Page 41 - link magazine

See us on the net @ www.i-way.co.uk/-swindonlink The Link Magazine • January 1998 41
New vicar for oldest church Freshbrook

On 21 Janua ry, the congregation of St Ma ry's Church in Lydiard Park welcomes a new team vicar. Evangelical
So what will she be like? Here are a few answers from the vicar herself. Church `
Name: Ann MacKenzie (pictured) ting to know people and places Worsley Road
Age: 43 years 'further west'. There must be some-
Status: Happily single thing that attracts me to New Will give YOU a warm
Towns. welcome
Birth place: Sturry, a village on the
outskirts of Canterbury, Kent • Rev. Ann MacKenzie will be in- Sunday loam Family Praise
ducted as team vicar on Wednes- with children's Covenanter
Before becoming a clergy person, I day 21 January, 7.30pm at St Mary's Movement & creche
was a teacher at a school in
Winscombe, Somerset. Besides 6.30pm Evening Worship and
teaching science subjects, I was a Send a cow Communion
residenthousemistress. When God For details of mid-week
called me to train to be a vicar, I from Swindon meetings, house groups and
chose a college in Bristol and spent other activities, telephone the
two years studying. It was a great way to learn the The Church of Christ the Se rvant
In 1985 I went as a curate to my ropes of being a vicar. in Abbey Meads receives a visit
first church in Normanton, West In 1990, I moved to Bletchley, by Theo Tesfye from Ethiopia to
Yorkshire. I arrived there just at near Milton Keynes. Lots more talk about project development
the end of the miner's strike which people were coming into the and the spread of Christianity on
had hit the townsfolk very hard in church, and so I was responsible Tuesday 6 January.
all sorts of ways, not least finan- for starting a new one in a school. Deaconess Maureen Spinks said
cially. What was such a thrill was Suffering and illness are always a the illustrated talk will be part of "Thy heart is My home;
to see how as a church we could concern to people, and one of my the 'Send a Cow' project. sanctify it for
reach out to the community and particular jobs has been helping to "There has been a lot of church My descent"
try to help them get through this develop the healing prayer group. growth in Ethiopia since the war a The Baha'i faith is the
tough time. It was amazing to see I am sorry to be leaving church few years ago and the ministry has ,cond most widespread religio
just how God wanted to show his friends there, but very pleased that difficulty keeping up with the in the world and is working
love and care to so many people God has called me to move to West need," said Maureen. "The church towards universal peace
during this time. Swindon and look forward to get- in Abbey Meads is also growing, and harmony
but the experience is very differ-
ent. There are new reports from For more information,
Ethiopia of more conflict and contact the Swindon Baha'is
Muslim's mark miracle Christians again being persecuted. Community on 01793 421615
The evening should be very inter- or 01793 872853
Swindon's Jamia Mohammadia held the annual celebration of Mehraj
Un Nabi (SAW) at Greendown School's community suite on 13 esting to find out how people are
December. rebuilding lives after troubled
times, and also to find out how SWINDON
Secretary of the Jamia Mohamm- remember the time when the they are rebuilding their faith."
adia Mohammad, Salis Khan said Prophet Mohammed, peace be Send A Cow director Peter Reed FAMILY CHURCH
the occasion marked the ascension upon him, went to heaven to see will also talk about efforts by Brit-
to heaven by the Prophet God's good works and to meet ish farmers to improve cattle stock Live with integrity
Mohammad. "TheMehraj UnNabi God. It is one the highest miracles." in Ethiopia. "We now send money Love wholeheartedly
is one of the most important events Islamic scholars spoke about to buy stock to help improve milk Trust God in all things
in our faith," said Mr Khan. "We this important occasion in Arabic, and meat production," said Peter.
Urdu and English and young mem- "Theo has an extraordinary story. SUNDAYS AT THE
bers of the Jamia Mohamm- He was imprisoned by the Com- LINK CENTRE
adia read from the holy scriptures munists when he was 15 because (Community Suite)
and sang religious songs. of his Christian beliefs and de- 10.30am
Left: Mohammad Salis Khan with scribes some incredible situations.
young members of Jamia Mohamm- He is now a leader in his church." All ages of children & teens cared for
adia, centre Ali Khan, from left, Addul The Send a Cow meeting takes Information: Call Brian
Ghaffar, Atiff Ghafar, Haroon Khan place in Abbey Meads community at the Church Office: 849731
centre on Elstree Way at 8pm in association with
Arabic classes: Mr Khan runs where a collection will be taken. NEW FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL
Arabic classes for young people
aged 4 to 18 years at Greendown
School on Tuesday and Wednes-
day from 6.15pm to 7.30pm.
For details, call 881262. t LOCAL CHURCHES'

All Saints' Lydiard Millicent - 10:30am Revd Peter Knight
F F + l M 772417 (for the Village and Roughmoor)
L r^l r Cl A11 rI JI I 3r^t Holy Trinity Shaw-10:30am RevdAndrew Hetherington 770568 a o
Established 1982 (the Church is at Shaw Village Centre) z ^°
h_iu
From a small fuse to a complete house rewire St Ma ry's Lydiard Tregoze - 9:00am, 10:30am J
Until Ann McKenzie arrives, please contact Andrew Hethrington a
From a dripping tap to full bathroom installation
Toothill Church - 10:45am Revd Jan Pa rtridge 534992
® Fully insured • Institute of Plumbing registered • J.I.B. Electrical (also Free Church minister for the parish) ^ o
° -
W
SHOWER SPECIALISTS , Westlea Church -10:00am Revd Peter Walker 872932
^^.7fJ (this Church meets in Westlea School Hall, Langstone Way)
•,
•
The Parish of West Swindon and the Lydiards
Tel: Swindon 874240 • 24 hour answering Baptist • Church of England • Methodist • United Reformed Church
11 Chevalier Close, Middleleaze, Swindon