Here today from Trinity: Pastor David Bedford Chris Lincoln - Centre Manager Colin Gregg - Chairman Centre Team

 In Gosforth there used to be three individual Christian churches on one High Street  Decided that they would combine, from a position of strength into a single Christian congregation  In 2000 this happened and then a period of combining the three congregations before consulting with the Gosforth Community  Appointed architect  Much consultation both within the Church and the Community  Eventually – about 18 months later the final plan  Then we needed to raise £3.25m

The Change Graph FEAR DENIAL BLAME SELF-BLAME ACCEPTANCE FRUSTRATION PROBLEM SOLVING CHANGE HAPPENS PERFORMANCEPERFORMANCE TIME

 What was the vision of Trinity?  First and foremost to bring God’s love and the message of Jesus Christ onto the High Street by our example of service to the Community  Change the High Street back into a caring community High Street where people would stop, talk and care about each other  Help to re-build the economy of the High Street – more people onto the Street and they would shop  Add vitality, colour and vision to the High Street  To become a real partnership with as many people who use the High Street as possible

 So how did we raise £3.25m – this includes the build, professional fees and fixtures and fittings  We had a vision, knew what we were going to do and did a great deal of planning – professional help - communication  Sale of the Churches - £  Trusts and Foundations - £  Congregational Giving and Fundraising £  Grants from URC and Methodist Churches £  Bequests £  Loan £  If God wants it to happen then with hard work, planning and organisation it will happen

So what have we got now ? A growing non-judgemental church with ragged edges with a congregation of 350+ A Christian presence in the middle of the High Street A dynamic Church Council with written 5 year goals – not left to our Staff Team – some copies are available from Trinity Stand Listening to and leading the community Up to 2500 people a week attending over 100 community activities Strong partnerships with local councillors, businesses and many community groups – details in handout from Trinity stand Helped in the start up of about 8 small businesses

Activities from the very young to the elderly Youth club, Brownies (x2), Guides Lunches for older isolated people Mother and toddler – and father and toddler (Sat am) Men’s Breakfasts Alpha and Challenging Lifestyles Keep Steady Adult Education Welfare Rights Yoga x 3 Hunts for children and families in shop windows Community History Pushy Mums, Music Bugs, Ballet School, Sing and Sign Talk to our Centre Manager – Chris Lincoln Just a few of the ‘activities’

Monthly Jazz series Monthly Lecture series Concerts – Salvation Army International Songsters Northern Sinfonia Chorus and Junior Orchestra Host business conferences – NHS etc Change the cafe to meet the competition Alter the main hall to be more like an events hall rather than a sports hall Seen as the centre of the community – Gosforth Mini Bus

What are we planning? JOE outreach Bar B Q Help to Lead a BID (Business Improvement District) for Gosforth Looking at setting up a Centre for Health and Well Being for isolated elderly and chronically sick people to GP’s Build a Town Square for Gosforth – Trinity Square – we have about £ of £ needed

What next for Trinity?

However at the centre of Trinity we wish: To bring God’s love to our High Street To help our neighbours

And in serving them be served

In loving them find love

And in knowing them know God......