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Christ Church Eco Land Management Plan

2022-05-06T18:07:16+01:00

As part of our response to the need to take more care of God’s planet, we have begun work on a Land Management Plan. Taking advice from a range of local experts and enthusiasts, we have surveyed our Church and Burial grounds, looking for ways to encourage wildlife and plant diversity.

In the process, we have discovered some valuable ancient grassland which we can manage carefully to encourage more native species that will be beneficial to pollinators and other wildlife. This will involve stopping our intensive mowing programme in certain areas, to allow certain species, such as the Cuckoo flower below to establish. It and other native species provide valuable larval food. The careful management of these areas of grass can prevent it from being invaded by more vigorous plants that can overwhelm and replace what is a vital habitat for birds, invertebrates and animals.

In most situations, July is the best time for cutting, with a further cut in September/October often being beneficial. However, cutting times can be varied to suit local conditions. After cutting, it is very important to rake off and remove the clippings. If left on, they can smother delicate plants and increase fertility which encourages rank growth at the expense of wildflowers. If clippings are left to dry for a few days after cutting, flowers can shed any ripe seed and insects are able to make their escape.

 

Cuckoo Flower or Ladies Smock - Janet French

P1000917

Buttercups - Janet French

Bluebell Janet French

Vetch

Vetch - Janet French

pathways1

Pathways are cut to allow access without damaging the plants - Chris Smith

Christ Church Eco Land Management Plan2022-05-06T18:07:16+01:00

Sunday Club is back

2022-04-30T09:39:49+01:00

We hold an All Age Service on the first Sunday of each month to which families are invited to join in with an informal worship suitable for all. Every other sunday during term time, we hold a Sunday Club. All children over the age of 3 years (parents welcome too)join in games, crafts, stories and much more.

Families are encouraged to meet in church for the morning service at 10 am. This allows the children to experience a taste of our worship before moving to the Community Centre, just next door, following the Children’s Talk. They will then return to their parents in time to receive a blessing during the distribution of Holy Communion.

Read our Young Families Newsletter

Each week we record the children’s talk and provide simple colouring and activity sheets for them. You can find them on our Children’s Page

Sunday Club is back2022-04-30T09:39:49+01:00

The 9th Old Town Beer Festival

2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

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 Festival2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

2022-04-22T15:56:35+01:00

Pheonix Enterprises have been shipping out Humanitarian Aid to refugees from Ukraine. Mike Bowden has requested the following items : toys, colouring books, colouring pencils, toiletries, female sanitary products and medical supplies. There is a donation box in the community centre should you wish to contribute. You can also donate to Phoenxi’s work directly here

Volunteers to help sort and box these aids will also be needed please contact mzbowden@btinternet.com for more information.

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine2022-04-22T15:56:35+01:00

Annual Report 2021 & APCM

2022-07-11T10:30:18+01:00

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 & APCM2022-07-11T10:30:18+01:00

Christian Aid New Arrangements-Help Needed

2022-04-14T22:16:53+01:00

Christian Aid Week 2022 – 14th to 21st May

Prior to Covid, during Christian Aid Week there would be a concerted effort nationally to raise funds This was primarily focused on the house-to-house delivery and collection of giving envelopes.

Although the restrictions imposed due to Covid have now been lifted, we do not believe it appropriate to resume house to house collections. However, there is an alternative – delivery only envelopes.

These are delivered with details of where they may be returned. Feedback has shown that, while you may not receive as many, the envelopes returned contain more and to have the gift aid completed. The overall total collected being therefore very similar to previous years.

Please consider delivering these envelopes in your own road or street. Contact Mike Palmer, on 01793 635112. If we get enough volunteer deliverers then the burden can be spread evenly amongst everyone.

See a list of Streets that we are responsible for.

Christian Aid New Arrangements-Help Needed2022-04-14T22:16:53+01:00

All you need to know about our Easter Season

2022-04-08T17:14:14+01:00

After the lull of Covid, there is a lot beginning to happen in and around Christ Church.

We remain committed to balancing our Eco strategies with good communications. and so avoid printing unecessary paper where we can.

We have produced a downloadable leaflet on our Services and Events over the Easter Season.

All you need to know about our Easter Season2022-04-08T17:14:14+01:00

The Jubilee Memorial Garden

2022-07-16T12:11:45+01:00

The weather was fine ( but a bit cold!) but we welcomed a good number of families along with our Mayor Cllr Perkins, his wife Abnet, and Sir Robert Buckland our MP to our commissioning event on Sunday. The Mayor and Sir Robert unveiled a beautiful oak sign made by one of our longest-serving congregants, Bernard Oxborrow. It’s worth noting, for posterity, that the oak was sourced from one of our original Baltic oak pews dating back to the 1850’s.

Our newly unveiled sign

The ceremony enabled us to thank the teams of professionals and volunteers whose efforts over the past 18 months have transformed the North-South section into a safer more accessible, and beautiful, managed garden – a fitting memorial to all those remembered there. Particular mention should go to Ian Handy without whose drive and intitiative, this project would not have begun. Also thanks are due to the Friends of Christ Church whose generosity with both time and funds have also been key to its success.

As we move on to planning the final section of the garden, the East-West area, it is vital that we can let as many families know of our plans. To do this we have a new Quarterly Email newsletter to let everyone know what we are planning, why we are doing it, and how they can find out more about it.
Please pass on the email subscription link below to anyone you think would value knowing more about the works to improve our former Rose Garden

Subscribe https://mailchi.mp/c79de914e698/jubilee

We have got this far by the generosity of local people – we still need more help to complete the garden. You can donate to the Memorial Garden using our Just Giving page? or by scanning the QR code below, on your mobile phone.

 

If you are not keen on on-line stuff, you can also give by cash or cheque to our Parish Office c/o Community Centre@Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon SN1 3HB

The Jubilee Memorial Garden2022-07-16T12:11:45+01:00

Mission Giving

2022-04-01T18:07:09+01:00

Mission Giving at Christ Church with St Mary’s

All our Mission Giving today will be shared between Marie Curie and Swindon Food Collective. Both charities work locally to support our community in different ways. Please use a gift aid envelope and mark it with an “M” for mission – the collection will be open for a week from the 3rd April

You can also donate directly to the Swindon Food Collective https://www.swindonfoodcollective.org/support-us/donate-funds/

and to Marie Curie https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/donate or by post to Marie Curie, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 9AB

Mission Giving2022-04-01T18:07:09+01:00

Christ Church Eco Church

2022-03-30T18:20:52+01:00

Our drive to becoming a more eco aware church continues, following our intial award of Bronze certification from the A Rocha organisation.

You can read the latest update from Phil Mansfield who leads our efforts here.

It shows the sort of steps we need to take to improve our efforts to protect and nourish God’s creation.

If you would like to take part in our Eco programme then contact the Parish office and let us know.

Christ Church Eco Church2022-03-30T18:20:52+01:00

Trudie’s Sermon

2022-03-20T13:32:22+00:00

We were delighted to welcome Rev’d Trudie Wigley and her family to join us at our 10am Informal Communion service. Trudie became Vicar at St Paul’s Dorcan eight years ago following her Curacy at Christ Church and recently became the Chair of the House of Clergy for the Bristol Diocesan Synod. Please remember Trudie, Andrew, Ben and Grace in your prayers as we look forward to a wonderful celebration together.

You can hear the whole service on our You Tube channel here

Listen to Trudie’s sermon on the player below

Trudie’s Sermon2022-03-20T13:32:22+00:00

Old Town Partnership Confirmation Preparation

2022-03-19T19:49:02+00:00

We are looking forward to our annual Old Town Partnership Confirmation which will be on Sunday 8th May at 10am Bishop Viv, Bishop of Bristol will be confirming, along with Mark and Robert at Bath Road Methodist Church.

We will run a Confirmation preparation group on Sunday evenings from the middle of March. Please remember all the preparations in your prayers that we will see the joy of welcoming new Christians and growing disciples in our community over these coming weeks.

Please speak with Simon or one of the staff team, if you are interested in exploring this possibility. You can also phone the parish office 522832.

Old Town Partnership Confirmation Preparation2022-03-19T19:49:02+00:00
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