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The Reverend Canon Dr. David Anderson, our Priest in Charge, has writen the parish with details regarding the fourth and final parish-wide consultaton on our new Mission Action Plan.  In that letter, being sent to parishioners via email on Saturday, May 11,  David conveys the information below, along with the process for the final consultation and going forward.

The important ask is that you read, pray, and consider how God may be calling you to participate in the future God is calling us to.

MAP Session Recap

Three initial consultations sessions held with good attendance at each. 

  • Faith Formation (FF) – January 27 (attendees: 45)
  • Parish Culture (PC) – February 11 (attendees: 27)
  • Fullness Of Life In The Neighbourhood (FLN) - March 24 (attendees: 43)

We are going to summarize the ideas that were collected below.

Some Basic Learnings and Observations  from our MAP Sessions

  1. Same or similar ideas appeared in multiple sessions (e.g. more social events). We found a great deal of convergence.
  2. All attendees were engaged; very good and productive group/table discussions. Emphasis on all participants having their say.
  3. Strict time keeping and designated facilitators at each table kept the sessions on track.
  4. Voting methodology evolved with each session, with the final session having the best voting structure.
  5. Participant feedback (what went right/what could be done better) was very beneficial in preparing for subsequent sessions.
  6. Strong desire to optimize the use of our new kitchen.
  7. Often, the ideas generated at a given session did not necessariliy correspond to the topic for discussion. 

Because of the convergence ideas collected over the first three sessions, the planning team has collated and summarized the data a little differenty. We present these ideas in three categories:

At the Fourth MAP Gathering

At the final parish-wide Mission Action Plan gathering we will have the opportunity to reflect on the top idea and priorities gathered in the first three sessions. We have organzed these in three broad categories which differ from the ones we started with.  These categories are: 

  1. Community Engagment
  2. Discipleship
  3. Faith and Worship

In the fourth and final consultation we are asking each parishioner to consider these priorities and where their own interest and ideas connect with these themes. We are asking each person to put their name to at least one idea. By attaching your name to an idea you are committing only to attend on more meeting where  the priority will be discussed further and and hopefully and action plan will emerge. 

Community Engagement

Key Priorities 

  1. Greater opportunities for community & parishioner engagement. E.g., more social events, special events and activities, food ministry
  2. Enhance parish/community communications. E.g., newsletter, parish website, social media.
  3. Deepen focus on social justice. E.g., food insecurity, housing, social justice, work with other parishes, community partners, ecumenical and  interfaith partners.
  4. Welcome newcomers and returning parishioners. E.g., Blue mugs, wine & cheese, volunteer recruitment

Discipleship

Key Priorities 

  1. Contact parishioners. E.g., every member visitation, telephone ministry, financial pledging
  2. Youth programming. Eg., Children’s Church ministry, more children, youth plan
  3. Seniors’ ministry. Eg., pastoral care, in-person visiting, lunches, combat loneliness

Faith and Worship

Key Priorities 

  1. Learning groups. Eg., Bible study, other book studies, guest speakers.
  2. Alternative worship services. Eg., monthly creative, or youth-oriented services.
  3. Music ministry. Eg., varied music style events, Jazz vespers for younger families, concerts.

 

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