A message from Bishop Viv:-

Some of you will be aware that Bishop Lee broke his femur in a bad fall at the weekend which necessitated emergency surgery at the GWH in Swindon. The operation took around five hours, but the surgeons were very positive about the restorative work done on him.
In February, Bishop Lee was due to travel to Duke Divinity School in North Carolina as a Visiting Scholar, and was very much looking forward to learning from members of their world renowned faculty. It may well be possible to schedule his visit later in the year and he will be following this up with Duke and those in Holy Family Church at Chapel Hill, who had given him a wonderful welcome to their worshipping community. There were other elements which Bishop Lee had on his itinerary, including a guided retreat and a cycle ride with missional intentions, linked to our Diocesan commitments. At present, we do not know if these will go ahead.
A period of around three months recovery is anticipated and Bishop Lee is likely to be limited for much of this time to his office and home. Bishop Lee is truly grateful for the prayers and concern of those who had heard about his accident. He is praying that this latest challenge will be one through which God is able to do positive things.

I know that you will all be remembering Bishop Lee in your prayers at this challenging time. He is not receiving visitors at the moment, however cards sent to the office will be most welcome

St. Nicholas Church - 10% Giving

As a church community we are committed to giving 10% of our voluntary income to support other missionary and charitable work. Based on our accounts for 2019 the amount to be donated is £1,865.

We have longstanding ties with mission partners working with CMS and Wycliffe Bible Translators and we will continue to support them. The PCC has also decided to give financial support to Kintsugi Hope, which is a charity based in the UK striving to make a difference to peoples' mental wellbeing, as they establish a group based in Chippenham.

If you would like to nominate a good cause for support please let Jane know and this will be considered at the PCC meeting in March.

woodman_jane@yahoo.co.uk

01249 657532

Dick says:-

St. Nicholas' school is a purpose built specialist school, it is for young people with a wide range of problems.

It is currently under threat of closure. Could you please pray for all those affected by the loss of this valuable resource to Chippenham.
 

St. Nicholas Church is now open for prayer / coffee each Tuesday morning 10.30 - 11.30
All welcome.
 

Revd Gordon Crowther has been appointed as the next Warden of Lee Abbey Devon. He will be joined by his wife Judy and will move to Lee Abbey from South Africa, where he is currently responsible for the Church of the Holy Spirit and Associate Rector of the Parish of St John, Wynberg in the Diocese of Cape Town.

Before moving to South Africa, Gordon was a Mission Priest in the Diocese of Lichfield having served a curacy at St Thomas Lancaster and following training at Cranmer Hall, Durham. Judy is an educationalist and is currently submitting a doctoral thesis at the University of Cape Town. 

Please remember …

Our churchyard is a lovely, peaceful place, despite its proximity to the road.
Many people come to tend the graves of those they have loved and lost, and spend a few moments remembering them.
Sadly, recent visitors have been distressed to find the area being inappropriately used by someone exercising a dog.
We welcome everyone to come and visit the churchyard, but please remember that for many it is the last resting place of someone they loved, and they regard it as a sacred space.
 

The Parochial Church Council (PCC) for 2019 - 2020 consists of Churchwardens Paul Davis and Derek Boulton; Treasurer Jane Woodman, Secretary Suzanne Boulton and Deanery Representative Angela McClean. Other members are Judith Eckersley and Cynthia Smith. Rev Simon Dunn is Chairman. The team clergy are also members. Electoral roll officer is Mary Clarke.

To see the minutes please ask Suzanne.
 

Dates for your diary!

Women’s Union

Details Barbara Wood 655413