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Report on our Annual Parochial Church Meeting – A.P.C.M

2018-08-05T00:44:35+01:00

Thank you for your support and prayers at the APCM last Sunday. Phil Mansfield’s excellent strategic review update is available on our church website, by email or in hard copy, please contact the parish Office. Pam Bridgeman and Jim D’Avila were elected as church Wardens. Please pray for them this Wednesday as they make their Declaration at the Archdeacon’s Visitation in Hullavington to officially become Church Wardens.

Sandie Rule and Nitin Shinde have been elected as Deputy Church Wardens. David Ratnam, Daniel Pitt, Sandie Rule and Ruth Awinyo have been voted on to PCC for a three-year term. At a meeting after the APCM our new PCC elected Pam Bridgeman as Lay Chair, co-opted Andrew Yeoward onto PCC as our new Treasurer, co-opted Brian Harris on to PCC for a one-year term as Chair of the Governance and Finance Committee, to provide some continuity for our new treasurer and elected Ruth Awinyo as our new PCC Secretary.

Please pray for our PCC as they prepare for their first meeting on Monday 21st May with an informal Holy Communion service beforehand.

Every blessing Simon
Report on our Annual Parochial Church Meeting – A.P.C.M2018-08-05T00:44:35+01:00

APCM – Update on our Strategy Review by Phil Mansfield

2018-08-05T00:44:53+01:00

During our Annual Parochial Church Meeting last weekend we received an update from Phil Mansfield, a member of our St Mary’s congregation who has been helping us to review our thinking about our future. You can read his report on progress here APCM Strategic Review Summary

You can also read Phil’s intitial findings here: https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/CC-Strategy-Review-2017.pdf

We also recently published our 2017 Annual Report – read it here: https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Final-Signed-Annual-Report-2017.pdf

APCM – Update on our Strategy Review by Phil Mansfield2018-08-05T00:44:53+01:00

A prayer

2018-05-03T08:30:15+01:00

God, our heavenly Father, make, we pray, the door of this church wide enough to welcome all who need human love and fellowship and a father’s care,

but narrow enough to shut out all envy, pride and lack of love.

 

Thomas Ken

A prayer2018-05-03T08:30:15+01:00

A Message from Verity

2018-05-02T23:11:36+01:00
Dear Church Family!
I run the Virgin London Marathon whenever I can.
Usually, I hold several fundraising events well before the day and exceed the target….but this year it has not been feasible.  However, I will have the month after the 22nd April to sell cakes, hold tea parties etc to raise final funds for The Children’s Society if I don’t make enough by the day.  My target is £2,000!
If any of you would like to sponsor me I would be SO grateful!  You can either donate online or sign a sponsorship form and give cash to Francis or myself.  Tomorrow I am catering for Messy Church so I’m not sure I can make it along to Christchurch in the morning.  Francis will be there all being well.
Finally, I would really value your prayers for all taking part next weekend …the weather is due to be pretty hot apparently …not what we have been accustomed to over the past few months.  There will be over 38,000 runners, the majority of whom will be running for charity.
I am copying the link to my Fundraising Page, https://www.justgiving.com/Verity-Brooke18 and for those who cannot access it, I am copying the story I wrote a couple of weeks ago when I set up the page.
Thank you so much for reading this and God bless you all.
With much appreciation,
Verity
MY STORY

Over the years, I personally have been, and still am, involved with vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young adults having to deal with difficulties and traumas way beyond their years which an adult would find hard to cope with. I am passionate about trying to help improve the lives of such children, albeit it in my limited capacity, and I know that if I can raise funds for The Children’s Society, the money will be well used.

The Children’s Society writes “Children in this country are facing multiple problems that are leaving them overwhelmed. They feel alone, unloved and don’t know where to turn.  By supporting The Children’s Society, you’re helping these children get the help they urgently need. Our supporters around the country fund our services, volunteer with us, and join our campaigns to show children and young people they are on their side. Together we make a real and positive difference to the lives of children in this country. With your support we can change the lives of even more.”

I appreciate that I am not giving you much time to donate, but thankfully this page will be open for a month after the Marathon has taken place, should you wish to donate after The Big Day!!  There have been a few setbacks along the way which have made me wonder whether I would be able to run again, the last being a fall a few weeks ago where I broke bones in my hand!  I hasten to add, I was not running and it was not in the snow or ice!!  Just a local pothole in the dark!!  But having seen and read about so many inspirational running friends of mine, training in all weathers and circumstances, I told myself to “Man UP! and give it my best shot, even if a tad undertrained, for an incredible charity.Last year, some of you may know I lost a very dear running buddy who made me promise not to give up running when she was gone, not least the London Marathon which I pulled out of last year when she was going through aggressive treatment.  So this VLM 2018 I will be running the 26.2 miles for Jo in her memory.  Amongst other things, Jo inspired me in my work with children and young adults and encouraged me to take up the baton so to speak in so many great causes. 

Additionally, I will, as I have done in the past, dedicate each individual mile of the marathon to a very special person or persons, past or present, including my dear husband’s late brother Richard Maples who died unexpectedly last Christmas.  (Richard always encouraged me in my marathon persuits and is greatly missed by us all). Each mile will be in their honour as they inspire me to get through the tough course.  I will write their names down on a list and tick them off as I complete each mile (I jokingly said it was my Sainsbury’s list to a fellow runner in the 2016 VLM at the Start Line… he thought I was serious!).  Some of the children and adults I have run with in their wheelchairs/racing buggies, some have passed on from this life to the next, some are still battling through many hardships…each and every one of them has made an impact on my life and when the going gets tough I know they will spur me on.  (I hope to get photos of some of these dear folk in my gallery on this page).  I could not do the marathon without them or without the support and encouragement of so many of you…I am blessed with an amazing family and incredible friends…something the children The Children’s Society are trying to help do not have.

If you are able to donate to this awesome charity I know they will be really grateful…as will I!!  

Thank you all SO much for reading this!! You are all part of my marathon team!

Verity x 

A Message from Verity2018-05-02T23:11:36+01:00

Vision & Mission at Christ Church

2018-08-05T00:45:42+01:00

We invite you all to contribute ideas for us together to build two new engaging Vision and Mission Statements that will take us into the future.

Whilst all contributions will be reviewed, we do not promise to use your contribution but rather to get a collective set of ideas that we can draw on from across our various congregations, our friends and visitors.

You can do this by writing any ideas you have below and handing to any member of the Staff Team, or by emailing them to Helen at the Parish Office, parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk before the end of April 2018, please.

VisionMissionRequest 

VisionMissionRequest (PDF)

We have provided some examples on the back of the sheet If you like any of them, please say so, or write your own.

Thank you,

Simon, the PCC and Staff Team

 

Vision & Mission at Christ Church2018-08-05T00:45:42+01:00

Partnership Walk from Ramsbury to Marlborough along the River Kennet

2018-05-02T23:11:52+01:00

Easter eve (Easter Saturday) 31 Mar 2018

Most of the way is on footpaths/bridleways.  Some on quiet minor roads.  Two short (300 yds) sections on the Ramsbury/Marlborough road, where there is no footpath. Appropriate footwear is essential – wellies, trainers or walking boots.  There are a few short sections which are muddy and, if wet, will be very slippery and will require care. Bring warm clothes and waterproofs.  The full walk is 7 1/2 miles.  Bus fares between approx £5 and £8.50. Short option – 3 ½ miles to Axford.  Then either the 15.23 bus (service 48A) to Marlborough or 15.49 (service 48) to Swindon (or taxi share).

Please let the walk leader know in advance if you would like to join the walk, and if you would like to be included in a sandwich lunch at the Red Lion (extra cost – to be confirmed).

Organiser and walk leader (c/o PCC Christ with St Mary’s, Swindon) – Daniel Pitt  Swindon (01793) 521732 Mob   07834 704350 fdpitt@yahoo.co.uk

 

Walk from Ramsbury to Marlborough along the River Kennet 

  •  10.30   Meet at Swindon Bus Station
  • 10.40   Thamesdown Service 46 bus to Ramsbury
  • 11.22   Bus arrives at The Bell in Ramsbury
  • 11.30   Depart The Bell on foot.  3 1/2 miles to Axford
  • 13.15   Arrive The Red Lion, Axford.
  • 14.30   Depart The Red Lion on foot (short option as below).
  • 15.30   Arrive St John the Baptist church (11th Century) Mildenhall.
  • 16.00  Depart St John the Baptist on foot for Marlborough
  • 17.00  Arrive Marlborough (Castle and Ball)
  • 17.55  Depart Marlborough Service 48 bus
  • 18.49   Arrive Swindon Bus Station

(Alternative buses Thamesdown Service 80 or Salisbury Red, X5.  NB – need Wiltshire Day Rover for X5).

 

Partnership Walk from Ramsbury to Marlborough along the River Kennet2018-05-02T23:11:52+01:00

Application for renovation works to the Organ

2018-05-02T23:12:09+01:00

As part of our continuing renewal work this year, we intend to make extensive repairs to the church roof and organ as well as repair the South Transept window,improve  exterior lighting and make repairs to St Mary’s church.

The major works to the organ require us to obtain a faculty – effectively permission from the Diocese to carry out the work.

As part of this, we are required to advertise the scope and nature of the works for a period of not less than 28 days to allow public objections to be heard by the Dicoese.

You can download the notice on the link below or view it on the church noticeboards. Full details of who to apply to are provided on the notice, The expiry date for objections is 17th April 2018

Organ works Notice_2018_03_18

Application for renovation works to the Organ2018-05-02T23:12:09+01:00
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