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It has been some time since this item has been updated and you may be thinking that between times nothing has been happening. This is far from the truth. Over the last year we have been working with the design team to refine our concept and taking guidance from the Trustees about progressing the project. Our initial hopes to undertake the project as a single contract may be too ambitious and the guidance we have received has encouraged us to split the project into two phases, the first being the refurbishment of the church building to provide a new worship centre that can be used by others as well as extra multi-functional meeting spaces. The main elements of the refurbishment will be the reappointment of the building, turning the entrance way to the other end of the existing structure and providing and new entrance and facility block. The second phase would include the provision of an extra hall and room block and some slight reworking of the main unit to complete the integrity of the vision for the complex.
We want to stress that once the building is completed that is not the end of the project, it is just the start. The new building will provide a facility from which to base our work and outreach to the community around us. Exactly what that will be is as yet unclear as we will need to take time to assess the needs around us and look at ways of meeting them, but at the moment we have on our wish list a family worker and unit to facilitate this. Moreover, to make space available for other agencies to work within the community and with the residents on neutral ground. But this is just one idea and there will be others.
We encourage everyone who would like to, to draw alongside and journey with us and support our efforts in what ever way you can. |
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One of the concerns that the local Planners expressed was whether we would be able to secure access to the church building from Carmuirs Lane as we planned, as it is a private road owned by Callander Estates. So it seemed the obvious thing to ask they to give us the road. We met with representatives of the Estate's Trustees and they have agreed to sell us the road for £1 (one pound) and we have to cover the legal expenses of the Estate. Moreover we are being given free legal services by a firm acting on our behalf to finalise the sale. This might only be a small step but it removes a big hurdle that could have caused us a problem.
With the size of the project being what it is we are looking at a set of options to phase the work into 2 phases, making it more manageable. We plan to meet with the General Trustees as soon as they an manage to discuss this and get their advise and backing on one of the options so we can begin to make applications to the various funds and trusts as well as other local and wider initiatives to raise money. Phasing will mean changes to internal configuration of the project but it will mean we can get moving a good bit quicker.
As we get more information and news to share with you we will through the notices of the service, our website and the pages of the magazine. Through all of this we should still keep in mind that the building is not the church, we are! The building is the place in which we "do" or actually are the church, the body of Christ. In many ways it is more important that we continue to be the body of Christ and not become consumed with the funding issues of the building - we know this is important - but it is more important that we continue to be the body of Christ and encourage others to join with us; to witness to the community and the people around us with the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we stop doing these things we cease to be the Church and then why should God bless our efforts? God has woven us together as one people. He too will provide a way for us to live this out.
We are not frightened by the size of the challenge before us because we believe it is God's plan for us and He will make a way if we are faithful to Him. We hope and trust that in the weeks ahead we will have good news to share about the buildings as well as Good News to share of our Lord.
We really need all the members, adherents and friends of the church in Camelon to support us, we still have our bills to pay each month and your contributions are crucial. But we also need your support for the future. There is a separate fund for the building project and anyone wishing to give directly to this should feel free to do so. Again we would point out that if you pay tax signing a Gift Aid form allows the church to claim back the tax paid on your offerings to the church. You don't need to fill out any fancy forms or pledge to pay a fixed amount, whatever you give we can claim the tax back. We are aware that this scheme doesn't apply to everyone, but we keep reminding all our people because its like free money to the church from the Chancellor. |
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