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© Nick Berry

2012

New Horizons - Frequently Asked  Questions

Why do we need an extension anyway?

The requirements of a public building continue to change, as do visitor’s expectations.  We do not have an accessible (disabled) toilet and our office space has to be doubled up as a vestry leading to an overflow of the photocopier into the main worship area and an overflow of children as well because of the limited space.  Our mid-week activities for children require substantial moving about of tables and chairs.  Storage is limited, leading to tables stored in the main worship area and many items needing to be stored in the loft area which is only accessible via a ladder.  This leads to clutter continuing to collect within the worship area. The children need to go across to the village hall for Discoverers and Pathfinders in all weathers. Younger, newer or visiting children are often reluctant to go so far from their parents.  

There is nowhere to take someone to be for prayer or for someone to find a private space for prayer other than the prayer corner which is limited in terms of privacy and it again invades the main worship area.  Because the welcome table is inside the building it detracts from creating a sense of expectancy for worship at the beginning of services.  And finally, from the vision that is developing, we feel that we need to symbolically reach out into the village (by improving the entrance to the church) and in reality by working with children, young people and families and disadvantaged groups within our community.  Our dream is to provide a place of sanctuary where members of the community can find support, a listening ear and someone to pray with them if they so choose.  The extension would provide the space for a drop in cafe to allow this to happen.

 

Why now?

Why not now!  There is always a reason why now is not the time but as our congregation ages, if we do not draw younger people in, it will get harder to undertake such a big project.

 

Will we get caught up in spending all our time in fund raising?

No!  We may organise a limited number of fund raising events where the primary focus is to hold a high quality event that is a positive experience for those coming along and an opportunity to invite members of the community along.  We will apply for grants and a small committee will undertake this work.  However, the majority of the funding will come from the direct giving of congregation members either as a lump sum donation or an amount given monthly for a number of years.

 

 

 

What about the money?

We have currently over £136 000 pledged or given to the project (including gift aid).  The project will be staged and each section completed only as we have enough money.  The church will not put itself into financial difficulties.   The details of the staging have yet to be decided.

 

How do I give to the project?

Cheques (payable to Alresford PCC) can be given to Nick Wright who also has gift aid forms and standing order forms for your bank to organise a monthly gift to the project.  Otherwise please contact Pauline Scott. 

 

 

 

New Horizons update - February 2012

 

• The project will now go out to tender in mid February with tenders received mid March.  We won’t know the exact cost until then.
• Any delays to the project now, other than by just a month or so, will mean the costs increase – and will mean grant applications are wasted. 
• People have asked if this is now the right time—the needs for the building project have not changed but if anything have become more pronounced & extensions have been discussed here for many, many years – there is never a ‘good’ time – the economical climate is difficult but has been before and will be again.  If God is in this then now is the time!
• Total raised with gifts, pledges & gift aid is now nearly £169 000.
• We are hoping for some £50 000 in grant aid but will not know for a number of months yet.
• In order to considerably close the gap between funds in hand & funds needed, the P.C.C. have agreed to sell a plot of land at the far end of the church land.  The negotiations with regards this are underway.
• We are hoping this will bring us closer towards being able to do both stage 1, the annexe, and stage 2, the office, entrance & storage spaces at the front.  If both of these are built at the same time the costs are much lower.
• PLEASE do address any on-going questions or concerns to Pauline Scott, Don Cardy or Ray Giles
• To contribute to the project please speak to Nick Wright.

 

Please do ask Pauline Scott if you have any questions.

 

 

 

 

 

A cutaway view of the proposed new buildings

For our regular monthly update on the New Horizons project please click on the update button on the right