Norwich Christian centre given new lease of life

 

After a time of much uncertainty, due to a dramatic rent rise from landlords The Historic Churches Trust, the Centre is now marking the start of a new lease, thus ensuring that its service to the community, given in the name of Christ, will continue.

 

In his address, which took the theme of the story of The Good Samaritan, the Bishop, who is patron of the Centre, described All Saints’ as a remarkable place and paid tribute to the vision of its founder and the courage and extravagant faith of its trustees who have bravely stayed put, in what is now a more expensive venue, as they work to serve the people of our city and beyond. He described the Centre as a living example of neighbourliness; a Good Samaritan in a world that so desperately needs one.

 

All Saints’ Centre celebrated its 30^th anniversary last year and it has been greatly encouraged by the messages and gifts which have been pouring in since word got out about its difficulties. Its friends and neighbours have given true support in both cash and kind and, amongst its immediate neighbours which include Tesco and Castlegates, regular help comes from Sainsbury’s supermarket.

 

This weekend, close neighbour and supporter John Lewis is enabling the Centre to begin its new era looking bright and clean by both donating and fitting new flooring in the body of the church, the old carpet having ‘had its day’. To enable this work to be done, the Centre will be closed over the weekend but plans to reopen on Monday 19th to a bright new future!

 

People are invited to pop into the Centre anytime between 10.00 and 4.00, Monday to Saturday and enjoy this special place which serves delicious, low cost, home cooked snacks and lunches and provides a warm, comfortable and welcoming venue in the city to ‘Come away to a quiet place and rest awhile’