Lessons & Carols Service 2019
churchadmin2020-01-05T18:42:56+00:00Listen again to our Candlelit service of Lessons and Carols from December 22nd 2019.
12 days of Christmas recycling
churchadmin2020-01-05T19:03:20+00:00On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. An old and brown Christmas tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 7 cardboard boxes, 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 8 Christmas cards, 7 cardboard boxes, 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 9 used batteries, 8 Christmas cards, 7 cardboard boxes, 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 10 broken lights, 9 used batteries, 8 Christmas cards, 7 cardboard boxes, 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 11 rolls of wrapping, 10 broken lights, 9 used batteries, 8 Christmas cards, 7 cardboard boxes, 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me. 12 Christmas crackers, 11 rolls of wrapping, 10 broken lights, 9 used batteries, 8 Christmas cards, 7 cardboard boxes, 6 turkey foils, 5 sweetie tins, 4 perfume bottles, 3 old phones, 2 wonky bikes and an old and brown Christmas tree
Launch of Christmas Tree Festival this weekend
churchadmin2019-12-23T01:38:53+00:00The event begins on Sunday 1st December with a guided walk (repeated
on Sunday 8th December).
The walks allow time at each church to admire the Christmas Tree
displays. The timings are the same for both Sundays. There will be
refreshments.
3.45 Meet at St Mary’s Church in Commonweal Road for refreshments
4.00 The first walk on Sunday 1st December will start the Christmas Tree
Festival.
4.10 Leave St Mary’s
4.45 Depart from Bath Road Methodist Church
5.45 Depart from Christ Church
6.00 arrive Immanuel Church Upham Road
Provision will be made for wheelchair users, please contact one of the
organisers to make sure that suitable arrangements are in place.
The total distance of the walk is 1 ¼ miles, all along pavements. Most of
the walk will be in darkness, but there will be street lighting. All major
roads will be crossed via pedestrian controlled crossings.
In addition, the walks pass through Old Town and we will see the Old
Town Christmas lights on our way
Formal Opening ceremony at the Partnership Advent Carol service on 1st December – 6.30pm, Immanuel, Sunday 1st December, by our Mayor.
Christmas Services at Christ Church
churchadmin2021-01-04T16:47:23+00:00Christingle & Toy Service – December 1st 10am
A child friendly, family service where we each receive a candle to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World. The candle is placed in an orange, decorated with fruits to symbolise the fruits of the earth, tied with a red ribbon to remember Christ’s blood shed on the cross for us. You are invited to bring a soft toy to put under the tree as a gift for a child.
Lessons & Carol Service – December 22nd 6.30pm
A Candlelit service telling the Christmas Story in readings and carols sung by the choir and congregation. Followed by mulled wine and light refreshments.
Crib Service – December 24th 5pm
An opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the Christmas story together and sing well known and much-loved carols.
Midnight Mass December 24th 11.30pm
A traditional candlelit service heralding our celebration of the birth of Jesus. Sing all the traditional carols. Start Christmas!
Family Christmas Day Service December 25th 10.00am
A short, morning service aimed at families with young children. A chance to celebrate the birth of Jesus, hear the Christmas story and join in with traditional carols.
Watchnight Service December 31st 6pm
See in the New Year together. Celebrate the hope that a New Year brings. All are welcome.
Welcome at Christ Church – Christmas can be a lonely and isolated time of year for some. Christ Church is open every day during daylight hours
Partnership Christmas Tree Festival 2019 – Dec 1st – 22nd
churchadmin2019-12-23T01:39:17+00:00At the end of a year celebrating 50 years of Partnership between 4 Old Town churches and following last year’s highly successful “Live Nativity” event, The Journey, we are pleased to announce the Partnership Christmas Tree Festival.
The idea is that each church uses its imagination to offer a different atmosphere and layout depending on building and site considerations. In this way the churches are linked through a single event. Any donations or money raised will go to the Mayors Charities; CALM (Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Movement) and DCS (Deaf Children’s Society) which are both locally administered children’s charities.
The Festival will be launched with a free guided walk between the churches on the 1st December. The guided walk will leave St Mary’s Church, Commonweal Road at 4.10 pm, and finishes at Immanual church. The route is 1 1/4 miles in total and is easy going along pavements and will allow participants to experience the Christmas Tree festival in each church. It will be repeated on Sunday 8th December.
Our Mayor will officially open the Christmas Tree Festival at the Advent service at Immanuel Church at 6.30 pm on 1st December.The festival, which is free to attend, is a family friendly introduction to Christmas involving the 4 churches offering hospitality and a magical Christmas tree experience. St Mary’s church in Commonweal Road, Bath Road Methodist Church and Immanuel Church in Upham road will offer a display of sponsored, decorated trees inside their churches as well as refreshments and a festive welcome. At Christ Church, the ground around the church will be transformed by the installation of more than 20 decorated Christmas trees, each sponsored by a local business or charity. Refreshments will be offered, as well as craft activities and a fun treasure trail for the children inside and outside the church. A full programme of events and opening times is available on the Partnership Website, from the button below or by visiting any of the churches and picking up a Christmas Tree Festival Brochure.
Historic Footage- faces from the past.
churchadmin2019-12-23T01:40:10+00:00Recently, we received a copy of a 1961 video recording of the Vicarage Summer Garden party. The film came to all the way from New Zealand care of the Dorrington family who come from Aukland. 58 years is a long time but we wonder if anyone can identify either themselves or others in the pictures below or by watching the video on the link below.
If so we would love to hear from you. The original is slightly better (though not much) better quality so if you are interested contact Janet French or Stephen Grosvenor
New Ashes Burial Garden
churchadmin2020-03-07T13:35:41+00:00Christ Church with St Mary’s has one of the largest bereavement ministries in the diocese. The closure of our current Rose Garden means that we needed to build a new Garden of Remembrance for the interment of ashes.
We have created a new, level grassed area to the S.E. corner of the church. The new area has been carefully landscaped and will provide space for the burial of ashes for years to come. To find out more about the burial of ashes at Christ Church, please contact the parish office or call 01793 522832.
If you would like to make a gift to help us meet the cost of the new area then you can easily do so on our Just Giving Page
Remembrance Garden
Decoration and Refurbishment
The current projected cost is £12-£15,000. With the above in mind we are looking for sponsors or donors to help towards funding the works, which we hope will be completed in November. If you would like to discuss the project or could make a donation towards it then please contact parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk or telephone 01793 522832
Friends of Christ Church Christmas Market
churchadmin2019-11-28T21:01:17+00:00
To be opened by Father Christmas (and our Mayor)
Refreshments in the Church & Community Centre.Carols from the choir at 1.30 in the Community Centre & 2pm in Church, preceded by a seasonal selection from our handbell ringers.
Come and support the many local and national charities and sneak a little sample of Christmas cheer.
Free admission
Help us to tell the community about it – download and display a poster
Alone this Christmas?
churchadmin2019-12-23T01:40:29+00:00
Come and join the fun. 3 course Christmas meal, Christmas Carols, Queen’s Speech, fun and laughter
Where: Christ Church Community Centre
When 12.00 – 3.30 Christmas Day
To reserve your place by donation please contact
Chris Smith 01793 617237 or email Chris.Smith@ccccswindon.co.uk
Applications are invited for Community Centre Development Manager
churchadmin2019-11-01T14:48:54+00:00The Dorcan Church, East Swindon
Initially 20 hours per week to include some evening and weekend working.
Salary based on hours offered would be £11,440
Applications are invited for the post of Community Centre Development Manager (CCDM).
The role of the CCDM will be to manage the operations and administration of St Paul’s Church Centre as well as the supplementary resource of St Timothy’s church.
There will be an expectation to identify and develop volunteers to take an active role within the running of the Community/ Church Centres.
The CCDM will need to have had experience of working within and managing a 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 team and volunteers involved with the Dorcan church.
The successful applicant should have excellent communication and organisational skills and be able to demonstrate/ have a proven record in dealing with complex community relationships.
Please contact Chris Smith for an application pack:
Chris Smith, Centre Manager, St Paul’s Church Centre, Covingham, Swindon, SN3 5BY.
Telephone number 07582 305760 or
e-mail: hall.bookings@dorcanchurch.org.uk
Closing Date for applications is: Friday 25th October 2019
Interview to be held: W/C Monday 11th November 2019
Start date planned of: 1st January 2020
VISIT TO HOLYWELL GLASS:
churchadmin2019-11-28T17:08:42+00:00Daniel and Caroline Pitt visited Holywell Glass in Wells on 4 October to see progress on the refurbishment of the South Transept Window from Christ Church. ( see article here) Holywell Glass occupy a medieval mill in the City of Wells – the mill stream still rushes past the window. We met four delightful people who obviously enjoy their work.
Two of the Christ Church panes were being worked on during our visit. All procedures are carefully photographed. Before disassembly, a rubbing is taken that the glass then rests on as it is carried round the workshop. The first process is to remove the lead which holds the pieces together – wearing gloves and masks as lead is poisonous; the old lead is sent away for recycling. Then the glass is placed on a light box and each piece of the pattern is carefully cleaned to remove 160 years of smoke from coal fires and candles, dust and condensation. One person will take most of a week to clean all the pieces in each of our four lights. Then any glass pieces that are broken will be repaired with either epoxy resin, copper strips or new lead.
Eventually the panes will be reassembled and releaded and then returned to the church to be reinstalled in the window. We hope that this process will be finished in good time for Christmas. Caroline & Daniel Pitt
Swindon Male Voice Choir Concert
churchadmin2019-10-09T19:40:17+01:00
In their centenary year, the Swindon Male Voice choir will be in concert at 7.30pm in Christ Church on November 23rd. They will be supported by special guests, the Romsey Male Voice choir. All proceeds go to the Samaritans.
Tickets £10.00 adult : Under 16s free
Available from: Choir members or Swindon Male Voice Choir ticket Point: 01793 822495
Email: swindonmalevoicechoir@msn.com
Swindon and District Samaritans: 07484 611993