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Copyright: Lighthouse 2007-2023
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” John 8:12 (NIV)
Registered Charity Number: 1063294
Formerly New Creation Christian Book and Coffee Shop
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17 March, 2023
Lighthouse Newsletter No 19 - March, 2023
Some of you may remember that a few years ago we held a meeting at St George’s Extension to ask you how you saw the future of New Creation (as we were then). Over the years, for several reasons, our takings had slowly declined and we realised we could not continue as we were. So we asked for suggestions. We were given several, a couple likely, some impractical, but most just plain impossible. The most favoured suggestion was to move to premises nearer to the centre of town – one of the plainly impossible ideas. The trustees had considered it before the meeting, but had rejected on cost grounds.
The cost of setting up a new shop, including fitting out a kitchen, was well out of our reach. And then there would be the increase in the rent. The landlords at the old New Creation premises had not put up the rent for many years.
It was decided to struggle on at the old premises and trust that God would provide for our needs. But trade continued to decline and we started to eat into our reserves. As trustees, we put our trust in the Lord, but we also have to comply with the dictates of the Charity Commission, to whom we are answerable. It was obvious that the only thing we could do was close the shop.
In 2018, we very reluctantly started to take steps to end New Creation – but God had other ideas and thanks to several donations, including a very generous one, we had the money to continue. And in 2019 we moved to our present premises and Lighthouse opened its doors.
Only a few months after we opened, Covid-19 struck, and the next two years were – you know – different. But 2022 gave us a full year’s trading and we still finished the year in deficit, eating into our reserves. We have sufficient reserves to last a couple more years, but we must comply with Charity Commission’s rules about holding sufficient funds for any eventuality.
Again, we must rely on the Lord if we are to keep serving you, and pray that an increase in people using the shop will cover our costs. Our only source of income is from you, either as individuals or church fellowships, spending your money with us or giving us donations. If you want to continue to see us shining the Light of Christ on the high street, then we need your support to keep going.