Sunday Morning Summer 2014 term card

Available for download or from the information desk at the back of the Hall is the Summer term card detailing the readings for our regular Sunday morning services at 9am and 10.45am.

This term we’re focusing on chapters 10 to 13 of the letter to the Hebrews.  We’re praying for our eyes to be fixed on Jesus so we persevere to the end as we run the race of faith.

Term card Summer 2014

Real Lives (audio now available)

1st April 2014

real people . real issues . real God

Listen

CDs available (at cost) for £1 only

Read Holy Redeemer copyright

21st March 2014

A big thank you to everyone who came to Real Lives at Holy Redeemer.
Content from the evenings will be posted here shortly.

30th January 2014

real people . real issues . real God

Where is God in pain and suffering?
Lisa’s story
Tuesday 4th March 2014 8-9pm

Where is God in broken relationships?
Janet’s story
Thursday 13th March 2014 8-9pm

Where is God in the nine-to-five?
Ben’s story
Monday 17th March 2014 8-9pm

Come and hear about life experiences we all share and how Jesus Christ can transform them.  Each evening a local Christian will be interviewed about how following Jesus has given them hope, comfort and purpose.  Our interviewer Chris Knowles will then talk a little more about who Jesus is and how he could transform your life.  Light refreshments will be provided.

Each evening is free, no need to book.  Come for just one or come to all three.

The venue is The Parish Hall on Churchmore Road.

 

Real lives is part of A Passion for Life 2014 – churches working together nationwide to make Jesus known this Easter.

Sunday Morning Spring term card

Available for download or from the information desk at the back of the Hall is the Spring term card detailing the readings for our regular Sunday morning services at 9am and 10.45am.

This term we’re studying the book of Romans.  We’re praying for our hearts to be stirred by the gospel of grace so that as a church we would be ready and active in sharing our faith.

Sunday term card Spring 2014

Spring Home Group Plan

Prayer and Bible study groups are held at various church member’s homes. The aim is for people to grow in their love for God and for each other through studying his Word. Groups run on Wednesday’s from 8pm to 9.30pm. Contact Ian Gilmour for more information.

This term we are looking at the Psalms.

In March the Home groups will be taking a break so that we can focus on our Real Lives evenings, which are a part of a Passion for Life, giving people opportunities to come and hear about the difference Jesus makes in life’s ups and downs – watch this space for more information!

Download Home group plan Spring 2014

Sunday Evening Preaching programme now available

The programme for the bible talks in the 6pm service  is now available to download or take away on a Sunday.

This term we are looking forward to hearing God speak to us through John as we hear it preached in the Evening services.

Why not pick up or download a term card so you can read ahead at home beforehand?

 

6pm Summer Preaching Programme

Sunday Morning Summer Preaching Programme now available

The programme for the bible talks in the Sunday morning services (9am and 10:45) is now available to download or take away on a Sunday.

This term we are looking forward to hearing God speak to us through Romans, 1 Kings, and Colossians as we hear them preached in the morning services.

 

Why not pick up or download a term card so you can read ahead at home beforehand?

 

Summer Preaching programme 2013

 

 

Work Day for the Church Anniversary

On the weekend of the Church Building’s 81st Anniversary a team of volunteers gathered for a working party to do some practical jobs in and around the buildings

 

In the morning we began to tackle the rather neglected looking garden surrounding the church building. After a few hours of chopping, raking, weeding and planting the garden looks a little more cared for . There is still more to do and we hope that another working party in the spring and a much needed new fence will help to tidy up the outside of the building.

In the afternoon (after some lunch and a few more volunteers arrived) we headed inside the Parish Hall to do some indoor jobs. A team got to work mending and moving the creche cupboards while others did a deep clean of the kitchen or got up ladders to get rid of cobwebs and dust on the high windows and beams.

Thanks to everyone for all your hard work.

Before…

…after

New Format for the Horizon Club

Horizon Club is the Holy Redeemer midweek group for those at home during the day. It meets for spiritual and physical exercise with bible talk and discussion as well as an exercise class for all abilities. Recently some changes were made to the Horizon club timings and format. The leadership team decided to change things around so that we meet at 12:30pm on a Tuesday for Bible talk and discussion and start the exercise class at 1pm. This change seems to be suiting everyone so far with lots of members enjoying the bible talks from Marks gospel this term (pictured above). The exercise continues to be a big hit with the group and is great fun as well as a really good workout. If you are at home during the day on a Tuesday and would like to join us we would love to meet you.

Autumn Home group plan

This term in our home groups we are thinking about the topic of the church. We are linking the Home Group teaching with the Sunday morning series. This is a great opportunity to get the most out of Sunday sermons by discussing them together and talking and praying about how we can put them into practice.

 

Autumn Home Group Plan

In Home groups we meet together to study the Bible and pray for one another. There are various different groups meeting in homes around the area. If you would like to join a Home Group, please speak to Ian or contact the church office.

Update on Building Work

The Holy Redeemer Church building has been unusable since 2007 due to a leaking roof. Restoration on the building began in the summer of 2011. Updates on the renovation work will be posted on this page.

A second application

January 2016

After review during the squatters’ occupation, the PCC concluded further planning advice was needed.

Savills have been appointed to prepare a second planning application, with further architectural advice. We hope to re-submit Summer 2016.

Our vision for the Eardley Road project continues to be:

1. To provide substantial funding for the main building development – although further fundraising is also necessary.

2. It is hoped to retain some residential accommodation to support Gospel ministry here into the future.

Addressing the Issues

March 2015

At the church AGM we were given an update on the conversion application, kindly presented by Charles Hayward.

We learnt that there we 3 reasons the plans were rejected.

1. Some windows may overlook other properties.

2. Cars would have to back out of the parking areas onto a busy road.

3. We haven’t made sufficient efforts to find new commercial tenants.

The first two issues have been address by adjusting the plans to include some obscured glass and re-arranging the parking bays so that vehicles can turn on the premises.

However, the third issue is tricky.  We now have to prove the property is not financially viable for commercial use which will involve another report and also put the property back on the commercial market for a further 3 months.  They hope to re-submit the plans to Lambeth Council this summer.

Please pray for the Trinitas team as they prepare to re-submit the application and also that when the time comes God will move Lambeth Council to allow it to go through.

Church Tidy Up

March 2015

This month members of the congregation gave their time on three consecutive Saturdays to tidy up the inside of the main church building. This was a great success with a lot of junk removed and we even had the man power to give the vestry a new coat of paint.

Squatters

February 2015

Sadly we discovered that some people have found their way into the vacant 160 Eardley Road building and have started living there.  The Church has now got a court order to evict them and are waiting to be given a date by the bailiffs. Afterward they are evicted we will need to improve the security on the property.

A New Cross for the Church and a Red Cross against the Plans.

September 2014

The cross was fixed but at a cost of £1875, less than originally quoted but still a significant bill.

Sadly the planning application for converting 160 Eardley Road into flats was rejected. However work has been continuing since on a re-submission which will address the council’s stringent requirements.

Does English Heritage think our Church Building is as Great as we do?

July 2014

Discussions were started about the potential to apply for the main church building to be listed as an important sight. If it was granted ‘Listed’ status it would open up the potential of funding from other bodies.

Weather Warning

January 2014

The Cross on the main church building was damaged in a storm. This led to lengthy discussions with the insurers.

Another Challenge

Dec 2013

A further set back occurred when copper was stolen from the roof of the main church building. Following this a video alarm system was fitted to prevent further thefts.

Trinitas Join the Project

November 2013

Nick Lee-Evans, the main architect for the ‘Plans to Serve’, recommended Trinitas CIC (Communitiy Interest Company) join the project to enable us to bring together 160 Eardley Road and the main church building under one project manager. Incorporating the services of Stephen Sharp as Project Manager, Charles Hayward as quantity surveyor and David Steward as Planning Specialist.

A New Vision for 160 Eardley Road

Easter 2013

Left with vacant possession on 160 Eardley Road our architect for the ‘Plans to Serve’ project, Nick Lee-Evans, conducted a feasibility study demonstrated that the building could be converted into 7 flats of various sizes, which would generate income for the main church project. Detailed plans for these flats were prepared and a planning application was submitted.

 Eardley Road – A Problem and an Opportunity

September 2013

160 Eardley Road has been part of the Holy Redeemer assets since it ceased being a church and for that time has been a source of significant rental income supporting the churches ministry.

The tenants renting 160 Eardley Road flagged up trading difficulties and after trying every avenue to keep afloat moved out of the building. They left with significant rental arrears and without paying dilapidations; leaving the building in poor condition.

Firming Plans

July 2012

A lot has happened since our last post in February. The consultations with our neighbours and church members has been very positive and our plans have been modified accordingly.  The main changes related to the phasing.  You can view the updated plans below and on our plans page.

  

The fundraising has gone well.  So far we have received around £26k from personal donations.  We are very grateful for people’s generosity. We have a Summer Fair planned on Saturday 15th September. But we still need to raise an additional £40k before approaching grant bodies. If you could help with this, we would be pleased to hear from you.  See one simple free way you can help here.

The next stage is an informal meeting with the church’s planning body, the DAC, who will need to approve plans.  Once we have discussed the plans with them and got an updated costing, we will go out to tender to draw up detailed plans for the work.

‘Plans to Serve’

February 2012

Plans for the renovation of the Holy Redeemer have arrived from the architect. He has produced three options for us to consider along with a costing.

It is very exciting to see the plans and these will be displayed at the launch of our ‘Plans to Serve’ project on 3rd March.

Residents and church members are invited to the launch party at Granton School Hall, Granton Road on Saturday 3rd March

4-5pm public meeting for local residents- there will be light refreshments served and a chance to view the plans, take a tour of the church building and see displays of the church’s history.

5pm onwards Church Family and friends celebrate the 80 year anniversary and the launch of the project with a buffet supper and talk from Jonathan Fletcher of Emmanuel Wimbledon.

Do invite friends and come along to celebrate with us and give feedback on the project.

Window of hope

January 2012

At the beginning of the month, things seemed to go from bad to worse. Having discovered leaks in the roof, a significant amount of water was found under several large windows after a storm with strong winds.

The architect’s conclusion was that a lot of the windows had loose panes of glass. The cost of repairs was a concern, but we found a glazing specialist who can do the repairs at a reasonable price. It will be a big job but it is good that we discovered this problem before any internal work began.

The leaks in the roof have been traced to various small cracks in the asphalt roof and these will be repaired at no cost to us by the contractor that did the original work.

The other goods news is that Nick Lee Evans Partnership has been appointed as architect to do the feasibility study for the next stage of development.  The firm has considerable expertise in ecclesiastical architecture and the conservation of historic buildings.

The good news and bad news

December 2011

The good news is that our restoration and development brief has been sent off to three Architects this month.  They will provide us with a costing for carrying out a feasibility study, which will look at possible designs and the cost of implementing our development ideas.   The study should start in January and be complete by the end of February.

Leak at HR

The bad news is that after the heavy rain we discovered that the church roof is leaking.  The roof was repaired in July so it is a set back to find that it is still leaking.  We initially discovered two leaks, which were then repaired. However, two further leaks were discovered after more storms.  We will get the leaks checked and repaired as soon as possible.

The long dry-out

October 2011

Fuel truck

After 4 years of inactivity, the large oil powered air heaters in the main church were fired up this month to help the church dry-out.  The plaster inside the church will need about a year to dry before it is possible to assess the damage and begin repairs.

One of the two boilers had to be promptly shut down as it began to over heat and the paint on the casing began to burn.  The plan is to run the remaining heater for a few hours a day with dehumidifiers to help the drying process.

HR Boilers

The two oil tanks can hold 300 gallons each and the heating units can burn up to 3 gallons an hour.  With oil costing 70p a litre, running the boiler for 4 hours a day will cost around £260 per month.  That is another good reason to consider alternative sustainable heating sources in the new development.

If anyone can lend the church a dehumidifier to help with the long dry-out, please contact the office.

Next phase planning

September 2011

The Vision

Following a series of consultation meeting, we have developed a draft vision statement and specification for the development of the Holy Redeemer. In summary our vision is

To renovate the Holy Redeemer Church into a modern space that is attractive, versatile and sustainable for a variety of church and community functions, while preserving the character of the church for posterity‘.

Although it is unlikely that this development work will begin for some years, the planning needs to happen now so that any structural changes – like upgrading the electrics – can happen when the plastering is done, hopefully, next year.

Church members are still invited to comment on the draft plans. The next stage will be for the architect to produce concept drawings and do a feasibility study.  Meanwhile, we will need to raise funds.

Phase one complete

July 2011

The first and urgent task in restoring the Holy Redeemer church building was to make it water tight.

Damage caused by theft
Damage caused by theft

This work was completed in July 2011 by Farnrise Construction under the supervision of Carden and Godfrey Architects. The 10 week project included the following:

  • Replacing cooper sheeting on the main roof
  • Repairing asphalt on the flat roofs
  • Deepening the gutters on the main roof
  • Repairing and painting the church tower
  • Installing a water proof membrane under the tower
  • Repairing and painting the windows
  • Installing experimental metal flashing to the windows
  • Repointing some of the brick work

The works were successful but eventful: we had three attempted thefts of metal from the roof during the works, resulting in one arrest. We therefore had to take steps to increase security at the church, which included fitting permanent security lights.

 

Repairs to main roof Gutters made deeper to increase drainage

More photos

Fundraising

The first phase of the building work was funded through the sale of a church property.  This will also meet some of the cost of phase two, which is estimated to be about £550,000.   The Southwark Diocese has also given the church a small grant.  But a considerable amount of money will need to be raised for the final development.

Various fund raising events have been planned, including a Summer Fair. Individual donations are important and people can raise money in small ways through using a search engine and shopping online.  But we are looking for people to come up with more fundraising ideas and organise events.

Do speak to Ian about your fundraising and building development ideas or post your comments below.

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More on the project. The Church’s history. More on finance