What’s New

Local and enjoyable staff away-day

Two of Church Growth Trust’s (CGT) values are relationship and generosity. These are also what underpin its focus when connecting with churches, sister organisations, and friends and advocates of CGT. These values therefore have to be key with CGT’s staff and are demonstrated in many ways throughout the year.

One such way is the annual staff day out of the office with the aim to spend some quality time together. In recent years the team have visited York, Norwich and Belvoir Castle near Grantham.

The recent away-day was more local, but no less interesting. The visit to Althorp House in

Water water everywhere!

The biggest problem with buildings is water damage. This can be from rain, rising damp or burst pipes. To prevent unnecessary damage to your church building, Church Growth Trust (CGT) recommends that you carry out regular inspections, some of these being monthly and others on an annual basis. A good time to carry out the annual inspection is the start of autumn and CGT would recommend that you look at the following: Roofs, Gutters and downpipes, Walls, Paths, Pipework, and Baptistry.

With the drought conditions experienced recently, it is difficult to imagine lots of rain and other water problems, but it is worth preparing for the winter ahead. You can read the full version of this article on CGT’s Northamptonshire was enjoyed by everyone with viewing the beautiful house, stable yard and surrounding parkland. Food is always a key part of the staff away day and a sumptuous picnic lunch included everyone’s favourite choice of food.

website www.churchgrowth.org.uk/category/ news or more detailed information can be found on these and other ways to look after your church building in CGT’s briefing paper on that subject. This also includes checklists on items to review monthly and annually. The paper is found at www.churchgrowth.org.uk/ briefing-papers.

Dates for your diary

As a result of Church Growth Trust’s relationship with linked organisations we are aware of the following relevant and useful training courses for churches and trustees:

Rural Ministries

Push out even deeper – Rural Mission Hubs Thursday 20 October 10am – 4.30pm: Lee Abbey, Devon – in person event www.ruralministries.org.uk/deeper

Christian Safeguarding Services

Safe & Sound Safeguarding Training for Trustees and Church Leaders Wednesday 2 November 6.30am – 9.30pm – online event www.thecss.co.uk/events/

Counties UK

Neighbourhood Chaplain: ‘Inform & Inspire’ webinar Thursday 17 November 7pm – online event www.countiesuk.org/training

Chief Executive:

Giles Arnold

Operations Director:

Garryl Willis

Property Manager:

John Duffield

Trustees:

Neil Walker, Richard Canham, Dave Foster, Trevor James, Richard Jones, Susanna Sanlon, Paul Withams.

Church Growth Trust is a charitable company which holds and accepts independent church properties (as owner or trustee); blesses churches which occupy its buildings by granting concessionary rents; helps these churches to keep their properties in good condition, compliant with legislation and suitable for modern church use, including helping to fund building projects; provides professional property and architectural services and guidance in church practice and governance, including encouraging churches to make best use of their properties, and supports church planting and revitalisation of independent churches.

The Barn 1 Manor Farm Barns, Baines Lane, Seaton, Oakham, LE15 9HP 01536 201339 enquiries@churchgrowth.org.uk www.churchgrowth.org.uk Charity number: 1138119