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St. Mary's (not too far) Away Day

Saturday 4th October at St Bertelin's
 

 Father Graham's presentation on renewing the life of St. Mary’s was thought-provoking and covered the following points: 

• The values and pitfalls of Tradition

• The Building

• Our Worship

• Our location in the centre of the town and community

• New Testament translation is taking what we have received and handing it on.

• We do this because we cherish it so much and want it to be passed on.

• Some things cannot change: eg inheritance of faith.

• Some change is both necessary and needs to be embraced and handed on. However, change just for the sake of it is not good.

• A church is only one generation away from extinction and we need to remember this.

• A church is unique in that it exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.

• So how do we hand on those traditions we have received?

We were then asked to discuss the following questions in groups of three or four:

• Why did you first come to St. Mary’s?

• What has St. Mary’s given to you? (a spiritual home, fellowship and friendship, music, family, grief, aggravation, varied services, support, focus)

• What keeps you coming? (fellowship, belonging)

• What is the daily cycle of prayer? (Sunday 8 and 9.30, baptism, Evensong. Monday Eucharist, Tuesday lunchtime prayers, Wednesday Eucharist, Thursday Eucharist, Friday lunchtime prayers, Saturday. Morning Prayer is said on Tuesday and evening prayer on Wednesday. Across the team there is a daily pattern of prayer)

• How does the church encourage us to read the scriptures? (bible notes, pew sheets, could we find a bible in church?)

• How does our church nurture our faith? (bible study/house groups, lent course)

• What do we have in common with each other? (Love of the Lord, fellowship, belonging, most live outside the parish, music, a professional background)

• What do we have in common with our surroundings? (life in Stafford, difficulty of car parking, socio economic grouping in congregation and residents and visitors, fear of the unknown.)

The SWOT analysis (on the reverse of the day’s agenda) completed at the first DCC following the arrival of Father Graham was discussed further and clarified for those who had not been present at the DCC meeting.

 Examples of a way forward - points to consider:

• How can we relate to the students around us? Will the deanery youth worker help? Can we open up the church in a way to attract these students in? It is suggested that in the first instance we need to give something away – to eat or drink.
• Children’s and families’ worker – to work with those approaching the church for baptism; to seek out new families and children; to pioneer fresh styles of worship for families and children.
• Redeveloping the Lady Chapel – carpet- providing a warm environment; chairs- providing a comfortable environment; projector and screen – providing a teaching area.

Discussion was held relating to the above points and the overall feeling was positive. Practicalities will need to considered. We need to put ourselves in the shoes/mind of a mother coming into the church for the first time with her child who has never been to the church before. This will highlight some of the problems we face and hopefully to a solution to them.

One major problem with the building is the main door which is difficult to manage and can appear intimidating.

We made use of St Bertelin's excellent facilities for tea and coffee.

What are we looking at today?

• The Building – welcome area, uses of spaces, toilets, notice boards, bookstall, meeting area, visitor centre (Isaac Walton), prayer walk, labyrinth, refreshment area, displays, organ, parish office?
• Outreach – lunchtimes, youth outreach and college students, civic and commercial, baptism preparation, young families and children. Alpha/Emmaus, Bishop’s certificate, open church, prayer walk, labyrinth, refreshments, chaplaincies, communication
• Fellowship – congregation, Friends of St. Mary’s. team, coffee club, study prayer and fellowship groups, Sunday and weekday lunches, trips and events, twinning links.

 People were asked to sign up for one of these groups to work on after lunch. These areas are our priorities and the three areas will continue to be developed, drawing other members of St Mary's in after the away day. It is not expected that the work will be completed quickly or that all the solutions will be highlighted in one go.

 The morning session concluded with prayers, followed by lunch at the Holmcroft.

Afternoon session – Our Building, Outreach and Fellowship.

 The groups discussed:

• Building – Lady chapel, welcome area, Izaak Walton, organ and music
• Outreach – baptism preparation, process evangelism, youth outreach, open church and prayer walk
• Fellowship – social events, study, fellowships and prayer groups.

All groups were asked to fix a date for the next meeting and make suggestions for further development. We then split into our groups and discussed the various aspects of the suggested themes.

Building Group: membership –Fr Graham, Neil Thomas, Sheila Young, Geoffrey Davies, Bob Perkin, Mary Matthews. This group discussed the proposed changes for the Lady Chapel, welcome area, Isaac Walton memorial and were keen for developments in the north transept to include office space for the rector and parish administrator. They will meet with the DAC to discuss the way forward.

Outreach Group: membership – Fr Mark, Jill Hibberd, Paul Slater, Ivan Walker, Yvonne Farr. This group discussed the college accepting points raised earlier in the meeting and to achieve by April – the Give Away in March consulting with Cathy Short, possibly Easter eggs, card / leaflet link with Stafford team, invitation to St. Mary’s for soup etc. in the summer term. The costing will be very important. To achieve by October 09 pattern established for autumn, balance between church commitments and the previously mentioned provision. Baptism preparation, introduction of all age worship, DVD or other material prior to baptism. The next meeting was arranged for 29/11/08, 10.15 at St. Peter’s Rickerscote.

Fellowship Group: membership – Sue Savage, Ian Miller, Lorna Davies, Jean Royle, Chris Royle, Betty Williams, Wendy Perkin. This group discussed what is in place now: harvest supper; friends events; Thursday lunch club; Sunday lunch club; coffee after the 9.30 service; 2 house groups; mother’s union; scripture notes to individuals. Suggestions for the future were: annual bowling event; develop the coffee concerts; need to be more aware of what else is happening in the church eg social events arranged for Friday s which then clash with choir practice; pooled meal events; fund raising activities but they need to be planned well in advance; to use the church space for exhibitions from outside agencies; youth club or similar; building up better links with the community; more for the men; quiz nights; book club; choir association; sponsored walk (like we used to); opportunities for questions and answers with the clergy/readers as an open forum; Bishop’s certificate course or similar; Alpha course; the relationship of music and worship; fellowship groups with speakers; prayer leaflets; a cycle of prayer; training and support for leaders of house groups; themed courses over 6/8 weeks similar to lent course but throughout the year. The date of the next meeting was fixed for 25/10/08 at 9.30am at 183, Tixall Road. Claire Miller and Joyce Cox to be invited to attend.

 Father Graham thanked Father Mark for his work and contribution to the day.

Sue Savage

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