We are excited to announce the launch of The Psalm 57 Project, an exciting new missional opportunity to reach out to our local community, offering hope, help and hospitality, with a longing for people to find refuge in God.  If you want to know more you can listen to the update here on YouTube.

The project has begun and will involve a lot of work in order to bring it to life. There are challenges ahead, but we are excited that we have an opportunity to step out in faith and follow Jesus into the midst of our community to make his love known. We will continue to keep you updated on the plans as the project progresses. In the meantime please join us in prayer, that we acknowledge God in all we plan to do, so that he makes the way ahead clear. Thank you

Here is an initial glimpse inside No57 before the transformation began:

FAQS

  1. What will happen to existing groups like Little Lambs that use the hall?

The church hall will continue to be used for church activities in the evening and at weekends, ensuring key ministries for children and young people are not affected. There may be a minor impact on individuals who rent the hall for non-church activities, discussions are ongoing. Little Lambs has served countless families over many years and as a church we remain focused on serving young families in the community and are always looking to explore new opportunities in this new season.

  1. Who will manage the new premises and how will it be staffed?

Initially No57 will be managed by the staff team and volunteers appointed by the church leadership. To realize new opportunities, we want to increase staffing capacity and recruit an outreach worker to develop the project’s vision and manage volunteers. Detailed staffing plans will be shared as the project progresses.

  1. How will you ensure the safety of those working/volunteering at No57?

We will be reviewing all our safeguarding procedures and will be updating or where necessary, writing new policies as necessary. Volunteer training is a key priority for the project, especially focusing on safeguarding and mental health support.

  1. How will the project avoid competing with local cafes and services?

No57 is not a café or coffee shop and therefore is not in competition with any of the local businesses. We are seeking to respond to the needs of the community and want to collaborate, rather than compete with local businesses, to better understand what those needs are.

  1. What exactly is the vision for the Psalm 57 Project?

The priority of the project is mission. This project is not about building a cosy church, but putting our faith into practice and sacrificially serving the community. We want to create a welcoming, accessible space where people can experience community, support, and refuge in God. We aim to serve those who might not normally enter a church building and provide a range of services and activities that reflect our values and demonstrate Jesus’ love in action. The project is inspired by Psalm 57, the context of which is the future King of Israel, David, asking God for help in his time of need. God’s response is to send the distressed, those in debt and the discontented. The project’s aim is to offer help, hospitality and hope to those in need.

  1. How will the space be used and what activities are planned?

The space will be used for a variety of activities, which could include drop-in sessions, prayer, social activities, outreach programs, courses and more. We are very excited about the opportunities the project will provide for us. We have a good idea of some initial seed activities, but envisage a range of new initiatives as the needs of the community become clearer.

  1. Will the community be consulted on what they want from the space?

Initially we are looking to use our networks to help understand the needs of the community and have already begun this process. We have already begun to consult with the local schools and businesses to gather information and ensure the activities meet local needs.

  1. What exactly will the new fencing on the field look like?

The new fence for the church field is necessary to ensure the safety of St John CE school children who use it, as well as our own kids and youth groups. The proposed fence will be made up of what is known as deer fencing that enable local nature to thrive. It will not be around the entire field, but will have a large area at the front that can still be accessed by the local community.

  1. What is the nature of the lease for No57?

We are working closely with the owner of the property to ensure that both parties have the necessary protections. The owner of No57 is very supportive of the project and keen to enable it to benefit the ministry of the church. The lease agreement will include first refusal for St Johns to purchase the property if the owner decided to sell.

  1. Does the property have sufficient parking?

The property comes with one parking space, but is a similar distance to the church car park as the church hall and is also close to Tesco car park, as well as being more easily accessible by public transport and by foot than the church hall. 

  1. Will we still be able to serve coffee to the school parents?

We hope to continue to be able to serve coffee to the local school community.

  1. What will happen on day one?

It is our hope that when the doors open, we will be able to immediately relocate some of existing ministries such as Community Coffee, Prayer, 3-2-1 Course, and Games ‘n’ Grub.

  1. How will the project be funded and sustained long-term?

The project will be funded through a combination of church funds, grants, and donations. For long-term sustainability, we will implement a robust financial plan that includes ongoing fundraising and resource management. 

  1. Will the church office remain where it is or move to the new location?

We intend to relocate the church office and the staff team into No57.

  1. How will the project ensure it includes both new and existing members?

The project has a clear focus on mission and in particular reaching new people with the good news of Jesus. We do not intend to reach out in mission at the expense of discipling and supporting our current membership. Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive and so we are confident as we serve others God’s blessing will be upon us.