Easter 5
TODAY
8.00am HOLY COMMUNION in Church
10.00am MORNING WORSHIP in Church and on YouTube
11.00am Annual Parochial Church Meeting and meeting to Elect Churchwardens
NEXT WEEK
Monday 12th May 7.30 pm Eco-Church Group
Tuesday 13th May 9.00 am Morning Prayer – Church
Wednesday 14th May 7.30 pm Church Yard Committee Meeting
Thursday 15th May 9.00 am Morning Prayer – Church
SUNDAY 18th MAY 2025
Easter 5
8am HOLY COMMUNION in Church
Preacher: Revd Andrew Francis
Reading: Acts 11. 1-18
Sidespersons: Pat Lewis and Dee Vincent
10.00am HOLY COMMUNION in Church and on YouTube
Preacher: Revd Andrew Francis
Intercessor: Janet Henderson
Reading: Acts 11. 1-18
Reader: Sadie Payne
Altar Servers: Andrew Kirk and Jean Ford
Sidespersons: Lilian Wicks and Ross Fralley
Live streaming the 10am service The 10am service will be live streamed on You Tube. Please visit our YouTube Channel on https://www.youtube.com/@WroughtonWichelstoweParChurch (or search for Wroughton and Wichelstowe Parish church) and press the ‘subscribe’ button.
Small Groups
If you would like to join a small group, please contact the leaders of the groups below and find out where there is space. We would love to have everyone involved in a small group.
| 22 Kellsboro Avenue | Mondays 10am-11.30 | Lillian Wicks & Louise Bessent |
| 12 Artis Avenue | Tuesdays at 7.30pm | Carolyn Kirk & Lorna Robinson |
| Church Hall | Alternate Tuesday evenings | Nick & Joan Orman 20/05/25 |
| The Vicarage | Wednesday evenings during term time. | Karen Harrison |
| Church Hall | Saturday men’s breakfast | Mike Mason |
‘Sunday Club’ dates
Our Sunday morning group for primary school aged children takes place in the Vicarage during the 10am service, usually on the 1st and 3rd Sundays. Future dates are:
Date Adults – lead/support
18/5 Hannah/Holly 1/6 Tracy/Beth
15/6 Joan/Helena T 5/7 Karen H/Lynn
19/7 Barbara/Carolyn August Break
6/9 Phill or Joan/Karen F 20/9 Karen H/Miriam
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) and meeting to Elect Churchwardens
These meetings will be held in church on Sunday 11th May starting at 11am, immediately following Morning Worship. There will be vacancies on the Parochial Church Council (PCC), so please pray about whether you might be called to volunteer for this role. If you have been on the Electoral Roll for at least six months and would like to stand for election, nomination forms are available from either the Parish Office or Lorna Robinson (lornar246@gmail.com) or at the back of church. If you are interested or would like more information, please speak to any of the current PCC members or to Phill, after his return to work.
From the Diocese – The Right Revd. Neil Warwick confirmed as Acting Bishop of Bristol.
The Diocese of Bristol is delighted to announce the appointment of the Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Suffragan Bishop of Swindon, as Acting Diocesan Bishop of this diocese with effect from 2 September 2025. Bishop Neil will serve in this capacity throughout the Vacancy in See following the retirement of the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull on 1 September 2025. Bishop Neil will bring many years of experience to this role having served as parish priest, Archdeacon of Bristol and Suffragan Bishop. In his leadership as Acting Diocesan Bishop he will be a reassuring presence with a current understanding of the missional opportunities and pastoral needs across the Diocese of Bristol.
In response to this news, Bishop Neil said:
“It will be a privilege to serve as the Acting Diocesan Bishop of our diocese. In the vacancy we can draw on the strength and faithfulness of one another as, upheld by prayer, we continue to serve our communities. I am deeply grateful to Bishop Viv for her faithful and visionary presence and for all that she has nurtured and grown in this diocese.” The people of every worshipping community within the Diocese of Bristol are invited to pray for both Bishop Viv and Bishop Neil in this season of change.
Sunday 8th June – Orchid Ramble
Come and join us for a walk with our resident botanist, Dr Keith Hooper, as we go on the trail of orchids (and many other interesting plants & wildlife) in our local area.
We’ll meet in the church car park at 1.30pm. The walk is likely to be up to 2 hours but will be at a slower pace as we stop to discover what’s around us. There will be homemade cake and teas etc available in our beautiful churchyard afterwards. Family & friends welcome. Details will be confirmed nearer the time, but any questions to Keith or Helena Thomas.
Saturday 19th July – Beetle Drive & Social!
Some of us will have fond memories of ‘Beetle Drives’ in our youth. Some of us will have no idea what a ‘Beetle Drive’ is! For the uninitiated it’s like a Whist Drive, but needs no skill and is suitable for all ages from the youngest to the oldest, using the children’s dice & paper game ‘Beetle’. No entry fee & small prizes are on offer!
We hope you’ll come and find out, and share food and good fun with your church family. This event will start very early evening (probably 5pm), in the Church Hall, and will therefore finish in time to wander home (or on to the pub) way before bedtime. Details will be confirmed nearer the date
“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” St Mark 6:31
The Patchwork Garden in Wroughton offers space “just to be” and refresh by being still and knowing God. The garden has different sections honouring the Christian contemplative tradition and a chance to reconnect with nature. Observe, Touch and feel, Listen, See, Smell or simply read or study. We are part of The Quiet Garden Movement.
Capacity of garden: If from the same group, six or otherwise two unconnected individuals.
The Garden is normally available by appointment only but we are offering a chance to experience the space for yourself at our Open Day (no appointment needed). Teas and Coffee included.
Saturday 10th May from 10am. Last entry 3.30pm.
Further details or to book a visit at other times please contact Sheila on 07495 608879.
The Patchwork Garden is located at 27 Dunbar Road, Wroughton, SN4 9DS.
In-person Basic Safeguarding training Saturday 7th June 10-12.30pm
St Andrew, North Swindon, Tadpole Lane, between Lyall Close and Blunsdon Abbey Park SN25 2DW.
We still have a number of people who need to complete the ‘Basic Awareness’ safeguarding training. This face-to-face training is ideal for anyone who prefers in person to on-line training and is being run by Dr Mike Bosher from Stratton St Margaret. Refreshments will be provided. Please contact Susan, St Andrew’s Parish Safeguarding officer, to book you place. safeguarding@nschurch.org.uk
New Diocesan requirement for all childrens’ workers
Domestic Abuse Awareness Training
We are running a Domestic Abuse Awareness course over Zoom rather than in person for those who want to access it in a group setting rather than through the online e-learning portal. The morning long session is taking place on Wednesday 21 May at 10.00am.
From 1 January 2025 it is no longer a requirement for PCC members to undertake this training. However, it is now required that everybody working with children, young people and vulnerable adults undertakes this course. For anybody currently in one of these roles there is a 3 year timescale to implement this change, i.e. until January 2028. For those newly recruited to roles, they should complete the training requirements within 6 months of starting.
‘Come to the Cabaret!’
A concert featuring Swindon Community Concert Band to raise money for Christian Aid – Friday 16th May 7.30pm at Bath Road Methodist Church. Tickets £10 from Barbara Aftelak 07769 973015 barbaraafterlak@gmail.com or via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whatson?q=come%20to%20the%20cabaret Light refreshments included.
Nature and Theology Study Days
Join us for an inspiring two-day exploration of climate, creation, and Christian hope. Through theology, science, and story, we’ll reflect on our place within God’s creation, the challenges facing our planet, and the hope we carry as a people of resurrection. Discover how theology and ecology come together with this course is run by Revd Dr Nigel Dilkes.
The first day is on the 29th of May, 9.30-4pm at Hillside House, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8YU. Please bring your own lunch. The second day will be on 17th June – location TBC. While it is preferable to attend both days, it’s possible to join for either. The course is for anyone who’s passionate about environmental action. environment@bristoldiocese.org
Richter and Vivaldi: A Glorious Summer
Thursday 12 June, Bristol Cathedral, 7pm
Bristol Cathedral Choir and Bristol Ensemble come together for the first time to perform Vivaldi’s iconic Gloria, and music from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, reimagined by Max Richter. Book your tickets here: https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/bristol-cathedral-choir-and-bristol-ensemble/?dm_i=7MDZ,QP8V,1TWOHL,2A0ZC,1
Knitting for Charity
Last week I was able to take two more blankets to GWH for the End of Life unit. One sewn up by Jean Ford (thank you Jean) and the other by me. 6 inch squares can be knitted or crocheted from Double Knitting wool in any colours (but no glitter please). They can be left in the box in church by the blue curtain to the choir vestry. Thank you Janet Henderson 525856.
Thank you to Peter Wheals
Fresh from creating the beautiful new font cover, Pete has been busy again. This time he has restored a portable communion set that had been languishing in an old briefcase under the vestry table. He has taken the dents out of the chalice and paten and fitted them neatly into a wooden carrying case, which he repurposed from an old piece of school equipment. The paten is inscribed “In memory of William Henry Kerr, Churchwarden 1897-1926”. The chalice dates from 1856 and the paten from 1807, which mean it was already old before it was dedicated to Mr Kerr.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone for their prayers during our son in law, Tjardy’s, secondment in Ukraine he is now safely home. The rest of his “secondment” is being done from the Netherlands by internet.
Mark & Sheila Tubey.
Funerals
We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died. We pray for all those who mourn the loss of a loved one.
Floodlighting
If you would like the Church to be floodlit for a special occasion (cost £20.00) Forms are available in Church or online please return to Janet in the Office or email office@wroughton.com.
Church Office
The office will be closed on Monday 12th & Tuesday 13th May and will reopen on Wednesday 14th May.
