Church Plan: Community Networks – Page 2

Alone at Christmas 2022

churchadmin2023-01-07T15:15:26+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 2022churchadmin2023-01-07T15:15:26+00:00

Support our work in the Community

churchadmin2023-01-07T14:57:03+00:00

We need your donations, more than ever, to support our work in the community. We don’t receive grants or subsidies from the Anglican church or Government. All the funds needed to keep our church and its work going are provided by regular donations, legacies and fundraising. Our congregation, Friends and supporters provide vital funds each year to ensure that the Church and its grounds are always available – whether it be for regular worship, weddings, funerals christenings, festivals, concerts or just quiet reflection. If you consider yourself part of our Community or value our contribution then please consider supporting us with either a regular donation,one-off gift or legacy.

Our preferred method for receiving, regular, donations is via the Church of England’s Parish Giving Scheme. These can be monthly, quarterly or annual gifts. The scheme manages all the administration of collection, gift aid claims ( if the giver is eligible as a regular tax payer) and greatly improves our cashflow by paying us monthly, as well as reducing our own administration. It’s easy to sign up – you can find our Parish page here on the PGS website

Other ways of Giving

You can also give by credit or debit card at our donation station at the back of church.

Check out our donation page for more ideas.

Support our work in the Communitychurchadmin2023-01-07T14:57:03+00:00

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership

churchadmin2023-01-07T13:00:29+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 Partnershipchurchadmin2023-01-07T13:00:29+00:00

South Swindon in Bloom

churchadmin2022-12-15T18:54:40+00:00

Work on our various gardens in the Christ Church grounds has proceeded steadily under the expert and loving attention of Ian Handy and his team.The first phase of the former Rose Garden was completed this year and the newly christened Jubilee Memorial Garden has been a great contribution.

Now this work has been formally recognised by an award from South Swindon Council. Read more about the Councils other projects here

Work on the second phase of the garden will start in 2023. Our thanks go to Ian and the team for their hard work and commitment to making our gardens beautiful and cared for.

South Swindon in Bloomchurchadmin2022-12-15T18:54:40+00:00

New Year Resolutions

churchadmin2022-12-14T15:34:48+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 4^th 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 Resolutionschurchadmin2022-12-14T15:34:48+00:00

Our Gardens

churchadmin2022-12-09T20:05:43+00:00

In our grounds, there are gardens and memorials and these act as a focal point for remembrance and reflection. Over the past couple of years, we have worked hard to create peaceful and beautiful areas in and around the church for those who continue to mourn.

Recently, we noticed an eye catching, splash of colour in our Jubilee Memorial Garden. Whilst, it is a welcome sight on a cold December day, we felt we should use it as a gently reminder that, to be fair to all those visiting the gardens, we do operate some simple rules.

Our gardens form an important part of our bereavement ministry. In the New Year. we hope to continue the development of our Jubilee Memorial Garden.

We aim to have a draft proposal for the project in the next month or so. Our main objectives will be to create safe level access, reduce maintenance and continue the tidying up begun last year in the North/South part of the garden.

If you would like to talk to us about the garden then contact the parish office 01793 522832 or parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk

Please do not disturb the ground – it can upset other families whose loved ones rest nearby. We do try to keep on top of the weeds and some gentle weeding is always welcomed.

Please do not leave paper cards, plastic decorations or pot plants. They can blow around and soon become untidy.

Cut flowers are welcome. We offer vases for our visitors to use and water is available throughout the site. The vases can safely be pushed into the ground and will keep the flowers fresh for a few days after which our Sexton will remove them.

A tip from our Garden expert – avoid using carnations in your cut flowers – for some reason, members of our local wildlife demolish them within hours. Not sure who the culprits are but they are very partial to carnation!

Our Gardenschurchadmin2022-12-09T20:05:43+00:00

Enchanted Gardens Light Trail

churchadmin2022-12-02T17:45:27+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 Trailchurchadmin2022-12-02T17:45:27+00:00

Classical Music Concert in aid of Ukraine

churchadmin2022-12-02T15:14:02+00:00

Date: 10th of December, 2022

Place: Christ Church, Swindon

The concert will start at 7.00pm with doors open at 6.30pm.

The program includes works of prominent European and Ukrainian composers from different eras. The compositions will be performed both in solo and in chamber ensembles.

All money raised, including the full price of the ticket, will provide:

1. Orthofix systems for civil Ukrainians, who were injured because of the war

2. Ex-NHS ambulance, loaded with disposable medical supplies eg. bandages, dressings, sanitizers etc. and shipping it over to a hospital in Ukraine.

Buy a ticket

If you cannot come to the concert, then you can make a donation on our website.

Performers:

Vira Symchych (Ukraine)
Denis Gravina (France)
Stefan Bulyha (Ukraine)
Alisa Zaika (Ukraine)
The Wessex (Swindon, UK)

The Programme:

Shumann: Drei Romanzen op.94
Bartok: Romanian Folk Dances
Alisa Zaika: “Chimaeras”
Skoryk: Melody
Deus Salutis – Welsh hymn-tune (Arr. by G H Jones and Mansel Thomas)
Georgio Susana: Restera La Luce
Trad spiritual: My Lord What a morning
Traditional Irish folk song The Rocky Road to Dublin (Arr. by Martin Eikeset Koren)
Lysenko/Konynsky: Prayer for Ukraine (Arr. by Tom Graff)

Classical Music Concert in aid of Ukrainechurchadmin2022-12-02T15:14:02+00:00

Alone (together)at Christmas

churchadmin2022-11-26T11:24:16+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 5^th 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 Christmaschurchadmin2022-11-26T11:24:16+00:00

Pictures for Sale in Aid of Ukraine

churchadmin2022-11-24T18:40:41+00:00

There is a delightful exhibition of landscape paintings of Derby, Cornwall and more, for sale, in the Community Centre @ Christ Church. You can see some examples below. The artist was Stephen Jacoby, (Daniel Pitt’s uncle). Any money raised will be passed to The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership which supports Ukraine, Ukrainians and others in need. Please ask at the Community Centre office or Parish Office if you would like to buy one or contact Daniel Pitt directly on (01793 521732)

Click a picture below to see a larger image

Pictures for Sale in Aid of Ukrainechurchadmin2022-11-24T18:40:41+00:00

Our next Mission Giving Day

churchadmin2022-11-11T13:00:46+00:00

Our Giving to WaterAid and Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind charities

Sunday 20^th 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 20^th) 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 Daychurchadmin2022-11-11T13:00:46+00:00

Street Pastors – Relaunch

churchadmin2022-11-04T14:57:24+00:00

Anna Soulsby from Street Pastors will be talking at our 10am service about the need for 26 more Street Pastors to volunteer for shifts in Old Town. Uniforms and training will be provided.

Watch a short video about their work below.

There are a number of ways of getting to know more about being a Street Pastor:

Saturday 26th November an Introductory day event on the role & responsibility (R&R) of a Street Pastor.
These are always fun days and give a real insight to this ministry, free to all, no expectation to sign-up to anything, just rock up with a packed lunch.
By the end of this day people will know if Street Pastors is for them, or not. It is only at this point that we ask people to commit or leave with our blessing.
Training mandatory 12 themes: 5 in-person group sessions held in Swindon. 7 on-line live teachings with the Ascension Trust.
Six themes are ‘Core’ (R&R being one of them). Volunteers must complete 4 of 6, before they can join a team and go out on the streets.
BUT, they must complete all 12 within 18 months, to secure their position.
The local training is being planned for December, January & February
Observing on the streets
Anyone interested can join a team and go out as an observer for either part or all of a night, again without any expectation of making a commitment
Saturday 10th November 2022 – Swindon Street Pastors Fellowship Day
Periodically we bring everyone associated with Street Pastors together for a day of praise & thanksgiving, fellowship, testimonies and up-date. Always fun, great day. We’re extending an invite to anyone interested, especially if they’re interested in Prayer Pastors to come along. No cost, just rock-up with packed lunch.

Street Pastors – Relaunchchurchadmin2022-11-04T14:57:24+00:00