PMCH Gift Day 2024
“A healthy church that transforms the world”
Superintendent’s Letter
Dear friends,
It is my pleasure to commend to you our anniversary appeal for 2024.
The past twelve months have been another year of great blessing, as we see our ministries continuing to bear fruit. Each week we are engaging, across our two centres with over 1500 visitors each week, through our cafe’s, foodbanks, children and young people’s work and Sunday services. In addition to this, we have been working hard to put the building to use to increase both the revenue from it, and our presence as a church at the heart of the city.
We will soon be baptising more new believers, and in the autumn term already have a number of people who have expressed a desire to do an alpha course as they seek Christian faith for themselves.
At our Foodbank we are offering real, down-to-earth, practical support, as well as offering Christ to folk. We rejoice in the many ways that God is blessing our ministry.
I’m grateful to our dedicated and talented staff team, and for the hundreds of hours of volunteer time that is offered in service of Christ throughout each year. We are privileged too to be encouraged by so many of you who cheer us on, upon whose shoulders we stand, in reaching out to our city with the hope of Christ. Thank you for all that you do, practically, financially and prayerfully to support our vision, of being a healthy church that transforms the world. This is slowly coming to fruition as lives and families are transformed by the Gospel hope - how exciting this all is!
But we all know that the work of God needs the resources of God. As you read this booklet, please do two things. Firstly, join with me in thanking God for His work, and let’s also seek His provision and help for the year ahead, that He may supply all we need to see His work flourish. Secondly, in the context of prayer, would you please consider carefully, how you could make a one-off gift to PMCH in order that the Lord’s work might be well resourced. This really is a team effort, so please make a generous gift to our anniversary appeal, that the exciting work of the Lord might grow and flourish in the coming twelve months.
With gratitude at our partnership in the Gospel,
Rev Gareth J Higgs MA
Superintendent Minister
“give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38
Meet William
Since joining Plymouth Methodist Central Hall (PMCH) in 2022, my experience has been truly transformative. From my very first visit, I felt a deep connection with this vibrant community. The welcoming atmosphere and insightful, accessible sermons by humble ministers immediately resonated with me, affirming that I had found my spiritual home.
I am particularly impressed by the church’s commitment to service, demonstrated through various outreach programs such as the food bank and other charitable initiatives. These efforts make a real difference in the community and underscore the impactful use of donations.
In essential aspect of PMCH is the various small group ministries, which focus on nurturing spiritual growth and community through tailored teachings and supportive counselling. Being part of the prayer ministry has been meaningful, providing me with guidance, fellowship, and a way to serve others.
I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to contribute to this year's fundraising efforts. Supporting PMCH furthers its mission and bestows blessings that reflect God’s Glory.
Let’s continue to make a difference together.
William
Since our appeal last May we have had much to celebrate
17 people entering membership
6 Healing services with many testimonials and stories of healing
Prayer ministry is growing and now available at Messy Church
Messy Church is flourishing with 232 families attending.
FRIYAY Club has had over 120 families attending, with Friday Family Focus sessions for adults
Over 1700 families have attended Totstop
We have held a range of evangelism events including a Light party, Love southwest, Messy Christmas, and 2 Christingle services which welcomed over 360 families through the doors.
200 knitted angels from Knit & Natter were given out on the streets and at The Foodbank Hub. The angels gained worldwide press and radio coverage across the UK, Germany and New York!
Over 20 new families have signed up to Churchsuite and attend regularly on Sundays
Prayer on the streets – 150 people prayed for and many testimonies shared.
48 DBS checks have been completed for new staff and volunteers
The Discovery Cafe celebrated its 25th year anniversary and upgraded the premises.
We have donated to 21 different causes and charities across the world, through our Faith In Action Team Tithing ministry.
The PMCH Soup Run team served 13,351 meals last year, a 48% increase in 4 years.
We have hosted over 100 external events across the building with regular bookings from Plymouth City Council, NHS Clinics, Plymouth Octopus Project, Trevi House, Montpelier School, Plymouth Rock Choir, Barnardos, Crimestoppers, and more.
We have replaced the windows in the upstairs flats which has enabled us to increase the rental income.
The car park is fully booked with permits and we now have a waiting list.
We have supported a number of people with our Benevolent fund including paying for transport to a rehabilitation centre, young people to attend youth camp, and counselling.
Our caretaker Graham has replaced locks and over 200 keys across the sites to improve safety.
In addition to this we have seen the arrival of Amber Leach as Operations and Finance Officer, Mark Haydon as The Food Bank Hub Manager, and Sophie Horlock as the new Youth Pastor. Who have all settled in very well, and have already made a huge impact, and we are very thankful they are with us.
Future Plans
As we move forward with our initiatives, there's an undeniable feeling of momentum propelling us toward our goals. However, to turn these plans into reality, and to extend our impact in transforming lives, we rely on your support. Your contributions are vital in fuelling our mission and making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
The plans for our new Youth Cafe are in the pipeline in partnership with Plymouth City Council and The Child Centre Police Team.
Our Children’s & Families ministry is growing rapidly so we are looking to recruit a volunteer intern to help with the increased demand.
The Discovery Café is having some major works completed on the roof, funded through the income that the café is now generating.
We hope to invest in the premises, upgrading the Welcome Area, the first floor toilets and windows so that we can create a user friendly space for the church members on Sundays, and people using the premises during the week.
We would also love to refurbish the DC male toilets, complete the Parlour refurbishment, the Church Kitchen Floor, and the Sports Hall Floor.
We have successfully positioned the church as a venue for large and small gatherings in Plymouth, we have future bookings from over 30 local businesses, social enterprises, schools, choirs, charities, and community groups across the city
The Food Bank Hub is starting some new faith based initiatives including a dads and daughter day, craft and breakfast mornings, and a creative art day - Christian art work painting in the spirit.
Leading on from the successful Friday family focus club - the team are hoping these will lead into an Alpha course which will start in the Autumn.
We are gifting the main hall as an events space for a number of Christian organisations.
The continuous need for replenishing the 400+ menstrual hygiene items we distribute monthly underscores the urgent necessity to address period poverty and the ongoing struggle many face in accessing essential products. This will mount to almost 5000 items annually.
Harriett’s Story
On the 22nd of December 2012 I arrived in Plymouth with my two boys (Ashley and Harvey) from Birmingham I was fleeing from drugs alcohol and domestic violence. For 12 months we hotel hopped and ended at raglan court the family homeless unit. Which gave us the security and safety at that time.
Over the next few months, I was able to save enough money to pull together a deposit for our first flat. I remember when we moved in, we had no furniture a part from a folding chair, a portable DVD player, a toaster and kettle. I just stood there in the kitchen, both boys asleep on the laminate floor.
When I first encountered the FoodBank I had no idea that God was going to use it to help change all our lives. I remember there were tables and chairs and biscuits, Harvey ate the whole plate! The food parcel came out and we were given two shoe boxes of presents for Christmas, I was so grateful as I knew I didn’t have anything to give either of them.
Over the next 9 years I was awarded sole custody of both boys, I learnt to drive and started a course in Hair & Beauty.
I found myself in another relationship and had a beautiful baby girl and then another relationship which led to drinking every weekend and before I knew it I was back in debt and things seemed dark.
Then on one day in September last year I went back to the Foodbank, this time with Ashley. I spoke to Mark, (Foodbank Hub Manager) who shared a bit of who Jesus was and how much God loved me.
Over the next few months, my relationship broke down and Ashley was being bullied at school, which lead to him being taken into hospital after drinking alcohol. When I got to the hospital, I heard Ashley saying the Lord’s Prayer - I had no idea he knew it!!! God was helping my boy – He is doing great now.
We started to attend PMCH and God slowly showed me His love. I no longer had to live in fear, that He loved me for who I am and not for who I think I should be. See for most of my life, I’ve been looking for love or running in fear. My healing came through my Abba, my fathers love. He never condemned me, just come as you are.
On Sunday 21 January I made a commitment to follow Jesus as part of the covenant service.
I am home, I am loved and healed. I no longer live in fear, I am no longer chasing love because I am loved for who I am.
My Abba’s Daughter
Real Costs
There are significant costs to maintaining a premises of our size and due to increased use from the growing congregation and number of events we have a lot more day to day costs.The ever-growing demands of our mission will require additional resources
Church Heating
The church heating system is approaching the end of its serviceable life. After years of dedicated service, it's now imperative to acknowledge that its replacement is imminent. As we prepare for this necessary upgrade, we ensure the continued warmth and comfort of our congregation, preserving the sanctity of our sacred space for generations to come. Replacement of the Main Church Niche boiler will cost approx £30,000.
Rebuilding Our Reserves
Over the next five years we would like to see the commitment to rebuilding our reserves by £10,000 each year. This will enable us to meet additional (and sometimes unplanned!) demands that are often placed on our finances as a church. We know that no matter how much we plan there will always be unexpected costs to meet.
Rising Wage Costs
A further steep rise in the National Living Wage, - the benchmark rate which we are required, as a Methodist Church, to pay our employees, caused us to need to make unbudgeted pay rises for our lay staff in December 2023. We have not received a grant from the District towards the costs, which has left us with a further unforecasted overspend this year.
First Floor Toilets
The first floor toilet area comes under much discussion, with it currently being in a state of disrepair. With sufficient financial resources, the toilets could be completely transformed to one area providing two toilets. This would be convenient for the children on a Sunday and also first floor room bookings.
The Welcome Area
Revamping our church's main welcome area, offers an exciting opportunity to rejuvenate our church community's focal point. This space, serving various groups and activities, must cater to diverse needs while maintaining our church's essence. Our vision is to craft a welcoming environment accommodating everything from Sunday services, exhibitions, and concerts, while upgrading essentials like electrics, lighting and heating.
We are incredibly grateful to the property team for the incredible amount of work they put into the maintenance of the church, thus saving us plumbing, electrician and tradesman's fees.
Anniversary Speaker
We are thrilled to welcome Rev Dr Steve Emery-Wright as our anniversary preacher for 2024. Steve will be preaching at both services on anniversary Sunday 12 May.
Hailing originally from Michigan, USA, Steve is a well-travelled missionary, evangelist, scholar, preacher and Methodist Minister! He has taught at Cliff College, been involved in youth ministry in Cornwall, been a missionary in South Korea, and latterly was the Superintendent Minister of the Tavistock Circuit until his recent retirement. Steve is married to Loraine and has retired near Gunnislake.
There is so much more we can do (and plan to do) to further develop our mission work in the city – these plans depend on our commitment to continue to give as part of our worship. Therefore, can we ask you to prayerfully consider making a generous gift to the work of PMCH this gift day, that our costs may be met, and more importantly, more and more lives may be touched and changed as God’s kingdom increases here.
How can I Give?
In Person
Please bring this form, along with your donation to our Anniversary Service on 12th May 2024 or post to:
Gift Day, Plymouth Methodist Central Hall, Eastlake Street, Plymouth PL1 1BA.
You can also use the card machine at the back of the church on the Giving Station, or the church’s standard collection box for cash donations.
Via Bank or BACS
If you would prefer to give via bank transfer please use the following details.
Account Name - PLYMOUTH METHODIST CENTRAL HALL
Bank Name LLOYDS BANK, 8 Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 1HB.
Account No: 00543796
Sort Code: 30-96-68
Please use a reference so that we can identify your gift (eg Your Surname followed by ‘Gift Day’)
Online
Thank you so much for standing with us in worship and mission at PMCH