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46   swindonlink.com • October 2008

              We believe that Jesus Christ is able   Gateway - new name on the church door
             to forgive our past, give meaning to   Swindon Family Church, which began almost 16 years ago with just a handful of people meeting in a hired
             the present and hope for the future  room in the Link Centre, is changing its name to – Gateway Church Swindon. Church leader Mark Thornett,
                                        below, explains.
                                          The  new  name  for  the  church,  himself as The Gate.
                                        which moved into its own prem-  The  new  name  was  made
                                        ises in Westlea two years ago and  offi cial on 21 September, when
                                        now regularly has over 200 people  the church held a celebration
                                        attending,  is  to  refl ect  what  they  service which was followed by
                                        believe  God  has  said  to  them  a hog roast and desserts from
                Sunday services are at                    y services are at                    y services are at
                Sunda
                Sunda                   about the vision and direction of  around the world.
                   10am & 6.30pm        the church.                  Increasingly  a  wonderful
               For further information you can   A gateway is a place of transition,  variety of people are coming
                either ring (01793) 873050;   of discovery and hope. It is often  to us from all sorts of different
                e-mail: offi [email protected]                     [email protected]
                e-mail: offi
                e-mail: offi [email protected]                     a meeting place, a sending place,  places. We already have South
                or visit: www.freshbook.org                    as  well  as  a  receiving  place,  and  Africans,  Germans,  French,
                or visit: www.freshbook.org                   .freshbook.org
                or visit: www
             “the gift of God is Eternal Life” (Romans 6 v23)  of  course  Jesus  Christ  described  Zimbabweans, Nigerians, In-
                                                                   dians and Chinese as well as
                                                                   people from the Caribbean in
                                                                   our congregation, and in time
                                                                   we hope there will be others.
                                                                     With  the  name  Swindon
                                                                   Family Church, we have once
                                  Join us in worship on Sunday mornings  or  twice  been  asked  if  the
                                       Westlea Church, Westlea School: 10am  church is just for families, or if
                           St Mary’s, Lydiard Tregoze - the church in the park: 10am  anyone can come. A gateway
                        All Saints’, Lydiard Millicent - the church in the village: 10.30am  can be used by anyone, and we
                                                                   want to display God’s passion
                                              Holy Trinity, Shaw: 10.30am  for all people by giving as good a  people in the world.
                                                Toothill Church: 10.30am  welcome as we can to people of all   On  its  own,  a  change  of  name
                                     For details of these and our other services                                                       ages, cultures and backgrounds.   doesn’t make a whole lot of differ-
                                         call the Partnership Offi  ce on 874221  In its 16 year history the church  ence. But we are really excited about
                                    Email: partnershipoffi  [email protected]   has  also  been  involved  in  send-  the future. If we follow what God
                                www.wswinlyd.org.uk                ing  and  supporting  individuals  tells us, we believe we will continue
                                                                   and teams to such places as East  to grow both as individuals and as a
                                                                   Africa, Southern Africa and South  community of people. Together we
                Anglican • Baptist • Methodist • United Reformed Church  America, as well as other parts of  will form a gateway of discovery
                                                                   the world.                  and  hope  where  people  are  wel-
                                                                     Most recently a member of the  comed, mobilized and sent out.
                                          On Thames Avenue         congregation  has  been  spending   Details on the church’s activities
                                          next door to             extended periods of time in Zim-  can  be  found  at:  www.gateway-
                                          Morrisons                babwe, helping to develop health,  churchswindon.org.uk
                                                                   education  and  farming  projects
                                                                                                See  the  advertisement  below
                                          Contact:                 among some of the most economi-  left  or  call  the  Church  Offi ce  on
                                          Revd Raymond Adams       cally challenged and marginalised  526130.
                                          Tel: 634258
                                                                      Don’t let the kids get bored in half term
                   St. John’s Haydon Wick                          The Dino Detectives holiday club run by North Swindon Baptist Church
                               Sunday Services                     will offer exciting free activities such as crafts, games, puppets, Bible
                     9am     Traditional communion service         stories and competitions.
                                                                   The club for children aged 5 to 11 years will meet between 27 and 31
                     11am   Eventful, contemporary worship         October, from 10am to 12.15pm, and Friday 31 October from 7pm to
                             with children’s groups meeting        8pm, at Abbey Meads Primary School.
                          www.stjohnshaydonwick.org.uk               Places are limited and can be booked by calling Jackie Mitchell on
                                                                   341743.




                                            Midweek Babies &
              Alpha                         Toddlers Group (Wed)                                 Sunday Worship 10.30am
                                                                                               Sunday School and Creche
                                            Alpha Courses                                           Meeting at Abbey Meads
                                                                                                        Community School
                                             Midweek Small Groups in
                                             Homes across the town

              Join us, Sundays   Kids Church & Ignite 11-18’s Youth Work
              from 10:30am at
              the Trinity Centre,   For more information call the church
              Stonehill Green,       office on 01793 526130 or visit
              Westlea, for a time   www.gatewaychurchswindon.org.uk
              of family worship &
              bible teaching




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