Page 18 - link magazine

18 IN CHURCH
New faces in church as team leader moves on Church in bloom

The church in West Swindon is St Mary's Church in Lydiard Park
being turned over! blossomed during the three day an-
By mid-Octber, all the vacant po- nual flower festival in early July,
sitions in the West Swindon ecu- this year complemented by a Satur-
menical team will have been filled day afternoon fete.
with new ministers, getting to know Each flower display designed by
each other and beginning to deliver Roy and Heather Weaverillustrated
a joint service to the community. The Life of Moses and there were
This month Peterand Ruth Walker tableaus made by the St Mary's
arrive to live and minister to the youth group, Oliver Tomkins and
Westlea area. In September George Tregoze Schools.
Gibson becomes Free Church min- The proceeds from the festival will
ister based at Toothill Church, and go towards the £15,000 needed for
Andrew Hethrington, takes up post structural repairs on the chair.
as the new Anglican team leader -
based a tHoly Trinity Church,Shaw. RevRob Burles helps toget things ready
After eleven years, the present John and Jean Flory, off to rural parts withJanet Dugan, leaderoftheStMary's
Anglican team leader Rev. John flower Guild
Flory, departs West Swindon for a "I spent a lot of time in those early because it's the thing to do, rather
rural parish near Corsham on 8 Sep- days visiting show homes and con- than on the basis of belief. But if we
tember, sad to make his farewells, tacting incoming Christians who don't have a moral under-pinning
butpleased to leave the churchready could see no obvious Church pres- in society based on the Bible's mes-
to deliver to a much more mature ence and were making for the near- sage, what do we believe in and
community compared to when he est spire in the town. what determines right and wrong
started in West Swindon. "I was impressed by the behaviour?"
"It's only when I look back that I Thamesdown Council's community For some, appointing three new
realise the enormous changes the development efforts. Ourvision was ministers could be an upset to the
area has gone through," said John. to try and give the area some soul. continuity of local church life, but
There were no new houses north of Society has seen so many changes the disruption and the opportunity
Shaw Ridge, none of Grange Park, since the early 1980s and people for a new start pleases John.
and the ministers team consisted of have been under so much pressure, "The church in West Swindon has
two Anglicans, one Baptist, and a especially in West Swindon where concentrated on a developing com-
part time Methodist, sharingToothffl they have been setting up home, munity. Now we've also been able
Church with Roman Catholics. often at a distance from family and to rearrange staff appointments to
friends. fit the needs of a mature area. I'm
'The 1980s values of individual- delighted that we have been able to
ism have failed many people and appoint Peter and Ruth to Westlea
NO MORE we have seen larger congregations Church and my successor as Angli-
since the recession started in 1989 as can team leader and rector will be
PAINTING families have turned to the church based at Shaw, the largest worship New Westlea Vicar
for supportand to discover the Chris- centre, rather than out in a village.
introduces himself
Maintenance Free tian message." Rob Buries, who has been here for a
However John is concerned by couple of years, will continue to serve Westlea and Eastleaze have never
uPVC Fascia Boards how society is disregarding Chris- Freshbrook and Grange Park from had their own vicar before, so am
Cladding and Guttering tian teachings and guidance. St Mary's in Lydiard Park delighted to be their firstTeam Vicar.
"I have particularly enjoyed my "1 have really enjoyed the chal- I am the Revd Peter Walker and
Expert fitting at DIY prices governor's role at Oliver Tomkins lenge of working with so many oth- with my wife Ruth and our daugh-
Buy direct from the fitters Church Aided School where clear ers to establish a community of faith ter Joanna (5 months) we have just
and save £Ws guidance is being given. Christians within the wider community here. moved from Bradford. Unusaily,
offer a very positive contribution to The task for the new team will be to both Ruth and lare ordained, and in
The Fitting Crew how we relate to each other, but so enable the local Church to share the the next few months Ruth will also
many people regard the Church as a good news of God's love, and in his be starting work here.
For a FREE quote
kind of folk tradition. Some people name to provide fellowship and In West Swindon and the
Tel: 827494 anytime expect to have children christened support that people need." Lydiards, christians from different
denominations work together- Bap-
tist, Church of England, Methodists
and members of the United Re-
R.T. Farley RON AHRENS formed Church. In the past my
colleague, the Revd John Flory, has
BUILDER
Landscape Gardener looked after the Church that meets
in West Swindon DECORATOR every Sunday in Westlea School, he
has done this in addition to other
20 years experience. Specialising in all aspects responsibilities. Now lam pleased
Turfing, Paving, of high quality building to build upon his good work I hope
to be able to meet many people in
work especially decorating,
Fencing, Pergolas, this area of West Swindon and if
carpentry & plastering. there are ways in which I can help
Planting New please do not hesitate to ask. Above
All work guaranteed.
Gardens, Rockery all, I do not regard myself as a spe-
No job too small.
Construction, Free estimates cial person just because I wear a
dog-collar. I am one christian among
Crazy Paving etc. many in this church, but I do have a
Telephone: 692134
Tel: 875174 (West Swindon) special responsibility- to teach about
Peter, Ruth and Joanna Walker Jesus Christ.