Christ Church URC Tonbridge has been busy repainting rooms as well as refurbishing both kitchen areas. There are 2 smaller rooms, with seating for 20-40, whiteboards and TV screens; a church space with sound desk and data projector seating 150, large hall with seating for 120 and its own adjacent kitchen facilities. The cafe area is also available for hire – afternoons and evenings – although Christ Church are actively seeking community groups for partnership in this area.
Contact Bill on 01732 770334 to tour the building or enquire about letting availibility.
Use the email contact form to enquire about use of the cafe area.
Just a reminder to all church members that September is the last month for getting to know elder nominees better.
Postal votes are available for those who cannot get to the meeting and should be returned by Saturday 26th September or placed in the Secretary’s in box before 12 noon on Sun 27th.
Church meeting will take place on Monday 28th September at 8pm
Christ Church has an amazing range of rooms for hire including the church space and cafe area, two small function rooms for 20 -40 as well as a very large upstairs hall with adjoining kitchen.
As part of our drive to encourage more community groups to use our premises we have spent the last 3 years rebuilding the downstairs cafe area, replacing the upstairs kitchen (including 2 ovens) and creating a more private Room 1, leading to an outside area. Room 2 has been repainted and new flooring is in the pipeline.
This August has seen the upstairs hall change from having very Seventies influenced orange walls to being a much more restful and elegant cream colour. The new cafe tables and basket weave chairs have arrived and we are awaiting new vertical blinds.
As well as being appreciated by current hirers we are hoping the newly revamped area will be attractive to our new hirers, including the forthcoming Stay and Play cafe for mothers and young children, a cafe offering toddler lunches and activities for carers and children to enjoy together. Watch this space!
After all the prayers and planning Rocio and her family finally arrived in Tonbridge. What an amazing time we all had – from the services where we had a chance to find out what Rocio has been doing in Peru, to the all together Cream Tea in the Munns back garden. Take a look the the Sept/Oct & the Nov/Dec Messenger to read more about what happened while they were here. Daniel the Baker said this was a once in a lifetime chance to meet all the people who support them in their work in Tarapoto and Moyobama, including the setting up of the bakery. Daniel bravely left his mother in charge of one of the bakers he has trained and a new trainee! He was amazed at the beauty he found in the heart of the people here in Tonbridge. Read more.
Taylormation have developed 60 second bible stories to suit a generation of children bought up with movement and media. The short animations won a Gold Award from The Cinnamon Trust as part of their Mustard Seed Awards, which gives money to a range of projects to get the Gospel out to a wider audience.
These animations are available via YouTube or the Taylormation website.
We’ve arrived. Registration forms handed in, pass cards given to us, seats have been reserved and our thoughts gather to the business that looms ahead. But are we ready? Certainly, as I sat there enjoying the Welsh harpists playing the sweetest melodies there was a feeling of calm and peace. However, just as the calm before the storm, it is only temporal, and usually misleading. We arrived at St David’s Hall in central Cardiff just after lunch on Thursday and were welcomed by officials organising the event. The familiar face of David Grosch-Miller was there in the finest garments, seemingly prepared to be elected to the role of the United Reformed Church Moderator; although I do wonder whether he was as nervous as we were.
I am very pleased to have Grosch-Miller on board, he comes across as a very holy man, passionate for the Gospel and a willingness to be involved with young people. And always smiling. Even though he was about to be elected to one of the highest roles within the URC, he always has that calmness and joy in his voice, hopefully something that will not diminish during his ministry in the hot seat. During the course of the afternoon, we had a taste of the Welsh traditions, from harp-playing to choirs and a translated Welsh hymn (you seriously wouldn’t want to hear my terrible Gaelic accent).
We also inducted the new Moderator (Grosch-Miller) and were treated to a rather tasty lasagne, so all in all a good day! Here’s hoping the next few days are exciting…
Christchurch URC Tonbridge wishes many blessings for Adam & Lesley as they finish packing up 21 years of their lives and belongings for their move to Edinburgh.
