Listen again to our festival of Lessons and Carols from Christ Church Swindon featuring the Choir of Christ Church with St Mary’s and led by the Revd Canon Simon Stevenette.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sx9n8p5lb1gi995/2015%20Lessons%20and%20carols.mp3?dl=0
(a large file which may take some time to download)
The Friends of Christ Church Trustees thank everyone who helped make the Christmas Charity market on 21 November such a success. Everyone who came enjoyed it; all the participating charities and community organisations made a profit (there were 36) and over £4,300 was raised including £800 for church charities. All would like to return if we plan an event in November 2016.
The Friends welcome new members – annual membership is £5 for singles and £10 for families; life membership is £75 – forms are at the back of the church or on the website. Members are also eligible to join the winning organising team of Trustees – Caroline Hallatt (chair), Peter Ford (secretary), Julia Kablak (treasurer), Caroline Pitt, (membership secretary), Margaret Williams, Pam Bridgeman and Christine Senior. (Simon, Mike and Daniel are also Trustees because of their offices.)
Dear Friends
Thank you so much for all your encouragement with the Football Fans in Training course I have been participating in at Swindon Town run by our Football in the Community team over the last 3 months; quite simply one of the best things I have been involved with in my life! It has felt like a 12 week retreat in so many ways.
Tonight was a wonderful celebration. The group of 30 of us have lost together 43.8 stones! Each of us were set a target to lose between 5-10% of our body weight.
I was very honoured to win the prize for the highest percentage of body weight lost, 18.4% and for the most centimetres lost around the chest 18.5 cms. Overall I have lost over 21/2 stone and now weigh 11 stone 9 lbs! The challenge obviously is maintaining this weight. Many moving conversations and I was thrilled to hear virtually the whole group will be coming with their families to the Swindon Town Carol service next Thursday 6.30pm to celebrate! There will be a lot of publicity locally.
We will be playing the Manchester City football fans in training at the Etihad in February/March. Also we have been invited to help mentor the next course which begins at the end of January
Very specially I travelled tonight to the gym with Gary and Jo, I married them at Christ Church in August 2001, they are having a marriage thanksgiving at the same time in 2017.
As I said in my speech tonight I couldn’t have done this without the support of the 30 guys and the excellent leadership of Shane, Jon and Louise who have taught us all a great deal. Thank you each of you for all of your support to Nicola and I . Nicola jokes that I am now less weight than before I first knew her 33 years ago!!! Anyone like to join me for a run tomorrow and my first Pilates class at our Christ church Community centre?
Simon
For the Fallen by Douglas Guest – our introit from this Sunday’s Remembrance service
If the plug in doesn’t work on your pc then listen on this link http://ipad.io/aFio
Some of you may have wondered why Carol one of our lay ministers, chose to Brave the Shave in aid of Macmillan. This sermon given at our recent Remembrance Evensong service is a powerful and thought provoking alternative way of looking at War.
You can listen to the sermon here: http://www.ipadio.com/channels/ChristChurchSwindon
We are planning to once again support Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox Appeal. Please can you begin to gather items of stationery, toys, toiletries, sweets (not chocolate) and other suitable small personal items ready to bring to church on the first three Sundays in November (a list of suitable items can be found at www.samaritans-purse.org.uk or at the back of church) when we hope to be able to pack a good number of shoeboxes to send around the world to make a difference to children’s lives. We have kindly had a donation of some 50 empty shoeboxes and it would be great to fill them all! If you don’t have a shoebox then please bring your gifts to church and we will pack them for you.
It costs just £3 to transport each gift box across the world so if you can – please include £3 towards this.
Thank you on behalf of Operation Christmas Child and all the happy children you will help this Christmas.
Watch a short film about the excellent work of this charity
I decided some time ago to do a head shave to stand alongside a very brave lady who lost her hair to chemotherapy whilst suffering from breast cancer – the beautiful Katie. Her hair is now back but she was so courageous when it was gone I felt I needed to do this for her and others like her. I also lost both of my parents to cancer when they were in their 50s – where I am now – so I want to dedicate this crazy act to their memory!
You can sponsor me easily on line here: https://bravetheshave.org.uk/
If you are not a Internet kind of person then catch me one Sunday soon.
The date it will be done is Sunday 8th November at lunchtime in the Community Centre @ Christ Church. To watch there will be an admission charge unless you have already sponsored me. (For causes I believe in I am ruthless…) My girls will be on the door with collection buckets…for money, not my hair.
COME ON, SPONSOR ME. I love my hair so I want AT LEAST £1000 for this. We can do it!!!!
Heavenly Father,Click here to make a bid for our Silent auction lots.
As part of our fund raising for the Old Town Autumn Fayre at Christ church on 12th September, we are holding a Silent Auction with a wide variety of lots donated by local businesses and individuals. You can make a bid on any of the items listed and find out more about them in the form below.
One of Old Town Swindon’s most popular seasonal events – The Old Town Autumn Fayre – is returning with more new activities for 2015. This traditional style fayre in Christ Church grounds and new Community Centre will be held on Saturday 12th September 12noon – 4pm. With delicious food outlets, and live music from the superb Bill Bailey Jazz Band, vintage swing boats and traditional games from Hoopla to Beat the Goalie, there is something to entertain the whole family in this free to enter event.
New this year
Amongst this year’s new activities will be stunning Birds of Prey flying demonstrations with Falcons, Raptors, Owls and Eagles and a chance to handle these beautiful birds. And for the first 100 children there is a free teddy bear to claim!
Full range of refreshments – make a day of it.
Enjoy the real ale and cider tent, or indulge in a gorgeous cake in the decorative Tea Garden. If you fancy hot and savoury there will be a selection of delicious stalls including locally sourced burgers and sausages and African street food dishes.
Silent Auction
This year we are running a Silent Auction and to give it its best possible start we are sending it to you and many other friends in the hope and expectation you will find something you would like to bid for. If you can’t make it on the day – you can still take part using our on-line auction bidding form. Local businesses and friends have donated a fantastic range of items for you to bid for -all profits go towards supporting the work of Christ Church in the local community and further afield. Find out about the items on offer and make a bid here.
Craft stalls and Local Produce
If a spell in the stocks isn’t your thing, there’ll be craft and heritage stalls, plants to brighten up your garden and local produce to purchase. If you are feeling fit you can try your hand at bell ringing a mere 46 steps up into the church tower!
Event Organiser Daphne Hardwick said: “After the success of last year when so many local families enjoyed the fayre we are delighted to be introducing more new features and look forward to a another wonderful local community event. It’s going to be great fun and we look forward to seeing lots of people on the day. The new Community Centre @Christ Church which was opened by Nick Hewer last year has proved a massive hit with local groups and has provided a lovely new venue to support the Old Town Autumn Fayre.”
