Mission
As Christians God calls us to be sent out into the world to fulfil God's purposes. God calls Christians not only to spread the good news of the Gospel and to prayer, but also to works of charity and action in a world filled with need. We are called, quite literally, to feed the hungry and thirsty, to clothe those without, to aid the sick and all those in need (E.g. Matthew ch. 25 vv. 31-46).
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." (John ch. 3 v. 16)
The word mission comes from the latin word for being sent. God sent God's Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to show us all the love that God has for us and to help us return home. This is God's mission. As Christians we are part of the body of Christ, the Church, and are called to be Jesus' hands and feet, eyes and ears in the world today. So we are called to act as he would have, helping those in need where we can. This is our mission.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." (John ch. 3 v. 17)
Mission in the Benefice
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In the Benefice we take our calling to be love in action in the world seriously. Below we outline our strategic Mission Action Plan for the Benefice which helps us achieve this. We have also compiled a document called 'a day in the life of the Benefice' which highlights the many missional activities going on. The Rector's Annual Reports, also highlight the work going on in Christ's name throughout the Benefice and focus us for the year ahead.
If you want to find out more about the community information point, foodbanks or credit unions, please click on the relevant links. The Church, in the course of its mission and action in the world, frequently engages with those in society who are vulnerable or who are young. Our Benefice takes this aspect of our work seriously and has a safeguarding policy. |
The Bishop of Ely talking about the five T's of mission.
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Mission Action Plan for the Benefice
(Last updated 2010)
The Benefice of Grimshoe, comprised of the parishes of St Mary’s Feltwell, St James’ Hockwold, St Andrew’s Northwold, St Mary's Southery and St Mary's Weeting.
GRIMSHOE: Gently Reaching Into Minds, Spirits & Hearts Of Everyone
Our Benefice Council is in the process of updating the vision for our Benefice and refreshing our Mission Action Plan. The original plan remains below.
Objectives:
1. As Eucharistic communities we see ourselves as people of prayer reaching into our villages. We are ‘sent’ to be outward looking and actively engage in our communities, ‘loving and serving the Lord’ in the spirit of Matthew 25: 35-40. To be mindful of our Grimshoe ‘acromym’ in our village and community interactions and to enhance our presence in the community.
2. To establish a Children’s and Youth Ministry outreach across the Benefice. To engage in young people’s ministry through greater involvement in schools and community activities, to set up a Children’s and Youth Ministry Team and to resource the members of that team to be better equipped for this ministry.
3. To create a welcoming and accessible environment in our churches for those unfamiliar with ‘church’.
Action Involved:
1. To establish ‘Pastoral Teams’ and for each member of the Body of Christ to be mindful of our vocation to make Christ present in our community through care for others.
2. a. To contact Head Teachers and community groups such as cubs, guides etc and discuss and establish points of contact.
b. To ‘start small’ but offer quality activities. Messy Church events centred around Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Harvest, Halloween and Advent.
c. To send interested members of the team to in-service training.
3. To welcome Baptism Families into the community of Faith by baptising children within the Sunday service and by making a gift of a ‘Baptism Bear’ to the child on behalf of the parish. The Bear and its owner and family will be invited back to special services throughout the year.
4. To look at the fabric and layout of our churches and consider ways of making the space more accessible and user friendly. Ensuring that we have toilet and basic kitchen facilities on site.
5. To create a welcoming environment for Back to Church Sunday and ensure that this is well advertised. Formulate a contemporary Service of the Word to compliment traditional forms of worship.
By Whom:
Various – the Benefice Council, PCCs and Children and Ministry and Youth Ministry Teams.
Resources needed:
1. The People of God in the benefice identifying and using their gifts in making Christ known in the wider community.
2. People and exploring and accessing funding for resources and training.
3. To ensure that refurbishing projects are moved forward by the PCC’s. Where necessary to modify or rearrange worship spaces and to revamp some of our liturgies or create new liturgies and new service times which may be more accessible to the wider community. Training for welcomers.
4. Publicity for the parishes and activities through the village magazines and by seeking advice from community groups about how we can better engage with and serve the people of the villages.
Timescale:
Beginning in this Ely 900 year and ongoing with regular monitoring and modification by the Benefice Council and PCC’s. Mission Action Progress: Grimshoe Benefice
1. ‘Go you are sent’
•Intentional focus of ‘gifts’ and mission in preaching and at Benefice Council and PCC meetings. Planning for a benefice weekend in 2010 which will incorporate a ‘motivational gifts’ seminar with priorities being set and pastoral teams established.
•Outreach in the community via parish magazines, community groups and All Souls Services with recently bereaved families being visited by the priest or member of the pastoral teams and personally invited to the service. This initiative was very well received in the villages.
2. Outreach to Children, Youth and Families
•Cross Benefice Children’s and Youth Ministry Team established and working cohesively.
•Funding has been received via a bequest for resource and personnel training with a lay coordinator for the group to be established in 2010.
•Messy Church activities for Harvest and Halloween were well organised, advertised and attended with children and parents quite enthusiastic and looking forward to regular Messy Church events.
•Intentional ministry with Baptism families – quality preparation with Baptisms taking place within the main Sunday service. Child receives a ‘Baptism Bear’ and invitations to Messy Church services. Baptism Bear ‘reunions’ are planned for 2010. Baptism families were invited by members of the ministry team to the Back to Church Sunday services with a pleasing response.
•Contact with schools and community groups has begun with in-church activities for ‘beavers’ and school harvest festivals n the churches a first step.
3. Quality of welcome, fabric and church layout.
•Back to Church Sunday well advertised, individual invitations were personally delivered with ‘accessible’ liturgy and refreshments afterwards. These services were well attended.
•Fabric projects ongoing – faculty application in for Methwold
The Benefice of Grimshoe, comprised of the parishes of St Mary’s Feltwell, St James’ Hockwold, St Andrew’s Northwold, St Mary's Southery and St Mary's Weeting.
GRIMSHOE: Gently Reaching Into Minds, Spirits & Hearts Of Everyone
Our Benefice Council is in the process of updating the vision for our Benefice and refreshing our Mission Action Plan. The original plan remains below.
Objectives:
1. As Eucharistic communities we see ourselves as people of prayer reaching into our villages. We are ‘sent’ to be outward looking and actively engage in our communities, ‘loving and serving the Lord’ in the spirit of Matthew 25: 35-40. To be mindful of our Grimshoe ‘acromym’ in our village and community interactions and to enhance our presence in the community.
2. To establish a Children’s and Youth Ministry outreach across the Benefice. To engage in young people’s ministry through greater involvement in schools and community activities, to set up a Children’s and Youth Ministry Team and to resource the members of that team to be better equipped for this ministry.
3. To create a welcoming and accessible environment in our churches for those unfamiliar with ‘church’.
Action Involved:
1. To establish ‘Pastoral Teams’ and for each member of the Body of Christ to be mindful of our vocation to make Christ present in our community through care for others.
2. a. To contact Head Teachers and community groups such as cubs, guides etc and discuss and establish points of contact.
b. To ‘start small’ but offer quality activities. Messy Church events centred around Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Harvest, Halloween and Advent.
c. To send interested members of the team to in-service training.
3. To welcome Baptism Families into the community of Faith by baptising children within the Sunday service and by making a gift of a ‘Baptism Bear’ to the child on behalf of the parish. The Bear and its owner and family will be invited back to special services throughout the year.
4. To look at the fabric and layout of our churches and consider ways of making the space more accessible and user friendly. Ensuring that we have toilet and basic kitchen facilities on site.
5. To create a welcoming environment for Back to Church Sunday and ensure that this is well advertised. Formulate a contemporary Service of the Word to compliment traditional forms of worship.
By Whom:
Various – the Benefice Council, PCCs and Children and Ministry and Youth Ministry Teams.
Resources needed:
1. The People of God in the benefice identifying and using their gifts in making Christ known in the wider community.
2. People and exploring and accessing funding for resources and training.
3. To ensure that refurbishing projects are moved forward by the PCC’s. Where necessary to modify or rearrange worship spaces and to revamp some of our liturgies or create new liturgies and new service times which may be more accessible to the wider community. Training for welcomers.
4. Publicity for the parishes and activities through the village magazines and by seeking advice from community groups about how we can better engage with and serve the people of the villages.
Timescale:
Beginning in this Ely 900 year and ongoing with regular monitoring and modification by the Benefice Council and PCC’s. Mission Action Progress: Grimshoe Benefice
1. ‘Go you are sent’
•Intentional focus of ‘gifts’ and mission in preaching and at Benefice Council and PCC meetings. Planning for a benefice weekend in 2010 which will incorporate a ‘motivational gifts’ seminar with priorities being set and pastoral teams established.
•Outreach in the community via parish magazines, community groups and All Souls Services with recently bereaved families being visited by the priest or member of the pastoral teams and personally invited to the service. This initiative was very well received in the villages.
2. Outreach to Children, Youth and Families
•Cross Benefice Children’s and Youth Ministry Team established and working cohesively.
•Funding has been received via a bequest for resource and personnel training with a lay coordinator for the group to be established in 2010.
•Messy Church activities for Harvest and Halloween were well organised, advertised and attended with children and parents quite enthusiastic and looking forward to regular Messy Church events.
•Intentional ministry with Baptism families – quality preparation with Baptisms taking place within the main Sunday service. Child receives a ‘Baptism Bear’ and invitations to Messy Church services. Baptism Bear ‘reunions’ are planned for 2010. Baptism families were invited by members of the ministry team to the Back to Church Sunday services with a pleasing response.
•Contact with schools and community groups has begun with in-church activities for ‘beavers’ and school harvest festivals n the churches a first step.
3. Quality of welcome, fabric and church layout.
•Back to Church Sunday well advertised, individual invitations were personally delivered with ‘accessible’ liturgy and refreshments afterwards. These services were well attended.
•Fabric projects ongoing – faculty application in for Methwold
