St. Paul’s Church, Chippenham

11th September    Holy Communion
25th September Ideas for Christmas
9th October    Harvest with Bring & Buy Stall
23rd October    Maureen Lloyd talks about Age Concern
6th November    Remembrance –poems & anecdotes
20th November    “Cambridge & Cathedral’s” on DVD
4th December    Christmas Sales Table & Affordable Clothing
18th December    Carol Service

The first edition of the new Diocesan Monthly Newsletter can be found at www.bristol.anglican.org/news/local. Alternatively if you do not have the internet there will be a copy at the back of church.

The Ugandan Prayer Cycle
Mukono Diocese.
BUSAALE Parish –
Rev. Samuel SERWADDA (Vicar)

Please pray for our mission partners
Garry Ion
Gillian Rose
Anjali & Neil Kanagaratnam

The work of our children’s & young people’s groups at the start of a new term.

Join us on the 4th Sunday of the month
for this event for preschool children and their parents
Arts, crafts, fun, bible stories, songs and much more…
We start  in St.. Paul ‘s church at 10.00am and meet
in the small hall from about 10.20am ending with coffee.
Older children are welcome to join the St. Paul’s Kidzown Groups
Also don’t forget our mid week SPARKS group which runs in the
St. Paul’s hall from 10.00am Wednesday’s during term time.

WELL DONE! - to all those who hosted, put on, took part in and encouraged 3 social events recently – the Hardenhuish Coffee Morning; Fete at Kington St Michael and Strawberry Teas in Langley Burrell. They all went really well and were greatly enjoyed by many people in good weather – and a good amount of money was also raised! Excellent, thank you, well done everyone!

THREE MORE - and I’ve got other social events in my diary which I am hoping to attend …
Saturday 5 July - the Fete at Langley Burrell (which I have been invited to open at noon!)
Friday 11 July - the Helper’s Supper at Kington St Michael
Friday 8 August – a Concert Evening at Kington St Michael.
They look good – let’s hope the weather is kind for the outdoor events and that, again, many people will enjoy themselves.

SUNDAY 6 JULY - in the afternoon there are a couple of important things happening … the Bishop of Swindon will formally be opening the RISE CHILDREN’S CENTRE at St Paul’s school (an invitation event because of numbers) and at 4pm there is a SONGS OF PRAISE at Hardenhuish church. This is our regular joint service and I hope many people will be able to attend and enjoy singing God’s praises together.

BISHOP MASIMANGO AND LOUISE WRIGHT - we are hoping that Bishop and Mrs Masimango (from the DR Congo) will be taking part in the Songs of Praise – and at the 10am service at St Paul’s on 6 July. They are due to spend a few days with us …however, earlier today, I received an email that their visa for UK entry had been denied!!!!!!! (They can come to the Lambeth Conference but not spend any time before or after it in our country – it’s ridiculous – they have been invited by people offering them hospitality and yet have been told NO! It makes me wonder about the welcome we give to those from other nations!)

However, I hope someone might be able to work things out for their visit – but it may now be too late. I am glad, though, that Louise Wright (CMS mission partner in DR Congo for the past 20 years – she is now retiring) will be with us on 9 and 10 July and I hope we’ll be able to introduce her to many people.

REV EDWARD HUXLEY - is not well and is currently off work. Therefore the Bishop & Archdeacon have taken the decision that it is not appropriate to license him at the moment and so this will not now take place on Sunday 13 July. Please keep him and his family in your prayers at this uncertain time.

AREA DEAN - and as he was due to join us, I was asked by Bishop Mike to be the Area Dean for Chippenham – so I have now been made Area Dean and that means I have a much wider role within the anglican churches in this area of 26 parishes from Tytherton Lucas to Marshfield and from Lacock to Grittleton. But I am also still Team Rector of our lovely group of churches!

CONFIRMATION SERVICE - we had a wonderful service in June at St Paul’s and I already have a couple of names of people thinking about being confirmed at the next deanery service on Friday 7 November. Please have a word with me if you are wondering about confirmation yourself as I will need to think about some preparation sessions during the autumn.

FAREWELL TO MARY WOLFE - I am sorry to see you go as you have brought much to the church life in Chippenham – especially in the work with DOORWAY. We are all invited to a farewell service at 3pm at the Salvation Army on Sunday 20 July. I hope Chippenham will be able to give Mary a good send off!
ALL CHANGE AT THE METHODISTS - and also, both the Rev Nicola Slateford and Rev Frieder Kreshnak are leaving the Chippenham circuit this summer – thanks to you both and what you have shared with us – you will be missed!

OPEN TO GOD - we have 2 OtG acts of worship in this period – Sundays 20 July and 17 August – both at 7pm in St Paul’s hall. Please come along and draw closer to God!

TAIZE SERVICE - will take place at St Paul’s on Sunday 24 August at 6.30pm – all welcome!

LEE ABBEY 2008 - an update …our speaker this year, the Rev Paul Bayes (National Mission and Evangelism Adviser for the Church of England) is booked to preach at St Paul’s at 10am on Sunday 7 September.

…AND CALLING TEENAGERS! - for those aged 11-14 years there are still opportunities to sign up for The Beacon. It is a great time of fun away from the adults and children and offers many fun activities at the Lee Abbey weekend.  Jane Bailey has more details!

BRISTOL DIOCESAN COLLECT FOR GROWTH - we are going to use this prayer as the basis for our morning sermon series in the coming quarter.

Gracious God,
grant us the imagination
to see fresh possibilities for growth
and the passion to bring them to birth.

Deepen our commitment to your ways;
expand our partnership in your cause;
increase our influence for your purpose;
and add to the numbers of those who
acclaim you as Lord.

Lead us from the fear of failure
to that confidence which flows from faith
and to lives of fruitfulness and joy.

In the power of your Spirit
help us to create communities of wholeness
with Christ at the centre;
for in his Holy name we ask.
Amen

THEMES & READINGS - and so for July and August these will be the themes & Bible readings

• July 6 - Commitment - Psalm 119:33-48, Acts 2:14-21
• July 13 - Partnership - Psalm 119:49-64, Acts 2:22-36
• July 20 - Influence - Psalm 119:65-80, Acts 2:37-41
• July 27 - Add to the numbers - Psalm 119:81-96, Acts 2:42-47

• Aug 3 - Fear of failure - Psalm 119:97-112, Acts 3:1-10
• Aug 10 - Confidence - Psalm 119:113-128, Acts 3:11-16
• Aug 17 - Power of the Spirit - Psalm 119:129-144, Acts 3:17-26
• Aug 24 - Wholeness - Psalm 119:145-160, Acts 4:23-31
• Aug 31 - His Holy Name - Psalm 119:161-176, Acts 4:32-37

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS - at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are continuing a series LETTER TO THE CHURCHES (Revelation 1-3) and looking at PSALMS OF PRAISE.

• July 2/3 - Pergamum - Revelation 2:12-17
• July 9/10 - Thyatira - Revelation 2:18-29
• July 16/17 - Sardis - Revelation 3:1-6
• July 23/24 - Philadelphia - Revelation 3:7-13
• July 30/31 - Laodicea - Revelation 3:14-22

• Aug 6/7 - The Transfiguration - 2 Peter 1:16-19
• Aug 13/14 - Psalm 148
• Aug 20/21 - Psalm 149
• Aug 27/28 - Psalm 150

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – As I write we are preparing for the Lambeth Conference – perhaps we can use this to pray for all those taking part!

You are the Way
Help us to find new ways of Walking
You are the Truth
Help us to find new ways of Talking
You are the Life
Help us to find new ways of Living
You are Love
Help us to find new ways of Loving
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen

..and I hope you have a lovely summer time of refreshment and relaxation. God bless you!

Simon Tyndall

REV EDWARD HUXLEY - I am delighted that the Rev Edward Huxley has been appointed to our new Team Vicar role (Minister at Large-Missioner-Evangelist). He is currently the Curate at Sea Mills in Bristol and will be licensed on Sunday 13 July and start work with us in August. Edward studied aeronautical engineering at Bristol University before training at Trinity College for ordination. He is married to Rachel and they will live in the house in Garth Close. It will be great to have them with us!

THIS YEAR’S CHURCHWARDENS - I want to thank Neville Hammersley and Cynthia Smith who have both served terms as churchwardens and have stood down this year. A BIG THANK YOU for all you have done and contributed to our church life.

I am very pleased that we have a full team of wardens for the coming year:

• Hardenhuish: Derek Boulton & Debbie Loveday
• Kington St Michael: Pam Tayler & Colin Labouchere
• Langley Burrell: Veronica Kilmister & Sue Gale
• St Paul’s: Judy & Martin Ellett and Michael & Wendy Meilton

(You will note that we have decided to have two couples as wardens at St Paul’s – legally Martin & Michael are the wardens but for all practical purposes we are treating them as a foursome and please feel free to talk to any of them about churchwarden matters – I think this is a great new way forward and should help them to feel well supported. We also have Rachel Collins, Julie Swales and Graham & Helen Pattison as deputy wardens.)

MY RE-LICENSING - took place at the home of the Bishop of Swindon on Thursday 15 May. This gives me a licence for the next 7 years here as Team Rector (until April 2015) … though does not guarantee that I will stay for the whole of that time! As far as I can see God wants me here at this time – all things and timings are in his hand! Bishop Lee was very encouraging and spoke of the parable of the talents in our context and of Jesus saying that “those who have will be given more, and they will have an abundance” (Matthew 13:12a). So, let’s see this as a indication of the way forward for us all!

FAREWELL TO ANJALI, NEIL, NITHILAN & JEYAN - St Paul’s will greatly miss the Kanagaratnam family as they move to Thailand where Neil has a new job. Thank you to them for all they have contributed and to Anjali in the role she has had as SPARKS leader and Reader! Do please pray for them as they make this major move. We look forward to keeping them in our prayers as they are part of the CMS SALT programme.

CONFIRMATION SERVICE - is taking place at St Paul’s on Sunday 8 June at 10am (and replaces our normal morning services). Bishop Lee is coming to confirm 10 candidates from our churches and 6 from St Peter’s Frogwell. So please do come along and take the opportunity to support our candidates and to be reminded of your own confirmation promises (and commitment to Jesus).

ST PAUL’S LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE - at the Annual Meeting we announced that the leaders of our Mission & Vision Groups would be

• Caring For Ourselves - Sam Rushton
• Out Of Parish - Ann Tyndall
• Outreach - Phil Crook
• Resources & Property - Graham Pattison
• Worship & Discipleship - Karin Needham
• Youth & Children - Edward Huxley

and along with the Chair of PCC (Ron Pool), the four Wardens and me this group will form a leadership team that will work with the PCC.

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

What a lovely promise – God is good!

WELCOME TO SAM, PETER, MATTHEW & ADAM! - we are delighted to welcome the new Ministry Officer for the diocese Rev Sam Rushton and her family as they move to Cepen Park North and come to join us in our group of churches. Sam will be licensed in her diocesan post on Monday 9 June at Church House in Bristol (and I will be there as she also receives her license to minister in our Group). Please pray for them as they move in and settle into Chippenham.

SUNDAY JUNE 15 - 7.00pm in St Paul’s hall will be an OPEN TO GOD.

KINGTON ST MICHAEL FETE - takes place on Saturday 14 June between 2.00pm & 4.00pm at Kington Manor. Come along and enjoy a lovely afternoon in a glorious setting and support the work of St Michael’s church.

GOING DEEPER - is for those who would like to think further about our sermon series on HOW TO BE CHURCH (looking at 1 Corinthians 11-14). These open evenings of talk and study are continuing on June 4 and 11 in St Paul’s church hall. Do come along and delve deeper into the Scriptures!

THE VILLAGE HALL ON SUNDAY - takes place on Sunday June 15 from 9.30am in Kington St Michael Village Hall and promises to be (as the previous ones) well-worth coming along to. It is a lovely way to engage with God and each other – to find a different way of worshipping and growing together!

LEE ABBEY 2008 - a date for your diary … we are having our next Lee Abbey weekend 10-12 October 2008. We are very fortunate that our speaker will be the Rev Paul Bayes who is the National Mission and Evangelism Adviser for the Church of England. Please contact Ron & Margaret Pool for more details on the places available. It should be a great weekend and a lovely way to get to know one another and to go deeper into God.

…AND CALLING TEENAGERS! - for those aged 11-14 years there are still opportunities to sign up for The Beacon. It is a great time of fun away from the adults and children and offers many fun activities at the Lee Abbey weekend. Jane Bailey has more details!

BRISTOL DIOCESAN COLLECT FOR GROWTH - we are going to use this prayer as the basis for our morning sermon series in the coming quarter.

Gracious God,
grant us the imagination
to see fresh possibilities for growth
and the passion to bring them to birth.

Deepen our commitment to your ways;
expand our partnership in your cause;
increase our influence for your purpose;
and add to the numbers of those who
acclaim you as Lord.

Lead us from the fear of failure
to that confidence which flows from faith
and to lives of fruitfulness and joy.

In the power of your Spirit
help us to create communities of wholeness
with Christ at the centre;
for in his Holy name we ask.

Amen

THEMES & READINGS - and so for June these will be the themes & Bible readings

• June 1 - Good Foundations - Matthew 7:21-29
• June 8 - Confirmation Service
• June 15 - Gracious God - Psalm 119:1-8, Acts 1:1-11
• June 22 - Imagination - Psalm 119:9-16, Acts 1:12-26
• June 29 - Passion - Psalm 119:17-32, Acts 2:1-13

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS - at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are starting a series LETTER TO THE CHURCHES (Revelation 1-3)

• June 4/5 - Greetings - Revelation 1:1-8
• June 11/12 - John’s Vision - Revelation 1:9-20
• June 18/19 - Ephesus - Revelation 2:1-7
• June 25/26 - Smyrna - Revelation 2:8-11

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – As I write with terrible problems in Burma, China, Zimbabwe & Lebanon, I have chosen this prayer from Christian Aid which challenges our commitment to the plight of others.

God of the rushing wind,
sweep through my indifference.
God of the fiery flames,
ignite my compassion.
God of the many voices,
open my mouth to speak out against injustice.
That through your Spirit
and my actions
this world may be transformed.
Amen

Simon Tyndall

Simon talks about “How to be church” and about toungues and prophecy. The reading comes from 1 Corinthians 14:1-12

 

 18th May 2008 Simon Tyndall [16:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Band of Brothers Christian Vision for Men Annual Conference is this year being held at 2 locations, Cefn Lea in Wales on 11th-13th July and on board the Fred Olsen Cruise Liner “Black Prince” sailing from Liverpool between 10th & 12th October. If you are interested in getting fired up, getting  spiritually equipped and learning more about Jesus, then down tools for 48 hours and join either 200 men in Wales or 400 aboard ship, come and have plenty of food, plenty of banter, great teaching, a  space to chill out and a real possibility that your life will be changed forever!

Karin brings the sermon on Pentecost.

 

 11th May 2008 Karin Needham [17:20m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Simon continues the series of sermons on “How to be church”. Simon asks the question “Do you come to church or are you the church?” The reading is from 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

 

 27th April 2008 Simon Tyndall [24:25m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download