Christ Church Swindon Strikes Gold for Creation Care 🌿✨We are thrilled to announce that Christ Church Swindon has been awarded the A Rocha UK Eco Church Gold Award – the highest level of recognition for a church’s commitment to caring for God’s creation.This award is given only after a thorough and rigorous assessment across five key areas: worship and teaching, management of church buildings, management of church land, community and global engagement, and lifestyle. Achieving Gold in each area means that creation care is truly embedded in the life of our church – not just in what we say, but in what we do.Christ Church is now one of only 111 churches across the UK to receive the Gold Award, the third in the Diocese of Bristol, and the first in Swindon. The assessment team described us as “a beacon Christian community, inspiring other churches to make a similar journey in their own context.”A team effort, years in the makingThis success is the result of years of vision, prayer, and action from many people. Our dedicated Eco Team, led by Anne Grainger, has been at the heart of this work – coordinating projects, inspiring the congregation, and keeping us moving forward.Anne said:“We are very happy to receive this award as it shows we are moving in the right direction; this is not the finish line but a milestone on our journey to help protect the earth for future generations, and to inspire others to do the same.”We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the many local eco and wildlife organisations who have supported and partnered with us throughout this journey. Their expertise, encouragement, and collaboration have been invaluable in helping us achieve this milestone. We look forward to continuing these strong partnerships as we work together in our community to care for God’s creation.We also recognise with gratitude the contribution of many others over the years – including creation care pioneers such as Owen Barraclough and Margaret Williams, as well as the leadership of Phil Mansfield as our previous PCC Chair. We thank God for the inspiration of Martin Palmer, and for the encouragement and support of our Old Town Partnership of Churches and Swindon Deanery colleagues.Encouragement from the DioceseThe Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Suffragan Bishop of Swindon, congratulated the church, saying:“I would like to offer my congratulations to Christ Church Swindon for becoming the first church building in Swindon to receive this status, joining two other congregations in the diocese who have been commended for their attentiveness to environmental justice. This is a wonderful example of how our church communities are responding to the cry of the earth and I am pleased that their hard work has been recognised in this way.”What is Eco Church?Eco Church is an initiative of A Rocha UK, a Christian charity working for the protection and restoration of the natural world. The scheme encourages churches to integrate environmental care into every aspect of church life – from the way buildings are heated and powered, to how the land is managed, to how creation care is taught and lived out.Looking to the futureThe Revd Canon Simon Stevenette, Vicar of Christ Church with St Mary’s, said:“This achievement is the result of years of prayer, action, and partnership. We are deeply thankful for all who have worked so hard to help us reach this point – from those who inspired our creation care journey many years ago, to the many volunteers and community partners who have been part of our mission. We are honoured to be recognised in this way, and humbled by the responsibility to inspire others in caring for God’s creation.”Receiving the Gold Award is not the end of the story – it is a significant step on a much longer journey. We will continue working with our community partners and congregation to find new ways to reduce our environmental impact, support biodiversity, and encourage others to join us in caring for the earth.We give thanks to God for His creation, and for the opportunity to serve Him by protecting and renewing it.Find out more about the Christ Church Eco Group and get involved HEREFind out more about the Eco Church movement here: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk
Simon's Weekly Video Update #72 - 11th August 2025Simon's weekly video update about the life of our church and current affairs affecting us all.In this week's video, Simon talks about the A Rocha Eco-Church Gold Award we attained last week.You can watch the video at the link below or on our YouTube channel HERE
The Grief Opera – A Moving Musical Journey at Christ ChurchSaturday 1st November 2025 | 7.30pm (doors open 7.00pm) | Tickets: £10This November, Christ Church will host The Grief Opera – a powerful and emotive musical work that explores the depths of grief, love, and remembrance. Written by Nigel Linacre in response to the tragic loss of his son, and composed by Vladimir Miller, this original piece draws on classical, jazz, opera, and musical theatre to tell a profoundly human story.The performance follows a father’s final conversations with his son, the moment of loss, and the struggle to carry grief forward. It aims not only to offer comfort to those facing their own losses, but also to spark important, potentially life-saving conversations around mental health – particularly in relation to suicide, the leading cause of death among young men.The Grief Opera features a gifted cast of singers and musicians, including tenor Neil Latchman, mezzo-soprano Keri Farish, and soprano Grace Dowdeswell, with narration by Ashley Green. They will be joined by a live ensemble, creating a rich and stirring musical experience.Join us for what promises to be an unforgettable and meaningful evening.Location: Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon, SN1 3HBTime: Doors open 7.00pm | Performance starts 7.30pmTickets: £10 + £0.50 booking feeContact: chris@christchurchswindon.co.uk | 01793 617237Book your tickets HERE
The Beloved Son – A Powerful Theatrical Exploration of Henri Nouwen’s LifeWe’re delighted to be hosting The Beloved Son at Christ Church on Friday 12th September 2025 – a moving and thought-provoking solo play inspired by the life of renowned spiritual writer Henri Nouwen.Written and directed by award-winning playwright Murray Watts and performed by acclaimed actor Andrew Harrison, this powerful performance delves into Nouwen’s extraordinary journey — from his academic success at Yale and Harvard to his radical decision to live within a L’Arche community, sharing life with adults with intellectual disabilities.The play offers an honest and deeply human portrait, exploring themes of identity, longing, brokenness, and the transformative power of love. For anyone seeking meaning, comfort, or deeper faith, this promises to be a truly enriching evening.📅 Friday 12th September🕖 Doors open at 7.00pm | Performance starts at 7.30pm📍 Christ Church, Cricklade Street, Swindon SN1 3HB🎟️ £10 for adults | Under 18s go free🍷 Pay bar available (cash/card)Tickets are available online:👉 Book your place HEREThis is a unique opportunity to experience a remarkable story brought to life on stage. We hope you’ll join us.
