We recently received the following thank you message from the Diocese of Bristol:We want to extend our deepest thanks to everyone at Christ Church Swindon for your generous contributions to the Parish Share, which continue to support the ministry and mission of our shared Church across the Diocese.It is truly inspiring to witness the difference your giving is making in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Through your support, we are seeing God’s work in action, impacting countless people in powerful ways.What Your Giving Has AchievedThanks to your contributions, last year alone, your generosity helped fund essential services, bringing hope and practical help to those in need:Over 130 support services for individuals experiencing homelessness or poverty, including 25 night shelters and 105 food banks.121 community cafes and activities, and 73 programs for older people, combating loneliness and social isolation.More than 130 initiatives to support children and families, including 27 holiday and after-school clubs, 38 youth programs, and 65 parent-toddler playgroups.Over 100 social support services, providing help for refugees, abuse survivors, and those struggling with addiction and marginalization.Putting Faith into ActionYour dedication to Parish Share enables us to extend the Church’s mission to areas that may struggle financially, ensuring that every parish in the Diocese can thrive in ministry and outreach. Your faith in action is helping to build stronger, more compassionate communities where every person can experience the love and support of the Church.Through your generosity, you’ve helped volunteers and ministers run youth groups, visit the lonely, and provide food banks, among many other impactful ministries. This is a living testament to what happens when we come together as a family in faith.Thank You for Making a DifferenceWe are truly thankful for your open-handed spirit and your commitment to supporting your diocesan family. Your faithful giving is changing lives, and together, we are continuing to build a brighter, more connected future for all.Thank you once again for your incredible generosity.The Ven Becky Waring and The Ven Christopher Bryan, The Parish Share Team at the Diocese of Bristol.To find out more about the Parish Share, visit the Diocese of Bristol Parish Share page HERE.
In this week's video, Simon talks about healing.You can view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOYTSYuJ7sU
Generosity Month is here at Christ Church this SeptemberJoin us for an inspiring journey through a month dedicated to celebrating and enhancing the spirit of gratitude and giving. Here’s what to look forward to each week:Week 1 – The Call: Discover the power of generosity and how it fuels our mission. We’ll explore what it means to give and the incredible impact it can have on our community.Week 2 – The Impact of Your Giving: Hear stories of success from the past year. See firsthand how your contributions have made a difference!Week 3 – The Need/Challenge: Understand the financial requirements to sustain our church and our CC@CC initiatives. We’ll dive into the challenges and needs we face to continue our vital work.Week 4 – Ways to Give: As part of the CofE Generosity Week, learn about the various ways you can contribute, from one-time donations to ongoing support. Every gift, big or small, helps us achieve our mission goals.Your support is crucial to our mission. For more information and to find out how you can contribute, please pick up a pack from the back of the church and read our Growing in Generosity 2024 booklet online here:https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Growing-in-Generosity-Final-2024.pdfPlease will you download and complete a Promise Card to let us know how much you plan to give to support our work in 2025:https://www.christchurchswindon.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Promise-Card-2024.docxNo gift is too small for use in God’s work. Please return the card even if you decide not to change your giving from last year or are unable to give at this time. Completed Promise cards can be returned to the Paris Office at church or emailed to Carol at: parishoffice@Christchurchswindon.co.uk🙏💛Let’s come together and make a lasting impact this Generosity Month!
We are thrilled to announce that the Christ Church Community Centre Team will be participating in a very special edition of the Wiltshire Ride + Stride on Saturday, 14th September 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary of this incredible event, which has been a cherished tradition since 1984, raising over £1.6 million to preserve the historic churches that are such an integral part of our county’s heritage.Looking Back at 2023:Last year’s Ride & Stride was an incredible success, and we owe a huge THANK YOU to our dedicated Christ Church Riders and Striders—Caroline and Daniel, Chris, Carol, and Steve—as well as to everyone who supported them.Here are some highlights:Caroline caught 7 buses and visited 15 churches.Carol walked over 18 miles in the blistering heat, visiting 23 churches.Daniel cycled solo and visited 11 churches.Steve and Chris mostly cycled together; Chris rode over 42 miles and visited 38 churches, while Steve cycled an impressive 51 miles and visited 41 churches.Although Janet French still holds the Christ Church record with 42 churches visited in one day, our 2023 team raised over £500 for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, with nearly half of that amount coming back to Christ Church.You can watch a brief slideshow of their adventure hereWhy Are We Participating in 2024?As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Ride + Stride, we reflect on the importance of our churches, which are more than just places of worship—they are the heart of our communities, connecting us to our history and each other. By participating in this milestone event, we are helping to ensure these historic buildings remain standing for future generations.Half of the funds we raise this year will go directly to Christ Church, with the other half supporting the ongoing work of the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust in preserving and restoring churches across the county.How Can You Support Us?We invite you to sponsor our team this year as we embark on this 40th-anniversary ride! Whether you choose to donate per church we visit or contribute a lump sum, your support will make a meaningful difference. Every donation helps us maintain the historic churches that are such a vital part of our heritage.To contribute, please visit our JustGiving page: Christ Church Community Centre Ride and Stride Team 2024. For more information about the event and the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, you can also visit their website here. If you want to join our team and Ride or Stride on the day, please contact Arline Stovell (Parish Organiser) and Chris Smith (details below).Help is also needed during the day to welcome people to Christ Church and St Mary’s.For more information please contact Arline Stovell, royandarline@gmail.com 07716394754or Chris Smith, chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk 07582 305760Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. We’re excited to take on this challenge again on 14th September 2024 and share our journey with you!With heartfelt thanks,The Christ Church Community Centre Team
