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 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