Church Plan: Community Networks

Public Defibrillator installed at the Community Centre

churchadmin2022-11-02T16:05:02+00:00

Thanks to South Swindon Parish Council and an anonymous donor, Christ Church have received funding of just over £2000 to install a publicly accessible defibrillator on the entrance wall to the Community Centre @ Christ Church.

This is a vitally important piece of kit for anyone who suffers a cardiac arrest as it can be used to send a shock through the heart which increases the chance of it being restarted.

A Sudden Cardiac Arrest victim’s chance of survival increases significantly from around 5% to 75% if they receive good CPR combined with therapy delivered by a Heart Defibrillator within the first 3 minutes after a Cardiac Arrest.

For every minute that passes without defibrillation a Sudden Cardiac Arrest victim’s chances of survival decrease by between 10% & 12%. A simple calculation shows that the victim’s likely maximum chance of survival in reality is between 8 & 10 minutes after the Cardiac Arrest occurring. With the current Ambulance target response time of 8 minutes, time is of the absolute essence and acting quickly with appropriate therapy, essential.

If someone were to have a cardiac arrest on site that the only possible chance of survival for them is to receive a shock to the heart by use of our new defibrillator.

Having a defibrillator on site is a necessity for a site the size of Christ Church with more than 1000 visitors coming through the church, community centre and burial ground each week. Whilst you associate heart attacks with older people, regrettably there are 12 children under the age of 18 that die in the UK each week from Cardiac Arrest and many more young adults.

The South Swindon Parish Council donated £1000 through their local community grants scheme. Chris Watt’s, chair of South Swindon Parish Council said ‘we are delighted to be able to support Christ Church to purchase a defibrillator, and in fact we would like to encourage other local community centres to follow suit and do the same. This is a life saving device and you can’t really put a price on someone’s life’.

Chris Smith, Community Centre @ Christ Church Centre manager said ‘this is something we have been thinking about for quite a long time now and following a recent first aid course it reminded me how important these devices are. Prior to us getting this device the chance of survival for someone having a cardiac arrest on site was virtually 0%. We have a lot of older people through our site each week and I can’t quite believe how we have never had one until now. I’m so grateful for the funding support that we have received to potentially save someone’s life’.

The defibrillator can be used by anyone in the community and is accessible in an emergency by calling 999 for the code to the locked yellow storage box. Whilst training isn’t necessary as you will be talked through how to use it by the emergency services, it is highly recommended that people take a basic first aid course where using a defibrillator is explained and demonstrated.

Public Defibrillator installed at the Community Centrechurchadmin2022-11-02T16:05:02+00:00

Eco Church Silver Award

churchadmin2022-11-02T16:15:12+00:00

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded Silver Award in recognition of our efforts to care for God’s earth in the way that we manage our life at Christ Church with St Mary’s.

We have an eco group who take a close interest in developing and directing our strategies for protecting God’s earth, helping us to focus on doing what we do in a sustainable and earth friendly way.

The award is an acknowledgement that we are heading in the right direction but we cannot be complacent. If you would like to know more about what we do as a church or what you can do as an individual or family to protect God’s earth then please get in touch.

mailto:ecogroup@Christchurchswindon.co.uk

Christ Church_ Swindon – Eco Church Silver Certificate

Eco Church Silver Awardchurchadmin2022-11-02T16:15:12+00:00

Thanksgiving Service

churchadmin2022-09-16T15:23:02+01:00

A Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the life ofHer Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Friday 16th September 2022 at 7pm Christ Church, Old Town, Swindon
organised by the Old Town Partnership of Churches.

Join our service tonight, if you are able. There will be a cheese and wine reception with soft drinks in the Community Centre @ Christ Church following the service to which all are invited.

Download the Order of Service

to join in.

If you are unable to join us this evening the service will be Audio Live Streamed on our YOUTUBE Channel and as a recording later today or watch it below.

God bless you and God bless our Swindon community at this time of national mourning. Please be assured of our love, friendship and prayers.

Revd Canon Simon Stevenette

Thanksgiving Servicechurchadmin2022-09-16T15:23:02+01:00

Condolence

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The death of Queen Elizabeth II

Please leave your messages of thanksgiving in the book of condolence at the front of church. Further details of a partnership civic service of thanksgiving to follow.
Please join us in praying for all those who mourn including the Royal Family. Please also join us in prayer for King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort.

God save the King

If you cannot join us in church then you can sign the Church of England’s online Condolence book

Condolencechurchadmin2022-09-09T22:17:01+01:00

Creation Restored

churchadmin2022-08-05T18:43:10+01:00

9.30am-4pm Saturday, 17 September, Pattern Church, Swindon

The Rt Revd. Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, invites you to an inspiring ‘Creation Restored: Ministry in a time of Climate Crisis’ Diocesan day conference at the Pattern Church.

The aim of the day is to share in fellowship and explore the challenges, sensitivities, and opportunities of leading church life during a climate emergency.

There will be a diverse range of guest speakers and workshop leaders, including keynote speaker Dr Ruth Valerio, Global Advocacy Director at Tearfund, as well as sessions from friends from Green Christian, Operation Noah, the Youth Christian Climate Network among others, as well as some familiar faces from across the Diocese.

Please register via Eventbrite and do share this invitation. For further information, please contact Simon Taylor at simon.taylor@bristoldiocese.org

Creation Restoredchurchadmin2022-08-05T18:43:10+01:00

EXPLORE MINDFULNESS WITH TRAINED, EXPERIENCED TEACHERS

churchadmin2022-07-09T10:24:47+01:00

Join our On-line course, beginning Wednesday October 8th between 10am-12.15pm for 8 weeks until 30th November (no session 25th Oct) to include a half day
on Sat 19th November.

COST: Sliding Scale of £120 to £220
(further reductions available) With funding to subsidise costs for Swindon people and in collaboration with Christ Church Community Centre

Try before you sign up with our – FREE TASTER SESSIONS

Wednesday 13th July: 10am to 11am
Wednesday 7th September: 10am to 11am

We are also looking to support other people and groups. If you are involved in a particular group who you think would benefit from mindfulness sessions (one off or more than one), please do get in touch. Again, these will be subsidised to suit the group or individual.

To express your interest and for further information, please contact: Chris Smith, Christ Church Community Centre Manager
Mob: 07582 305760. Email: chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk

EXPLORE MINDFULNESS WITH TRAINED, EXPERIENCED TEACHERSchurchadmin2022-07-09T10:24:47+01:00

Draft Design ideas for the Jubilee Garden

churchadmin2022-07-09T10:25:22+01:00

We have now received further advice from our Garden advisor on ideas for the East-West Section of the Jubilee Memorial Garden. This section presents a number of more complex challenges than the completed one.

The proposals seek to address a number of issues to enable us to create a more beautiful, manageable, and accessible garden.

The ground is very stony and full of roots.
There are many self seeded weeds and small bushes which, over the years, present a challenge to stop them overwhelming the plaques.
As a result, access to the garden has been very difficult, both for visitors and maintenance.
The Lime trees cast a lot of shade during the Summer months making the selection of year round planting for colour and interest a challenge.

The two draft ideas below, set out to provide safe, level access to all the areas of the garden, unite the north-south garden with the east -west and provide a place to sit and remember. All plans will minimise any impact on the plaques which will be restored, as close as possible, to their original positions. As with the north-south section, it will be necessary to temporarily remove them to complete the work. This will be done carefully and methodically.

It is important that all families affected by any of the proposals, understand and accept them so we will be entering a period of consultation and discussion. During this time we welcome all comments , ideas or questions about the project. We currently lack sufficient funds to complete the works and all final ideas must be submitted to Bristol Diocese for permission, so work is unlikley to be agreed or undertaken until late this year at the earliest.

In the meantime, it would be very helpful if everyone takes a look at the draft plans and gives their comments as soon as possible.

You can do this by completing a simple on-line survey

or contacting us Stephen@christchurchswindon.co.uk (07885 217077)

Draft Idea 1

Give us your view ( opens a short survey)

Total Views: 484Daily Views: 0

Draft Idea 2

Give us your views ( opens a short survey)

Draft Design ideas for the Jubilee Gardenchurchadmin2022-07-09T10:25:22+01:00

Try our Eco Quiz

churchadmin2022-05-13T15:15:26+01:00

Grass Management at Christ Church

Some of our grass areas are being managed as part of a wider Land Management Plan.They will not be cut until later in the Summer to encourage the development of more, native, wildflower species. The longer grass will, in turn, help our invertebrates, birds and animals by providing valuable food sources and cover.

We understand that some may find the uncut grass unsightly but, as custodians of God’s creation, we feel we must do all we can to protect it and encourage it to flourish.

If you would like to talk to us about our plans, or join our team of volunteers, you can contact us at parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk or via 01793 522832

Try our Eco Quizchurchadmin2022-05-13T15:15:26+01:00

Sunday Club is back

churchadmin2022-04-30T09:39:49+01:00

We hold an All Age Service on the first Sunday of each month to which families are invited to join in with an informal worship suitable for all. Every other sunday during term time, we hold a Sunday Club. All children over the age of 3 years (parents welcome too)join in games, crafts, stories and much more.

Families are encouraged to meet in church for the morning service at 10 am. This allows the children to experience a taste of our worship before moving to the Community Centre, just next door, following the Children’s Talk. They will then return to their parents in time to receive a blessing during the distribution of Holy Communion.

Read our Young Families Newsletter

Each week we record the children’s talk and provide simple colouring and activity sheets for them. You can find them on our Children’s Page

Sunday Club is backchurchadmin2022-04-30T09:39:49+01:00

The 9th Old Town Beer Festival

churchadmin2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

This year marks the return of our popular Beer Festival – bigger and better than ever. Started by a former curate Gareth Hutchinson, now rector for Desford and Kirby Muxloe in Leicestershire, the festival has gained increasing momentum under the watchful eye of Chris Smith our Community Development Manager.

We are regularly asked why a church should run such an event so it’s worth outlining why we do.

1. It brings many hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds into the church and it’s grounds and it gives us an opportunity to engage with them in a relaxed atmosphere. Many conversations are held with those who, in other circumstances, would never think of entering a church.

2. It gives us a chance to demonstrate that we are outward looking and inclusive – not just here for a few people on a Sunday. We are at the centre of our community.

3. It’s profits are valuable source of income for the church and it’s work.

Out of the Ashes Concert

This year, we are trying something a little different, on Sunday 15th at 6 pm, to round off the festival. Our Out of the Ashes event is a concert of Jazz, Blues, R&B with Gospel Roots. Out of the Ashes is the creation of a pioneering husband and wife team from Gloucestershire – Penny Lyon and Kevin Washburn. You can either see them performing as a duo, or, for bigger venues like ours, they may have anything up to a nine piece band accompanying them.

Using music as part of their mission to stand for joy, healing and worth in the church, God has put it on their hearts to energise weary Christians and ailing congregations with a message of love, hope and renewed possibilities. Tickets are £10 and this includes beer, cider and snacks ( you’ll be helping us clear up what’s left after the festival!) Profits support the work of the church.

You can buy tickets for both the Beer Festival and the Out of the Ashes Concert from Chris Smith in the Community Centre Tel 617237 ( or online here)

So even if you are not a fan of beer or festivals – come along on Sunday 15th at 6pm and experience a concert of joyful, hope-filled and encouraging music. You can fiind out more about their unique ministry on their webpage here. We have also included a small sample of their music below to give you a flavour.

The 9th Old Town Beer Festivalchurchadmin2022-05-04T10:20:11+01:00

Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

churchadmin2022-04-22T15:56:35+01:00

Pheonix Enterprises have been shipping out Humanitarian Aid to refugees from Ukraine. Mike Bowden has requested the following items : toys, colouring books, colouring pencils, toiletries, female sanitary products and medical supplies. There is a donation box in the community centre should you wish to contribute. You can also donate to Phoenxi’s work directly here

Volunteers to help sort and box these aids will also be needed please contact mzbowden@btinternet.com for more information.

Humanitarian Aid for Ukrainechurchadmin2022-04-22T15:56:35+01:00

Christ Church Eco Church

churchadmin2022-03-30T18:20:52+01:00

Our drive to becoming a more eco aware church continues, following our intial award of Bronze certification from the A Rocha organisation.

You can read the latest update from Phil Mansfield who leads our efforts here.

It shows the sort of steps we need to take to improve our efforts to protect and nourish God’s creation.

If you would like to take part in our Eco programme then contact the Parish office and let us know.

Christ Church Eco Churchchurchadmin2022-03-30T18:20:52+01:00