Church2Community – Chesham Methodist Church
Care , Commitment , Change Community , Compassion
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The project has been borne from a vision and passion of the Minister Rev David Jebb and members of the church to follow The Great Commission and enable the church in Chesham to go out into the world. |
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Having felt called by God to take this work forward, a small team began to talk to the local community. As the research and discussions progressed over several months it was clear that those groups of people we identified as being in need, such as young people, older people and families in need were exactly the communities identified as needing provision by the local Town, District and County Council Community Strategies. |
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Ccommunity profile:
Unemployment - 3% - slightly higher than the national average
Income – 33% income below £25K, average in Bucks being £39K
Ethnic Asian community – 6% - Muslim – 5%
Household composition : Single Parents 4%, Pensioner (over 60 years) 23%, Families with dependent children 30%, Single persons 13%, Couples without children 31%, Children and young people 5-19 years - 19% of the population.
Other factors: Households with 1 or more persons with long term limiting illness - 26%
People with no qualifications: 23%
Income – MOST deprived – 16%, MOST deprived children 19%, Older people MOST deprived 18%
(MOST deprived – people in this community in comparison with rest of England)
Chesham has higher proportions of people in Buckinghamshire living in the most deprived areas affected by the following types of deprivation: Income deprivation, Young people’s Education and Poor housing. (Indices of multiple deprivation 2007)
These groups of people in need had also been identified by the Community Safety Partnerships and the Primary Care Trust. Very quickly all of these statutory bodies expressed an interest in how the church might look to provide a range of activities for those groups and offered some support and opportunities for partnership working.
Biblical tradition
Further research was undertaken looking at how other churches in the UK had become involved in community development and discipleship was a key theme in all the work being undertaken at a local level. All of the research confirmed to the church that the calling we had experienced was a true reflection of God’s Love for the people in Chesham and that our mission needed to be life-centred rather than focussed on the church building. The Methodist rule of life allowed for the diverse personalities, needs, and spiritual maturity of the members and it was a guide to help the Methodists orient their corporate and individual lives toward Christ and his life in the world. It was like a compass that helps keep a traveller on course to his or her destination. For Methodists, the destination is holiness of heart and life. We are on a journey together and accountable to and with one another, “watching over one another in love,” helping all to make progress along the way.
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The Aim of Church2Community is to become a place where the hurting, the depressed, the frustrated and confused can find love, acceptance, help, hope, guidance and encouragement through words and social action. Thus the Motto being 5 ‘c’s’ - Care, Commitment, Change, Community and Compassion
Partnership Working/Funding
This project has partnership working at the centre. We have secured funding through our partners to fund some of the work including a full time worker for three years. We still have some fundraising to do. |
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SOCIAL CRAFT
Monday 1 pm to 4 pm – Enjoy a light lunch and pursue your
hobby with others.
COFFEE SHOP
Wednesday 10 am to 4 pm – Including Internet Cafe (10 am to
12:30 pm).
Thursday 1pm to 4pm. including Silver Surfers (1:30 pm to
3:30 pm)
ZUMBA Wednesdays 9:30 am to 10:30 am (crèche available)
STRICTLY BALLROOM Wednesdays 1:30 pm to 3pm
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A youth group with activities for young people aged between 11-14 years. Meets on Tuesdays from 7-9pm Starts on 18th January 2011 Cost 50p per session |
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The church has a Scout Group which is being re-launched in January 2011 and currently has no waiting list for any section, Beavers ages 6-8, Cubs 8-10, Scouts 10-14. Meets in the church on Mondays from 6pm. Ring Tony if you are interested on 01494 785401 |
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The church has a Rainbows and Brownies Group. Rainbows are for girls aged 5-7 years and Brownies are girls aged 7-10 years. They meet on Fridays from 5.30pm. If you are interested contact Sue Flower 01494 783993 |
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Once each month are looking to provide opportunities for non-resident parents to meet with their children in a safe and welcoming place and do some activities together. This service will be provided on a Saturday afternoon beginning in January 2011.
We are also looking to set up a support group for the adult parents in an evening once a month and possibly a group to support people going though relationship breakdown. These will begin in February 2010. If you are interested in these do contact Jan at the office. |
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Zumba is THE new exercise! It fuses hypnotic musical rhythms and tantalizing moves to create a dynamic workout system designed to be FUN and EASY TO DO!
Wednesdays from 26th January 2011 – 9.30 – 10.30 Cost £3.00 per session . Creche may be available, please ring to book (Additional cost £2.00) |
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Ye HA! We are starting a new group of sessions for those of you who want to learn to dance or get back into dancing to rootin, tootin music and have not got a pardner! Come and have a go at Line Dancing! It is the best fun you can have for £3.00 on a Monday afternoon!
Mondays from 17th January 2011 from 1.30 – 2.30pm Cost £3.00 per session |
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Our Ballroom classes have been so successful they are going on in Janaury. They re-start on Wednesday 12th Jan from 1.30 – 3pm. Cost £3.00 per session |
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Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm starting Feb 3rd, 10th and 17th half term 24th Feb no meeting then Thurs 3rd and 10th March.
First week ingredients provided thereafter will need to be obtained. More details at first meeting.
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Starts Wed 12th January 2011 10.30 – 12.30pm
50p per 30 mins |
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Come and join mature colleagues in gaining the art of using that computer sitting in the corner at home!
Starts Thursdays 13th January 2011 1.30 – 3.30pm
£3 per session |
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Come and chat and drink good coffee and tea at a really good price, find out information about what’s going on in Chesham and where to get help if you need it!
Starts Monday 10th January 2011 Open Mon 1-4pm Wed 10-1pm Thursday 10-4pm |
VOLUNTEERING IN C2C
Y VOLUNTEER ?
Church2Community can help you make a difference in your own community!
Did you know that volunteering is FUN, you learn NEW SKILLS, you make NEW FRIENDS, and you can get
QUALIFICATIONS and add to your CV!But most of all
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!!
Talk to us about what WE can offer YOU and what YOU can offer
OUR PARTNERS:
We could not do this work without the help of the following partner organisations
Methodist Church Amersham Circuit
Methodist Church Northampton District
Methodist Church Connexion
Chiltern District Council
Bucks County Council
Chesham Town Council
Adult Learning
Early Years and Family Learning
Job Centre
Primary Care Trust
Thames Valley Police
Buckinghamshire Community Foundation
Restore Hope
Community Impact Bucks
Churches Together for Chesham
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