The Great day is nearly here. Swindon Town are playing at Wembley once again.
It will be a great privilege to travel down the M4 with thousands of fellow Town fans for the Big match on Saturday morning, Danny Wilson’s red and white army!
If you are not able to get to the match why not come along to a short service of prayer and thanksgiving at 9am at Christ church in Old Town. All are welcome.
Two of our 5 sons will be with me at Wembley. Edward aged 14 and William aged 12 who both play in local football teams. Our eldest son Thomas aged 18 will be with us in spirit miles away teaching youngsters on Tanna island Vanuatu in the South Pacific. He will be waiting for our texts. The Stevenette family, one of many families joining the much bigger Swindon Town family at Wembley.
Many of you will watch or listen to the match live and you will be able to reel off the Swindon Town team. But did you know that our beloved football club was set up by one of the clergy at Christ Church in Autumn 1879? The Revd William Pitt aged 23 years, met with some youthful employees of GWR works in New Town at King William Street Primary School in Old Town - a few minutes walk from Christ church and the rest, as they say, is history.
What a history, full of ups and downs. A real roller coaster.
This season has been magnificent, superbly run behind the scenes, managed brilliantly and coached with fine players showing great spirit of courage and skill on the field, playing as a team.
Thank-you everyone.
Most of all though, throughout our club history, all 131 years, it is the fans who have made Swindon Town what it is . Whatever the result we can walk tall and be proud of each other working together for our town.
Although I am very hopeful, I can’t guarantee a victory but I can promise you God works in every scene of life. God will be with us all the way at the match in London and back home in Swindon.
Let’s sing our boys onto victory. We have every confidence in you and each other.
All of us face challenges in life, joys and disappointments a plenty. We need strong foundations on which to build and live.
Let me leave you with a prayer from an 8 year old Ugandan child whose parents died of HIV Aids, which helps us keep today and the result in perspective:
“O Lord, help me understand, that nothing will come my way which you and me , together,can’t handle.”
Fellow Swindon Town friends and fans. Have a great day out. Let’s play and sing our hearts out/ We are Swindon town. Come on you town - Red army.
Never forget God is with us every step of the way.
So be strong, take heart all you who hope in the Lord.
God bless you all - onwards to Wembley, upwards to the Championship, please God!
Simon Stevenette - Swindon Town Chaplain
