Parish Consultation: Your opinion matters

Many of you will be aware that there are a number of projects which our PCC will be discussing and acting upon over the next few months and years. These are major projects which need the full support of the whole congregation. Is it therefore important that the PCC, your elected representatives, know how you feel about these matters. Whilst the three projects highlighted here are primarily to do with our Church building, they are only some of the many issues and priorities we face as a congregation for mission and ministry in our parish.

The PA System

For some time now this has been an area of great concern and a source of frustration for many. The time has come to find a permanent solution to the problem. The PCC has pledged that a dramatic improvement to the system will be its top priority over the next 6-12months. A ‘faculty’ (church planning permission) will be required and therefore action may appear slow. We will however, be trying out temporary measures with immediate effect.

The Heating System

Over the years the current heating system has proved fairly effective in heating our building, but this has come at a price. The previously slow but now rapidly deteriorating condition of our organ is due primarily to the uneven distribution of heat across the church. When the choir, servers, and clergy positively glow ,many of the congregation suffer from frostbite, and then fail to hear the service when the blower is on. The PCC is well on its way to resolving these problems and it is hoped that the benefits of the new system will be felt by everyone before too much longer.

The Church Organ

St George’s is extremely fortunate to have such an excellent organist. She has played our organ for many years and knows just how to make it sound better than it actually is.

It has been understood by the PCC over many years that, the life of our organ is drawing to an end, and we have been relatively lucky that repairs this past year have not been as great as other years. The heating system has however taken its toll and vital parts of the instrument are now twisted and beyond repair, with other integral mechanisms in need of replacement. The advice of the Diocesan Organ Advisors was sought and their recommendation is that even with a massive injection of funds to repair the damaged sections no real benefit will be gained now or in the future. The PCC does not consider this to be a good use of finances and are therefore looking to explore the DOA’s suggestion that an application be made to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for a new organ, which they would fully support.

Such a major project must be supported by a majority of the congregation. In the first instance the PCC would establish a working group to explore the numerous sources of grants and trust funds available for just these causes. The burden of raising the majority of funds would not fall to the parish, nor would other fundraising events be prejudiced. Our normal mission and ministry will go on as usual. If the project is approved we would stand to gain a superb instrument for just a fraction of its cost. A substantial amount of funds will need to be raised over, say, the next four years and it would be for the congregation to decide how and to what extent this was supported.

Mission and Ministry

Over the last few month’s we have seen an increase in new people coming to St George’s and long may this continue. We have started new groups which are engaging with the wider parish, and community and this is an area we continue to develop. The primary purpose for us as a community of faith still remains central to who we are:

The Worship of Almighty God and the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Please use this opportunity to feed back to the PCC on any issues which these projects raise for you, either on the form below or more informally with either the Churchwardens or myself.

 

Fr. Stuart

Parish Consultation Form.

Please note that this document is published in Adobe PDF format.