"We read about the "Big Project" in Sunday's notice sheet and also obtained a copy of the statement of need document, and would now like to place a few comments on the church blog.
"Our concept of the Big Project was that it was a programme to provide accommodation for various groups to worship together on a Sunday morning by, for example, opening up for youth use the area behind the organ pipes. The Statement of Need goes far beyond this. Reference is made that at the heart of the document is the conviction, shared at a deep level by the whole church community, that St Michael's is called to be a resource for the whole community. This suggested resource could provide for community meals, concerts, uniformed organizations, dramatic productions and exhibitions. How has this conviction been measured? Des the village need these facilities? If it does, surelyu this is a Parish Council matter, which will possibly be addressed when the Galleywood Vision survey is finished.
"As a church group we have not had an opportunity to discuss the "Big Project", a term which seems to embrace both a church building programme and the introduction of Rolling Worship. Not all sections of the church are happy with Rolling Worship; a number of church attenders only attand the first slot, and we have lost on high profile member of the church community because of the programme. This is something that needs to be discussed by the church as a whoie. An opportunity for such a discussion would have been the Annual General Meeting, but including that meeting in Sunday worship did not include time for this.
"We are being encouraged to pledge finance to make "Our Big Project" feasible, but before making any such commitments we think we should ensure that the whole church body is in agreement with the decisions that have been made, and that money pledged will be used wisely on things that Galleywood Church really needs."
Robin and Marlene Strudwick
"Our concept of the Big Project was that it was a programme to provide accommodation for various groups to worship together on a Sunday morning by, for example, opening up for youth use the area behind the organ pipes. The Statement of Need goes far beyond this. Reference is made that at the heart of the document is the conviction, shared at a deep level by the whole church community, that St Michael's is called to be a resource for the whole community. This suggested resource could provide for community meals, concerts, uniformed organizations, dramatic productions and exhibitions. How has this conviction been measured? Des the village need these facilities? If it does, surelyu this is a Parish Council matter, which will possibly be addressed when the Galleywood Vision survey is finished.
"As a church group we have not had an opportunity to discuss the "Big Project", a term which seems to embrace both a church building programme and the introduction of Rolling Worship. Not all sections of the church are happy with Rolling Worship; a number of church attenders only attand the first slot, and we have lost on high profile member of the church community because of the programme. This is something that needs to be discussed by the church as a whoie. An opportunity for such a discussion would have been the Annual General Meeting, but including that meeting in Sunday worship did not include time for this.
"We are being encouraged to pledge finance to make "Our Big Project" feasible, but before making any such commitments we think we should ensure that the whole church body is in agreement with the decisions that have been made, and that money pledged will be used wisely on things that Galleywood Church really needs."
Robin and Marlene Strudwick
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