Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the forty days of Lent. It is the day on which Christians gather to receive the imposition of ashes. We have two services next Wednesday 14th February to mark this.
Next week’s Ash Wednesday Services at Christ Church
Visitors and Volunteers enjoy great food and company
About eighty people who would otherwise have been on their own, were able to enjoy a Christmas lunch, a good singalong, listen to the Queen’ s speech and to take a present home on Christmas Day. This was the second year this event had been provided to local people, all due to the initiative of our Community Centre Manager, Chris Smith.
The day before, those of us volunteering, spent time wrapping presents, laying the tables, buying drinks and making the Community Centre as welcoming and festive as possible. Such care had been taken with the organisation of the event that everyone had their own place name and a list of what they had chosen to eat and a welcome drink when they arrived.
Chef Steve Mitchell works his magic
The chef said it was a great place to cook and everyone seemed to have enough to eat and drink. David, who hosted the celebrations this year, did a sterling job keeping everything working well including the streaming of the Queen’s speech which provided somewhat difficult due to the technology. People who came said how much it meant to them to them being with others and not being on their own. Transport was provided for people who needed it. For the twenty plus volunteers who helped out on the day it was not only enjoyable but a moving experience. A number of people attending had disabilities and a few were homeless. Hearing life stories from the attenders, a number of whom were getting on for a 100 years old, was a very touching and memorable experience. Thanks to Chris Smith for making this possible and such a success.
Mike and Lynda Fisher
I would like to put together a walks programme for 2018. Please join us on the New Year’s Day ramble with a view to sharing ideas for the 2018 programme. Maybe six planned walks throughout the year – possibly including a weekend visit to southern Snowdonia.
Background
The first outing of the Walking Group was on New Year’s Day 1999, when we walked over the M4 curly-whirly bridge and over the fields to the Calley Arms at Hodson – and back home in the fading light! The group has met about 5 times every year since. We walk by canals, rivers, over downland and beside less well known places in Swindon. We have walked around the boundary of Old Town Parish many times.
The walks have always been promoted amongst the Old Town Partnership of Churches, and new ways of promoting the walks to a wider group in Swindon – and further afield – are always sought. Everyone is welcome.
Apart from the joys of fresh air, scenery and peace – and the benefits of exercise – there is another special feature of a walk. The special feature is that one is not alone, even if, for a while, one is content with one’s own company. When you fall in step with another person, the conversation can be about whatever you like. Walking side by side need not be intense. Sometimes more than a book’s worth of words are spoken in silence over a mile – with just the singing of the skylarks, or the noise of air in beech trees.
I love walks because they have movement and flow, and sometimes you find simplicity and answers. Walks can be fabulously romantic – also you don’t need to keep your imagination or ideas safely in a bottle!
Join in if you can.
Daniel Pitt 26 November 2017
Home 521732
Mobile 07834 704350
fdpitt@yahoo.co.uk
Candlelit Lessons and Carols service at Christ Church, Swindon Sunday, 17th at 6.30pm. There will also be seven choir only carols:
Adam lay ybounden (Warlock)
I wonder as I wander (Rutti)
Sir Christemas (Mathias)
Carol of the shepherds (Hewitt Jones)
Dormi Jesu (Rutter)
The Bell carol (Ledger)
I saw three ships (arr. Lloyd)
Congregational carols are interspersed with seasonal readings.
Our organist is Ian Crabbe, who played Bach’s chorale prelude In dulci jubilo BWV 729 and the the Final from Vierne’s first symphony after the service.
Download our 2017 Christmas services
Christmas Eve
10 am Holy Communion
4 pm Crib service
(With a nativity play performed by the children from King William Street School)
6.30 pm No service
11.30 pm Midnight Mass
Christmas Day
8 am Holy Communion
10 am Family Holy Communion
New Year’s Eve
6.30 pm No service
11 pm Watch Night service. Holy Communion followed by a glass of fizz to bring in the New Year
Find out about all our services on our calendar here. https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/services.php
The PCC met recently. They discussed issues concerning the Community Centre, 2018 budget and the recent Church Review by Phil Mansfield.
You can read the minutes here PCC Minutes 27thnovember2017
Questions relating to any issues arising or other concerns or observations can always be made to any of the staff team or current members of the PCC.
Revd Canon Simon Stevenette (Chair), Richard French, Annette French, Anne Macmillan, Greg Kendall, Ian Farr, Judith Hawkins, Jim D’Avila, Revd David Howell, Brian Harris, Revd Norma McKemey, Daniel Pitt (Lay-Chair), Keith Tredget (Treasurer) and Ailsa Palmer (minutes) Pam Bridgeman, Sheila Wright, Janet French, Siamon Opande.
The PCC have recieved a set of observations and recommendation resulting from the review held for us by Phil Mansfield a member of our St Mary’s congregation. Phil has based his fi
ndings on a number of interviews held with members of the congregation over the past few months. The purpose of the review is to explore our vision for Christ Church and look for better and more effective ways of working, both within the church and with the wider community.
A small group comprising – Lynda Fisher, Anne Macmillan, Stephen Grosvenor, Ian Farr and Greg Kendal have been commissioned by the PCC to consider the review and come up with some next step actions. They will report their findings to the PCC meeting on the 29th January 2018.
You can read the minutes of the last PCC meeting 27th November here.
A copy of Phil’s report is available as a download here CC Strategy Review 2017 and paper copies can be obtained from the Parish office. (01793 522832). Please feel free to raise any points you would like to make with any member of the PCC or staff team.
The review represents a significant amount of work and we are very grateful to Phil for his time and expertise.
Find out more about the work of our Mission partners Jimmy & Katia Rocks. This sunday (26th) is our last Mission Giving day in aid of the work of the CMS
If you are a taxpayer please consider using a gift aid envelope for your donation – gifts will be accepted until Dec 4th.
Thank you for your support
Christ Church and it’s people share lots of activities and interests. Come along to the Community Centre on Sunday 26th 11.30 – 1.30pm to find out what we do and meet some of the people who do them.
Download a brochure here Big Church
Our Partnership churches have been raising money for the Foyer, a local 57 bed hostel which provides safe accommodation for young homeless people aged between 16- 25 in Swindon.
Why not come along and enjoy a food and wine themed quiz in aid of the Foyer and experience the warm welcome of a visit to the newly refurbished Christ Church, a grade II * listed building at the heart of Old Town. Sample some carefully selected wines and cheeses and exercise your brain.
Tickets £15 from Parish office (based in the Community Centre at Christ Church 01793 522832) or from Magnum Wine Shop in Wood Street.
The event is kindly sponsored by our friends at Magnum
Friday 8th December 7.30 – bring your friends and support this great local charity.
Listen again to our service of commemoration for the departed.
November 5th 2017
Read the proposal for our future strategy for children and young families
Please pass any comments or suggestions you may have in response to this
document to Nicola Stevenette or David Howell, or via the Parish Office email: parishoffice@christchurchswindon.co.uk.
