Christ the King
TODAY
8.00 am MORNING PRAYER in Church
10.00am HOLY COMMUNION in Church and on YouTube
NEXT WEEK
Monday 24th November 7.30 pm Eco Group
Tuesday 25th November 9:00 am Morning Prayer – Church
Thursday 27th November 9:00 am Morning Prayer – Church
SUNDAY 30th November 2025
Advent 1
8am HOLY COMMUNION in Church
Preacher: Dr John Godfree
Reading: Romans 13. 11-14
Sidespersons: David & Lynda Pell
10.00am HOLY COMMUNION in Church and on YouTube
Preacher: Dr John Godfree
Intercessions: Louise Bowyer
Reading: Romans 13. 11-14
Reader: Sadie Payne
Altar Servers: Gillian Pitter and Judith Alexander
Sidespersons: Tony & Julia Edmonds
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 next mtg 2/12 |
| 67 Savill Crescent | Wednesday evenings during term time | Tracy Mason |
| Church Hall | Saturday men’s Fellowship – Bi-Monthly | 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 | |
| 23/11
Morning Worship on 16th. |
Joan/Helena T | Samson- Delilah/Philistines |
| 7/12 | Phill/Karen F | Christmas- Mary/ Joseph Gabriel Bethlehem |
| 21/12 | Karen H/Miriam | Birth/shepherds/ message |
| 4/1/2026 | Barbara/Carolyn | Kings/Epiphany |
Appointment of New Interim Minister in Swindon Deanery
The Acting Bishop of Bristol is delighted to announce that the Ven Adrian Youings will be the Interim Minister in Swindon Deanery. This creative role is a three year appointment to work alongside churches in Swindon, focussing particularly on those in vacancy. Adrian will help them develop their ministry and mission, strengthen their structures and discern Christ’s call to them. We look forward to welcoming him and Fran. Adrian writes
“My name is Adrian Youings and I’m married to Fran. We live mid-way between Bath and Bristol. Fran is currently Associate Minister at an Anglican church plant in Bath. For the last 18 months I’ve been Head of Engagement at the Christian charity Care for the Family. Prior to that, I was in parish ministry for 21 years, and then Archdeacon of Bath for 7 years. I’ve been a member of General Synod for the last 4 years and have been heavily involved in the recent changes to clergy pensions (chairing the Clergy Pension Action group) and in the ongoing review into clergy retirement provision which is about to take place. We have two grown up children. Our daughter is married and had our first grandchild Flo just 5 months ago. She is the youth worker for a church in Cheltenham. Our son Tom is engaged, and he works as lighting tech on musical theatre productions that tour the UK. Whilst being a lifelong West Ham supporter, I’ve been a season ticket holder at Bristol City FC for the last 7 years. Fran and I are really looking forward to coming to join you and work with you all in Swindon in the New Year!” Adrian will be licensed at St Johns, Haydon Wick on 25th January 2026 at 6pm.
Thy Kingdom Come Pilgrimage 2026 14th-24th May 2026.
The diocesan Mission and Ministry team are planning a pilgrimage across the diocese to coincide with the 9 days of Thy Kingdom Come, ending on the day before Pentecost, 23rd May 2026.
The route will go through every single deanery over the nine days, praying as we go. We plan to visit churches and special sites where we will pause to pray for God’s kingdom in those places.
We expect that there will be a core of people who walk the whole route, and we will look to stay overnight in church halls or churches. However, we would encourage people from each deanery to join us as we walk through their deaneries and for everyone who has taken part to come together in a celebration on the final Saturday.
We have a core planning team of 10 people so far and would love to have a ‘Pilgrimage Champion’ from each deanery who could help and advise in planning routes, hospitality and publicising the event within your deanery.
If you would like to join Sally and Steve Robertson as Pilgrimage Champions for Swindon please let Sally know. Sally.robertson27@btinternet.com
Advent breakfast in church – Sunday 30th November
The next breakfast in church will be held on the first Sunday of Advent, Sunday 30th November. A continental breakfast will be served in church between the two morning services, from 8.50am to 9.45am. Hot drinks, fruit juices, warm croissants, toast and preserves will be available to enjoy! Everyone is warmly invited to enjoy delicious food, chat and fellowship together as we start the Advent season.
Christmas Activity Morning
There will be a family activity morning on Saturday 6th December in the Church Hall, starting at 11.30 am. If you would like to come and help by talking to families, looking after a craft or just being a general helper please let Barbara know. You could also provide some food for the lunch, so please sign up on the form at the crossing.
Carol Singing 16th December
Janet & John will lead their usual carol sing at Wroughton care homes on the afternoon of Tuesday 16th December. We are hoping to start at Lansdowne Hill at 2.15/2.30 (to be confirmed) and then go across to Banks Place for 3.30. All welcome.
Update on Simon Stevenette
Some people will have heard that Simon, the vicar of our neighbouring parish of Christ Church in Old Town, has been in hospital with sepsis. Simon continues his treatment and he is currently stable and in good spirits. He is being transferred from the GWH to the Royal Brompton hospital for very necessary heart surgery. Please continue to pray for Simon, Nicola and their family.
Tear Fund Quiz – THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who supported the Tear Fund Quiz last Saturday it was wonderful to have such a good turnout. We raised £640.00 which will be sent to Tear Fund thank you for your generosity. Peter Ferguson
Swindon Night Shelter – trustees
Swindon Night Shelter, a community lifeline for Swindon’s homeless and those struggling with food insecurity, is actively seeking new trustees. As the demand for our services grows, we are reaching out to compassionate and committed individuals to help shape our future, oversee our development, and ensure continued support for some of the community’s most vulnerable members. If you, or someone you know, are interested, please contact Tanya Stead at tanya@swindonnightshelter.org.uk or leave a message at 01793 613166.
Coffee Rota – Can you help?
Would anyone consider joining the coffee team after the 10am service? We would love to have you on board and you would only be required every 5th week. One person would be great,a couple even better. We are a flexible team and swap dates when necessary. Please speak to me if you are interested. Sally Parker
Fairtrade Pop-Up Shop
Enjoy browsing fairly traded goods at our Advent Pop-Up shop after the 10am service in Church.
The shop will be in place for the next few weeks and you’ll be able to buy goods including the Real Advent Calendar, gifts, decorations, and food. You’ll be supporting ethical trading practices, and helping people around the world get paid a fair wage and enjoy good working conditions. Cash preferred but you can pay by bank transfer. Eco Church Group
Fair Trade Christmas Cards
I will be selling Fair Trade Christmas cards after the 10am services. Each pack of 10 costs £4.50. and 10% goes to Mercy Ships. Sally Parker
“Hands on with Handel” Saturday 22nd Nov 2.00pm in church
Organists in the UK and worldwide are performing Handel’s famous Largo at 2.00pm on 22nd November as part of Play the Organ Year 2025, an initiative of the Royal College of Organists, The American Guild of Organists and the Royal School of Church Music to recruit more organists. Hugh Morris, Director of the RSCM, is playing a 24-hour marathon live on YouTube during which hymns and other music can be requested.
In Wroughton John Henderson will play at 2.00pm and follow the Handel with a short recital of light-hearted pieces but not for 24 hours! Feel free to come and go as you wish during this. Suitable requests accepted. Following this the organ will be open for anyone wishing to “have a go.”
Purton Come and Sing Messiah Saturday 6th December
We are planning to hold a Come and Sing Handel’s Messiah (excerpts) on Saturday 6th December 2025 at St Mary’s Church Purton. It should be a fantastic event in a wonderful building (though of course I might be bias in saying that!). If you need more information, please contact Ian Tweedie-Smith. Poster attached and booking here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/come-and-sing-handels-messiah-excerpts-tickets-1508071214599?aff=eivtefrnd&utm-campaign=social%2Cemail&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-source=strongmail&utm-term=listing
Home Communion
If anyone is unable to attend Church through illness, or infirmity, they can receive the reserved communion from a lay reader who is a member of the pastoral team. This is offered on an occasional or monthly basis. Please contact the Vicar or Janet in the office 812050.
Funerals
We commend to God’s care and keeping those who have died, Andrea Scott, Dennis Cook, Pauline Mullis, Doreen Harris and Daisy Whatley. We pray for all those who mourn the loss of a loved one.
Floodlighting
The Church will be floodlit on Tuesday 25th November by James Beech in memory of Eileen Beech.
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.
The Parish Office, Priors Hill, Wroughton, SN4 0RT – 01793 812050 office@wroughton.com Open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 9am to 1.30pm Revd Phill Harrison – Vicar 01793 812301 vicar@wroughton.com
FINANCE UPDATE
As Phill pointed out in church last week, prices have risen by 28% since 2020 and our income has reduced by 10%. To manage this, we have not increased the amount we give to the Diocese since 2020 and we have reduced the amount we give to the charities we support. Despite this we currently expect that we will spend around £2,000 more that we receive on day-to-day expenditure. The money we give to the Diocese covers the costs of paying and housing parish clergy, as well as the support services they provide to churches like ours. They are now facing the same problem that we are.
Spending more than we get in cannot continue. It is essential to increase our income to cover everything that we need to spend. Looking ahead to 2026, if we were to make a modest increase of 5% in the amount we provide to the Diocese, then we will face a deficit of over £12,000 (£230 per week) which we cannot afford!
Expected weekly costs of running the church in 2026:
| Expenditure | |
| Charities | £ 55.00 |
| Parish Share | £ 1,633.02 |
| Ministry & Mission | £ 181.53 |
| Utilities | £ 104.33 |
| Church running | £ 80.70 |
| Support Salaries | £ 282.74 |
| Other support costs | £ 135.13 |
| Total | £ 2,472.45 |
If we are to meet these costs, we need to raise an additional £230 per week or £1000 per month.
Some people have moved away but our community is growing in size, so it ought to be possible to increase our income. Most people’s incomes have increased something like in line with inflation over the last 5 years.
£230 per week might seem like a lot but there are over a hundred of us so if on average each of us were able to increase our giving by £2.00 per week per person that would be enough.
What can I do?
Please prayerfully consider these suggested options:
- Please consider how much you can give on a regular basis and let us know. This really helps us know how much money we will receive. Preferably sign up to one of our planned giving schemes.
- If you do give regularly through one of the schemes, please consider increasing your payment by inflation every year.
- Please check whether you are a tax-payer. If you are, then allowing your payments to come under the Gift Aid scheme will increase the value of your donation by 25% at no cost to yourself.
