C. PASTORATE PROFILE PRIORITIES
Most Churches across the country are concerned with an ageing congregation, falling numbers and a seeming lack of ability to attract young people.
The URCiC is no different; 50% of the members are over 65 and only 5 members are under 25. With such an ageing congregation our numbers are dropping, although in Prestbury we do have a Church that is growing. All our three Churches have the potential for growth and opportunities for mission and outreach.
Working with children, young people and families has a high priority in this pastorate. The new Ministerial Team would be expected to work alongside our ecumenical partners to spread the gospel throughout Cheltenham in ways which complement the existing initiatives e.g. the Declaration of Intent between Warden Hill and St Christopher’s
The following are seen to be important priorities in the coming few years for the new Ministerial Team.
1. TELL AND TEACH Preaching, music and new forms of worship.
a. Helping the congregations at each worship centre to develop their relationships with God and each other by leading worship that feeds the faith of those with experience, supports those who are starting their journey and delivers the good news to those who are still searching. Supporting and developing the worship groups that plan and deliver both family and traditional worship and encouraging and supporting bible study groups.
b. To introduce a variety of forms of music and styles of worship to enhance the spiritual experience of the individual worshipers.
2. TELL AND TEACH Children’s and youth work
a. To develop and support a children’s and youth ministry by actively supporting the existing activities e.g. ‘Bright Sparks’ and ‘Volcanoes’ and the ‘Open the Book’ (acting/telling bible stories weekly in school assembles) projects at Warden Hill and Prestbury. ‘Bright Sparks’ and ‘Volcanoes’ are a mid-week bible activity club held at Warden Hill. The activities are planned and run by a paid worker and volunteers from two of the worship centres.
b. To work with Church families to action the feedback from the Youth and Children’s work questionnaire in order to find new and appropriate ways to deliver God’s message to children and young people.
c. To take school assemblies and work with the students at the University. One of the previous Ministers took services several times each term at the Warden Hill and Prestbury local schools. The University has part of its origins in an Evangelical Anglican Foundation. The URCiC has been able to develop only limited links with the Chaplaincy and the University students.
3. TRANSFORM
a. Community development to promote the full use of Church buildings to support all aspects of the community.
b. To build on the links made with the schools at Warden Hill and Prestbury and to build on the work St Andrew’s have started with Social Services and ‘Contact the Elderly’.
c. To encourage an increase in knowledge and sales of Fairtrade products, whilst encouraging the URCiC to make a full commitment to becoming a Fairtrade Church.
4. TEND Pastoral care
a. To work with the pastoral care and visiting teams to provide care, support, hospital and home visits to those on the visiting list and when requested.
b. To provide pastoral care training for Elders and visiting teams.
c. To provide pastoral care to the wider community as part of the hospital chaplaincy scheme. Both of the previous Ministers held hospital or hospice chaplaincies.
5. TREASURE Ecumenical relations
a. To support the URCiC to build on existing relationships between the three worship centres to enable the good news to be spread and lived out through the support and strength of our God and the fellowship of a group of Christians sharing their talents, strengths and Church community. See Appendix D for the Agreed Resolution on Unity.
b. To promote, develop and maintain ecumenical partnerships and relations to further God’s mission in Cheltenham.
[ Context ] | [ Pastorate Arrangements ] | [ Priorities for the Pastorate ] | [ Ministry and Mission ]