The Dorcan Church, Swindon,
Wiltshire Weekly Church Notices
The weekly church notices are now available on this web site. They will be retained for about six months. For the current notices see latest notices or for the previous weeks notices see archived notices.
30/11/09
Bristol - Uganda Link
Janet & Tony Prichard recently visited Uganda and were able to re-establish friendships created when a group from the Dioceses of Kampala and Luweero visited the Dorcan Church some years ago.
Duncan & Marion collected us from Entebbe Airport and took us to their bungalow in Kigaasi Village North of Central Kampala. It was midnight but they offered us a meal as we had been travelling all day. On the first day we visited Rev. Canon Micah Bwami who showed us around his church and project office. We also visited Namirimbe Cathedral and central Kampala.
We took with us several sets of reading books donated by Covingham Primary School. Those for younger pupils were given to The Alpha pre-School and Kindergarten.
Alpha pre-school and Kindergarten
Children with reading books donated by Covingham Primary School
Turning Point Visit
News from Jon & Jo Parsons.
Our friends from Dorcan arrived safely in Kenya this week and are engaged in visits to Turning Point and also local initiative projects. For some it’s their first time in Africa, so many new experiences to take in and adjust to. So far all is well and they are all enjoying their trip and looking forward to spending a few days on Safari.
24/01/10
in:School
Church and School working together for the children of East Swindon
Abi has been busy working with our local schools. In a typical week she will take several assemblies and R.E. lessons. Abi is also involved in running a number of clubs as well as attending various meetings to keep everything running. Please pray that the assemblies will be well received by children and staff, the clubs will be successful and Abi will have inspiration and good time management for her planning and preparation.
16/11/09
Christians Against Poverty
Cathy Knapp has been telling us of a young couple she met at a
cell group meeting who have been heaped to resolve their financial
problems by Christians Against Poverty.
Christians Against Poverty is a
national debt counselling charity with a network of 112 centres based
in local churches. CAP offers hope and a solution to anyone in debt
through its unique, in-depth service.
This group are hoping to set up a centre in Swindon. If you would like to learn more about them please have a look at their website..
See Proverbs 31: 8-9
15/11/09
Christmas Fayre Pictures
The event raised approximately £1000. Well done everyone.
Stalls at the Christmas Fayre
[Photos:Tony Prichard]14/11/09
Blue Wave Rally
You will have heard by now about the ‘Blue Wave’ rally which happened in London on 5 December. Churches, congregations and Christian relief agencies are in the forefront of drawing attention to the need for action in response to Climate Change. The rally – and assemblies for prayer and worship that accompanied it – are aimed at persuading the UK Government and the world’s leaders to act collectively and positively during and after the Copenhagen Summit. What you may not know is that there was also a cycle ride from Bristol and Swindon to London over 3-5 December which attracted interest and publicity. The details can be found at bristolbluewave. Please draw this to the attention of your congregations. This is a key opportunity for Christians to bring their influence to bear on a crucial issue of care and justice which affects everyone on this planet. Yours in Jesus +Lee
23/10/09 updated 14/11/09
Gospel Choir and band
Ruth Clarke is trying to start a Gospel choir and a Gospel band in Swindon, she writes:
"I need help from musicians to do this. The aim is to create an environment where Christians and non Christians can mix freely, while at the same time learn about and proclaim the Gospel. The idea is for the band to have a few core, experienced Christian musicians who will eventually help out a team of younger musicians. I need a whole band; keys,guitar,drums and bass. If you are interested or members of your congregation might be then please contact me, any time,I will soon be able to give you official publicity, and I'm more than happy to chat with anyone interested. If you are a musician, please get involved, it's a really exiting, enjoyable project that will reach both young people and adults.
Thankyou Ruth Clarke"
email Ruth or phone 772234.
23/10/09
Attention Creative Christians!
Is there anybody in your congregation who you could see impacting the movie world for Christ? If so, please direct them to www.enterthepitch.com. This is a competition organised by the Bible Society which could lead to a trip to Hollywood and the opening of a really significant vocation. Bishop Lee On behalf of Luke Walton and The Bible Society
The winning entry for 2009 was:
"A Runaway Slave" by Simeon Lumgair…
23/10/09 updated 24/01/10
Harvest Gifts 2009
This year our gifts were distributed between the Broad Green Breakfast Club, the Food bank and the Swindon Women's Refuge. Breakfast Club are always in need of cereals, tins of beans and tomatoes, sauces, salt and pepper, sugar and orange squash. The Food bank and Women's Refuge require UHT milk, cereals, long life fruit juice cartons, sugar, biscuits or snack bars, and pasta sauces. Tins of the following are also welcome, baked beans, potatoes, spaghetti,vegetables, meat and fish, soup, rice and sponge puddings.
23/9/09 updated 23/10/09
Shoe Box Appeal
The shoe boxes filled with gifts have now been collected.
23/9/09 updated 3/12/09
Junior Heroes
Around 100 children attended this year's Holiday Club. Thanks to all who helped and supported this event.
Next year's Holiday Club Starts on Monday 16th. August
23/8/09
Parish Weekend at Lee Abbey
A party from the Dorcan Church recently spent a weekend at Lee Abbey in North Devon.
Lee Abbey
View from a Lee Abbey bedroom The Octagonal Lounge
A program of talks and workshops for all ages was arranged with plenty of time to explore the area and meet guests from other churches and the host staff.
Cinderella, Kung Fu Panda, The Lord of the Rings, The Film 'Bucket List', and The Tales of Narnia were all worked in to an explanation of Saint Paul's Letter to the Ephesians.
Earnest discussion In the queue for morning coffee
Relaxing in the Gallery The Tea Cottage
Members enjoyed the weekend and look forward to similar events in the future.
Thanks are due to Brenda for all her work in organising the weekend.
Next year's Lee Abbey Weekend - 16th. - 18th. July 2010
Cost £120 per person or £126 for an en suite room. Please contact Brenda Fisher on 497169. £12 deposit required by the end of August.
More information about Lee Abbey can be found on their web site
12/11/08 updated 23/8/09
Summer Barn Dance
Our Summer Barn Dance took place on Saturday 6th. June. Although not as well supported as the winter occasions it still kept us entertained. Our regular callers, John and Terese, provided the music and humour trying to keep us all in order.
12/5/09 updated 7/6/09
£180,000 programme to strengthen local churches.
The Arthur Rank Centre has launched a £180,000 training project to strengthen churches in the countryside in response to an urgent call from church leaders, in early May. ‘Rural Life and Faith’ could benefit 13,000 rural churches of all denominations, and will equip them for a modern role in villages and the countryside. ARC will spend £180,000 over 3 years to fill major gaps in training provision which threaten the life and work of the rural church.
Full details on The Diocese of Bristol Web Site.
12/5/09 updated 27/1/10
'Filling Station' needs volunteers
Filling Station is a soup kitchen charity which has been running for approximately 15 years in the Town Centre. It currently takes place on a Tuesday and a Thursday evening from 7pm to 8pm. The aim is to meet with the hungry on the streets of Swindon, providing them with a bit of food and other essentials, some friendly conversation, and acting as a platform for the Outreach Workers from local homeless charities who provide some much needed knowledge and experience. Currently we are in need of some more volunteers. I lead the Tuesday night event and urgently need a person over the age of 25 would be willing to drive and load the van (a Ford Transit) on a by-weekly basis, which is approximately a 2-2.5 hr. commitment every other week. In addition to this both nights need people who would be willing to serve and just come down to chat with our clients. You can do this as often as you like, although it'll be much more beneficial in building relationships if it can be on a regular basis (either every week, or by-weekly), as this adds some consistency and familiarity to the situation. There is no upper age limit, although it is preferable if you are at least 18 years of age (although this is variable based upon the individual and parental consent). If you're interested or have any questions then please email me or phone me on 07834271497. Thank you, Gareth Hutchinson
1/5/09
Do you miss reading the Three Crowns?
Now you can get the latest news from the Diocese here. Diocesan news
18/9/08
Christmas Unwrapped
This Christmas two classes from Covingham Park Primary School and one from Nythe Primary School visited St. Paul's to experience Christmas Unwrapped. The children formed small groups to visit a series of tables where members of the Church In:Schools team explained the Christmas Story.
Preparing the church
The scene is set Children enjoying the story
12/11/08 updated 3/12/09
Barn Dance & Supper
Our popular Barn Dance and Supper which took place on Saturday 29th. November has almost become a tradition of the Dorcan Church. John and Therese have been doing the calling for twentyfive years. The usual arrangement of bring your own drinks and glasses to go with the Ploughman's supper provided works well and over £180 was raised. 'Off The Rails' dancers entertained us while we ate our ploughman's.
Waiting to start
Barn dance under way
Time for the Ploughman's
'Off The Rails' provided the entertainment during the supper
[Photos:Tony Prichard]24/11/08 updated 1/12/08
Advent Day
The Swindon and Marlborough Circuit of the Methodist Church organised a Day of Activity for Advent Sunday 2008. Nearly two hundred and fifty people took part in the day at St. Joseph's Catholic College on Sunday 30th. November 2008. The day started with Worship and breakfast followed by various activities catering for the whole family.
The Lunch Break The Quiet Room
The Quiet Room Posters
1/12/08
WANTED: Musicians, Singers and Technicians
St. Paul's as required. See separate page
Could you help lead the Sunday Morning Worship at St. Paul's? Can you sing, play an instrument, help with the sound system or perhaps act in a bit of drama? If you can then you are invited to occasional Friday evening meetings at St. Paul's. We will be trying new songs, new ways of singing and playing old songs, or maybe a bit of drama. As well as singers and 'band members' we would also love to see you if you could help with the microphones, OHP or laptop. Oh! and we also hope to have a bit of fun as well. Details from Dave Jones.
29/10/08 updated 14/11/09
Hall floor resurfacing
Derek Collins with a little help from John Stott and Tony Prichard recently spent several days stripping, repairing and resurfacing the hall floor. The finish has been chosen to suit premises used by anyone who may be unsteady on their feet. It is hard wearing and marks should buff off easily. It is hoped that the Church floor may be treated in a similar fashion early next year.
Derek repairing a damaged section of the floor [Photo:Tony
Prichard]
The repaired section and the complete job [Photos:Tony
Prichard]
5/9/08
Word Live Goes Live
The wordlive website has been launched by Scripture Union to bring the Bible into the digital age. www.wordlive.org allows users to access audio Bible passages, video clips, worship songs and prayer activities as well as a daily Bible reading. It is described as a Multi Media Bible reading experience
1/1/08 updated 1/12/08
X:Site at St. Paul's
X:Site is a bi-monthly fun packed event for anyone aged 8-11 who have some contact with a local church through Sunday Clubs; Mid-week clubs; Uniformed organisations; school links and their friends. They join together to make friends across the town and have loads of fun learning about Jesus with live bands, videos and messy games. The event takes place at St. Paul's starting at 6.00pm. Volunteers are needed for everything, from working with the children, serving drinks, car park duty, welcomers, setting up the event and tidying up at the end to praying regularly for the event, the children and the staff. Details and offers of help to Lianne Smith the X:Site co-ordinator.
6/1/08 updated 27/1/10
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