Announcement of New Service Structures

all morning services, 19 Sep 2010

Background

Drift in numbers

• esp 9am

Recognize two issues:

1. Different styles
2. Ownership of times

Little disagreement on 1, much angst on 2.

Council has decided (with help from the Faith Community) on 1:

• meditative service
• traditional service
• children and families service
• youth service
• contemporary, experimental service

For the last, we have settled upon "Fresh Expressions"

• information sessions have been held
• Alanee currently visiting churches in the UK to see FE at first hand
• Council is excited about the possibilities
• no time here to tell you about it
• targets the "unchurched" with church needs

Timetable has been set

• 21 Nov is last 9am service in the current format
• Dec/Jan is single morning service (10 or 11)
• 2 Feb is first new 9:30 Fresh Expressions service
• 8, 11, 4:30, 7 will remain

Re ownership, we need to approach the issue with sensitivity, openness, compassion

• openness to new ideas
• sensitivity to the needs of others
• compassion for the deep feelings of loss of ownership
• discharge these through discussion, congregational meeting 22 Nov

John Hurst
Chair, Church Council

CategoryCouncil