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Ministry & Mission |
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Our Mission - Vision and
Priorities |
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The Parish
has a proud past and, we believe, a bright future. We
are in good spirits and forward looking. Events have
served to re-focus our sights on the really important
things of our worship and life, and we are learning how
to better engage with our surroundings. We are engaged
in a gradual process of renewing our spiritual home,
adopting contemporary insights in ministry and mission,
and becoming more realistic in developing our
understanding and appreciation of those we are called to
serve.
Our vision and priorities are set out in the
introduction to the PCC’s Parish Development Plan: |
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"The
Church... seeks to proclaim with joy the glorification
of Jesus as our risen Lord and Saviour. Even though he
now reigns in eternal glory, the Church will not allow
her members to forget that he is still alive and present
in the community today calling it to new levels of
mission, ministry and vision for the future."
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Objectives:
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1) |
To be a parish with congregations enjoying a
sense of belonging to a 'parish family', and
characterised by mutual acceptance and
affirmation of all who come
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2) |
To be a Christian community which will
continue to grow in the 21st century
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(a) |
in worship, so that our worship is attended
by large, thriving, regular congregations
from all ages and backgrounds, sharing in
real, uplifting and transforming worship |
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(b) |
in prayer and the discernment of God's will |
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(c) |
in knowledge and understanding of the faith
we profess |
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(d) |
in service to the wider community, both in
our local setting where we have particular
responsibilities, and further afield
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3) |
To be a parish which recognises, values and
develops the resources which God gives it -
human and material - without ever turning
ends into means, or means into ends
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Questions:
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What initiatives could we take to move in
these directions? |
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What resources can we identify to carry
forward such initiatives? |
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What timescales are realistic? |
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We should
realise that much of the initial direction and
leadership would have to come from the Incumbent and the
PCC, which will have to rise to the challenge, find
an organised way of working, and generate an increased
level of involvement, accountability and openness.
The main assumptions are:
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(i) |
that change is possible |
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(ii) |
that certain change is desirable |
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(iii) |
that there is an unfulfilled demand and
potential within the Parish to enable
growth
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The idea
of developing our 'Ministry of Welcome' is foundational
to our Plan for growth. It is inspired by a motto to be
found at the Olde House Retreat, Southam: 'Make your
home with me as I make my home with you.' |
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About Our Parish
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Learn about the parish of
St Matthew's and
how the church serves as a spiritual and
cultural hub.
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Parish Pastoral Team |
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Discover the areas of responsibility
encompassed by the Parish Pastoral Team.
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Caring For Our Heritage |
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Read about the remedial work that was
carried out at
St Matthew's church in aid of
securing the future of this Grade II listed
building and spiritual home.
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Caring For Our Heritage
Gallery |
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View photos of the remedial work recently carried out.
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Views of St Matthew's |
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Browse through our photo gallery of
interesting views of
St Matthew's
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Floodlighting of the church |
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Celebrate an anniversary or remember a loved
one with flowers or by floodlighting the
Church for the evening. |
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