To develop our Vision further the Parish held a Vision Day in February 2002. The three areas looked at were Developing our Worship, Developing our life together and Developing our Mission & Resources. This arose out of a need to meet increasing amounts of Diocesan Quota coupled with a decline in income. The PCC considered this from the point of view "How can we inspire people to give of their time and skills without really understanding what we are trying to achieve?"
Dr John Wibberley (part-time Diocesan Adviser of Stewardship) gave a presentation which outlined a form of stewardship campaign, undertaken by other Parishes in this Diocese and elsewhere, with the underlying principle of being vision-led. This means the whole Parish is able to see the purpose of stewardship in physical and spiritual terms, and from this, being able to decide how best that they can contribute to the church through financial giving and the giving of themselves through their own personal talents.
We undertook a whole Parish consultation and a process of stewardship where giving of time and skills is inspired through vision - a statement of who we are, where we are going and how we can do it. Stewardship is all about nurturing what we have and dreaming about things that we would like to achieve.
The updated Vision was designed not to replace but to build upon Looking out for growth. It had two underlying principles:-
All congregation members were asked to participate. As it is our Parish it was our Vision so it was our responsibility to see it happen, not just the clergy team. We, the congregations of the two churches, took ownership of the Vision.
We all had to think carefully how we could all contribute to achieve what we, the congregations, wanted to see. We had to ask ourselves what time, skills and energies we had, that we could give to see that this Vision didn't evaporate like a dream. We hoped that every member of the two churches would be inspired by the Vision to commit what they could to it and to take our churches forward into the future.
The Vision would not "happen" overnight. It needs your commitment and support to make it happen over several years. Some of the issues raised need to be dealt with sensitively. Whatever happens, it will be ours, the congregations of Holy Trinity and St Columba, and we have to ask for the blessing and guidance from God - for it is to His name that it is dedicated.
The full findings can be found in the main Vision 2002 Report, a copy of which is in each Church and also the Parish Office for everyone to consult.
What happened in 2002 was not was originally intended but proved to be a way for people to get a lot of things off their chests. Accordingly another Vision Day followed this in February 2003. Our committees are still addressing some of the issues but the long-term aim (see below) has actually made significant progress. It is time to move on and look at the way forward. What do we want the church to be like in a few years time? What projects might be running? How can we improve what we already do well?
The Vision 2002 report summarised the parish's aims into certain areas, which are being reviewed by the main committees in a continuing process.
The review areas need consideration as items needing action over time:-
Tackle communication problems effectively.
Reduce or resource the expectations placed upon the Staff Team. (including Admin.)
Review the structure of the PCC
List all posts and review methods of accountability for all posts.
Review how people get appointed to posts.
Recognise we need a healing process between the two churches.
All efforts in the future to be based on prayer & spirituality - Set up a special prayer group
Hold special joint services / events of healing and reconciliation.
St Columba needs to be valued / nurtured - arrange more joint activities.
Every PCC to have a Vision Progress Report.
A follow up Vision Day to be held in February 2003.
The PCC to address the resourcing of the Vision to help determine our priorities for 2003 and beyond.
Create an ongoing process of seeking opinions and consulting young people.
Create new links with other churches to combine resources etc.
Set up a working party to do a needs analysis for the St Columba site.
Achieve full accessibility for all. i.e participation through better transport provision, better sound and disabled access etc.
Develop the St Columba site for mission.
In May 2003 the PCC passed a motion summarising the 1996 aims and the debates of 2002-2003.
To live and share the word of God in the area of Fareham committed to our concern.
To present Jesus Christ to all people as an agent of change and renewal in their lives.
To use our resources to the full and to continue their development.
To serve and be inspired by the local community into which God has called us.
To develop our spirituality in relation to God.
To build mutually supportive structures in our church life.
To use our staff effectively and to encourage their training and development.
Not to do alone what we can do with our ecumenical partners in Christ.