches Jubilee celebration service later, attended, among others, by the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Mrs Sarah Troughton, our Mayor Councillor Abdul Amin and Sir Robert Buckland MP. We are very grateful to Rev’d Geoff Gleed for leading our music and to the joint choirs of the Partnership churches for their inspriring singing. You can catch up with the service on our You Tube Channel if you missed it.

We are planning to expand our catering as we prioritise having fun together over the next few months. It’s a great way to get to know everyone and offers of help are always appreciated. Please pray with us for growth in friendship and support in these challenging days.

Please also make a note of our Parish Weekend at home 16th -18th September. where we hope to deepen our social relationships by meeting together and having fun.

Simon and Nicola Stevenette Tel; 01793 529166 for more information..

Platinum Jubilee Celebration and Servicechurchadmin2022-06-10T15:33:06+01:00

The 9th Old Town Beer Festival

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This year marks the return of our popular Beer Festival – bigger and better than ever. Started by a former curate Gareth Hutchinson, now rector for Desford and Kirby Muxloe in Leicestershire, the festival has gained increasing momentum under the watchful eye of Chris Smith our Community Development Manager.

We are regularly asked why a church should run such an event so it’s worth outlining why we do.

1. It brings many hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds into the church and it’s grounds and it gives us an opportunity to engage with them in a relaxed atmosphere. Many conversations are held with those who, in other circumstances, would never think of entering a church.

2. It gives us a chance to demonstrate that we are outward looking and inclusive – not just here for a few people on a Sunday. We are at the centre of our community.

3. It’s profits are valuable source of income for the church and it’s work.

Out of the Ashes Concert

This year, we are trying something a little different, on Sunday 15th at 6 pm, to round off the festival. Our Out of the Ashes event is a concert of Jazz, Blues, R&B with Gospel Roots. Out of the Ashes is the creation of a pioneering husband and wife team from Gloucestershire – Penny Lyon and Kevin Washburn. You can either see them performing as a duo, or, for bigger venues like ours, they may have anything up to a nine piece band accompanying them.

Using music as part of their mission to stand for joy, healing and worth in the church, God has put it on their hearts to energise weary Christians and ailing congregations with a message of love, hope and renewed possibilities. Tickets are £10 and this includes beer, cider and snacks ( you’ll be helping us clear up what’s left after the festival!) Profits support the work of the church.

You can buy tickets for both the Beer Festival and the Out of the Ashes Concert from Chris Smith in the Community Centre Tel 617237 ( or online here)

So even if you are not a fan of beer or festivals – come along on Sunday 15th at 6pm and experience a concert of joyful, hope-filled and encouraging music. You can fiind out more about their unique ministry on their webpage here. We have also included a small sample of their music below to give you a flavour.

The 9th Old Town Beer Festivalchurchadmin2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

Annual Report 2021 & APCM

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The A.P.C.M. is the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. It is actually two meetings the ‘Vestry Meeting’ when we elect Churchwardens for the coming year and the APCM itself which is the business meeting of the Church – like an AGM. This year’s meeting is to be held on Sunday 24th April at 11.30am in the church.

The meeting is open to those on our Electoral Roll. Those at the meeting appoint PCC members, Deanery Synod representatives and accept the audited Church accounts.

It is also an opportunity to look back at the events of the last year and to look together with anticipation at the vision for the coming year.

As part of the meeting, the Annual Report is produced. This is the record of our financial and pastoral achievements in 2021 and also lays out our vision and strategies for the coming year.

Download the Annual Report here

Annual Report 2021 & APCMchurchadmin2022-07-11T10:30:18+01:00