As we continue our exploration of climate change and what we can do about it as a church and as individuals, we came across the following prayer written by Andy Atkins, CEO of A Rocha UK.
We really want to keep in touch with our Community. There’s so much happening, in our church, our community centre and in the many local organisations and charities in Swindon.
We have been working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and have recently been awarded a bronze award for our efforts so far.
Help us to connect more effectively but with less paper!
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
This Harvest sunday, we heard from Mike Walsh about the great work being done to support the education of the children of the slum area of Kawangare in Kenya. Our Partnership project this year, focusses on fundraising for the work of the school and its continued develoment.
You can contribute in different ways. Download the standing order mandate below to make a regular donation – just £5 per month sponsors a teacher.
Alternatively, at Christ Church we have committed to donating our weekly gifts for the month of October. Use one of our Gift Aid envelopes marked Desai to make your donation or hand it to one of the clergy team on Sunday morning.
Just a small reminder of what we stand for and how we go about it.
Our Vision
To be Christ’s church in the community.
Our mission
By proclaiming Christ through teaching and example
By welcoming and serving all through hospitality
By encouraging people to find God through worship, faith and prayer.
By providing a spiritual home and resources for the local community
By transforming Swindon and beyond with God’s hope and compassion
Our Values
We will do this with
Humility, Grace, Respect and by listening prayerfully to God and our neighbour
Developing our worship under Covid
At the Reopening Working Group meeting on Tuesday 21 September, the following main points were agreed:
For Dorcan Church and Swindon Area Dean
15 hours per week
This role primarily involves supporting the day to day running of the church office and business of The Dorcan Church. Additionally, support is sought for the Area Dean (also vicar of Dorcan church) and the Swindon Deanery team.
We are looking for a warm and friendly person,with great administrative skills and computer literacy, who can help us develop our on-line and social media presence, has large amounts of initiative, integrity and discretion and excited at the prospect of working with a great bunch of people!
Is this you?
The role is for a total of 15 hours a week, in two parts 12 hours a week for the Dorcan Church Permanent contract
3 hours a week for the Area Dean team A fixed term contract of 12 months
Hours of working over 3-4 mornings £10.50 per hour Some flexibility on days, but Friday is a requirement
No previous experience of working in a church context is necessary
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.
Christ in Quiet
Weekly on a Wednesday at 12 noon in Christ Church
A short service of reflection and prayer.Do bring a packed lunch to share fellowship afterwards
Sunday Evening worship
On the first Sunday of each month. This month – 5th Sept 6.30pm Holy Communion
On the third Sunday of each month. This month -19th Sept 6.30pm Choral Evensong with the choir
Our Sunday Club aims to meet once a month on the 3rd Sunday of the month. This month – 19th Sept further details from Sue Clack or Nicola Stevenette
Dear Churches
Street Pastors going live again, in Swindon this Autumn!
Swindon Street Pastors – a bit of background and our relaunch in Old Town
We first went live September 2007, in the town centre, at weekends 10pm-4am, where upwards of 10,000 people gathered to socialise in the pubs and clubs every Friday and Saturday night!
Today, Old Town is the new central ‘place to be’ for the night-time social life of Swindon with a smaller number, around 4,000 gathering to party through the night hours, but this is set to rise as restrictions lift and popular night-clubs re-open.
A boat in safe harbour – God’s call to re-build
When we came off the streets in 2019, we had the prophetic picture of a boat in a safe harbour, God reminding us we had been at sea for 12 years without ever putting into port, that the boat needed some vital repairs, refurbishment and a re-rig. And the crew a rest while new members recruited and trained, in readiness to re-launch on a new course that God would chart.
So, based on God’s call to Nehemiah to re-build the walls of Jerusalem, during lockdown, we set about restoring, renewing and rebuilding our boat.
God’s hand of favour and the power of prayer
We have seen God’s provision and answered prayer with a strengthened steering group and management, additional street pastor volunteers, and re-engagement with our national body the Ascension Trust, the local Police and Swindon Borough Council, alongside partnerships growing with Forging Connections.
Our team of faithful intercessors pray and support us daily, with words of scripture and encouragement. As part of this team, personal Prayer Partners pray for named Street Pastors, especially the nights and times they serve.
Chartered new waters – Café Pastors
Looking forward, we are in the throes of developing a daytime ministry for Street Pastors in café spaces. This is in partnership with other Christian organisations who are looking to open cafés as safe venues for people to come, and be assured of a warm welcome with a listening ear, and receiving support and help in time of need.
Testament of the power of the Holy Spirit witnessing the presence of Jesus on the streets.
Both here in Swindon and across the nation are testament after testament of the power of prayer, with police evidencing that crime is reduced significantly, by as much as 100% in some cases, wherever Street & Prayer Pastors serve together. Street Pastors are recognised as helping to protect and save lives, while making our town centres a safer and enjoyable place to come! As one Street Pastor put it:
“We witness by telling people about Jesus, without words, as we take the love of Jesus onto the streets.”
Relaunching this autumn
We are getting ready to relaunch and set sail again. If you are interested in any of the opportunities regarding night, daytime or prayer ministries, with a desire to see the power of Jesus present in our town, do come aboard!
For more information, please contact: coordinator.swindon@streetpastors.org.uk.
The open letter from Rosemary Earle
Over the past month the difficult news about Covid has been superseded by the unfolding tragedy in Afghanistan and my customers, the generous members of the Old Town community, have been troubled by the fate of those still at home and those forced to flee their home.
Last week, we published a letter from Rose Earle, our local newsagent, inviting contributions of clothes and practical items.
Rose has phoned to say she has been overwhelmed by the response by her customers and she has asked us all to “Hold back on the gifts for the moment” The Harbour Project has not enough storage space to cope with a load more at this time; but nearer Christmas there might be a need for more. However gifts of money need little storage and would be most welcome! Rose would be happy to receive monetary gifts to help these people and is willing to pass them on to The Harbour Project for these refugees, most of whom have had to leave all their possessions (including any savings in the bank) well and truly behind. You can find out more about the Harbour Project here
You can donate directly to the Harbour Project here
Thank you Rose for doing this on behalf of us all in Old Town.
NB: Further to this article, Rose and Margaret Williams had the opportunity of taking some of the gifts donated to one of the places where Afghan refugees are temporarily staying. When we arrived, a small group of boys were playing outside; we stopped to speak to them and, although only one of them spoke English, the joy on their faces was obvious. I cannot imagine what they might have witnessed and lived through in their lives, but it was wonderful to see them playing freely and enjoying themselves now. It made our day! M.W.
Footnote
Hours after Rose and I returned from giving the gifts to the Afghan people, Rose’s husband, Miles died very suddenly so our sympathy is with Rose and her family. For this reason, please do not take any more gifts to Rose’s shop as she has enough to cope with at the moment.
On 9th November the Church of England published the “Living in Love and Faith” (L.L.F.) resources. This began a new process of discernment and decision-making on questions of identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage. The resources have been designed to help all God’s people to learn about and discuss matters of human identity and sexuality, an arena the Church of England has found very difficult.
It also seeks to help all members of the Church of England engage with these issues and hear God’s voice speaking into society today. The feedback from engagement across the church, this year, will inform discussions next year on whether or not to change the Church of England’s stance on marriage and human sexuality. We are running the 6 week Living in Love and Faith course in Swindon at various dates and times this Autumn. Please visit https://bit.ly/SwinLLF for more details of what you can expect if you take part in a course and how to sign up. This is an important time for the Church of England’s mission, please consider taking part.