Newsletter

With the world becoming a more fractured place to live in we are sure many of you, like us, feel helpless at the world our children and grandchildren will inherit. However, at the weekend our belief in human kindness was restored as we attended the Bristol Refugee Festival with our daughter Kirsty and granddaughter Ines. It was so lovely to see so many people from various nationalities all eating, singing and dancing together. Some even shared their journey to the UK in the face of extreme trauma and hardship. Those that were fortunate to settle here are very grateful for the opportunity afforded to them and have contributed tremendously to the communities they now live in. We are one world and each of us, essentially, only want the same thing, which is, a safe place to live, flourish and grow.

Linda and Malcolm Johnson

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A SUMMER OF SPORT?

Dear Friends,

I am very well aware that our attitudes to sport vary considerably! Some of you are thrilled by the prospect of Wimbledon tennis, the European Women’s Football Championship, the British Open Golf Championship and the Test Cricket series with India – and others of you will be completely unaware and unaffected by these events. My own family reflects this range of views perfectly!

You must feel entirely free to have your own thoughts about sport but I am interested that the apostle Paul often referred to sporting activities. He would have been well aware of the Olympic Games which took place in Olympus, Greece every four years but even more aware of the Isthmian Games which took place every other year. In writing to the church in Philippi he wrote: “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the price for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Paul was clearly saying that he was determined to give his best to God. Just as an athlete would work hard to put in their best performance so too he was eager to ensure that he was as effective as possible in his Christian service. Over the past year we have had the privilege of walking through the Acts of the Apostles and we have seen what that meant in practice. Even though he faced continual opposition, injustice and physical attacks Paul kept going. As we have studied this remarkable book together we have often been amazed by Paul’s resilience and perseverance. He knew that there was nothing more important than serving the Lord.

Whatever your attitude to sport I hope you will be ready to receive the challenge to be the best for God. We all have opportunities to serve the Lord – through our acts of encouragement, care, listening and support.  Let’s make sure that we are only ever giving God our best.

Personally, I am very much looking forward to this summer’s sport but, whatever your views on the subject, I pray that you will find peace and joy in giving your best to God.

God bless you,

Revd Jonathan Edwards

Transitional Minister

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Sunday Services at 10.30 a.m. unless otherwise stated.

Sunday services at 10.30 a.m.

• 6 July: Revd John Roe
• 13 July: Revd Jonathan Edwards, Holy Communion
• 20 July: Revd Owen Green
• 27 July: Revd Jonathan Edwards, Holy Communion followed by Church Meeting

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

• Thursday 3 July, 2.30 p.m: Bible Study 
• Monday 7 July, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
• Monday 7 July, 6.30. p.m: Executive
• Tuesday 8 July, 7.30 p.m: Bible Study at Barbara’s
• Monday 14 July 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
• Thursday 17 July, 2.30 p.m: Bible Study
• Monday 21 July, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
• Tuesday 22 July, 7,30 p.m: Bible Study at Barbara’s
• Monday 28th July, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m: Community Cafe
• Thursday 31 July, 2.30 p.m: Bible Study 

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Christian Comedian

The Christian Comedian, Paul Kerensa, will be performing at Christ Church on Friday 4th July at 7.30 p.m.,   it promises to be a good evening. Cost of tickets £10.00, available from the Christ Church website.

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Refugee Week

We have a number of Swindon Borough Council groups that meet in the Centre each week and work with refugee groups, mainly Afghan women. Throughout April, May and early June one of the groups was working on a project called Story Sack where they told their story by visual means using paintings, fabrics and PowerPoint presentations. On Monday 16th June they presented their stories to invited guests including our mayor, Cllr Fay Howard and representatives from Harbour.

Schools had also been invited but due to the time of year (GCSE exams) none of them were able to attend. However, there were approximately 75 people present and it was a wonderful morning.

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Christian Aid Week

We collected £481.00 during Christian Aid week – £93.25 from the cake sale and £387.75 in the envelopes. As the retiring collection for Myanmar realised £154.55, we have sent £635.55 to Christian Aid over the last couple of months. This is a wonderful amount. Regrettably, the need continues. Many thanks for your continuing generosity.

Jane Walsh

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Thought for the day :  “The Spiritual meaning of love is measured by what it can do. Love is meant to heal. Love is meant to renew. Love is meant to bring us closer to God.” – Marcus Aurelius

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Deadline for August Newsletter: Tuesday 29th July 2025.