MISSION ACTION PLAN

Given the challenges we are facing, the aim is to agree a direction on the essentials, and shorten our PCC meetings, making them more focused.

  • These are things we've agreed to that don't require action
  • These tasks are things we've agreed that require action but are not an immediate priority
  • These tasks are priorities that require action
  • These are decisions to make
  • These are actions we've decided not to do - possibly with date for review
  • These actions are completed

GROWING

Welcoming, including & encouraging all ethnic, cultural & other diversities to participate in the life of the church—as a blessing!

  • posters to advertise services in Farsi and English
  • increasing Sunday morning focus and organisation Trial not using super-frontal. Deputy Wardens with clear roles Multi-season frontal for high altar, and low altar ask Romanian church use church instead of vestry, at vestry cost, but leave chairs out
  • apply for grant for wall-mounted to TVs to remove need to move them around and connect them and apply for a faculty (19 Jan)
  • offer a Bring & Share meal every 6 to 8 weeks
  • consolidate our Sunday morning worship (i.e. no more changes, except possibly introduction of servers)
  • reflective hymn at the beginning of the service: a gathering song

Nurturing Farsi/Dari speaking congregation members

  • continue Thursday morning Farsi discussion group (Zahra)
  • continue Farsi Eucharist / Morning Prayer on 2nd Sundays only
  • continue to offer English Classes

Offering and developing All-Age Services

  • Continue to offer Youth Service on 4th Sunday, asking the young people for more input.
  • Introduce altar servers

NURTURING

nurturing Farsi/Dari speaking congregation members

  • continue Thursday morning Farsi discussion group (Zahra)
  • continue to add Farsi words to Psalms and Liturgy (Nick, Zahra)
  • continue Farsi Eucharist / Morning Prayer on 2nd Sundays (Zahra)

building up the Children’s Work and leaders

  • offer training for volunteers with Children & Young People in Oct/Nov 2025
  • regular offer of training through Laura Tebay (20 Jan)

supporting young people as they move to, and at, Secondary School

  • start group for Y9+ with Laura Tebay, and recruit a volunteer to run it once a month with an assistant
  • offer training for volunteers with Children & Young People in Oct/Nov 2025
  • regular offer of training through Laura Tebay (20 Jan)
  • offer altar servers for Y7 and Y8

supporting people into other roles / ministries in the church

  • recruit more people to read and lead intercessions (5 Jan)
  • support Sidespeople in their roles
  • recruit leaders for work with youth and children

servers’ training

  • introduce this, robes? girdles?

seasonal / weekly discipleship Bible study groups and services

  • continue to offer Stations of the Cross in Lent
  • offer Acts of Hope as Discussion Group / Bible Sudy in Lent? (Venue, day, and time needed) (29 Jan)

visiting Care Homes

  • continue to visit Coppice Care Home

end of life care for the dying and the bereaved

SERVING

hosting activities for all members of the community (run by ourselves or others)

  • continue to work to increase use of the church building (Mahdlo - 16 Jan) (Family Fun Day - 16 Feb)
  • purchase chair dolly to reduce risks of stacking

improving our buildings better to serve the community

  • put access signs up and then consider installation of bollards instead of gates at church gates (due to cost) if we can get a faculty? and white lines at entrances to prevent cars blocking access? (revisit in March, if grant for gates successful)
  • apply for grant for new gates (19 Jan)
  • apply for grant and commission a modest amount of repointing work (19 Jan)

moving forward with eco church

  • complete the new Eco Survey
  • establish next steps
  • See if we can reduce electricity usage
  • Try a system for picking up litter (Daniel Whetham has been picking up litter) (29 Jan)

education, visits to church, collective worship & school governance

  • continue St. Thomas' School Thursday morning Collective Worship
  • continue hosting visits from schools, nurseries, etc

SUSTAINABILITY

integrate teaching on giving into Sermons etc

increasing Venue Hire / Income

  • obtain a grant for the English Conversation Class
  • work to increase our hosting of social events for local community (Mahdlo started 16 Jan) (Family event -> HAF on 16 Feb)
  • look at feasability of grant for a job club

building maintenance to prevent deterioration

  • organise gardening and cleaning days