Arrangements for our temporary church closure

2017-04-26T19:38:52+01:00

Work has now begun to refurbish Christ Church – you can find out what we are doing here.

As Vicar and Church Wardens we are asking you today to pray that we will make the most of this window of opportunity and will grow as a congregation as we work together seeking God’s guidance and presence each step of the way. We are enormously grateful to our P.C.C. Buildings Committee for their professionalism, wisdom and commitment in getting us to this point.

After a series of meetings this week, the plan is that all of our Sunday worship will take place in the Community Centre for the next 8 weeks.

  •  8am Holy Communion Service in the Large Meeting Room
  • 10am All Age and Holy Communion Services in the Main Hall and Garden Room, with the choir being unrobed. Sunday Club will either be with the main worship, or in Chris’ office or in the Vicarage, to be confirmed.
  • 4pm Sunday @ 4 in the Main Hall and Garden Room as normal.
  • 6.30pm Evening Worship, in the Main Hall and Garden Room.
  • Midweek 9am Morning Prayer – in the Large Meeting Room.
  • Wednesday 10.30am service at St Mary’s.

In one important sense it will be business as usual but in another sense there will be some differences with the change of ambiance and we will be warmer!! We trust that you will do all you can to encourage one another and lend a hand practically where you are able. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us at any time. Please pray for all the preparations. We look forward to confirming these arrangements next weekend.

Thank you for all your support and understanding.

Every blessing

Simon, Daniel and Mike (Vicar and Church Wardens)

You can find out more detail about our plans here. Overview

 

 

Arrangements for our temporary church closure2017-04-26T19:38:52+01:00

Creating Connections – Lent Course

2017-04-21T14:49:24+01:00

Our Bristol Diocesan vision Lent course leads participants to consider what it means to be a disciple connected to God, each other and our communities. It is our prayer that as we meet together in small groups across Swindon and whole diocese that we spend time exploring God’s word through this Diocesan resource. We would discover afresh what it means to be a follower of Christ, bearing witness to his name.

It comes highly recommended from the Staff team. Please remember all the preparations in your prayers. If you would like to find out more here is the link to the material (http://www.bristol.anglican.org/2016/creating-connections-lent-course/) There will be day time and evening groups running in March and April including new groups beginning on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday evening. Please let Ailsa Palmer, Lynda Fisher or Simon Stevenette know if you would like to be involved or if you would like to host one of the courses yourself using the material provided.

Creating Connections – Lent Course2017-04-21T14:49:24+01:00

Journeys – a five week enquirers course

2017-04-21T14:48:50+01:00

You are warmly invited to join us for a five-week journey

exploring faith through real life stories of changed lives,

with a chance to ask questions, and share your views.

All welcome!

At 6 Belmont Crescent, Old Town Swindon, SN1 4EY

Starting on Tuesday 28th February at 7.30pm

For more information please contact: Christ Church Parish Office on 522832 or email: celia.deepfields@tiscali.co.uk

Journeys – a five week enquirers course2017-04-21T14:48:50+01:00

Songs of Praise – Community Centre Christ Church 11th February 2.30pm

2017-02-22T10:54:41+00:00

Come to our Songs of Praise event at Christ Church Community Centre on Saturday 11th February 2.30. Enjoy a good sing with G&T (that’s Geoff and Tim, sadly no gin involved). Although there will be tea & cakes too. All are welcome. Donations for the Partnership Foyer Project.

Songs of Praise – Community Centre Christ Church 11th February 2.30pm2017-02-22T10:54:41+00:00

Community Centre – Together @ Christmas

2017-02-22T10:55:34+00:00

Our first Christmas Day event couldn’t have gone any better! We opened the Community Centre @ Christ Church from 12-3pm in order to host a 3 course meal
including Christmas singing and ending with the Queens speech. Quite aptly the Queen spoke about Community spirit which we had managed to capture within our
building that day too. There was fun, laughter and food provided for 40 people who would have otherwise been on their own on Christmas Day. Not to mention the 25 volunteers who were also fed.

There was an amazing buzz around the Centre that day and I felt particularly humbled by the whole day and by the amount of kindness from everyone in the
room. It is amazing how generous people can be when you try to do something nice for others at a time of year that should really be held in a family friendly environment.Volunteers gave up their time on the day itself and before, others gave financial backing to the cause whilst others donated particular items. It was amazing to see
the whole community come together. We have received so much positive feedback after the event from both volunteers and attendees alike and will be looking to make this an annual event.

If you would like to volunteer at next year’s event please do get in contact with me.

Chris Smith – Email: chris.smith@ccccswindon.co.uk or Tel: 01793 617237

Community Centre – Together @ Christmas2017-02-22T10:55:34+00:00

Christ Church Renewal Project gets the green light

2017-02-22T10:55:08+00:00

We are pleased to announce that Christ Church has been awarded a faculty to proceed with its renewal works. This follows a lengthy consultation process during which various interested parties have been given the opportunity to comment and provide advice on the work.

It is difficult to find suitable times to complete such a complex and extensive set of works but we have identified an opportunity during the 8 weeks commencing 6th February 2017 and 6th April. In order to ensure that the work has the best chance of completion prior to a wedding booked on the 8th April and the Easter celebration the following week, it has been decided to close the church completely. This will allow the various trades the maximum flexibility to carry out the work on the new heating system, lighting, new wooden floor, storage area and audio visual improvements.

During the closure of the church arrangements for worship will be as follows:

  • 8am – Holy Communion Service in the Large Meeting Room
  • 10am – All Age and Holy Communion Services in the Main Hall and Garden Room, with the choir being unrobed. Sunday Club will either be with the main worship, or in Chris’ office or in the Vicarage, to be confirmed.
  • 4pm  – Sunday @ 4 in the Main Hall and Garden Room as normal.
  • 30pm – Evening Worship, in the Main Hall and Garden Room.
  • Midweek – 9am Morning Prayer – in the Large Meeting Room, and on some days when this is not available, in the Vicarage.  These locations will be confirmed.
  • Wednesday – 10.30am service in the Large Meeting Room, or at St Mary’s.  These locations will be confirmed.

We hope that the result of this investment will be a renewed, refreshed and revitalised church building – fit to meet the challenges and expectations of those who use it both for regular worship, occasional service and for recreation and entertainment now and in the future.

You can read about our plans in more detail here.

Christ Church Renewal Project gets the green light2017-02-22T10:55:08+00:00

December Family Sundays at Christ Church

2017-01-14T17:45:52+00:00

xmas-2016This year, as always, there are lots of family friendly services. A full list of all services including midnight mass and our Lessons & Carols Service is here. Here is a list of our main Family Sunday services during December.

Sunday 18th December 10.00 am Christingle Celebration -We each receive a candle reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World, shining into the darkness. We also receive an orange decorated with fruits, symbolising the fruits of the Earth and tied with a red ribbon, to remind us that Jesus died on the cross shedding his blood for us all.

Sunday 24th December 4.00pm -Traditional Crib Service – An opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the Christmas Story together and to sing well-known and much-loved carols and songs just before THE BIG DAY!

Sunday 25th December 10.00am – Family Christmas Day Service

Download the poster and help us to spread the word

 

December Family Sundays at Christ Church2017-01-14T17:45:52+00:00

Details of our Christmas Services

2017-01-27T17:38:45+00:00

Knit 1Sunday 18th December

  • 10am Christingle Service –  We each receive a candle reminding us that Jesus is the Light of the World, shining into the darkness. We also receive an orange decorated with fruits, symbolising the fruits of the Earth and tied with a red ribbon, to remind us that Jesus died on the cross shedding his blood for us all.
  • Traditional candle lit Lessons and Carols Service – 6.30pm

Thursday 22nd December

  • 6.30pm Swindon Town Football Club Carol Service

Christmas Eve

  • 4pm Crib service An opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the Christmas Story together and to sing well-known and much-loved carols and songs just before THE BIG DAY!Knit2
  • 11.30pm Midnight Mass

Christmas Day

  • 8am Holy Communion
  • 10am Family Holy Communion

New Year’s Eve

  • 11pm Watch Night Holy Communion and party
Details of our Christmas Services2017-01-27T17:38:45+00:00

Partnership New Year’s Day Ramble

2017-01-27T17:39:06+00:00
bevans

Bevans Bridge

Sunday 1st January 2017, start 2.00 p.m. Christ Church car park.  West along the old railway track as far as Bevans Bridge over the canal, and back.  4 miles total.  Gentle pace.  The usual tradition will be observed on the bridge. (Spoiler alert – this may involve strong drink). Return to Christ Church by 4.30.  Everyone is welcome, including those who might find themselves on their own on New Year’s Day.  It’s always useful to know who is joining us though please contact walk leader Daniel Pitt (Mob  07834 704350) if you would like to come along.

Partnership New Year’s Day Ramble2017-01-27T17:39:06+00:00

A message from Rose

2016-12-09T15:34:44+00:00

In January of this year, my precious son, Gavin, moved from Australia to live and work in Swindon. As a qualified electrical engineer, he had been invited by Network Rail to come and helping with the electrification of the British railway system. When driving on his way to work on a Saturday night in June, Gavin was critically injured after a car crashed into him whilst travelling in the opposite direction. I am forever grateful for the miracle that, due to a passing ambulance stopping and performing CPR, Gavin, who had suffered a cardiac arrest and had died at the scene, was able to be airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital and be placed on life-support. This then meant family members were able to travel from Australia and spend quality time with him. Friends who were already in England, plus Gavin’s work colleagues, were constantly by his bedside as well. lt also gave 6 special people the beautiful gift of life through Gavin’s generous donation of his organs.

gavin

Gavin Roberts

Throughout this incredibly sad journey, I have known that God’s grace and mercy has never been felt more or experienced so powerfully by me. I’ve believed for many years that I was to one day go to England, and that I was to give to people the message of hope. Whilst family and friends were gathered around Gavin’s bed, I felt led to say to them, “I want you to have compassion and forgiveness for the other driver.” Since then, many doors have opened for me to be able to spread the message on compassion and forgiveness. I have also been led by the Lord to talk about reaching the crossroads of life. “If you harden your heart and not forgive, then you can become bitter and resentful, but if you choose to forgive and your heart remains soft, then you can be used to help people and grow as a human being in a positive way.”

God is using me to hopefully, help people make better choices when they go through life. He is also having me deliver the Christian message on forgiveness in a non-threatening manner. It has been a great blessing to me when people have said to me afterwards that by hearing my message, it has caused them to think differently. How wonderful is that! Isaiah 55:11: “so is my word that goes out from your mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” The message of hope I give is part of Gavin’s on-going legacy.

With blessings, Rose Joshua

 

memorial

Gavin’s friends & family at his memorial service in Christ Church

Footnote – Gavin was one of those who was remembered in our Service of Commemoration for the departed on the 6th November. You can hear the whole service and the names read out here: http://ipad.io/llx4h4c

 

A message from Rose2016-12-09T15:34:44+00:00
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