Aspire to great things

Back in 2019, before I even arrived at St Aldhelm's, the 5-yearly inspection of the church building found that there were urgent works to be done to our quirky spirelet (it's just a little spire) and roof. Just after I arrived, the pandemic hit and there were a lot of other much more urgent things to worry about as I'm sure you all remember. But we never lost sight of the fact that our beautiful church building was in need of some tender loving care.

The bottom of the spirelet in 2022 showing the age of the shingles and broken tiles on the roof.

So in 2022, we started to fundraise so that we could afford to do the repair and restoration work that is needed. This was after a lot of background work by the PCC to get the required permissions from the Diocese and seek contractor quotes so we knew how much we would need.

Many people have contributed by sponsoring a shingle (one of the wooden tiles that will go on the spirelet) or by giving to our special online crowdfunder. We are so grateful for every single gift - without them, we simply would never have been able to reach the goal of having enough money to fix our roof and spire.

Look at all those broken tiles and the plants growing out of the stepped gable leading to the spirelet!

We also employed a fundraiser, my sister Leah, who raised over £50,000 from trusts and foundations whose Trustees saw not only the value of the church itself, but were also delighted by our Windmill projects and the amazing things that we achieve for people here in our community. I too got involved and applied to the Diocese for financial assistance as well as to a trust called Benefact who fund church building repairs. It was a big job to get this far so I think we should all congratulate ourselves wholeheartedly for our part in it!

Finally, we have been able to engage contractors to do the work that will make our chancel watertight and secure for the next 100 years. Today we hand-delivered letters to our closest neighbours so that they are aware and can get in touch in case of any queries or concerns while the work is going on. And tomorrow, scaffolding will be erected so that the works can begin in earnest. Our specialist architect will manage the project, ensuring the high quality of the works carried out. The spirelet shingles will be replaced bit by bit. The underlying wooden structure will be inspected and repaired as necessary. The weather vane will be carefully taken down, inspected, cleaned and any necessary repairs will be made. Our lightning protection will be renewed. The chancel north and south parapets will be repaired and the stepped gables on both sides will also receive attention. Guttering will be checked and tiles will be replaced within the reach of the scaffolding. All the roof at the east end of the church will be good as new by the time the project is finished.

Our architect's drawing of the spirelet detailing the work that needs to be done

Our contractor and architect have been asked to make sure that there is as little disruption as possible to our worship, the Windmill or our neighbours, so services will simply go ahead as normal during the course of these works.

I don't know if you realise how many of our neighbours love our building, but when we asked them during our community survey, lots of people told us that they really value its beauty. And it really is valuable. Have you taken a moment to appreciate it? Look at the gorgeous ironwork on the external and internal doors as well as the font. Stand at the doors and look towards the altar so you can consider the harmony of the pillars down the length of the nave. Walk down the nave and notice the stylised candles carved into the stone at the tops of those pillars. Go outside the church and stand opposite on the side of Aylward Academy to look at how charming the asymmetry is, with the right hand side having a higher sloping roof over the side aisle and the bell cote not taking up the entire width of the centre, so there's an adjacent extra crenellated block that contains the spiral staircase to the gallery. This church is a treasure of early twentieth-century architecture. I hope you are all as delighted as I am that we are able to carry out these significant once-in-a-generation works to safeguard the future of our wonderful heritage here.

Should you feel moved to make a further donation towards our roof project, this will still be very gratefully received - perhaps you might sign a shingle with prayers for your loved ones (the church is open Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday when you can come in and donate £5 before writing on a wooden shingle) or you could simply make a donation at our card payment point in the church and let us know it's for the roof. Alternatively, donate online or get in touch by email with our administrator to ask about making a bank transfer.

Why bother? you might ask. Why spend two years fundraising for expensive works to this church, why put in so much effort for some rather boring repairs to the roof?

Here's why. Because our church is worth it. Because what we do here - worshiping God, feeding people, connecting our community - is worth it. Because our community, often overlooked and ignored, is worth it. Because you - yes, you - are worth it.

St Aldhelm's has been here for 118 years and we intend to be here for a long time to come. Every single person who is part of our community is worth the very best we can do here, because every single person is a beloved child of God.

Worth it.

NOTICES

APCM The APCM is our annual church meeting and it takes place on Sunday 25 May at 12 noon. Notices are displayed inside the church with more information. We will welcome the Archdeacon of Hampstead, the Ven. John Hawkins, as our preacher at the service before the APCM.

Martin Smith RIP Details are still being finalised but it is likely that Martin’s funeral will be in church on Wednesday 4 June at 2pm and then afterwards at Enfield Crematorium.

Blessings for Edmonton More details soon, but we will be holding a nine-day prayer festival for the Holy Spirit at churches here in Edmonton from Saturday 7 June (the Eve of Pentecost), culminating in an afternoon service of praise, anointing and blessing on Sunday 15 June with Bishop Anderson. Don’t miss it!

Coach trip to Southend The Mothers’ Union is arranging a day out in Southend-on-Sea on Saturday 2 August. The coach will leave St Aldhelm’s at 9am and will be back by 6pm – more information, including the price, soon.