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New Service Pattern for Autumn

2021-10-06T12:18:54+01:00

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

New Service Pattern for Autumn2021-10-06T12:18:54+01:00

Street Pastors re-launch – Mission in Action

2021-09-24T14:52:34+01:00

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.

Street Pastors re-launch – Mission in Action2021-09-24T14:52:34+01:00

Afghanistan – Harbour Project

2021-09-20T16:21:29+01:00

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.

Afghanistan – Harbour Project2021-09-20T16:21:29+01:00

Living in Love and Faith

2021-09-11T13:33:05+01:00

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.

 

Living in Love and Faith2021-09-11T13:33:05+01:00

Our Gardens

2021-09-04T14:28:06+01:00

Garden of Reflection

Remembrance Garden

The old rubbish area

Over the past few years we have worked hard to improve the garden areas around the church. This work is almost exclusively carried out by volunteers from the community and from our church family.

In 2013, a former rubbish area was turned into the Gaden of Reflection. This garden is in a sunny spot with seating and a beautiful view of the church. It was designed by Rachel Titcombe who won our competition to create a peaceful and reflective new garden

Following the closure of our former Rose Garden for ashes burial, we established a peaceful new lawned area at the South West corner of the church. This Garden of Remembrance is now used for ashes burial.

The former ashes garden

The former rose garden was closed to new ashes burial in 2020 and a major renovation project was launched managed by Ian Handy and a team of volunteers. The old Rose garden had become difficult to manage and many of the roses were diseased and unproductive. Following a detailed planning period, permission was granted by the Diocese of Bristol to install a new design which carefully respected the more than 1,500 burials whilst providing the opportunity to refresh the planting and install new raised beds, irrigation and weed suppression. If you would like to know more or contact us about the former rose garden, you can read about it here.

The planting is a design by Sue Spielberg and aims to provide colour and interest throughout the year. Watch a short film explaining the planting

Our Gardens2021-09-04T14:28:06+01:00

Our Beer Festival

2021-09-04T12:45:31+01:00

Once again, despite much uncertainty and difficulty, the 8th (or perhaps really the 7th and a half) Old Town Beer Festival went ahead.

The event always brings together a diverse and friendly section of our community and many conversations were had, along with a beer or two from local brewers.

Thanks must go to the Chris Smith and Jenny our Community Centre managers and to the team of volunteers who spent many hours putting together detailed plans ( as well as a lot of racking for the beers and ciders!).

The festival plays an important part in our fundraising  efforts and this year, despite restrictions on numbers, we were able to raise mor than £7,000 for the mission and ministry of the church.

Our Beer Festival2021-09-04T12:45:31+01:00

Ride & Stride

2021-09-04T12:48:07+01:00

11th September 10.am – 6pm

Many of Wiltshire’s historic churches, chapels and meeting houses will be open for you to visit as part of Ride + Stride 2021.
You can be sponsored to walk, cycle, ride a horse or use a mobility scooter to as many places of worship as possible. You choose your own route, travel at your own pace and can make it a memorable outing.

After being shut away and locked down in recent months, what a lovely way to enjoy a day out in the open air and raise funds for Christ Church and the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust.

Sponsor forms, instructions and details of places of worship that are open can be downloaded from the following link or from our local contact, Arline Stovell 01793 520691.

Ride & Stride2021-09-04T12:48:07+01:00

Summary of July 26th PCC Meeting

2021-08-27T14:24:43+01:00

The Parochial Church council is made up of members of our congregation and meets regularly to decide on strategy and day to day management of Christ Church with St Mary’s.

The latest meeting covered topics concerning, COVID management, the former Rose garden project. Eco church progress and financial reports.

Read a full summary of the meeting by clicking the button below

Summary of July 26th PCC Meeting2021-08-27T14:24:43+01:00

8th Old Town Festival

2021-08-21T13:46:15+01:00

Last year, Covid drank our Beer festival so we are delighted to be able to pick up again this year, albeit with a slightly scaled down version.

The festival is an important part of our connection with our local community as well as providing us with a valuable contribution towards the cost of running the church and our services to those who need us.

If Beer festivals aren’t your thing then why not join us on Sunday 22nd – 4pm – 5pm for Beer & Hymns.A chance to sing again; a joyous musical gathering led by the Old Town Partnership of Churches and musicians at Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon.

There is a grand tradition within the Christian church of bringing together hymn-singing and pub culture. In the nineteenth century William Booth’s Salvation Army put Christian words to popular music sung in pubs and taverns, but you don’t need to be tee total or Christian to come. (Non-drinkers also welcome!)

We are an open, non-judgmental community where everyone (and we mean everyone) is invited.

8th Old Town Festival2021-08-21T13:46:15+01:00

Watch a recording of Robert & Katy’s Wedding

2021-08-07T18:29:30+01:00

In common with many other couples in the past 18 months Rob and Katy have had a lot of planning and re-thinking to do as they organised their wedding.

Today finally, it all came together under the watchful eye of Rob’s dad. Simon Stevenette.

Watch a recording of Robert & Katy’s Wedding2021-08-07T18:29:30+01:00

Community Centre News

2021-08-07T12:18:22+01:00

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all past and present hirers for choosing the Community Centre at Christ Church without all the support we have had in years gone by the last 18 months would have been even more of a struggle. We are grateful for every class, event and celebration which has happened at the centre and hope we can continue to provide a suitable venue for any occasion.

The Community Centre is a vital part of our mission to connect with our local community and, as things start to return to something like normality, we are keen for everyone to know what we are up to.

Click below for our newsletter

Chris & Jenny

Community Centre News2021-08-07T12:18:22+01:00

Christ Church Eco Award

2021-08-07T11:43:08+01:00

We heard this week that we have definitely been awarded a bronze award for our eco-awareness in managing the Christ Church site.

We had to complete around 100 questions in a survey about our worship, land, lifestyle, buildings and community engagement that proved we were becoming more eco-aware and were committed to this for the long term.

Click to view our certificate

What does it mean?

The A Rocha scheme allows churches to assess their policies and approach to caring for God’s world. The process enables us to take a close look at how we operate the church, our grounds and other buildings. It also helps us identify new ways or working that will further improve our stewardship of God’s earth. We have our sights set on the Silver award next. If you have any ideas on how we might manaage our resources or environment then please let us know. Our Eco Champion is Phil Mansfield

Christ Church Eco Award2021-08-07T11:43:08+01:00
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