Our partnership birthday service is not to be missed – we are very fortunate to have Bishop Lee Rayfield (Bishop of Swindon) with us next Sunday morning at 10.30am at Christ Church. Bishop Lee will be addressing “Re-imagining the Church and how we do it”. There will be a strong musical presence with a music group of instrumentalists and partnership robed choir from across our 3 churches, leading the worship with a mission anthem. There will be junior church activities for children in Christ church centre (leisure centre) from 10.15am – children will join us towards the end of the service showing us the fruits of their labours. Please pray for this very important day which launches our Lent course – this will be held on Wednesday evenings at Immanuel on “Re-imagining the church” with 5 gifted speakers. There will also be a course of evangelistic training after Easter.
What sort of church is Immanuel? How do you see Immanuel’s role in the coming months and years? Are we as welcoming as we like to think we are? Should we be more evangelical? Where do we need to grow – in spirituality, in prayer, in ecumenical activities? Do we do enough in the community?
As we look forward to welcoming a new minister to lead us, the elders feel that it would be good to spend some time together as members and associates of Immanuel considering those sorts of topics, how we see our church today and where we feel we want to head in the days to come. Saturday 20th March has been chosen as a day when we would like to see as many members and friends, young and old, gathering here to spend a few hours working through a range of different activities. We will be helped in the exercise by an experienced group of leaders from the South West Synod. The “Healthy Church Check” is a project that is being developed across the URC in the South West and as the largest church in the Synod we need to take our part in it. I do hope you will mark the date in your diaries and plan to be with us.
Steve Brain
Highworth URC is holding a day of reflection on Thursday 27th January, 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. Mark Cawte will be setting up his display throughout the church and leading some directed times of reflection. Do join them, if you can.
With regards to the Nativity Live weekend at Christ Church on Dec 19th and 20th, would anyone who volunteered or would like to volunteer to make mince pies or home made soup, please bring your produce to the kitchen at Immanuel for collection between 7.30 and 9.00pm on Friday 18th December.
If you have any queries or want to offer practical help in any way for this weekend, please contact Glenys or Derek Walker.
Here’s a reminder and perhaps some new facts as well. THRESHOLD run the hostel for homeless men near the station, providing accommodation for 21 residents. Last year they had to turn 453 people away because no beds were available. People receive far more than food and a bed -help is given with restoring people’s dignity and self-worth, re-housing and finding suitable housing.
THRESHOLD also provide accommodation in seven smaller, family-sized properties for both men and women needing different degrees of support.
In addition THRESHOLD provides a Street Outreach Service where homeless and vulnerable people congregate such as at the Breakfast Club, the Filling station or wherever homeless people sleep-out.
On Friday 4th December, two members of Immanuel, Wayne Lanfear and Paul Bridges will be sleeping-out in the car park all night whatever the weather, to raise money for THRESHOLD. Please do give them your support by signing their sponsorship forms. Maybe there are a few more people at Immanuel who could join them? Make it a family night out-with a difference! Go on, do it!
If you need to know more, please ask Jenny Powley or Di Swan.
The Immanuel Dramatic Society have produced one of the longest running pantomimes in Swindon, which is now in its 900th year (Oh no it isn’t!). It’s good old-fashioned fun for all the family, from 1 year-olds to 100 year-olds, featuring sing-a-long songs, sublime and superlative sketches, and dramatic delirious dances – courtesy of the Estelle School of Dance (Oh yes it does!) and jokes*. For more details of times, prices, and how to book see the poster below.
*NB Certain jokes may be 900 years old. No mice or pumpkins were harmed during this production. Some actors may have been harmed.
Saturday 14 November was a wet blustery day but many Immanuel folk turned out to Immanuel’s Gift Day. Teas and coffees were served in the hall and lunches in the parlour. Tables had been set up in the hall with displays of activities at Immanuel. There was a steady stream of people leaving envelopes with gifts. At the end of the day the total which had been donated was £5,051 and with the profit from refreshments Immanuel raised a total of £5,194.
Thank you everyone who took part in Immanuel’s Gift Day and to those who offered gifts.
A reminder that November 19th sees the Annual Church Meeting. In order for voting and other business to take place we do need to have a quorum of members present. Please make every effort to be there.
14th November 2009
Earlier in the year the church meeting took the decision not to hold an annual bazaar this autumn but to repeat the highly successful Gift Day that we held two years ago. We are hoping that all members and associates will come along during the course of the day (10.00 to 3.00) and make a monetary donation over and above what is normally given as a Sunday offering. David and Janet will be in the kitchen providing light refreshments as well as assorted options for lunch, so there will an opportunity to socialise and meet others in a relaxed setting. In addition a lot of church organisations have agreed to set up stands to advertise their activities, so there is an opportunity to give talents as well as money! I do hope to see all members during the course of the day.
Steve Brain
Thank you to all those who have contributed to this year’s Harvest Appeal. We aimed to raise £2,550 for the New Hope Trust Hospital in Muniguda, Orissa, India to fund 75 cataract operations. We have raised £2,913 and, the gift aid we will be able to claim back will top up the fund the World Concerns Committee uses for responding rapidly to emergencies.
If you would still like to contribute to the 2009 Harvest Appeal, any donations received in the next couple of weeks will be added to the total we donate to the New Hope Trust.
