churchadmin, Author at Christ Church News

This week’s Sermon

churchadmin2022-03-13T15:01:26+00:00

Simon Vicar

This week we heard Simon telling us about the importance of hope in a time of uncertainty. He reminds us too of our Christ Church mission and values.

We have a vision that we should be Christ’s Church in the community, serving the needs of local people and becoming a central meeting place for a whole variety of community activities. Our mission is to proclaim Christ through teaching and example. Welcome and serve all, through hospitality. We encourage people to find God through worship, faith and prayer by providing a spiritual home and resources for the local community. We seek to transform Swindon and beyond with God’s hope and compassion.

We do this with humility, grace and respect, listening prayerfully to God and our neighbour.

As well as offering traditional life events like baptism, marriage, blessings, funeral and bereavment services, we host a modern community centre which provides education, leisure, social and entertainment facilities to our community.

We also heard about the Partnership Confirmation Preparation – this will run on Sunday evenings from mid March. Confirmation will be on the 8th May at Bath Road Methodist Church. If you would like to find out more speak with Simon or one of the staff team or via the parish office 5228332.

This week’s Sermonchurchadmin2022-03-13T15:01:26+00:00

Lay Ministry Opportunities

churchadmin2022-03-11T18:58:43+00:00

As the PCC have now agreed their goals for 2022, we are praying that our worship, ministry and mission will grow in the power of the Spirit. To this end please can you let us know if you can help with any of the following;

Children and young family’s ministry including our Partnership Messy church which is hoping to return soon
Developing as an Eco Church in our ecological maintenance of our large Burial Ground and churchyard.
Offering hospitality, meals and light refreshments on an occasional basis
Helping with our audio-visual social media and administrative communications in order that people are well supported, encouraged and made welcome.

If you would like to talk about the gifts you have and how they can grow and where your time is best used in God’s service, please have a word with Simon or members of the staff team.

Lay Ministry Opportunitieschurchadmin2022-03-11T18:58:43+00:00

A Prayer for Ukraine

churchadmin2022-02-24T13:40:05+00:00

A Prayer for Ukrainechurchadmin2022-02-24T13:40:05+00:00

Partnership Lent Study

churchadmin2022-02-18T16:51:46+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:

Identity and Belonging.
Ambition and Temptation.
Forgiveness and Redemption.
Love and Sacrifice.
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 Studychurchadmin2022-02-18T16:51:46+00:00

Racial Justice Sunday

churchadmin2022-02-05T16:18:33+00:00

Sunday 13th February is Racial Justice Sunday This is an opportunity for all churches to focus and reflect on the importance of racial justice, to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. You can read about some of the resources available here

A Prayer

Merciful God,
you are righteous and love justice:
stir the hearts of your people that,
rejoicing in our diversity,
we may repent of the wrongs of the past,
and, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Racial Justice Sundaychurchadmin2022-02-05T16:18:33+00:00

Swindon Music Festival Returns

churchadmin2022-02-18T17:19:27+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 24^th) 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 Returnschurchadmin2022-02-18T17:19:27+00:00

Sexual Violence Awareness Week

churchadmin2022-02-07T21:06:42+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 Weekchurchadmin2022-02-07T21:06:42+00:00

Signs of hope?

churchadmin2022-02-07T20:52:01+00:00

It has been a long and rather grey winter so far but things are already waking up in the Church grounds. Our new gardens are begining to come to life. Do take some time to have a look around the graveyard and appreciate the great work that is being carried out to make Christ Church a beautiful and restful place to be.

Signs of hope?churchadmin2022-02-07T20:52:01+00:00

Volunteer

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Can you spare some time to help at Christ Church with St Mary’s?

As part of Christ Church’s ongoing review of how we support our local, national and international community we’re checking, via a simple set of questions to the charities, whether the support we provide is still relevant and appropriate.

As part of this review we’re keen to understand whether you would be willing to support in ways other than by financial donations. If practical help is required in the form of hands on support would you be interested and willing to give a little of your time? This might involve tidying up a garden space or perhaps painting a room. At this stage we don’t have anything firm in mind but want to find out if you are willing to help. If you are able to give any of your time please send your name, an idea of what you might be willing to do (painting, gardening, carpentry etc) and a contact number to parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk.

Thank you .

Volunteerchurchadmin2022-01-28T16:49:24+00:00

Mindfulness for Parents & Carers

churchadmin2022-01-28T16:57:45+00:00

SIX WEEK ON-LINE COURSE

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

Thursday evenings from 3^rd March 2022 to 7^th 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 10^th Feb – 8-9pm

Thursday 17^th 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 & Carerschurchadmin2022-01-28T16:57:45+00:00

Milestone reached

churchadmin2022-01-17T11:39:15+00:00

Last year Christ Church achieved a Bronze award in its quest to become a more eco aware community. The organisation that promotes and helps with this process is called Arocha. We heard this week that they have celebrated a milestone. All 42 of the Church of England dioceses have now registered for the Eco Diocese scheme. This shows a significant commitment to getting more churches signed up to Eco Church but more importantly, that all dioceses in the Church of England are united in taking collective environmental action. This is also the case for the Church in Wales where all six of its dioceses have already registered for Eco Diocese.