Page 46 - link magazine

46 The Link Magazine • October 2001
BC The person who changed AD SWINDON Deaconess leaves for new pastures
Histo ry is changing Maureen Spinks was sent to Abbey Meads in 1996 to establish a
peoples lives Today FAMILY CHURCH
o ^Evange f1c SUNDAYS 10.30AM unity. Before leaving for Gloucester she talked to Alan Bushell
y S p Worsley Road d^^^ Causing the lights Methodist (her
THE WINNERS LOUNGE to fuse at a carol faith), Baptist (her
SWINDON TOWN F.C. service is an em- successor's faith),
(z m cc m= barrassing remi- the United Re-
PINEHURST PEOPLE'S CENTREI niscence for Dea- form Church and
budding with people
coness Maureen the Church of
Come and join us NOW... WE ARE BACK ON THE Spinks who left England.
Sunday at 10am & 6.30pm
FIRST SUNDAY OF THE Abbey Meads in There have also
For further information of
other meetings ring: 873050, call MONTH AT LINK CENTRE September after been disappoint-
five years' service.
ments, particu-
into the Church office or visit For more information, inclu. mid-
www.freshbrook.org week activities, call Brian on 849731 Otherwise, she larly in the provi-
Jesus said: "I have come that YOU might in association with has only fond sion of acceptable
NEW FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL memories of her secondary educa-
have LIFE and have it in its fulness"
time spent in the tion. She sympa-
area and, as she be- Maureen at the opening of thises with those
gins a new task in Christ the Servant in June parents who feel
Gloucester, she is it necessary to
OCAL CHURCHES particularly conscious of the expe- transport their children out of the
rience she has gained. area, but is concerned about the
All Saints' Lydiard Millicent - 10:30am fr From the outset, her role was to effect this may have on the stabil-
Revd Peter Knight: 772417 (for the Village & Roughmoor) a be the focal point of the Church ity of the local community.
and to help the development of She also regrets that the com-
Holy Trinity Shaw -10:30am: (the Church is at Shaw Village o I
Centre): 874221 z -` community initiatives. It was cru- munity facilities at Abbey Meads
cial, she feels, that there were peo- School are inadequate and the re-
St Mary's Lydiard Tregoze - 10:00am ple available with the time to fa- sult from unsatisfactory consulta-
Revd Ann Mackenzie: 870244 a n
cilitate the growth of communi ty tion by Swindon Council. But she
Toothill Church - 10:45am Revd Mark Roper: 692620 spirit and she will always be ap- is pleased that the new church
(also Free Church minister for the parish) e o a preciative of the support in those building is, to an extent, able to
W
Westlea Church - 10: 00am Revd Peter Knight: 772417 early days from the likes of PC compensate, by providing space
(this Church meets in Westlea School Hall, Langstone Way) Roger Guy and community worker for some local groups. The choice
Ros Deakin. The supply of infor- of name - Church of Christ the
The Parish of West Swindon and the Lydiards mation was also vitally important Servant - emphasises its role in
Baptist • Church of England • Methodist • United Reformed Church for this spirit to flourish and she serving the community.
acknowledges the part played by In Swindon, her efforts were fo-
Abbey Chat newsletter and The Link. cused largely on a single commu-
Maureen's happiest memories nity. In Gloucester she will be in-
revolve around the willingness of volved with three established com-
local people, both within the com- munities, bringing fresh chal-
munity and the church, to experi- lenges. If she has a concern for
ment and to be flexible. "It was North Swindon it is that as the
fantastic to be part of local net- area matures and its initial needs
works and see these develop," she are met, individuals will have less
said. "It was particularly satisfy- inclination to devote time to com-
ing to be able to move onto new munity work.
initiatives, knowing that estab- Maureen will look back at her
lished activities were left safely in time in North Swindon as a very
the hands of local people." important learning experience, al-
Equally satisfying was the posi- ways with new issues to be ad-
tive attitudes of those involved in dressed and new ways of resolv-
the ecumenical organisation of ing them to be worked out.
church matters, with a strong rela-
tionship established between Continued opposite

We have a number of properties throughout S Greenmeadow We are
N C
the Swindon area, providing accommodation Primary School N here!
for a comfortable yet independent retirement.
Please call us for further details on
01672 515622
North Swindon aptist Church
James Butcher
Housing Association
Sunday Worship 10.30am :
Providing accommodation throughout the central and south of England. - Sunday School & Creche- Web: http:/ nsbc.orc uk,
A chanty, incorporated as an Industrial and Provident Society No. 16602 R.
Pastor Dennis Weaver TEL: (01793) 345051