newsletter

Autumn/Winter 2001-2002

Historic Abbey faces the future

Christian worship has taken place on the site of Malmesbury Abbey for 13 centuries. Today, the Abbey, although now only a small portion of its former magnificence, still crowns the hilltop and dominates all views of this small country town in north Wiltshire. It provides an active and lively town parish church, a marvellous venue for concerts and exhibitions, and a Christian welcome to more than 60,000 visitors each year.

The Living Stones Consultancy was invited by the Archdeacon, Venerable Alan Hawker, to work with the congregation of the Abbey as they plan for the future. An action team has been set up by the PCC to look at the possibility of improving facilities, in particular to provide additional toilet and kitchen facilities and an improved bookstall and creche area within the body of the Abbey. Lack of toilet facilities is a constant problem whenever the Abbey is used, particularly for large functions. Recently, Health and Safety Regulations have resulted in a considerable reduction in the size of audiences for concerts due to lack of entrances and exits.

The proposed reconstruction is to be kept within the original footprint of the Abbey building, and on completion, the use of space within the Abbey would be reorganised. A team from Living Stones has made several visits to Malmesbury, and has conducted an extensive space audit, analysing the current and proposed activities of the Abbey and the available space here and in associated buildings. Prior to our visits, we issued a questionnaire, and then interviewed leaders of all the various activity groups within the fellowship. We examined all the buildings currently used by the church, taking measurements and photographic records. All this information was analysed and collated into a detailed document.

Currently, various architects are being approached to draw up initial outline drawings based on the findings of the space audit.

Inevitably, there are tensions to be resolved when holding together the need to preserve a beautiful, ancient building, part of our nation’s heritage, and at the same time to provide for the needs of a flourishing, active church community and to be a spiritual heart for the town. However, the Living Stones team have been encouraged by the evidence of a lively church fellowship using this historic Abbey in an exciting way, and in particular in its desire to serve the local community. Already, much hard work, energy and commitment has been expended by the planning group, and we look forward to working further with them in the coming months.

Mrs Marjorie Broadhead, who until recently was co-ordinator of the group, says: "...it is clear that the Lord has guided us throughout. We would ask for your prayers for this important building project that is as much for His Glory as it was when the original building was erected hundreds of years ago."

God's calling for St Hilda's

The Church and Community Trust ( as it then was) was asked by St Hilda’s Church, Hartlepool to lead a study day in the summer of last year. The purpose was originally stated simply as "the challenge for the year ahead," and this was refined as "to consider God’s calling to the church both in terms of involvement in the Headland community and in the best use of the St. Hilda’s church building." As the planning developed the church felt that an emphasis on worship was appropriate.

The day was planned and led by Adrian Mann and myself, working with the vicar, Rev Peter Kashouris. The Archdeacon, Trevor Wilmott, also joined us for the day. We felt it important to set targets for our time together, and these were seen as drafting an overall plan in terms of worship and Sunday School, and a ground plan as to how to use every part of the building.

During a very enjoyable and sociable day a large group of people from the church considered issues such as "What does it mean to be The Church?", "What is worship?" and "What is our view of our church building: what would we keep and what would we change?" Some of the day was spent together, and some in small groups, with time for prayer and worship.

At the end of the day we reached a number of decisions on ways to move forward and these were each "championed" by various church members who took responsibility for progressing them. It is a key principle of our work in this area that a decision made without a specific commitment to move it forward is no decision.

A year on the church has continued on its journey. Peter Kashouris says: "We have had an incredibly good year and made considerable progress. Looking back I realise that it was an extremely beneficial day, which gave us a good kick-start to the process. The church building is now used much more, which has increased local community involvement. The day also helped in finding new voices in the church. It’s been good."

The church is now looking at developing its visitor mission in conjunction with the local authority, and is considering how the Living Stones Consultancy might help them in planning for this.

Roger Munday, Field Worker,
North of England

Diary Dates

PLANNING FOR CHANGE

Our next Planning for Change seminar is to take place on Thursday 7 February 2002 at Edward King House, Lincoln. This will be an informal day for clergy and laity with an introduction to the work of Living Stones and preesentations on planning for change in church buildings. There will also be ample opportunity for questions, feedback and sharing of experiences.

Space is limited, so to book a place or to register interest in similar events in other locations, please contact Pam Nicholls at the address overleaf.

CHRISTIAN RESOURCES EXHIBITIONS

Living Stones will be at the first South West Christian Resources Exhibition in Torquay from 13-15 February 2002, and at the National CRE at Sandown Park, Esher from 14-17 May 2002.

For more information about these exhibitions, visit www.creonline.co.uk.