Central Church Newsletter
September 2026
As our summer slowly comes to an end and schools re-open for the new term for many it will be a daunting experience. Children either going to school for the first time or moving to a new class. Our granddaughter Ines starts school in September too so naturally we are a bit apprehensive about how she is going to cope. As she takes her first giant leap, we will all be there to help her on her way.
The saying it ‘takes a village to raise a child’ is so very true and parents, grandparents and the wider family all contribute in their own way.
Linda and Malcolm Johnson
WELCOME DEACON TESSA!
Dear Friends,
It is our very great privilege to welcome Deacon Tessa Bennett this month. Her welcome service will be at Central Church on Wednesday 9th September at 7pm and I do hope that you will be able to join us for this very significant occasion. She will not only be working with us but also with Bath Road Methodist Church and Rodbourne Methodist Community Centre.
I am sure that many of you will be asking: “What is a deacon?” It’s a good question and the Methodist Church has prepared a very helpful little booklet entitled “A Deacon in the Circuit” to give the answer. Let me give you a quick summary. Methodists have two forms of ministry – the presbyteral (presbyters) and the diaconal (deacons). Only presbyters are permitted to conduct communion services but deacons lead services, offer pastoral care and help churches to reach out into their communities. At Central we have superb opportunities to reach out into the life of our town and it will be wonderful to have Tessa with us to strengthen our relationship with those many different churches, groups and individuals who make use of our splendid buildings.
I am excited about Tessa’s coming because it is a step of faith. And the most exciting thing about faith is that we really don’t know how things will work out. We trust God and are confident that he will lead us. It’s always good to remind ourselves of the story of Abraham who left the security of his comfortable home at the age of 75 and went out “even though he did not know where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). That might sound crazy but the point is that Abraham was happy to go on this journey of faith because he knew that God could be trusted.
Let’s step into the Autumn with faith. We don’t know exactly what’s going to happen but that’s fine because we know the nature of God and we know that he can be trusted.
I look forward to taking this step of faith with Tessa and with you all.
God bless you,
Revd Jonathan Edwards
Transitional Minister
Sunday services at 10.30 a.m.
- 6th September: Revd Jonathan Edwards (Holy Communion)
- 13th September: Mr Neil Marshall
- 20th September: Revd Jonathan Edwards ( Holy Communion) Harvest, followed by Church Meeting
- 27th September: Deacon Tessa Bennett
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 3rd September: Bible Study, 2.30 p.m.
- Monday 7th September: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Tuesday 8th September: Bible Study, 7.30 p..m. At Barbara’s
- Wednesday 9th September: Welcome Service for new Deacon
- Thursday 10th September: Executive meeting
- Monday 14th September: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Thursday 17th September: Bible Study, 2.30 p.m.
- Saturday 19th September: Cafe clean, 2 p.m.
- Monday 21st September: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Tuesday 22nd September: Bible Study, 7.30 p.m. At Barbara’s
- Monday 28th September: Community Cafe, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Latest news from Lucia Bastos (forwarded by Judith)
Over the last four years of my involvement with churches in Britain, I have been immensely encouraged and feel honoured to witness how your dedication and response to the social challenges posed by the diaspora have strengthened our community and inspired ongoing growth.
It is people with different worldviews and expressions of need who have inspired the church to step out of its comfort zone as citizens of this world and seek creative solutions, encouraging confidence in our collective ability to adapt and grow.
But wherever I go, I see the bride of Christ flourishing amidst difficulties and witnessing small miracles that highlight her resilience, because she has stepped out of her comfort zone, seeking new partnerships, opening the doors of places of worship that were once reserved exclusively for spiritual activities, recognising that hospitality and welcoming people for a cup of coffee is also a spiritual activity, re-learning to evangelise in a world where people’s hearts have been hardened by the pain caused by religiosity; and discovering the benefits of spontaneity in building personal relationships. Many thanks to God and to you all for allowing me to be part of this moment in the Church of Christ in Britain.
My time in the UK was also a period of encouragement, at conferences such as Momentum in Wales and Expect 26. I was able to see how partnerships formed for the sake of the Kingdom and how rich, fruitful discussions on living out mission in a more balanced and participatory way are shaping our collective efforts.
On my return to Chad, I received a very warm welcome from my friends and colleagues at the hospital. Now that the road from the airport to the vicinity of the hospital has been completed, it took a mere 12 minutes to cover the 10 miles. This journey used to take at least three times as long during the rainy season, which was a significant challenge we had to overcome.
It was also very reassuring to find that the finance team had all the processes in place and most of the reports were correct. It is inevitable that there is a sense of joy and satisfaction. Ever since I arrived at Guinebor 2 Hospital, I have been saying that I am working to ensure they no longer need me. There is still some way to go and areas that need work, but I recognize that what we have achieved so far is already bearing fruit, which is very heartening and should inspire continued effort.
Venezuelan Earthquake Appeal
Central Church has sent £150 to Christian Aid for the Venezuelan earthquake appeal – thank you all for your generosity.
Jane Walsh
Welcome Service for Deacon Tessa Bennett
On 9th September, we will be hosting the Welcome Service for our Deacon, Tessa Bennett, at 7:00 p.m. There will be a Bring and Share supper to follow and we will be very grateful if our members and friends could provide savoury foods. As Tessa will also be working alongside Bath Road Methodist Church, we have asked them to supply cakes. We don’t know how many people we expect to attend so are aiming to cater for approximately 100 people. Can you please let Chris know what you are able to provide for the table.
Cafe deep clean
On Saturday 19th September we will have a working party to deep clean the cafe, starting at 2:00 p.m. We would be grateful if as many people as possible could turn out to help.
Harvest
Our Harvest Service this year will be held on Sunday 20th September. Items suitable for use by Big Breakfast and Alternative Angels will be greatly appreciated. Any items they are unable to use, will be given to the Swindon Food Collective. There will also be envelopes available for monetary donations which will go to URC Commitment to Life. We hope to decorate the church on the afternoon of Saturday 19th September between 2-4 p.m. so you can either bring your offerings then or on the Sunday morning.
Religious Humour
The Parrot and the Doberman
A burglar broke into a house in the middle of the night. As he started sneaking around, he froze when he heard a loud voice say, “Jesus is watching you!” Jesus is watching you!”
The burglar stopped, looked around, and realised it was just a parrot. He let out a sigh of relief, chuckled, and asked the bird, “What kind of foolish person names a parrot ‘Jesus’?”
The parrot squawked back, “The same person who names their Doberman Pinscher ‘Jesus’!”
Deadline for September Newsletter – Tuesday 29th September 2026.