The Jubilee Memorial Garden

2022-07-16T12:11:45+01:00

The weather was fine ( but a bit cold!) but we welcomed a good number of families along with our Mayor Cllr Perkins, his wife Abnet, and Sir Robert Buckland our MP to our commissioning event on Sunday. The Mayor and Sir Robert unveiled a beautiful oak sign made by one of our longest-serving congregants, Bernard Oxborrow. It’s worth noting, for posterity, that the oak was sourced from one of our original Baltic oak pews dating back to the 1850’s.

Our newly unveiled sign

The ceremony enabled us to thank the teams of professionals and volunteers whose efforts over the past 18 months have transformed the North-South section into a safer more accessible, and beautiful, managed garden – a fitting memorial to all those remembered there. Particular mention should go to Ian Handy without whose drive and intitiative, this project would not have begun. Also thanks are due to the Friends of Christ Church whose generosity with both time and funds have also been key to its success.

As we move on to planning the final section of the garden, the East-West area, it is vital that we can let as many families know of our plans. To do this we have a new Quarterly Email newsletter to let everyone know what we are planning, why we are doing it, and how they can find out more about it.
Please pass on the email subscription link below to anyone you think would value knowing more about the works to improve our former Rose Garden

Subscribe https://mailchi.mp/c79de914e698/jubilee

We have got this far by the generosity of local people – we still need more help to complete the garden. You can donate to the Memorial Garden using our Just Giving page? or by scanning the QR code below, on your mobile phone.

 

If you are not keen on on-line stuff, you can also give by cash or cheque to our Parish Office c/o Community Centre@Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon SN1 3HB

The Jubilee Memorial Garden2022-07-16T12:11:45+01:00

Mission Giving

2022-04-01T18:07:09+01:00

Mission Giving at Christ Church with St Mary’s

All our Mission Giving today will be shared between Marie Curie and Swindon Food Collective. Both charities work locally to support our community in different ways. Please use a gift aid envelope and mark it with an “M” for mission – the collection will be open for a week from the 3rd April

You can also donate directly to the Swindon Food Collective https://www.swindonfoodcollective.org/support-us/donate-funds/

and to Marie Curie https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/donate or by post to Marie Curie, 14 Links Place, Edinburgh, EH6 9AB

Mission Giving2022-04-01T18:07:09+01:00

Christ Church Eco Church

2022-03-30T18:20:52+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 Church2022-03-30T18:20:52+01:00

Trudie’s Sermon

2022-03-20T13:32:22+00:00

We were delighted to welcome Rev’d Trudie Wigley and her family to join us at our 10am Informal Communion service. Trudie became Vicar at St Paul’s Dorcan eight years ago following her Curacy at Christ Church and recently became the Chair of the House of Clergy for the Bristol Diocesan Synod. Please remember Trudie, Andrew, Ben and Grace in your prayers as we look forward to a wonderful celebration together.

You can hear the whole service on our You Tube channel here

Listen to Trudie’s sermon on the player below

Trudie’s Sermon2022-03-20T13:32:22+00:00

Old Town Partnership Confirmation Preparation

2022-03-19T19:49:02+00:00

We are looking forward to our annual Old Town Partnership Confirmation which will be on Sunday 8th May at 10am Bishop Viv, Bishop of Bristol will be confirming, along with Mark and Robert at Bath Road Methodist Church.

We will run a Confirmation preparation group on Sunday evenings from the middle of March. Please remember all the preparations in your prayers that we will see the joy of welcoming new Christians and growing disciples in our community over these coming weeks.

Please speak with Simon or one of the staff team, if you are interested in exploring this possibility. You can also phone the parish office 522832.

Old Town Partnership Confirmation Preparation2022-03-19T19:49:02+00:00

This week’s Sermon

2022-03-13T15:01:26+00:00

Simon Vicar

This week we heard Simon telling us about the importance of hope in a time of uncertainty. He reminds us too of our Christ Church mission and values.

We have a vision that we should be Christ’s Church in the community, serving the needs of local people and becoming 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 seek to transform Swindon and beyond with God’s hope and compassion.

We do this with humility, grace and respect, listening prayerfully to God and our neighbour.

As well as offering traditional life events like baptism, marriage, blessings, funeral and bereavment services, we host a modern community centre which provides education, leisure, social and entertainment facilities to our community.

We also heard about the Partnership Confirmation Preparation – this will run on Sunday evenings from mid March. Confirmation will be on the 8th May at Bath Road Methodist Church. If you would like to find out more speak with Simon or one of the staff team or via the parish office 5228332.

This week’s Sermon2022-03-13T15:01:26+00:00

Lay Ministry Opportunities

2022-03-11T18:58:43+00:00

As the PCC have now agreed their goals for 2022, we are praying that our worship, ministry and mission will grow in the power of the Spirit. To this end please can you let us know if you can help with any of the following;

  1. Children and young family’s ministry including our Partnership Messy church which is hoping to return soon
  2. Developing as an Eco Church in our ecological maintenance of our large Burial Ground and churchyard.
  3. Offering hospitality, meals and light refreshments on an occasional basis
  4. Helping with our audio-visual social media and administrative communications in order that people are well supported, encouraged and made welcome.

If you would like to talk about the gifts you have and how they can grow and where your time is best used in God’s service, please have a word with Simon or members of the staff team.

Lay Ministry Opportunities2022-03-11T18:58:43+00:00

Partnership Lent Study

2022-02-18T16:51:46+00:00
For your diary: The Partnership Lent Study will run for five weeks: March 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th and April 5th at Bath Road Methodist Church and begin at 7.30pm and each session will finish by 9.00pm.
It is based on the musical ‘Hamilton’ and is entitled ‘The Room Where it Happens”. The study includes clips from the show that tie in with the themes. The evening will be based around small group discussion.
The themes covered are:
  1. Identity and Belonging.
  2. Ambition and Temptation.
  3. Forgiveness and Redemption.
  4. Love and Sacrifice.
  5. Hope and Courage through Adversity.
Please put these dates in your diary and join us in this exploration of how our faith can impact the world around us.
Partnership Lent Study2022-02-18T16:51:46+00:00

Racial Justice Sunday

2022-02-05T16:18:33+00:00

Sunday 13th February is Racial Justice Sunday This is an opportunity for all churches to focus and reflect on the importance of racial justice, to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination. You can read about some of the resources available here


A Prayer

Merciful God,
you are righteous and love justice:
stir the hearts of your people that,
rejoicing in our diversity,
we may repent of the wrongs of the past,
and, by your grace, seek the peaceable kingdom of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

Racial Justice Sunday2022-02-05T16:18:33+00:00

Swindon Music Festival Returns

2022-02-18T17:19:27+00:00

The Swindon Music Festival returns after a two-year break for the pandemic. The Festival starts in Christ Church on Friday 18 March at 6.30pm with the brass classes followed by the church organ classes. Each organist will play two contrasting pieces and then the adjudicator will make comments on their performances.

The evening will continue with three classes for solo singers, including novice, sacred song and oratorio, and a duet class. It will conclude with the adult choir class and the church choir class. In the church choir class, starting at around 9.00pm, St. Sampson’s Church Choir, Cricklade will be singing the hymn “O perfect love” to the tune “Highwood”, and the anthem “And I saw a new heaven” by Malcom Archer. Christ Church Choir will be singing the hymn “ How shall I sing that majesty” to the tune “Coe Fen”, and the anthem: “Arise, Shine” by Richard Shephard.

The adjudicator for the Friday evening will be Adrian Goss, a pianist, organist and choral director and chair of the Adjudicators Council.

The Festival continues on Saturday 19 March and from Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26 March (except Thursday 24th) in the Arts Centre in Devizes Road, Old Town. Morning sessions start at 9.30, afternoons at 1.30 and evenings at 6.30pm.

The Festival deserves a much bigger audience. This year it celebrates over 111 years of supporting music in Swindon. Previous participants have included in the past, Diana Dors, and Jamie Cullum, Sarah Covey, Polly Leech and Harry Apps who are currently forging musical careers.

There is such a wide variety of music that there will be something for everyone during the eight days. We really need to support the young talent – and the older competitors like support too! At a previous year’s final concert the adjudicator said several performances would have graced the West End stage – so come and hear future stars. She also commended our exceptional teachers.

Our world class accompanist is Paul Turner who is renowned for his sensitive and alert accompaniments; “ he has that sixth sense of timing which is the true accompanist’s particular gift” (Eastern Daily Press). He is also so kind to everyone including nervous novice singers.

Please do come along to support your Partnership musicians. There will be a small charge for listening.

Download the event timetable

ADMISSION PRICES

£3.00 PER SESSION (16 and under FREE)

Except

WEDNESDAY EVENING 23 MARCH £5.00* 16 and under £1.00

FRIDAY EVENING 25 MARCH £5.00* 16 and under £1.00

SATURDAY EVENING 26 MARCH £7.50 16 and under £1.00

*(£3.00 after 8pm)

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE PRIOR TO EACH SESSION

The detailed programme listing all the participants, price £3, will be available from Christ Church on 18 March, or from Holmes Music or the Arts Centre, and also on the website http://www.swindonmusicfestival.co.uk.

Swindon Music Festival Returns2022-02-18T17:19:27+00:00

Sexual Violence Awareness Week

2022-02-07T21:06:42+00:00

A message from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre ( SARC)

Today marks the beginning of Sexual Violence Awareness Week and the launch of the new National NHS SARC Campaign. We are here for you, 24/7 – 01793 781917 or 01793 781916 Facebook

Sexual Violence Awareness Week2022-02-07T21:06:42+00:00
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