went to visit a church in bow in the east end of london today. philippa boardman is the vicar there and has been there for about 7 years. st pauls has been empty for about 10 years but contrary to popular or ecclesiastical opinion philippa had a dream that this old church building could be at the heart of community again. it’s ideally located and as philippa said all of human life is here. so she has dreamed and worked and dreamed… and the church is now being amazingly transformed having raised about 3 million pounds to do so – it has four layers – the worship space with a cafe at the front, a health club charity on the top floor (who do therapy and work particularly with the disabled but who will also open it as a gym for locals as well – there’ll even be a sauna in the roof!), then there are small rooms for a variety of uses and one floor is going to have an art exhibition area with an arts charity who will do workshops on photography, video etc within the community. the potential is stunning! but it is amazing how the church will manage to retain the worship space set apart but be at the heart of a whole host of other community activity. we were dreaming dreams of what next after easter when it will all open up…. anyone in the east end with dreams and ideas? stop travelling in to the big successful churches and get stuck in here!!!!!