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Covid 19 – our next steps

2021-07-17T16:01:59+01:00

Over the past eighteen months a team of friends from Christ Church have been meeting to discuss and agree the best ways to keep our services as safe as possible. The team, under the direction of Daniel Pitt, formulated a detailed risk assessment which has formed the basis of our covid response plans.

Now that the government have announced the end of legal restrictions on many of the aspects that we have come to accept as normal, the group has met again to assess what changes we propose in the light of this relaxation.

At each decision point over the past year or so, the group has considered a set of criteria and made decisions based on them.

  1. The R number (rate of infection)
  2. The number of local cases and admissions to, and deaths in, GWH

The current measures are increasing rapidly week by week so, despite the legal changes to Government policy, we feel that, logically, we should not rush to change everything back to normal.

We are keen that no-one feels unsafe in church and so have decided for July and August to remain with current social distancing measures and to recommend the wearing of masks inside the church. Congregational singing remains to be decided and we expect advice on this in the coming days. We will of course continue to monitor trends carefully in the meantime and should things change for the better, reconsider our position accordingly.

The Re-opening Committee members are Simon Stevenette, Daniel and Caroline Pitt, Stephen Grosvenor, Chris Smith, Norma McKemey, Anne Macmillan, Sandie Rule. It is important that we listen to everyone’s views on this as whatever we do, we must do as a church community caring for each other.

If you can spare a few minutes, we would like to hear your views on our proposals or any other ideas you may have.

Covid 19 – our next steps2021-07-17T16:01:59+01:00

Car Park Safety

2021-07-17T13:09:00+01:00

Following some near misses in our Car Park recently, the Buildings Committee decided to get hands on with some serious line and arrow painting.

Dan, Mike and Chris tackled the main entry arrows to make sure our visitors can get in and out safely.

Following some comments about the narrowness of the bays beside the church, they also increased the size of the bays while they were at it.

As things begin to get back to normal over the next few months, pressure on the car park will build. Please note that parking is for those who visit the church, community centre and burial ground and is not intended for long term parking. We hope that our visitors will respect this policy so that our older and more vulnerable visitors can find a place to park.

Alternative parking is available very close by for a small charge:

Britannia Place SN1 4BS
Website Britannia Place

The Planks SN3 1QP
Website The Planks

The Kings Arms SN1 3EY
Website The Kings Arms

Download a printable map of Parking nearby

Car Park Safety2021-07-17T13:09:00+01:00

Road Safety

2021-07-03T13:27:36+01:00
Members of the public are being invited to have their say on a draft strategy that aims to improve safety on Swindon’s roads.
You can read the overall Road safety strategy here which includes sobering statistics on the number of people killed or seriously injured on our local roads.The strategy seeks to further reduce these accidents.
You can also read about the 20 mph safe speed strategy here
The council is inviting comments on these strategies which have the potential to affect us all in our local community.

You can provide feedback on the strategy and have until 5pm on Friday, 27 August 2021 to do so. Click here to feedback.

Road Safety2021-07-03T13:27:36+01:00

Christ Church Eco Strategy

2021-07-03T13:22:48+01:00

For some time, we have been exploring our response to Global Warming and resulting climate change in the context of responsible stewardship of our buildings, grounds and operations. We are doing this so that we can develop an overall strategy. The Church of England runs a scheme to equip churches to care for God’s creation through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and individual lifestyles. We are using this as a starting point for our planning.
If you are interested in becoming involved in this initiative and helping us develop a Christian response to the issues of the day then contact us via parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk or tel 01793 522832.

See a simple (ish) explanation of climate change and global warming.Try The Climate reality Project’s website for an overview of the science.

Overfaced by it all take some small steps using the 16 simple steps from the Count us in website.

Christ Church Eco Strategy2021-07-03T13:22:48+01:00

Janet French

2021-06-12T13:57:45+01:00

A lot of the work that goes into running the church happens in the background. We thought we would highlight this particularly extreme example of remote working!

Janet French faithfully provides our beautiful powerpoint orders of service each week. This week is no exception – except that she is working from her new temporary home in the Scottish highlands.As you can see from the pictures she sent us – she really is remotely working. Her cottage is one of the group seen across Balchladich bay in the first picture. Janet regularly spends Summers in her sister’s cottage and values the peace and natural calm that the area provides.

Thanks as always to Janet for her commitment and creativity. We hope she comes back safely and refreshed.

Janet French2021-06-12T13:57:45+01:00

Chris runs to support local family

2021-06-27T12:59:57+01:00

On 19th June, Chris Smith, our Community Centre Development Manager ran 53 miles to raise funds for a local family, whose daughter suffers from Batten’s Disease. Addy is 5 years old. She’s amazing.

She has been diagnosed with a rare, terminal disease known as CLN2 Batten’s Disease. There are presently only 100 children worldwide known to have this disease.

Currently there is no cure for any form of the disease and therefore specialist symptom management and therapy is essential to assist in maintaining a good quality of life for children and their families. Holistic support for parents, siblings and wider family members is extremely important throughout their journey.

Following surgery, she will need to travel to Great Ormond Street Hospital to receive treatment every two weeks for the rest of her life, which may only be another 4-6 years. Heartbreakingly, the disease will limit her life to between early childhood and young adulthood at best.

Listen to Chris explain the project in this interview with Shirley Ludford.

You can read more about Addy’s needs and donate to Chris’s Just Giving fundraising page on the link below.

 

The church was lit with orange lights on the 9th June to raise awareness of Battens Disease 

Chris runs to support local family2021-06-27T12:59:57+01:00

Swindon Night Shelter

2021-05-22T11:53:44+01:00

Swindon Night Shelter have an on-line prayer time on the following Tuesday evenings for half an hour to pray specifically for the work of Swindon Night Shelter to which you are invited.

Swindon Night Shelter Supporter Prayer Times

7.00pm – 7.30pm

Tuesday 25th May 2021

Tuesday 22nd June 2021

Tuesday 27th July 2021

To join follow the link below
Swindon Night Shelter Prayer

Swindon Night Shelter2021-05-22T11:53:44+01:00

Mission Gift Sunday

2021-05-22T11:58:01+01:00

This sunday is one of our five Mission Gift Days and we are delighted to welcome Cher Smith who will speak of the work of the Swindon Food Collective.

The two charities we are collecting for are Marie Curie and the Swindon Food Collective. If you are unable to donate in person at this morning’s service you can do so online or by post as follows:

Swindon Food Collective

Online banking via BACS Sort Code: 23-05-80. Account No. 31276952.
Account name: Swindon Food Collective

Or by post via cheque’s can be made payable to Swindon Food Collective and mailed to:
Swindon Food Collective, Bentham Close, Stonehill Green, Westlea, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN5 7DG

Follow their work on their website https://www.swindonfoodcollective.org/ or their

Facebook page.

Marie Curie

Online via the following link

Or by post to Marie Curie, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 9AB

Mission Gift Sunday2021-05-22T11:58:01+01:00

We seek your Kingdom

2021-05-16T13:55:38+01:00

We hoped to play this inspiring song to our congregation this sunday but were unable to do so due to technical problems. Its too good to miss so here it is for you.

We Seek Your Kingdom’, is a whole-life worship song to the tune of the much-loved hymn ‘Abide With Me’, written by Noel Robinson, Andy Flannagan, and Graham Hunter. It inspires us to see our daily tasks through God’s eyes – and live out the prayer ‘your kingdom come’ in every part of life.

We seek your Kingdom2021-05-16T13:55:38+01:00

Christian Aid Week

2021-05-14T19:45:56+01:00

It has been a very difficult year for this charity and again no door to door collections have been possible. week began last Monday 10th May and finishes today 16th May.

Do go on the Christian Aid website and find out about the amazing work they do throughout the world. Donation details are here

Christian Aid Week2021-05-14T19:45:56+01:00

Ascension Day Service

2021-05-14T11:10:10+01:00

Ascension day service led by Rev Canon Simon Stevenette and Rev Norma McKemey with the choir of Christ Church

Ascension Day Service2021-05-14T11:10:10+01:00

Rose Garden Plans

2022-02-02T10:12:32+00:00

The Garden plays an important part in helping bereaved families by providing a peaceful space where they can come and remember those they have lost.

The first phase of the project is well underway and is designed to give an indication of how the finished garden will look. The work involves  removal of the plaques at the North end of the garden. This is a temporary move to allow work to continue on removing the old and diseased rose bushes and the installation of new raised beds which will form the basis of the new garden. (parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk or 522832)

(more…)

Rose Garden Plans2022-02-02T10:12:32+00:00
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