Glasgow Road , Paisley PA1 3PA
Telephone: 0141-889 7060
e-mail: Church Office
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Scottish Charity No: SC007484
SHERWOOD GREENLAW CHURCH
Halls Modernisation Project
Background
At Kirk Session’s meeting In January 2003, the Church Without Walls Committee highlighted the need for a coffee lounge to outreach to parents of children in youth organisations, especially those who had no other connection with our church family. The CWW Committee concluded that it was time to be a bit more ambitious and forward-looking and to equip ourselves with facilities that reflect the vibrancy and modernity of modern congregational life.
They suggested it would require :
customising our premises to cope better with the demands of new and different user groups
not being satisfied with second or third rate facilities when we were aspiring to do first rate work in evangelism
Timing
The timing seemed opportune because Sherwood Greenlaw had adopted the Church Without Walls mission, the principal focus of which was outreach and inclusion. Also, there were funds lying in trust with the General Trustees in Edinburgh which might be made available to finance the first phase of such a project. In addition the quinquennial report on the care and maintenance of our buildings had listed a series of short-, medium- and long term repairs needed, including the creation of facilities for the disabled.
Proposal:
The CWW Committee therefore proposed:
that the Board be remitted to commission, with despatch, a Feasibility Study which offered a series of options for the remodelling and /or extension of the buildings.
That the study consulted with the array of user groups in the congregation to determine needs.
That these needs be addressed with the creative flair and imagination of a specialist architect to devise a proper set of plans for which planning approval could be secured
Outcome:
A Modernisation Working Party comprising members of the Kirk Session and Congregational Board was established . The feasibility study was carried out and an architect drafted a set of plans for an ambitious halls modernisation programme in 3 phases. After a lengthy process of negotiations, these plans were eventually approved by the congregation, the Presbytery, Church of Scotland in Edinburgh and Renfrewshire Council’s Planning Department.
Work is now underway on phase 1 which includes renewing the heating system and upgrading the toilet and office facilities.
Subsequent phases will include the construction of a glass welcome lounge at the east door, the upgrading of the Minor Hall, increased storage facilities and general improvements to the lighting and decorative order of the halls.
Modernisation Programme Update
Works are continuing according to the agreed schedule. The windows and skylights are now in place, the underfloor heating and general electrics are installed and the stonework for the plinth is currently being constructed. The new ramp is also in place and we can now see how much easier will be the access for buggies and wheelchairs.
Passers-by and parents of children populating our halls throughout the week continue to express interest in the development and many are looking forward to visiting the new facility.
Plans are being made to ‘launch’ the new Welcome Lounge and a special Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is scheduled for Sunday 14th February when the Moderator of the General Assembly, Right Reverend Bill Hewitt, will be our special guest.
This date in the New Year will allow us plenty of time to decide how best to furnish and kit out the Lounge and will enable us to demonstrate to the Moderator and other invitees how the new facility is being used for mission and outreach purposes. Make sure you keep the date highlighted in your diary!
The Welcome Lounge, which will have a floor area similar to the current Minor Hall, will cost around £155 thousand to construct. The legacies will meet most of this cost and the balance (about £35,000) will be met by a combination of further efforts organised by the Fundraising Committee and by donations from members of the congregation.
This time last year the Session and Board were considering how the resources could be found to move forward with Phase 2. Now let us all give thanks for the improvements we are already enjoying, for the benefits still to come and, above all, for the answer we have received to the prayers we offered.
'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons
and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will
dream dreams.’ ACTS 2:17
“””