www. pilgrimhomes. org. uk 19 Holding unswervingly to the hope we profess Revd Lloyd Williams, from Royd Court. ' Would you like the Nativity or Father Christmas?' Such was the response to our request for a number of 2nd class stamps at the Post Office counter in the weeks before Christmas. We try not to lead too sheltered an existence here in Royd Court, so surmised that this was simply the Post Office doing its best to help at Christmas time. The truth is that in a multiracial, multicultural nation even the Post Office has to be seen to be even- handed about people's beliefs, whether they spring from a simplistic desire to dumb down the Christian faith or even perhaps to destroy the faith altogether. We are so privileged here, living at Pilgrim Homes' Royd Court, to have the prayerful support of brothers and sisters in Christ as we seek to ' hold unswervingly to the hope we profess' Hebrews 10: 23 ( NIV). Elsewhere our world is described as ' naughty'. ' Naughty' indeed! From our privileged position we see many who are less fortunate than ourselves as they seek to live out their Christian faith and values. So as we support and pray for one another, here in this wonderful Christian community, we remember in our prayers those in our nation and world less fortunate than ourselves. We remember, too, the Chief Executive, the Trustees and others at Tower Bridge Road who seek to hold fast against those in our national life, seen and unseen, who would look to amend or destroy the unique Christian environment entrusted to us. The tangible sense of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in our daily devotions, our times of prayer, the loving Christian support from one to the other, is a unique gift. Just the other day a much younger couple on visiting us asked ' Can any Christian move in?' ' How old do you have to be?' They had sensed that special something for which they longed. Lloyd and Margaret Williams were married in 1962 and following their conversion Lloyd was ordained into the Church of England in 1974. He and Margaret have lived and ministered in many parts of the UK and in Hong Kong. They have led conferences in the UK, Europe, Asia and the United States. They moved into Royd Court in November 2007 and were among those interviewed for the fi lm about Royd Court made in 2008. The DVD is available from head offi ce and from the manager of Royd Court. " My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places." Isaiah 32: 18 ( NKJV)

Annual Report 200920 Building on sound principles Andy Walsh, Director of Property Services The building and maintaining of Pilgrim Homes' properties has parallels with the Christian life. They both need to begin with sound principles and it is these principles that inform the working out of the details. It is important to stick to the principles otherwise the end result will be flawed and misaligned from the creator's vision. We need to start with solid foundations and to continue to build, following expert guidance. As Christians we have the Creator God as our architect whose wisdom we can rely on and whose planning is perfect. His design is good indeed and we need to hold fast to His guiding principles. We constantly seek our Lord's guidance and wisdom for our decisions. When Royd Court was being planned it followed a great deal of prayer, seeking wisdom and detailed research. As part of the planning process we sat down and looked first at our Christian principles. How could we make sure they were embodied in the building? How would the building enable the people who would become its occupants to live fully as Christians? The Lord led us to a site where it was possible to provide a spacious building with numerous communal spaces with large rooms for devotions and worship and smaller rooms for the closer fellowship that comes with groups of friends. It was also possible to design the building around a central courtyard, helping to create a sense of community and facilitate the easy and natural meeting and coming together of occupants. It is important that we venture into projects with our eyes open, aware of what the ultimate cost may be. In Luke 14: 28- 30 Jesus illustrates a point with a story about the wisdom of not starting to build a tower without first being sure of being able to finish it. Appropriately, the point that Jesus was illustrating was that holding fast to His ways would come at a cost, sometimes putting us at odds with those around us. In these difficult financial times we are being presented with more opportunities to assist other charities who are struggling. We need to look carefully at each of these situations to see what appropriate help we can offer. 2008 saw us taking under our umbrella a sheltered housing scheme in Bedford from a charitable trust set up with very similar objectives to our own. Dorothea Court comprises a group of lovely Victorian buildings converted into flats with a central communal garden. Although the type of accommodation provided here is different from any of our other homes, when we first went to visit it really did feel like ' home from home' with its sense of community and Christian ethos. Before we proceeded with the merger of Dorothea Court we carried out detailed surveys of buildings so that we were aware of what we would be taking on. As a result we have been able to schedule and prioritise the work necessary to bring this scheme from a period of under-funding. We have already made good progress on the task in hand including one property being totally re- roofed; an external fire escape being brought back to a safe and usable condition, external areas being made safe and accessible, a vacant flat being refurbished with a new kitchen, and sundry other repairs. Maintenance means constantly looking at our buildings and seeing where they need improving or changing to meet current circumstances and trends. Expectations change over the years and