What is Choral Evensong?

2024-02-09T19:54:56+00:00

The service of Evensong is unique to the Anglican church and is derived from the older Roman Catholic service of Vespers (or evening prayer). Its structure and wording are contained in the Book of Common Prayer, which dates from 1662.

The standard Evensong service involves the whole congregation in the singing of psalms and canticles (The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis which are extracts from Luke’s gospel set to simple music to allow everyone to join in.) The service also has hymns and a choir only anthem. The rich, traditional language of the old prayer book can be reassuring and affirming as it is spoken collectively, by those attending. We, typically, hold these services once a month on the third Sunday.

At Christ Church, we also maintain the tradition of full Choral Evensong 4 or 5 times a year. This service is entirely sung by the choir and usually includes an introit, (a short anthem sung at the start of the service), sung responses, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis and an anthem. The music has a rich Anglican musical heritage. The Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis have been set to music by many composers over the past 350 years. These services are, by their nature, more reflective. The congregation are invited to experience them by prayerful, attentive listening. This allows the music and text to lift our prayers, praise, and meditation to God.

We sometimes also visit local Cathedrals and sing Evensong there which is a magnificant experience.

We are sing Evensong in Salisbury Cathedral on the 21st February at 4pm – do come along to support us if you are able.

The Christ Church choir regularly sing Choral Evensong under their Music Director Tim Eyles. If you would like to find out more or would like to join our friendly group contact Tim Eyles on musicdirector@Christchurchswindon.co.uk

Our Next Choral Evensong service is on Sunday 18th February at 4pm and we are singing:

Introit: Almighty and Everlasting God’ by Orlando Gibbons

Responses: (Philip Radcliffe)

Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis: T. Tertius Noble in B minor

Anthem: ‘It is a thing most Wonderful’ by Philip Moore

Organ Voluntary: Fugue in B Minor BWV544 by JS Bach

Conductor: Richard Sutcliffe

Featuring the choir of Christ Church and guests

Organist and Director of Music: Tim Eyles

JOIN US https://youtube.com/live/aE6jSOKpkMU

Download an Order of Service to follow with us

Subscribe to our Channel on https://www.youtube.com/user/Christchurchswindon1 or listen to our last Evensong service below

What is Choral Evensong?2024-02-09T19:54:56+00:00

Our Christmas Services

2023-12-28T16:37:32+00:00
CANDLELIT LESSONS & CAROLS SERVICE

If you weren’t able to join us last Sunday evening for our magical candlelit service of readings and carols, you can find it online here

CHRISTMAS EVE IN CHRIST CHURCH
Sunday 24th December 2023 – preparing for Christmas
  • 10am Holy Communion – 4th Sunday of Advent join us online.
  • 11pm – Midnight Mass – traditional Service to welcome the birth of Jesus – jon us online
CHRISTMAS DAY IN CHRIST CHURCH – Monday 25th December 2023
  • 10am Family Christmas Holy Communion – join us online
NEW YEAR’S EVE -Sunday 31st December 2023
  • 10am Holy Communion join us in person or online
  • 11pm Watchnight Service to welcome the New Year- join us in person or online
Our Christmas Services2023-12-28T16:37:32+00:00

Bishop Neil’s Welcome

2023-12-02T14:53:25+00:00

Bishop Neil Warwick

Bishop Neil Warwick was consecrated Bishop of Swindon on Thursday November 30th at Canterbury Cathedral.

At Christ Church, we have the privilege and responsibility of hosting the Diocesan Welcome
service and Reception for Bishop Neil.

The Old Town Partnership Choir will be leading the worship.

We would love you to join us for this special welcome service at 6.30 pm on Sunday 3rd December but if you can’t be with us in person, you can still catch up with the service on our YOUTUBE live stream below.

You can also watch a recorded stream of the  service from Canterbury Cathedral here

Bishop Neil’s Welcome2023-12-02T14:53:25+00:00

‘The Bible in an Hour’

2023-10-20T16:17:00+01:00

Saturday 21st October

11am in Christ Church

‘The Bible in an Hour’

– a dramatic presentation by the Revd. Richard Cresswell, Vicar of Bradley Stoke

Come along and join us on the day or watch online.

‘The Bible in an Hour’2023-10-20T16:17:00+01:00

How to join the Parish Giving Scheme

2023-09-07T15:47:58+01:00

Christ Church is at the heart of it’s community, serving the needs of local people and acting as a central meeting place for a whole variety of community activities. Our mission is to proclaim Christ through teaching and example. Welcome and serve all, through hospitality. We encourage people to find God through worship, faith and prayer by providing a spiritual home and resources for the local community.

We rely on the gifts, goodwill and legacies of our friends in the community to continue this mission. If you are able, we value regular donations, although of course, gifts of any kind are greatfully received. Our preferred method for regular giving is the Parish Giving Scheme.

What is the Parish Giving Scheme?

The PGS is administered by the Church of England, at no cost to us, and provides a secure method for members to make regular donations to a Church of their choice.

Why is it better than Standing Order.

The PGS dramatically improves our cashflow and reduces our administration, enabling us to receive your donations and any gift aid claimable on them within the first week or so of each month.It also offers peace of mind that the Direct Debit Guarantee Scheme protects your gifts.

How do I join?

There are 2 easy ways to donate to Christ Church through the PGS; you can set up your Direct Debit online or by telephone. If you would like more information or help applying then please contact Stephen Grosvenor Gift Aid Secretary on stephen@christchurchswindon.co.uk or 07885 217077

Online

Click this link to go to our dedicated Parish Giving page https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/swindon-christchurch-st-mary-swindon/

By Telephone

Alternatively, you can set up your regular gift by phoning the PGS team on 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9-5. They will ask for our Parish Giving code which is Christ Church’s parish code is 050605176

If you’d like to know more, please get in touch with Stephen Grosvenor our Gift Aid Secretary stephen@Christchurchswindon.co.uk 01793 341034

Can you still claim Gift Aid on my gifts?

If you are a UK taxpayer, during the sign up process you will be asked if about Gift Aid. It adds a valuable additional 25% to your giving at no cost to you.

What happens if my circumstances change?

As a PGS member, you will receive a log in which will enable you to track your giving and make changes whenever you need to. You can make one-off additional donations at any time. The telephone service will help those without access to online services.

I want to help but I don’t really understand all this, can I get some help?

Of course, contact Stephen Grosvenor your Gift Aid Secretary in confidence, and he will be glad to help. Stephen@christchurchswindon.co.uk 07885 217077

How to join the Parish Giving Scheme2023-09-07T15:47:58+01:00

What’s happening at the side of the Church?

2023-08-15T10:57:37+01:00

Visitors to the grounds may have noticed some work being carried out on the North side of the church.

Originally, there was a path linking the West end to the East end thus avoiding visitors to the burial grounds and Memorial Gardens having to do so via the car park.

As part of our plans to improve access, we have decided to re-instate the path.  The newly laid tarmac path will provide level access to the rear of the church by adding a small spur that will make disabled access easier by avoiding the 3 steps that currently link the path.

The work is being carried out by kind donation from a friend of Christ Church. In the future,  we would like to extend the lighting to include the path.

If you would like to support this work with a donation then please contact the parish office on 01793 522832 or christchurchswindon.co.uk

What’s happening at the side of the Church?2023-08-15T10:57:37+01:00

Easter at Christ Church with St Mary’s

2023-04-05T17:51:30+01:00

Wednesday 5th April

7-9pm Lent Talk by Rev Dr Cathy Okoronkwo, Vicar of St Barnabas – “Theme The Ecology of Radial Hospitality”

Watch all the talks here

You can download orders of service for all our Easter Services here

Good Friday 7th April

12- 3pm Christ Church Three hours at the Cross led by Simon Talor Director of Training, Bristol Diocese

Easter Sunday 9th April

5.30 am Dawn Service at Holy Rood on the Lawn ( find it)

8 am Holy Communion

9 am Holy Communion at St Mary’s Church

10.am Family Holy Communion – Christ Church

6.30 Easter Praise – Christ Church

Easter at Christ Church with St Mary’s2023-04-05T17:51:30+01:00

Lent Talks

2023-03-30T21:06:26+01:00

Join us to hear from Dr Eric and Marguerite Holliday, Deacon/GP and Retired Clinical Psychologist, Holy Rood Roman Catholic Church

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship- You can download the order of service for the opening worship at

http://bit.ly/3zj0IQ5

7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to a recording


Join us to hear from Revd David Gray, Superintendent Minister, North Wiltshire Methodist Circuit

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship- You can download the order of service for the opening worship at

http://bit.ly/3zj0IQ5

7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to audio of the talk

Join us to hear from The Revd Susan Durber URC Minister, World Council of Churches President from Europe and Moderator of the Faith and Order Commission.

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship – download the order of service for the opening worship at http://bit.ly/404FNeK
7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to audio of the talk

Join us to hear from The Very Revd Dr Mandy Ford, Dean of Bristol Cathedral.

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

7pm – Opening worship – download the order of service for the opening worship at http://bit.ly/3JgingV
7.15pm – Talk
7.55pm – Refreshments
8.15pm -Questions to the speaker
9pm – Finish

Click below to listen to audio of the talk

The speaker for our first Lent Talk on the subject of Who is Jesus? Christian Mission Today – Jesus then and now is The Revd Jonathan Edwards, Baptist Minister at Central Church, Swindon and formerly General Secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. Everyone is welcome to join in person in Christ Church. If you cannot, then you can watch a live stream of the talk on the link below or listen to an audio recording on the player. on this page.

The programme follows the format below. You can watch a live stream of the talk here

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

Click below to listen to an audio recording of the talk

Lent Talks2023-03-30T21:06:26+01:00

Jubilee Memorial Garden Public Consultation

2023-03-11T14:05:05+00:00

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

Our Gardens for all

Bereavement & Memorials

Our Memory Books

Support the Jubilee Memorial Project with a donation

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.

Jubilee Memorial Garden Public Consultation2023-03-11T14:05:05+00:00

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

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
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