Some of the items that have featured in the Web edition of the 'Grange Gazette' in 2008 printed below -

 Re-evaluation of re-ordering Project  October 2008

 Sometime ago the Vision and Strategy Group asked the members of the congregation its view on how the church building could be redeveloped, based solely upon the  findings of the congregation a set of plans were drawn up by an architect, alterations that would ultimately cost over £400,000.

Clare McKenzie our Church and Community Development worker has been asking the community the same questions, by putting both sets of answers together the PCC is now asking the congregation the following set of  ‘tough questions’ and to consider a set of ‘Viable Alternatives’.

*       In the current economic climate can the current congregation raise at least £400,000?

*       Considering the current size of the congregation do we need the building to be made larger than it already is?

*       How long can we afford to pay £700 per quarter to heat the building in its present size?

*       Have we considered how large the carbon footprint of St. Andrew’s Church is with most of the heat escaping through the roof, floor and windows?

Do we currently use the space inside the church to the best of our ability?

The PCC recognises that the church building needs to change to allow it to become a centre for the community, it needs new toilets, a kitchen and a new more welcoming entrance, the PCC asks the congregation to consider the questions opposite and also to consider the following ‘Viable Alternatives’ to the current plans:

 

Re-model the building within the existing structure.

*       Make better use of the internal space.

*       Create meeting spaces by using either partition walls or removable screens.

*       Make smaller rooms which are easier to heat and light, allowing the building to have multiple usage.

*       Reduce the worship space whilst the congregation is of a smaller size.

*       Carpet the floor to improve comfort and increase insulation.

*       Install more comfortable seating.

*       Install new mixed colour windows to add ambience and to improve insulation.

*       Lower our Carbon Footprint.

*       Install new toilets.

*       Install a new kitchen with mobile counter and units.

*       Build a new sealed entrance area.

 

Please consider and pray about the ‘tough questions’ and the set of ‘Viable Alternatives’

that the PCC has presented, please give your comments to Gordon Lester or

Ken Wooldridge ASAP in readiness for a meeting with the architect, Janice Mason from

the diocese and the Vision and Strategy Group where a new more realistic and more

cost effective set of plans that will benefit both the community within the church

and the community that it lives in will be planned

 

 PCC gives Green Light to Phase 1 of our Reordering Project.

On Wednesday November 12th 2008, St. Andrew's Parochial Church Council duly accepted phase 1 of our  modified reordering plan. This will involve provision of new toilet, kitchen and entrance whilst also providing some storage space.

In conjunction with Phase 1, remedial actions identified in the last quinquinniel report will also be progressed.

Other improvements will be identified and progressed as part of the overall plan.             

Phase 2 will involve alteration of the worship area and establishing a community area  
The Rev. Dr. Udobata shares our vision in matters pastoral

 and our progress in community initiatives. 

ST ANDREW'S CHURCH GRANGE RUNCORN OUR MISSION, OUR FOCUS

AND TIME TO REFLECT.

Pastoral Update on Programmes and Future plans for the Parish.

October 2008

INTRODUCTION: In 2006 we conducted a research on the future development of St Andrews

in the next 50 years. The result of that exercise demonstrated a clear need for greater investment in

  • Leadership development and empowerment of individual members of the congregation;

  • Equipping the people for greater personal confidence to share the love of God in Christ

  • To open the door of the church to the wider public and encourage more people to join the Church

  • To participate in many community-development programmes for the good of the wider community in which the Church is located

  • Re-ordering the Church building for greater community use,

  • Intensifying Bible Teaching and encourage Spiritual Development of the members.

  • Generating enough funds for the work of development in the Church.

We have set goals and have worked out the process of achieving them within a set period. It is important that the Church puts adequate structures in place in order to achieve the set-goals.

We realised that Teamwork pays off and thus we set up Project Teams that would embark on

projects on behalf of the Church. Unfortunately, some of them fizzled out but Vision and Strategy Group, Prayer Group and Fellowship Groups are standing. God is our Guide

.

2.PROJECTS ALREADY EMBARKED UPON  .

Leadership Development- two members are already undergoing training programmes in

Pastoral Worker and Readership Courses. Both are doing well to the glory of God

 

·         For Evangelism and Mission- we embarked on a number of programmes and still

plan to take up more. The Bus Ministry is now established and has won the support

of the Diocese. Another grant has been approved for this ministry and we intend

to build a Bridge between the Bus and Entry into the Church- thus enabling young people

 to move from visiting the Bus to committing themselves to the life of Church membership.

 The plans are still on the way. We do not want to rush it.

·         Back to Church Sunday- has been held twice and each occasion offered us the opportunity

to invite people into the Church and this will continue to be held as a way to encourage

people enjoy the life of the Church in the community

·         The Fair-Trade project has now been set up. Our Church is now one of the few Fairtraid

Churches in the Diocese and the gains are encouraging and uplifting.

·         Bike/Walk -- We now take part in the Historic Churches in Cheshire programme of

             Bike/Walk for Life. We have taken part three times and each one brought some

Money  to the parish. Please more should join in this laudable fund raising activity!

·         Evensong- An evening service which takes the form of Fresh Expression of the

             Church is now in place. The attendance is growing and it offers opportunity for an

informal worship, refreshment and Bible Discussions and Prayers. It is exciting particularly for

 those joining the Church for the first time. The Diocese has commended us for it and

Bishop Keith has promised to come to join us one of the evenings.

This is a new practical aspect of Mission and Evangelism in the Church of England.

·         Tea, Coffee and Toast Morning has been set up by our Church and Community

Development Worker and this meets every Tuesday. It is still young but a number of new

faces have started to patronize it. It is also a source of bringing the community into the

Church and the church into the Community. Members should own it up and use this to bring

in friends and families into the Church. Unless we open our Church to the Community in this

and other ways, we cannot get the funds we need for reordering

·         Christingle has been running for many years but this year, we intend to celebrate its

            40 years anniversary along the guideline given set by the Children's Society and the

Church of England. We shall do it in partnership with the local School here and give it a new

and fresh approach as a form of Evangelism among the families and young people. We shall do it with them and Not for them. In that way, they become part of the Church.

·        Our Website is helping to project the work of Evangelism and Mission in the Parish

·         Our Quarterly Gazette helps to disseminate helpful information about the work and

            mission of the Parish.

 

    3. REORDERING. We employed a Church and Community Development Worker in March

          with grants from the CUF. She is working hard to raise the profile of the Parish and raise

          money for the much needed Re-ordering and Development. We are blessed to have got a

          very experienced and energetic worker who is an expert in Fund Raising. She has already

          spread her dragnet wide. Her influence has spread all over the Borough and the Diocese!

          What a blessing to have her!

 

    4. CHURCH HALL The Parish has handed this over to the Diocese. Meanwhile the diocese

         is looking out for groups or individuals that can resuscitate it for some future socio-economic

         use. I am already talking with the Diocese along this line. Meanwhile, we wait to see what the

         Diocese can come up with. A few interest groups have come up to see it but the final say

         will come from the Diocese and we hope the benefits will also be invested on our Church project.

 

    5. FUTURE PLANS

 

·        To intensify plans to raise funds for the major re-ordering project. All hands must be on deck and

           all knees on ground.

·         To support the Church and Community Development Worker in her efforts to raise the profile

           of the Church, set up many more social activities in the Church.

·         Encourage more members to be Active in Mission/Evangelism

·         To empower more people to be involved in any of the projects that the Church is doing for

            the extension of the Gospel here.

·         To enable more realise and fulfil their ministry in the Church by doing whatever they think they are called to.

·         To set up Mothers Union Group to enable our women have link and become part of the

           Ministry of Women in the Diocese and the entire World-wide Anglican Communion.

            This will enhance mission and evangelism in the parish.

·         Start a mini- House Group to lead some young people into the Church membership in an informal way.

·         Do a monthly Music Evensong as part of the Fresh Expression of the Church recommended by

            the Church of England.

·         Use all we have to get all we want- through effective prayers.

·         Intensity Personnel Development and Spiritual Growth of members.

     

    6.   THE CHALLENGE- Join hands with us. Be part of the Solution not part of the problem!

          Every one is important and no help is small. The Church belongs to all of us.

          CONCLUSION- The Church is already moving on and we pray the Lord to lead his her in the

          right way and at the right pace. The Lord has already done great things for us and wherefore

          we are joyful. (Psalm 126: 4)

 

          Venerable Professor Udobata Onunwa

 

 

 

Return to Archive Page