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Monthly Newsletter of Kings Christian Centre, Assembly Of God, Old Town Swindon
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ASSEMBLY OF GOD KING’S CHRISTIAN CENTRE
CHURCH NEWSLETTER
June 2016
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Editorial by Malcolm The Simplified Life “One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell
in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the
LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” Psalm 27:4
In a book wr itten by Francis Chan called, “Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a
Relentless God” he wrote, “We are a culture that relies on technology over
community, a society in which spoken and written words are cheap, easy to
come by, and excessive. Our culture says anything goes; fear of God is almost
unheard of. We are slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry.”
Modern life is anything but simple, in fact it is the complete opposite. Yet as
one reads the Bible we come across “one thing” statements which indicate that
individuals had arrived at a place where they had decided that doing “one
thing” was of paramount importance in their lives.
The Lord Jesus replied to a troubled Martha, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful
and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath
chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42.
The man who had been born blind testified to those who questioned him,
“Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I
was blind, now I see.” John 9:25. The apostle Paul also shared the one thing in
his life, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I
do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those
things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling
of God in Christ Jesus.” Phil 3: 13-14
Let us consider the “one thing” that David writes about in Psalm 27:4.
1. LIVING with the Lord. “….that I may dwell in the house of the LORD”
King David with all the responsibilities he carried as a king prioritised his
relationship with the Lord as being of greater importance. The Hebrew word
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used for ‘dwell’ is ‘yasab’ meaning, to ‘sit down, to remain, to marry or settle.’
As people we live with many different things in our lives. We live with family,
we live with our responsibilities, our thoughts. We can live with pain, sometimes
constantly. We can live with regrets, with anger and with depressive thoughts.
David had maybe read Psalm 91 and had decided that he too was also going to
make “the Most High (his) habitation” Ps 91:9. The Hebrew word for ‘High’ is
‘elyown’ and it means ‘the Supreme, most high, highest, uppermost’. When we
decide to live with the Most High in our lives, He promises us three things:
a) Protection. “There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come
nigh thy dwelling.” Ps. 91:10
b) Angelic Care. “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in
all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot
against a stone.” Ps.91:11-12
c) Victory. “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the
dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” Ps. 91:13
2. LOVING the Lord. “…..to behold the beauty of the LORD,”
In the Amplified translation of that verse it says, “to behold and gaze upon the
beauty (the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness) of the Lord”.
David realised that the Lord was waiting for him to communicate with Him and
that he had instant, direct access to the Lord. Because the Lord loves mankind so
much, and in a very special way His children, the Lord has made Himself
available to His children at all times. David paints a picture with words which
sees him ‘beholding’ or gazing upon, in meditative wonder, the beauty of the
Lord. Joseph Hall, a 16th century English bishop observed, ‘It is not hasty
reading, but seriously meditating upon holy and heavenly truths that makes them
prove sweet and profitable to the soul. It is not the bees touching on the flowers
that gathers the honey, but her abiding for a time upon them, and drawing out the
sweet. It is not he that reads most, but he that meditates most on divine truth, that
will prove the choicest, wisest, strongest Christian.’
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3. LEARNING about the Lord. “...and to enquire in his temple.”
Mankind possesses an insatiable appetite for knowledge and understanding.
Daniel prophesied, “that in the last days that many shall run to and fro, and
knowledge shall be increased.” Daniel 12:4. Prophetically Daniel saw into the
modern age of world travel and technological advancement. David was coming
into the Lord’s presence to “inquire”, or admire, consider, search or seek out for
the Lord. In other words, David was wanting to know the Lord in a deeper way,
to understand and know His thoughts, which he recognised were so much
higher than man’s thoughts.
Learning about the Lord is a lifetime pursuit. After approximately twenty eight
years of becoming a Christian and of having had the most amazing conversion
and given a great apostolic ministry, having been caught up into the third
heaven and seen and heard things which he wasn’t allowed to speak about, Paul
writes “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the
fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any
means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
If that was the heart felt prayer and cry of the great apostle Paul, whose spiritual
experience is the envy of every Christian, how much more must we also pray,
“ Lord, that I might know you more !!”
May the Lord help each one of us to de-clutter our lives and seek for,
The Simplified Life of, LIVING, LOVING and LEARNING about the
Lord more and more.
EU Referendum Vote on Thursday 23rd June II Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves,
and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Let us pray that the Lord’s, Perfect Will for the United Kingdom be reflected
in the voting result.
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Spiritual growth and maturity is an essential characteristic of a true
Christian, yet infant behaviour seems rampant in so many churches.
It was A. W. Tozer who said that the visible Church of Christ includes at least
four classes of people:
First, average people who come to church regular ly but are never conver ted.
They enjoy church, their friends are there, but they have never passed from death
to life.
Second, those who have tr ained to be Chr istians, but are not. They have
learned the language, give the impression they are a Christian and others think of
them as such.
Third, there are those who are true Chr istians, but carnal and are still as
they were when first saved.
It's Time to Grow Up! By: Alan Hewitt
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Finally, there are true Chr istians but “unfortunately these seem to be the
minority in most churches.”
Tozer’s comments make sad reading, but his challenge cannot be ignored. A
similar picture is found in the New Testament where Paul refers to the
Corinthians as “mere infants” and “spiritual babes”.
The writer to the Hebrews speaks of believers being “slow to learn.” There is a
huge difference between being childlike and childish: one blesses a church, the
other drains a church. One is spiritual, the other is carnal.
There is something very tragic about an adult being childish. John Ortberg tells
of a man called Denny who regularly attended church all his life, yet didn’t
like the music and called in the local authority about the volume and everyone
guessed who complained and laughed it off. However, Ortberg said it was no
laughing matter as this guy was 60 years of age, his children couldn’t tolerate
him, he stayed cranky and no one expected him to be any different.
Those comments remind me of some words from Juan Carolos Ortiz, who said,
“We have a phenomenon in the church today which I call the ‘Eternal baby-
hood of the believer.’ We have members of our churches who, after years of
hearing messages are just the same. They continually need a minister to keep
after them, changing their diapers, putting talcum on them, and checking their
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milk isn’t too hot.” Perpetual infancy is not allowed in the Kingdom of God!
Childish behaviour has to be addressed and confronted. Immature, childish
believers have these unhealthy traits:
•Self-centred – everything has to revolve around them.
•Influenced by their feelings – one minute they’re happy, the next they’re
screaming!
•Easily attracted by externals – a new sound or rattle quickly gets their
attention.
•Prefer play to work – unproductive apart from making work for others.
•Don’t take responsibility for their actions and behaviour.
•Live on a restricted diet, prefer r ing to be spoon-fed and dependent.
Pastoring isn’t pampering! Growing as a Christian is a command not an option.
Spiritual growth is a matter of attitude, not age. God has provided everything we
need for growth, and maturity should be our burning ambition. If you’re wearing
a small jacket, make sure you’re growing out of it!
Alan Hewitt National Leadership Team
AOG e-news Monday 16th April 2016
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A Purposeful Reminder By Jim Denison
In reading from “My Utmost For His Highest”, Oswald Chambers states: "We
must continually remind ourselves of the purpose of life. We are not destined to
happiness, nor to health, but to holiness." Chambers elaborates: "At all costs, a
person must have a right relationship with God. . . . God has only one intended
destiny for mankind—holiness. His only goal is to produce saints."
Our holy Father intends his children to live holy lives. How can we cooperate
with him in accomplishing this goal?
One: Make holiness your definition of success.
You may think that sinful people cannot be made holy, but it's not true.
Chambers explains: "Atonement through the Cross of Christ means that God
can put me back into perfect oneness with himself through the death of Jesus
Christ, without a trace of anything coming between us any longer." Jesus's death
for your sins means that you can now live in unbroken relationship with your
holy Father. There is no sin you must commit. Scripture promises: "God is
faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the
temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to
endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.
Don't blame sin on your fallen nature and fallen world. Settle for nothing less
than God's best for you.
Two: Reinforce your commitment by daily discipline.
Aristotle observed, "Men acquire a particular quality by constantly acting in a
particular way." Admit your sins 1 John 1:8. Claim God's forgiveness v. 9. Ask
before every decision, "What is the holy thing to do?" Chambers urges us:
"Never tolerate, because of sympathy for yourself or for others, any practice
that is not in keeping with a holy God."
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Three: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be holy.
Your Father wants intimate relationship with you even more than you do with
him. Chambers: "When we choose deliberately to obey him, then he will tax the
remotest star and the last grain of sand to assist us with all his almighty power."
So pray for your Father to make you like his Son (Romans 8:29). And know that
he always answers that prayer.
Jonathan Edwards resolved "never to do anything which I would be afraid to do
if it were the last hour of my life." And God used his integrity to spark the First
Great Awakening. Do we need more holy people today? Edwards, once wrote in
his diary: "Resolved first: that every man should live to the glory of God.
Resolved second: that whether others do this or not, I will." William Carey, the
pioneer missionary to India, stated: "I am not my own, nor would I choose for
myself. Let God employ me where he thinks fit." F. B. Meyer, perhaps the great-
est preacher of his generation, said, "If I had a hundred lives, they should be at
Christ's disposal."
http://www.denisonforum.org/
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Church of Scotland in an "interesting place"
after same-sex marriage vote
By Aaron James
The Church of Scotland has said it's in an "interesting place" after voting to
recognise ministers in same-sex marriages, while still affirming that marriage
should be between a man and a woman.
It has also said it hopes people will "stay calm" and "hold on" after the decision
and give it time to see how it will pan out.
The Kirk voted through the change at its General Assembly in Edinburgh
yesterday with 339 voting in favour and 215 voting against.
It means congregations who want to can take ministers already in same-sex
marriages and that ministers can get married to someone of the same-sex if they
wish.
The vote does not permit same-sex marriages within the Church of Scotland.
It follows a vote last year to recognise ministers in civil partnerships.
Yesterday's vote seeks to reflect Scottish law which now allows people in civil
partnerships to get married.
Very Revd John Chalmers, the Principal Clerk of the Church of Scotland
General Assembly, told Premier: "The Church of Scotland has maintained as its
default position the traditional understanding of marriage.
"We've made room for people of a different view and in a broad church you
have to do that, and perhaps we've given the denominations of the world a steer
on how this can be done.
"This does not affect our understanding of what holy matrimony is in terms of
our theology. So it's an interesting place for us to be.
"I hope that people will stay calm and that those who're upset by the decision -
hold on there, and wait to see how this plays out."
www.premier.org.uk/News/ Sun 22 May 2016
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Its a synagogue, church, and
mosque all in one' Joint house of prayer for Muslims, Jews, and Christians
to be built in Berlin
An interfaith group is laying the groundwork for what will likely be the world’s
first ever joint house of prayer.
The centre of worship, which
will be called the “House of
One," will combine
simultaneous Jewish, Muslim,
and Christian prayer services.
The House of One is planned to
be built on the site of Berlin’s
first church, the Petrikirche.
One of the organizers of the interfaith group
behind the planned church/mosque/synagogue, Rabbi Tovia Ben Chorin, said
that the House of One is a reminder that despite the dark history of Berlin in the
20th century it is now a centre of tolerance.
“For me as a Jew, this city is the ‘city of wounds’ and the ‘city of miracles.' In
this place our systematic extermination was planned. And it is from this city
that an answer has emerged,” said Ben Chorin.
He also suggested that Berlin could become a model for cultural integration and
religious tolerance. “It is a multicultural city, the idea will spread to different
countries all over the world.”
Construction of the building is scheduled to begin next year.
www.israelnationalnews.com/News/ First Publish: 5/19/2016
Great Synagogue of Berlin
12
I want to give thanks to the Lord..my Lord.. that I am physically feeling so
well now. I experienced recurrent viruses over the winter and going on into
Spring. This eventually caused me to have time off from work.
Thanks to you all for praying for me during this time and I give thanks for
medication which also enabled the recovery process.
I was feeling very washed out and sick and tired of being sick and tired!.
On one particular Sunday morning I went up for prayer for healing and
certainly over the next few days I began to regain my health and strength.
I watched quite a few Christian health programs on TV and considered some of
the health messages in regard to certain fruits and vegetables as I consider food
as medicine if used wisely and it is provided for us.
In watching the pennies I wondered if I may have denied myself some benefits
of what might be called luxury fruits and veg as treats when on a budget but
which can be really good for our immune system so have altered my shopping
to reflect this.
It is good to belong to a church that cares and prays for its members and can
encourage each other with our experiences and testimonies.
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I found myself re-reading Psalm 23 and then it has become a meditation over
the weeks as I considered it in more depth and I found myself paring each verse
right back which spoke to my soul and revived my spirit. It was like peeling the
skin off it and getting to the fruit as it were! So here is my revelation of God’s
care for me and I will use it as a proclamation over my life.
Psalm 23
He is
I have
I am lead
I am restored
I have revelation
I walk
I am accompa-
nied
I am comforted
I am prepared
I am healed
I am overflowing
I am protected
Together for Eternity
Together for Eternity
With blessings to your heart as well.
Rosie Russell
14
By Aaron James
A survey of nearly 2000 Christians has found they believe in-depth Biblical
teaching in a sermon is over twenty times more important than a good joke.
44% of believers (49% of men and 39% of women) said "biblical exposition"
was the most important thing in a sermon, compared to 2% who said a "sense of
humour" was important.
The poll also found 40% of Christians (44% of women and 36% of men) found
practical examples of how to live out the Bible's teachings was the most
important part of a sermon, compared to just one percent who said personal
anecdotes or stories were important. It also found the majority of Christians do
not like long sermons, with 44% believing they should last between 10 and 20
minutes.
However, the institution of a weekly church sermon is alive and well today:
nearly 90% of churchgoers disagreed or strongly disagreed that the practice was
"outdated". The research was commissioned by the Christian Resources
Exhibition (CRE), an annual trade show of hundreds of Christian charities and
organisations.
Stephen Goddard, from CRE, told Premier's News Hour: "It just shows you that
people go to church for a real reason - to hear stuff that's really going to make a
difference to them." Somebody said it's a bit like Dad-dancing; if you're trying
to hard to be cool, you'll not succeed. If they think 'well I've got to put in a joke
here', the people in the pews know what's going on."
Stephen Goddard also highlighted a problem that Christians in the CRE survey
flagged up: "Out of the survey we found 50 percent of people in the pews on an
average Sunday feel that young people are not given enough of a chance to
preach in church. "You can understand why it is that young people drift away.
They're not involved enough."
http://www.premier.org.uk 10 May 2016/
15
On Easter Sunday whilst Richard was preaching at
Somerton Assemblies of God church both he and
Lynne heard a new song, to them, written and
performed by HILLSONG entitled 'The Creed' from
their album 'No Other Name'.
The song, based on the 'Nicene Creed', sets out the
fundamental beliefs of the Christian church and has a
catchy tune...so much so that Richard promptly
downloaded the song from ITunes!
Richard and Lynne then had a growing conviction that God wanted them to lay a
firm spiritual foundation for the young people before they break up for the long
summer holiday period and therefore have started an 'I BELIEVE...' Bible
teaching series which will run throughout this present summer term
@KINGSyouth.
The course covers the following...
I believe in...
God the Father
God the Son
The Holy Spirit
The Virgin Birth
Jesus Mission
The Resurrection
The Second Coming of
Christ
The Name of Jesus!
The Church
The Saints Communion
Eternal Life!
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Each week, as part of our worship time, we have decided to include
HILLSONG's 'The Creed' as an anthem song to help us remember these
important fundamental truths to the Christian Faith. Apart from worship, prayer
and Bible teaching we also have a time of fun and a social time with the tuck
shop, pool, table tennis, games and just chilling out talking and laughing
together.
KINGSyouth is a Chr istian youth meeting for young people of secondary
school age, meeting on Fridays during term time, 7:30-9:30pm, at Kings
Christian Centre, Swindon.
'French Jews experiencing
worst situation since 1945'
French Jews are experiencing the most difficult situation they have encountered
since the end of World War II, the newly-
elected president of France’s umbrella of
Jewish communities said. Francis Kalifat,
64, said on Sunday 29th May. His first
priority as president of CRIF is to fight
against the anti-Semitism that he said was
responsible for the situation he described.
Kalifat, whose presidency comes at a time
of record emigration by Jews from France, partly
because of anti-Semitic violence that included hundreds of anti-Semitic
incidents annually in recent years, and dozens of physical assaults.
Since 2012, attacks on Jewish targets by French Islamists in France and
Belgium claimed the lives of 12 people. Last year, roughly 8,000 French Jews
left for Israel — the highest number on record for any year, which made France
for the second year straight Israel’s largest provider of newcomers.
http://www.jpost.com
French soldiers patrolling in Jewish
neighbourhood
17
Below are key Scr iptures/Topics that will be taught
in Sunday School this month for the different Sunday
School groups. Please can we kindly support the chil-
dren in their learning and understanding of the topics
taught each Sunday.
Generally all the Sunday School focus on similar
topics and scripture but just taught in different
ways and with different resources that fit more to their age group.
- Letters to a friend - 2 Timothy 1:3-10; 3:14-17
Aim: To learn, as Paul writes to Timothy, how important the Bible is to him.
We see that the same message can be presented differently (by text, email, and hand-
written on a flip chart or displayed on a screen, they may look different but they are
actually identical, and they are the same message from God.
We learn that the important response is to take it seriously and act on God’s word,
however it is delivered.
- Let’s praise – Psalm 95:1-7
Aim: To enjoy praising God.
We discuss the importance of enjoying praising God. We see that the book of Psalms
is a collection of what they said, sang, or wrote as they reflected on how great God is.
We note that Psalm 95 encourages us to say, “Wow!” and then to say, “We praise you,
God!”
- Mercy on a city —Jonah 1, 2
Aim: To discover that our merciful God gives opportunities to be sorry
We look at Jonah’s story. We note that it is always in God’s nature to be merciful, for-
giving people who are sorry.
We note that God forgives our sin and they are completely removed.
- Mercy on a man - Jonah 3, 4
Aim: To find out that God’s mercy is for everyone who is sorry.
Bible Verse to Remember
“Now God’s home is with human beings! He will live with them, and they shall
be his people”. Revelation 21:3
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Sunday School in June
BUBBLES children 3-5yrs. SPLASH children 5 1/2 – 8yrs.
Sunday 5th Joyce O. Sunday 5th Sue M.
Sunday 12th Josephine O.K. Sunday 12th Sue M.
Sunday 19th Josephine O.K. Sunday 19th Jenny L.
Sunday 26th Lorraine T. Sunday 26th Marion M.
Sun. 3rd July Lorraine T. Sun. 3rd July Marion M.
XTREME for children 9-12 yrs.
Sunday 5th Alain T.
Sunday 12th “John B”
Sunday 19th “John B”
Sunday 26th Steve G.
Sun. 3rdJuly Steve G.
Current Assembly Happenings
Birthday’s and Goodbye’s.
On Saturday 7th May a supper was held
at the Church to celebrate David’s 60th
birthday. Friends from Slough, Bristol,
Southampton and other places came
together to give thanks to the Lord for
David, his life and ministry. After a
time of Praise & Worship ably led by
Paul and ministry from Malcolm,
everyone enjoyed the beautiful food
that had been prepared.
David & Vidji will be leaving on Thursday 9th
June to return to Chennai after having spent six months in Swindon with Paul,
Sheeba and the grandchildren. It has been such a blessing for us all to get to
know David and Vidji. We will really miss them both.
May the Lord continue to richly bless you with health and strength as you con-
tinue to serve the Lord. We look forward to keeping in touch.
David, Vidji, Malcolm & Marion at the Birthday
Celebration
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Friday 3rd 11:00am Kingsmead Care Home
Sunday 5th 10:30am Pastor Alan Smithers
Sunday 12th 10:30am Pastor Richard Pidgley
Friday 17th 11:00am Kingsmead Care Home
Sunday 26th 10:30am Bro. Umera Chukwuchebe
Friday 1st July 11:00am Kingsmead Care Home
Thursday 2nd Prayer / Bible Study Biruta B.
Sunday 5th Morning Service Paul
Thursday 9th Prayer / Fellowship Alain
Sunday 12th Morning Service Andrzej
Thursday 16th Prayer / Bible Study David
Sunday 19th Morning Service David / Paul
Thursday 23th Prayer / Bible Study Biruta B.
Sunday 26th Morning Service David / Paul
Thursday 30th Prayer / Fellowship David
Sunday 3rdJuly Morning Service David
Thursday 7th July Prayer / Bible Study Paul
Thursday 2nd Niyi O. Sunday 12th Elkan R.
Friday 3rd Delvin O. Monday 13th Dayo S.
Saturday 7th Gosha S. Monday 13th Franco F.
Wednesday 8th Marion M. Friday 24th Alfred B.
Thursday 9th Liliana B. Tues. 5th July Nelly W.
Saturday 11th Jogesh R.M. Thurs. 7th July Georgina N.
Saturday 11th Daniel T.
Invited Ministry & Meetings in June
Chorus Leading in June
Birthdays in June
20
Back from USA.
Mirelle went to Boston for a short holiday to visit her family, some of whom she
hadn’t seen for a long time. We hope that you had wonderful quality time of
reconnecting and sharing together.
Returning to India.
Sheetal’s Mum, Elizabeth, who arrived on the 15th Feb. to be with Jogesh &
Sheetal, to prepare for the birth of their second child, is returning to India on
20th June. We wish you a safe trip home and hope that you’ll visit us here in
Swindon another time.
Home Prayer Meetings.
We are continuing with our fortnightly prayer meetings in different homes be-
ginning at 7:30pm. Below is the list of venues for June & July.
Tuesday 14th June At Elroy & Daisy’s home, Haydon End, North Swindon.
Saturday 25th June At Umera & Felicia’s home in West Swindon.
Wednesday 6th July At Peter & Joyce’s home in Royal Wootten Bassett.
Beach Trip.
Please put Saturday 2nd July in your diaries for a day at the seaside to Barry
Island, in Wales. More details will be announced closer to the time.
Weekly Meetings Sunday 10:30 Morning Service & Sunday School.
Tuesday 10:00 Baby & Toddler Music Group.
Thursday 19:30 Prayer & Bible Study.
(Fellowship Meeting on last Thursday of each month.)
Friday 19:30 KING’SYouth
Contact Details: Malcolm & Marion Macqueen: Tel. 01793 325935
Malcolm: Mobile: 07743322781
E-Mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Website: www.aogswindon.org.uk
Visit us at: 26a King William Street
Old Town, Swindon. SN1 3LB