Author: Laura Thomas

On Sunday 21st September fourteen people set out to run the Bristol half marathon to raise money for the Heart of the Community project.  A mix of church members and a few friends and family, some of whom had  little previous experience of running distances.  Everyone completed the course; the fastest time was 1:31:49. Seven people did it in under two hours, and seven did it in between two and three hours.  

Congratulations to all of them! Thanks to their efforts a total of £4,868 (without gift aid) has been raised so far.  And there is still time to donate. Let’s see if we can make it £5,000!  If you’d like to chip in simply go the the online giving page and click to donate.

A picture of the team also appeared on the live updates on the ITV web site (sixth photo down):

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, visited us on Saturday 13th September – as part of his weekend in Bristol and the West.  Archbishop Welby, described the  Heart of the Community project as ‘wonderful’, ‘courageous’ and ‘exciting’.  He said: “This project warms my heart. This is not about a community building: this is about building a community. It is a great example of what the church does best, which is loving and serving and transforming – and it’s about the future. 

“It is a huge project to undertake and I know there is a lot further to go. It is not audacious simply because it’s bold, daring and big, but because it is one of those projects that depends entirely upon God and God moving people’s hearts.  There is a real vision about what this community could be in the future and what is being put together here. The Heart of the Community is happening because it is God’s heart for the community now and over the next 20, 30, 40, 50 years and that is so exciting.  It is wonderful to be here. All of us should look around – any thought that God’s church has no future in this land is a complete delusion.”

As he dedicated the building the Archbishop thanked and blessed all those who had worked on the building, the project team and the vision behind the centre.  “May it be a light for its community, may it be a reminder of the love of God at the heart of the community. May you govern and direct the church and people of this area that it may be a place of help for those growing up, a place of safety for those growing old and a place of flourishing for those in work.”

Bishop Mike has also asked that his personal thanks and appreciation be passed on to colleagues and congregations in the Diocese.  “… the effort and commitment that both individuals and organisations have put into planning and engaging with this pastoral visit has been considerable… I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my personal thanks to you for all that you have contributed in planning and expertise, in prayer and through your physical presence at the events…”

To see the full gallery of photos by Rob Wicks please click here

 

 Today, Simon Jones had the opportunity to speak to John Darvell on this show at Radio Bristol. If you’d like to listen again,you can go click here and fast forward i to around 1 hour 35 minutes.  Simon talks about the Archbishop of Canterbury’s visit to the Diocese this weekend and also his visit to our lovely new building.  Why not take a listen?

 

 

 

Members of St Michael’s Church, Stoke Gifford have been taking a look at their new church and community centre ahead of its dedication next month.

Archbishop Justin Welby will be visiting the centre on Saturday 13 September during his visit to the Bristol Diocese to bless the church’s ‘audacious’ Heart of the Community project and dedicate the building.

The shell of the building, on the site of old farm barns in North Road, is due to be completed at the end of this month.

Small groups of church members were given a preview of the ground floor of the building and the chance for informal prayer and worship in the 600 seat auditorium after each of the church’s three Sunday services.

The building is the centrepiece of the church’s £5.5m Heart of the Community project, which also includes refurbishing the neighbouring Old School Rooms and renovating the 14th Century church. A tenth of all money donated or raised by the congregation is being used for mission work to combat poverty and spread the gospel in the UK and overseas. 

The new centre will provide much needed facilities for conferences and church services, wedding receptions and other celebrations as well as community rooms. It will also serve as a resource for the wider region as it is within easy access of the M4 and M5 and just minutes away from Parkway Railway Station. 

The Bishop of Bristol, Mike Hill, who has described the project as ‘audacious’ will be accompanying Archbishop Welby.  

The next phase of the project will be to kit out the inside of the building and provide usable space on the ground floor by Easter 2015. 

The Rev. Si Jones, Rector of St Michael’s, said: “The Heart of the Community project will provide a legacy that will speak of God’s generosity for generations to come.”