"TO DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM ?"

The launch weekend has been and gone. We’ve raised the first £100,000.

What remains is for us to achieve the total of £1.7 million.

Nobody is pretending that this is an easy task, but others have taken on similar challenges and succeeded. In 1912, our founders took a giant leap of faith when they opened Fulwood Weslyan Church in the leafy, under-populated suburb of Fulwood. Later, they added the School Rooms too, so it was 1935 before the project was completely paid for.

An acquaintance of mine Abie Goldsmith, was faced with a similar task in raising monies for his Synagogue in Golders Green. He is a very devout man and, in common with most Jews is a great believer in the power of prayer. His congregation, like ours, had undertaken great deliberations before deciding on their development, so he felt that God should be involved in the fund-raising.

Accordingly, one Saturday morning he began to pray. "Father God, you are all-knowing and are aware that we need to build a new Synagogue to further your name. It will cost much money, so I ask that you take a little time to organise it so that I can win the Lottery and pay for the development."

Abie waited in silence but heard nothing. Thinking, perhaps, that God might have been busy he decided to repeat his prayer. After a couple of minutes there was a bright light and a voice from on high said "Abie, I understand your problem. But at least meet me half way and buy a ticket.!"

We, too, have got to go at least half way if our Hopes and Dreams are going to succeed.

This development was not undertaken on a whim, but after considerable discussion which identified the direction that our fellowship must go if we are to continue into the future. It is not enough for us to stay as we are. This was a whole-church decision.

Throughout the UK, churches that remain inward looking are in decline. We are one of the largest congregations in Methodism - if we cannot move forward in faith, then no-one can.

Our church must move out into the community and be a presence for all our neighbours, regardless of race, colour or creed. We must share our facilities, and our faith and let the world see what it means to be a Christian. We can’t wait for people to come to us, especially if we continue to keep our doors tight-closed during services. (Is this for security, or to prevent people escaping during the sermons?)

Our new buildings will give us meeting rooms, a proper kitchen, an open-fronted building to invite passers-by to join us. We will continue to have the same Worship area, with virtually the same appearance as now, but having the ability to cater for evolving forms of worship using state-of-the-art technology.

All this will cost £1.7 million.

We have already taken advice which should reduce the VAT element to a minimum, perhaps reducing the amount by approx. £300,000. This reduced sum means that we have to raise £3,715 for each church member. Methodist Property Division tell us that churches who have recently completed developments have been raising between £3,000 and £4,000 per member, so our scheme falls within current achievement levels.

These monies have been raised from a mixture of charitable grants, statutory grants, loans and gifts. It doesn’t mean we expect every member to donate that sort of amount. (But if you, can - please see Sister Myrtle !)

In the future, we will be applying to various funding bodies in an effort to raise substantial amounts. But before we can do this, we have to show everyone, including Methodist sources, that we are serious in our intentions. Unless we have raised substantial cash ourselves, no-one will listen to us. The amount we need to raise initially is £400,000. This we are calling our "Genesis Fund" - after all Genesis represents the beginning.

On a recent Sunday, in her morning sermon, Myrtle told the story of how Jesus asked Peter 3 times "Do you love me?" She then asked us the question "How much do you love me?"

I hope you decided upon your answer - for a project of this size requires "sacrificial giving". If we want our church to be serving the community 100 years from now, we have to emulate our founders and provide for the future.

Do we love God as much as our football season ticket? As much as our holidays? As much as a new car? As much as a new carpet? As much as a family meal at McDonalds?

Not everyone can afford to hand over money as a lump sum - I can’t, for one. But can you seriously look at your household budget and say "I can pay £xx per week for the next 3 years?" If so, please complete a pledge form. And if you can afford to give the church an interest-free loan, that would be very gratefully received.

Whatever you decide, don’t forget that a simple signature on a Gift Aid form immediately increases your donation by 28%. Wow! That means that if we raise £312,300, the taxman will make it up to £400,000.

So let’s go back to the £1.7 million. We hope to take away most of the VAT reducing the sum to £1.4 million. Our £400,000 Genesis Fund reduces the sum needed to £1 million. Most grant sources also subscribe to Gift Aid, so that £1 million still required is reduced to £781,250. We will receive £180,000 from the Rank Trust, so we’ve managed to reduce our external funding to just over £600,000. Are you beginning to get the picture?

What seemed like an "Impossible Dream" can become an "Achievable Target" with a lot of involvement, hard work and applied skills. Most of man’s greatest works have been the result of 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration !

£1.7 million is like an elephant. No-one can eat an elephant. But if it is cut up into small pieces and shared out between many, it is surprising how soon you get down to the bare bones! We’re starting with the Genesis Fund. How soon before we can have the Revelations Party ?

Geoff Oldham