Page 8 - link magazine

The Link Magazine • September 2003
Haydon Church welcomes new minister
Rev Andrew Francis was inducted as the new minister at Emmanuel United Reformed Church tucked away off High Street, Haydon Wick
in early June in front of a packed congregation, gathered from as far afield as Kent and Yorkshire.
Andrew comes to Swindon after where Christians of all domina- and to grow vegetables," he said.
an unpaid sabbatical year spent in tions can reflect. This has not been the only for-
France where he oversaw the con- "Not only was the work itself eign adventure in his service to the
version of a barn into a self-cater- rewarding, but it was a valuable church however. In his previous
ing retreat near the Dordogne, opportunity to study and pray - ministry, in Kent, in addition to
his duties as parish minister and
trainer of lay persons, he contin-
St Francis overlooks school playground ued taking groups abroad, and has
A sculpture depicting St Francis of Assisi designed by children at visited 14 countries.
Oliver Tomkins Junior School, Toothill and made by local artist "I am now looking forward to
Gordon Dickinson from No Added Sugar was unveiled in July. putting my efforts into the role of
Art coordinator Erika Van 'full time' minister, working with
Huffel said St Francis is an inspi- the community and visiting and
ration to everybody. "He was a helping people," said Andrew.
poor little man who astounded "I well be as available as I can to
and inspired the Church by tak- parishioners, the congregation and
ing the gospel literally - not in a their families and help them un-
narrow fundamentalist sense, but derstand Jesus."
by actually following all that Je- Andrew is married to Patricia
sus said and did, joyfully, with- and has two grown up sons. He working in Swindon. "We are very
out limit and without a mite of enjoys music and has a great inter- appreciative of the welcome given
self-importance. est in church history and, unusu- to us by the local community. Our
"He loved all creation and it ally, the history of zoos. first impressions are very favour-
was said that his faith allowed During his 20 years in the minis- able - Swindonians are exception-
him to communicate with all try, he has published an Everyman ally helpful."
God's creatures. The best known Guide to Church History and has He does in fact have family con-
story of St Francis is when he was been involved with broadcasting nections with the town. His great
able to make a peace pact be- as producer, presenter and also a grandfather, a travelling evange-
tween a wolf terrorising a town if Gordon with his sculpture being ad- panelist for local radio. list, helped found the Church of
the people agreed to feed it. mired by Ashton Melhado, Natasha Much as he enjoyed his stay in Christ chapel in Broad Street.
"Gordon has made a wolf at Welsh, front left, Amber Thomas France, Andrew looks forward to Andrew can be contacted at the
the base of his sculpture whilst Emmanuel Manse next to the
the hands are formed so that birds Welcoming figure passes on church in High Street, or call
can eat seeds from the palms." 705484.
West Swindon's first ever church community worker Olive King has
died aged 82.
SWINDON She was well plans for building
known to residents of Toothill Church.
FAMILY Toothill and Fresh- David Hoar, one
brook who arrived of the first residents o ^F,` angel.
CHURCH between 1976 and of Toothill and a
Worsley Road ?f
1980, welcoming founder member of
SUNDAYS 10.30AM them to their new the church said, "Ol-
homes, and dispens- ive made an impor-
WINNER'S LOUNGE ing cups of tea at the tant contribution to m m
=a
SWINDON TOWN FC toddler group and the development of building with people
building
church services and in both the church and Come and join us
For details visit our website the temporary community hut. the West Swindon community. Sunday at I Oam & 6.30pm
at www.sfc-uk.org, Olive made many trips to PMH "She always gave people a lot of For further information of
call Nigel on 526130 with pregnant mums and also used encouragement to see the brighter other meetings ring: 873050, call
or e-mail: her car as a shop and an office where side of life, particularly in the early into the Church office or visit
www.freshbrook.org
[email protected] she would type letters for people. days when the area was cut off Jesus said: "I have come that YOU might
A Newfrontiers Church She was involved in the early from the rest of the town." have LIFE and have it in its fulness"

West Swindon & the

Lydiards churches
Sunday Worship 10.30am
\ Sunday School and Creche
All Saints', Lydiard Millicent Meeting at Greenmeadow Primary School
G,eenmeadow
Holy Trinity, Shaw NS B C Primary School
St Mary's, Lydiard Tregoze
Toothill Church; Westlea Church
Daft Avenue
For details of our weekly
'For God loved the world services please contact the MI—h Rd 0 84006
so much that He gave
His only Son.' John 3:16 Partnership Office on 874221