Page 22 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • February 1996
22
Churches respond to evangelical message

There are exciting signs of growth in West Swindon' churches according to the Revd Rob Buries, Vicar
of St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze, responding to a report published in January by the Church of England's
Board of Mission marking the halfway point in the Decade of Evangelism. Susan White writes:
The report claims that churches Short, mid-week meetings,
Re-wiring, Showers
have responded positively to the called Pram Services or First Steps
' Extra sockets Decade, an initiative launched in have been started for pre-school
4 Security Lighting 1991 to encourage more outreach children and their parents. "They
Affordable Prices to the local community. Although are proving very popular and now
this national trend is by no means take place in all our churches: St
' No Call Out Fee
universal, it is certainly reflected Mary's, Lydiard Tregoze (in
First Class Work in the ecumenical parish of West Lydiard Park), All Saints at
by Qualified Engineer Swindon. Overall, church attend- Lydiard Millicent, Holy Trinity at
ance has been increasing and the Shaw, Toothill Church and Westlea
Phone Lee parish has become more involved Church," says Rob.
on Swindon 763177 in social action projects. New opportunities have been
Rob Buries identified several created for people to look, or re-
new projects set up locally since look, at the basics of the Christian
the beginning of the Decade. faith through small group meet-
ings in homes. "These have had a Rev. Rob Burle with Rev Michael Doe,
the Bishop of Swindon, at last July's
significant impact," said Rob. "Many flower festival at St Mary's
Al HOME people have become Christians."
There has also been a consider- we can help them find friendship
able increase in the number of uni- and a sense of belonging."
IMPROVEMENTS formed organisations: Guides, For more information about
Brownies, Rainbows, and Boys' these and other activities contact
and Girls' Brigades. Demand is your local church or ring Rob
such that youngsters usually have Buries on 870244.
Now Available to go on a waiting list. Women's World Day of
There are more services in all
Interest Free C redit* churches, particularly at Christmas Prayer Service
and Easter, and St Mary's will soon Freshbrook Church
introduce a second main service Friday 1st March, 7.30pm
on Sunday mornings owing to the Speaker - Jan Partridge.
increase in attendance. The service is planned by the
"The Decade of Evangelism has women of Haiti on the theme of
coincided with the completion of God calls us to respond'
West Swindon and helped us think All are welcome - not only women.
about the need to be more user- Refreshments served afterwards
friendly," said Rob. "People new Please phone Tina Buries on
to the area often feel isolated, but 870244 for more details

Crime Victims need support
In a move to help victims of crime in the Thamesdown area, Victim
Support Wiltshire is holding its next training course for new volun-
teers in Swindon, for the first time.
Explaining the decision, county crime at home, and providing in-
co-ordinator Mike Thom said, "in formation and support as required,
some parts of the county we have to help reduce the effects of crime.
a waiting list of people wanting to To find our more, call Mike
Unit 72 Quality Kitchens to join us, but in Thamesdown we Thom on 01380 729476, or write to
and Bathrooms currently need a few more volun- Victim Support Wiltshire, Wynd-
Pembroke Centre teers. Several people have already hams, St Joseph's Place, Devizes.
from a company applied, but we will welcome in-
Winter Blues
Cheney Manor big enough terested people from all sections of getting you down?
the community. For this confiden-
Swindon to cope, tial service, people do not need
particular qualifications or experi- Many people find the dull winter
small enough ence so much as a willingness to weather utterly depressing. The
(01793) 434440 to care listen and be supportive, and the gloom and lack of natural
ability to provide clear accurate sunlight can have a profound
(day) 'Example (subject to status): information. effect on the mind. January has
36 months interest free credit. He said that volunteers are most just been grey, grey and grey.
(01793) 420379 Cash price for kitchen £3000. frequently asked to support vic- Indoor lighting which
10% minimum deposit £300. tims of burglary. "As well as the reproduces the full spectrum of
(eve.) Balance £2700. annoyance and distress of the loss light rays can relieve the
Monthly payments over of the stolen property, and the need symptoms known as SAD
Fax(01793)434440 36 months 0% APR £75 to repair damaged doors or win- (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
dows, people often feel a sense of Great Western Cameras in
Interest free credit also available personal violation, an invasion of Swindon's Brunel Centre have
privacy, and deep insecurity." just started to display information
on bathrooms, extensions, central heating,
The training course, starting in and equipment about natural
appliances and replacement doors March, prepares volunteers for lighting. if you are affected, a
visiting or telephoning victims of visit could be helpful.