News For March 2024

[A full copy of the newsletter can be downloaded here]


“God has done it all!  He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others.”
2 Corinthians 5: 18 CEV

    
     
For the diary
Sunday March 10th – Messy Church
This month Messy Church is looking at The Great Banquet.  Please pray for this ministry - those leading and assisting and the people who attend.  We currently average around 70-80 people at each MC.
 
28th March 7.30pm - Maundy Thursday
You are invited to share in this special time of reflection and to share in Communion led by Andrew Bird. The evening will also include a short message from Geoff Floyd on one of the themes from the Blessings Course.
 
29th March 2024 – Good Friday Service
A combined service with other Chippenham churches will take place at the Buttercross, Chippenham.  Times to be confirmed.
 
Saturday 27th April – Teen Takeover Lunch 12.30pm
Chippenham Area Board (Wiltshire Council) are organising a teenager activity weekend [see website for more info] on the 27th and 28th April.  SRMC will be hosting a lunch in support of this event on the Saturday at 12.30pm – at SRMC.  This will be organised by Adrian Foster – and requires a team of 8 people on the day to assist.  Please contract Adrian for further info.
 
May 24-27th The Big Church Festival Wiston House West Sussex
The Big Church Festival this year will take place on Friday 24th to Monday 27th May at Wiston House, West Sussex.  SRMC has a group booking open for this. If you would like to attend for the weekend or even just for a day consider booking through this link: Big Church Festival Tickets
By booking through this link 
-You will not have to pay until May 2024
-The more people who book through this the cheaper your ticket will be. 
 
Please share the link with family and friends to see if anyone would like to attend.  Should you have any questions or need help booking please email Tammy Lovell. 
 
Saturday 6th July 11am – 3pm - Manna Youth Group Reunion
A reunion of those who were part of the Manna Youth group led by Diana and Peter Watts is taking place at SRMC, Saturday 6th July 2024 11am – 3.00pm . Partners welcome.  Coffee and tea will be available throughout the day. A light lunch will be served. Donations towards the costs appreciated on the day.  Please bring photos to share, but if you can scan and send them beforehand, we can put together a montage to watch on the big screen.  If you are unable to attend but would like to send a message with some memories, we would love to hear from you.  We would love to see you again and share some amazing memories. If you are able to attend, please email Linda Kalbskopf by Saturday 22nd June.
 
25th January 2025 7.30pm – An Evening with Paul Kerensa
After the success of his visit to SRMC in December, Paul has been booked to return for another show in January 2025.  Further details later in the year.
 
Other SRMC News & Information
SRMC Lent Course 2024
Our 2024 Lent series, based on the book by Roy Godwin called ‘ And I will bless you’ continues  in March, concluding on Easter Sunday. Our house groups are using the book for their studies and our services during Lent are based on the themes within the book. Also during Lent we invite you to meet for prayer on a Sunday morning in the Lower Hall from 9.45 – 10.10 a.m. You will be very welcome on any of these Sundays from 18th Feb – 7th April.  
 
Creche
Help needed for the crèche on a Sunday morning, to go on a rota once a month.  Please see Megan Addicott.
 
The Big Church Festival
Big Church Festival, Wiston House, West Sussex, this year will take place on Friday 24th to Monday 27th May.  SRMC has a group booking open for this. If you would like to attend for the weekend or even just for a day consider booking through this link: Big Church Festival Tickets
By booking through this link 
-You will not have to pay until May 2024
-The more people who book through this the cheaper your ticket will be. 
 
Please share the link with family and friends to see if anyone would like to attend.  Should you have any questions or need help booking please contact us.
 
Maureen Noble Thanksgiving Service – Thanks
Gill Pearce and family would like to thank those who attended Maureen Noble's Funeral and Thanksgiving Service recently.  Maureen would have been very humbled at the number who attended!  The impressive sum of £460 has been raised for the RNLI. She extends a special thank you to all who organised the day and contributed to the service in any way - including the kitchen staff who helped things run very smoothly.
 
Bank Card Reader
The Church now has a bank card reader which for the time being is placed alongside the offerings box by the steps (in the future it will be secured to the wall).  You can now use this for one-off donations to the church following the instructions provided.  If you want to Gift Aid your donation you'll need to fill out an envelope as indicated in the instructions, and post it through the offerings box.  Then it can be identified in the accounts.  Any questions please ask a member of the leadership team.
 
Visitor Request
A request from Sarah Payne: a friend has very recently lost her husband of 60 years, and would welcome a visit from anyone from church who could empathise and encourage her.  Please contact Sarah if you can help.