Roof Project Newsletter

February 2024

Dear Members and Friends,

Over these last few weeks, the roof team have been having conversation with both the proposed contractor and a new structural engineer. Both of these activities move us towards a firmer figure for the cost of the project and, just as importantly, a measure of assurance that the design for the repairs has engineering integrity.

Inevitably the Christmas break has caused a slow down in progress, however, we now have a revised figure for the cost of repairing the roof. This has increased by a small percentage of the overall cost from the figure we had last year and represents the work of the structural engineer to assure the design before commencement and during the work.

Work to apply for grants has started in earnest. A great deal of investigation has been done to find which grant-giving bodies might be amenable to providing money to a church for a building project. In order to stand the best chance of getting a grant a number of criteria have to be met as closely as possible:

Having raised a fair proportion of the overall cost already.
Undertaking community activities under the roof being repaired.

We also have to bear in mind that due to the prevailing economic conditions many, many more organisations are seeking funding. The indicators from the charity sector are that whereas five years ago each grant was being sought by five charities, now each grant is being sought by at least twenty-five.

What next?

The proposed contractor is discussing what permissions we need with Stroud District Council, hopefully just listed Building consent as this is a “repair” project. Then it will be ecological surveys etc.

Work on grant applications will press on, however we still need a team to volunteer to undertake more local fundraising alongside Anne Martin’s activities.

If you would like to get involved, please contact Nick, Ruth, Anna or Peter.

We may do a “sponsor a tile” initiative to raise money. Keep in touch to learn more!

When will the work start?

We are still hoping that we can start work later in 2024. It’s going to be an exciting year!

Things to pray for:

Please pray that God will:

Lead us to the best contractor to do the work.
Influence the grant giving bodies to find favour with our applications.
Provide all the resources we need to repair the roof and make the church a place where any and all can encounter our loving God.

Hello and welcome to our website.
If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

New to Church?...

A brief introduction to 3C Community Church.

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Sunday Worship...

This is an overview of a typical Sunday morning service so that you'll know, beforehand, what to expect when you visit.

Where and When

We meet in the Chapel (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 10:30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you'll be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team.

Accessibility

There is wheelchair access via a paved ramp, and T-loop packs for anyone who needs them. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There is an accessible toilet in the community hall.

Our Service

The service begins at 10:30am with a warm welcome from one of our members. This is usually followed by a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 3 or 4 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. Sometimes people share things that they believe God is saying to the whole church family. This might seem strange the first time you hear it but it’s all part of our connecting with God. We then share news and notices, usually about what’s going on in the life of the church. One of our leaders will then give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. Sometimes there is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

Créche (0 months to 4 years). Parents/carers of younger children are welcome to use our créche facilities but they must remain with their child at all times.
Trailblazers (4-11 years)
Young people (11+ years) Stay in the service

It's best to register your children for their groups before the service begins - just speak to a member of our welcome team. Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the appropriate time someone will announce that our younger members will now go to their various groups. Whilst you are dropping your kids off at their groups, we may pause to take time to chat to someone sitting near or next to us, giving folk a chance to come back before the sermon begins.

The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Your children will be brought back to the chapel at the end of their session.

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Getting Connected...

Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some mornings and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join. We can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make sure things run smoothly, you'll need to talk to one of the leaders about joining a team.

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

Men's Ministries
Women's Ministries
Nursing Home Services
Children's clubs
Crafting club
Warm Space
Foodbank

A Note from Phil, our Pastor...

Phil, Becks, Alice & Martha

Becks, Alice and I joined 3C in 2018. Since then Martha has been born, there's been a global pandemic and we've finally moved into the neighbourhood. I work full time for the church whilst Becks works as a music teacher at a secondary school in Gloucester during the week. We know that God led us to 3C and this ministry. He's been shaping us as individuals, a couple and a family to serve Him here in Cam.

Becks uses her musical gifts to serve God and the congregation as part of the music ministry team. She is also heading up the Sunday morning kids ministry - 'Trailblazers'. I lead the church eldership team along with some of our ministry teams. Though I've recently enjoyed a major church building maintenance project, my deepest joy is found in sharing the Word of Life with God's people.

We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.

Every Blessing,

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Get in touch

If you would like to come and visit the church beforehand you are more than welcome!
Get in touch using the form below and we can arrange a day & time that suits you.

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Comments / Questions or anything you would like to say?

We'll contact you by email to say hello and help arrange anything necessary for your visit.