New RotaThank you to all who have replied following the publication of the updated draft rota, a few changes have been made to the final version which has now been emailed and will be posted in church. Please let Paul Morris know of any swaps so we can maintain the electronic copy.A farewell gift for Bishop Viv - Message from Bishop NeilDear sisters and brothers in Christ. On Saturday 30 August 2025 we will say farewell to Bishop Viv at a special afternoon service in Bristol Cathedral. Further details about this gathering will follow. I know, from my visits around our diocese, that +Viv’s episcopal leadership and ministry during these last seven years have been appreciated far and wide. Churches and individuals may want to contribute to a thank you and farewell gift to Bishop Viv and her husband Michael. This gift will express our gratitude for all that they have been to us and all they have shared with us. If you would like to contribute to their farewell gift, you can do so via this Collection pot link: https://email.bristoldiocese.org/c/AQiX2hUQjb5fGLjG5DQgo9-TCAX6jBZd9xfhb_X4lkMGihIyA1pnNZnn1iEaW8xZa1RK. If you want to send a card with a personal message, please post it to my office in Swindon (Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Bishop of Swindon, Mark House, Field Rise, Swindon, SN1 4HP) by 15 August 2025 and we will collate them. I look forward to seeing you in our Cathedral to bid a heartfelt farewell to +Viv. With every blessing Fundraising Concert Saturday 5th July - Raffle Prizes please!Don’t forget to buy a ticket for the concert in two weeks time! Donations of raffle prizes will still be gratefully received by Helen.
PCC Meeting & Church Committees/GroupsThe next PCC meeting is on Wednesday 25th June. If you have any issues you want to raise please speak with a PCC Member. We will also be looking at the committees we need to support the PCC, such as a Reordering Project Committee and an ECO Church Committee. These groups will meet to drive the initiatives of St Leonard’s forwards in a significant year of change. If you are interested in joining a committee please speak with Paul Morris. Eco-Church Tip for July: Embrace Nature's Classroom!Be encouraged to spend time outdoors this summer and reflect on God's creation. Take a nature walk in the village or churchyard, focusing on identifying plants, birds, or insects. Use your time outside for prayer or reflection on creation as you connect your faith with environmental awareness and appreciation for the natural world around us.Fundraising Concert Saturday 5th July - Razzle Prizes please!Don’t forget to buy a ticket for the concert next month! Donations of raffle prizes will still be gratefully received by Helen.Diocese of Bristol Church Teams Day - Save the Date!Saturday 27 September, Pattern Church Swindon.A chance for us all to come together for learning and collaboration and to explore ways of serving our congregations and the wider community. There will be worship, food and refreshments, as well as opportunities for creative thinking to take back to your parish from a range of workshops on a variety of themes, such as: fundraising, buildings and culture change in your context! Invites to follow soon.
New PCCAt last week’s APCM the leadership of St Leonard’s was (re)elected. For the coming year your PCC supporting Phil is:Churchwardens - Helen Griffiths & Paul Morris (joint Treasurers)Deanery Synod Reps - Sandra Goodey & Janet ForresterPCC members - Rachel Saunders (PCC Secretary), Karen Jankinson (PCC Clerk, Safeguarding & Electoral Roll), Paul Medlock, Barbara Carlson, Hilary Stokes, Kathryn Dack.Curate Andy Bissex (joining in July).Please pray for your PCC as they lead us through 2025. Also note that we intend to hold the APCM earlier in the year in 2026 to report on the activities and status of 2025, possibly in late February.New RotaThe new service rota is being prepared for the second half of 2025. Thank you to all who have served so far this year. We do need more people on the rota for sidespeople, readings, prayers, sound desk, and coffee. There is support for all activities so why not become more involved with the services. Please talk with Paul Morris if you are interested but unsure!Highworth Link Magazine - SortingSt. Leonard's are scheduled to sort the magazine next month on Friday 27th June from 9am for an hour or so. We need a team of four people at Northview Community Centre on that morning, counting the magazines and sorting into delivery boxes, no really heavy lifting. Karen is going and can offer a lift to others. If you can help please let Karen know.Reordering Project UpdateWe have now been issued with the DAC’s Notification of Advice and as such the final steps can now be completed before the application is sent to the Chancellor. This involves completing the Petition for the application and then we will obtain the public notice to display for 28 days before the Chancellor considers our application. Another great step forwards, we hope to have a decision by the end of July and remain confident of a positive outcome.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)The APCM for our church year of 2024 is being held after Breakfast Church and will start at 10.30am. Please join us to hear the report for 2024, what we will be looking to in 2025, and to elect the leadership team for St Leonard’s.Monday PrayersThere will be no Monday Prayers this week on 26th May as it is Spring Bank Holiday. The next Monday Prayer meeting will be on Monday 9th June at 10am in church.Fundraising Concert - Razzle Prizes please!Our fundraising concert will be on Saturday 5th July at 7.30pm in church. Tickets on sale £10 to include a free drink are now available from Helen or the Village Shop, cash only please. We are planning to hold a raffle at the event to raise funds, any donations of prizes will be gratefully received by Helen.Eco Church UpdateWe are still working towards the Eco Church Bronze Award as we look to be a more environmentally friendly church and develop ways of caring for God’s creation. The areas of focus are worship & teaching, buildings & energy, land & nature, Community and Global Engagement and lifestyle. As we progress this further information will be shared. If anyone would like to be involved with the St Leonard’s Eco Group please speak with Paul Morris.
