The Parish Development Plan has Begun
The Pentecost Parish Meeting was attended by between seventy and eighty people. It approved the launch of the process to produce a Parish Development Plan (PDP) between now and the 9th October when we hold our next Parish Meeting The strategy, put together by Fr. James, Robin Williamson and Deacon Chris was outlined and accepted as a working model. It has a Steering Group driving the process. This Steering Group is composed of five people, which includes the three leaders of the Teams looking in detail at aspects of Parish life plus Fr. James and Robin Williamson, Chairman of the PPC. This Group will give take responsibility for presenting the finalised plan to the Parish in October. The PPC will reflect on the findings of the Steering Group throughout the process and offer the Group its comments. A member of the PPC will sit on each Team.
Change
You will notice that the number of teams has been reduced from seven to three. They are Liturgy, Spiritual Growth and Reaching Out. We have been advised that more did not necessarily mean better. Seven Teams would provide more people at the core of the process, but that number would fragment the work and make more difficult putting together the Plan at the end of the process. Thus the Steering Group will comprise just five members.
The Teams
1. Liturgy - Mass times and the nature of the celebrations, liturgical ministries, celebrating the seasons of Lent, Advent, Christmas, Easter, etc
2. Spiritual Growth - Learning for adults, for children, for youth, RCIA, sacramental programmes, marriage preparation, inter face with The Open Cloister, spiritual groups, lectio divina etc
3. Reaching Out - Community building, social events, youth activities, justice and peace, care of those in need, communications, ecumenism, inter faith dialogue, etc
The leaders of the three Teams will be
Liturgy Jill Carter at Hundred End, Fairwarp, Nr. Uckfield, E. Sussex TN22 3BY 01825 712162 jill@carterclan.co.uk
Spiritual Growth Howard Davies 07831 777826
Reaching Out Christina Fitzsimons at 30 Borrowfield, Cuckfield RH17 5ER OI444 415557 cfitzs3287@aol.com
You are the Parish and your views are essential to the success of the process. Already some of you may have been contacted by telephone to offer your views on a number of areas of Parish life, and the results will be fed to the teams initially on the 28th May. However, you may want to talk about your ideas to the team leader and contact details are above. There is a suggestions box in the Narthex which will remain there for the duration of the process.
Sunday’s Discussion
A start was made to listen to what Parishioners were saying. The suggestions they made are a resource for the Teams and will be considered alongside all the other ideas which emerge. The following may give you a flavour of the thinking of those present.
Liturgy - Involvement of Young People, Vigil Mass, Greater Involvement of the Parish Choir, Mass books made available, importance of B.V.M., Bishop’s guide should be used for liturgy, art and banners more prominent.
Spiritual Growth - Making fullest us of what is already available, Parish ‘cells’ developed e.g.
Reaching Out Encouraging activities for youth, greater ecumenical activity, support for Day Centre, twinning with a Developing World Parish, social events.
A Prayer
A good start has been made to the process. Keep your views flowing and please pray for the process every day? We could use this prayer.
Lord Jesus, when you were bodily on earth your mission was to bring all people to your Father, because you loved them and wanted them to have the fullness of life. We pray for the success of our Parish Development Plan. We pray that your Church of the Worth Abbey Parish may be strengthened and brought closer to you so that we are able to fulfil your command to love one another. We ask this in the Spirit through the same Christ our Lord. Amen
D James, Trinity Sunday 2005