Help Build09 as you shop on-line

We've teamed up with 'easyfundraising' so that you can 'Build 09 as you shop on-line'!

easyfundraising is a shopping directory listing over 600 top name online stores including Argos, Next, Amazon, Debenhams, John Lewis, Toys R Us and HMV. Whenever you shop with any one of them using the links provided on the easyfundraising site, you'll generate a free donation for 'Build 09' of up to 15% of the purchase price every time! It really is that simple!

It doesn't cost a penny more to shop and raise funds in this way. In fact you can even SAVE MONEY as many retailers give exclusive discounts, special offers and even 'e-vouchers' when you shop through the easyfundraising site.

All you need to do is register for free at www.easyfundraising.org.uk/hucknallcmc and use easyfundraising every time you shop online.

Making the News

Our building project was featured on our local weekly the 'Hucknall and Bulwell Dispatch' on Friday March 6th. You can read the article here.

Rocking in the Aisles

We would have been rocking in the aisles (if we had any) on Saturday February 28th when 'Nitrox', 'Esquire' and 'Coffee' gave a concert in aid of our 'Build 09' project. An all age audience saw young four piece band 'Nitrox' open the show with a 'set' reflecting teenage rebellion which contrasted with Adam , Dan and Ben of 'Esquire's excellent, mainly a-capela selection, on the sufferings of love. The two were complemented by 6-piece 'Coffee's jazz / soul / funk / based selection which soon had the audience dancing the night away with 'covers' of hits from the 60's to the present. Our thanks to all the bands for taking part, to Nitrox who donated 50% of CD sales to the 'Build 09' fund, and all those who gave, cooked and served refreshments (the 'hot dogs' were great!)

Build 09 Prayers - February 2009

Please pray for:

• Our Build09 project as the remaining phases (roof, toilets and office plus storage) go to 'tender'
• Our project manager, Rev Terry Nowell
• Fund-raising activities, events and the 'talents' scheme
• The grant application process, Graham, our church treasurer, and Dave, our project treasurer
• The community groups who use our building as they consider how they can support the Build09 project

Give thanks for:

• Our new kitchen
• The generous gifts of time and money already given

Kitchen Services Resume...

After a slight delay our refurbished church kitchen has had a busy start to its new life and Friday lunches resumed on Friday, February 13th. The kitchen has also been used for refreshments at the Boys Brigade 125th Birthday celebration, and coffee on Saturday morning and after Sunday service. Now it's set for the full test as our volunteer teams look forward to the resumption of our popular 'Friday Lunches' with the benefit of new ovens, a dishwasher and lower, easier access serving hatches.

Successful Gift day launches Build 09

Our church 'Build 09' campaign is well under way after a 'Gift Day' on Saturday January 31st and a service the following day based around the 'Parable of the three servants' (Matthew 25:14) sometimes known as the 'parable of the talents'.

Our Gift Day got the fundraising off to a great start with refrehments available (even though there was no water, or for that matter sink in the kitchen) and the chance to 'Buy a Brick' for £1 (and receive an appropriate certificate). Larger financial gifts towards the project were invited from those able to do so and early indications are that over £15,000 was donated or pledged towards our initial target of £50,000. Thank you to everyone for their support.

Sunday's service had the rare, if not unique, event of the collection plates going around the congregation not once, not twice but three times. Firstly, a full plate of chocolate coins was soon emptied as worshippers thought of all the good things associated with our church. Then, after sharing the Bible reading , each worshipper was offered a 'real' £1 coin to take as a token of their 'talent' to be 'grown' into a larger return for the build 09 project by July 2009. Hopefully we'll feature some of the creative ideas on this blog over the coming months. Finally the 'usual' offertory was taken as a token of our response to God's love and the ongoing work of the church in Hucknall and thesurrounding area.