We will be giving away bunches of daffodils to mothers at our services.
We invite you to join us on Sunday, 19th March 2023 at the following services:
8am Holy Communion, Christ Church
9am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10am Informal Holy Communion, Christ Church – with the Revd. Rach Collins preaching
6.30pm – Evensong, Christ Church
Come and hear the varied music programme at the Swindon Music Festival, starting tonight at 6.30 in Christ Church with 4 adult choirs, 3 church choirs (including Christ Church), 9 solo singers (including Caroline Pitt), 5 brass players and 3 organists.
Entry is £3, and refreshments will be available. Please do come along to support your Partnership musicians.
The Festival continues from Saturday 18 March to Saturday 25 March (not including Thursday 23) in the Arts Centre on Devizes Road, Old Town.
Morning sessions start at 9.30, afternoons at 1.30 and evenings at 6.30pm.
The detailed programme listing all the participants, price £3, will be available from Christ Church tonight, or from Holmes Music or the Arts Centre, or from the secretary Yvonne Walker on 07710 243302 (price £6 to include £3 postage).
#ChristChurchSwindon #swindonmusicfestival #swindon #oldtownswindon #musicfestival #livemusic #choir #organmusic #solosinging #brassplayers
With Spring and warmer weather in our sights, we have now submitted an application to the Church authorities (Diocesan Advisory Committee) for permission to continue with the refurbishment of the former Rose Garden (now the Jubilee Garden).
Following the success of the first phase of the project, the North South Section of the garden, we are keen to start this final phase.
We have worked hard to keep families, who remember loved ones at Christ Church, informed of our plans. You can sign up here to join our Jubilee Memorial Garden Email Update. No major works can be completed without the final permission of the DIocese Consistory Court. This is to protect the heritage and sanctity of church property as well as to ensure that proper public consultation is carried out
As part of this process, our proposals are now subject to a period of 30 days formal public consultation. The formal notice of our intentions and the process by which to comment or question them, are available by clicking the buttons below. You can also request copies of the notice and plans by contacting the parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk (01793 533832) or visiting the church noticeboard.
We are also delighted to say that our project team, led by Ian Handy, have been awarded a DAC award for our project to refurbish the former Rose Garden. This recognises the exceptional standard of workmanship.
Read about the Opening Ceremony
We have a Just Giving Campaign page where you can read more and securely give towards the completion of the project.
You can also contact us via the Parish Office ( 01793 522832)for other ways to donate.
Thank you for your support.
Over the past couple of week’s, we have been completing some winter maintenance to the grass verge on the South side of the garden. This is to prepare for new fine turf to be laid as soon as the weather permits. This will then continue the turf edge from the North South section creating a more unified and attractive perimeter. 
We have submitted our draft plan to the Bristol Diocese for their approval and we are expecting an inspection and discussion with them soon. ( Read it here if you have missed it)
To help reassure and let affected families better understand what we are attempting to do with the East West Section of the garden, we will be marking out areas to show the intended access paths and demonstrating proposed ground covering materials. The intention is to enable access, within the garden, to those plaques which previously have been obscured ( and sometimes buried) by weeds and wild growth. We also want to create safe and level access to the garden for our many visitors.
No ashes will be disturbed and plaques are restored as closely as possible to their original positions. Our friendly team will always take the time to explain what is happening. It has always been the case that self planted shrubs are not permitted. This is necessary both to enable us to keep control over the maintenance and management of the garden but also to ensure that all families are treated equally. If you or members of your family have planted rose bushes, then please contact us (01793 522832) with your details. We will be happy to transplant any bushes for you to enable you to take them away.
As Spring approaches, the Jubilee Memorial Garden will start to erupt with colour and new growth. We are fully committed to creating a beautiful, safe and sustainable memorial garden for everyone to enjoy and remember in. If you have any questions, fears or suggestions please contact us parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk (01793 522832) We are always ready to listen.
‘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
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
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
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
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY at 12 noon on Friday 27 JANUARY 2023
There will be three parts to the day.
First, at 12 noon on Friday 27th January at the Cenotaph in Regents Circus there will be a short (20-minute) ceremony, including talk and wreath-laying.
Next, at 12.30 pm the same day, Friday 27th January, at the Friends Meeting House, Eastcott Hill, there will be a gathering for readings and reflection. Light lunchtime refreshments, including sandwiches and hot drinks are provided. This gathering is expected to last an hour, with readings and presentations by members of many of Swindon’s faith groups and community groups, as well as contributions from individuals.
Finally, at 6.30pm in the Auditorium in the Sixth Form Centre at The Commonweal School, The Mall, SN1 4JE there will be a free showing of the award-winning documentary film Final Account made by the late Luke Holland, a former pupil of The Commonweal School. The film looks closely at the involvement of ‘ordinary people’ in the mid-European mid-twentieth century genocide. It comprises interviews with the last living generation of Hitler’s Third Reich and raises key questions about authority, conformity, obedience, national identity, and people’s roles in the decisions and directions taken by their own government, questions that may still be relevant today.
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qobRIgAyQiY
NOTE. The theme for Holocaust Memorial Day this year is ORDINARY PEOPLE, which chiefly acknowledges two things. First, that genocide is facilitated by ordinary people, who may turn a blind eye, believe propaganda, and join murderous regimes. Second, that those who are persecuted, oppressed, and murdered in genocide are not persecuted because of crimes they’ve committed – but simply because they are ordinary people who belong to a particular group, class, or race of which others disapprove. Ordinary people still suffer such persecution today.
The aftermath of the Holocaust and of subsequent genocides continues to raise challenging questions for individuals, communities, and nations. H.M.D. 2023 asks people to think about what happens before and after genocide, war, and persecution, and of our own responsibilities in relation to such matters of life and death.
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
With Spring and warmer weather in our sights, we are preparing a draft submission to the Church authorities for permission to continue with the refurbishment of the former Rose Garden ( now the Jubilee Garden).
Following the success of the first phase of the project, the North South Section of the garden, we are keen to keep momentum in this important work.
All work to the church and its grounds are closely managed by the Dicocesan faculty office which acts as a planning authority. We have submitted proposals for the final section which involves repairing and restoring path and turf edges, creating safe, accessible access to the garden and removing self sown holly trees and shrubs. You can download the draft proposals here.
The works to create the Jubilee Memorial Garden have been financed by donations from our Community. If you would like to support this project you do so on our Just Giving page here or by contacting the Parish office (01793 522832)
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:
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
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.
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.