the Parish of St thomas' Brampton, Chesterfield

We will not have to re-apply for Planning Permission for a separate building. (Revised plans will have to be approved by Chesterfield Council and Derby Diocese.)
As it will be a separate building it (probably) will not be subject to VAT -a saving of about £150,000.
Application will be made to Derbyshire Environmental Trust for grants -possibly up to £110,000. Applications need to be made by the end of May 2008 so we will engage a professional person to help us. Outcome of the applications will not be known until the autumn.
We have been granted £3,700 to improve the present kitchen. All the items purchased will be transferable to the new building.
£1,200 pounds has been raised by 'Fun'd Raising'. This may not seem a lot but the fund raising as given us a common aim and engaged the community.
An 'Information Sheet' will go out with the Easter Spotlight.
It is proposed to have a Gift Day in the Autumn, preceded by teaching by our new rector.

For more information speak to a member of the Development Team, Paul Benson, Bernard Blanksby, Karen Riley, Eileen Balch and Phil Johnson.
Listen to the meeting

Listen to Robin Dawson's Sermon

which is very relevant to the project.
(Texts Nehemiah 4:1-23

and Matthew 17:14-23

)

2 February 2008, Nearly New Sale
Emma Atkinson writes: Many many thanks to all of you who helped or came along to the sale - it was a great event...lots of fun and we raised nearly £600 for the Living Stones Development Project.
Pictures from the sale here.

24 January 2008
Thomas' Living Stones Development Project is featured on the front page of this week's Derbyshire Times. We sent in a press release (although the article is their wording), and they sent out a photographer. Hopefully this will help to raise our profile in the local community and tie in well with the leaflet distributions (Development Project and then Spotlight) to the parish.
The article and photo are also available here.

Ralling call for support
Derbyshire Times, 24 January 2008

Text
Church fund-raisers have launched the second stage of a £1m appeal for a new parish community centre. Members of St Thomas' Church, on Chatsworth Road, Brampton, have already raised more than a third of the cash needed for the Living Stones Development Project. Paul Benson, project leader, said: "We've raised £400,000 from gifts and pledges from church members as well as internal fund-raising. We're now appealing for people to support us in whatever way they can-whether it's spending a couple of pounds at our nearly-new sale on February 2 or with a business donation."
The centre will be used by community groups, nursery, an after-school club,a history society, a walking group and a slimming group.

Caption under picture -'Seeking support: church representitives Anne Hewitt and Bernard Blanksby with the project logos'

17 January 2008, Indicative Drawings of the proposed floor plans are on the 'Living Stones' board at the back of Church, this Sunday (20 January). These plans provide an opportunity for you to gauge the size of the proposed building and rooms against the existing meeting room, portacabins, etc.

January 2008, Question and Answer Update
Questions/comments raised by Church members following the Development meeting held on Sunday 14th October 2007 can be downloaded and read here

"FUN'd" raising update, January 2008
Thank you to everyone who took part in the activities during December, including card making; silver smilies; selling refreshments etc. We hope to let you know how much this raised shortly.

Thank you To the intrepid people who turned out for the Night Hike and raised £75 - and have asked if we can do it again! So watch out for details of another hike when the nights get longer and the weather

New ideas for "fun-d raising" in January are on the Living Stones display board, and more ideas and offers to organise things are always welcome - contact Emma Atkinson on 551388.

Offers of help for the Nearly New Sale on Saturday 2nd February are now being sought - could you help by providing things for sale (clothing, books & toys etc), which can be left during the week in the Church Office; and could you help to set up on the Friday evening (1st Feb) and / or at the actual sale? Please let Julie Lomas know on 277448, or e-mail julie-lomas@btconnect.com.

Foreigh Currency Have you any unwanted foreign currency floating about after your summer and Christmas holidays? We can convert it into pounds sterling and add it towards the Church Development Fund. To do this place the currency (NOTES ONLY) in an envelope marked 'Foreign Currency Tim Wheeler' and put it in the collection and I will pick it up and convert it into pounds at the Post Office. Many thanks Tim Wheeler

25 November 2007 Open Meeting
Paul Benson who is now leading the project since David Mouncer left led the meeting.

The meeting started with an act of saying sorry to God. This focussed on saying sorry to one another, to our community and to God and was based around the themes of distraction, discouragement and doubt.

A financial strategy was set out by Alison Gregory. Paul listed and answered some of the concerns and questions people had from the October meeting.

As well as the raising large sums of money, Julie Lomas and Emma Atkinson encouraged the church to come together to raise money locally and at home. it should be 'Fun draising'. They gave several examples.

Listen to the various parts of the meeting:

Introduction -Paul Benson
Focusing on people: 'Living Stones' -Emma Atkinson
Feedback from questions following the October meeting -Paul Benson
Feeding of the Five Thousand -Dawn Edingborough
Financial Model -Angela Gregory
Putting fun into 'Fun draising -Julie Lomas and Emma Atkinson
Summing up -Paul Benson

A Prayer Leaflet has been produced . This is based around the theme of 'Living Stones', a theme we had several years age. Although the project is about a building, it is being built for and by people
Download it here

or read it below:

Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:13-16 (NIV):

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”

LIVING STONES
• Forgiven Stone -------- Ask God to help us be humble and pray for our sins to be forgiven.

• Healing Stone ---------- Pray that God will direct us and hold us in our desire not to sin so that we will receive God’s favour through His healing spirit.

• Emerging Stone ------- Pray that we will pass through the darkness into a new light with bright new ideas for the project.

• Developing Stone ----- Pray that our ideas will be acceptable to the planners.

• Working Stone --------- Pray that all who are working on the project will have the guidance and wisdom of Christ.

• Living Stone ------------ Pray that we all will be seized by an overwhelming desire to play our part and work together in harmony to move the project forward for the Glory of God.

14 October 2007 Open Meeting

The Rector David Mouncer opened the meeting and gave an update on the Development Project. He and Philip Riley had met and had a discussion with the architect.

• Estimated cost now of current scheme: £1.6m (including VAT and fees). This figure will increase by 6% a year for each year we do nothing.

• Could we phase the building? Yes, we could, e.g. start with the building not linked to the church and develop the Tower at a later date.

• What would we get for £800,000? Less room than we have now with the Meeting Room and two Porta-Cabins.

• Could we simplify the design and economise on materials? Yes we could.
Listen to this section here

Paul Benson then looked at a simplified and economised design.

• It is anticipated revised planning permission would be required.

• Same ‘footprint’ but a separate building.

• No Tower development.

• Cost could be reduced to £1m including VAT and fees.

• Economies such as rendered block work walls rather natural stone, carpet and vinyl flooring instead of hardwood, ceiling tiles instead of a hardwood ceiling, a gravel car park rather than a tarmac one etc. Building costs would also be less.

• Still have accessible toilets, new kitchen etc.
Listen to this section here

The Rector then summed up saying we had to move on.

• The Porta Cabins will not last much longer and the project is increasing by £60,000 each year we delay.

• The next PCC meeting on 12 November will discuss the outcome of this meeting. It will look at how to bridge the funding gap. (There is about £400,000 in the Building Fund at present)

• The PCC have proposed two more Open Meetings, 25 November when the PCC will bring funding proposal and one on 10 February 2008 when people can make a commitment to the project.
Listen to this section here

Eileen Balch then spoke about a ‘Passion for Progress’

The past year has been a difficult one for the Development Project. Lots of hard work has been done by the Development Committee, and we owe them a huge debt of thanks.

The discussion this year has been how to finance the project. At the July Open Meeting it was made clear that some funding options were not available to us, e.g. Regeneration Funds and the majority of the church family were not comfortable with commercial loans, Lottery Funding or selling Rose Cottage. Lack of progress had lead to various emotions. There has been anger, confusion, dismay, frustration, disillusionment etc. Can the vision ever come to fruition? This and now the Rector’s news that he is leaving has affected the whole church. Nothing could be more humbling or painful.

Earlier in the July a mature member of the congregation with spiritual standing brought the Rector and the PCC a passage from scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14-16. This was a specific word from God for this time. This was then shared and discussed in Home Groups. Since then though we have had the summer holidays, the person who brought this passage has been taken ill and we are facing an interregnum. There is now uncertainty for the future and extra burdens on those in responsibility during the interregnum.

2 Chronicles 7:14-16
14. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.

What does this passage of scripture have to say to us in this situation?

It is very relevant to our complex situation at St Thomas’ now.

• 14. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves….
To modify our scheme after years of work is humbling. We also have to come to terms that no outside body is going to come and help us financially. To acknowledge that it is our responsible humbling sobering.

• ….pray and seek my face….
There has been individual and corporate prayer about the project. The Rector has set us an example of prayer being a priority and we are grateful. We must continue to pray seeking God’s guidance and God’s face.

• ….and turn from their wicked ways….
Turn away from our ‘wicked ways’. Each of us can interoperate this individually. My thoughts are that our reservations of original plans have prevented us showing the real unity necessary. Therefore if we are to progress we must stand together with a common vision. We must gather up everyone up in the project, young and old, timid and bold and move forward.

• ….then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.
These verses have a promise from God to provide for our needs. We need to step out in faith. Corporate decisions need to be taken for a project of this magnitude. The next few months are crucial. Do we give consent for the project or allow Chesterfield Council to demolish Porta Cabins? If the latter happens it will be back to drawing board. Do we want a new rector to have to start the project again. The answer should be no.

We are not the first church in this situation. In Acts 15 there were big issue and the way forward was discerned in humility (verse 28). The early church had challenges, they had to discern God’s will.

Our project is daunting and worrying; it is still lot of money. But it also exciting to know what God might do. Its up to us to trust Him.
Listen to this section here

We then split in groups to discuss what had been said. Each group had members of the PCC in it who made notes to bring to the next PCC meeting.

David Mouncer then wrapped up the meeting with prayer and left us with a challenge to learn the verse 14 from Chronicles.
Listen to this section here

August/September 2007
The Rector and Philip Riley met with the architect to discuss modifying the plans. Subsequently the PCC met to discuss the way forward. Another open church meeting is being held on Sunday 14 October at 4pm to put the proposals to the congregation.

15 July 2007
David Mouncer was unable to report back to the congregation (due to ill health) as agreed at the meeting on 1 July. Karen Riley (Church Warden) made the report.

Option 1, 17 people indicated that this was their preferred choice. Option 2, 33 and Option 3, 37. No comments had been added by those who indicated Option 1 but some comments were made by those who indicated Options 2 and 3. Several of the comments overlapped, with several of those commenting on Option 3 having a leaning to Option 2.

Examples of comments included:
-Option 2 but seek various sources of funding to move matters on quickly.
-Leave the plans as they are but seek more funding from the congregation.
-Modify plans to leave out unwanted items and seek more funding from the congregation.
-Increase giving, modify the plans.
-The same plans but stage the development.
-Present plans but have a separate building to start with.

The Rector brought all the comments to the PCC on 9 July. He also commented that there appeared to be a reluctance by some people to take on a commercial loan, it being too risky or even un-Christian.

After consideration and discussion the PCC agreed that the Rector would consult with the architect in early August to see what modifications could reasonably be made to the plans. The members of the PCC would also think and pray about the options. A special PCC meeting will be held on 22 August when a decision will be taken on the way forward. Please pray for the way forward and the PCC meeting.

1 July 2007
The Open Development Meeting took place on Sunday 1 July. It was chaired by the Rector and some 100 people attended. The meeting was split into five sections.
You can listen to the recordings of each section.

The Rector gave a general introduction. He explained that £400,000 had be raised towards the £1.5m needed for the project. The church had a number of options on how to proceed. This meeting was to discuss them and seek the views of the congregation. There would be a 'secret' vote at the end. This would not be a binding decision as this had to be made by the PCC. The PCC would be meeting on 9 July and the decision would be announced by Sunday 15 July.
Julie Lomas then invited everyone to spend twenty minutes walking around the church and associated buildings looking at the facilities. She encouraged people to think how small people, less able people, older people etc. coped.
Listen to this section here.
The Rector led a time of prayer, including the reading of Psalms 23 and 24.
Listen to this section here.
Graham Brown restated the rational for the project and Karen Riley restated the decisions that had been made to get the project where it is today.
Listen to this section here.
The Rector set out three options for the way forward. After each option there was an oportunity for questions which were answered by the Rector, Graham Brown, Karen Riley and Paul Benson.
Listen to this section here.

These are the options he set out:

Option One:
Continue with plan and seek commercial loan
Consequences
Commercial loan - about £1m
Commercial letting of centre
Reduced use for church
Parish Centre Business Manager

Option Two:
Continue with plan but delay centre until increased giving/funding
Consequences
Smaller loan
Increased time till construction
Reapply for planning permission?

Option Three:
Back to drawing board
Complete revision of (new) plans based upon existing funds
Consequences
Smaller parish centre
New plans, planning permission
Time - it has taken us five years so far
A time of further prayer and the oportunity to vote. Slips of paper were provided with the three options. The congregation were asked to indicate which option they felt God calling them to. There was also an oportunity to add comments or suggest a 'fourth option'.
Listen to this section here.

June 2007
The Project Manager has completed and a summary was made available. The prayer meeting took place on 4 June.

May 2007
The Project Manager has completed his report. A summary will be made available. There will be an Open Meeting at St Thomas' Church on Sunday 1 July at 4pm to discuss the report and way forward. To prepare for this there will bw an evening of prayer for the project 4 June at 7.45pm.

April 2007
At the Annual Church Meeting 22.4.07 Karen Riley reported that the Project Manager would be reporting to the Development Committee in early May. The aim is to have the funding applications in place by the end of 2007. While this is happening contracts can start to be prepared. Professional help will needed for this. Listen to Karen Riley's report.

March 2007: Project Manager
Mick Topliss has been appointed from the Church Family on a trial basis.

Project Manager wanted
The PCC is looking to appoint a person with experience of drawing up business plans, making successful grant/loan applications and managing building projects to take the Parish Centre Development Project forward quickly. Enthusiasm for the Project is essential. This is intended to be a paid appointment. If you think you fit the bill please send your CV to the Development Committee via the Church Office or contact David Mouncer for more details.

January 2007
Sunday 21st January a meeting was held for all the congregation give an update on the Development Project. David Mouncer, the Rector, led the meeting.
Brief summary of the meeting:

2007 a critical year for the project, we need to move forward.
Nearly £400,000 in building fund, pledge money still coming in.
Next stage is to look for grants, commercial loans.
This is too much for a person to do in their spare time so it is proposed to engage a paid 'consultant' to do it, funded from the Development fund.
This post will be advertised to church members initially. If no one is suitable then some consultantcy firms will be approached. Hope to appoint someone in next two months.
Aim to be in a position to build next year. The two major hurdles are funding and the graves which are below the footprint of the building.
Not practical to build in stages, this would increase costs greatly.
Although we have permission to build from Derby Diocese and Chesterfield Council, the Diocese will not grant a 'Faculty' until the funding is secured.
The future of Rose Cottage in Holymoorside was raised, no decision made whether to it sell or not.

The meeting closed with a time of prayer.
Listen to the podcast of the meeting here.

October 2006
The Auction on Friday 27 October raised about £1600.

September 2006
An Auction to raise funds for the Development Project is planned for Friday 27 October in St Thomas' Church.

August 2006
Read the article 'Funding our Future' about funding options as published in the August/September 2006 edition of the Church Magazine.

June 2006
We will provide an update on the progress of our development project and discuss the VARIOUS FUNDING OPTIONS available to us on the afternoon of Sunday 4 June at 4-6pm in St Thomas' Church. Please note the date in your diaries and consider it a priority to attend. Some further background details on our funding options will be appearing in the next issue of Ploughshare, but we consider it important to gauge your reaction to these and discern the most appropriate way(s) forward. If you are unable to attend and would like to express a view on funding possibilities let the Rector know before the meeting.
Read more about the options in the June 2006 edition of the church magazine.

May 2006
The amount of money pledged and the number of people who pledged shows our committment to the building project. The total amount pledged/in our development fund is now about £400,000. The next stage is to look at other funding sources.

April 2006
A total of £280,000 has been pledged. Praise the Lord! About half of the amount as one off giving and the other half over 5 yeras. This includes 'tax back' via Gift Aid. In addition £7,000 has been pledged to mission.

March 2006
'Pledge Day' is 9 April 2006, Palm Sunday. The Sundays from 19 March will be a build up to the day. Full details here.

November 2005
People to take on key roles have been identified. A 'Pledge Day' is planned for 9 April 2006, Palm Sunday.

August 2005
We now have planning from Chesterfield Borough Council and Derby Diocese for our St Thomas' Building Project. We can now go forward to the next stage.

Graham Brown who is leading the project team would like members of St Thomas' to pray and ask God how He wants you to be involved. If you would like to find out more about being part of the Development Team please contact Graham.

We would like to fill the following roles:

Prayer partners - we need people willing to commit to praying for the project on a regular basis, on their own and together in a prayer team.
Project Management - we need to manage all aspects of the project using tools such as Gantt charts! If you know what one is perhaps you could help?
Communications whiz-kids - do you have a way with words? We recognize we must work hard to keep people informed as the project progresses, through publications, the web site, letters and face to face meetings. Could you help?
Fundraising - maybe you have experience of writing funding applications, or of presenting complex costings in a simple format. If so, we'd like to hear from you.
Muscle - we would like to keep costs down as far as possible by completing some of the grounds work ourselves. Could you lend a hand (or two)? If so meet us at Church on the first Saturday of each month, anytime between 10am and 1pm.

Project details | Plans & Pictures

Read more about the Development in the Church Magazine

Current Development Team
Paul Benson, Bernard Blanksby, Karen Riley, Matt Barnes, Emma Atkinson, Angela Wright and Phil Johnson.

Church Office | Tel: 01246 558461 | stthomasbrampton@tiscali.co.uk

Keep up to date via the Church Centre Facebook site
.

Booking the Centre
The Centre is now completed.
If you would like to make a booking please contact the Church Office.