Parish of Wroughton and Wichelstowe

 

Sunday 19^th November 2017

2^nd Sunday before Advent

A PRAYER FOR PEACE

God our refuge and strength,

bring near the day when wars will cease and poverty and pain shall end.

That earth may know the peace of heaven,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

From www.thisischurch.com

Today

8.00am     Holy Communion

10.00am     Parish Communion

4.00pm     Church at 4

Diary – Week Commencing Sunday 19th November

Monday 20th November

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

10.00am       Bible Study – 11 St John Road

7.30pm         Wichelstowe Planning Group- 49, Perry’s Lane

Tuesday 21st November

The Parish Office will be closed today

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

6.00pm        Clergy Surgery

7.30pm         Listening Post prayer meeting – 11 St John Road

Wednesday 22nd November

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Parish Office

7.30pm       Deanery Synod- St Aldhelm’s Centre

Thursday 23rd November

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.15pm        Choir Practice – Church

Filling Station         – Lucy and Ann Marie

Friday 24th November

8.45am         Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice

7.00pm        Bellringers Practice – Church

7.00pm        115 Club

Saturday 25th November

Dates for your diary

Christmas Ladies Who Lunch

Ladies who Lunch Christmas lunch is on Monday 18^th December at 12.30pm at the Baker’s, Badbury

Christmas services

Sun 17th Dec 6pm Christmas Carol Service

Sun 24th Dec- Christmas Eve

                       8am BCP Holy communion

                       10am Parish communion

                       3pm and 5pm Christingle services

                       11.30pm Midnight Communion service

 

Monday 25th Dec- Christmas Day

                      10am Christmas Day service

Sunday 26th November 2017

Christ the King

8.00am       Holy Communion

Preacher:      Dr John Godfree

Sidespeople: Alan & Christine Wrixon

10.00am     Parish Communion

Preacher:      Dr John Godfree

Intercessions:Dr John Henderson

Reading:       Ephensians 1: 15-end

Reader:        Ann Stone

Gospel:        Matthew 25: 31-end

Servers:        Cheryl Hawkins and Kathy Leach

Sidespeople: Sally Parker and June Bradley

4.00pm       Church at 4

Led by:         Ruth Orman

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Lorraine Winterflood, Paddy Sansum, Karen Hinder, Lillian Wicks, Esther Woolley and Pam Gower on their birthdays during the coming week.

Floodlighting

The Church will be floodlit on Tuesday 21st November by Bill & Doreen Greenshields in memory of their son, Andrew on his 10th anniversary; on Friday 24th November by Joyce O’Sullivan in memory of her husband, Bill O’Sullivan on his anniversary. 

Vacancy Update

Although over 300 people downloaded the information pack, we have received no applications for the post of Vicar of Wroughton and Wichelstowe. We are obviously very disappointed by this, but we have not lost hope! The Archdeacon has told us that recruitment is currently a major challenge both in the Bristol Diocese and nationally.

So, what happens next? The PCC met on Tuesday to discuss and agree a way forward.

First, we are setting aside Saturday 2nd December as a day of prayer, to ask God to lead the right person to us. The church building will be open from 8am to 3pm, and you are warmly invited to come and spend some time (long or short) in prayer. If you are not able to be there in person, we would be delighted if you would join in this day by praying at home. A prayer guide will be available to support you in this.

Second, we are reviewing the information pack and job advert to see if any changes are needed.

Third, we will be re-advertising the role again in January with the hope of conducting interviews in February. We hope that the beginning of a new year will be a better time to attract candidates looking for new challenges.

We will keep you up to date with developments. In the meantime, please continue to pray. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask Nick Orman or Paul Woolley.

Advent Reflections

These will be held in church on Monday evenings from 6.30– 7.15pm beginning on 27th November and will focus on the four songs found in the gospels around the story of Jesus’ birth.

The Listening Post

This month’s prayer meeting will be on Tuesday, 21st November at 7.30 p.m and will take place at 11 St John Road. Please come if you are able to – we have much to pray for in our church life and for world events!

Filling Station Sandwiches

It is our church’s turn this week to support the homeless in Swindon by providing sandwiches and other food items for The Filling Station. If you are willing to provide a loaf of sandwiches, please sign the list on the church chest and take a reminder card. The items need to be brought to 11 St John Road by 5.00 p.m. on Thursday 23rd November. 

Stewardship Update

We now have around half of the pledge cards returned-

If you have not yet got round to filling yours in, please do return it soon or ask for another if it has been mislaid. Thank you for your generosity.

Please also consider signing up for the Parish Giving Scheme if you currently give by standing order– it will mean very little change for you, but will save the church many hours in admin.

Youth Group

Our monthly youth small group meets on the first Sunday of the month 6.30-8.30pm in the Parish Hall– if you know anyone between 11 and 18 who might enjoy meeting for fun, food and space to think about important questions then do talk to Ruth Orman or Nicola for more info.

Choir Practice

Choir Practice will start at 7.15pm on a Thursday evening until after Christmas.

Christmas Knitting Angels and Stars

As our yarn bombing was such a success last Christmas we thought we would repeat it again this year. So it is time to start knitting again. Please make more of the angels we made last year, or if you can find a pattern we would like to add some stars this year. If you don’t knit well why not try making stars from fabric, as long as they are not too big and are stiff enough to look good when we put them out.  Any questions to Barbara.

An evening of Dickens and Christmas

Three special evenings have been organised in connection with Lion Hudson’s publication of Dr Keith Hooper’s new book on Charles Dickens.  Celebrating the author’s connection with Christmas, there will be readings from his best known works, and insights into the author’s work and life.  Entertaining and informative, the events are as follows:

Tuesday 21st November 7.00- 8.30p.m  Central Library, Swindon SN1 1QG (01793) 466454 (£10.00 includes copy of the book) Wednesday 6th December 7.30 – 9.00p.m Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire SN16 9BA (01666) 824331 (£3.00) Tickets are available in advance (recommended) or on the door.

Journey to the Cradle– Thurs 30th Nov 7.30-9.30pm

Holy Trinity, Shaw, SN5 5PY

Join Dai Woolridge and Sound of Wales for an evening of song, stories and festive poetry as we celebrate a journey which changed the world.

This special one-off event by Bible Society is free of charge and is suitable for anyone of secondary school age and above. Flyers are available at the back of church.

CHURCH IN THE WIDER WORLD 

Tearfund

Over the next two months we shall be asking for your prayers for the work of Tearfund (The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund). Their aims:

We’re Christians committed to following Jesus where the need is greatest. God has called us to serve those living in poverty, regardless of race, gender, nationality or religious belief.

We know the gospel has the power to transform lives and heal communities, we see this truth in our work every day. God isn’t giving up on the poor, neither are we. 

Tearfund is working in many countries alongside local groups to alleviate poverty and suffering. Please pray:

• For their workers in areas of conflict such as Syria, Afghanistan, Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo who are providing shelter, food and emergency supplies.
• For those helping to build peace in areas such as Nigeria.
• For the staff at headquarters to have wisdom and discernment in distributing funds and people where they are most needed.

Knitting for Mission to Seafarers

Thanks again to all our keen knitters. I have received a letter from The Mission to Seafarers thanking us for the knitware I sent in September and last week I was able to send off another batch of 22 hats and 21 scarves to the charity. Also thanks to those who have donated wool – there is a good selection in the white boxes on the bench by the choir vestry together with patterns, so please help yourselves if you want to get started on a hat, scarf or gloves. Completed items should be put in one of these boxes. As the weather gets colder and the nights draw in this is an ideal time to get those needles busy. For further information talk to Janet Henderson (525856).

This week please also pray for:-

• Tearfund
• The Residents of West Leaze and Cornwood Road
• Deanery Synod taking place this week
• The Filling Station
• We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Margaret Rebbeck, Albert Anderson Trevor Davies, Jean Leader, Emma Turner and John Hoyland. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.

 

 

 

Sunday 8th October 2017

Trinity 17

A Prayer for Children

Loving God, your Son told his disciples to become like little children. Lead us to work for the welfare and protection of all young people. May we respect their dignity that they may flourish in life, following the example of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Today

8.00am     Holy Communion

10.00am    Parish Communion

4.00pm     Church at 4

Diary – Week Commencing Sunday 8th October

Monday 9th October

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

10.00am       Bible Study – 11 St John Road

Tuesday 10th October

The Parish Office will be closed today

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

6.00pm        Clergy Surgery

7.45pm        Wichelstowe planning meeting with The Stowe

Wednesday 11th October

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Parish Office

7.30pm        Baptism Preparation – 49 Perrys Lane

Thursday 12th October

8.30am         Morning Prayer – Church

7.30pm        Choir Practice – Church

Filling Station         – Paul & Hazel

Friday 13th October

8.45am         Morning Prayer – Prospect Hospice

7.00pm        Bellringers Practice – Church

7.00pm        115 Club

Saturday 14th October

Dates for your diary

Ladies who Lunch

Change of date – Thursday 19th October at 12.30pm at the The Blue Boar at Aldbourne.

Christmas Ladies Who Lunch

Ladies who Lunch Christmas lunch is on  Monday 18^th December at 12.30pm at the Baker’s, Badbury

Sunday 15th October 2017

Harvest and Thanksgiving Service

Breakfast available from 8.45 am

9.30am       Parish Communion

Servers         Jean Ford and Louise Sampson

Sidespeople: Lillian Wicks and Ross Fralley

11.45am     Baptism for Tao Phanweises and Eleanor Pentelow

3.00pm       Maasai Dancers – Church

Birthdays

Happy Birthday to Patricia Wilkinson, Maddie Rogers, Kate Orman, Anne Middleton and Keith Lambert on their birthdays during the coming week.

Floodlighting

The Church was floodlit on Thursday 5th October by Mrs Edmonds in memory of her husband, Roy Edmonds; on Friday 13th October by Patricia Bevan in memory of her husband, John Edward Bevan.

Small group Would you be interested in meeting in a small group for Bible study, discussion and fellowship? A new group, led by Sadie Wells, will be meeting on alternate Tuesdays from 10 October, 12 Artis Avenue at 7.30pm. Please either speak to Sadie or to Carolyn Kirk for more details or add your name to the sign up sheet on the church chest.

Youth Group

Our monthly youth small group meets on the first Sunday of the month 6.30-8.30pm in the Parish Hall– if you know anyone between 11 and 18 who might enjoy meeting for fun, food and space to think about important questions then do talk to Ruth Orman or Nicola for more info about inviting them.

Harvest- 15th October Our Harvest and Thanksgiving service on 15th October is an all-together service for all congregations to celebrate God’s generosity. We’ll begin at 9.30am, but join us for a harvest breakfast from 8.45am. Our harvest donations will be going to The Filling Station to help those homeless on the streets in Swindon. Pick up a leaflet about suggested items.

Maasai dancers In the afternoon of 15th October we’ll be joined by the Osiligi Troupe of Maasai warriors from Kenya for a mix of dancing and music. It promises to be fun for all ages-invite your friends and neighbours! Flyers and invitations to give out are available. Please could you bake/bring cakes for the Maasai dancers on October 15th, we are hoping for lots of visitors and are serving tea and cakes. Please bring your offerings to Church Thank you.

All Souls Evensong 6.00 pm Sunday 5th November

On All Souls Day the church remembers and gives thanks for the lives of those who we have known and loved; we will be doing this at our All Souls Evensong. If there is someone that you would like to be remembered the prayers on that day, please fill in their name on the form in church or email office@wroughton.com and we will be pleased to remember and pray for them on that day.

PCC News– Vacancy Update and Stewardship

The PCC has met on two occasions recently. Much of the time was spent discussing the paperwork required in order to advertise for a new Vicar.  The good news is that this has now been agreed and the Job is now being advertised.

Please pray that the person God is calling to this post will apply. Copies of the Application pack are on the church chest (in the Baptistry) and can also be downloaded from the Vacancies section of the Bristol of Diocese website  – do take a look!

At our last meeting the PCC also considered the draft budget for 2018. Unfortunately, this news is not as good as, once more our income is likely to drop because donors have died or moved away.  At the moment (before we have received the pledges for next year’s giving) it looks like not only will we be unable to make any grants to other charities in 2018 or make a transfer to the fabric fund but in addition we will have to cuts in other areas of our ministry.

As we strive to continue growing in our mission and ministry as a church, our giving needs to grow too! You’ll see from the ‘giving guide’ leaflet that even those on a smaller income really can make a difference- and those of us who have more have a greater opportunity to be generous. Please consider this in your prayers. Please also consider signing up for the Parish Giving Scheme if you currently give by standing order– it will mean very little change for you, but will save the church many hours in admin. We’d love as many of your completed stewardship leaflets returned by our Harvest celebrations next Sunday.

Confirmation/Refresher Course

We are hoping to run a short course in October/November for those thinking about confirmation and those who would like to refresh their knowledge of basic Christianity. It would be great if a few more experienced Christians could join us too to help the discussions along. If you are at all interested please talk to Barbara or Nicola.

Diocesan Newsletter

The new diocesan newsletter is available to take away with you. Please help yourself to find out what is going on around the diocese.

Healing meeting – The next healing meeting will be at 15 Beaufort Road , Wroughton, SN4 9 HQ on Monday 16th October at 4pm. Anyone interested in the planning of healing services/healing on the streets are most welcome.  Carolyn Perry 813823

Bristol Diocese- Draft Pastoral Scheme

There is a legal notice in the church porch publicising a draft Pastoral Scheme for changes to the existing parish of West Swindon & the Lydiards and creating two new parishes of North West Swindon & Lydiard Millicent and West Swindon & Lydiard Tregoze. It affects us in a small way as the scheme includes some minor changes to our own parish boundary by tidying up a couple of historical anomalies as shown on the plan displayed in the porch. This has already been approved by the PCC in March 2017 but representations can be made to the Church Commissioners following the guidance on the notice. The closing date is 9 October 2017. For further information please see Helen Toomer, PCC Secretary.

Christmas Knitting Angels and Stars

As our yarn bombing was such a success last Christmas we thought we would repeat it again this year. So it is time to start knitting again. Please make more of the angels we made last year, or if you can find a pattern we would like to add some stars this year. If you don’t knit well why not try making stars from fabric, as long as they are not too big and are stiff enough to look good when we put them out.  Any questions to Barbara.

Cancerninjas.com

I walked the half shine in 4hrs 50mins, still trying to catch up on sleep. Thank you for your prayers and support , I will be collecting sponsor money until end of October should still want to donate. Jean Ford

Tearfund

Over the next two months we shall be asking for your prayers for the work of Tearfund (The Evangelical Alliance Relief Fund). Their aims:

We’re Christians committed to following Jesus where the need is greatest. God has called us to serve those living in poverty, regardless of race, gender, nationality or religious belief.

We know the gospel has the power to transform lives and heal communities, we see this truth in our work every day. God isn’t giving up on the poor, neither are we. 

Tearfund is working in many countries alongside local groups to alleviate poverty and suffering. Please pray:

• For their workers in areas of conflict such as Syria, Afghanistan, Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo who are providing shelter, food and emergency supplies.
• For those helping to build peace in areas such as Nigeria.
• For the staff at headquarters to have wisdom and discernment in distributing funds and people where they are most needed.

This week please also pray for:-

• Tearfund
• The Residents of Stirling Road and Falklands Road
• Open the Book at East Wichel School
• Harvest talks at Schools and Preschools
• The Filling Station
• We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died recently especially Brian Allen, David Garrett, Josie Kenny, Wilfred Robinson, Susan Guest. We pray for all who mourn the loss of loved ones.