Newsletter

Central Church Newsletter
March 2026

Spring is in the air! This is the best time of year and it is so lovely to see the spring bulbs beginning to bloom all around Swindon and beyond. The splash of colour brings renewal to the otherwise drab winter landscape and fills one with anticipation of what lies ahead this year. May we all continue to pray for unity and peace is this fractured world and not forget those still suffering from the effects of war, famine and displacement. “There, but for the grace of God, go I.”

Linda and Malcolm Johnson


LIVING IN A MULTI-RELIGIOUS TOWN

Dear Friends,

Last month Judith and I went to a fascinating Interfaith Network Meeting. It was good to meet up with Muslims and Sikhs as well as a pagan, a member of Bahai and also many church leaders. People follow many different religions in Swindon and it was a privilege to attend this meeting. It is good to remind ourselves that, throughout the whole history of Christianity, this is how it has always been. The writers of the New Testament were acutely conscious of the daily challenge of living with people who had a completely different religious outlook.

The Interfaith Network Meeting was held in the Council offices and there was a very warm and friendly atmosphere. We spoke together about the importance of getting to know one another better and explored the ways in which we might be able to welcome one another to our different religious activities. Our first God-given responsibility is to show love to our neighbours, and we can only do that if we get to know them and learn more about what they believe.

Paul’s speech to the Areopagus in Athens which we read about in Acts chapter 17 gives us a valuable insight into how we need to approach people who follow other religions. He was warm, encouraging and knowledgeable. He didn’t quote from the Hebrew scriptures because that would have meant nothing to them. Instead, he quoted from their own poets and built his talk on their writings. In order to do this he had obviously spent a good deal of time reflecting on these other religions. Having said these things he then boldly and clearly described his Christian faith.

When we meet with people from other religions it is vital that we are clear about what we believe. In his first letter Peter wrote: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Peter was saying this to people who would have lived and worked with people belonging to other religions each day. He knew that they had to be ready to grasp every opportunity that came their way to share their Christian hope.

As we walk towards Easter let us reflect more deeply on our own faith so that we can live with greater confidence and generosity alongside those who are committed to other religions.

God bless you.

Yours ever, in Christ

Revd Jonathan Edwards
Transitional Minister


Sunday services at 10.30 a.m.

  • 1 March: Revd Jonathan Edwards, HOLY COMMUNION
  • 8 March: Mr Martyn Cook
  • 15 March: Revd Jonathan Edwards, HOLY COMMUNION
  • 22 March: Revd Ali Boulton
  • 29 March: Revd Jonathan Edwards, HOLY COMMUNION, followed by our Annual General Meeting


Dates for your diary, held at the Pilgrim Centre unless stated otherwise. (Please phone Jonathan on 07876 234264 if you need Barbara’s address.)

  • Monday 2 March: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
  • Tuesday 3 March: 7.30 p.m: Bible Study at Barbara’s
  • Monday 9 March: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
  • Thursday 12 March: 2.30 p.m: Bible Study, 6.30 p.m: Executive Meeting
  • Tuesday 17 March: 7.30 p.m: Bible Study at Barbara’s
  • Monday 23 March: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
  • Thursday 26 March: 2.30 p.m: Bible Study
  • Monday 31 March: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe

Annual General Meeting

Our AGM will be held on Sunday 29th March. Judith Furse, Marion Manning and Jo Struthers-Frost are due to stand down as Executive members but all are willing to stand for re-election. Jane Walsh and Mavis Poolman are due to stand down as Pastoral Leaders but are also willing to stand for re-election. Liz Kirby is also happy to be nominated as a Pastoral Leader. There are other spaces available in both teams so please consider prayerfully whether you could fulfil one of these roles. Nomination forms will be available in church for you to complete.

Current Executive Members include:
Christine Durant, Sue Mason, Andrea McNab, Eva Shama-Kumar, David Redwood, Charles Selvamani

Current Pastoral Leaders include:
Barbara Barry

Hymns for Christians over 65 years old

  • Just a (Slower) Walk with Thee
  • Go Tell It on the Mountain (But Speak Up)
  • Nobody Knows the Trouble I Have (Seeing)
  • Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (I’ve Forgotten Where I’ve Parked the Car)
  • Blessed Insurance
  • It Is Well With My Soul (But My Knees Hurt)

Thought of the Day – “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

Deadline for April Newsletter – Tuesday 31st March 2026