Vacancy – Bishops PA
churchadmin2021-11-29T11:23:25+00:00
The Bishop of Swindon is looking to appoint a Part time PA/Secretary. The position is a half time job share for 17.5 hours per week. Interviews will be held on the 14th/15th December.
Hidden Heroes – Christmas
churchadmin2021-11-28T13:18:29+00:00Things often mysteriously and, apparently effortlessly, appear at Christ Church and we, sometimes, take them for granted.
This year we, again, have to thank Richard Deacon for organising and Lord Lansdowne for providing our beautiful Christmas Tree. Mike Palmer, Chris Smith and Daniel Pitt for manhandling it into an upright position and, last, not least, Elaine Guilding and Lucy Eyles for spending ages decorating it.
You can find out all about our Services and Events over the Christmas period in our Events calendar.
Our Mayor
churchadmin2021-11-24T11:57:22+00:00
It has been a busy month for our Mayor and his newly appointed Chaplain.
Following an elected year swallowed by Covid in 2020, Councillor Garry Perkins has been re-elected for a further term and has been busy making up for lost time.
Pictured below is Councillor Perkins, supported by his wife Abnet, at the opening of the Annual Friends of Christ Church Christmas Market. Also pictured is Caroline Pitt, Chair of the Friends, F. Christmas and Rev’d Canon Simon Stevenette, the Mayor’s chaplain.
The Market was a great success and, although slightly scaled down this year, enabled more than 20 local charities to promote their work and fundraise for their causes, as well as providing a great day out, and taster for Christmas, for many local families.
Simon and the Mayor also attended the Remembrance Ceremony at the Cenotaph with the Bishop of Swindon.
Mission Giving
Stephen Grosvenor2021-11-19T22:53:13+00:00
Our final Mission giving day of 2021 is this week and we support Water Aid and Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind
Water Aid
Donations can be made on-line via the following link By cheque and post: Send us a cheque, postal order or charity voucher made payable to
Freepost Plus RTXT-JATZ-LJS
WaterAid,
York House, Wetherby Road.
York YO26 7NH
Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind
Donations via the following link
In church we can also accept donations in our collection plate at the rear of the church. Donations can be made via a gift aid envelope marked with M for mission. This will then be split between the two charities.
THANK YOU
New Worship Proposals for Advent
churchadmin2021-11-14T13:29:45+00:00
At our last meeting to review our responses to the Covid pandemic, the opening group agreed to consult over the next two weeks on the following proposals.
Distanced seating arrangements would be relaxed altogether during normal services. The distribution of Holy Communion would take place from the front of the church as before, with people queueing from the back pews first, being organised by the sides persons.
Those who requested it can still receive communion in their seats if they wish. Unless there were strong objections from the congregation, this proposal could be introduced from Advent Sunday 28th November.
The wearing of masks would still be encouraged.
It is vital that we all feel comfortable with the arrangements for worship. If you would like to comment on these proposals, please do so in person to members of the staff team or by email to staffteam@christchurchswindon.co.uk or Tel Simon 01793 529166
Knife Amnesty
churchadmin2021-11-12T18:42:56+00:00
The Knife Amnesty is to raise awareness across the county of the risks and consequences of carrying a knife, and reduce the harm to our communities from knife crime by enabling people to surrender knives and weapons to the police without fear of prosecution.
The purpose of the amnesty is to remove knives from criminal availability, thereby reducing the risk of harm to the public, protecting our communities and reducing the likelihood that the knife will be available for criminal use.
An appeal will be made to the public for the surrender of illegal knifes kept lawfully within their homes. This will include flick knifes, lock knifes, zombie and butterfly knives.
This is a Old Town Partnership of Churches initiative with the local police. From this weekend,12th November, secure bins are being provided in local churches, including Christ Church, to dispose of knives. Please pray for the Wiltshire Police in this excellent initiative.
The amnesty will run for 2 weeks.
Service to Remember loved ones who have died
churchadmin2021-11-12T18:23:29+00:00
Listen again to a recording of our service on Sunday 7th November remembering those who have died in the past couple of years. The service is led by the Rev’d Daphne Hardwick and Rev’d David Day. Download the order of service so you can follow the service ( opens in a new tab)
The names are read out at 26:30 minutes
Hazelnut Community
churchadmin2021-11-12T18:19:52+00:00
COP 26 has brought out many stories of individual and collective ingenuity and committment to engaging with Creation and the climate emergency. The Hazelnut vision is of a growing community: Creating a sustainable model of church and community engagement able to flourish in a climate crisis, using urban agriculture, food production, and waste management as tools for social innovation, economic inclusion, and political and spiritual transformation.
Churches throughout the country are seeking to become greener and reduce their carbon footprint. Creation care is at the top of all our agendas so we must do all we can both individually and collectively to increase awareness of the climate emergency and learn how to take action to prevent it.
Partnership Magazine
churchadmin2021-11-06T12:52:27+00:00
Did you know that you can share all the news from the Swindon Partnership of Churches by subscribing to our monthly magazine? The November edition is available now – copies are available at the back of the church. If you have items for publication, the editors are d.swann6a@gmail.com or margaretwilliams111@gmail.com.
The December and January Editions are combined next month – deadline for submission is 12th November please.
Read the online version on the Old Town Partnership of Churches website.
Subscriptions information from George Kennedy – george.kennedy@mybroadbandemail.com
Friends of Christ Church Lecture
churchadmin2021-10-30T16:56:03+01:00
Picture Janet French
This year’s Friends of Christ Church Annual Lecture was held last week. It told the story of the renaissance of the former Rose Garden at Christ Church. Introduced by Sarah Bowden, with contributions from Caroline Pitt, the chair of the Friends of Christ Church, the lecture was given by Sue Spielberg who designed the planting scheme.
Sue described her experience and approach to the design and seasonal planting.
Tea and cake was provided for those attending courtesy of Caroline Pitt and her team.
We encourage you to join the Friends. You can download their brochure and application form on the link below. Single members pay £5 annually, family members £10, by cash, cheque, BACS or standing order. Life membership is a one-off payment of £75; all these amounts can be gift aided by UK taxpayers, as the Friends is a registered charity, number 1088767.
You can listen again to the talk
You can also watch a short (slient) film showing the plants and design ideas that Sue talks about below
Why COP26 Matters
churchadmin2021-10-16T12:28:45+01:00
With the COP26 Climate summit just around the corner, its more important than ever to see what roles we can play to shape our future and that of later generations.
Mr Motivator comes to visit
churchadmin2021-10-16T12:32:30+01:00
Our Tuesday afternoon, friends group had a treat last week when they were joined by Mr Motivator himself.
Using the magic of Zoom, Mr M or Derrick Evans to use his real name, got everyone moving and smiling.
There are always lots of activities going on in our Community Centre.
