A Word from The Rector . . .
Summer
2011 |
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Dear Friends
Well finally we have evidence that what we have hoped and prayed for
over ten years is finally underway. On the 2nd May we formerly
handed over the keys of the halls to GEDA Construction who took
possession of the site and almost immediately began their work. So
far that work has involved more destruction than construction as,
internally, the halls have been more or less gutted. Kitchens,
loos, wash hand basins, doors, dividers, heaters and a host of other
things have been taken down and dumped. The debris of over 50
years have been cleared.
| 'That's the Way it was' - click on the image to see some
pictures which may remind you of good times spent in the old halls .
. . |
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Thankfully there have not been too many
surprises so far. However, the electrical supply to the church and
halls proved to be something of a novelty and had to be carefully
handled and the foundations may have to be deeper than expected, but
such things cannot be foreseen. Despite all that it is with a real
sense of excitement that I pass the site each day and get in the way of
the workers! And it's not just the physical realization of a dream
nurtured for so long; it's the excitement of knowing what the new
premises will allow us to do in Jesus' name.
I hope you share my sense of excitement and expectation and are playing
your part in contributing to the project. It needs the support of
the whole church family, a theme I return to time and time again, if
only because I know the potential for giving within the Parish is
nowhere near fully realised. The good news is that we have raised
£410,000 but over the next ten years we will have to raise that same
amount, and more. There have been tremendous moments of
encouragement along the way, not least on the very eve of signing for
the contract for the build when we received a cheque for £50,000 from a
former parishioner, to whom I have extended our grateful thanks.
It brought with it an extraordinary sense of confirmation that we were
indeed doing the 'right thing'. But I am equally heartened by the
faithful giving and contributions of others on a more modest scale who
give as they are able. Please become part of that group of
contributors so that, when we open the premises, it will be with the
sense that you have played a part in bringing them about. When will that
be? We hope to take back possession at the very beginning of
November but whether that will be possible will become clearer over thee
coming weeks.
On the way to reaching our fund raising target we are having lots of fun
and experiencing a greater sense of fellowship.
As holidays approach I hope that it will be an opportunity for rest and
refreshment (no car boot sale this year, so a little more time to
yourselves on a Saturday). Before then many of our young people will be
doing exams, please remember them in your prayers. Assisted by our
travel bursary scheme some of them are also going further afield.
Erin Greenfield and Lauren McGarvey are going to Malawi and Becky
Tipping to our link Diocese of Albany. Our Scouts and Guides will
also be involved in Jamborees. May all of them travel safely and
return with fresh insights and experiences.
Let's hope for a sunny summer,
Best wishes,
Ronnie |
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