Our architects have now prepared some initial 3D views for the Auditorium. Although not finalised yet, they start to give us a good idea what the internal space will look like!
Author: Laura Thomas
Annual Church Vision Night
Everyone at St Michael’s is invited and encouraged to attend our once-a-year cheese and wine Vision Night.
It’s an opportunity to remind ourselves of God’s blessing and guidance, and to focus on the year ahead for us as his church here in Stoke Gifford. (And to enjoy some cheese and wine and some time together.)
7.30pm Tuesday 22 April
The Old School Rooms
Please come along if you can.
Heart of the Community project updates
Construction and costs
Rebuilding of the north wall is nearing completion. The steel frame of the new building is now complete, and work on the roof has begun. Internal and external walls on the ground floor are now about 50% complete. Corridors and rooms are taking shape, and work has begun reconstructing the internal arches. We anticipate the shell of the building will be finished by the end of July.
Savings of about £20,000 have been made on the cost of the north wall, and further savings are expected to be made as disruption costs are minimised by a smooth continuation from phase 1 to 2.
Finance
Following the DCC decision at their last meeting an application is being pursued for Heritage Lottery Funding via the ‘Grants for Places of Worship’ programme. We will be bidding for a grant of around £225,000 which will cover most of the work which needs doing in, and to, the church building.
Outreach
We have recently awarded just under £15,000 to our mission partners working with Family Impact, to build a classroom block at a rural school in Zimbabwe. The current classrooms are mud huts with no desks or seats. The new classroom block, containing two classrooms to accommodate 80 children, will be built of bricks, made by the local community. There are plans to build three other similar classroom blocks so that the entire school can be re-housed.
Events for the diary
Phoenix Trading – Coffee and Cards
Saturday 26 April
Sue Woodhead Marsh is hosting an open home during the morning on 26 April. This will be an opportunity to drop in, drink coffee (or tea), eat cake, meet people and browse some high quality, good value, greetings cards and stationery. All proceeds to go to the Heart of the Community. (For more info please contact Sue on 07525 929085)
Band Night
Saturday 10 May
Back by popular demand. More details to follow.
Colour and Style evening
Tuesday 10 June
If you are interested in the finding out more about personal image, and how to choose colours and clothing that will flatter and enhance your look, then pop this date in your diary. All proceeds from the evening will go to Heart of the Community. More details to follow.
Archbishop’s visit
Saturday 13 September
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will be visiting the new Church and Community Centre to bless the project.
Church gift day 2014 – running total
Thank you so much for playing your part in the life of St Michael’s. So far the total gifts (including Gift Aid) totalled £42,119 for 2014. This is a marvellous result and will go some way to enabling us to achieve what God is calling us to do as a church in 2014. The Gift Day form is still available in church, so you don’t need to miss out! Please fill the form in and bring it back over the next week or drop it into the church office.