Mothers Union donates Bibles to school children

2013-06-20T09:52:00+01:00
Christ Church with St Mary’s Branch of the Mothers’ Union paid for six Bibles for first and second year children from King William Street Church of England Primary School.

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This is part of the MU objective to encourage parents in their role to develop the faith of their children.

The Bibles were presented on Tuesday 21 May 2013 at an uplifting service led by Revd Simon Stevenette, Vicar of Christ Church with St Mary’s, which incorporated songs, stories and facts from the Bible. Pictured with the children and vicar are from left, Caroline Pitt, Mothers’ Union Branch Leader, Margaret Clarke, Head Teacher and Anne Griffiths, Mothers’ Union member
Mothers Union donates Bibles to school children2013-06-20T09:52:00+01:00

First Old Town Beer Festival

2013-05-29T19:52:05+01:00

The first Old Town Beer Festival will be held on the 18th May 2013 at Christ Church in Swindon between 1.00pm – 11pmBeer. There will be 30 cask ales and ciders and food will be available between 5-7pm featuring locally sourced Gloucester Old Spot Hot dogs. Entry is only £6 and includes a souvenir Beer mug and programme.

Due to great demand we have sold all our advance tickets for the day. We will have a limited number of tickets available on the door on the day but you will need to come early to get them as we have had quite a few enquiries

Help us to promote the event by printing and displaying a poster – click here to download.beer

First Old Town Beer Festival2013-05-29T19:52:05+01:00

Next Messy Church this Sunday

2013-05-29T19:52:27+01:00

We had a great response to the first Messy Church at King William Street in April. Now its time for the next one. You can find out all about Messy Church on our website or Facebook pages

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Messy Church is completely different to traditional church services. The idea is for all ages together to be creative through the activities, have fun and to share a meal together while discovering something about the Christian faith.sisters

It is a different way of doing and being church and it is all about reaching out to the community and we are therefore delighted to be in partnership with King William Street School. Messy Church has grown all across the country and this has been a fantastic start in Old Town

Next Messy Church this Sunday2013-05-29T19:52:27+01:00

Friends of Christ Church Calendar 2014

2013-09-02T12:39:53+01:00

 The Friends are again producing a calendar for next year. Please send in your favourite scenes, landscapes, or anything which tells a story preferably in digital format by J Peg or Tif Files to Peter Ford at peter_ford@sky.com

2013cal

2013 winner

Good quality prints are also very acceptable and these should be sent to the Parish Office for the attention of the Friends. Pictures should be in landscape format with a minimum of 300 DPI.

The winner will receive a small prize and the picture will feature on the front cover of the calendar.

We hope to receive entries from anyone within the Ecumenical Parish.

Closing date will be Sunday 18th August 2013

 

Richard Van Roon – 10th May 2013

Friends of Christ Church Calendar 20142013-09-02T12:39:53+01:00

Successful Concert

2013-06-03T13:00:23+01:00
Emily Barker with the Red Clay Halo

Emily Barker with the Red Clay Halo

Last Saturday, Christ Church hosted a concert featuring music from local and international performers. REFUGE is a celebration of female music talent, which raises money for an excellent cause – Swindon Women’s Aid.   The headline act for this unique event was Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo. Hailing from Bridgetown, Western Australia, Emily Barker is a compelling songwriter with a gift for weaving melody and words. Supporting acts included Colour the Atlas, Jen Olive and Swindon based Faye Rogers. The concert was really well attended and the church was beautifully decorated with candles, creating a wonderful atmosphere.

Marie Lennon, the concert organiser told us:

“The event was a incredibly special evening, and felt like a magical night for all those who attended and performed. Christ Church proved to be an amazing venue for the concert, and so many people commented on how stunning the church is. I have no doubt that it would have not been nearly as successful, or memorable without the kindness and generosity of the people from Christ Church – who supported Refuge, and therefore Swindon Women’s Aid with open arms. I hope an event like this can happen again in this very special place.”

The concert raised at least £1,000 and received generous sponsorship from both Honda and the Co-op and was the product of lots of work from the Refuge team. You can find out more about Swindon Women’s Aid here. If you can bear to listen find out why Swindon Women’s Aid is so important in this interview given to Marie Lennon.

Jen Olive

Jen Olive

 

Successful Concert2013-06-03T13:00:23+01:00

Annual Report & Accounts Published

2013-08-08T13:30:54+01:00

Our Annual Parochial Church meeting was held on Sunday 28th April. Our annual report and accounts can be seen below and paper copies will be available next weekend.  Daniel Pitt was elected as church warden.

Christchurch

This year’s highlights:

  • Our average Sunday attendance was 200
  • We christened 46 babies
  • Married 22 couples
  • Shared 11 confirmations with our Partnership friends
  • Conducted 70 funerals

Read the Annual Report for 2012

View the accounts for 2012

Annual Report & Accounts Published2013-08-08T13:30:54+01:00

PCC Sub group – Mission and Evangelism

2013-05-04T15:24:22+01:00

Latest Meeting held on 9.4.13 in the Parish Office

Present:  Norma McKemey, Martin Lee, Margaret Williams, Angela Wirdnam,  Roger and Maria Morcumb

Bible Study Group – Having completed a successful five week study on Ecclesiastes the group will reconvene in a few months time.

Christian Aid Project – Margaret reported that groups within the church are beginning to advertise the fund raising activities that they will be doing.

Neighbourhood Prayer – prayer for the street where you live.  Martin is to ask Steven Grosvenor if this can be put on our website with an explanation of what it is.  Martin also introduced One Voice of Prayer – national and international prayer topics – and asked people to pray.  This could be used in our partnership prayer diary.  (the new pages are now in place.)

Mission Giving – Norma presented a paper on a suggested way to possibly see an increase in mission giving (see attached paper).  Considerable discussion took place and it was agreed we would present this idea to the PCC in May with a recommendation that our giving should be to Christian charities.

Deanery Mission – We considered the idea of a Festival of Christian Faith in 2015 suggested in the Deanery Strategic Plan.  The following points were made:

  • It’s a good idea but only if we do it well
  • Good speakers, possibly using TownGardens and other large venues such as Lydiard Park
  • Smaller events could also take place around town including, poetry, music, comedy.
  • If this event is to be ecumenical then other denominations need to be invited from the start rather than being told the Anglican church is putting this on and being asked if they want to join in.

Date of next meeting – Tuesday 28th May 2013, 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Office

Mission Giving Proposal

Currently Christ Church has 4 Mission-giving Sundays a year and the proceeds are divided between 6 organisations (The Willows, Swindon Youth for Christ, CPAS, Bible Society, CMS and Tear Fund) – two local, two national and two international.

Following a discussion with Gareth Hutchinson, I am setting out a proposal which he suggested.  Currently our mission giving has decreased significantly over the past few years.  In an attempt to reawaken people’s interest and enthusiasm for mission giving he suggests we continue to support one each from the current local, national and international organisations we give to and then ask the congregation for suggestions of organisations they might like to support.  These would then be voted on and the top three would become part of our mission giving charities for three years.

Whatever the 6 charities may be I suggest there should be a representative for each charity who would promote that charity especially in the two weeks leading up to the mission giving day for that charity.  It is important that the congregation is kept up to date with information about these charities if we want them to support them.

It is envisaged this arrangement would begin in 2014 if it is adopted.

PCC Sub group – Mission and Evangelism2013-05-04T15:24:22+01:00

From the Friends of the Railway Path

2013-06-03T13:01:13+01:00

You might remember that we have been working to define the projects that we would like to get done along the Path.  FORPAfter a bit of a delay, we now have outline descriptions of the projects on our web site at

http://www.friendsofthepath.org.uk/projects.htm

We would welcome any feedback about them.  For example:

·       What do you think our priorities should be? Do you have a favourite project?

·       Have we missed a project that would make a difference to you or to where you live?

·       Do you have any comments on the detail of your favourite projects?

·       Are there some projects that you would like to help with, or for which you could suggest sources of help or funding?

Please take a look, and let me know what you think.

You might also have noticed that we have begun some of the work involved in some of the projects.  For example, on our workday in October last year, we started on Project 10: Ogbourne St George play area and grassland.  And in February of this year, we laid a section of hedge, as described for Project 1: Curly Wurly Bridge.  We will continue to use our regular workdays to do some of the work, but hope to get some work going separately on higher priority projects.  Our provisional list of priorities is:

·       Project 3 – Ridgeway Crossing

·       Project 7 – Whitefield Farm Grassland

·       Project 10 – Ogbourne St George play area and grassland

·       Project 15 – Marlborough

I hope you enjoy the Path in the spring weather which we’re getting at last.

Dick Millard

From the Friends of the Railway Path2013-06-03T13:01:13+01:00

Mission and Evangelism – meeting notes

2013-04-19T20:56:43+01:00

Meeting held on 12.2.13 in the Parish Office

Present:  Norma McKemey,  Margaret Williams, Angela Wirdnam, Martin Lee, Roger and Maria Morcumb

Christianity Explored – A very good follow up meeting was held in January and 5 of the 6 attendees are joining the Confirmation group with the 6th a home group.

Bible Study Group – This began very successfully running a five week course on the book of Esther.  The group will reconvene on March 1st to study Ecclesiastes.

Partnership Christian Aid Project –  The launch service on 24th February at Bath Road has been planned and Anna Potts will speak.  Margaret reported disappointment in the number of entries for the logo competition.  The winner will be announced at the service.  Margaret will write a letter to all groups in the three churches asking each group to run a fund raising event to support this project.  This project will run until the end of 2013.

Pet Service – this service is now to be included as part of an all age service on 7th July so is not within our remit.

Angel Ridge – Norma spoke with Gareth about the best way to contact and meet the people of Angel Ridge.  He agreed this was difficult with no central meeting place, however, he suggested a residents’ barbecue on the green by the children’s playground.  However, he also felt this would be better organised by residents themselves.  He may well do this himself.

Roger will continue to take posters to the surgery to advertise events – need to take Messy Church poster.

Good Friday – there will be a walk of witness and an open air service.

Neighbourhood Prayer – Martin is to work out a strategy for informing people about this for our next meeting.

Date of next meeting – Tuesday 9th APRIL 2013, 7.30 p.m. in the Parish Office

Mission and Evangelism – meeting notes2013-04-19T20:56:43+01:00

Join the Old Town Spring Clean

2013-05-04T15:24:05+01:00

A group of concerned local residents and businesses are hoping to get support for a clean up Old Town campaign. On Sunday 28th April everyone is invited to join in a spring clean and planting session between 2 – 4pm.

CleanupThis is our chance to show that we are proud of our local area and want to keep it neat and tidy.  Meet outside Tony Knowles Interiors Shop on the corner of Devizes Road and help to make a difference.

Why not invite your friends and make an afternoon of it – if you can print out the poster and encourage others to take part that would be great.

If you can’t make it but would like to support the event with donation or a gift of plants then please ring 07798 787450.

 

 

 

 

 

Join the Old Town Spring Clean2013-05-04T15:24:05+01:00

Notes from meeting of ‘Church Family’ sub-group

2013-04-13T12:58:29+01:00

Held Monday 18th February 2013

Present: Anne McMillan, Pam Bridgeman, Angela Ruck, Lucy Hayward, Patrick Williams

Absent: Sue Rush & Nitin Shinde

Events:

HG Social – Jan 26th 2013

Anne/Pam reported that the first Home Groups Social Eve held on January 26th 2013 was a great success – despite freezing weather, almost 70 people attended and the ‘bring & share’ approach worked very well

We were also under budget for the social – and it was agreed that we would submit receipts and make donations in lieu – so that an accurate record can be kept of costs.

Anne will arrange for photos from the event to go on the website and in the next issue of the magazine with a few accompanying words to describe the evening.

The request for ideas & suggestions on how we could improve similar events in the future yielded the following:

  • Some sort of activity to encourage people to ‘mix & match’ more – we had in fact planned this – but the number of people and room layout made it difficult to implement – but definitely something to bear in mind for next time.  Taking a number to determine a table seems a simple way to accomplish this.
  • A planned ‘in situ’ exchange of HG members/ideas – the opportunity to attend other house groups on a one-off basis and see what they are doing.  Clearly, this could get out of hand if not managed well – but maybe an idea to arrange a single representative from each HG to visit others in turn – need to give this more thought.
  • ‘More of the same’ – the event was enjoyable and people want more opportunities to meet and socialise in an informal way.  We are already planning our next event!

Summer Social – possibly July 14th 2013

  • After some discussion – it was agreed that a ‘late afternoon/early evening’ event would be good – based on a ‘bring & share’ picnic and followed by some music.
  • Pam suggested the grounds of Holy Rood in the Lawns and the team agreed this sounded lovely.  Lucy offered to make some enquiries about feasibility with Ailsa at the CC Office, (done).
  • There is no electricity or water at the site – so we may need to arrange for Portaloos as a minimum – Patrick will look into costs.
  • Pam suggested a string quartet as this wouldn’t require speakers/electricity.

Parish Weekend Away – possibly Sep 2014

  • There was a great deal of discussion about this event, the potential location/programme and the ‘lessons learned’ from the last one in 2012.
  • In a nutshell, it was agreed that Lea Abbey offered a stunning location, ready made programme for both adults and children and was well like by most.  Only ‘cons’ were seating arrangements at meal times, (picking numbers again????) and travel time.  Lucy has agreed to investigate possibility of coaches and various other aspects of the weekend to put together some suggestions.
  • Pam & Anne provided details of two other potential locations – Hebron hall and Lindors.  Lucy will contact these and others and draw up some comparisons for discussion at the next meeting

AOB

Pam raised the matter of lifts to church, (and potentially other functions) for less able parishioners.  Following the disbandment of the ‘100 Club’ there will no longer be automatic funding for ‘access taxis’ or normal taxis.

  • A number of ideas were discussed: repaying taxi receipts for the more able, (or 50%) or other sum TBD
  • Any issues to do with insurance – Patrick believes that ‘volunteer’ drivers would just need to declare this fact to their insurance companies – but we need to check.
  • It seems that there are 6 main CC events that this applies to: 4 x Choral Evensong; Carol Service; ‘St James at 4’, (usually held in the summer).
  • There may also be some demand for the Weds 10.30am service.
  • Anne agreed to contact Daniel Pitt for a list of those who may require the service & Pam suggested that we ought to contact people directly to ask what  they would like – for example, outings for shopping, garden centres may be welcome.
  • It was agreed to re-visit at next meeting

 

NEXT MEETING DATE – Monday April 29th 2013 at Pam’s house.

Written by Lucy Hayward

February 19th 2013

Notes from meeting of ‘Church Family’ sub-group2013-04-13T12:58:29+01:00
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