Commemorative Evensong marking the beginning of World War One: We are delighted to offer a special Evensong this Monday, 4th August 7.30pm led by the Christ Church choir. The Bible readings are Joel 2.1-3 and 12-13 and Mark 13.3- 8 and will be read by our South Swindon MP the Right Honourable Robert Buckland, now Solicitor General for the Government; and our Deputy Mayor, Councillor Andrew Bennett. The choir will be singing “For the fallen” – words by Laurence Binyon, music by Douglas Guest as the introit. Sumsion responses, Philip Moore Third Service and “Holy is the true light” (Harris) as the anthem. Please support this very important occasion if possible and pass the word around.

You can read about Bishop Lee’s progress on his blog page on the Diocesan website here.

If you haven’t already done so and would like to sponsor Bishop Lee to reach his target you can do it on the Virgin Giving page

The other Grand Tour in July.  You may remember that Bishop Lee was preparing to cycle from John O Groats to Land’s End when he was diagnosed and successfully treated for Hodgkin Lymphoma.  Following his recovery this was rescheduled and is now about to commence.  From 6-19 July, the Bishop will be cycling the JOGLE (or ‘Le Tour de Lee’ as Chris Dobson has named it) in order to raise funds for our Diocese’s work with our partners in Uganda.  He has set an ambitious target of £10,000 and would love you to participate in this by prayer, by giving, or even by joining him for part of the ride on 16 July.  More details can be found online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/LeeRayfield and by visiting our Diocesan website.  For those without access to the internet donations can be sent directly to the Bishop at Mark House, Field Rise, Swindon, Wilts SN1 4HP.   Please make cheques payable to Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance and write on the back ‘Le Tour de Lee’.  If a donation can be Gift Aided please include your name and address, including postcode.

Lightening over Christ Church Stephen Grosvenor

Anyone looking at the Swindon skyline after dusk will be surprised to see the familiar shape of Christ Church bathed in red light. This is to mark Pentecost which commemorates the Holy spirit coming down on the apostles.

Even more surprising, Old Town was the centre of a violent thunderstorm on Friday evening which provided a fantastic sound and light show for those visiting our Community Centre.