Yesterday we held our annual Christmas Craft Day and we welcomed almost 80 children to the event hosted by our extremely hard working action team. It is quite something to see so many children from our own church, other churches and those who don't normally attend church having fun together. Because of the limitations of our own rented building we were forced to use Hipping Vale Community Centre.
Next year we will be able to use our own building and I'm sure it will be a great improvement on the facilities that we are used to. Being a main road location, we can better advertise these type of events on our own premesis and hopefully draw in even bigger numbers than we currently welcome.
Our program of children's events and our forthcoming youth events firmly establish our church as the towns best provider of christian outreach for the young. With our own facility we can further extend the range of activities to all ages.
Sunday, 30 November 2008
Friday, 28 November 2008
Obama and Brindle share same communications strategy
I read with interest today that Barack Obama made great use of email and various other web tools such as face book and YouTube to speak to his potential voters.
The article is located at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7754485.stm
He has recently launched a website change.com where he plans to post information about how he is changing the country and will invite people to join a mailing list to receive information directly from his press office without messages being filtered through the media. Clever stuff.......sounds very familiar.......isn't that why I created this blog ?
The truth is whether you are the president of the United States or a the secretary of a small church the message is clear. Efficient communication is paramount. Would we will happy hearing from God via a middle man I don't think so.
Thanks to all of the positive feedback I've received about this blog I'm going to keep it going beyond the opening of the new church and for as long as it continues to be of interest. I want to share the story not just of building the bricks and mortar but how we are going to build our church. Its going to be a great story.
CB
The article is located at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7754485.stm
He has recently launched a website change.com where he plans to post information about how he is changing the country and will invite people to join a mailing list to receive information directly from his press office without messages being filtered through the media. Clever stuff.......sounds very familiar.......isn't that why I created this blog ?
The truth is whether you are the president of the United States or a the secretary of a small church the message is clear. Efficient communication is paramount. Would we will happy hearing from God via a middle man I don't think so.
Thanks to all of the positive feedback I've received about this blog I'm going to keep it going beyond the opening of the new church and for as long as it continues to be of interest. I want to share the story not just of building the bricks and mortar but how we are going to build our church. Its going to be a great story.
CB
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Building our church on strong deep rooted foundations
Finally the land that has been a headache for so long is being covered. The first stages of the concrete floor were laid today in what will be the foyer. The whole floor is actually on site in piles waiting to be laid in place. This includes the floor slabs for the upper room.
This week we also start the process of balloting members about the new name for the church. The leaders shortlisted a handful of names, some that are possibly predictable, some which are unusual and a one or two with a modern twist. It will be interesting to see what the members decide after all in our church we take the views of all our members seriously and I think that's what makes us who we are. We 'do' church together, we all have the opportunity to get involved, we all look after each other - isn't that what church is all about ?
This week we also start the process of balloting members about the new name for the church. The leaders shortlisted a handful of names, some that are possibly predictable, some which are unusual and a one or two with a modern twist. It will be interesting to see what the members decide after all in our church we take the views of all our members seriously and I think that's what makes us who we are. We 'do' church together, we all have the opportunity to get involved, we all look after each other - isn't that what church is all about ?
Tuesday, 25 November 2008
Walls up, barriers down
This week the walls and floors will be started. The roof will follow shortly as well so that at least the builders will be protected from the elements.
Last week a number of the leadership met with representatives of the young peoples work and we have put in place a couple of small changes designed to better accommodate their work. We also discussed practical issues such as room usage and the type of equipment we need to put in. The kitting out of the building is a big thing particularly as we want the building to be totally flexible to meet the needs of all of our activities.
From provision for parent and toddler groups to lunches for senior citizens and everyone in between we hope to cater for as many people as possible. Our building will have the following :
Main hall - multi purpose room with sound system and seating for 166 people
Classrooms - Initially one class room with capacity for approximately 60 people although this will be designed to be subdivided in due course into two smaller rooms
Mezzanine Room - Multipurpose room capable of accommodating 60 people
We currently average 70-80 people in our Sunday services with approximately 20 young people so the building is more than adequate for our current needs. However it remains to be seen what God has in store for us as far as expansion is concerned.
There are a lot of displaced Oswaldtwistle Christians camping out in churches outside of town seeking a place to call home. These people may have passed through our church in the past but our message needs to be clear - It's a new beginning for us and a chance for a new beginning for them. If we welcome them in the way that I have been welcomed in we stand a chance of making a real impact in our town. When I became a member of the church I introduced myself as 'the first of many' and i intend to fulfill that promise.
Please continue to pray for the builders. There is a lot of heavy work taking place at the minute - rather them than me :-)
CB
Last week a number of the leadership met with representatives of the young peoples work and we have put in place a couple of small changes designed to better accommodate their work. We also discussed practical issues such as room usage and the type of equipment we need to put in. The kitting out of the building is a big thing particularly as we want the building to be totally flexible to meet the needs of all of our activities.
From provision for parent and toddler groups to lunches for senior citizens and everyone in between we hope to cater for as many people as possible. Our building will have the following :
Main hall - multi purpose room with sound system and seating for 166 people
Classrooms - Initially one class room with capacity for approximately 60 people although this will be designed to be subdivided in due course into two smaller rooms
Mezzanine Room - Multipurpose room capable of accommodating 60 people
We currently average 70-80 people in our Sunday services with approximately 20 young people so the building is more than adequate for our current needs. However it remains to be seen what God has in store for us as far as expansion is concerned.
There are a lot of displaced Oswaldtwistle Christians camping out in churches outside of town seeking a place to call home. These people may have passed through our church in the past but our message needs to be clear - It's a new beginning for us and a chance for a new beginning for them. If we welcome them in the way that I have been welcomed in we stand a chance of making a real impact in our town. When I became a member of the church I introduced myself as 'the first of many' and i intend to fulfill that promise.
Please continue to pray for the builders. There is a lot of heavy work taking place at the minute - rather them than me :-)
CB
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Video : Progress so far
To celebrate progress so far ive made a short video about the journey we've been on.
Enjoy !
CB
Thursday, 20 November 2008
What a team
Yesterday we had a site meeting with the builders and the architect. In total there was seven of us and we had a very constructive meeting, minor changes to the building were discussed which will make life easier for all but are of no real consequence to us were agreed such as the siting of electric meters and so on.
There was a really positive vibe about the place and the site Foreman reported that he was extremely pleased with the project so far and that there was no security issues or other annoyances.
A number of our team commented that the project had really caught the public imagination in the last week with the frame going up.
Next week the floor will be installed and the roof and walls will also start to be put in place. Its all systems go right now
CB
There was a really positive vibe about the place and the site Foreman reported that he was extremely pleased with the project so far and that there was no security issues or other annoyances.
A number of our team commented that the project had really caught the public imagination in the last week with the frame going up.
Next week the floor will be installed and the roof and walls will also start to be put in place. Its all systems go right now
CB
Tuesday, 18 November 2008
We've been framed (part two)
Frame complete !
Today the final parts of the frame were erected. The shape is complete and Ive got to say it looks much bigger than I thought it would be. Tomorrow I'm on site so I will get some pictures and post them on here.
CB
Today the final parts of the frame were erected. The shape is complete and Ive got to say it looks much bigger than I thought it would be. Tomorrow I'm on site so I will get some pictures and post them on here.
CB
Monday, 17 November 2008
We've been framed (part one)
The sight of a HUGE crane rolling into town this morning must have been quite something. By 09:00 the Leviathan was parked and ready to hoist into position the frame of a building which will literally change the whole face of Union Rd, the first new building to appear on the main road since the Co-Op.
By 09:15 the steel had arrived and by late afternoon, three quarters of the walls and part of the roof frame were in situ. It is anticipated the rest will be completed tomorrow. On Wednesday the building team will be the first people to set foot in the confines of the building ! I am actually really excited about getting in there this week and photographing the thing
Photo courtesy of Flick
Thursday, 13 November 2008
A church without walls
There is a meeting on site on Wednesday with the builder and the architect. Its a standard practice to have a full site meeting on a monthly basis to discuss how things are going. We are hoping that by the time of the meeting we should have some steel up forming a frame. Once the frame is complete the floor goes in followed by the walls.
The frame is pre-cut away from site and simply assembled when it reaches us. A Crane is on order for Monday to start the job so the first real scale of the build will be evident.
We have had to have surveys done on the land to establish the best position for the crane, weight calculations etc have had to be taken so that we don't damage what has been done in the foundations.
Please continue to pray for the safety of the men on site.
CB
The frame is pre-cut away from site and simply assembled when it reaches us. A Crane is on order for Monday to start the job so the first real scale of the build will be evident.
We have had to have surveys done on the land to establish the best position for the crane, weight calculations etc have had to be taken so that we don't damage what has been done in the foundations.
Please continue to pray for the safety of the men on site.
CB
Sunday, 9 November 2008
Baptistery
A couple of people have asked about the baptistery. I can confirm that the building will have a baptistery. It will be located adjacent to the stage area. I understand the architect has issued the builders with plans for its installation. It is a full walk in number for full imersion baptisms.
CB
CB
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Message from the builders
I've caught up with the builder today and can report the following :
We are today pouring the concrete for the foundations which will finally see an end to the ground works for the building. The works in the ground have been very time consuming, but we are finally over the final hurdle and hopefully from now in, we can actually see visible progress above the ground as opposed to progress which is in the ground!
We have also fit most of the new drainage for the site and connected to the existing mains sewer.
Due to the problems which have happened in the ground, we missed our original slot for the steel frame installation but we are now officially booked in for Monday 17th November. The steel frame should take around 1 week and will give you an insight to the overall scale of the building.
The builders further report that the estimated completion date is early April although they hope to make up time so that they can complete a tad earlier than this. A lot depends on the weather over the next few months but once the roof is on there will be some protection from the elements.
As for the building team we will over the coming months work closely with the Grants team to establish what money we have for finishing the fitting out of the building.
I anticipate that we will be in a position to confirm our opening date by mid-February. Certainly by the time the AGM comes around we should be in the new building and can plan for the future.
CB
We are today pouring the concrete for the foundations which will finally see an end to the ground works for the building. The works in the ground have been very time consuming, but we are finally over the final hurdle and hopefully from now in, we can actually see visible progress above the ground as opposed to progress which is in the ground!
We have also fit most of the new drainage for the site and connected to the existing mains sewer.
Due to the problems which have happened in the ground, we missed our original slot for the steel frame installation but we are now officially booked in for Monday 17th November. The steel frame should take around 1 week and will give you an insight to the overall scale of the building.
The builders further report that the estimated completion date is early April although they hope to make up time so that they can complete a tad earlier than this. A lot depends on the weather over the next few months but once the roof is on there will be some protection from the elements.
As for the building team we will over the coming months work closely with the Grants team to establish what money we have for finishing the fitting out of the building.
I anticipate that we will be in a position to confirm our opening date by mid-February. Certainly by the time the AGM comes around we should be in the new building and can plan for the future.
CB
Sunday, 2 November 2008
Now I get it......
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Mick has enlightened me about the poly blocks.
The lads were on site yesterday back filling the outer edges of the poly blocks with shingle to hold them in place. On the inside, the steel skeletal network has been separated from the poly blocks by plastic spacers. The plan now is to fill the channels with concrete completing the skeletal foundations.
Whilst on site today I also noticed that the external rain water drain is in place with spouts placed at numerous points which will eventually be linked to the guttering. The drain follows the outside perimeter of Union Road and around John Street into a the drains at the back of the building. Interestingly (yes I'm going to get even sadder now) the drain has its date of birth on it 6/6/08
Saturday, 1 November 2008
Coming Soon....a building
Not much appears to have happened this week other than further demarcation of the variations of the rooms by what appears to be polystyrene blocks !?!? Must admit for the first time I actually have no clue what these are for but I'll report back after I've had a word with the architect !!!!
Meanwhile our ever resourceful worship team have produced a lovely little CD for Christmas with songs exclusively written by members of the team and available only on this CD. Proceeds to go to the new building fund :
Meanwhile our ever resourceful worship team have produced a lovely little CD for Christmas with songs exclusively written by members of the team and available only on this CD. Proceeds to go to the new building fund :
CHRISTMAS CD
by
SIGNPOST
Are you Ready for Christmas?
Two members of our church worship group have written Some Christmas songs. Proceeds from sales of a CD of the songs will go towards the new building fund
The writers, Linda Asbery and Dave Wilkin, have teamed up with Josh Potts, now a drummer for Helmshore Christian Fellowship, and called the resulting group SIGNPOST. The CD is entitled “Are you ready for Christmas”?
Like a signpost the group aim to point the way to Jesus in their music
The CD costs £4 (plus £1 if P+P required.)
You can hear extracts from the songs here on the blog
To order a copy see Dave or Linda or email davewilkin_uk@yahoo.co.uk
For more about Josh visit http://www.joshuapotts.co.uk/
by
SIGNPOST
Are you Ready for Christmas?
Two members of our church worship group have written Some Christmas songs. Proceeds from sales of a CD of the songs will go towards the new building fund
The writers, Linda Asbery and Dave Wilkin, have teamed up with Josh Potts, now a drummer for Helmshore Christian Fellowship, and called the resulting group SIGNPOST. The CD is entitled “Are you ready for Christmas”?
Like a signpost the group aim to point the way to Jesus in their music
The CD costs £4 (plus £1 if P+P required.)
You can hear extracts from the songs here on the blog
To order a copy see Dave or Linda or email davewilkin_uk@yahoo.co.uk
For more about Josh visit http://www.joshuapotts.co.uk/
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