Improvement of our Church Hall facilities Some months ago David Wolfe initiated a discussion at the Finance Committee about our church hall facilities. He is convinced that, if we were minded to do so, we could apply for Planning Permission to change the use of SMR into a semi-residential property, and then have a very saleable building. The funds so realised (potentially £125,000 - £200,000) would enable the church to consider options for an alternative form of church hall provision that would be safer, bigger and better for the work and ministry of St Mary's Church, and to be available for external hire to augment the church income.

The PCC Finance Committee, and then the PCC itself, considered the options, which boiled down to:-

• Do nothing: Unless there is enthusiasm for this Project it would be better to leave well alone
• Build a new church hall by St Mary's Centre and enlarge the car park: cost about £330,000
• Build a new hall next to SMC and retain SMR for the Nursery's use? BUT there would be no offsetting income. After further discussion, and consultation with the Town Strategy Group and others, the PCC widened its thinking to the possible development of a Community Centre (possibly in the Woodland Park area of town) in which the churches would be stakeholders and user groups. Not wanting to proceed faster than the people of the church, the PCC asked that I pass on this information at this Annual Church Meeting, and to seek reactions and responses.

Such a project, either on our land or Developer's land, will be enormous - demanding much prayer, time, energy, and fundraising. If we are committed to the vision, the rest will fall into place. In September the members of our church will be asked to indicate if there is any excitement, vision, or hope about these ideas. Over the summer, please will you think about it - and ask for further information if that will help.