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PARTNERSHIP MAGAZINE
FEBRUARY 2018 60 PENCE
Methodist Circuit Holy Land Pilgrimage
Swindon Old Town Partnership of ChurchesAnglican - United Reformed - Methodist Est. 1969
One in Christ - Together in Mission
Christmas Charity Market on Saturday 18th November at Christ Church
The Blind Association
Thamesdown Hydrotherapy PoolThe Guides
Caroline Pitt with Father Christmas
Photos taken by Janet French
Your ContactsBATH ROAD METHODIST CHURCHMinister: The Revd. Mark Barrett, 147 Drove Road, SN1 3AQ
Tel: 529263 e-mail: [email protected] site: www.bathroadmethodistchurch.org.ukWeekly news items: [email protected]
CHRIST CHURCH with ST. MARY’S, Cricklade StreetSt. Mary’s, Commonweal Road (off The Mall) Vicar: The Revd. Canon Simon Stevenette, The Vicarage,
26 Cricklade Street, SN1 3HG. Tel. 529166e-mail: [email protected]
Associate Ministers::Revd. Daphne Hardwick. T. 693721; [email protected]. Norma McKemey. T. 845917; [email protected]
Web site: www.christchurchswindon.co.ukWeekly news items: [email protected] of Christ Church: c/o The Parish OfficePARISH OFFICE: at the Community Centre, SN1 3HB. Tel. 522832e-mail: [email protected] the Parish Office is open Monday-Friday, 9.00am to 1.00pm,Thursday evening 5.30pm-7.30pm, Sat 10am-12 noon.
COMMUNITY CENTRE: Manager Chris Smith, T.617237 or 07582 305760email: [email protected]
IMMANUEL UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, Upham RoadMinister: The Revd. Robert Jordan, 152 Drove Road, SN1 3AG
Tel. 513039. email: [email protected] Secretary: Liz Gleed, Tel. 721364. email: [email protected] site: www.immanuelurc.org Weekly news items: [email protected]
WORKING TOGETHER WITH OTHER CHURCHES IN OLD TOWN
MAGAZINE DISTRIBUTOR: Mr. Eric Sparkes, Tel. 530997. email: [email protected] EDITORS:Mrs. Diana Swann, 58 Sandown Avenue, SN3 1QQ. Tel. 529897e-mail: [email protected]. Margaret Williams MBE, 39 Sandown Avenue, SN3 1QQ. Tel. 421102e-mail: [email protected]
PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL: Secretary: Barbara Aftelak, Tel. 536815; email: [email protected]
Chairman: Godfrey Room, Tel. 610010; email: [email protected]
Treasurer: David Bevan, Tel. 336667: email: [email protected]
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Partnership Letter
Christ Church Vicarage
Dear Friends,
Jesus’s disciples are lifelong learners
As a family, we are now well into our 20th year living and working in Swindon.For those of you who have joined us along the way more recently, I becameVicar at Christ Church with St Mary’s within our Old Town Partnership ofChurches on Tuesday 6th October 1998.
Each Christmas over the last 20 years we have launched our Christ ChurchBible verse for the year which sets the spiritual foundation for our worship,prayer, ministry and outreach. For 2018 this is Mark 1 verse 15;
Jesus said ‘The time is fulfilled. The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the Good News.’
Within the Revised Common Lectionary, widely used across our Partnership,Mark is the Gospel which is being especially focused on this year. Please canI invite you to join with me in reading Mark’s Gospel at a sitting, rather like acaptivating novel which you just can’t put down because it inspires yourimagination. On top of this, because it is true, the Gospel is life-changing andimmensely challenging personally and for us together within society.
May I suggest you ask yourselves three questions as you read Mark’s Gospel:
Firstly, who is Jesus?Secondly, what did Jesus do?Thirdly, what difference does Jesus mean for me and for us?
I look forward to hearing your responses.
For now, our Christ Church Bible verse is like a summary of Jesus’s manifesto.He has just been baptised and gone through a time of temptation which hasstrengthened his spiritual resilience and passion. ‘The time is fulfilled’, Jesussaid. As we go through the business of our lives with our various choices, demands and appointments, we should also pray for openness to God’s time,God’s priorities and God’s plan for the renewal of the whole of creation whichis being accomplished step by step. ‰
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Jesus continued, ’The kingdom of God has come near’. This is an amazingtruth for the whole of the world. Through the power of Jesus’s death, Resurrection and Ascension, we can pray and seek for signs of this being trueand visible here amongst us in Old Town Swindon: for example, in people, in suffering, in creation, in vulnerability, in beauty. Finally Jesus says, ‘Repentand believe in the Good News’. Repent means to say sorry when we miss themark, to recognise how much our sin hurts God and to turn away from selfish-ness towards love, sacrifice and generosity. As we do this we grow spirituallyin believing in the Good News.
More than anything this anniversary year, I want to think and pray about whatthis wonderful Good News of Jesus means to our fellow Swindonians in ourgeneration right now. Good News about love, faith, hope, purpose, forgiveness,eternal life, change and transformation.
The more we focus on Jesus‘s presence, his strength, his vision, his trans-forming power and, above all, his love, the more we will be encouraged toreally believe as we approach the beginning of Lent on Ash Wednesday 14thFebruary. The best is yet to come!
We will learn much more about these themes as life long learners in our not tobe missed Lent course on the Book of Romans on the following five Wednesdayevenings in Christ Church - but that’s another story which you can learn moreabout elsewhere in this magazine.
To God be all the glory. Yours in Him
Holy Land Pilgrimage 2017see pages 14-17 of this magazine
If you would like to hear more about our visit, we invite you to come along toBath Road Church on Friday 23rd February
7.00 pm for a Palestinian style buffet and talk, plus photos or 8.00 pm for just the talk and photos.
No specific charge but donations will be invited for a Palestinian cause.
We need to know numbers for catering, so if you want to come to the buffet,please contact:
George and Dorothy Kennedy, tel: 01793 772589, email [email protected] or
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FAMILY EVENTS
BAPTISMSWe welcome into the family of the Church
BATH ROADDec 31 Albie William Brian Robinson. Pam Little’s 1 year old
great-grandson who travelled with his family all the way from Taranaki, New Zealand so that he could be baptised at BathRoad Church.
CHRIST CHURCHNov 26 Rose Elizabeth Frost
Ella Olivia Grace HarveySarah Morgan
Dec 3 Kosrat Rawoof Mohammed AzizDec 10 Kiara Isabella Celliers
DEATHSWe extend our sympathy to the loved ones of
BATH ROADNov 21 Phyllis Hobbs, 92 years
CHRIST CHURCHNov 20 John Sondermann, 74 yearsDec 9 John Little, 90 yearsDec 14 Doris Perrett, 83 yearsDec 19 Margaret Bullock, 84 yearsDec 20 Ivy Wilkins, 95 yearsDec 30 George White, 86 yearsDec 30 Christopher Harrod, 78 yearsDec 31 Stanley Yeates, 92 years
2018Jan 2 Margaret Paparde, 82 yearsJan 11 Vera Hitchens, 94 yearsJan 12 Gwendoline Mary Probets, 88 years?
IMMANUELNov 30 Thelma Farmer, 85 yearsJan 11 Colin Griffiths
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OLD TOWN PARTNERSHIP OF CHURCHES
LENT 2018
ROMANS FOR TODAY
5 reflections during Lent
Wednesday 21st February until Wednesday 21st March7.30 pm to 9.15 pm at Christ Church, Swindon
Led by the Revd Dr David Wenham
Romans is arguably the most influential letter the world has ever seen - really! The great theologian Karl Barth called it ‘the clearest gospel of all’,but for many readers it is anything but clear. In our time together we will hopeto unlock its profound and wonderful teaching and to see how relevantit is to today’s church and world – really!
1. Wednesday 21st February: What’s Romans all about and why is it important to us? (Chapters 1 and 15, also a look at Chapters 9-11)
2. Wednesday 28th February: What’s wrong with the world? Diagnosing the human problem. (Chapters 1-3: 20)
3. Wednesday 7th March: Amazing Grace: making sense of the cross. (Chapters 3; 21-5)
4. Wednesday 14th March: New life for humanity and all creation (Chapters 6-8)
5. Wednesday 21st March: Being a Christian in the real world (Chapters 12-15)
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A brief CV about David Wenham:
David taught in India for 5 years and on his return directed a research project at TyndaleHouse in Cambridge. He then moved to WycliffeHall, Anglican Theological College in Oxford for24 years (for six of them also doing house forduty in a rural benefice), following which hewent to Trinity College in Bristol. David retired relatively recently but still does some teachingat Wycliffe Hall and Trinity College, Bristol. Hehas written various books, eg on the parables ofJesus, but particularly on Paul and Jesus.
David is married to Clare and they have two sons married and six grandchildren.He is quite heavily involved in a housing estate church on the western edge ofOxford where he can hear the roar of the traffic on the A420 to Swindon all thetime!
David taught the book of Romans recently at the Bible College in Zimbabwe.He found an excellent new commentary written by an Australian Michael Birdwhich made his preparation process for our Lent course a great pleasure.
OUR PARTNERSHIP PROJECTOur target was £6000 - we raised £8700!!!
Hurrah! We’ve done it, we have not only reachedour target of raising £6000 for The Foyer but wehave surpassed this and the total now stands at£8700 !!! This will have been presented to Michelle Mueller, manager of The Foyer, at our
Partnership joint service on January 21st and we must thank all those whocontributed towards this project, and special thanks go to the small group ofpeople who have been meeting together to think up money-raising activitiesduring the past year: they are Jean Batten, Liz Gibney, Matthew Vatcher,Angela Wirdnam and myself.
The money raised came from a variety of activities, ranging from Quiz nights,a Songs of Praise evening, Wine tasting, collections at services and sellinghome made marmalade! In addition to this, many people made personal donations. I am sure that the money will be used wisely and the young peopleat the Foyer will not only benefit materially but will know that we, as a Christiancommunity in Old Town, care about them and their future.
Margaret Williams
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Christ Church with St. Mary’sOver £1000 raised at the final event in aidof our Partnership Project.The Cheese &Wine Quiz Night held in Christ Churchon Friday 8th December raised the magnificent sumof £1000+. Thank you to all who supported this event.
The Carol Service at St. Mary’s on Sunday 10th December raised £135 forThe Foyer Project. A big thank you to all who turned out and helped on such asnowy and icy day when it was difficult for people to travel and when somechurch services had to be cancelled due to the weather.
Christmas at the Community Centre 2017
About eighty people who would have been on their own were able to enjoy aChristmas lunch, a good singalong, listen to the Queen' s speech and to takea present home on Christmas Day. This was the second year this event hadbeen provided to local people, all due to the initiative of the Community CentreManager, Chris Smith.
The day before, those of us volunteering spent time wrapping presents, layingthe tables, buying drinks and making the Community Centre as welcomingand festive as possible. Such care had been taken with the organisation of theevent that everyone had their own place name and a list of what they had chosen to eat and a welcome drink when they arrived. The chef said it was agreat place in which to cook and everyone seemed to have enough to eat anddrink. David, who hosted the celebrations this year, did a sterling job keepingeverything working well, including the streaming of the Queen's speech whichproved somewhat difficult due to the technology.
People coming said how much it meant to them being with others and notbeing on their own. Transport was provided for people who needed it.
For the twenty plus volunteers who helped out on the day it was not only enjoyable but also a moving experience. A number of people attending had disabilities and a few were homeless. Hearing life stories from the attenders, anumber of whom were getting on for 100 years old, was a very touching andmemorable experience. Thanks to Chris Smith for making this possible andsuch a success.
Mike and Lynda Fisher
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John Little
We were sorry to hear of the death of John Little, aged 90 years, who servedas Church Warden of Christ Church in 2001 but had to retire after a fewmonths due to health issues. John, a Swindonian, was married to Margaret for66 years, their marriage taking place on 19th August 1950 at St Mark’s Church.I was privileged to visit John and Margaret monthly for them to receive HolyCommunion at home over many years. John was very generous and oftengave me a bottle of wine following his career and experience at Arkells.
We celebrated his life at his funeral service at Christ Church on Monday 8thJanuary where this tribute was printed on the back of the order of service. Weassure Margaret, his son Philip and the family of our thoughts and prayers.
Simon Stevenette
Celebrating the Life of John Roland Little 1927-2017
John was a man who knew his wines and was always keen to share his expertknowledge. He started working for Gilbeys Wine Merchants in Swindon andafter many years Arkells, the local brewers, recognised his talent and invitedhim to set up their Wines and Spirits Division. Over a period of 30 years, Johnbuilt their cellars to over 400 varieties including 175 French clarets for whichhe had a passion. By the time he retired, John had educated so many palatesand ensured that the pub and catering trade of Wiltshire and beyond couldoffer choice and quality.
For his love and promotion of French wines in the the UK, he achieved thehighest accolade by becoming “Maitre Prevost du Conseil des Echansons deFrance” in 1984. This Bacchic brotherhood also known as the ‘CupbearersCouncil of France’ was set up in 1954 but has its roots in the 14th Centurywhen trustworthy men maintained the quality of French wines, serving wine incups to Kings and Courtiers. John was Noble Cup Bearer and keeper of tradition through his continued promotion in the UK of the best French wines. He remained the only English Prevost.
I am honoured to have known John, he taught me much about wine – how tolove and respect wine’s charm and understand its very soul - the interaction ofVine, Earth and Sky.
Sally Little (daughter-in-law)
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2017 Christmas Charity MarketOver £4500 raised
This very successful event, organised by the Trustees ofthe Friends, was held on Saturday 18th November withover 35 charity and community organisations taking part.Over £4500 was raised on the day for the Friends, theChurch and the stallholders. There was a constant
stream of people in the church and Community Centre throughout the day.The changes in the church meant we had the flexibility with the location ofstalls and there was ample space for everyone to circulate. We have receivedmany compliments on the whole event.
Already we have a reserve list for stall holders for this year's event on Saturday 17th November.
Our thanks go to all who helped on the day, including the bellringers and choir,without whom the event just could not be run.
Christine Senior
Hon Sec Friends of Christ Church
TEA/COFFEE and CHAT at the Goddard Arms,
Tuesday 6th February, 2.30pm to 4.00 pm.
We meet in the side room of the Goddard Armson the first Tuesday of each month. Tea or coffee £1.50, including unlimited refills, or£2.50 for tea/coffee and a small dessert.
We meet informally and are pleased to seefriends from our partnership churches as well as several non-church people.Do join us and invite others to come along to this friendly group.
Peace and love are always alive in us, butwe are not always alive to peace and love.
Julian of Norwich
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Ivy Wilkins
On 11th January many of us gathered in ChristChurch for the funeral service of Ivy Wilkins whohad died at the grand age of 95. Ivy was a faithfulmember of Christ Church and a great ecumenist;she had served as chairperson of our EcumenicalPartnership in the early days of us working together and she had helped run a charity shopwith Muriel Baker many years ago to raise moneyfor the partnership and its work with the youngpeople of Old Town. She had also served on thePCC of Christ Church.
Ivy loved flowers and was a member of the Swindon Floral Art Society and soshe was the obvious choice to be in charge of our Altar Flower rota. At Harvesttime and Easter time, when we decorated the church with floral arrangements,Ivy really did us proud, spending all day on the Saturdays before these festivalsto ensure everything was just right. Whenever we needed refreshments forany occasion, Ivy was always ready to help.
In her younger days Ivy was very involved with St. John Ambulance, havingthe honour of becoming a Dame of the Order of St. John, and it was fitting thatsomeone from St. John Ambulance represented them at her funeral service.
She was a valued member of my home group and when she became too frailto travel around to other people’s homes, she insisted that we all come to herhouse each week as she didn’t want to miss out!
Since her husband Arthur died she threw herself into many new activities sothat her life was full and interesting. Many of us will remember her New Year’sDay luncheon parties when she loved entertaining a whole host of people!
At her funeral service her grandchildren spoke very warmly of their “Grandma”and I know she will be missed by them.
Now Ivy is joining in that Great Heavenly Feast with “Him Upstairs” which washer own affectionate way of referring to God.
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Bath RoadFamily news
After battling with a quite aggressive form ofAlzheimer’s for just under 4 years, my lovelyGillian has had to go into permanent care inOrchard Care Home, 1 Perrys Lane,Wroughton, Swindon SN4 9AX.
Prayers are always welcome as are cardsand calls to me. Any doubts I might havehad were dispelled when I had a stroke aweek later but we cling to our faith and keepgoing, hard though that can be as some ofyou will know from personal experience. Soif you can give some thought to the Appealon page 21, I would be grateful, Eric
Eric found the following poem helpful and thought there may be others
who might also find it helpful.....
She’s trapped inside the prison walls that used to be her mind, the woman that she used to be has long been left behind.
There are times when she’s quite alert, her memory’s intact; then there are days she disappears, and we know it’s not an act.
No longer able to care for herself, we couldn’t leave her alone. Her safety had to be assured, so we placed her in a home.
Good days are when we visit her, and she calls us by our name. She’s grateful for the company and thankful that we came.
Most of the time it’s difficult to see our Mum that way; all we can do is love her now, as we take life day by day.
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Memories I will treasureby Margaret Jones
By the time you read this, Christmas will be but a dream away, but I would liketo take this chance to share with you three special events.
Since Ifor died six years ago, friends at church have always invited me forChristmas dinner, which was greatly appreciated. But this year, I decided todo it alone. I remembered reading in the magazine of the Christmas dinner which was held at the Community Centre in 2016 for people ontheir own, so I decided to try it myself this year.
Early in November, I booked up, chose my menu and waited for the day tocome. Some weeks later, I found out that two other friends from Bath RoadChurch, Pam and Shirley, had agreed to be helpers.
The Sunday before Christmas, I was talking to a young Indian family whojoined our church some while ago and found out that Reni, her husband Sujayand little boy Juan had nothing booked for Christmas day so I managed to ringand arrange for them to join us.
We were due there on Christmas Day from 12 noon, where we were welcomedby helpers offering us a drink – the first time I have ever drunk Bucks Fizz,which I could get a taste for! We were then taken to look at a big chart on thewall showing our places at table, and again a helper was there to take us in.They had managed to get places for the six of us from Bath Road to sit at thesame table with two helpers who were there to assist us in any way we needed.
The food was excellent, we started with fresh fruit salad (not out of a tin), thenTurkey and all its trimmings, followed, of course, by Christmas pudding andmore Bucks Fizz. The noise was almost like the parrot house at the zoo withpeople, many of whom were strangers to each other, chatting away happily together.
At 3 o’clock, more Bucks Fizz for us to drink the health of the Queen as we allsat quietly for the Queen’s speech. Then it was time for us all to depart, manyof whom were taken home by the helpers. We were even given presents totake home with us. Juan was absolutely chuffed with his gift which was a smalltrain containing sweets and also a teddy bear.
The organisation was amazing. I understand that they served nearly 100meals, and all praise goes to the chef, the organisers and the many helpers. It was a meal that I will always remember with pleasure. ‰
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My second memory will be the last day of the year, Sunday 31st December, when we had the christening of Albie who had come all theway from New Zealand to be christened at Bath Road Church. He behavedhimself well, even when he got splashed with water. His mother Zoe was amember of the Sunday School before the family moved to New Zealand, andwe were delighted to welcome them back. This was a great occasion for Pam Little who is Albie’s great-grandmother. It must have been wonderful forher to be reunited with her family again.
My last memory will be of the Luncheon Club Christmas Dinner whichshould have taken place at the beginning of December but had to be cancelledbecause of the snowy weather as many would have been unable to come.Gwen phoned the butcher at 6.45 am on the morning and he was quite happyto hold things back until a new date was decided.
This is the only time of year that all three Luncheon Club groups meet together,and on Tuesday 9th January we all assembled for Christmas Dinner. We werevery busy: one group was in the kitchen cooking the meal, another preparingthe vegetables and the other laying the tables and clearing up afterwards.About 40 meals were served and I understand 3 were taken out to people whowere unable to come. The meal, of course, was a traditional Christmas oneand thoroughly enjoyed by all.
I feel so lucky that I am still able to share in these activities.
P.S. And we are all glad that you are, Margaret.
BEST BIRTHDAY WISHES go toClara Gladman, 17 on 21st FebruaryOfense Tserema, 16 on 22nd FebruaryZoe Mansfield, 18 on 29th February
Honeymooners (with Valentine’s Day in mind)
For our honeymoon, my fiancée and I chose a fashionable hotel known forits luxurious suites. When I called to make reservations, the desk clerk inquired, ‘Is this for a special occasion?’
‘Yes,’ I replied. ‘It's our honeymoon.’
‘And how many adults will there be?’ she asked.
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HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE NOVEMBER 2017
On Tuesday 7th November a party of 25 pilgrims met at Heathrow to fly to Tel Aviv for a 10 day pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The group was led by theRevd. Debbie Hodgson from Stratton Methodist Church and included 19 fromvarious churches in and near Swindon, including the Partnership, plus 6 fromDebbie’s previous Circuit in Kent.
From Tel Aviv we were taken by coach to Jerusalem where we stayed for 6nights in an Arab-run hotel near the Damascus Gate. We spent the first 2 daysin Jerusalem visiting many holy and other sites including the Mount of Olives,Garden of Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and theGarden Tomb. We also went to, and prayed at, the Western (Wailing) Wall andvisited the Museum of Israel to see a model of first century Jerusalem as wellas the Dead Sea Scrolls. Everywhere we visited was very busy with other pilgrims from all over the world including Asia, South America, Africa, USA andother parts of Europe. Although this made the most popular sites very crowded,it was very inspiring to be reminded of Christianity’s world-wide reach.
On the Friday we travelled to the Dead Sea, seeing first-hand the Judeanwilderness and visiting the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, thenon to Masada (Herod’s winter palace and the site of the Jews last standagainst the Romans after the sacking of Jerusalem). After that we went to theDead Sea itself and experienced the amazing sensation of floating in it (youdefinitely can’t swim!).
On Saturday we visited Bethlehem, crossing through the “Separation Wall” before visiting the Shepherd’s Fields, a Christian-run co-operative sellingbeautiful Palestinian crafts including carved Olive Wood, pottery and mother ofpearl, Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity. Whilst there we alsowent to a Palestinian Refugee Camp where the women run cookery classes toraise money to fund education for their disabled children. Our group becametheir class for the day cooking our own, very tasty lunch!
The Sunday was Remembrance Sunday and we worshipped at St Andrew’sScottish Church in Jerusalem with the act of Remembrance accompanied bybagpipes. We had lunch at St George’s Anglican Cathedral before a free afternoon and a visit to the Western Wall Tunnels. These are below the currentstreet level and you see the walls from Herod’s original city as Jesus wouldhave known it, as well as from the periods before and since then.
We left Jerusalem on the Monday and travelled to Galilee (Tiberius) viaBethany, the Jordan and Jericho. In Bethany we visited an inspiring
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orphanage/ boy’s school partially funded by McCabe (the organisers of our pilgrimage). At the Jordan we were given the opportunity to renew our baptismal vows.
Our final 3 nights were spent in a hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee. Duringour time there we visited a number of sites associated with Jesus’ early lifeand ministry. These included Nazareth, where we visited a reproduction firstcentury village, Capernaum, the possible site of the Sermon on the Mount andthe Mount of Transfiguration. We had a communion service by the Sea ofGalilee and finished off sailing across the Sea in a reproduction fishing boat (itwas dead calm!). On the way back to the airport on the Thursday we visitedCaesarea Maritima which is a very impressive archaeological site.
For us the trip was inspiring, challenging, fascinating and tiring! Each daystarted at either 8am or 7.30am and generally finished about 5pm. We did geta good lunch break (with excellent lunches!) but otherwise the schedule waspretty intense. We had an excellent, young, local Arab Christian guide fromNazareth. He gave us lots of information not just about the religious aspectsand sites (it was fascinating to hear his take on some issues) but also the politics, history, geography and archaeology. Highlights were many but for meincluded the model of the old city of Jerusalem, singing “While ShepherdsWatched their Flocks by Night” in the church at Shepherd’s Fields, Masadaand the communion by the Sea of Galilee, particularly singing “Dear Lord andFather of Mankind”. Less good/enjoyable were the “Separation Wall”, theChurch of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity.
This has necessarily been a relative brief summary of what we did, what wesaw and what we thought and felt about it. If you want to find out more andsee more pictures then come along to Bath Road on Friday 23rd Februarywhen we, together with Martin Limburn, Kier and Clive Garnham and Gary Illing will be giving a presentation on our trip. This will be preceded by aPalestinian style buffet, sampling some of the excellent food that we had. Youcan either come at 7 pm for the buffet and talk or at 8 pm for just the talk.There will be no specific charge but we will be inviting donations which will goto a Palestinian cause (we will confirm details nearer the time). We need toknow numbers for catering purposes so if you want to come for the buffetplease contact:
George and Dorothy Kennedy, tel: 01793 772589, email [email protected] or
George and Dorothy Kennedy
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Holy Land Pilgrimage, November 2017
TheSeparation Wall
TheRiver Jordan
TheWailing Wall
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IMPRESSIONS OF THE MODERN HOLY LAND
Besides the holy and historical sites, we of course saw a lot of modern-day Israel and the Palestine Territories. Our hotel and many of Jerusalem’s holysites are in East Jerusalem - the old Arab city, surrounded by the medieval citywalls. West Jerusalem is the modern Israeli part. The Via Dolorosa, or Way tothe Cross, runs through a typical Arab souk or market, with its little shops andstalls selling souvenirs alongside necessities for the locals – one sold nothingbut brushes and brooms, others piles of colourful spices and herbs (includingan elaborately constructed pyramid of different spices). In contrast, outside thewalls there are wide roads and modern trams.
Jerusalem is built of the local limestone, even the modern tower blocks areclad in it, which makes it a bright white in the sun. The surrounding JudeanHills are quite steep, high and wooded (though not sure if that has alwaysbeen so). But a few miles away and you are in the wilderness - mile after mileof rocks with not a blade of grass to be seen. How the nomadic Bedouin withtheir tin shacks and tents feed their flocks of sheep and goats is anyone’s guess.
The Israelis are planting trees, millions of them, both ornamental and useful.Some prevent erosion, others for food. We saw mile after mile of date and banana palms, with the bananas protected in blue plastic bags and wholeplantations under netting. All need to be irrigated, which is partly why the levelof the Dead Sea is dropping dramatically, which was only too obvious round itsshores. But now waste water from Jerusalem is being filtered and diverted forirrigation and seawater is being desalinated for drinking water.
New Israeli settlements are clean, with public spaces adorned with sculpturesand play areas. In contrast, the Arab towns are noticeably less tidy and well-kept, but everywhere there is traffic, mobile phone shops, furniture and fashionstores, restaurants.
Other impressions that stuck – cats (sooner or later one appeared at everytourist site) but hardly any dogs, the ultra-orthodox Jews in their black hatsand dark suits hurrying everywhere (often on mobile phones), armed policeand very young soldiers, tourist coaches nose-to-tail but no large lorries inJerusalem (too narrow/hilly) though plenty nearer the coast, and of course thathideous Separation Wall and the checkpoints….
All in all, an experience we won’t be forgetting.
George and Dorothy Kennedy
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Bath Road Sunbeams Christmas Party
Don’t they look cute!
One of the mums bought enough hats for all the children to wear and wrote
their names on each one...
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ImmanuelCarols on the carpet - December 18th
Once again, the church was well-packed with folk from the neighbourhood anda great time was had by all as Geoff led us in a medley of Christmas songsand carols. This year, learning from experience, we held back the musical instruments until towards the end, which was just as well, as there were somevery enthusiastic drummers determined to make themselves heard! Warmmince pies were extremely well received at the end of the session and quite alarge number of friends stayed on to chat. Everyone was so grateful for thewelcome and lots of very complimentary comments were passed on to ourmusicians, Geoff, Jenny and Andy. Another great event!
Christmas Eve and Christmas DayWell-attended services on both days celebrated the birth of our Lord, though invery contrasting ways. The midnight communion service was beautifully reflective and the emotion of the night was heightened by a wonderful solo byour newest choir member, Mario, who performed the classic Christmas song‘O Holy Night’; while Christmas morning saw fun and games with children’spresents being displayed for all to see and enjoy - we even got to hear whatsome of the adults had been given for Christmas! As always, it was a joy tomeet up with old friends who popped in and we were blessed with quite a lotof ‘newcomers’, always heartening to see.
Stephen Brain
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This ‘Thought for the Week’ was read at one of Immanuel’s services and theywould like to share it with their friends in the Partnership.
‘You say grace before meals. But I say grace before the concert and the
opera, grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book.
I say grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking,
playing, dancing, and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.’ G.K. Chesterton
It is good to be grateful for all our blessings each day. It puts us very much intouch with the pulse of life. It also puts us in touch with the heartbeat of God.So often we take everything for granted and yet many things happen in our lifethat are indeed a blessing. These blessings may not be around tomorrow ornext week. But they are around today, to be savoured and enjoyed.
To be grateful for blessings reminds us that today is a gift and puts us in amuch better position to ensure that life doesn’t slip by randomly. So many driftthrough life and never stop to reflect or wonder where they are. If you feel thatyou let blessings slip you by each day, the following reflection has food forthought. It is called ‘The Paradox Of Our Age’.
The Paradox Of Our Age
The paradox of our age in history is that we have taller buildings but shortertempers. We have wider roads but narrower viewpoints. We spend more but have less and we buy more but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and more conveniences but less time. We have more experts but more problems, more medicine but less well being.We have multiplied our possessions but reduced our values. We’ve learned to make a living but not a life.We’ve added years to life, not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back but have trouble crossing thestreet to meet a new neighbour. We’ve conquered outer space but not inner space. ‰
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We’ve done larger things but not better things. We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted the soul, split the atom but not our prejudice. We plan more but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush but not to wait. We’ve become long on quantity but short on quality.But now is the time to appreciate more, to be grateful and to give thanks foreverything that is a gift and a blessing.
www.2u.ie or www.todayismygifttoyou.ieThought for the Week is updated each Monday.
Copyright, Today is My Gift to You 2017
Women’s Fellowship
The annual Carol Service of the Women’s Fellowship took place pn December13th and, as you can see, a good number of ladies braved the rain and cold toenjoy the carols and readings and the tea that followed.
Appeal on behalf of the PartnershipI had a stroke on 12th November, a week after my Gillian went permanentlyinto the Orchard Care Home in Wroughton. I am almost back to square onebut it has alerted me to the need to train someone to coordinate the annualpayments made for the Partnership Magazine which are recorded on lists heldon computer. Payments come for each complete list from each distributor,noted and then passed on, usually in 4 batches, to David Bevan our Treasurerfor the Magazine account. Total effort is not more then 5 days worth spreadbetween December to April and can be done quietly at home.You would needto be able to use the Microsoft Word sheets. Please ring me on 530997 or07890566351 if you would like to help.
God Bless, Eric
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Messy Church celebrating Christmas
Again this year it was good to welcome so many friends toour Christmas celebrations. So many of the young people,and the adults they bring with them, are eager to getstarted as soon as they arrive.
It was not long before a variety of different decorations were made, including anangel from sheet music which had then been decorated with a variety of shinygems, baby Jesus in a manger, a star hung up by a ribbon and also a very realistic Christmas tree complete with its decorations made from concertinaedgreen paper. Wise men were made from carefully decorated lolly sticks and therewas a picture of the shepherds made from foam cut out shapes placed on blackcard. Christmas cards were also produced using stencils or handprints, but very popular was the opportunity to cut out Christmas shapes from the fudge suppliedbefore the fudge was then placed in a gift bag.
The nativity scene made from junk material formed the centre piece for our shortact of worship. This year the young people could choose which of the main characters they wished to be and then, as the story was told, we sang a relevantcarol, and a Christmas card was opened by each group as the story proceeded,keeping the interest of all those present.
As usual, we finished with tea – sandwiches prepared by those who were on thecatering team, including two visitors, plus little sausages and sausage rolls, together with a whole variety of delicious cakes made by some very loyal friends.A very sincere ‘thank you’ goes to all those who make Messy Church such a success. We meet again on Sunday 18th February, 3.30 pm at King WilliamStreet School. Do come and join us.
New Year’s Day Partnership Walk - on Bevan’s Bridge
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With Valentine’s Day on the 14th February, we give you the following...
Aspects of romantic love
God obviously approves of romance – after all, putting Adam and Eve alonetogether in the Garden of Eden was His idea. And romance – love between aman and a woman - has been around ever since.
The history of the Israelites began with three great romances: Abraham andSarah, Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob and Rachel. The ongoing history of Israelwas deeply affected by later romances: Esther and King Xerxes, David’s loveaffair with Bathsheba, and Solomon’s marriage to hundreds of foreign wives.There is even an entire book in the Old Testament devoted to the love of aman and woman: the Song of Solomon!
When we reach the New Testament, we find real love between Joseph andMary (even when Joseph thought Mary had been faithless, he did not want toharm her). St Paul, though himself a bachelor, nevertheless spent a lot of timeurging Christians to love and be kind and faithful and considerate to theirspouses. He even wrote 1 Corinthians 13 – the great love chapter that is readat millions of weddings worldwide 2000 years later.
Down the centuries ever since, romantic love has been critical in shaping history (Anthony and Cleopatra), in shaping cultural ideals (King Arthur andthe Knights of the Round Table). Some of our favourite stories are built on romance. (Puccini’s Tosca, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Jane Austen’sPride and Prejudice, Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre.)
Romance remains as prominent now as it ever was, added to which we havefilms, television and drama all flying the romantic flag. Think of Titanic, Mamma Mia, Love Actually, to name but a few. Wherever we look, whateverwe do, romance continues to permeate every aspect of life.
The old adage that ‘love makes the world go round’ is irrefutable – and it alsoseems to make the galaxies go round, too. (Think of the Star Wars films.)
Certainly, romance is alive and well – last year in Britain we spent about onebillion pounds on Valentine’s Day, sending each other cards, flowers, presents,and going out to restaurants.
And what of the future? Well, just as the Bible begins with a love story, so itends with one. And you are involved! For actually the greatest Love Story ofall time is that between God and His people. n
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Bath Road MOPS in the Crossland Room, 10.30 amFeb 1 Martin and Gary - their visit to the Holy LandFeb 15
Christ Church with St. Mary’s Mothers’ UnionFeb 7 8.00 pm at 39 Okus Road, evening group AGMFeb 14 2.15 pm in the Community Centre - afternoon group AGM
Immanuel Women’s Fellowship, 2.30 pm in Immanuel Church HallFeb 7 Members’ meetingFeb 14 The Rev’d Geoff Gleed ‘My Life’Feb 21 A quiz by John MurphyFeb 28 Jean and Nigel Marget - slides
FLOODLIGHTING2017Dec 1 Remembering Ray Lewis on his Birthday, dearly loved and missed by Pat and all his family.
Dec 6 In loving memory of a kind a devoted wife, Pamela Benfield.
Derek
Dec 13 Remembering Beryl & Hector Hobbs, beloved parents of Pauline and Derek and in-laws of Mary and Ian - rest in peace.Dec 14 In loving memory of Gerald Mason on his birthday.Dec 24 Remembering Heather Brown, with much love from all the family.
2018Jan 30 Remembering, with love, my dear Mum and Dad,
Phyl and Harry Dyer, on their wedding anniversary.Jan 31 Geoffrey and Mum, thinking of you on your special days.
Miss you. With love, Margaret and families.Feb 3 In celebration and thankfulness for 11 years of marriage and
God's continued blessing on us. Martin and Wendy Hiscock
If you would like to sponsor the floodlighting of Christ Church in celebration of abirthday, wedding anniversary, special occasion, to advertise your Company,or in memory of a loved one, the minimum gift per evening is £30.00.Cheques to be made payable to ‘Christ Church PCC’. Please write to thePARISH OFFICE, COMMUNITY CENTRE AT CHRIST CHURCH, SWINDON,SN1 3HB at least a week before the date of the floodlighting. GIFT AID: If you are a UK taxpayer and wish Christ Church to reclaim the tax, you mayGift Aid your donation.
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PARTNERSHIP DIARY FOR FEBRUARY
03 Sat 7.30 am Christ Church Men’s breakfast
04 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, 1662 Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Holy Communion 10.00 am Bath Road, Holy Communion, Revd. Mark Barrett 10.00 am Christ Church, All-Age worship and Baptism welcome. 10.30 am Immanuel, Revd. Geoff Gleed. Health and Wholeness service with Communion. 6.30 pm Bath Road, Evening Service, Revd. Tony Barnes 6.30 pm Christ Church, Holy Communion 6.30 pm Immanuel, Evening Service, Revd. Geoff Gleed
05 Mon 7.30 pm Christ Church staff meeting at the Vicarage06 Tues 2.30 pm Tea & Chat at the Goddard Arms Hotel07 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion
11 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Holy Communion 10.00 am Bath Road, Morning Service, Robert Simpkins 10.00 am Christ Church, Family Holy Communion 10.30 am Immanuel, Morning Service, Stuart Benjamin. Followed by Church Meeting at 11.45 am 4.00 pm Christ Church, informal worship 6.30 pm Bath Road, Holy Communion, Revd. Mark Barrett 6.30 pm Christ Church, Healing Service 6.30 pm Immanuel, Evening Service
13 Tues SHROVE TUESDAY 8.00 pm Healing Prayer Group at 39 Sandown Avenue
14 Wed ASH WEDNESDAY 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 7.30 pm Christ Church, Holy Communion17 Sat 9.30 am to 5.00 pm Swindon Choral Society Come & Sing Workshop at Christ Church - see page 27
18 Sun FIRST SUNDAY IN LENT 8.00 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Morning Prayer 10.00 am Bath Road, Morning Service, Pulpit exchange 10.00 am Christ Church, Family Holy Communion, Pulpit exchange 10.30 am Immanuel, Morning Service, Pulpit exchange 3.30 pm Messy Church at King William Street School
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18 Sun 6.30 pm Bath Road, Evening Service, Revd. Debbie Hodgson 6.30 pm Christ Church, Choral Evensong 6.30 pm Immanuel, Holy Communion, Revd. Robert Jordan
19 Mon 7.30pm Christ Church Standing Committee in the Parish Office 21 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 7.30 pm Partnership Lent Course in Christ Church24 Sat 2.00 pm Christ Church, Holy Baptism
25 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Holy Communion 10.00 am Bath Road, Morning Service, Susan Bothamley 10.00 am Christ Church, Family Holy Communion 10.30 am Immanuel, Morning Service, Revd. Gerald England 1.00 pm Christ Church, Holy Baptism 6.30 pm Bath Road, Evening Service, Revd. Mark Barrett 6.30 pm Christ Church, Common Worship Evensong 6.30 pm Immanuel, Evening Service, Revd. Robert Jordan
28 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 7.30 pm Partnership Lent Course in Christ Church
OPEN HOUSE every Monday morning at Bath Road Methodist Churchbetween 10.30 am and 12 noon. Come and join us for drinks and a chat.
AFTERNOON GROUP meets every Tuesday, 2.00 pm-4.00 pm in the Community Centre at Christ Church for tea, cake and chat along with a varietyof interesting activities and some times a speaker.
FRONT ROOM JOB CLUB meets at St. Augustine’s Church, SummersStreet, Rodbourne every Tuesday 12 noon to 2.00 pm for support, C.V. help,job search, chat and a listening ear.
Please send toMrs. Diana Swann, 58 Sandown Avenue, SN3 1QQ
email: [email protected]
COPY for the MARCH MAGAZINE
by MONDAY 12th FEBRUARY, please.
Contributions ahead of the deadline are always welcome.
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ADVERTISEMENTS
To advertise in this magazine,
please contact
Mrs. Diana Swann,
telephone 01793 529897;
email:
Whilst care has been taken, no
responsibility can be accepted for
statements made by the advertisers,
neither can we be responsible for
any losses caused by any errors or
omissions in the advertisements.
Swindon Choral Society
COME AND SING WORKSHOPSaturday 17th February
with Robin Nelson and Greg Hallam
at Christ Church, Old Town.Registration from 9.30 am
Looking at the choruses and chorales of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, withan informal performance at the end of the day. Led by the composer andmuscial director Robin Nelson and baritone and choral conductor Greg Hallam. Workshop: 10.00 am-11.30 am, 12 noon-1.00pm and 2.00 pm-3.30 pmPerformance: 4.00 pm to 5.00 pmCost: £10 Swindon Choral Society/Bracknell Choral Society members andunder 21s; £15 non-members. Score hire: £2 (please book)Coffee/biscuits, tea/cake provided but please bring your own lunch.Applications: Kath Danswan, 01793 533268 or online at www.swindonchoral.org.uk
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Christmas Day Dinner in the Community Centre at Christ Church
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