Partnership Lent Talks 2023

2023-02-25T12:45:22+00:00

‘Who is Jesus? Christian Mission Today – Jesus Then and Now’

The talks will be held, each Wednesday during Lent,

in Christ Church Swindon.

Each evening will follow the program below. Those unable to attend in person are welcome to join in via our YOUTUBE Channel here

  • 7pm – Opening worship
  • 7.15pm – Talk
  • 7.55pm – Refreshments
  • 8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
  • 9pm – Finish

Wednesday 1st March – The Revd Jonathan Edwards, Baptist Minister at Central Church, Swindon and formerly General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain

Wednesday 8th March – The Very Revd. Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol Cathedral

Wednesday 15th March – The Revd Dr Susan Durber, United Reformed Church Minister, World Council of Churches President from Europe and Moderator of the Faith and Order Commission

Wednesday 22nd March – The Revd David Gray, Superintendent Minister, North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit

Wednesday 29th March – Dr Eric and Marguerite Holliday, Deacon/GP and Retired Clinical Psychologist, Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church

Wednesday 5th April – The Revd Dr Cathy Okoronkwo, Vicar of St Barnabas, Gorse Hill and All Saints Ferndale, Racial Justice Adviser for the Diocese of Bristol

Download a leaflet with the Lent Talks Information

Partnership Lent Talks 20232023-02-25T12:45:22+00:00

Church of England and same Sex relationships

2023-01-27T16:37:35+00:00
Church of England’s stance on same sex relationships

This week I have conversations with members of the congregation who feel strongly, on both sides, about the Bishops’ advice to General Synod announced last Friday. Please join me in praying for unity in the Church of England and for all those who are worried by the future, either because there is not enough change or because there is too much change from what the Church of England had traditionally taught about marriage and relationships. I include a link to Bishop Viv’s statement published this last week. Please join me in praying for our General Synod members who will be meeting from 6-9th February in London to decide on the way forward.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me or a member of the staff team if you would value a conversation or prayer together.
Every blessing Simon

Read Bishop Viv’s personal statement on same sex relationships

Church of England and same Sex relationships2023-01-27T16:37:35+00:00

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2023

2023-01-21T10:54:29+00:00

For this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are guided by the churches of Minneapolis as we seek to explore how the work of Christian unity can contribute to the promotion of racial justice across all levels of society. Through this resource, the CTBI writers’ group has also focussed our attention on the 30th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence, which we mark in 2023. The work of restoring hope through justice undertaken in Stephen’s memory continues to inspire and change lives for the better.

Watch a film here of Stories and testimonies from Black and Asian Christians who pioneered racial justice in the Church and society over the last 25 years.

 

Find more resources to support the Week of Prayer on the Churches Together website here

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 20232023-01-21T10:54:29+00:00

Job Opportunity – Christ Church Assistant

2023-01-21T10:19:07+00:00
20 hours per week to include some evening and weekend working. Salary £11,440

Applications are invited for the post of Christ Church Assistant (CCA).
Christ Church are looking to appoint a CCA who will be specifically responsible for managing our social media, marketing, communications, fundraising, grant applications and event planning. This is a joint role for both the church and Community Centre.
The role of the CCA will also be to provide operational and administrative support for the whole site of Christ Church including the church, community centre and burial ground.

The CCA will ideally have had experience of working within a church or community facility. The person will need to be friendly, customer focused and able to work both independently and as part of a team. This role will be critical in supporting the existing staff and volunteers involved at Christ Church as we work to promote our activities more effectively.
The successful applicant should have excellent communication, good organisational skills and be well educated in social media.

Please contact Chris Smith for an application pack:
Chris Smith, Christ Church Operations Manager, Community Centre @ Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon SN1 3HB
Telephone number 07582 305760 or e-mail chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk
Closing date: Monday 6th February 2023
Interview to be held W/C Monday 20th February 2023

Start date: as soon as possible subject to any notice period

Job Opportunity – Christ Church Assistant2023-01-21T10:19:07+00:00

Racial Justice

2023-01-14T12:20:25+00:00

With increasing numbers of people from other countries joining our congregation we have invited The Revd Cathy Okoronkwo, Racial Justice Adviser in our Bristol Diocese, to lead two Unconscious Bias training sessions on:

  • Monday 13th February 11-12.30pm on Unconscious Bias – in the Community Centre.
  • Tuesday 14th February 2pm -3.30pm on Welcome and Hospitality – in the Large Meeting Room or in Christ Church if numbers are large.

I very much hope that you will be able to attend both sessions. This will be very helpful in enabling us to develop and grow our ministry this year on solid foundations.
The sessions will be open to our whole congregation and to friends from across the Old Town Partnership. Please pass the word around.
An RSVP would be appreciated. Simon (simon@christchurchswindon.co.uk) 529166

Church Commissioners Report

The Church Commissioners of the Church of England have published their full report into historic links to Transatlantic Slavery. They have also announced a new £100m funding commitment in response to the findings, saying “The Church Commissioners’ Board has committed itself to trying to address some of the past wrongs by investing in a better future. Read it here.

Racial Justice2023-01-14T12:20:25+00:00

Alone at Christmas 2022

2023-01-07T15:15:26+00:00

After a gap of 2 years, during which time we provided hampers to those who would be alone at Christmas, we are back to the real thing!

On Christmas day, we provided a 3 course Christmas meal for around 110 people, those who would have otherwise been on their own on Christmas day. Everyone who came along, including the many volunteers, had a wonderful day together. As well as the fantastic food cooked by SImon Giles and his helpers, they enjoyed some carol singing, Christmas quizzes and the Kings speech. This event couldn’t have been possible without more than 100 volunteers who took part both on the day itself and in advance.

So thank you to the setters-up, the taxi drivers, cooks, table hosts, tidier-uppers and to the companies and private individuals who all contributed in their own ways to make the day happen.

We are so grateful for the many community minded people who really helped make the day special for so many. I am proud of what we all achieved to help combat loneliness this Christmas in what was our 5th year. Happy New Year everyone and thank you xx

Alone at Christmas 20222023-01-07T15:15:26+00:00

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership

2023-01-07T13:00:29+00:00

The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership (SHAP) is delighted to announce a post-Christmas initiative, Lights for Ukraine, that appeals to all local people keen to do something to help and support families living through a freezing winter in Ukraine.

At best, most people in Ukraine have only 3 to 4 hours electricity each day. Basic necessities such as lights are a real challenge.Many of us will celebrate Christmas with candles -on the dining room table, in the lounge and on the fireplace -and very lovely they will look too. But when Christmas is over please, please don’t throw the left over candles away . Bring them along to our aid drop off point at The Community Centre, Christ Church in Old Town Swindon.

SHAP will collect every last one and with the help of lots of volunteers will make hundreds of new candles -transport them out to Ukraine in the new year and help the tenacious and resilient Ukrainian people get through an unimaginably tough few months.

Just look at these -used food tins filled with strips of cardboard and covered in wax. Known in Ukraine as Trench Candles and used as a heat and cooking source

All enquiries to SHAP Chair Mike Bowden on 07989 494319

Simon and Mike Bowden were interviewed by BBC Points West on Friday 6th January regarding the ‘Lights for Ukraine’ project, for which we have had a good response. This will be broadcast on Wednesday 11th January – please do watch either live or on catch up if you can.

 

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership2023-01-07T13:00:29+00:00

New Year Resolutions

2022-12-14T15:34:48+00:00

Our CommunityCentre is at the heart of our connection with our local community. It hosts religious services,parties, clubs, leisure activities and community groups. It not only raises much needed money to support the work of the church but also provides cost effective and modern facilities for its users. It is now approaching its 10th year and we need to ensure that it continues to be an attractive and valuable resource.

Just before Christmas, we are having the walls painted by a group of volunteers from Intel, this will freshen up the walls but we also want to give the rest of the building and some of the equipment (tables etc) a good deep clean.

Can you join us on Wednesday 4th January between 9am-4pm (or for any of that time) to help us give our centre a facelfit for the New Year? The more people the merrier.
I was also thinking we could have a bring and share lunch. If you can come along and help, please let me know what food you can bring to share.

Also, if you know of any others within the church or community you think might like to come and help, please do pass my email onto them.

I look forward to hearing from you. (Chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk) or telephone us on 617237.

Best Wishes

Chris & Jenny

Chris Smith Community Development Manager

Jenny Hatter

New Year Resolutions2022-12-14T15:34:48+00:00

Enchanted Gardens Light Trail

2022-12-02T17:45:27+00:00

The Enchanted Gardens Light Trail made its debut last year and by popular demand is back again, but with a brand new and even more exciting design for this Christmas! The event raises funds for the Prospct Hospice in Swindon. Adults £11 Children (5-17) £6.00

Buy your tickets here

It runs

  • Monday – Thursday | 5.00pm – 7.00pm, with bookable timeslots every 15mins.
  • Light trail closes 8.00pm.
  • Friday – Sunday | 5.00pm – 7.30pm, with bookable timeslots every 15mins.
  • Light trail closes 8.30pm.

The trail will be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and the last bookable timeslots on Christmas Eve and from 27th – 31st December will be at 7.00pm, with the trail closing on these days at 8.00pm.

The trail is approximately 1.5km in length. We anticipate your time with us to be around 40-60 minutes, however you are welcome to take your time and stay as
long as you like. We just ask you arrive at your booked session on time.

State-of-the-art lighting effects will be installed throughout the Victorian Gardens, allowing visitors to wander through a magical backdrop of illuminated trees, discovering a trail of remarkable light art sculptures, low-level soundscapes, interactive illuminations and a specially commissioned light show set in the historic Bowl. If you thought last year’s show was great, you will be absolutely wowed by what we have planned for this year! Click the images below to view.

Enchanted Gardens Light Trail2022-12-02T17:45:27+00:00

Alone (together)at Christmas

2022-11-26T11:24:16+00:00

For the first time since 2019, I am pleased to confirm that we will be running our Alone at Christmas event again this year, in what will be its 5th year. This will replace the hamper scheme that we have run for the last 2 years.

For those of you that haven’t heard of it before, basically, we invite anyone who will be on their own on Christmas Day to the Community Centre @ Christ Church for a 3 course meal. See our video on the activities page of our website – https://ccccswindon.co.uk/page/activities -for the last one that happened

The event itself runs from 12noon till approx. 3.30pm. As well as the lunch, the day includes Christmas quizzes, singing Carols and concludes with the Kings speech.

This event takes a lot of co-ordinating and, if last years hamper numbers (150) are anything to go by, I anticipate that we will have a lot of lonely people to provide for this year.

Therefore there are quite a few ways in which I need help. I detail all of the roles below (although I may miss something):

PRE EVENT HELP NEEDED

  • General Admin – planning the event, working out logistics, keeping spreadsheet up to date. People happy to be involved in a planning group
  • Help to contact previous attendees on existing database.
  • People to promote the event, through posters, on social media, in local press etc
  • Help to find new attendees
  • Provide donations, be it monetary (preferable) or food items, drinks, Christmas crackers or gifts for the attendees etc.
  • Christmas Eve – volunteers needed to set up the room and wrap up presents
  • Christmas Eve – volunteers to help with food preparation and potentially cooking of the meals.

ON THE DAY

  • Provide transport for people to and from the lunch
  • People to help with the cooking etc – preferred to have people with specific cooking qualifications or experience.
  • Run a table (2 people per table) looking after 6 attendees ensuring that they have a good day, making conversation and helping to deliver their meal/ clear the table.
  • Volunteers to run drinks table
  • Extra people to help with the set down at 4pm

If you feel that you can help with any of the above things, please do get in touch with me. mailto:chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk or 01793 617237

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best Wishes

Chris

Alone (together)at Christmas2022-11-26T11:24:16+00:00

Our next Mission Giving Day

2022-11-11T13:00:46+00:00

Our Giving to WaterAid and Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind charities

Sunday 20th November is our last mission giving day for 2022. All the money collected in the plate on that day be divided between WaterAid and Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind. If you are a UK tax payer please put your gift in a gift aid envelope which can be found at the back of the church. This enhances your gift by a further 25% at no cost to you. We will keep the collection open until Monday 28th November; please put any gift (after Sunday 20th) into an Gift Aid envelope marked with an “M” so we know where it is to go.

We were able to send over £292 to both Ripple Effect and The Willows after our last mission giving Sunday.

Thank you very much for your continuing support.

Our next Mission Giving Day2022-11-11T13:00:46+00:00

Gratitude Sermon Series

2022-10-13T14:02:02+01:00

Gratitude is more than thankfulness; it’s not an action, it’s a way of being. We can be
thankful in the moment but can express it from a place of shallowness. Gratitude speaks of an inherent appreciation, grounded in a quiet self-confidence, and a deep respect for nature and our place in the world.

Over the coming week’s we will be exploring the topic of Gratitude from different perspectives during our Autumn services.

You can download more details and some reflections here

Gratitude Sermon Series2022-10-13T14:02:02+01:00
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