Summary of Input from Congregational Members
All eleven Information Meetings (I.M.) went smoothly, and many have commented on how helpful they have been for a better understanding of the proposed plan. We do want to thank most sincerely the host/hostess at each home where we met.
120 members of the congregation have attended an Information Meeting.
Each meeting began with a short message from the Bible. The passages were Ephesians 2.19-22; 1 Peter 2.4-5; and Psalm 127.1. The common theme in all these passages is that it is the Lord who builds his church and therefore as his people we must be totally dependent on him and his will for St. Elizabeth’s in the years to come.
Members of the property group then presented a summary of all that has been done during the last two years; and then the detail of the actual proposal. After this comments, questions and suggestions were made.
One person, who told us that she had not given much consideration to the proposed project, nor studied the charts or plans up in the church, came to an Information Meeting with an open mind: and commented with enthusiasm at the close of the meeting: “This evening, I am persuaded” The vision is beginning to be caught, and minds are changing.
At almost every meeting, there were some who said that they had come with great hesitancy and large doubts about the proposal, but through the very good and informative presentation, they now felt that it was a truly good proposal.
At the close of two meetings, the comment was made: “Go for it” and there was often a ‘buzz’ of acceptance.
There was only one meeting where the majority of those who spoke expressed a negative reaction to the whole proposed project.
At most meetings, there was much said about changing the LAY-OUT OF THE CHURCH - to look west instead of south. Some 12 folk said “Why not leave it as it is?” and “at least, leave the pews” One said: “A church without pews is not a Church” Several said: “Take away a few pews, front and back, to make room for the ‘welcome’ area and also for the music group, but leave the body of the church with pews.” One or two asked about the stained glass windows along the west wall, and were assured that these would not be ‘hidden away in a cellar’ though one or two may need to be re-positioned. One or two commented that we are seeking to change the Church into another Hall. Again when the ‘pews versus chairs’ issue was raised, the majority was prepared to believe that carefully-chosen chairs would be acceptable, and that changing the interior to face west instead of south could be beneficial in bringing people closer to one another, and assisting both preacher and congregation to engage with one another.
Many spoke about the loss of CAR PARKING facilities - from 44 to, at most, 36. The issue was discussed at several meetings, and suggestions made, such as asking the Primary School if we could use their parking area on Sundays, and/or the possibility of having a minibus: but all agreed that Car Parking would have to be ‘managed’ carefully. Few saw this as an issue for agreeing or disagreeing with the whole proposal.
Mention was made of all the money spent in recent years (ie.all the WIRING for heating and lighting of the church) and that it would be ‘wasted’ - but assurance was given that lessons had been learned, and also that some of what had been achieved (ie. The re-wiring and the low-energy lights) would be unchanged.
Overall, the majority accepted our NEED of NEW Halls - though one or two expressed doubts as to positioning the NEW Halls alongside the Church. Everyone knew that the present Halls would need extensive and expensive work done to bring them up to modern-day standards, and that even then, they would hardly be adequate for our anticipated needs - particularly with regard to creche, kitchen, ‘youth den,’ and sufficient rooms for growing ‘Explorer’ classes. One or two questioned our likelihood of receiving planning permission for the project. 2 or 3 commented on ‘Why do we need the Halls to be alongside the Church? a little walk like that in the rain never harmed us’ Another suggested building a tunnel from Church to Old Halls. However, the majority saw the need for NEW Halls to be built, of the necessary standard to meet not only today’s Health and Safety regulations but also people’s expectations of what a modern building should provide, and most seemed to like the proposed plans, bringing together church and halls ‘under one roof.’
One member produced a carefully thought-out resume of the past history of St Elizabeth’s and of St Mary’s, (a daughter church) including the new church, the various additions to the Burton Hall, the new Rectory, with all the financial involvement, and the time taken to pay off debts and loans. We were reminded of the donors of the various windows: and then of the fact that all this belongs to the Representative Church Body (RCB). This person concluded with horror that any suggestion of changing the interior of the Church, apart from removing a few pews back and front, would be wholly unacceptable. However, these were views that were not generally expressed.
FINANCE was actually spoken of less frequently than might have been expected, but obviously was large in the thoughts of many. 10 or 11 spoke with conviction about this - including one or two people, saying ‘How can we justify spending so much on ourselves, when worldwide, the Mission Fields are crying out for help?’ Two suggested that £2.3 million was an underestimate: and also that we may not manage to sell the halls for as much as we think in today’s climate of falling prices for buildings. ‘How could our present congregation pay for such a project, when they can’t even contribute enough weekly for our running expenses?’ However, despite considerable nervousness, MANY feel that if we all know that this is God’s Will for us to proceed, He will provide. One concern was raised about the long term future and ownership of the new proposed property. If it is owned by the Church of Ireland (C of I)/RCB, and in the years to come there is a realignment within the C of I for doctrinal reasons (this is already informally happening in some parts of the Anglican Church e.g. Canada and the USA), what will happen to the buildings then? Is there anyway that the new buildings can therefore be placed in the ownership of St. Elizabeth’s and therefore protected long term?
One member of the congregation had thought very carefully of what would be involved in seeking to pay for such a project, and had thought out how this might be achieved: but also warned us of the exorbitant price of paying back interest if we borrowed from the bank.
In one or two meetings, there was a note of criticism from a few, that the Select Vestry appeared to ‘be taking over’ and making the final decision, with little regard to the opinions of members of the congregation: one person even voiced the opinion that ‘the Select Vestry is gagging the reaction of many.’ This was promptly answered by reminding everyone that the Congregation both nominate and vote for members of the Select Vestry, thereby choosing whom they believe represent them. The Constitution of the C of I lays the responsibility for making the final decision regarding the care of all the property/buildings, and therefore for going ahead with this proposed project, on the Select Vestry, after adequate time for prayer and discussion. The Diocesan Council and also the RCB in Dublin (the administrative HQ of the C of I) would also have to give their approval.
Many of the Information Meetings had good input as to how to use the NEW HALLS, to make meaningful contact with the COMMUNITY, seeing this as an excellent method of evangelistic outreach – such as lunches for Senior Citizens: English Language classes for immigrants: midday services for the many workers in Dundonald on weekdays: new initiatives for young people. The NEW HALLS would give excellent facilities for Conferences, Training Sessions, Christianity Explored courses etc:.
An Analysis of the Information Meetings
An analysis of the Information Meetings would indicate that the majority of parishioners were not opposed to the project of bringing Church and Halls under one roof, with a good welcome area: but a significant minority are still hesitant about the plan to change the interior arrangement of the Church itself: and their concern needs to be respected and treated with sensitivity.
That said however, it was noticeable that in conversation after many of the meetings, there was a general sense of ‘Now I understand what you are saying and planning’ and a rising tide of interest and excitement towards the project itself, and even a belief that it could be accomplished.
RECOMMENDATION
Based on the findings outlined above, the Select Vestry accepted the recommendation of the Property Group, to go forward with the proposed project, by committing ourselves in principle to it as a whole.
[The Property Group had discussed with the architects the possibility/feasibility of a two-staged approach for its fulfilment – Halls and Welcome area, followed at a later date by the improvements/changes to the church itself: but having been told of the considerable increase in cost that would result from such an action, had concluded that the best option is to complete the building of the New Halls and the improvements of the Church (i.e. double glazing, roof insulation, new under-floor heating, replacing pews with chairs) as one project, possibly deferring until later, the final decision about turning the internal lay-out of the church, from facing south, to facing west.]
The next step to take place over the coming few months will be to produce a realistic and detailed FINANCIAL PLAN for the project. Expert and professional advice will be sought for this. This Financial Plan will then be explained to the congregation in June; and implemented during the autumn. By the end of this year (2008) therefore, we will have a clear indication if the Building Proposal is financially feasible.
Meanwhile please join us in praying to the Lord for his continued wisdom and guidance. The following prayer should be a help to you.
Gracious God, please help us as a church.
We are conscious that we have no right to your favour. Forgive us if we ever think we are better than we are, or able to serve you in our own strength. We need your help because without you our faith grows weak, our fellowship grows careless, our witness is loveless and our light grows dim. Please breathe your refreshing power into our lives and homes and church family. Fit us for the task of representing you our great and worthy God. In Jesus Name. Amen