Swindon Literature Festival

2021-05-03T19:29:22+01:00

This year’s festival launches on Monday 3rd May. There is a full programme on line available via You Tube. This year the festival is mostly free with donations welcome. More details are available on the website: www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk

We particularly recommend three events: Rowan Williams, the former Archbishop of Canterbury speaking about his latest book On Looking East in Winter at 12 midday on Friday 7th May. Simon will be involved in this event. This is followed at 2pm by The Bruderhof on Another Life is Possible about a Christian community where everyone pools their possessions, talents, and energy. Also do try and catch Catherine Okoronkwo on Wednesday 5th at 6pm. Here is a new collection from a brilliant new voice in poetry. Blood and Water ọbara na mmiri travels across continents and cultures. It is a book of self discovery and bold departures which examines the pull of the Western world. 
Catherine Okoronkwo, PhD, is of Nigerian heritage, grew up in the Middle East, and studied in the USA and UK. She was recently appointed as Bishop’s Advisor on Racial Justice and is Vicar of All Saints and St Barnabas, Swindon.

There are many other exciting events so do take a look at the programme.

https://www.swindonfestivalofliterature.co.uk/2021events

 

Swindon Literature Festival2021-05-03T19:29:22+01:00

The Five Marks of Mission

2021-05-09T19:02:44+01:00

The five marks of mission have been developed by the Anglican Consultative Council since 1984. Since then, they have been widely adopted as an understanding of what contemporary mission is about.
The marks were adopted by the General Synod of the Church of England in 1996 and many dioceses and other denominations used them as the basis of action plans and creative mission ideas.

Some churches abbreviate the five marks to five words: TELL – TEACH – TEND – TRANSFORM – TREASURE.

In 2012, the ACC added wording to the fourth mark, to include the
need for Christians to challenge violence and work for peace.

  • To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
  • To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
  • To respond to human need by loving service
  • To seek to transform unjust structures of society,
  • to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
  • To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
  • www.anglicancommunion.org/ministry/mission/fivemarks.cfm

The Five Marks of Mission2021-05-09T19:02:44+01:00

Alpha Course

2021-05-09T19:03:40+01:00

This year, our Confirmation preparation will include the opportunity of joining, with the Pattern Church, in the online Alpha course they are running on Wednesday nights from 7.30 – 9pm for eleven weeks from 5 May.

Alpha is a series of interactive sessions that freely explore the basics of the Christian faith. Alpha has a short video, with a chat at the end where you can share your thoughts and questions. If, at any point, you decide it isn’t for you, there is no pressure, no follow up and no charge.You can watch a short video and sign up here

If you are interested please notify Simon

Alpha Course2021-05-09T19:03:40+01:00

Keep in touch

2021-05-09T19:04:31+01:00

There are many different ways to keep in touch with what goes on at Christ Church and its community. See below for some links that can help you keep in touch.

Subscribe to keep in touch

Sign up to our weekly email newssheet which includes all the news from our community and this newsletter.

Read the news on our Website

Follow our Christ Church Facebook page

Follow us on Twitter

Subscribe to our You Tube channel and never miss a recorded service

Submit a prayer request to our online prayer board.

Read this month’s prayer diary

Keep in touch2021-05-09T19:04:31+01:00

Christ Church K.I.T. Scheme

2021-05-04T12:10:39+01:00

At Christ Church we are remaining positive about the current situation and are excited to be able to launch our new ‘Keeping in Touch’ (KIT) scheme.

What is KIT? It might just be a regular phone call to check in on how our friends are. It could be offering help with practical things like shopping, IT support or other needs. We are a community of friends who are intent on finding hope in these difficult times by connecting with and supporting each other.

Loneliness can be disabling, our clergy team can also offer prayer, pastoral support or just a listening ear.

Our Parish Contact list has more than 80 members – some of whom have asked for support and some who want to help others. The KIT scheme builds on this list to create a picture of those in our community who need the support of their neighbours and friends.

We are initially targeting people in our Old Town, Swindon Parish/ Community, however we will still be happy to support others not in this specific area if needed.

Don’t suffer in silence, please get in touch with us.

If you know of someone who would benefit from this service, then, with their permission, we would also like you to refer them to us. They can phone us on 01793 522832 or use the link below to join the KIT scheme.

If you would like to offer support to others, click the link below. We will be in touch.

https://bit.ly/KITscheme

 
Christ Church K.I.T. Scheme2021-05-04T12:10:39+01:00

Church of England Strategic Priorities

2021-04-24T16:46:38+01:00

The Church of England’s calling is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England.

The work to develop the new Vision and Strategy is underway but the foundations are already clear: The Church of England must adapt and put its trust in God to become a simpler, humbler, bolder Church that is Jesus Christ centred and Jesus Christ shaped.

  • A simpler Church, both in governance and structure and in the way we live and share the gospel
  • A humbler Church, recognising our failings and working with others to serve the common good
  • A bolder Church energised and enthused by the good news of what God has done in Jesus Christ and sharing that with everyone.

Our strategic priorities are:

  • To be a church that is younger and more diverse
  • To be a church where mixed ecology is the norm – where every person in England has access to an enriching and compelling community of faith by adding new churches and new forms of Church to our parishes, schools and chaplaincies
  • To become a church of missionary disciples where all God’s people are released to live the Christian life

Church of England Strategic Priorities2021-04-24T16:46:38+01:00

Night Shelter – Sale

2021-05-01T10:55:43+01:00

News from the Night Shelter

Sale 24th April 10.30 – 12.30 Freshbrook Church
Worsley Road
Swindon
SN5 8NU

Covid safe measures in place.

 

Night Shelter – Sale2021-05-01T10:55:43+01:00

Annual parochial church meeting

2021-04-16T20:30:33+01:00

Our A.P.C.M is on April 25th at 11.15 in the church, following the 10.am service.

We are pleased to announce that Jim d’Avila and Nitin Shinde will stand as our next Church Wardens, please remember them in your prayers.

The Parish Church Council (PCC) is the governing body of Christ Church, overseeing our resources, assets, the Community Centre @ Christ Church, our buildings and staff. It is responsible for ensuring compliance with policies such as health and safety, safeguarding, proper recruitment and staff management etc. The council collaborates with the Vicar in discerning and promoting the mission and ministry of the church.

Read this year’s annual report

The PCC is required to hold an APCM (Annual Parochial Church meeting) at which reports are shared, accounts approved, new members and officers are elected, and questions may be asked about any area of the church’s ministry. Anyone may attend the annual meeting and raise questions; only those on the electoral roll may vote in any formal resolutions that might be made.

Annual parochial church meeting2021-04-16T20:30:33+01:00

NEW EASY & SECURE GIVING – PARISH GIVING SCHEME

2021-04-12T14:31:35+01:00

One of the really important ways that each of us lives our faith and participates in the mission of the Church, is through the act of giving.

While there is joy in the spontaneity of a one-off gift when the Spirit moves us, it is regular giving that offers a prayerful expression of faith in action. Regular giving sustains our church and helps us to plan for the future. That is why Christ Church with St Mary’s is a member of the Parish Giving Scheme (P.G.S.)

The team at P.G.S. makes it safe and easy for you to give regularly, and just as safe and easy for our church to receive them. Every pound you donate can be put to Christian service in your community, free from time-consuming admin for your church staff and volunteers. There’s also an option for you to increase your gift annually to keep pace with the rising cost of living, with the peace of mind that you can adjust your donation at any time if your circumstances change. If you are a UK taxpayer you can opt to add Gift Aid, increasing the value of your donation by 25%, which PGS will collect from HMRC on our behalf and return to Christ Church.

How do I join the PGS?

Now, with the addition of a simple and secure online process, there are three easy ways to donate to your parish through the PGS; you can set up your Direct Debit online, by telephone, or you can fill in a gift form and post it to PGS.

If you would like to make use of the new online service from PGS, you can simply visit https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donors/find-your-parish/

Our parish code is 050605176 and follow the instructions.

Or you scan the QR code below, which will take you straight to this parish’s landing page on the PGS website, where you can click on the ‘Give now’ button. It couldn’t be easier.

Alternatively, you can set up your regular gift by phoning the PGS team on 0333 002 1271, Monday to Friday, 9-5.

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

NEW EASY & SECURE GIVING – PARISH GIVING SCHEME2021-04-12T14:31:35+01:00

Easter Services

2021-06-02T14:47:14+01:00

On behalf of the Partnership of Churches we will be hosting the following:

Maundy Thursday 1st April – Informal Holy Communion @ 7.30pm
Good Friday 2pm – 2nd April – An Hour at the Cross. Led by Rev Norma McKemey

These services will also be live audio streamed and available on our You Tube Channel.

Easter Day 4th April – Sadly this year, we have had to restrict attendance to our Easter Sunday Service due to Covid distancing regulations. We are now at our safe seating capacity so we cannot accept any entrance on the day.

If you have already reserved your places then, please, just come in good time to allow us to seat you safely. Your names are held on a list at the door – there are no tickets. There will be no admittance on the day without reservation.

Find us on You Tube

Easter Services2021-06-02T14:47:14+01:00

Easter Treasure Hunt

2021-04-09T20:28:51+01:00

In Search of Easter is a trail-based treasure hunt for children and families, using a series of videos and activities to encourage conversation and help crack a code.

Clue posters that offer activities and QR codes for accessing videos will be placed around the churchyard for children and their parents to find as they explore the area. Click this link for a short video

Easter Treasure Hunt2021-04-09T20:28:51+01:00
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