magazine single page - bathroadmethodistchurch.org.uk. page, bishop lee, canon owen barraclough, and...
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Partnership website: www.swindon-otpc.org.uk
PARTNERSHIP MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2014 55 PENCE
Lunch in the Community Centre at Christ Churchto celebrate Margaret Williams’s 40 years of lay ministry.
Mrs. Margaret Williams and Canon Simon Stevenette, withL to R: The Mayor of Swindon, Councillor Mrs. Teresa Page,
Mr. Page, Bishop Lee, Canon Owen Barraclough, and The Revd. Janet House
Swindon Old Town Partnership of ChurchesAnglican - URC - Methodist Est. 1969
One in Christ - Together in Mission
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]
Curate: Revd. Norma McKemey. T. 845917; [email protected]. Daphne Hardwick. T. 693721; [email protected] 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-Wednesday 9.30am-4.30pmThurs morning, briefly, about 9.30 am after Morning Prayer. Thursday evening 5.30pm-7.30pm, Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, 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] Secretaries: Liz Gleed, Tel. 721364. Anne Farrow, Tel.490672
email for both: [email protected] site: www.immanuelurc.org.uk Weekly news items: [email protected]
LAWN COMMUNITY CHURCH, Guildford AvenueMinister: The Revd. John Roe, 6 Donnington Grove, SN3 1HD.
Tel. 485082 e-mail: [email protected]
SALVATION ARMY: The Citadel, Devizes Road. 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, 39 Sandown Avenue, SN3 1QQ. Tel. 421102e-mail: [email protected] PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL: Secretary: post vacant
Chairman: Godfrey Room, Tel. 610010; Treasurer: David Bevan, Tel. 336667
PARTNERSHIP WEB SITE: www.swindon-otpc.org.uk
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Partnership LetterThe Manse
152 Drove Road
Greetings,
I am seriously concerned with the events of this past two months...I am not referring to the weather because we had a wonderful lot of days with warmsunshine which were just fantastic. But in the midst of all this, I have felt cross,upset, deeply worried, filled with questions with the violence faced in differentregions of the world, and as I write it seems that Iraq is once again in theheadlines for the wrong reasons - is a possibility of war emerging again forthat country? And having said this I read about the horrors faced by the christianpopulation and the extreme situation being pushed by Isis. There is also thedisproportionate violence against the people in Gaza and the high number ofcivilian deaths there, and the reactions on a much more limited scale againstthe people in Israel and it's highly professional armed forces. And Syria withthe rising number of refugees...and it goes on and on and on.
Having this at the back of my mind and very much on my heart, the commem-oration of the centenary of the beginning of World War I, I fear so many lessonshave not been learnt...so many lives shattered so the very sunshine of Augustseemed to be destroyed. Do we simply conform to the reality that this is theway things will always be? Is it silly of me to hope for a different reality? Well,I refuse to believe that it makes no sense to hope for a different world, and Ifind the Bible supports this vision. Of the many possible passages allow me toshare this one: "the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard no
more...never again will there be an infant who lives but a few days, or an old
man who does not live out his days... they will build houses and live in them,
they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit..." (Isaiah 65).
I refuse to believe this is a vision only for a select few. I believe this is God'svision for all humanity. And as I re-read these words, I remember Nader whowas with us when, as the Old Town Partnership we came together for the proj-ect to help in Lebanon and the West Bank. I wonder how he is, how his familyis and the people he works with are. I believe that as long as human life issubject to financial pricing, this will continue; so as churches I believe we havea mission - to proclaim the worth of God's vision and the promise of Jesus thathe had come for all to have life in fullness (John 10).
My personal understanding, though I know others have a common approach,is that while it is difficult to determine only one cause to this world situation
on the arms trade and the fairs organized the world around to exhibit and sellarms, this is a source of important income to many countries. Shouldn't we bechallenging this, based on our faith and commitment to God's vision...to becomepeacemakers not as mere words but as a real difference to the world, hereand now?
This situation has haunted me for a long time, and particularly during theweeks of our summer. We just have to learn the lessons from the past to builda better present and future for all. I felt I could not remain silent about this, so Ishare my thoughts with you. I know I am not alone in this, and pray more andmore of us can speak up and make a difference.
Let me conclude with other words from the prophet Isaiah: "they will beat theirswords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will nottake up sword against nation, nor will they train for war any more" (Is 2). I be-lieve these are words to be taken seriously and not the words of a dreamer.Personally I need this vision to be real, don't you?
God bless you all and keep us all from the worst of what we are capable ofand bring out in all of us the best we can do. Amen.
As the situation in Israel and Palestine worsens, and the number of liveslost and civilians wounded continues to rise, the United ReformedChurch prays for peace and an end to the suffering. You may like to join
us, using this prayer written by the Revd John Proctor, General Secretary ofthe United Reformed Church:
Lord Jesus Christ, prince of peace,you lived in the Land we call Holy,loved its places and its people,embraced its sorrow and entered itssuffering.
We pray for the many who suffer inthat land today,who live among the ravages of war,who mourn and bury beloved dead,who carry wounds in body and spirit,who seek shelter from danger and fear.
Out of death and dust, Lord Jesus,your resurrection tells of hope,in the story of the years and in theface of destruction and despair.
And so, for your love’s sake, we prayfor new signs of hope in these days.Amid grieving and graves we pray fora word of new possibility and for anew rising of peace in your Holy Land.
Amen.
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FAMILY EVENTS
BAPTISMWe welcome into the family of the Church
BATH ROADJuly 6 Zoe Alice MansfieldJuly 20 Ava Alice Matilda Dixon
CHRIST CHURCHJune 29 Ariadne Sofia Uphill
Xavier John-Nathan HynesJuly 27 George William Fry
Finley Daniel FryMillicent Grace Messenger
Aug 9 Amanda Marango Sibale Daly
IMMANUELAug 10 Mia Elizabeth Jo Howlett
THANKSGIVING FOR THE GIFT OF A CHILDCHRIST CHURCHJuly 13 Matilda Pearl WarehamAug 10 Quinn Jennylee Hall
MARRIAGEWe wish joy and happiness to
CHRIST CHURCHJune 28 Daniel Moss and Lynsey PriceJuly 5 Douglas Blackford and Rebecca Pean
Richard Bennet and Maria TubbsJuly 12 Justin Rouse and Lisa PennyJuly 19 Conroy White and Zulhra Abdulhalik
Elliott Smith and Laura BohaneGary Hugo and Georgina McCann
July 26 David Ross and Susan PookAug 9 Sean Close and Angela Bilotta
Ciaran Kearns and Sarah O’Connor
RENEWAL OF VOWSJuly 26 Brian and Theresa Stevenson
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DEATHSWe extend our sympathy to the loved ones of
IMMANUELJuly 7 Gordon CrabbeJuly 14 Phyllis SawyerJuly 17 Annie Lockhart
CHRIST CHURCHJune 14 Emmanuel Yussoff, 58 yearsJune 16 Phyllis Mundy, 87 yearsJuly 3 Eileen Prater, 90 yearsJuly 5 June Fullwood, 82 yearsJuly 14 Pete Ashmore, 64 yearsJuly 22 Hazel Ollard, 80 yearsJuly 29 Peter Woodward, 88 yearsAug 4 Bertha Harvey, 89 years
‘Old Curate’We are not sure how well this will reproduce. It was seen in the “pets’cemetery” at Plan Nanteos, near Aberystwyth and photographed by one of our readers. The words on the stone say ‘Old Curate’
An Opportunity to Support the Ecumenical Partnership in Old Town
There is an urgent need for a person with minute-taking skills to undertake the role of Secretary to both the Partnership Council, which meets twice ayear in the evenings, and the Focus Group, whichmeets monthly, usually on a Monday afternoon.
Fuller details can be obtained by telephoning the Council Chair, Godfrey Room, on 01793 610010 or by sending an email to
Principally the post involves taking minutes of meetings and providingsome administrative support to the Focus Group.
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Bath Road
Triathlon, raising money for the Prostate Cancer Campaignand Swindon Therapy Centre for MS
MADNESS???
Possibly, especially as I'll have just turned 54, but on September 21 I shall beattempting my first, and only, Triathlon, and as it's a Sunday morning I'm hopingfor a significant amount of prayerful support from you all!
Why? Well, having being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer at the end of 2012,one of the first people I told after I was diagnosed asked if I had started abucket list. I didn't actually know what one was but I bought the DVD andthought, yup, that's a good idea. So far there's not been that much on it butone thing that went down very quickly was to do a triathlon. Always wanted todo one, no idea why really but....!
So, in November last year, having successfully completed my courses of treat-ment, I started to do some regular swimming, I've been cycling quite a lot overthe last couple of years and have started running seriously over the last monthor so. And now I've entered one, to be held close to here at the CotswoldWater Park. As it will be a one off, I've decided that it should be an Olympic,or standard, distance one and, having been to see a couple in action recently,I'm really looking forward to it, even if a number of people have suggested thatI'm mad.
Of course, it ticks a box on the bucket list. But, at least as importantly, I wantto raise some money, first for the Prostate Cancer campaign, obvious I guess.But also for a local charity here, the Swindon Therapy Centre for MS. Not soobvious you may think, and no, its not. But, they have an oxygen tank at theirbuilding and, just as I was starting my course of radiotherapy, I heard thatthere was a body of opinion that believed the impact of radiotherapy was potentially more effective if regular visits to a tank of this type were made. So,
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last July I sat on a number of occasions in their tank and, certainly, I feel it wasof benefit. Whilst there I learnt more about what they do, and it's great. So, asa thank you for the use of their tank, and on behalf of the people they support,I'd like to raise some money for them as well.
And, of course, you can help. I have set up a page on the Virgin Charity Givingsite, www.virginmoneygiving.com and all you need to do is type in my nameand you will get to my page. Please donate, and please keep visiting the pageas I'm hoping to update it each week with a training progress report, possiblybetter described as providing details of my suffering!!
It's very simple, however there is a way of supporting me offline if you want to,please get hold of me and I will explain.
Thanks. Please hold me in your thoughts and prayers on that morning, if youcan support me financially as well, even better.
Mike Stannard
BEST BIRTHDAY WISHES go toArchie Copeland. 6 on the 12th September
Sunbeams: Thank You Lisa
There were 34 youngsters together with their parents or carers at the lastSummer Term meeting of Sunbeams on Friday July 25th enjoying a morningof fun, playing with a variety of toys plus writing messages of thanks on theback of some very attractive bunting. This had been made to say ‘Thank You’to Lisa who was in her tenth year of organising this very successful group.Having had a snack which finished with cake, Lisa was presented with severalgifts including a standard rose. Marie Tait one of the coffee/tea team who wasretiring was also thanked.
It is good to know that a small group of ‘Mums’ will be running Sunbeams inthe future – thank you for taking on the challenge. To support them, pleasewould you be able to join the tea/coffee team from 9.50 am to 11.50 am,taking it in turns to make the welcome drinks and then washing up! The moreoffers of help received –the less frequently your turn comes round.
Sheila Gladman, Gwen Knight
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Visit to the UK of The Revd. Ava Berry and her husband Bob
Well, Ava and Bob Berry’s visit seemed to pass so quickly and it was good ofthem to add a week to their busy fortnight’s Mediterranean cruise to comeand see us. In Ava’s 20 years absence, the Bath Road flock has seen manychanges, but a couple of dozen saw them at our home on the Friday and Saturday and others met them at the Partnership Birthday service at ChristChurch on the Sunday. We were also able to slip in a number of home visitsto the housebound.
The weather was very kind throughout, certainly up to Washington State standard. Sunday was rounded off by a visit to Holy Trinity Church, Headington,where C. S. Lewis worshipped and whose grave is in the churchyard there.We then went on to Evensong at New College Chapel, Oxford, with anthemsby Rachmaninoff, gloriously sung in Russian by the Choristers. We had agood visit on the Monday to David and Joy Gibbs’ home in Sussex, despite mydoing unplanned “scenic” tours of Basingstoke and Alton. Why do I believe insat nav! Ava loved seeing Jane Austen’s home nearby (the photo on page 17was taken at the front door). Lovely home and lovely cottage garden. Tuesday was spent at Cheltenham visiting her former colleague, the Revd.Diane Daymond and then on Wednesday we squeezed in a morning trip to theParish Church at Great Witley, Worcestershire, described as Britian’s finestBaroque Church.
An email from Ava.....
What a blessing and a joy it was to be back in Swindon and to see so manyfriends. Even after almost 20 years your loving faces and sweet spirits weresuch a blessing. In that short 11 months we spent together as a community offaith you taught me so much about what it means to serve God through mission,love your neighbor and strive to make our world a better place. I shall neverforget those months. Thanks to everyone who came by and especially to Ericand Gillian Sparkes. I especially enjoyed getting to see pictures of all thosechildren who are now adults; thanks for sharing. May God continue to blessall of you.
In God’s love, Ava and Bob Berry
Jessie BootRead the story of Jessie Boot, a devout Methodist, on page 33.
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Frederica (Freddie) Woolford
Many people are mourning the sudden death on August 4th of ‘Freddie’ butprobably none more so than the members of Epworth Court and their friendsand families. Everyone associated with anyone at Epworth knew Freddie, shewas there, it seemed, almost all day every day.
Freddie was nominally the cleaner at Epworth but she really was so muchmore than that to the residents – Freddie was their friend who was always will-ing to help with problems, large or small. Who carried washing to the washroom and back and often did it? –Freddie. Who helped sort out TV channels,computer worries, paperwork and shopping? – Freddie. Who brought themtheir handbags, books, mobility aids and if necessary pushed their wheel-chairs? – Freddie.
We and they mourn the loss of a true friend and helper. She will surely begreeted by Jesus with, “Well done…friend!” G.R.
Part of Swindon’s Green Corridor
Unfortunately this particular part of our green corridor is behind tall wirefences, as it is not safe for the public to enter except on occasional open daysand escorted by members of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust who manage the area.Being close to Shaw Forest and beside the cycle path from Rivermead inWest Swindon, the area was once part of the Sewage Works composed of lagoons and landfill where wild life is definitely reclaiming it.
Great Crested Newts are to be found as well as slow worms and grass snakes,together with a variety of birds. Cuckoos return each year to lay their eggs inReed Warbler’s nests but sadly it will probably never be an area generallyopen to the public. One lagoon was reported to be eight foot deep composedjust of fat and another area was out of bounds as batteries included in wastehad leaked. A salutary lesson that we should recycle batteries responsiblyand certainly not pour fat and oil down the sink or drains.
Gwen Knight
40 years of Methodist women ministersThis summer the Methodist Church in Great Britain celebrates 40 years ofwomen’s ordination. Although women were permitted to become deacons inthe Methodist Church from 1890, they were not ordained as presbyters until2nd July, 1974 at the Methodist Conference in Bristol.
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MYSTERY by Gary Illing
Consider the mantle of the earth, continental plates drifting over a moltenmagma that is pre-disposed to burst forth in violent eruption.
With the drift comes interaction, boundary conflicts generating friction, buckling,crushing as mass and inertia on a grand scale contribute in every collide.
Nothing changes; man still survives.
A fragile, brief, passing existence, as significant as a sigh loosed in a successionof storms that ebb to torrential climax and wane, leaving epic destruction intheir wake.
From devastation follows pestilence and disease of plague proportions in acycle that has been repeated over and over since the time of heaven andearth divide.
Nothing changes; man still survives.
Comparable to a single grain of sand pushed in ocean currents, this speck onwhich we stand is propelled from the bang into black sub-zero nothing in acloud of spinning, colliding debris.
Suns burn with heat of atom power beyond belief, to explode and spew colossal projectile or implode and suck in all, leaving holes as mines in thefabric where even light dies.
Nothing changes; man still survives.
AND THEREIN IS THE MYSTERY: WHY?
OPEN GARDENS
AND TEAS
in
GLENWOOD CLOOSE
Saturday 6th September from 2.00-5.00 pm
Explore the gardens around the green in Glenwood Close and have teas in some.
A free event but donations would be appreciated for DASH, a local charity which supports people with
Asperger’s and other autistic conditions, and the Swindon Therapy Centre for MS
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Charles Vince
Music making and worship at
Wells Cathedral
This course was administered by theRoyal School of Church Music and ranfrom the 4th to 10th August. The totalnumber of singers on the course, includingmyself, was 32. We were responsible forsinging all the choral services in WellsCathedral during that week, under the direction of Scott Farrell who is organist and Master of the Choristers atRochester Cathedral in Kent.
On our first day we were asked to sing at a special service being held at 10pmon that day to commemorate the anniversary of the outbreak of the First WorldWar. The service was attended by many people and local officials from Wells,including the Member of Parliament for Wells. We sang two anthems duringthe service. At one point in this service all the lights were extinguished, leavingonly the Easter candle lit. A very moving moment. As the course had onlybegun that afternoon, we had very little time to prepare the two anthems forthis service.
We sang Evensong daily at 5.15pm, except on Friday when the service wassaid, and on Sunday we were responsible for singing at the 9.45am Eucharist,11.30am Mattins and 3pm Evensong. We were rehearsing for about 5 hourseach day. A great deal of music had to be prepared to a very high cathedralstandard.
Socially we were able to have a “night out” together during the week and onSaturday night we did our own private concert in one of the buildings oppositethe Cathedral. This gave us all some relaxation before a very full day on theSunday. n
Sunday 7th September - Circuit ServiceThe service to signify the coming into being of the new North Wiltshire Circuit,which comprises Swindon, Marlborough and Chippenham, will take place onSunday 7th September, 4.00 pm at St. Andrew’s Church, Moredon. The service will also include a welcome to the Revd. Debbie Hodgson. There will be refreshments afterwards to give us an opportunity to get to knowone another.
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ImmanuelThis month Immanuel celebrates its 75th anniversary.Looking back to the events that took place in France in June this year to commemorate the D-Day landings of the Second World War 1939-1945, manyof our readers may not be aware that Immanuel Church opened in 1939 just afew days after war was declared. Below are extracts from Stephen Brain’sbook ‘An Ever-Flowing Stream’, The Story of Immanuel United ReformedChurch, Upham Road, Swindon.
An Inauspicious Start
The date: 13th September 1939, the clouds of war had gathered and, worsestill, had broken. Only 10 days before, Neville Chamberlain had made thatfateful declaration of war, and during the opening celebrations, although conversation may have been centred on the prospects, hopes and prayers forthe fellowship at Immanuel, certainly many thoughts were turned to wider issues. A glance at the official photographs of the day shows an impressiveassembly of notables, but rarely a smile to be seen - surely not simply the result of the solemnity of the occasion!
There had been recent worries that the buildings might be commandeered bythe authorities for use other than that of worship and church work, and theDeacons had pressed the builders hard to complete as quickly as possible.
Two other items from Stephen’s book...
Did you know...? Immanuel was a precursor of multi-faith sharing...
A chance comment by one of our older members led to a fascinating discovery.During the latter stages of the Second World War, Immanuel was used on aregular basis as a centre for worship by a group of Jews.
Apparently the Polish Jews based in the camp on the Lawn Estate were anxious to find suitable premises for their worship. As a result of an approachto Immanuel, the Children’s corner was set out for them on a Saturday.Crosses were removed out of deference and additional drapes placed aroundthe smaller communion table in the corner. ‰
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In my research I have not been able to check on the accuracy of this story.Certainly there is no record in the one remaining minute book of that period,but one record book was stolen from the church secretary’s saddle bag duringthe war and the vital evidence may have been in that. There is a very clearstatement giving the minister ‘carte blanche’ to give permission for others touse the church and in particular the American forces stationed in the area.
Although one can imagine that the state of emergency of those days mademany things possible, which until then (and indeed ever since) had been un-thought of, the liberality of Immanuel at that time - if the tale is true - is indeedremarkable and says much for the leadership of those days at Immanuel.
Did you know...?The story behind the stained glass window...
The window at Immanuel was placed there in memory of two men.
Although young, Jack Brooks had been an active worker and a fairly key figurein running a Youth Club at Immanuel. At 18 he was called up for military service but felt he could not actively fight in the combat. As a conscientiousobjector, he volunteered for and trained with the Bomb Disposal Squad. Yetthis did not totally fulfil his desire to do more for his country and fellow men, sohe volunteered as a medic in the Airborne Corps. Having crossed to France ina glider during the D-Day invasion, he was wounded and brought back to amilitary hospital in England. Although he was offered a military discharge,having seen the mayhem of the Normandy battlefield, he volunteered oncemore to return to the fray. Still as a non-combatant, he was tragically killed atArnhem whilst treating a wounded soldier.
Mr. Davies, who was also killed in action, lived at the bottom end of BurfordAvenue and, although not involved in the same active way in the life of Immanuel, he had close links with the church. His daughter Joyce was an active member and was to later marry John Pells, and their son Paul becamea minister in the U.R.C. It was a natural reaction by the family to wish forsome form of memorial and so the two families agreed to the commissioningof the window which was unveiled in October 1946. Until that time the threewindows were filled with the same small leaded panes as elsewhere in thechurch. n Photos relating to this article are on page 19
URC Assembly appointments: The Revd. John Proctor was formally
appointed as General Secretary of the United Reformed Church, The Revd.Michael Hopkins was appointed as Clerk of the United Reformed Church General Assembly. n
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Want to play Badminton?
Join our friendly group which meets every Wednesdayevening at Immanuel Church Hall, Upham Road from8pm to 10pm (or until we get tired, whichever comesfirst!).
It only costs £1 per person and we even have spare racquets if you just want to give it a try.
For more information, contact Susan: [email protected] ortelephone 01793 610877
Thank you to everyone who sponsored Becky Farmer who, with her dadJulian, completed the "Ben Nevis Midnight Challenge" back in June toraise funds for Alzheimer's in memory of her granddad Roger Farmer.
The £130.00 we gave helped them reach a total of over £1,000.00 for this veryworthy cause - and out of the many hundreds taking part, Becky andJulian finished in 15th place! Wow! Becky was so grateful for Immanuel'ssupport and has written a lovely letter recounting the 'highs and lows' of thenight. This is now pinned on the notice board in the atrium.
Immanuel’s Birthday CelebrationsOPEN AFTERNOON
Saturday 20th September
This month Immanuel is celebrating its 75th Birthday on its site at UphamRoad. That’s 75 years of service to the immediate community around thechurch, to the town and to the wider world as well.
To mark the event we are holding an Open Afternoon. We hope that all thegroups who use the building will come along and show the community whattakes place at Immanuel. There is something going on every day of theweek, not just on Sunday. Activities are spiritual, sporting and social.
Do come along on September 20th to see what we get up to and you maydiscover a new activity to enjoy.
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Does God love you when you are naughty?
Our dear Bishop Lee brought things sharply into focus while we sat harmlesslychatting at lunch in the Community Centre at Christ Church. It was a definingmoment, shaking away our fairly superficial conversation. We had heard thedepth of rich and purposeful preaching from Margaret Williams at her anniver-sary service and now our bodies were being fed by the most delicious cordonbleu cookery,
Now came a question, flung into our midst, reminding us of our childhood. Butit had a deeper meaning. Everything begins with a decision. We all hadthings we wished we had not done or done differently. What is past is past.Rear view mirrors were made to glance at, not to stare into! Our best days areahead and we don’t need to wallow in regret.
God loved us enough to send His Son, while we were naughty. Romans 5.8:‘He commended His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christdied for us.’ Actually, we don’t have to do anything to get God’s love, but Hisblessings will only come and rest in a heart that is clean and in order andwhere He feels at home. Unforgiven sin blocks the spiritual arteries like cholesterol. Being naughty in childhood means being rebellious and not obeying Mummy’s requests.
But there was more to come from the question! Is there another word for sin,said he of the original question? It might now seem archaic and old fashionedto the present generation. How about unforgiving heart, misbehaving, doingwrong, being wicked, rebellion, stealing, killing, committing adultery? Or we couldsay just wholeheartedly turning away from our God and deliberately disobeyingHim, or just plain ignoring Him. There is not a sin which cannot be forgiven,says the Bible, except one. That one is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.Let’s be sure we are right with our loving, caring and faithfulness and then geton with the great outreach to those who live in darkness and know nothing ofHis love. Then the question can rest in our hearts while we consider it!
Barbara Furguson, Immanuel
News from the URC General Assembly:Moderators elect announced:The results are in for the United Reformed Church General Assembly moderatorsserving from 2016 to 2018; the Revd Kevin Watson – the current YorkshireSynod Moderator – has been elected as the Ministerial Moderator, and Alan Yates – an accredited lay preacher, elder and former member of theThames North synod executive committee – has been elected to the role ofLay Moderator. n
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Gaza Emergency Appeal
Recalling our Partnership Project last year, when we raised money to help disabled people in the Middle East and Lebanon in co-operation with Christian Aid, we print below a letter we have received from Nader. Some ofyou might have met Nader, who came from the YMCA in East Jerusalem andwho preached at Immanuel.
Dear Partners and Friends,
Greetings from the East Jerusalem YMCA Rehabilitation Program.
As a response to the catastrophic situation of Gaza, we are launching
this appeal "Gaza Emergency Appeal" and asking our partners, friends
and supporters to enable us to respond to the huge needs of the
people in Gaza. We highly appreciate your direct support and your help
in informing others, either through direct communication with them or
through putting this appeal on your website.
Best regards, Nader.
We have all seen through the media the plight of the people in Gaza; and inhis letter he is appealing for our help in this situation. You might have alreadyresponded by donating through the National appeal but if not you may wish todonate through Christian Aid, as we did with our project money.
To donate: www.christianaid.org.uk/Gaza; Telephone 020 7523 2492 By post: Christian Aid, 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL
Immanuel Drama Group
‘THOSE WERE THE DAYS’A One Act Play and Concert
on SATURDAY 13th SEPTEMBER, 7.30 pmat Immanuel United Reformed Church, Upham Road
Tickets £6, which includes a buffet provided by members of the Drama Group
For tickets: Tel. 520169 or 525498or any member of the Drama Group.
The proceeds will be divided between
Help for Heroes and Immanuel Church
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SATURDAY 13th SEPTEMBER between 10.00 am and 6.00 pm
On 13th September this year the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust’ssponsored “Ride+Stride” (originally the Great Cycle Ride) celebrates its30th anniversary. Thanks to the commitment of hundreds of cyclists andwalkers (plus a few horse-riders) and their sponsors, over £1.2 million hasbeen raised to contribute to the maintenance and on-going work of ourcounty’s churches.
Bear Grylls, adventurer, Chief Scout, Wiltshire resident and supporter ofRide+Stride, writes: “Many historic churches are battling to survive. Roofs
leak, ancient timbers rot and medieval stonework crumbles. Now you can
help by joining the Ride+Stride adventure, discovering beautiful churches
while raising money for their repair and preservation. Wherever you go, your
Ride+Stride journey will ensure that historic churches remain at the heart of
our national heritage and the soul of local communities for generations to come.”
35% of adults own a bicycle. If 35% of Wiltshire church-goers pumped uptheir tyres, recruited a few sponsors (the other 65%?) and joined theRide+Stride adventure, our churches would in one single day benefit from ahuge financial boost. Half of all money raised goes to your own chosenchurch, and the other half is used by the Trust to award grants to churcheswith special maintenance needs. No bicycle? Walking between one churchand another constitutes participation in Ride+Stride, and most sponsors aregenerous enough to reward even the shortest of journeys.
For the more energetic, however, there are cash prizes for the best achieve-ments, including The Brooke Cup and £500 to the best all-round parish, withrunner-up prizes of £100 and £50, and the Junior Group Cup, plus £100 tothe most successful group of under 18s (£50 to the runners-up). Also individualcash prizes.
This year Wiltshire R+S will be graced by the support of the Archbishopof Canterbury, who will be at St. Mary’s Church, Lydiard Tregoze at 10.00a.m. and will send all riders and striders on their way.
Sponsorship forms are available from your church organiser:
Bath Road David Sinclair 611931Christ Church Caroline Pitt 521732Immanuel David Sawyer 530990
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Visit to the UK of the Revd. Ava Berry and her husband Bob
With the Revd. Diane Daymond and
her husband Roger
The get-together atEric and Gillian’s home
Ava withEric and Gillian at
Jane Austen’s HouseMuseum at
Chawton, near Alton,Hampshire.
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Gary IllingIn June, Gary Illing, AssistantCub Scout Leader at 12th Swindon Bath Road Cubs wasawarded the “Chief Scout’sCommendation for Services to Scouting”. He has been with usfor 7 years and is a valuablemember of the pack. This awardwas well deserved and it seemsthat in the district he has become well known for his enthusiasm and appetite!
Baptism of Zoe MansfieldSurprised by joy:The congregation atBath Road were surprised by changesat the front of theChurch on SundayJuly 6th. Part of thedais had been replacedby a Baptismal Pool(courtesy of LawnCommunity Churchand Noel Hunt and co-workers). So, joinedby folk from KainosChurch, in a joyfulservice of praise and thanksgiving, we witnessed the first adult Baptism by Immersion at Bath Road as Zoe Mansfield declared her Faith in Jesus as Lordand Saviour. There was more of a buzz than usual as coffee and cakes wereconsumed afterwards and two congregations mingled, sharing reflections onthe experience.
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The Opening of Immanuel Church13th September 1939
Photos taken from Stephen Brain’s bookand used with his permission.
Immanuel’s Stained Glass Window, installed in 1946
Jack Brooks,whose story is told
on page 12
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Gordon Crabbe “ Friend and Brother”
On the 7th July around 180 people gathered in Immanuel Church to say a sadbut very fond farewell to one of Swindon’s finest organists and musicians.
Gordon Crabbe had served the churches and local community with his wonderful musical talents for almost 70 years. The service was conducted byGeoff Gleed from Immanuel and Margaret Williams from Christ Church, twolong term friends. Those present heard how Gordon, born in Somerset, movedto Swindon with his family when he was 10 years old. By then he was alreadyplaying the piano but went on to virtually teach himself the organ.
Aged just 15 he became the Organist and Choirmaster of St. Mary’s Church inCommonweal Road for 10 years before serving 40 years at Christ Church.
Even when doing his national service in Liverpool, Gordon could often befound at the console of Emmanuel C of E in Everton.
On his retirement Gordon and his wife Linda decided to move to Immanuelwhere he became Assistant to Geoff Gleed as Organist and Choirmaster forthe past 19 years.
Gordon was also Resident Organist at Kingsdown Crematorium for well over36 years until his death. ‰
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Geoff and Margaret shared many stories about dear Gordon which throughoutthe service resulted in laughter ringing through the building. Stories abound ofthis lovely man famous for addressing every man he met with the words “ Hellobrother, hello”.
Gordon was often extremely funny and amusing in the things he said and didwithout actually realizing this himself.
But of course it is for his contribution to the musical life of Swindon and beyondthat he will be best remembered and much missed. It is virtually impossible toknow just how many church services, weddings, funerals, concerts, and civicservices at which Gordon would have been seated at the organ, let alone howmany hymns and songs he played.
Throughout his long career he had played for numerous performances of Handel’s Messiah and other major works, and many choirs and choral societies owe him a great debt of gratitude for his skills and sensitive accom-paniment of their singing. Yet Gordon seemed to take these often mammothmusical masterpieces in his stride and often underestimated his true value andtalents.
From cathedrals to concerts and choirs to even playing in a dance band as ayounger man, you name it, Gordon had probably done it. He had been President of Swindon Gilbert & Sullivan Society and was a long-time memberof the local Organists’ Association where he often gave composite recitals.
Sadly space does not permit us to continue to highlight the musical worth ofGordon. He was a truly wonderfully talented musician. And despite his oftenquirky ways, you could not help but like him. He will be missed by many butnone more so than his wife Linda, who for 63 years has been his constantsupport and companion. We send our love to Linda, Gill, Ian and their families.
Gordon we trust has now joined that great choir of Heaven where angels singin everlasting praise to God, who Gordon served throughout his earthly life.
Thank you Gordon and for now it’s “Cheerio brother, cheerio.”
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Christ Church with St. Mary’s
ORGAN RECITALSunday 14th September, 3.00 pm
given jointly by John Henderson, Organist at Wroughton Parish Church
and Tim Eyles, Organist at Christ Church.
John and Tim will play various pieces on theirown and also play an organ duet.
This recital is part of the Royal College of Organists' 150 for 150 series oforgan recitals across the country, which are being performed to celebrate 150years of the College's existence.
There will be a retiring collection in aid of the Royal College of Organists.
ORGAN RECITAL BY TIM EYLES
in aid of Christ Church funds
Wednesday 17th September 1.00 pmat Christ Church
The recital will include music by Bach, Vaughan Williams and Franck.
BBC Last night of the proms!Swindon Youth for Christ will be showing this on a big screen in the Community Centre at ChristChurch on Saturday 13th September at 7.15pm.Tickets £5
Book on line at www.syfc.org.uk/proms or telephone 01793 829795. Tickets are limited, so please don’t miss out on what promises to be a lot of fun.
Free drink on arrival, plus tea, coffee and scones.Chairs will be available but bringing a deck/camping chair is more fun!
Raising funds for SYFC work with young people in Swindon.
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Celebrating 40 years of lay ministry
Sunday 22nd June - a day of celebration forMargaret Williams at Christ Church, beginning with a special service attendedby the Mayor of Swindon, Councillor TeresaPage and her husband, and Canon StuartTaylor from the Bristol Diocese. BishopLee presided and Margaret preached.
We were also pleased to welcome a former vicar of Christ Church, CanonOwen Barraclough and his wife Joan, theRevd. Janet House, a former curate, andfriends from our Partnership of Churches,Bath Road Methodist Church and ImmanuelUnited Reformed Church. Janet took partin a special peal of bells in the afternoon,which Brian Harris organised to mark theoccasion, and Owen and Joan joined inthe bell ringing before the service.
Lunch in the Community Centre followed, with tributes paid to Margaret by theMayor, our MP Robert Buckland, who is a member of Christ Church congregation,Bishop Lee, Canon Stuart Taylor and the Vicar of Christ Church, Canon SimonStevenette.
A day enjoyed not only by Margaret but by all those who attended, includingMargaret’s 90 year old sister Val and other members of Margaret’s family fromWales.
As co-editor of the magazine, I would like to add my tribute to Margaret:
Margaret is a great supporter of ecumenism and is always to be seen at ecumenical events. The same would apply to events at Christ Church when,even if not feeling particularly like going out on a cold, dark, wet and windynight, she will be there supporting whatever is taking place.
Margaret is now in her 80s but her contribution to the community and churchcontinues unabated: taking church services and school assemblies, (she is anatural story-teller and knows instinctively what will grab primary school childrenʼs attention); conducting funeral services, making pastoral visits, hospital visits and taking communion to folk in nursing homes and in their ownhomes, being a listening ear for people when they are feeling low, helping ‰
24
people to fill in forms they donʼt understand – the list is endless. Many of thefunerals she takes are by special request from the bereaved families.
When a job needs doing and there are no volunteers, Margaret will step in. Myown experience is that when I was asked to produce the monthly magazine forthe Old Town Partnership, I said I did not want to do this on my own but wouldwelcome another person to be co-editor and Margaret willingly volunteeredher services, in spite of already being a busy person; I value her assistanceenormously.
Margaret is always there for people in distress, at any time of the day or night,and I know this from personal experience. When my husband was taken tohospital as an emergency and very seriously ill, I didnʼt leave the hospital untilmidnight and Margaret stayed up waiting for my phone call, to come and bringme home and give me words of comfort. There will be many people who canrecount similar stories of Margaretʼs support.
In her sermon at the service to celebrate her 40 years of ministry, Margaret finished by saying “There is a prayer that we use sometimes at the end of theCommunion Service, which I am very fond of: ‘Send us out in the power ofyour spirit to live and work to your praise and glory.’” Margaret has certainlydone that.
Margaret has given so much to so many people over the years and is still putting in enough hours to make it almost seem like a full time job. Her energyand enthusiasm and her willingness to always be available for people when inneed are undiminished. She is a delightful person to be with; if you are feelinglow in spirits, you are guaranteed to feel better for having been in her company! D.S.
Friends of Christ Church
CHARITY CHRISTMAS MARKET
Saturday 24th November, 10.00 am - 3.00 pmChrist Church, Cricklade Street, SN1 3HB
Free tables for charities/community groups.
Refreshments will be available
To book a table: 01793 521732
email: [email protected] or [email protected]
25
Supporting the work of Tearfund in Rwanda
John Howell writes...
In September I will be goingto Rwanda to lead a team ofboth UK and Rwandan volunteers as we help tosupport communities liftthemselves out of poverty.The 10 week placement ispart of the International Citizen Service where UKbased volunteers travel overseas and join with a team of fantastic local volunteers to work with communities fighting poverty.
My team and I will be based in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, and we will bedoing some of the following:
• Supporting the head office of the Tearfund partner and helping staff
with English and Technology
• Helping arrange and run support groups so communities can work
together to improve their living conditions
• Teaching English and Computer skills at catch-up schools for adults
who missed years of education due to the 1994 genocide
• Working with communities to respond to their needs
• Working closely alongside the local volunteers to help us learn more
about the culture and enable us to support the communities better
Tearfund has been working with local partners in Rwanda for many years, sotheir partners know the communities and the support that they need. It is reallyexciting to be helping to lead a team. As well as this, ICS Tearfund is committedto volunteer placements having long-term benefits for the communities wework with so that what we achieve in that country will help the communitieslong after we have left.
Please visit my just giving page (www.justgiving.com/john-howell2014) tomake a donation and email me ([email protected]) with anyquestions. n
26
Alpha Course at Christ Church24th-26th November 2014
Wednesday evenings 7.30 - 9.30pmin the
Community Centre @ Christ Church
A chance to explore faith and ask questions.
The course is free. Each evening will start with a meal and a chat, followed bya talk over coffee, and then there’s time for discussion - straight talking en-couraged, fun guaranteed!
The Alpha course is an introduction to the Christian faith designed for enquirers and new Christians. It provides a friendly and honest environmentto consider the questions:
Why am I here?
What is the point of life?
Does life matter?
Is there a God?
For further information or to join the course, please contact Ailsa in the ParishOffice Tel. 522832, email: [email protected] orSimon on 529166, email: [email protected]
And if you are already a member of our congregations,please could you help with our next Alpha Course?
We are looking for help in the following areas either on an occasional or regular basis: preparing the room 6pm-7pm, setting out tables and chairs, laying and decorating the tables; cooking/preparing main course and/orpuddings (costs to be fully reimbursed); working in the kitchen 6pm-8pmcooking and serving the meal; helping with the talks and small groups,preparing visual aids, audio/visual resources, music, 7.15pm-9.30pm; clearingaway tables, emptying room and final short wash up, 9.15pm-10pm; preparingfood for Alpha Away Day (Saturday 8th November); donating towards the costof Alpha.
Contact Simon or Ailsa or email: [email protected]
27
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Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to the Bristol Diocese
We are delighted to welcome the Archbishop of Canterbury to our Diocese from12th to 14th September, and have arranged a full and varied itinerary for hisvisit, enabling 99Justin to meet people in a wide range of settings and com-munities, engaged in very different aspects of our work and life as Christians.We look forward to receiving 99Justin’s encouragement and blessing in our mission and ministry, inspiring and igniting our renewed focus on evangelism.
Saturday 13th September - his Swindon itinerary.....Ecumenical prayer breakfast with Swindon church leadersThe Archbishop will start Saturday by attending the bi-monthly ecumenicalbreakfast for church leaders across Swindon, co-ordinated through SwindonChurches Together.
National Heritage Open Day & Wiltshire Ride+Stride at Lydiard Park - apublic eventArchbishop Justin will formally open the Lydiard Park Estate on National Heritage Open Day, followed by officially starting the Wiltshire Ride+Stridefundraising event from the historic St Mary’s Church which is within the estategrounds. These events are both open to the public and you can find out moreon the Heritage Open Days website and the Wiltshire Ride+Stride website.
Gathering of ministers from across the DioceseAn event for our clergy and licensed lay ministers to hear Archbishop Justin inconversation with Revd Chris Russell, the Archbishop’s Adviser on Evangelismand Witness, talking about what he sees as the main priorities for the Churchand the role prayer and evangelism play in our own leadership and ministry.
Meeting young people at a fun day in Swindon - a public event Archbishop Justin will join a community fun day in Swindon, meeting and talk-ing to young people from the Pinehurst estate. He will be invited on board themobile youth club, a converted supermarket delivery van, run by SwindonYouth for Christ, and will also meet those involved with SHINE, a missioncommunity project bringing the Church to the housing estate through kerbsideconversations.
Spirituality of Leadership lunchFollowing a lunch hosted by Bishop Lee for community and business leadersfrom across Swindon, the Archbishop of Canterbury will speak on ‘The spirituality of leadership’ and take questions. n
29
LETTER FROM THE BISHOP OF BRISTOL
Into the looking glass…
In his book about discipleship, ‘Building a Discipling Culture’, Mike Breanspeaks of three basic ways that we learn:
l We assimilate information. It may be in the form of a book, a lecture or avideo. We listen or watch and hopefully recall what we have learnt. Our education systems in the west largely reflect this way of learning
l We learn through apprenticeship. We can read a book about how to
change a plug, but to watch someone who knows how to do the task is a far more effective way of learning
l We learn through immersion. This is a far more subtle form of learning.
It involves people being emerged into a culture, which by the very act ofimmersion into that culture, creates a context for learning and change. Mike Brean says that this requires two things of that culture. First, that itis easily accessible; second, that the culture is ‘fluent.’ That is, it behaves in ways that understand, articulate and live the culture.
Of course, good learning requires a complex interplay between all of thesethree ways in which we learn. The first two ways of learning will be reinforcedby a healthy culture in which people learn simply from being a part of it.
Thinking about our discipleship learning, I suspect we live with the fantasy thatsimply feeding people information – sermons, books, etc. will, somehow of itself, lead to people deepening their faith. The evidence that such an approachwon’t just lead to ‘stuck’ Christians is there to see.
Do we need to think more about apprentice type learning? Can we honestlyclaim that our local church is a culture where we learn, simply by immersioninto that community, what being a discipleship looks like.
The Rabbinic Jewish tradition of learning was in schools of learning where theaspiration was not just to imbibe information, (though it certainly was that) butalso to become like the rabbi from whom the disciples were learning.
Mike Brean says that “if you do church you won’t get disciples, but if you dodiscipleship you get church!”
In a world that is highly visually oriented, we might ask whether the worldneeds to ‘see’ what the Christian life looks like. God’s great plan was that
30
people would look at the Church, the new community of God’s people, andsee how the Christian life works out.
We have a witness as individual Christians, but we also have a witness aslocal churches. Are we as welcoming as we imagine? Is coming to our churchtantamount to asking people to enter a culture that is bewildering to peoplewho have no cultural background of Church? More worryingly, are therechurches where relationships are so adversarial that actually to immersesomeone in them would be to harm them? Sadly I fear that may be the case.
One of the smart things about that Rabbinic culture, which Jesus built on, wasthat we learn better in community. Jesus spent time with three of the twelvedisciples, Peter, James and John, and he briefed the seventy in Luke 10 before he sent them out to do ministry, not simply to talk about it.
I think discipleship is a critical issue for us to engage with in our churches. Superficial commitment to Jesus will not persuade an increasingly hostile public that Christianity has anything to offer. Neither will simple devotion to theChurch be attractive.
We are followers of Jesus. People really do need to see what that looks like.
9 Mike
Joan Littlewood’s Musical Entertainmentat
The Arts Centre Theatre, Swindon
24th-27th September, 7.30 pm
Tickets £10.00 and £9.00Group bookings: 1 free for every 10 booked
Tickets available by telephone 07517 698083Email: [email protected]
For payment by credit/debit card, please goto www.wegottickets.com
www.phoenix-players.com
31
July Messy Church seems a long time ago nowbut we met as usual at King William StreetSchool and explored a theme of ‘Journeys’which seemed appropriate at the start of theholiday season! This focussed on Paul’s mis-sionary journeys and the various crafts, activi-ties and worship helped us to think about ourChristian journey and how God may lead us indifferent directions, but that he is always withus wherever we go.
With so many being away in August, instead of our usual meeting we held aninformal picnic in the Town Gardens. Despite the unsettled weather the rainheld off and we were blessed with some sunshine during our time together! Itwas nice to catch up with friends old and new and the children (and adults) enjoyed playing games such as boules and hoopla, as well as running aroundand generally having a good time!
We resume in September and meet on Sunday 21st at King WilliamStreet School. During the autumn we will be looking at the ‘I am’ sayings ofJesus, beginning with ‘I am the Good Shepherd’ in September. This will continue with ‘I am the True Vine’ in October for Harvest and ‘I am the Light ofthe World’ in November for Advent.
Messy Church has now been meeting for almost 18 months and as you knowis very much a team effort with over 70 volunteers from across the partner-ship. People help in a variety of ways including cake baking, welcoming, help-ing with craft, leading worship, praying etc. It is a different way of beingChurch which may not appeal to everyone, in the same way that we all haveour preferences for types of service, style of worship, favourite music etc.However, as we have found here in Old Town it is one way of sharing the goodnews and reaching people from within our local community, many of whomwould otherwise not attend a church service.
We have been greatly encouraged by the response we have had to MessyChurch and look forward to where God will lead us in the coming months.Please continue to pray for Messy Church and all those involved and if youwould like to join the team please let us know - you would be most welcome!
Kathryn Read on behalf of the Messy Church team
www.messychurcholdtown.co.uk
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Unfair trading of bananas threatens growers
The ‘Fair Trade’ movement is currently concerned that a big dip in banana prices is threatening the livelihoods of growers world-wide.Ten years ago we typically paid 18p for a loose banana but this summer onecan pay as little as 11p (based on six bananas to a kilo).
Here in the UK we eat over five million bananas a year (that’s nine thousand aminute) and one in three are Fairtrade. But over the same period, costs togrowers (such as fertilisers, spraying and fuel) have more than doubled.
More than 70,000 people across the UK have joined the Fair Trade Foundationand have signed a petition calling on the UK government to intervene in supermarket price wars, which are trapping tens of thousands of banana farmers in a relentless cycle of poverty.
In the past ten years, the UK supermarket sector has almost halved the shelfprice of loose bananas, while the cost of producing them has doubled.
Michael Gurney, chief executive of the Fairtrade Foundation, said, when handing the petition to Vince Cable, the relevant government minister: “Thepoorest people are bearing the cost of our cheap bananas and, as a result, aproduct that is worth billions of pounds in global trade relies on poverty-levelincome for the people who grow it”.
If you would like to help by signing the petition, please go to: http://foncho.fairtrade.org.uk/supporters/resources/petition-information/
OLD TOWN SAUSAGE & ALE TRAILSunday 7th September
1pm till 6pm
A range of Sausages and Alesall around Old Town
Live Street Music Children’s activities
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JESSIE BOOT
Jessie Boot was born in Nottingham in 1850. His father John Boot owned aherbalist shop but he died when Jessie was only a child. Jessie left school atthe age of thirteen and helped his mother run the family business. In hisspare-time he studied pharmacy and in 1877 opened his first chemist shop.
Boot realised that the established chemists in Nottingham had a price-fixingpolicy. He therefore decided to sell his goods cheaper than the other chemists.Boot advertised in the Nottingham Daily Express that the 128 items in his shopat Goose Gate were being sold at reduced prices. He also employed a bellringer to tour the streets of Nottingham informing the public of Boot's policy.This campaign was a great success and within a month the takings of theshop had doubled.
Jessie Boot was a devout Methodist who was deeply concerned about thepoverty he saw in Nottingham. He believed that his lower prices would enablethe poor to buy goods that previously they could not afford. Later Boot renamedhis shop The People's Store.
At that time doctors made up their own prescriptions after diagnosing whatwas wrong with their patients. The cost of prescriptions was high and thisoften stopped the poor from receiving the medical help they needed. Boot decided to break this monopoly by employing E. S. Waring, a young chemist,to provide prescriptions. On average the cost of these prescriptions was lessthan half those charged by the doctors. This was a great success and helpedBoot expand his business.
By 1896 Jessie Boot owned sixty shops in twenty-eight different towns.Jessie's wife Florence played an active role in the business. It was her idea torent books in their chemist shops. The Boots' Book-Lovers Library chargedborrowers 2d per book. This also helped the chemist trade, as the librarycounter was always placed in a position where customers had to walk throughthe length of the shop to get their books.
Jessie retired in 1920 but he continued to be involved in charity work and ithas been estimated that he gave over £2 million to the people of Nottingham.In 1929 he was granted the title Lord Trent of Nottingham. Jessie Boot died in1931. Two years later, Florence Boot opened the 1,000 Boots shop inGalashiels. n
From Jessie Boot Biography - Spartacus Educational, by courtesy of John Simkin
Margaret Williams told this story to the children at Lethbridge Road School
when she took a school assembly.
34
Bath Road MOPS, 10.30 am in the Crossland RoomSep 4 Coffee and chatSep 18 Margaret Williams - Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Christ Church with St Mary's Mothers' Union
Sep 10 2.15pm in Community Centre Large Meeting Room - Brian Gibbs will be talking about Booth House - All are welcome
Immanuel Women’s Fellowship, 2.30 pm in Immanuel Church HallSep 3 Members’ afternoon, Bring and Buy, preparation for Church
Anniversary.Sep 10 ‘As Time Goes By’, Margaret WilliamsSep 17 Silver Spoons - Pat ChapmanSep 20 2.00 pm Church 75th Anniversary
Sep 24 My time in the WRNS - Carol Gibbon
FLOODLIGHTING
July 8 In loving memory of Arthur and Peggy Swailes. With love, Marion Bird and family and David and family
Sep 17 In loving memory of my wife Claire Anita Smith on ourwedding anniversary
Sep 24 Geoffrey Groombridge. Miss you every day, more than words can say. Love Margaret and your loving family
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 may Gift Aid your donation.
ADVERTISEMENTS
To advertise in this magazine, please contact Mrs. Diana Swann,telephone 01793 529897; email: [email protected]
Whilst care has been taken, no responsibility can be accepted for statements made by the advertisers, neither can we be responsible for anylosses caused by any errors or omissions in the advertisements.
35
PARTNERSHIP DIARY FOR SEPTEMBER 01 Mon 7.30 pm Christ Church staff team at the Vicarage03 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm Healing prayers at St. Mary’s06 Sat 7.30 am Christ Church Men’s Breakfast
07 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, 1662 Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Holy Communion 10.00 am Bath Road, Morning Service, Mr. Godfrey Room 10.00 am Christ Church, All-age worship 10.30 am Immanuel, Holy Communion 11.30 am Christ Church, Searchlight 4.00 pm Circuit Service at St. Andrew’s, Moredon No evening service at Bath Road.
6.30 pm Christ Church, Holy Communion 6.30 pm Immanuel, Evening Service
08 Mon 7.30 pm Christ Church Standing Committee in Community Centre09 Tues 7.30 pm Christ Church, joint clergy and lay ministers chapter in the Community Centre 7.45 pm Bath Road Church Council in Upper Room10 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 7.30 pm Open Synod meeting in Christ Curch Community Centre 7.45 pm Bath Road MAM meeting at 11 Dartmoor Close
12 Fri Start of visit to Bristol Diocese of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby
13 Sat Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust ‘Ride and Stride’ 14 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Holy Communion 10.00 am Bath Road, Covenant Service, Revd. Mark Barrett 10.00 am Christ Church, Family Holy Communion 10.30 am Immanuel, Morning Service, 11.30 am Christ Church, Searchlight 6.30 pm Bath Road, Evening Service, Revd. Mark Barrett 6.30 pm Christ Church, Book of Common Prayer Evensong. 6.30 pm Immanuel, Evening Service
15 Mon 7.30 pm Methodist Circuit meeting at Lyneham Church
16 Tues 1.30 pm Christ Church Burial Board meeting in Community Ctre.
36
17 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm Organ Recital by Tim Eyles in Christ Church20 Sat 12 noon to 4.00 pm Old Town Autumn Fayre at Christ Church
21 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Morning Prayer 10.00 am Bath Road, All-Age service, Revd. Mark Barrett 10.00 am Christ Church, Family Holy Communion 10.30 am Immanuel, Morning Service 11.30 am Christ Church, Searchlight 3.30 pm Messy Church at King William Street School 6.30 pm Bath Road, Holy Communion, Revd. Mark Barrett 6.30 pm Christ Church, Healing Service 6.30 pm Immanuel, Evening Service
24 Wed 10.30 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 7.30 pm Bath Road Consultation on Worship 7.30 pm Alpha Course in Community Centre at Christ Church
28 Sun 8.00 am Christ Church, Holy Communion 9.00 am St. Mary’s, Holy Communion 10.00 am Bath Road, Morning Service, Mr. Geoffrey Rhodes 10.00 am Christ Church, Family Holy Communion 10.30 am Immanuel, Morning Service 11.30 am Christ Church, Searchlight 1.00 pm Christ Church, Holy Baptism 6.30 pm Bath Road, Evening Service, Revd. David Gray 6.30 pm Christ Church, Common Worship Evening Prayer 6.30 pm Immanuel, Holy Communion
29 Mon 7.30 pm Christ Church PCC in the Community Centre 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.
Please send toMrs. Diana Swann, 58 Sandown Avenue, SN3 1QQ
email: [email protected]
COPY for the OCTOBER MAGAZINE
by FRIDAY 12th SEPTEMBER, please.
Contributions ahead of the deadline are always welcome.
37
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