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Easter at Christ Church with St Mary’s

2023-04-05T17:51:30+01:00

Wednesday 5th April

7-9pm Lent Talk by Rev Dr Cathy Okoronkwo, Vicar of St Barnabas – “Theme The Ecology of Radial Hospitality”

Watch all the talks here

You can download orders of service for all our Easter Services here

Good Friday 7th April

12- 3pm Christ Church Three hours at the Cross led by Simon Talor Director of Training, Bristol Diocese

Easter Sunday 9th April

5.30 am Dawn Service at Holy Rood on the Lawn ( find it)

8 am Holy Communion

9 am Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church

10.am Family Holy Communion – Christ Church

6.30 Easter Praise – Christ Church

Easter at Christ Church with St Mary’s2023-04-05T17:51:30+01:00

Swindon Jazz and Soul Festival 2023

2023-03-24T13:22:22+00:00

Swindon Jazz and Soul Festival 2023

Headlined by British Soul Legend Omar Lye Fook MBE + QCBA

Christ Church Old Town Swindon and Grounds Friday 14th April & Saturday 15th April 2023

The 3rd Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival is here! A Wiltshire music event held at the beautiful grounds of Christ Church, Old Town Swindon. This year, we are extremely honoured to be supported with public funding by Arts Council England, AND we are adding a new musical element to the event.

The event now includes a showcase of music from Africa! As well as a full day of live music with musicians from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Caribbean artists from Dominica and Trinidad, the event are hosting African drum workshops for local schools and a dance workshop for the live music attendees on the Saturday of the live music event.

The live music will start with a Soul evening on Friday 14th April headlined by the iconic Nu Soul and Jazz artist Omar Lye Fook MBE and the star studded Jazz collective QCBA. Omar Lye Fook MBE is one of the greatest soul music talents the UK has produced in the last 40 years. Many legendary artists have lined up to collaborate with him musically, or simply sing his praises–from Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Common, through to Carleen Anderson, D’Angelo, and Angie Stone. QCBA is the brainchild of Quentin Collins (Trumpet) and Brandon Allen (Saxophone). They are a Hammond organ driven quartet of virtuosos playing smart, sassy, contemporary original music, influenced by the great Blue Note era of 1960s. Completing the line-up are the masterful Ross Stanley (Organ) and James Maddren (Drums).

The live music showcase then continues on Saturday 15th April with a full day and night of Jazz featuring acts such as former BBC Young Musician of the year Xhosa Cole, internationally acclaimed reedsman (and also Bad Manners’ saxophonist!) Adrian Cox, Gypsy Jazz quartet Swing From Paris and local pianist Gary Bamford.

Festival director Evie Em-Jay said ‘this year is the most exciting Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival so far as thanks to Arts Council Funding we can now incorporate workshops for schools and a larger music line up. There are many thousands of applications for funding so I’m extremely honoured to have been chosen this year especially as the arts industry is still recovering after the pandemic. I hope that the event reaches even more music fans as the best way to experience music is live and with others. I’m very pleased to once again hold the event at Christ Church as it’s a stunning setting and a great hub of the community.’

The event is also sponsored by Los Gatos who are enjoying their new expansion in Old Town.

Limited Early Yardbird tickets are available, plus one or two-day ticket options. Under 16’s free entry. Tickets from https://ccccswindon.co.uk/page/tickets

For full line up announcements please follow Swindon Jazz & Soul festival on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SwindonJazzAndSoul and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/swindonjazzandsoulfest/

Swindon Jazz and Soul Festival 20232023-03-24T13:22:22+00:00

Lent Talks

2023-03-30T21:06:26+01:00

Join us to hear from Dr Eric and Marguerite Holliday, Deacon/GP and Retired Clinical Psychologist, Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship- You can download the order of service for the opening worship at

http://bit.ly/3zj0IQ5

7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to a recording


Join us to hear from Revd David Gray, Superintendent Minister, North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship- You can download the order of service for the opening worship at

http://bit.ly/3zj0IQ5

7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to audio of the talk

Join us to hear from The Revd Susan Durber URC Minister, World Council of Churches President from Europe and Moderator of the Faith and Order Commission.

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship – download the order of service for the opening worship at http://bit.ly/404FNeK
7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to audio of the talk

Join us to hear from The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol Cathedral.

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship – download the order of service for the opening worship at http://bit.ly/3JgingV
7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to audio of the talk

The speaker for our first Lent Talk on the subject of Who is Jesus? Christian Mission Today – Jesus then and now is The Revd Jonathan Edwards, Baptist Minister at Central Church, Swindon and formerly General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Everyone is welcome to join in person in Christ Church. If you cannot, then you can watch a live stream of the talk on the link below or listen to an audio recording on the player. on this page.

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship
7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to an audio recording of the talk

Lent Talks2023-03-30T21:06:26+01:00

Mothering Sunday Services

2023-03-17T23:23:36+00:00

We will be giving away bunches of daffodils to mothers at our services.

We invite you to join us on Sunday, 19th March 2023 at the following services:

8am Holy Communion, Christ Church

9am Holy Communion, St Mary’s

10am Informal Holy Communion, Christ Church – with the Revd. Rach Collins preaching

6.30pm – Evensong, Christ Church

Mothering Sunday Services2023-03-17T23:23:36+00:00

Swindon Music Festival

2023-03-16T13:37:02+00:00

Come and hear the varied music programme at the Swindon Music Festival, starting tonight at 6.30 in Christ Church with 4 adult choirs, 3 church choirs (including Christ Church), 9 solo singers (including Caroline Pitt), 5 brass players and 3 organists.

 

Entry is £3, and refreshments will be available. Please do come along to support your Partnership musicians.

 

The Festival continues from Saturday 18 March to Saturday 25 March (not including Thursday 23) in the Arts Centre on Devizes Road, Old Town.

 

Morning sessions start at 9.30, afternoons at 1.30 and evenings at 6.30pm.

 

The detailed programme listing all the participants, price £3, will be available from Christ Church tonight, or from Holmes Music or the Arts Centre, or from the secretary Yvonne Walker on 07710 243302 (price £6 to include £3 postage).

 

#ChristChurchSwindon #swindonmusicfestival #swindon #oldtownswindon #musicfestival #livemusic #choir #organmusic #solosinging #brassplayers

 

Swindon Music Festival2023-03-16T13:37:02+00:00

Jubilee Memorial Garden Public Consultation

2023-03-11T14:05:05+00:00

With Spring and warmer weather in our sights, we have now submitted an application to the Church authorities (Diocesan Advisory Committee) for permission to continue with the refurbishment of the former Rose Garden (now the Jubilee Garden).

Following the success of the first phase of the project, the North South Section of the garden, we are keen to start this final phase.

We have worked hard to keep families, who remember loved ones at Christ Church, informed of our plans. You can sign up here to join our Jubilee Memorial Garden Email Update. No major works can be completed without the final permission of the DIocese Consistory Court. This is to protect the heritage and sanctity of church property as well as to ensure that proper public consultation is carried out

As part of this process, our proposals are now subject to a period of 30 days formal public consultation. The formal notice of our intentions and the process by which to comment or question them, are available by clicking the buttons below. You can also request copies of the notice and plans by contacting the parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk (01793 533832) or visiting the church noticeboard.

We are also delighted to say that our project team, led by Ian Handy, have been awarded a DAC award for our project to refurbish the former Rose Garden. This recognises the exceptional standard of workmanship.

Read about the Opening Ceremony

Our Gardens for all

Bereavement & Memorials

Our Memory Books

Support the Jubilee Memorial Project with a donation

We have a Just Giving Campaign page where you can read more and securely give towards the completion of the project.

You can also contact us via the Parish Office ( 01793 522832)for other ways to donate.

Thank you for your support.

Jubilee Memorial Garden Public Consultation2023-03-11T14:05:05+00:00

Jubilee Garden Update

2023-02-25T12:56:25+00:00

Over the past couple of week’s, we have been completing some winter maintenance to the grass verge on the South side of the garden. This is to prepare for new fine turf to be laid as soon as the weather permits. This will then continue the turf edge from the North South section creating a more unified and attractive perimeter.

 

We have submitted our draft plan to the Bristol Diocese for their approval and we are expecting an inspection and discussion with them soon. ( Read it here if you have missed it)

To help reassure and let affected families better understand what we are attempting to do with the East West Section of the garden, we will be marking out areas to show the intended access paths and demonstrating proposed ground covering materials. The intention is to enable access, within the garden, to those plaques which previously have been obscured ( and sometimes buried) by weeds and wild growth. We also want to create safe and level access to the garden for our many visitors.

No ashes will be disturbed and plaques are restored as closely as possible to their original positions. Our friendly team will always take the time to explain what is happening. It has always been the case that self planted shrubs are not permitted. This is necessary both to enable us to keep control over the maintenance and management of the garden but also to ensure that all families are treated equally. If you or members of your family have planted rose bushes, then please contact us (01793 522832) with your details. We will be happy to transplant any bushes for you to enable you to take them away.

As Spring approaches, the Jubilee Memorial Garden will start to erupt with colour and new growth. We are fully committed to creating a beautiful, safe and sustainable memorial garden for everyone to enjoy and remember in. If you have any questions, fears or suggestions please contact us parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk (01793 522832) We are always ready to listen.

Jubilee Garden Update2023-02-25T12:56:25+00:00

Partnership Lent Talks 2023

2023-02-25T12:45:22+00:00

‘Who is Jesus? Christian Mission Today – Jesus Then and Now’

The talks will be held, each Wednesday during Lent,

in Christ Church Swindon.

Each evening will follow the program below. Those unable to attend in person are welcome to join in via our YOUTUBE Channel here

  • 7pm – Opening worship
  • 7.15pm – Talk
  • 7.55pm – Refreshments
  • 8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
  • 9pm – Finish

Wednesday 1st March – The Revd Jonathan Edwards, Baptist Minister at Central Church, Swindon and formerly General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain

Wednesday 8th March – The Very Revd. Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol Cathedral

Wednesday 15th March – The Revd Dr Susan Durber, United Reformed Church Minister, World Council of Churches President from Europe and Moderator of the Faith and Order Commission

Wednesday 22nd March – The Revd David Gray, Superintendent Minister, North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit

Wednesday 29th March – Dr Eric and Marguerite Holliday, Deacon/GP and Retired Clinical Psychologist, Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church

Wednesday 5th April – The Revd Dr Cathy Okoronkwo, Vicar of St Barnabas, Gorse Hill and All Saints Ferndale, Racial Justice Adviser for the Diocese of Bristol

Download a leaflet with the Lent Talks Information

Partnership Lent Talks 20232023-02-25T12:45:22+00:00

Farewell to Bishop Lee

2023-02-15T18:04:39+00:00

Bishop Lee has served as Bishop of Swindon for 18 years with great compassion and deep faithfulness, modelling the virtues of creativity, generosity, bravery and openness which our Diocese holds dear. Committed to evangelism, +Lee led the work to bring Pattern Church to life in Swindon. As a Christian and a scientist he has contributed nationally to debates on scientific and medical research. Most recently as a pastor, he led our work on Living in Love and Faith enabling many to explore the issues in sexuality which continue to divide the church.

He has announced his intention to retire at the end of April 2023. We will miss him and Liz.

You can read his announcement in full here.

Farewell to Bishop Lee2023-02-15T18:04:39+00:00

Church of England and same Sex relationships

2023-01-27T16:37:35+00:00
Church of England’s stance on same sex relationships

This week I have conversations with members of the congregation who feel strongly, on both sides, about the Bishops’ advice to General Synod announced last Friday. Please join me in praying for unity in the Church of England and for all those who are worried by the future, either because there is not enough change or because there is too much change from what the Church of England had traditionally taught about marriage and relationships. I include a link to Bishop Viv’s statement published this last week. Please join me in praying for our General Synod members who will be meeting from 6-9th February in London to decide on the way forward.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me or a member of the staff team if you would value a conversation or prayer together.
Every blessing Simon

Read Bishop Viv’s personal statement on same sex relationships

Church of England and same Sex relationships2023-01-27T16:37:35+00:00

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023

2023-01-21T10:54:29+00:00

For this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are guided by the churches of Minneapolis as we seek to explore how the work of Christian unity can contribute to the promotion of racial justice across all levels of society. Through this resource, the CTBI writers’ group has also focussed our attention on the 30th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, which we mark in 2023. The work of restoring hope through justice undertaken in Stephen’s memory continues to inspire and change lives for the better.

Watch a film here of Stories and testimonies from Black and Asian Christians who pioneered racial justice in the Church and society over the last 25 years.

 

Find more resources to support the Week of Prayer on the Churches Together website here

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 20232023-01-21T10:54:29+00:00

Holocaust Memorial Day

2023-01-21T10:28:26+00:00

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY at 12 noon on Friday 27 JANUARY 2023

There will be three parts to the day.

First, at 12 noon on Friday 27th January at the Cenotaph in Regents Circus there will be a short (20-minute) ceremony, including talk and wreath-laying.

Next, at 12.30 pm the same day, Friday 27th January, at the Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, there will be a gathering for readings and reflection. Light lunchtime refreshments, including sandwiches and hot drinks are provided. This gathering is expected to last an hour, with readings and presentations by members of many of Swindon’s faith groups and community groups, as well as contributions from individuals.

Finally, at 6.30pm in the Auditorium in the Sixth Form Centre at The Commonweal School, The Mall, SN1 4JE there will be a free showing of the award-winning documentary film Final Account made by the late Luke Holland, a former pupil of The Commonweal School. The film looks closely at the involvement of ‘ordinary people’ in the mid-European mid-twentieth century genocide. It comprises interviews with the last living generation of Hitler’s Third Reich and raises key questions about authority, conformity, obedience, national identity, and people’s roles in the decisions and directions taken by their own government, questions that may still be relevant today.

See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qobRIgAyQiY

NOTE. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is ORDINARY PEOPLE, which chiefly acknowledges two things. First, that genocide is facilitated by ordinary people, who may turn a blind eye, believe propaganda, and join murderous regimes. Second, that those who are persecuted, oppressed, and murdered in genocide are not persecuted because of crimes they’ve committed – but simply because they are ordinary people who belong to a particular group, class, or race of which others disapprove. Ordinary people still suffer such persecution today.

The aftermath of the Holocaust and of subsequent genocides continues to raise challenging questions for individuals, communities, and nations. H.M.D. 2023 asks people to think about what happens before and after genocide, war, and persecution, and of our own responsibilities in relation to such matters of life and death.

Holocaust Memorial Day2023-01-21T10:28:26+00:00
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