Here are the activities we uploaded for Messy Church at Home on 20th June....
Here are the activities we uploaded for Messy Church at Home on 20th June....
Here are the activities we uploaded for Messy Church at Home on 20th June....
SHIRLEY PARISH
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KNOWING CHRIST, MAKING HIM KNOWN
For the past couple of years we have been working towards installing a "pod" containing a simple kitchenette and disabled WC within the south transept at St James. For more information on why we are doing this, and of the journey so far, please scroll down the page.
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The plans are now moving into reality. Here's the latest update...
What’s been happening?
Sometimes things just don’t go as we plan. A couple of months back we discovered that the original plans drawn up for the Pod in St James contained an error, and the design was not compatible with disability regulations for access to the toilet. The builders’ preparations were put on hold as there had to be a new design which did meet all the regulations.
When we saw the new design, which involved dismantling the old internal lobby in the South Transept and building a new one from which there would be access to the toilet, we were both pleased and dismayed. Pleased because it was a design much improved on the original which would look neater and function better; dismayed because it meant there would be a delay whilst we gained permission for the new plans, raised the additional money required, and re-booked a date with the builders.
Miraculously all these obstacles have been overcome, and the builders will begin work on 3rd February. Huge thanks need to go to Kate Crocker for steering the new plans through the diocesan processes at high speed; to those people who have made extraordinarily generous donations to cover the costs; and to the building company for fitting us in with only 1 month’s delay. And, of course, to everyone who has prayed, supported, and otherwise encouraged the team through what has been rather a tense time.
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What will the new design look like?
Here's a sketch of the new plan....
If you look into the South transept from just in front of the altar on the dais, to your left you will see the new double doors from an enlarged entrance lobby. Access to the toilet will be from this lobby.
To the right of the entrance doors you will see the side wall of the toilet; and to the right of that, the doors of the kitchenette. These will fold back on themselves when the kitchenette is in use, and a table will be placed in front of them, from which drinks etc can be served.
Full, detailed plans can be seen at the back of St James.
When is it happening (and how disruptive will it be?)
Building work will begin on Monday, 3rd February, and it’s anticipated that it will take around 8 weeks. Work will not be taking place on Sundays.
One of the contractors’ first tasks will be to put up a partition to minimise the impact of the work on the rest of the building. The biggest disruption is likely to be from noise, and for this reason, the Thursday morning Communion services will be held in Church House from Thursday 6th February until it’s all finished. The contractors will flex their work around any funerals or other key events in church.
Once the partition has been put up we anticipate that the building will be open for private prayer as usual. We will try to announce any changes to this via the front page of the website, but please be aware that closures may be necessary at very short notice.
You can phone the Parish Office on 0121 745 8896 on weekdays between 9:30am – 12:30pm (11am on Friday) if you want to check before making a special journey.
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Plan copyright
The Story so far....
So many people say what a wonderful welcome they receive in our churches. That is of course a credit to everyone. But buildings play their part in the welcome we offer as well.
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Currently those visiting the St James' Church building have to cross the road to Church House to access refreshments or toilet facilities. This is far from ideal - the road can get very busy, and sometimes other activities are going on in Church House which can make access difficult. So we're working to upgrade the facilities in St James' - so we can offer even more of a welcome to everyone who comes into the building.
We have plans to add a toilet and a small kitchen facility to make it easier to serve teas and coffees and other light refreshments. These will be situated in the South transept (the wider area on the left as you look from the main entrance) – the area where we currently serve refreshments after our Sunday services.
The toilet will be fully accessible and meet all disability requirements. The kitchen will be a ‘cupboard kitchen’ with storage units, work surfaces, a sink and a small fridge, concealed behind doors which can be opened fully when the kitchen is in use.
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The construction will be a pod type construction – essentially a “building within the building” which will minimise any structural work.
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Grants and donations
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We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed to this project, including
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The Friends of St James
The Grimmit Trust
The Beatrice Laing Trust
The Edward Cadbury Trust
The Benefact Trust
The Solihull MBC CIL Fund.
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How can I donate to the project?
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Online
Via our secure ‘Give a Little’ page accessed here​. You can select one of the options available, or choose you own amount. You will be given the option to Gift Aid your donation if you wish to do so.
By cheque payable to Shirley Parish PCC.
Please place in an envelope labelled “the Pod Project” and hand in to the Parish Office, or post through the Parish Office door. Cash donations may be made in the same way.
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Please use the Gift Aid scheme if you pay tax. You can find out more about Gift Aid and how to use the scheme here.