Newsletter for February 2017

 

Church newsletter for February 2017

Church newsletter for February 2017 for printing

 

What’s on in February 2017

Larks Bible Study
Tuesday 7th February 10.30am

Elders Meeting
Thursday 9th 7pm

Owls Discussion Group
Thursday 16th February 7.30pm

Message from our Minister

Reconciliation was the theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, it had plenty within it to encourage thought and debate, so much so that I am still thinking about it!
Reconciliation is one of those words which has many levels of understanding, the idea of reconciliation is even broader, but my thoughts, in the light of the event which took place in the middle of the week in America, turn to internal reconciliation within countries.
How can countries so definitely split come back together, be it over President Trump or Brexit or any other differences, and yet it can be done.
Remember the Truth and Reconciliation committee in South Africa, under the leadership of Desmond Tutu … the work they did, the words spoken in pain and sorrow, the tears and the apologies: remember the split caused by apartheid, so definite but not final, the work was harrowing for all involved but because the desire to be united was stronger than what kept the nation apart, there was success.
What do we need to be reconciled to, in our personal lives or in our communities, or politically? What keeps us from enjoying right relationships?

Whatever keeps us from another also keeps us from God, until we are reconciled to another, our relationship with God will not be all we know it can be.

Think about reconciliation.
Yours in Christ

Sarah

Sunday Services for February 2017 and onwards

Sunday 5th February
Family Worship led by Revd Tom MacMeekin
including Holy Communion
Strings  Fiona and Nicky

Sunday 12th February
Family Worship led by Revd Sarah Simpson
Pianist John Fitter

Sunday 19th February
Family Worship led by Bernard Crabb
Pianist Jenny Powley

Sunday 26th February
Family Worship led Martin Osman
Pianist Alison Lynn

Sunday 5th March
Family Worship for the first Sunday in Lent
led by Revd Adrian Heath
including Holy Communion
Organist Alison Meek

Sunday 12th March
Family Worship led by Revd Sarah Simpson
Pianist Jenny Powley

Sunday 19th March
Family Worship led by Bryan Elkington

Sunday 26th March
Family Worship led Julian Priddle
Pianist John Fitter

Sunday 2nd April

Sunday 9th April

Sunday 16th April
Easter Sunday Service

Curry night

To celebrate the new year, members of the church enjoyed a curry night at the Ganges restaurant, in Bassett. Minister, Sarah, is nearest camera.

09.01.17 Photo by Jack Fairgrieve

Elizabeth Shaw retires

Rev Sarah Simpson presents Elizabeth Shaw with gift and cheque to show the Church’s appreciation.

Elizabeth Shaw with the Minister, Rev Sarah Simpson, receiving a presentation from the Church on the occasion of her retirement as Church Secretary. Elizabeth has served the church as Secretary since 1999, and continues to serve as an Elder.

Sunday Services for January 2017

 

Sunday 1st January
Family Worship led by Revd Adrian Heath
Pianist Jenny Powley

Sunday 8th January
Family Worship led by Revd Sarah Simpson
including Holy Communion
Pianist John Fitter

Sunday 15th January
Family Worship led by Bernard Crabb
Organist Alison Meek

Sunday 22nd January
Family Worship led by Revd Alyn Owens

Sunday 29th January
Family Worship led by Terry Riches
Pianist Jenny Powley

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas fund-raising

Those who came to take part in our Carols by Candlelight service on Christmas Eve donated £86.42 towards the Swindon Harbour Project. Together with donations by our church congregation of £47.00 instead of sending cards to each other, we will send £133.42 to the Harbour for their work supporting asylum seekers and refugees.

At our Musical Coffee Morning on the Saturday before Christmas, £52.10 was raised for a Cancer Research by the sale of preserves, and jewellery and decorations by the Fairgrieve family.

What’s on in January 2017

Larks Bible Study
Tuesday 3rd January 10.30am

Curry night at Ganges
Monday 9th January 6pm

Elders Meeting
Thursday 12th January  7pm

Church Meeting
Thursday 19th 7.30pm

Badminton in the hall
Friday 27th evening