Mike Renton's Hymnathon - A Cross-City Project With A Difference!
When Nexus Methodist's Mike Renton decided to help raise funds for the Southdown Church and Community Partnership'sbuilding project, he knew he would need nimble fingers! But the eager pianist was inspired by his love for hymns - old and new - and set about arranging a hymnathon! His mammoth seven and a half hour rendition on Sunday 8th May featured 310 hyms and tunes and raised £2,400 for the Southdown project!
(PICTURES: MIKE RENTON AT THE HYMNATHON, MIKE PLAYING, A SCORE, SOUTHDOWN METHODIST CHURCH, THE HYMNATHON, MAP OF SOUTHDOWN)
"My wife and I, had taken part in an event to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible - with a continuous reading of it in Bath. We'd gone along on a Friday 
morning at 2am and read from Isiah when I got the idea! I knew the Southdown Church and Community Partnership were trying to raise funds for their building project and I thought, I know a lot of hymns from memory...why not!" says Mike.
A member of Nexus Methodist Church, which is part of Walcot's community and based geographically opposite to Southdown - as its north of the River Avon – for 20 years or so, Mike used a variety of hymn books for this truly cross-city project! "I used 'Hymns and Psalms', 'Mission Praise', 'The New English Hymnal', 'Carol Gaily Children's Books' and also some religious inspired scores." he says.
"I started after the morning service at 11.45pm and had a five minute break every hour for the seven and a half hours I played. I literally played in the order of the hymn book.
"Some of the religious themed music I played included 'I Believe' and 'I Walk With God'. For those I typed out the words and we printed a few copies for people to follow. 'A Holy City', 'Bless This House' were also played.
"Some hymns have more than one tune so I said I'd do at least one verse of every single one and that if people were singing I would play more! 
"One of our members produced food and so people could eat and made some money on that for the Southdown building project too." He adds.
Mike says he was 'very pleased' with the number of people who supported him on the day. "There were visits from people who I'd never heard of! I went into church yesterday and there was an envelope 'from Dave'."
Apart form a 'slightly stiff back', Mike says the hymnathon was enjoyable. "Including Gift Aid more than £2,400 is expected at the moment! I had lots of support from golfing friends and from my wife's church; St Marys of Charlcombe Lane."
But Mike is still collecting money for the project! "If anyone is inspired to give money now please do! We still want to receive it, we're not finished yet. Please make cheques payable to North East Somerset and Bath Methodist Circuit, care of Nexus Methodist Church at Nelson Place East, Bath BA1 5DA."
The Southdown Building project to update and improve on the existing church premises in The Hollow, is spearheaded by the Southdown Church and Community Partnership, which like Nexus is part of the Bath Methodist Circuit.
Colin Smith of the Partnership explains: "The existing church building was constructed in the 1950's from a war damaged Methodist church in the centre of Bath"
And with plans to make part of the main church nave into a new community hall, to affect complete insulation, install low carbon footprint air source heat pumps and double-glazing throughout, this is an impressive project.
"We have funding from the sale of Horizon formerly Oldfield Park Methodist Church's property which was fantastic - we'd been seeking ways to develop the site since 1998 - we've been able to do this because of Horizon's kind support. It really is thanks to the Horizon Methodist congregation that the Southdown church is being transformed." Colin says.
The North East Somerset and Bath Methodist Circuit has provided financial su
pport and the Partnership have raised grants from a number of sources. But Colin says they are still looking for funding.
"When Mike told me what he was doing I was thrilled. It really is a tremendous gift he gave us. It was his idea, inspiration and he worked so hard to put it into being. He and lots of Methodists have been so supportive."
Mike explains that the Southdown building really has a place in the heart of the community as a real centre for outreach. A £500 donation from the local Co-op was received.
"Redeveloping the church as a community centre will mean it has a lot of better facilities. It really is the outreach hub for Southdown and Whiteway. A consortium 
of agencies will use it and it will act as a place for community groups to meet, as well as other churches, toddlers, and there being a little shop."
Colin explains that a myriad of community groups and local agencies have been welcomed by the South Church and Community Partnership, under Jane Parsons leadership.
"It was set up in 1998 by Bath Methodist Circuit, to reach out and give community support to Whiteway, Southdown and Twerton. As Church Community Worker, Jane liaises with primary schools, the Southside Family Centre, Bath City Farm, and any organisations in the local area.
"She's a trustee for Timebank and organises Lunchclub, a parent and toddler group, an advice centre and other activities at the centre. A baby clinic, mental health support, credit union and local councillors surgery also take place there.
"People of any faith background and sexuality can belong and come to activities. 
There are no restrictions and no overt attempt to convert people. In fact the more you come and join in with things there, the happier we will be. "
The project also seems to be in line with Methodist tradition for outreach says Mike.
"There are four areas of activity; worship, pastoral, mission and outreach. Outreach is a distinct division, to do with everything to do with interacting with the outside world, property and finance."
DONATE to the Southdown Community Partnership Building Project Today! Contact Colin: 01225 837602 or send your cheque to Nexus!
Do you want to run your community group or project from the new building? Contact Colin: 01225 837602
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