St Pauls Summary for Submission to Facing the Challenge 2015
In response to the commitments that emerged from the ‘St Paul’s Health Check
Away Day’ the Church Council affirm the following and seek to pursue an outworking of these new commitments over the next 12 to 18 months [where possible]:
1. At St Paul’s
1.1 Emerging from the commitment to engage more substantially in Bible Study
Groups and Prayer we will undertake to explore offering a course based upon the book written by the Rev Peter Edwards entitled ‘The healing touch of God’; ‘A hands on approach to Christian healing ministry from a Methodist perspective’ and The pastoral resource ‘Encircled in care’, [which is available from Methodist Publishing] and includes training resources which would be useful, specifically a section on
‘Health, healing and well-being’.
1.2 We will undertake a Worship Audit and consult as widely as possible in that
1.3 We will seek to identify if someone feels called to a key role of Publicity and
Communication and developing a way forward
1.4 We will celebrate the 25 th Anniversary of St Paul’s church building giving thanks to God for all that he has, is and will call us to in the future
1.5 We will look to explore how we can engage the wider community with the message of Easter
2. In the Circuit – What can St Paul’s offer
2.1 Provision of the materials and arrangements inspired by Robert Warren’s;
Healthy Churches Handbook and Developing Healthy Churches, to any other church who might be interested in running such a workshop and such support as might be appropriate
2.2 Support through the provision of the accommodation at St Paul’s where possible and other commitments permit
2.3 Continued support by way of individuals gifting and life skills in relation to Circuit issues
2.4 Continuing to request prayer concerns from all of the Circuit Churches and to hold all in prayer accordingly
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3. From the Circuit – How could Circuit help St Paul’s
3.1 Resource to support and develop family and children’s ministry at St Paul’s both in terms of those who are part of the church currently and outreach to families in
Sowerby Bridge
3.2 Support [training?] in improving publicity and communication and use of website/Facebook etc. in Mission
3.3 Support the forthcoming 25 year Anniversary celebration
4. An Ecumenical Perspective
There are very good relationships with our partner churches in Sowerby Bridge and we see these continuing to strengthen through ongoing:
4.1 Regular and frequent ‘Christians Together’ gatherings
4.2 Weekly clergy prayer meetings
4.3 Joint events such as Good Friday Walk of Witness, Ecumenical Lent Bible Study
Groups, Mustard Seed Lunch, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service, etc.
Finally
There is much that takes place at St Paul’s in ‘Serving the Community’ in a number of ways and not least through the resource of the property and the people. Whilst it is good to have aims, they are expressed in the recognition that much good work takes place currently and to acknowledge the tension in terms of resources sustaining that which is good and positive whilst also responding to God’s calling in new things and ways. We are aware that it is better to do a few things and do them well rather than overstretch attempting to do all things.
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