Coming together

We had a very productive build committee meeting last night and we have started the process of seeking quotes for the fitting out of the building. There is a lot to do but we have spread the work out.

Im also looking to recruit into the secretarial team so that when we open we have a team of people ready to take on the challenges of the inevitable growth in jobs we have to do.

Newfangled Technology

Now I'm no dinosaur when it comes to technology and t'internet (I once ran 200 websites, I manage my computer network at work and so on) but I reckon my family are nipping at my ankles a wee bit.

It was Jessica and her Movie Maker idea that gave me the idea to movieise my photos and post the results to this blog. Now Flick has joined the technology race and has started a 'Union Road Community Church' face book thingimajig. It is a group created on Facebook.

Now the whole concept of Facebook baffles me somewhat but I understand it is a popular discussion forum for the youngsters and women (lets face it any opportunity for women to natter is bound to catch on).

As I have said many times on this blog fluid communication is vital in any organization whether its secular or religious so I'm all for the Facebook group. With that, this blog and our forthcoming website I think we have a good start in the communications department !

I will in the near future be alerting the media to our change of name. Again, they have been so supportive of our project, this is yet another very open channel of communication.

All I need to do now is think of a way of telling the locals that the roof isn't staying blue and we will have cracked it !

CB

Funny thing, democracy

Well after much deliberating we have our new name for our new church. In a surprise result "Union Road Community Church" won the vote. I say its a surprise because the name wasn't one of the forerunners from the last round of voting but its a fitting name and says where and who we are. Job done.

Mick the movie

The first man in

I was greeted by a very cheery Mick Wooly when I went on site today but it wasn't the usual happy chappy that we all know and love. This was a man with a smile which was a state of pleasant shock smile. It was our first visit inside the church and the sense of achievement I think captivated all of us because certainly for my colleagues on the building team this day has been a long time coming.

Inside the spaces look far roomier than we had expected. Upstairs the floor extends right into the apex foyer apex which is going to be a wonderful spot when its finished. The foyer itself will be more than ample for our after service refreshments and I was in my mind planning the layout of the office area where no doubt all the admin will be prepared.

The classroom space is lovely. It is a broad long room and it will be surprisingly lofty, he height dictated by the mezzanine floor above. There will be two exits to the outside play area which will bring in loads of light. All in all I think its brilliant.

Next week we are having a building meeting. There is a lot of finishing off items to look at before we can open so over the next month or so we will be planning our strategy for this. We will also be looking at our financial position to see what we have left to play with and how we are going to allocate fitting out funds.

That new church has got a blue roof !

The front elevation roof is taking shape. The only thing is it is the same bright blue as the back and I am a bit worried about fending off complaints from the locals. They'll be fine once the tiles go on top though :-)

CB

Put a lid on it !

The crane arrived on site yesterday in preparation for the fitting of the roof. The panels arrived on site on Monday. The roof structure is called 'kingspan' now if you are really sad like me you can indulge yourself by looking at their website http://www.kingspanpanels.com/Products/Insulated-Roof-Systems.aspx
This is phase one of the roof installation the second will be the fitting of the tiles. Natural stone on the front and a replica on the back. Its nice in this day and age to see a tile roof being used in construction when we are so used to seeing buildings being thrown up with flat tin roofs ! Although its more costly to tile the roof it was a requirement of the town planners and rightly so. Our building is the first building to be built on Union Rd for decades and it's important that it fits in with the surroundings.

Please continue to pray for the safety of the men on site as they complete this phase of building.

CB

Taking Shape

With the upper floor now in place and some of the dividing walls taking shape, the scale of the building can be appreciated. In the image above the line where the brick wall ends represents the scale of the main worship hall. The baptistery is clearly visible in the foreground.

Work to recommence tomorrow

Like many of us its back to work properly tomorrow for our builders. It is difficult to believe there are only 12 weeks left of the 28 week builder (although the project is still a couple of weeks behind this may be made up).

The building team, architect and builders meet again on 20th January when we will have a clearer idea of the programme for the final two months of the project although it is likely to be mid February before we have an idea when we will be in a position to move.

The last two months are going to be particularly busy as we are going to have to source all manner of items for the fitting out of the building. 200 chairs, 150 cups, a kitchen, a cooker, a fridge, tables, classroom equipment, a stage, a projector and associated fittings, spoons, plates, tables, shelves, sofas for the foyer, notice boards.......you get the idea.

Over the coming weeks I will be putting together an inventory of items we need and with the assistance of the grants team and the other members of the building team we will source the items needed to open up.

In addition to this I'm keen to ensure that our neighbours, councilors, press and others get the opportunity to see the new building so that we can tell them what we are about and what we will be using the building for.
Its a one trip pony to some extent and we must capitalise on the chance whilst we have it.

Happy new year !