|
Building for the Future
Malc Stevens reported on the latest
thinking of the Building Team at recent meetings since the last phase of
work was completed. He went over the history of the whole project for the
benefit of newer members and then highlighted the issues that now need to be
addressed to complete the refurbishment to make best use of the space.
The removal of the organ remains an
obstacle to moving forward as ground floor storage is essential to safe
working practices and this is the only possible place to create any such
space without huge expense. The remaining parts of the project which depend
on this are the new room in the back of the balcony (where most of the
storage is!), the welcome area and the re-carpeting the whole ground floor.
Consideration also needs to be given to whether to upgrade the heating to a
modern more economic and controllable system.
He explained how the thinking about
the proposed welcome area had changed with the experience of recent use –
the wind still blows in! He presented some ideas about how it may be
possible to retain a small office and a reduced sized vestry, the idea being
to take a slice off the vestry and to incorporate a glass screen and door.
This would help maintain the vision for a more open feel to that area and
still allowing a view through the building from the new bay window. The team
feel it would be good keep one room on the ground floor where one could
withdraw for a quiet chat or for a small children’s group if there is a
disabled child.
It is planned to have a consultation
morning with all the main users of the building to allow everyone to explore
all these ideas more fully. This will be on:
Saturday 4 September from 10:00
– 12:00.
Anyone is welcome to attend this open
time of looking around and sharing ideas over a cuppa. Copies of the sketch
plan of the vestry area can be obtained from Mike Hancock and he and Malc
and other members of the team would be happy to chat about things before
then
– Pat Moore, Jean Cunningham and Brian
Harley.
The Prayer Meeting on Friday 3
September will help prepare the ground for this time together so please try
and support that as well if you can. Prayer has been a vital component of
the whole process.
Holiday Special
Dave Robinson shared a vision he has
had for years about having an open evening at the church for families on
holiday to have a fun time without expense. There is not much to do if the
weather is poor in August and he’d like to run an informal event each
Wednesday. This would include playing various secular songs which touch on
life issues, some with Christian overtones. We could serve refreshments and
include some country dances and party pieces a bit like when the families
from London were down recently. He has offers of help from several people.
The first Wednesday of August is
Shanklin Carnival and for several years we have wondered about putting
something on as the Carnival fizzles out – inviting people to come in for
refreshments and music, quiz etc. The town is heaving with people especially
around the church and they all just go off afterwards.
What an opportunity to offer
friendship and hospitality.....?!
Those present favoured an open door
rather than a ticket approach as many folk don’t like to commit to things
they aren’t sure of but may well drop in and give things a try - a
contribution towards refreshments could be invited with proceeds to Kalasa
and The New London Bridge Project. It was decided to have a go and see what
happens on Carnival night on Wednesday 4 August and then plan the events for
the following three Wednesdays on the strength of this experience. If you’d
like to be involved or help with the planning or publicity, please speak to
Dave Robinson as soon as possible – 864798.
Youth News
James Alder gave a brief report on his
first three weeks which he has much enjoyed. He thanked everyone for their
welcome and support. The team has been working well together.
One change that is planned is for Rock
Solid to move to a Monday evening from September and he’ll be taking
Wednesdays as his day off.
Tuesday Lunch
Meryl Dallimore has kindly agreed to
take over leadership of the Tuesday catering team from September.
A big thank you was expressed to
Cecilia Clements and Daphne Smith who have kept things running well with the
support of Peter Lilley and Al Porter and with Chris May helping with the
shopping.
Membership
The names of Carole Williams and Karen
Ogier were presented as wanting to join the Church and these were gladly
approved. They will be welcomed into membership on 1 August. |
Our
Parent and Child Activity group was launched five years ago this September
and has become a much loved feature of the local community drawing families
from other parts of the Island.