‘Can we fix it? Yes we can!’

At St Luke’s, we’re privileged to have a wonderful, versatile building in which to meet and run our many activities – from Sunday morning services to youth clubs; yoga classes to concerts; toddler groups to self-improvement seminars; and church lunches to our winter night shelter for homeless people. Plus, it’s a gorgeous old building with a beautiful garden that the whole community gets to enjoy. On the downside, maintaining a 150-year-old building and keeping it in functioning condition requires a lot of work and effort (and yes, money too). In recent years, we’ve had the tower refaced, so you’re no longer in danger of being hit by falling masonry as you come to services. We’ve had the organ refurbished so it doesn’t fart shamelessly during solemn moments in the hymns. And we’ve completely remodeled the main space of the church to fit in the increasing numbers of people who join us on Sunday mornings – completely with swish new kitchen for preparing after-service refreshments and monthly church lunches. Plus there are all those health and safety requirements to make sure the people who use the space remain… well, healthy and safe.

Of course, the major work has to be undertaken by experts, and the cash to pay for it comes from fundraising, such as our annual auction, and various grants and charities. But for general maintenance and tidying up, we arrange occasional ‘work days’, when members of the church get together to tackle those miscellaneous tasks that have been building up – some decluttering here, a lick of paint there…

Our next work day is on 8 June, from 10am to 4pm. So if you can spare any time to help out, even if it’s just half an hour, your efforts will be much appreciated. Work days are vital to the running of the church, and they’re also a great way to get involved and get to know people better. So pack a picnic lunch and pop along to show off your DIY skills – or if you don’t have any of those, just exercise a bit of muscle power to keep the church looking beautiful and welcoming, and functioning as it should. Thanks!