Announcement of New Service Structures

all morning services, 19 Sep 2010

Background

Drift in numbers

esp 9am

Recognize two issues:

Different styles
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