On Wednesday 7th April I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview inside the Kairos Centre with Charlie, Lisa and Jane.
I was blown away! Its one thing having seen the plans, and the empty shell of the building, but its another thing completely to see the finished product, and the quality of build. Its testament to the energy, enthusiasm, belief and faith of those involved to achieve such a feat during a recession
This is a really exciting building, now fit for purpose to act as an office for Grange Park Church and to serve the community with its stylish fair trade coffee shop and meeting/networking rooms for rent to local business.
If you are passing the building take a look inside to the left and up the stairs. There you can see Steve’s light designed to resemble the cross. I think the prayers of all involved have been answered and an exciting phase in the development of Grange Park Church is truly underway.
Breaking News…. The Kairos Centre opens to the public on 1st May 2010 – Details to follow
Well, after a long wait, we finally have half the final piece of the puzzle.
Yesterday (Thursday) the electricity meter was connected. HOORAH!!!
The only major thing left to do (apart from snagging) before we get the keys, is to lay the floor in the coffee shop and main entrance, oh, and get the GAS connected as well.
This is a really important milestone. It means that the builders are able to come back and do tests on the lift and lighting – So Steve Churchus will be going in and seeing what his lighting really looks like!
It also has the potential for the builders to come and lay the flooring. The building Option being looked into include hiring electric heaters to bring the building up to temperature so the floor can be laid, but this may be too costly, and is still under discussion with the architect and flooring contractors to establish if it is a viable option.
We have also taken delivery of several pieces of furniture. The tables for the upstairs meeting room as well as chairs and settees for the coffee shop, after much to-ing and fro-ing from the supplier and lots of telephone exchanges! Kath and Angie are still receiving counselling after the whole ordeal!
We also have cutlery and crockery for the kitchen area as well as extra crockery, tested non drip tea pots of varying sizes and milk jugs for the coffee shop. Plans are in place for barista training once we have the coffee machine installed and we are aiming to work in partnership with Budgens in the supply of milk, drinks and snacks
Don’t forget to buy your tickets for the Gala Dinner on the 6th March, with some amazing prizes, including real diamonds, hampers, loads of vouchers, and a family trip around Old Trafford, to mention just a few…… See Jez, Lisa or Emma for tickets
We started the week planning the shelving for storage space for the centre and finished with an excellent meeting and show round with the local Budgens store owner who is very enthusiastic in supporting us in community projects.
But unfortunately no news on the gas and electric situation, although this extra time has allowed the builders to get to a position of ALMOST finishing. Once we have connection the build will be completed in days.
We have a coffee supplier and had a great time on Wednesday putting the potential partners through their paces. We were looking to support a business that felt as passionate about coffee as we do about the Kairos Centre, and we do believe we have found them. We have also had fun sourcing crockery for the kitchen and servery.
Next week will be a communications week, which will see information stands at Mums and Tots, Pre-School, Kiddicaru and the monthly weighing clinic.
The Diamante & Diamond Gala Dinner
The Date: Saturday 6th March
Time: 7:30pm until late
Event features: 3 course dinner, live jazz music and disco, dancing until late, diamond hunt, charity auction, raffle, professional photographs, networking opportunity with local businesses.
Venue: The Hilton, Watering Lane, Collingtree, Northampton
Ticket price: Single ticket £25. Two tickets £48. Table of 10 for £225.
The theme: Diamante & diamonds
Dress code: Formal. Lots of bling
How to buy tickets: Email Lisa Smith at
lisa.smith@kairoscentre.co.uk or telephone 01604 762038.
If businesses book a table (at least 10 tickets) they will be given the opportunity of a display stand in the bar area outside the ballroom.
Businesses – if you can support the event by providing auction/raffle prizes, please speak to Lisa Smith on 01604 762038.
It’s so nearly ready. The doors are on, the flooring is going down, the bathroom suites are going in, the kitchen and servery hatch are done, the raised platform in the coffee lounge is in. It looks brilliant. The builders have done such a great job.
Watch this space for an opening date and I’m looking forward to seeing you all down there and serving a lovely cup of coffee….
After many delays, and much red tape we are pleased to announce that the Kairos Centre build out is well underway.
For more information please download this PDF file
If you have any questions please contact Lisa Smith.
Title: Week of prayer for Kairos Centre
Description: Call to Prayer from Charlie and the Leadership Team
Sometimes you realise that however hard you try you just can’t make something happen – it is in that moment you realise that only God can do it! Our God can move mountains! I, the leadership team and the project team recognise that this is one of the moments – a Kairos Moment – when we have to turn to God because only He can do it.
A Week of Prayer for Kairos Centre: Sunday 17th – Saturday 23rd May
We would love you to join us in setting aside a few moments each day to pray; also to include time for prayer in all the usual meetings and activities of the week.
Start Date: 2009-05-17
End Date: 2009-05-23
The head landlord’s building surveyor put a number of questions to South Northants Council referring to the technical specification, which SNC have now answered. We are pushing for head landlord approval to be granted this week, so that we can get the legal documents signed and delivered before Easter.
Only once the documents are delivered can notice be given to the builders.
Please keep praying.
The amount raised and secured to date is £284,658. We still need to raise over three years £115,342 plus any interest. In order to help track this we are going to add a fund raising thermometer to the Kairos Centre web site.
PUBLICITY
Emma Mumford will be organising a ‘Gala Dinner’ black-tie fund raising event for July, with support from members of the GPC business network. If you would like to attend please let us know.
Rachel Monie is arranging a press release and photo call to coincide with the start of the build.
STAFFING/VOLUNTEERS
Margaret is defining roles for volunteers, and breaking the centre manager role down into its component sub-roles so that we can have clear job descriptions and a clear picture of the volunteer requirement.
Helen Preston is working with Margaret to develop a set of guidelines for our volunteer work.
Shortly after midday on Sunday 1st March, about 60 folk gathered outside the Kairos Centre on Wilks Walk.
Among them 35 or so pan-thletes from pre-school to pre-pension hopped, jumped, flipped and ran along the Walk, with dextrous pan-handling agility and tongues sticking out in concentration, competing for prizes donated by Grange Park Church, Budgens and even a family meal from the Grange Inn.
Spectators and “officials” in Kairos Centre T-shirts cheered on. The races varied from challenging to downright silly. Unfortunately there was one injury but in general everyone had a good time, and no-one went away without a sweetie for taking part!!!
God heard our prayers said standing in the cold rain earlier that morning, and the sun shone throughout the races.
Many thanks to all who came along and made it a fun occasion, and supported the Kairos Centre in the process.
Title: Prayers for Kairos Centre & Mission Partners
Location: GP Community Centre Small hall
Description: Everyone Welcome to join us in prayer for the
Start Time: 19:30
Date: 2009-03-01
End Time: 21:00
