Agenda: to be brought up to date on the planning of the Hope Centre, to be allowed time to discuss the options and to be informed of the wide variety of tasks needing voluntary help.

After a short time of praise and thanksgiving Bob Boland shared with us the
encouraging response he had had from people who had read the flyers asking for
ways in which the Hope Centre could be used. A huge thank you to all those people who took the time to write to Bob. The response was incredibly positive and the path forward made very clear. We all felt this was an answer to prayer.

Bob then introduced us to the architect, Rob Steward, who is a member of The Assembly of God Church in Poynton and who was involved in the original set up of the premises as a Christian Mission with Di Bayley and her late husband thirty-two years ago. We were talked through the plans which you will find on the Hope website. At present the ground floor only is being developed, though it is hoped that later in the autumn the first floor will become free also to begin alterations. It is envisaged that the ground floor will contain a small coffee bar selling light refreshments, an information area where services and events in all churches and Hope in North East Cheshire will be available as well as access to other forms of help, a retail area selling cards, books, dvd’s, etc and a computer corner where people with no access at home can be helped online. The entrance to the shop will be made wheelchair accessible and there will be a disabled
toilet on the ground floor with ramp where necessary.

We were given plenty of opportunity to question Rob and Bob on the proposals as they stand. We were all in agreement that the present plans should be taken to the Council for approval as soon as possible. Bob was anxious to have our reactions to calling it the Hope Centre. The majority of us were in agreement, but if you have any other suggestions he would be pleased to hear from you.

The exciting moment has come when we can all get involved as volunteers. I hope the form below is self explanatory. Please will you fill it in and e-mail it back to me or send it to 329, Oxford Road, Macclesfield SK11 8JZ. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries. My phone number is 01625 260607.

Please encourage all your friends to get involved. We will need many volunteers to fulfil this amazing vision given to Bob Boland and Di Bayley to serve God in our community.
Please continue to pray for this project.

Dot Phillips