PCC News

Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride

Put a date in your diaries for the Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride, back on Saturday 10 September 2022.

Overwhelmed by the generosity

2021 was another exceptional year, continually bringing challenges but also opportunities for us all to share the Gospel and demonstrate God’s love in the communities we serve.

Introducing Colin Tomlin

On my second day of starting my role as Generous Giving Adviser, I came across a verse of scripture that is helping to shape my focus and attitude towards the role.

Safeguarding training update – Summer 2022

The 2022 Safeguarding Training Plan is now well underway, and I would firstly like to thank all of those enthusiastic participants who have engaged in our Safeguarding Pathways to date, as well as shown such commitment to Safeguarding within our Church Communities.

Successful crowdfunding

In August 2019 disaster struck St Mary’s when a large roof beam in the chancel fell down without warning, causing damage to the altar, so that this much-loved church had to be closed for several months that autumn.

Lift high the cross

Faced with the closure of churches just before Holy Week and Easter in 2020, at St Mary’s Church in Yelverton, we came up with the idea of putting a cross in the churchyard, so that the villagers would at least be aware of the season.

Open doors and smiling faces

St Peter Mancroft Church is in the heart of Norwich and a steady stream of visitors arrives every day. Sometimes people visit because of a specific event or exhibition, for example the Luke Jerram ‘Gaia’ installation last October, which drew some 45,000 visitors, or the Makers Festival this March.

The heart of the local community

Last year the PCC invested in some new church notice boards located at the north and west gates providing contact details and information of services and events and giving a very warm welcome to all.

The vision grew

It is always wonderful to hear visitors feel welcome when they come into our churches. When I was approached to share what makes Felthorpe and Horsford so special in their welcome, I was surprised. Not because the church buidings and the people aren’t welcoming, but because what we do is usual.

Up to 8,000* visitors to your church each year?

Is this a good thing? In Ludham we think so – because we are proud of our fine village church and love to share it with others.

GDPR is still with us

It feels like a long time since the start of GDPR back in 2018. Life feels very different; with Brexit and the Covid pandemic, it is hard to remember that far back.

Towards a sustainable future

PCC members are asked to look out for a new survey due to arrive soon from the Church Buildings Commission team. The survey will only be available to complete online, so if you haveany difficulty with this, please ask someone in your church or your benefice to help you.

Simpler regulations

PCC members may be aware of the Queen’s Green Canopy initiative encouraging individuals and organisations to plant trees to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Net Zero

Churchwardens, fabric officers and PCC members will be familiar with Lists A and B as well as faculties for works to church buildings.

All Saint’s Necton plant a tree for The Queen

On a perfect sunny morning in January, with blue skies above, we gathered in the churchyard after a United Benefice Service.

Finding “green” grants for your environmental project

Are you looking for funding for a new environmental project at your church? Low-carbon heating, solar panels, or a new nature garden perhaps?

Responding to God’s grace

We only have to look at the Diocese of Norwich Parish Share figures to see that our parishes are full of the most generous people.

Delight for the giver and the receiver

For me there is a small window each year in the quiet between Christmas and the end of January when I look forward to the coming events, in good years a wedding or a new baby in the family, a holiday, maybe the start of a resolution to run, sail, exercise, read more.

Help with fundraising

Church Grants is a bespoke Christian fundraising consultancy that supports Christian Charities and Churches of all denominations.

Bats and roof repairs

Our church of St Leonard Billingford is 4 miles east of Diss and overlooks the picturesque Waveney Valley & Billingford Mill. It has served as a place of worship for more than 800 years.

Raising the roof in Kessingland

Our quest to start raising funds fora new thatched roof and associated repairs at Kessingland Church began in 2018, when we launched our “Raise the Roof” Campaign, with a Heritage Weekend.

Partnership and collaboration

It has been so encouraging to see how God has been at work over the last 16 months despite restrictions. As part of the sports ministry, we are running three lunch time clubs, three after school clubs and Active RE in three schools, reaching over 100 children each week.

Is it all down to timing?

When we started Grace Church, Thetford (part of the Thetford Team Ministry) ten years ago, we plumped for 4pm as a start time for a variety of reasons.

Sustaining church families

One of the challenges of working with children and young people in church is ensuring that their whole family is supported.

Something is stirring on the eastern edge of the Diocese

At St Margaret’s Church, Hopton on Sea, there is plenty of excitement on a Thursday morning each week. This is the day when the PlayVan arrives and a new group is being formed at the church. It has been much anticipated, having been delayed by Covid 19 restrictions.