Partnership Lent Study

2022-02-18T16:51:46+00:00
For your diary: The Partnership Lent Study will run for five weeks: March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and April 5th at Bath Road Methodist Church and begin at 7.30pm and each session will finish by 9.00pm.
It is based on the musical ‘Hamilton’ and is entitled ‘The Room Where it Happens”. The study includes clips from the show that tie in with the themes. The evening will be based around small group discussion.
The themes covered are:
  1. Identity and Belonging.
  2. Ambition and Temptation.
  3. Forgiveness and Redemption.
  4. Love and Sacrifice.
  5. Hope and Courage through Adversity.
Please put these dates in your diary and join us in this exploration of how our faith can impact the world around us.
Partnership Lent Study2022-02-18T16:51:46+00:00

Swindon Music Festival Returns

2022-02-18T17:19:27+00:00

The Swindon Music Festival returns after a two-year break for the pandemic. The Festival starts in Christ Church on Friday 18 March at 6.30pm with the brass classes followed by the church organ classes. Each organist will play two contrasting pieces and then the adjudicator will make comments on their performances.

The evening will continue with three classes for solo singers, including novice, sacred song and oratorio, and a duet class. It will conclude with the adult choir class and the church choir class. In the church choir class, starting at around 9.00pm, St. Sampson’s Church Choir, Cricklade will be singing the hymn “O perfect love” to the tune “Highwood”, and the anthem “And I saw a new heaven” by Malcom Archer. Christ Church Choir will be singing the hymn “ How shall I sing that majesty” to the tune “Coe Fen”, and the anthem: “Arise, Shine” by Richard Shephard.

The adjudicator for the Friday evening will be Adrian Goss, a pianist, organist and choral director and chair of the Adjudicators Council.

The Festival continues on Saturday 19 March and from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 March (except Thursday 24th) in the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town. Morning sessions start at 9.30, afternoons at 1.30 and evenings at 6.30pm.

The Festival deserves a much bigger audience. This year it celebrates over 111 years of supporting music in Swindon. Previous participants have included in the past, Diana Dors, and Jamie Cullum, Sarah Covey, Polly Leech and Harry Apps who are currently forging musical careers.

There is such a wide variety of music that there will be something for everyone during the eight days. We really need to support the young talent – and the older competitors like support too! At a previous year’s final concert the adjudicator said several performances would have graced the West End stage – so come and hear future stars. She also commended our exceptional teachers.

Our world class accompanist is Paul Turner who is renowned for his sensitive and alert accompaniments; “ he has that sixth sense of timing which is the true accompanist’s particular gift” (Eastern Daily Press). He is also so kind to everyone including nervous novice singers.

Please do come along to support your Partnership musicians. There will be a small charge for listening.

Download the event timetable

ADMISSION PRICES

£3.00 PER SESSION (16 and under FREE)

Except

WEDNESDAY EVENING 23 MARCH £5.00* 16 and under £1.00

FRIDAY EVENING 25 MARCH £5.00* 16 and under £1.00

SATURDAY EVENING 26 MARCH £7.50 16 and under £1.00

*(£3.00 after 8pm)

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE PRIOR TO EACH SESSION

The detailed programme listing all the participants, price £3, will be available from Christ Church on 18 March, or from Holmes Music or the Arts Centre, and also on the website http://www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk.

Swindon Music Festival Returns2022-02-18T17:19:27+00:00

Sexual Violence Awareness Week

2022-02-07T21:06:42+00:00

A message from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre ( SARC)

Today marks the beginning of Sexual Violence Awareness Week and the launch of the new National NHS SARC Campaign. We are here for you, 24/7 – 01793 781917 or 01793 781916 Facebook

Sexual Violence Awareness Week2022-02-07T21:06:42+00:00

Mindfulness for Parents & Carers

2022-01-28T16:57:45+00:00

SIX WEEK ON-LINE COURSE

A practical Guide to looking after yourself in the midst of parenting

Thursday evenings from 3rd March 2022 to 7th April, running from 7.45pm to 9.15pm

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness, is a meditation-based practice, backed by neuroscience, which has helped countless people learn the skills they need either to find a clearer focus and stillness in the midst of a busy, high-pressure life or to cope creatively with anxiety, stress and depression. The heart of the programme is based around learning some simple but formal meditation practices. However, mindfulness is really an attitude to the whole of life which, when we have caught it, has the ability to change everything for us. It can be practised by people of any philosophy or faith and all are welcome, whatever their background.

What happens in the Course

The course takes the form of 6 weekly group sessions where we practice the various types of meditation and reflect on our experience of them together. Meditations can be done sitting in a chair or on a cushion, standing, lying down, or walking. If you have particular physical concerns please get in touch. There will be opportunities to meet in break-out rooms as well as being in the ‘main’ room. During the week, you will be invited to practice the meditations via short audio recordings. I will also offer some informal meditations that you can share with your child/children. These won’t involve sitting still for a long time! For instance, they maybe something you can do when out for a walk or when eating. The mindfulness course is adapted from the book “Mindfulness – A practical Guide to Finding Peace in a Frantic World” by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. It is a skills-based 6-week course, consisting of a combination of mindfulness meditation practices with discussion and simple cognitive exercises. This course is rooted in the evidence-based clinical course, Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy developed by Mark Williams and others, and recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence)

This course is about discovering the difference Mindfulness can make to our everyday experience. The group may be large (up to 24) and this is partly because the approach is not ‘group therapy’ but learning a new skill in a group setting. For some this will come as a relief!

Download the course & taster information

COURSE STARTS MARCH 3rd 2022

Subsidised Cost: £50

Not sure if you want to commit?

Find out more about what to expect attend one of our FREE TASTER SESSIONS

Thursday 10th Feb – 8-9pm

Thursday 17th Feb – 8-9pm

For an application form or further information, please contact: Chris Smith Community Centre @ Christ Church, Development Manager

Mob: 07582 305760 or Email: chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk

Mindfulness for Parents & Carers2022-01-28T16:57:45+00:00

Our Mayor

2021-11-24T11:57:22+00:00

It has been a busy month for our Mayor and his newly appointed Chaplain.

Following an elected year swallowed by Covid in 2020, Councillor Garry Perkins has been re-elected for a further term and has been busy making up for lost time.

Pictured below is Councillor Perkins, supported by his wife Abnet, at the opening of the Annual Friends of Christ Church Christmas Market. Also pictured is Caroline Pitt, Chair of the Friends, F. Christmas and Rev’d Canon Simon Stevenette, the Mayor’s chaplain.

The Market was a great success and, although slightly scaled down this year, enabled more than 20 local charities to promote their work and fundraise for their causes, as well as providing a great day out, and taster for Christmas, for many local families.

Simon and the Mayor also attended the Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph with the Bishop of Swindon.

Our Mayor2021-11-24T11:57:22+00:00

Knife Amnesty

2021-11-12T18:42:56+00:00

The Knife Amnesty is to raise awareness across the county of the risks and consequences of carrying a knife, and reduce the harm to our communities from knife crime by enabling people to surrender knives and weapons to the police without fear of prosecution.

The purpose of the amnesty is to remove knives from criminal availability, thereby reducing the risk of harm to the public, protecting our communities and reducing the likelihood that the knife will be available for criminal use.

An appeal will be made to the public for the surrender of illegal knifes kept lawfully within their homes. This will include flick knifes, lock knifes, zombie and butterfly knives.

This is a Old Town Partnership of Churches initiative with the local police. From this weekend,12th November, secure bins are being provided in local churches, including Christ Church, to dispose of knives. Please pray for the Wiltshire Police in this excellent initiative.

The amnesty will run for 2 weeks.

Knife Amnesty2021-11-12T18:42:56+00:00

Friends of Christ Church Lecture

2021-10-30T16:56:03+01:00

Picture Janet French

This year’s Friends of Christ Church Annual Lecture was held last week. It told the story of the renaissance of the former Rose Garden at Christ Church. Introduced by Sarah Bowden, with contributions from Caroline Pitt, the chair of the Friends of Christ Church, the lecture was given by Sue Spielberg who designed the planting scheme.

Sue described her experience and approach to the design and seasonal planting.

Tea and cake was provided for those attending courtesy of Caroline Pitt and her team.

We encourage you to join the Friends. You can download their brochure and application form on the link below. Single members pay £5 annually, family members £10, by cash, cheque, BACS or standing order. Life membership is a one-off payment of £75; all these amounts can be gift aided by UK taxpayers, as the Friends is a registered charity, number 1088767.

Download brochure and membership application form

You can listen again to the talk

You can also watch a short (slient) film showing the plants and design ideas that Sue talks about below

Friends of Christ Church Lecture2021-10-30T16:56:03+01:00

Why COP26 Matters

2021-10-16T12:28:45+01:00

With the COP26 Climate summit just around the corner, its more important than ever to see what roles we can play to shape our future and that of later generations.

Read this article from Tear Fund about why it matters.

Why COP26 Matters2021-10-16T12:28:45+01:00

Mr Motivator comes to visit

2021-10-16T12:32:30+01:00

Our Tuesday afternoon, friends group had a treat last week when they were joined by Mr Motivator himself.

Using the magic of Zoom, Mr M or Derrick Evans to use his real name, got everyone moving and smiling.

There are always lots of activities going on in our Community Centre.

Find out more

Mr Motivator comes to visit2021-10-16T12:32:30+01:00

Celebrating 150 Years at King Wiliam Street School

2021-10-06T10:03:50+01:00

King William Street School is celebrating its 150th year. Built in 1871,it is the oldest school in Swindon and its chosen biblical verse gives a great idea of the schools ethos.

I have good plans for you. I will give you hope and a good future – Jeremiah 29:11

As part of its celebrations the school would like to invite you to visit, take a tour, see what the children have been up to and enjoy a hot drink and some cake.

Whether you are a previous pupil and would like to see how things have changed, a local resident thinking of sending your child to the school or if you have a child at school and want to take a look around FEEL FREE TO POP ALONG AND SAY HELLO!

We welcome you on the 16th October 11.30am – 1.00pm

 

King William Street, Old Town Swindon SN1 3LB Tel 01793 522346 www.kingwilliam.swindon.sch.uk

Celebrating 150 Years at King Wiliam Street School2021-10-06T10:03:50+01:00

Dream for the Church

2021-09-29T19:36:08+01:00

Part of St Martin-in-the-Field’s Autumn Lecture Series 2021: We Have a Dream. “Imagining a future bigger than the past”.

Rev’d Dr Sam Wells introduces a lecture and discussion with Archbishop Stephen Cottrell on how the church could respond to the opportunities afforded by the post Covid world.

Dream for the Church2021-09-29T19:36:08+01:00

Swindon Night Shelter

2021-05-22T11:53:44+01:00

Swindon Night Shelter have an on-line prayer time on the following Tuesday evenings for half an hour to pray specifically for the work of Swindon Night Shelter to which you are invited.

Swindon Night Shelter Supporter Prayer Times

7.00pm – 7.30pm

Tuesday 25th May 2021

Tuesday 22nd June 2021

Tuesday 27th July 2021

To join follow the link below
Swindon Night Shelter Prayer

Swindon Night Shelter2021-05-22T11:53:44+01:00

Listen to our thought for the week

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