Celebrate the change in season on the Railway Path

2018-10-26T16:15:24+01:00

On Sunday 30th September, the Friends of the Railway Path will be running a family-friendly event on the Path next to Three Trees Farm Shop and Café, Chiseldon, SN4 0HT, from 11.00 – 3.30.  You can:

  • Learn to scythe and help us make and rake a meadow
  • Come on a wildlife and wild food walk 
  • Hear about our upcoming hedgehog survey, and how to take part
  • Bring your bike and go for a ride using our new map

If you would like to come, please let me know or book a free place here.

If you can’t come but are interested in the hedgehog survey, please let me know.  Some more details are below.

Best wishes

Dick Millard  (dick.millard@btinternet.com)

Celebrate the change in season on the Railway Path2018-10-26T16:15:24+01:00

Swindon Youth for Christ

2018-10-26T16:15:44+01:00

Swindon Youth for Christ are looking for churches who we can partner with in taking the good news relevantly to every young person in Swindon.

This coming school year, we have two gap year students who would like to work with us and learn from the experience.  One is from this country and the other is from the States.  They are both keen to be involved in the new sports ministry which we are developing and is proving to be very exciting.

We are now in a position where we are looking for churches who would like to join with this vision and who would have families who could host the students. If you/your church might be interested, do please get back to Dave Clarke – Dave@syfc.org.uk in order to take the discussions forward.

Find out more in the information below.

The-role-of-a-host-church-for-a-YFC-VolunteerDownload
The role of a YFC Volunteer host familyDownload
Swindon Youth for Christ2018-10-26T16:15:44+01:00

Reach out to touch the World this Christmas time

2018-10-31T12:14:57+00:00
http://www.hostuk.org

No wrapping paper required, ribbon or tags, just knowing that by offering hospitality to a “Stranger Soon to Become Friend”, the experience will stay with you and your guest long after recycling the wrapping paper, storing decorations and finishing off the cold turkey!  

Here at HOST UK we offer you the opportunity to engage in an extra special Christmas-time by opening your home to an international student for whom the alternative would be, not only being far from home and loved ones but marking time in lonely halls of residence.

HOST UK arranges visits for International students all year round but as can well be imagined, festive season hospitality is greatly sought after and valued. Our “festive season” will include the period in the Christmas run up, as well as New Year. Your guest will be someone keen to experience British life with all its special traditions and culture…and keen to share those of their home country. Your hospitality will be a unique gift, invariably remembered and treasured. Your gift to each other and to the world will be that of growing friendship, peace and understanding.

Please consider this opportunity and remember that if the festive season is difficult for you, we do operate all year round and hosting can become one of your New Year Resolutions!

If you should like to know more, please go to our website www.hostuk.org or leave us a message on

http://visits.hostuk.org/Public/ApplyToBecomeAHost
Reach out to touch the World this Christmas time2018-10-31T12:14:57+00:00

A Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Gift of Wisdom

2018-09-17T19:11:53+01:00

O Holy wisdom in part to me I pray;
The gift to see the entire picture with myself in it;
The meaning of the whole and the beauty of the parts;
The perfection of the end and the value of the process;
The contribution of the failures to the fullness of success;
The sharpness of conflict for the enriching of harmony;
The role of destruction in purifying creation;
The glory of dying for the finding of life;
For Christs sake who is both truth and love, Amen

Bishop Oliver Tomkins

A Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Gift of Wisdom2018-09-17T19:11:53+01:00

Our Vision and Values

2018-08-29T20:11:59+01:00
Following our Church Strategic Review, our congregation and supporters were invited to suggest statements that encapsulate what we do at Christ Church.
A small group then met to examine the suggestions and has now made the proposals below, for our Vision and Mission statements.
These will be displayed in our written and electronic media to remind us of our common vision and help others to see what we seek to be.

Our proposed Vision Statement (what we strive to be)

To be Christ’s Church in the community

Mission Statements (how we achieve our mission)

By proclaiming Christ through teaching and example
By welcoming and serving all through hospitality
By encouraging people to find God through worship, faith and prayer
By providing a spiritual home and resources for the local community
By transforming Swindon and beyond with God’s hope and compassion

Values Statement (what qualities we will show)

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

 

Our Vision and Values2018-08-29T20:11:59+01:00

AUDITION NOTICE – OLD TOWN NATIVITY – THE JOURNEY – 9th DECEMBER 2018

2018-08-05T00:43:44+01:00

2nd July and 10th July
This December there will be a huge public performance of the Nativity story that winds it way through the streets of Old Town, involving members of the Swindon community as actors, singers, production team members and much much more!
The Journey will tell this well trodden tale but with fresh contemporary eyes, presenting the difficulties and challenges that the whole community felt at having to shift their lives without warning and we are looking for actors to take part now!
Directed by Anna Friend, who led the successful Wroughton Passion Play in 2016, this will be an edgy and energetic version, taking the audience through many locations to finally arrive at the end of the journey and the beginning of the story of Jesus. It will be an exciting and invigorating process through rehearsal and then onto a performance which holds many challenges for the whole team.

Open to experienced actors and those that would like to be involved, the Journey team of Executive Producer Daphne Hardwick and Producer Juliet Webb alongside Director Anna Friend need to hear from you.

Auditions are coming up and we have TWO sessions that you can come along to.

The first session is on Monday 2nd July begins at 5pm and completes at 8.30pm.

The second is on Tuesday 10th July from 5pm once more. Both sessions will be held at Christ Church Old Town Swindon.

We are looking for those that can take on the principal roles of Mary and Joseph as well as some smaller speaking roles.
We are also looking for a huge company of actors who will contribute to the storytelling along the way, performing small vignettes to help the audience to understand all the perspectives of those taking part in this epic journey.
If you would like to be involved in any way as a performer or in production please get in touch and we will arrange which audition session you can come along to.
If you cannot make either session but would like to audition, please get in touch as we might be able to accommodate an alternative date.
Come and get involved in what will be a memorable and amazing event in your community.
Contact thejourneyswindon@gmail.com

AUDITION NOTICE – OLD TOWN NATIVITY – THE JOURNEY – 9th DECEMBER 20182018-08-05T00:43:44+01:00

Join the Journey

2018-08-05T00:44:10+01:00

We are looking for participants to join in our telling of the Nativity on Sunday 9th December 2018. “The Journey” is an immersive, processional performance of the Nativity, enacted throughout Old Town in Swindon, produced by Revd. Daphne Hardwick, Anna Friend, who directed the very successful  2015 “The Passion” in Wroughton   and Juliet Webb, Producer.

Audiences will experience Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem taking place around them. The story of this journey will be portrayed like you have never seen before; live, up-close and personal.  Unfolding in the streets and populated by a cast of many, playing the story and recreating the ambience of the real journey, offering audiences the opportunity to bear witness to this incredible story.

Starting off outside Lethbridge Road School, providing the location for Nazareth, audiences will meet Mary, the teenage bride, betrothed to Joseph and mysteriously pregnant. She risks shame, heartbreak and a painful death.  Revealed are Joseph’s innermost thoughts. How can he understand the nature of Mary’s pregnancy? How will he find the strength to stand by her? Now forced by an occupying power they must make an impossible journey together. Wood Street will play host to Bethlehem and a thronging Bazaar, where we meet lots of characters, flavours and the hubbub of an inundated city, where our exhausted travellers must seek shelter before coming to rest at Christ Church, which plays the role of the stable and Jesus’ birthplace.
There are lots of ways to be involved from marshalling, distributing programmes, choral singing, musicians, cast, extras and crew. There is the potential for further traders, stall holders and entertainers in our Bazaar.

Please contact Daphne or Juliet at libertyrockspr@gmail.com to register your interest in getting involved.   You will receive an invitation to meet with the team and there will be various opportunities to attend meet-ups and rehearsals before December.

We are also seeking sponsors to feature in our programme and provide some of the infrastructure and materials for the performance. We welcome parishioners, Old Town residents, local business and organisations to join us

 

 

Join the Journey2018-08-05T00:44:10+01:00

A message from your Gift Aid Secretary

2018-10-26T16:16:02+01:00

It is now a couple of months since Brian Harris, chair of our Finance Committee, outlined our proposal to join the Parish Giving Scheme. There are a number of excellent reasons why we are encouraging all existing regular givers to sign up to the P.G.S. not the least of which is that it saves a significant amount of time and administration for myself as your Gift Aid secretary. If you missed Brian’s talk you can hear it again here https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/2018/05/hear-about-our-new-parish-giving-scheme/ It lays out very clearly the benefits of the scheme and rather embarrasses me but all in a good cause!

A number of questions have arisen over the past few days which I hope can clarify some points for everyone.

 

Q. When I sign up to the PGS what happens if I want to make occasional donations – particularly to our Mission Giving days?

A. You still remain registered for Gift Aid in favour of Christ Church so your local donations will still be valued and counted as normal.

Q. Once I have completed the application form, what do I do with it?

A. First ensure that, if you are eligible for Gift Aid, (that is you pay UK tax equal or more than the amount of Gift aid claimed on your donations) you have ticked the allow GIFT AID  tick box on the form. Then return it in the stamped addressed envelope provided (you can get one from the parish office if you don’t have one) directly to PGS. The address is also on the form.

Q. What happens next?

A. Once you have had a reply from PGS acknowledging your giving and telling you the first date that your new Direct debit will be taken. Then you should contact your bank to cancel your existing Standing order/Direct debit.

Q. Where can I get a PGS application form from so that I can start to regularly support the work of the church?

A. There are application packs at the back of the church or you can get them from Helen in the parish office or by contacting Stephen on the details below.

Q. I don’t really understand what I have to do. Can you help me?

A. I will be delighted to talk you through the form, the process and help you understand what it all means. You can telephone me (01793 341034 or email me s.grosvenor@gmail.com) and I can help.

There is no deadline to joining the PGS but many of its benefits derive from as many givers as possible taking it up so please do consider joining the many members of the church community who have already done so.

Thank you

Stephen Grosvenor

Gift Aid Secretary – Christ Church with St Mary’s Swindon

A message from your Gift Aid Secretary2018-10-26T16:16:02+01:00

Notes from the latest Finance Group Meeting

2018-05-31T11:38:28+01:00

The Christ Church Finance Group is chaired by Brian Harris and its members include Andrew Yeoward our Treasurer, Daniel Pitt PCC former Church warden and PCC member, Rev Canon Simon Stevenette, Vicar.

The group co-ordinates the day to day and strategic direction of our parish finances. They met on the 12th April 2018

Notes of FG group meeting – 12 April 2018 – issue 1

Notes from the latest Finance Group Meeting2018-05-31T11:38:28+01:00

Report on our Annual Parochial Church Meeting – A.P.C.M

2018-08-05T00:44:35+01:00

Thank you for your support and prayers at the APCM last Sunday. Phil Mansfield’s excellent strategic review update is available on our church website, by email or in hard copy, please contact the parish Office. Pam Bridgeman and Jim D’Avila were elected as church Wardens. Please pray for them this Wednesday as they make their Declaration at the Archdeacon’s Visitation in Hullavington to officially become Church Wardens.

Sandie Rule and Nitin Shinde have been elected as Deputy Church Wardens. David Ratnam, Daniel Pitt, Sandie Rule and Ruth Awinyo have been voted on to PCC for a three-year term. At a meeting after the APCM our new PCC elected Pam Bridgeman as Lay Chair, co-opted Andrew Yeoward onto PCC as our new Treasurer, co-opted Brian Harris on to PCC for a one-year term as Chair of the Governance and Finance Committee, to provide some continuity for our new treasurer and elected Ruth Awinyo as our new PCC Secretary.

Please pray for our PCC as they prepare for their first meeting on Monday 21st May with an informal Holy Communion service beforehand.

Every blessing Simon
Report on our Annual Parochial Church Meeting – A.P.C.M2018-08-05T00:44:35+01:00

APCM – Update on our Strategy Review by Phil Mansfield

2018-08-05T00:44:53+01:00

During our Annual Parochial Church Meeting last weekend we received an update from Phil Mansfield, a member of our St Mary’s congregation who has been helping us to review our thinking about our future. You can read his report on progress here APCM Strategic Review Summary

You can also read Phil’s intitial findings here: https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/CC-Strategy-Review-2017.pdf

We also recently published our 2017 Annual Report – read it here: https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Final-Signed-Annual-Report-2017.pdf

APCM – Update on our Strategy Review by Phil Mansfield2018-08-05T00:44:53+01:00
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