Revitalising St Mary’s Project
January 2013
Another year of using the church in its new style has been exciting and interesting. The kitchen was finished early in 2012 and has been a fantastic addition and has made catering events much easier. 2012 has been a good year….
Church space bookings
We now have two regular bookings for evenings; a Pilates class and Shalford Choral Society. Some other evenings are taken up with church choir, and our bellringers. We also have the Diocese hire the space for secular workshops including one called “Use of space” highlighting our flexible use of space.
In addition we have had private birthday parties, anniversary events, lunches and fundraising events.
However, we still need to increase daytime bookings as much as possible and welcome any groups that have a regular weekly meeting. If we can secure just three regular bookings then this would be a regular income for this year and every other year they continue. Please recommend our space to anyone you know! Please contactthe parish secretary for information.
Wider use of the Church space
Our master plan is to use the church every day ‘not just for Sundays’, therefore we are promoting the church as a venue to hold concerts, receptions, private parties, meetings, exhibitions – a range of community events. It is a large warm venue with fabulous flexible seating, dimmable lighting, surroundings and acoustics – a great place to hire for large numbers and a fundamental way for the church to be at the centre of village life.
Messy Church
Messy Church has gone from strength to strength since our first one in November 2011. It has been amazing to see the little ones have their own ‘church’ with mess, creation, singing and food! We now have a regular band of young families involved in a new style of seriously crafty and fun worship.
Children’s Christmas Eve - Nativity play – December 2012
An amazing 317 attended this service – our highest ever! 30 children took part in the nativity too, from our congregation and also new families coming to Messy church.
Outward giving - Christmas Charity Fair – December 2012
Our annual event of outside giving continues to provide a valuable income for many local charities that don’t get national support. An amazing £6,205 will be split between 8 good causes.
Events
In 2012 we held a flower festival, young musician’s concert, fashion show, quiz night and Russian church music evening. For 2013 we have two planned so far; a big band and another concert. We welcome anyone who is willing to arrange an event for us – any suggestions, we aim to give our community variety of entertainment
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2013 and beyond
A book sale in January 2013 sale raised £455
The Ron Green Big Band on 22nd February
The Lapini Singers on 11th May
Any more you and your friends are willing to organise?
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January 2012
The refurbished church has relished in its flexibility since the opening in May last year. Family services are held in the round, particularly good for baptisms and good visibility for all, especially little people. The more traditional services have often been held facing east. Weddings have been whichever layout the brides prefer, some opting for altar facing, some for in the round.
Our Harvest Supper was held in the church and we have staged 3 concerts raising around £3,000. Also there has been 3 wedding renewal of vows services with two of the parties using the church for receptions afterwards. It has been truly wonderful to have this flexibility and be utilising it!
Moving forwards, our master plan is to use the church every day ‘not just for Sundays’, therefore we are promoting the church as a venue to hold concerts, receptions, private parties, meetings, exhibitions – a range of community events. It is a large warm venue with fabulous flexible seating, dimmable lighting, surroundings and acoustics – a great place to hire for large numbers and a fundamental way for the church to be at the centre of village life.
The kitchen facility is due to be refurbished very shortly which will provide cooking and refreshment facilities plus a WC, disabled WC and a baby changing/toilet training area. This will be excellent for hirers wishing to make tea/coffee or prepare full meals and for those with small children.
Talking of small children, our Children & Families @ St Mary’s is now taking a new direction. We held our first ‘Messy Church’ in November for over 60 people and plan to do another one this Spring. This is a great way to get involved with children if you prefer not to attend services. To receive our e-newsletter, please email [email protected].
We also need to generate an Events Committee to take on running events throughout the year. This doesn’t have to be only church members, it can be community members that wish to be involved in village life a little more. If you are interested, please contact Jane on 572447 or via the Parish Office.
Interested in hiring this unique space? Please contact the Parish Office – we now have suggested donations for weekday and weekend lettings which are very competitive particularly for a large and fully refurbished space.