Our parishes face a number of exciting challenges following our wish to become a United Benefice. The congregations of both churches eagerly look to the new priest-in-charge to help them manage this process of change in a sensitive, caring manner with vision and imagination.
Following our recent community audit we are aware that the proportion of people in the area attending any church is low. We need to identify and try to meet, nurture and develop their spiritual needs. We are looking for guidance and experience with offering enquirer’s courses, harnessing the resources of the arts and becoming proactive in developing our mission and outreach.
It is proposed that funds from the sale of the Centre 13 site be used in a major initiative to reorder and upgrade the St. Mary’s Church site and its facilities in order to accommodate a variety of parish and community activities, providing further opportunities for mission.
We are eager to develop further work with children and young people under the leadership of the ordained youth worker, and to promote more interaction with the local community.
Both PCC’s are keen that the new Priest-in-Charge will be instrumental in all these areas.