MOD News December 2011 

   Celebrating our Past - Looking forward to our Future     

A huge thank you to all Church members and Church and Centre users, who have taken the time to complete and return one of our questionnaires.  We received 43 responses (there is still time if you haven't sent yours yet) and your comments and suggestions will help inform the proposals we are now preparing. What was really heartening was the number of positive comments about the spirit and feel of our premises.  In addition to comments about particular rooms and facilities, responses to the question 'which aspect of our premises do you find most attractive' included "clean and warm", '"friendly and welcoming", "child safe", "the noticeboards" and "the shows and special events" which indicates that even if our bricks and mortar are failing, our hearts aren't.  It was also encouraging that more than half of the responses from Centre based organisations said they would be likely to attend themed events in Church of which Christmas, Cafe, Family and Craft options were the most popular.

In addition to conducting a survey, the Committee has been visiting other churches whose buildings and facilities have been upgraded or redesigned.  In addition to stealing the best ideas from others, we want to come up with ideas of our own.  There is much that is wrong with our present building, but there is also much that is right and reaffirming our place and mission in the Christian community of New Eltham will not be achieved by riding roughshod over the achievements of the past.  Our Church building has served us well and has many spiritual and sentimental memories and anything we do must improve what we have, not merely change it.  Our calling requires us to reach out beyond the constraints of our physical boundaries to become a positive influence and inspiration to all around us.  That's a tall order for anyone in their 50s (our Church building was 53 years old on 12th November) but, with the right support and encouragement, those of us who are even older can be revitalised and renewed.

                  Mission, Outreach and Development Committee

 

Our Kitchen Development November 2011:

 

    Before: 'The Coffee Bar'            Before: 'The Kitchen'

 

Nearly there!