Swindon Town Football Club Carol Service
Swindon Town’s club Chaplain Reverend Simon Stevenette, vicar of
Christchurch, Swindon had a year of poor health so in July he looked to
the subs bench to find a replacement to organise the 2004 Swindon Town
Football Club Carol Service. Swindon Town fan Father Kevin Hennessey,
Assistant Priest at St Mary’s, Swindon seemed the ideal replacement.
For the first time, the Carol service took place in St Mary’s Catholic Church in Pinehurst. Over 200 people attended. Mel Collins and Val Young from St Joseph’s Catholic School in Swindon were the musicians and singing was lead by the School Choir.
Six of Swindon Town’s first team attended, Steve Robinson. Matt Heywood, David Duke, Rory Fallon, Andy Nicholas and Sean O’ Halloran as well as former Town star Iffy Onuora who now coaches the youth team and Mike Walsh who assists Town manager Andy King at the County Ground. Players from Town’s youth team, with whom Father Kevin now has a chaplaincy role, were out in number, including former St Joseph’s students Justin McKay and Ben Wells.
The service included tradition carols and some beautiful pieces sung by children from St Joseph’s School. Sandy Gray, a director of Swindon Town read the Christmas story and Mark Fleet, aged 14, provided powerful images for prayer by way of a power point presentation.
Many people noted that as well as an act of worship it brought togehter the civic community, young and old. £135 was raised for a local homelessness charity - Threshold Housing Link.
After the service, many fans enjoyed meeting their Saturday heroes and since the service Swindon Town have not lost a match!
Reverend Simon Stevenette, his wife, Nicola, and their five boys were at the service. Simon still has to undergo some more treatment but hopes to be back in first team ministry at Easter.
Useful URL : http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/
For the first time, the Carol service took place in St Mary’s Catholic Church in Pinehurst. Over 200 people attended. Mel Collins and Val Young from St Joseph’s Catholic School in Swindon were the musicians and singing was lead by the School Choir.
Six of Swindon Town’s first team attended, Steve Robinson. Matt Heywood, David Duke, Rory Fallon, Andy Nicholas and Sean O’ Halloran as well as former Town star Iffy Onuora who now coaches the youth team and Mike Walsh who assists Town manager Andy King at the County Ground. Players from Town’s youth team, with whom Father Kevin now has a chaplaincy role, were out in number, including former St Joseph’s students Justin McKay and Ben Wells.
The service included tradition carols and some beautiful pieces sung by children from St Joseph’s School. Sandy Gray, a director of Swindon Town read the Christmas story and Mark Fleet, aged 14, provided powerful images for prayer by way of a power point presentation.
Many people noted that as well as an act of worship it brought togehter the civic community, young and old. £135 was raised for a local homelessness charity - Threshold Housing Link.
After the service, many fans enjoyed meeting their Saturday heroes and since the service Swindon Town have not lost a match!
Reverend Simon Stevenette, his wife, Nicola, and their five boys were at the service. Simon still has to undergo some more treatment but hopes to be back in first team ministry at Easter.
Useful URL : http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/
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