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The Team Vision StatementSince the North Cheltenham Team was created in October 2008, we’ve been working together to discern what our common goals in North Cheltenham should be. We came up with a simple statement that embodies the life and aims of all our churches:
Our Vision for St Nicolas
Our task doesn’t end with a neat and tidy statement, however. We needed to embrace the Team Vision and make it our own, so the clergy and PCCs asked everyone in the congregation for their input. The response was fantastic: a clear indication of the passion and prayerfulness of our church family. So much information is difficult to summarise, but after a great deal of prayer and discussion the following four areas for action were highlighted, one under each of the Vision Statement headings. Worshipping – Different Forms for Different People In addition to our traditional Sunday service, we need to provide alternative ways of worshipping. These will afford a way into our church family for those people who would otherwise find our church or our services intimidating or confusing. Serving – Knowing our Communities In order to serve our communities, we need to understand them. As one comment put it: we must “Identify what the community wants from us – not what we think they want.” Growing – 7-11s and 25-40s These are two age-groups that are largely missing from our church family: children and adults under forty. We are an ageing congregation, and if we don’t add younger people, our average age will keep increasing. Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ – Communication “How are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” (Romans 10:14). We are Christ’s voice in our community. Our baptismal commission includes the promise to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ by word and by example. The one who calls you is faithful Now that we know how we as a church want to focus our efforts, we need to be thinking how we as members can help achieve our aims. One of the key comments made was that we shouldn’t always rely on the same few people to do everything: if we’re to honour that aim, then we all need to be ready to come forward and answer God’s call. This call will be different for each of us: perhaps to establish something new, or to give help to something already happening; to be involved up-front, or in a behind-the-scenes capacity. For all of us, however, one part of God’s call on our lives is the same: to pray. Please take a moment to pray the prayer printed below. A Prayer for Guidance
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The Parochial Church Council of the Ecclesiastical Parish of St Mary and St Nicolas Prestbury Cheltenham - Registered Charity No 1130933 For general enquiries email
or telephone the Team Office 01242 244373 Mondays to Fridays 09:00 to
12:00 |
