It was great to have the recommendation of Margaret Harber, one of the Christ church's congregation on Sunday to watch the incredible programme The Secret Life of Waves with David Malone.
Physics, Geography and Theology were combined in a beautiful Trinity. Do try and catch it if you can. The last ten minutes are especially moving and challenging. As we all face up to changes in life, how do we adapt to the processes which are part of being a human being. Let me know what you think of the programme and especially how the church can respond as we consider the purpose of life and the value of every human being. I trust you will find it worthwhile and look forward to your comments. You can find it on the BBC Iplayer
Every blessing
Simon
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Simon's Sermon on Nehemiah 4 - Keeping Momentum
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Friday, 4 February 2011
Latest news - All things are possible for God
Simon Talks about the film The King's Speech.
OSCAR nominated film The King’s Speech has been praised by speech experts in the town for shining the spotlight on a difficult subject.
Speech therapists along with those who suffer from the impediment in Swindon have welcomed the attention and hope Colin Firth’s latest blockbuster – which was nominated for 12 Oscars yesterday – will encourage more people in the town to seek help for their stammer.
The film tells the story of King George VI who, plagued by a stammer and considered unfit to be king, sought the help of unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue.
The Reverend Simon Stevenette, of Christ Church Swindon has himself overcome a stammer which developed in his teenage years.
He said: “The King’s Speech was brilliant, it brought tears to my eyes – it said all the right things.
“It was frustrating when my stammer developed, I used to have pieces of paper with my name on or the name of a station I needed to go to.
“It seemed strange to me that God called me to ministry when my speech was at its worst but I had a very powerful healing experience – it is important to receive support and encouragement.
“You feel a sense of vulnerability within you when you have a stammer, but you make sure that you get the words out and you make sure that those words are positive and encouraging – that has always been an incentive for me.”
You can read the full article on This is Wiltshire
Speech therapists along with those who suffer from the impediment in Swindon have welcomed the attention and hope Colin Firth’s latest blockbuster – which was nominated for 12 Oscars yesterday – will encourage more people in the town to seek help for their stammer.
The film tells the story of King George VI who, plagued by a stammer and considered unfit to be king, sought the help of unorthodox speech therapist Lionel Logue.
The Reverend Simon Stevenette, of Christ Church Swindon has himself overcome a stammer which developed in his teenage years.
He said: “The King’s Speech was brilliant, it brought tears to my eyes – it said all the right things.
“It was frustrating when my stammer developed, I used to have pieces of paper with my name on or the name of a station I needed to go to.
“It seemed strange to me that God called me to ministry when my speech was at its worst but I had a very powerful healing experience – it is important to receive support and encouragement.
“You feel a sense of vulnerability within you when you have a stammer, but you make sure that you get the words out and you make sure that those words are positive and encouraging – that has always been an incentive for me.”
You can read the full article on This is Wiltshire
Saturday, 25 December 2010
The Nativity
The Nativity: I am sure you agree with me that The Nativity on BBC 1 7pm-7.30pm Monday-Thursday in 4 parts has been excellent. If you’ve missed it do try to pick it up on i-player in the next few days it is well worth a viewing. The programmes are profoundly full of the grace and awe of God. At the preview of the series the producer Tony Jordan (creator Life on Mars and writer for Eastenders) was interviewed and said “I’ve always had faith. I’m not a God botherer…..but I do believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God. I do believe he came here to take away our sins. I absolutely believe that. But there’s loads of little bits around it that bug me so what I’ve done with the story of the nativity is written a version that I can believe. I’ve made it accessible so people can watch it and see it is truthful and say “you know what! That is really cool. I never realised it could be like that. I thought it was all beyond me”. Watch it, believe it, invest in it and sob like a child – I did, you will.
Saturday, 4 December 2010
Please can you help?
We are very conscious that these are very difficult financial times for many people; however we thought it right to bring to your attention a £5,000 deficit for this year. If 100 people gave £50 as a Christmas present to the church we could wipe out this deficit. Please will you consider this prayerfully – it would be enormously appreciated. We apologise that we are in this position but everything is being done to save expenditure and make the most of our resources.
We thank God for his faithfulness and the growth in Christian ministry across our parish. During Advent we are concentrating our liturgy on God’s generosity in sending his Son at Christmas. Thank you to all those people who have given so generously and sacrificially to support the PCC of Christ Church with St Mary’s over the last year.
We quite understand that many will not be able to respond but we are asking, as a Christian community, that we commit our mission and finances to God. Let us see how he calls us to respond individually and together. If you like to talk with any of us in confidence please don’t hesitate to contact us. It would be very helpful if we could receive gifts by Christmas so all donations can be included in this year’s accounts which close on 31st December.
We are praying for a holy and blessed Advent and that we see much growth in God’s kingdom here is Swindon and further afield.
We had a very good PCC meeting on Monday during which we had a presentation form Malcolm Barton and Jackie Waters Dewhurst about an exciting mission opportunity. The PCC voted unanimously to support the Bristol Diocesan Bid for a church school to be built on the croft Road site.
Sara Tye, chair of the D&R group gave a powerpoint presentation on all the encouraging progress made over the last 9 months.
The finance group presented a budget for 2011 to PCC which enables us to break even. This was discussed at great length and it was decided that to spend another evening (Monday 13th December) on this subject – this will give us more time for prayer and reflection.
Every blessing
Simon, Pam and Lynda – on behalf of PCC
Revd Simon Stevenette, Pam Bridgeman and Lynda Fisher (Churchwardens)
We thank God for his faithfulness and the growth in Christian ministry across our parish. During Advent we are concentrating our liturgy on God’s generosity in sending his Son at Christmas. Thank you to all those people who have given so generously and sacrificially to support the PCC of Christ Church with St Mary’s over the last year.
We quite understand that many will not be able to respond but we are asking, as a Christian community, that we commit our mission and finances to God. Let us see how he calls us to respond individually and together. If you like to talk with any of us in confidence please don’t hesitate to contact us. It would be very helpful if we could receive gifts by Christmas so all donations can be included in this year’s accounts which close on 31st December.
We are praying for a holy and blessed Advent and that we see much growth in God’s kingdom here is Swindon and further afield.
We had a very good PCC meeting on Monday during which we had a presentation form Malcolm Barton and Jackie Waters Dewhurst about an exciting mission opportunity. The PCC voted unanimously to support the Bristol Diocesan Bid for a church school to be built on the croft Road site.
Sara Tye, chair of the D&R group gave a powerpoint presentation on all the encouraging progress made over the last 9 months.
The finance group presented a budget for 2011 to PCC which enables us to break even. This was discussed at great length and it was decided that to spend another evening (Monday 13th December) on this subject – this will give us more time for prayer and reflection.
Every blessing
Simon, Pam and Lynda – on behalf of PCC
Revd Simon Stevenette, Pam Bridgeman and Lynda Fisher (Churchwardens)
Sunday, 7 November 2010
Christ Church is 159 years old.
The Revd Henry Bailey came to Swindon in 1847. He found the existing parish church to be completely unsuitable. It was falling into disrepair and was too small for the growing population of Swindon. Imagine his introduction to his vision for a renewal – a proposal to sweep away, approaching 700 years of continuous worship at Holy Rood. How did that go down with the faithful? I expect he found some opposition.
But his faith, energy and drive won the support of people from all walks of life, from near and far. Between them they raised enough money (£8,000 at the time) to build the new church we now worship in.
The church building was just the start. Over the last 159 years, Christ Church Clergy and community have been at the heart of improvements in health, education and social care in our area. King Williams Street School founded in 1871, the Almshouses next door in 1877, the Little London Mission in 1902,St Andrews church built in 1955,the Ecumenical Parish project Help our Homeless in 1994, the Shakers young people’s meeting place in 1992 and the Kagitumba school project in 2003. There are many other examples.
Throughout that time the building itself has provided a centre of stillness and calm. It is a focal point for worship, service and celebration. It comes into its own particularly during periods of war, conflict, public and private mourning. It provides the backdrop for everyday births, marriages and deaths remaining at the heart of Swindon – like the baptism of Arlo Feeny we had last Sunday
Christ Church is a fine example of mid Victorian Gothic revival, by the distinguished architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. In the context of Swindon, Christ Church is a gem, one of the very few Grade 2* listed buildings of its age - in continuous use in Swindon.
We are in the privileged position of being custodians for its future
Happy Birthday Christ Church
But his faith, energy and drive won the support of people from all walks of life, from near and far. Between them they raised enough money (£8,000 at the time) to build the new church we now worship in.
The church building was just the start. Over the last 159 years, Christ Church Clergy and community have been at the heart of improvements in health, education and social care in our area. King Williams Street School founded in 1871, the Almshouses next door in 1877, the Little London Mission in 1902,St Andrews church built in 1955,the Ecumenical Parish project Help our Homeless in 1994, the Shakers young people’s meeting place in 1992 and the Kagitumba school project in 2003. There are many other examples.
Throughout that time the building itself has provided a centre of stillness and calm. It is a focal point for worship, service and celebration. It comes into its own particularly during periods of war, conflict, public and private mourning. It provides the backdrop for everyday births, marriages and deaths remaining at the heart of Swindon – like the baptism of Arlo Feeny we had last Sunday
Christ Church is a fine example of mid Victorian Gothic revival, by the distinguished architect Sir George Gilbert Scott. In the context of Swindon, Christ Church is a gem, one of the very few Grade 2* listed buildings of its age - in continuous use in Swindon.
We are in the privileged position of being custodians for its future
Happy Birthday Christ Church
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