The Bishop sets us on our way

2014-09-23T12:46:43+01:00
Archbish 2

Archbishop Justin starts the Ride & Stride

Six dedicated people from Christ Church with St Mary’s got up early on Saturday 13 September and cycled to Lydiard Tregoze.  At 10am The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, gave a blessing to all those involved.  He then sounded a klaxon to launch the 30th Ride and Stride in aid of Historic Wiltshire Churches.  About 60 cyclists and walkers set off.  During the day Stephen Grosvenor, Elaine Guilding, Charles Russell, Caroline and Daniel Pitt and Keith Tredget cycled between 20-30 miles each and made over 100 church visits between them.  Their sponsorship so far, amounts to £500 and rising; half of the money comes back to our parish.

Many thanks also to those who sat in our churches and welcomed 38 visitors to St Mary’s and 42 to Christ Church.
It’s not too late to sponsor either Caroline, Elaine or Stephen – contact Stephen (s.grosvenor@gmail.com) if you would like to donate to the Historic Churches Trust.
The Bishop sets us on our way2014-09-23T12:46:43+01:00

Old Town Autumn Fayre 20th September

2014-09-22T10:32:37+01:00
Bill

Bill Bailey Jazz Band

Christ Church Swindon is holding a vintage style Old Town Autumn Fayre in the church grounds and new Community Centre on Saturday 20th 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.   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 barbeque with locally sourced burgers and sausages and African street food dishes.   FeteIf 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.   You can try your hand at bell ringing a mere 46 steps up into the church tower, win a ride in a fabulous vintage car, enjoy Commonweal School A Cappella Singers and discover more about Swindon and the 1st World War with a fascinating display of artefacts and costumes.   Event Organiser Daphne Hardwick said: “We are delighted that so many organisations are keen to take part in this 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 opened by Nick Hewer earlier this year has already proved a massive hit with local groups and has provided a lovely new venue to support the Old Town Autumn Fayre.”

Old Town Autumn Fayre 20th September2014-09-22T10:32:37+01:00

Ride & Stride 13th September 2014

2014-09-15T15:27:54+01:00

Cycle ride

It’s time to oil your chain and polish your cycle helmet. It’s the Historic Churches Trust – Ride & Stride day on Saturday 13th September. Use the list of Wiltshire churches to plan your route and see how many historic churches you can visit in a day. There are prizes for various age groups – you can choose to walk, cycle or even travel on horseback and seek out some lovely old (and some lovely new) churches. Refreshments and toilet facilities are provided in many churches – check the list to see who is offering what or look at our Google map of churches.

This year there is the added bonus of a send off by the Archbishop of Canterbury for those organised enough to start at St. Mary’s Lydiard Tregoze at 10.00am.

You can download all you need including a list of churches, sponsor sheet and information here – Church List Ride & Stride Pack

See a Google map of the local Swindon churches for some inspiration http://bit.ly/Swindonchurch

Watch our video. http://youtu.be/Yv1aJoDTfQE

 

Help to promote the Ride & Stride by downloading and displaying a poster.Ride&Stride

Ride & Stride 13th September 20142014-09-15T15:27:54+01:00

Fundraising for Tearfunds’s work in Rwanda

2014-09-15T15:27:36+01:00

RwandaRwandaJohn Howell (David and Jill’s son) is hosting a Fundraising Quiz Night in the Community Centre @ Christ Church on Friday 29th August from 19.30.  John is going to Rwanda in September for 10 weeks and he will be leading a team of both UK and Rwandan volunteers; helping communities lift themselves out of poverty. The quiz will include: a flags of the world picture round, opening lines of books, general knowledge and books and films. John says “Please visit my just giving page (www.justgiving.com/john-howell2014) to make a donation and email me (john.howell77@googlemail.com) with any questions or to make a reservation for a team at the quiz”.Rwanda

Fundraising for Tearfunds’s work in Rwanda2014-09-15T15:27:36+01:00

Lights out – Special WW1 Anniversary Service

2014-08-05T09:31:05+01:00

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.warmemorial

 

Lights out – Special WW1 Anniversary Service2014-08-05T09:31:05+01:00

10,000 Voices

2015-02-21T02:15:37+00:00

 

Courtesy of Bristol Diocese website

Courtesy of Bristol Diocese website

10,000 VOICES is a place for those in the Diocese of Bristol to celebrate the diversity of God’s life-giving work and to glorify Him through what He does in people, churches and communities. Read stories of how people’s lives have been changed and share your own story. Read all about it and add your own story of faith. http://www.bristol.anglican.org/voices/

10,000 Voices2015-02-21T02:15:37+00:00

Celebrating 40 years of lay ministry

2014-07-28T19:15:52+01:00
Margaret Williams and Canon Simon Stevenette, with L to R: The Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Mrs. Teresa Page, Mr. Page, Bishop Lee, Canon Owen Barraclough, and The Revd. Janet House

Margaret Williams and Canon Simon Stevenette,
L to R: The Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Mrs. Teresa Page, Mr. Page, Bishop Lee, Canon Owen Barraclough,
and The Revd. Janet House

Sunday 22nd June – a day of celebration for Margaret Williams at Christ Church, Swindon, beginning with a special service attended by the Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Teresa Page and her husband, and Canon Stuart Taylor from the Bristol Diocese. Bishop Lee presided and Margaret preached. We were also pleased to welcome a former vicar of Christ Church, Canon Owen Barraclough and his wife Joan, the Revd. Janet House, a former curate, and friends from our Partnership of Churches, Bath Road Methodist Church and Immanuel United Reformed Church, Owen and Joan, who have taken up bell ringing in their retirement years, joined our bellringers who rang a special peal for Margaret.

Lunch in the Community Centre followed, with tributes paid to Margaret by the Mayor, our MP Robert Buckland, who attends Christ Church, Bishop Lee, Canon Stuart Taylor and the Vicar of Christ Church, Canon Simon Stevenette. A day enjoyed not only by Margaret but by all those who attended, including Margaretʼs 90 year old sister Val and other members of Margaretʼs family from Wales.

You can hear Margaret’s sermon reflecting on those 40 years here.

Celebrating 40 years of lay ministry2014-07-28T19:15:52+01:00
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