Prophetic word for Heart of the Community

At the recent Church Weekend, the following prophetic word was given:

“I want to share picture of a brick wall being built by two people kneeling side by side, one crying and one laughing. Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.” As you build sacrificially and joyfully side by side, there is a promise of a harvest as you sow into the Kingdom of God. It’s the offering of your lives and not just your skills that brings this about. I saw grass growing up through the bricks and the concrete. I felt that this land was once ‘common land’ belonging to the people. There are three levels of ownership on the land:

1. We own it.

2. The ‘people of the community’ own it – it’s for them.

3. Jesus is the ‘Land-Lord’ – He owns it and claims the right to it.

If you remember this, He will bring life to this project. Remember this and you will be like living stones, built into a holy priesthood. Each of us are like stones with a unique offering to bring.”

There are four types of stone in the wall (people who are needed):

Some people who are called to be ‘reassuring’; those who say, “it’ll all be alright!” (When money is tight and chaos breaks out, they will be saying, ‘it’ll be alright!’)

Others are those who ‘see’ – people who see a vision for what is possible.

Yet others are people who will labour in prayer.

Lastly, there are those who will weep with those who weep, and live alongside them and carry them.

 

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.