Author: Laura Thomas

Tom Benyon Licensed as Associate Vicar

Posted on by Laura Thomas

In a private service today, Tom Benyon was formally licensed as Associate Vicar at St Michael’s by Bishop Viv, Bishop of Bristol.

We are delighted to welcome Tom and family to St Michael’s!

Tom will be working alongside the existing leadership team. And we’ll be celebrating as a church at the 6.30pm Celebration this coming Sunday 9 June, when Tom will also be commissioned by Bishop Lee, Bishop of Swindon.

St Michael’s Church Roof

Posted on by Laura Thomas

Urgent repairs are being made to St Michael’s Church this summer.
The work involves replacing the roofs to the chancel, nave, north aisle, porch and vestry together with repairs to the chimney stack above the vestry. Failing brickwork, which has led to rainwater penetrating the walls and causing damp patches, will also be repaired.
Work will begin with the erection of scaffolding on Monday 10 June and is expected to take 16–20 weeks to complete. The roofs to the north (porch) side of the church will be completed first, with the aim that the entrance will be clear of scaffolding for an August wedding.
The poor condition of the roofs was identified in the Quinquennial Report – a five-yearly inspection undertaken by the church architect – at the end of last year. The report said areas of the roof were sagging and cited slipped, broken and missing tiles. The roof to the nave was last replaced in 1894, but it is thought the roofs to the chancel, north aisle and vestry date back to the early 1880s.
The Fabric Committee is responsible for maintaining and preserving the structure and contents of the church. The committee chair, Martin Allen said: “While the roofs are being replaced we are taking the opportunity to add insulation, which will hopefully retain heat within the building and reduce the heating costs.”
The contract for the work has been won by Mogford Prescott Ltd, who also undertook the major repairs to the church tower last year.

Heart of the Community Gift Day 12 May 2019

Posted on by Laura Thomas







This Gift Day supports the resources and buildings for St Michael’s Church, as we aim to be a Christian heart at the centre of the community.

Living to make a difference, through discipleship, outreach and service.

Supporting:

  • The completion of St Michael’s Centre
  • The refurbishment and protection of St Michael’s Church
  • Upgrading the Old School Rooms
  • Mission in the UK and beyond.

Giving Thanks

  • St Michael’s Centre continues to thrive.
  • The Gift day in May 2018 has enabled work to start on the upstairs offices.
  • During 2018, we reapid £280,185 of capital off our loans, and £32,447 of interest on those loans.
  • We serve church and community groups, local and regional charities and businesses, and many more.
  • We have hosted many invitational events.
  • In 2019 we’ve donated £100,000 towards mission initiatives.
  • We’ve invested in renewing St Michael’s Church tower.
  • We’ve resources double glazing in the Old School Rooms Coffee Shop.

One Church, One Vision

  • Our vision is Living to make a difference by being a Christian heart at the centre of the community.
  • Our vision is realised by focusing on Discipleship, Outreach and Serving Our Community.
  • To make our vision happen, we hold 2 gift days a year. One in November to support day-to-day minsitry, and one in May to support our resources and buildings.

God has told us:

Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back, lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left.


Isaiah 54:2-3

Our aims

  • Develop the arches corridor, giving access to large meeting rooms, storage and kitchen to support large events and complete the Auditorium.
  • Upgrade the Old School Rooms kitchen facilities.
  • Support the refurbishments of St Michael’s Church building.
  • Continue to meet our mortgage obligations, and, if possible, repay some loans early.

What we’re asking now

  • Gift day is 12 May 2019.
  • We are continuing our journey of faith with the Heart of the Community project.
  • Please pray about what you are able to give. Together we can play our part. We can make more of a different across our community and beyond.

This appeal is an invitation

If you’re not yet giving…..

Some of us haven’t been able to support our resources and building project as yet. Could now be your time to begin giving?

If you’re new to St Michael’s…..

Maybe you’ve recently joined church and not yet grasped the vision to be a Christian heart at the centre of the community. Would you consider giving towards the development of the buildings and resources to enable the vision?

If you can give more…..

Some of us are in a better financial position than wehen the Heart of the Community project began. Please pray about increasing your giving.

What next?

Please download a pledge form here,

UK taxpayers can also complete a simple GiftAid form, which means the government will donate an extra 25% on top of your giving at no cost to you or the project.

If you would like to know more about any of the Heart of the Community project, how the money is spent, or help with ways to make one-off donations or arrange regular giving, please contact the church office.

HOTC Gift day 2019 by Laura Thomas