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The PCC has embarked upon a process to formulate a Parish Development Plan which will consider our likely future needs over different timescales and help us to plan strategically to meet these challenges and aspirations. At an Away Day last year the aims and objectives were established and may be viewed below. A Fan the Flame mission is planned for 2007, as is a major stewardship awareness and renewal initiative, the first for some fifteen years.

Vision and Priorities

St Matthew's has a proud past and we believe, potentially, a bright future. We have recently emerged from the third sustained period in three years of worshipping in our Parish Centre. This arises from the on-going renewal of the fabric and contents of our spiritual home. During this period work to rewire and install a state-of-the-art lighting scheme, and a new sound system has been carried out. The magnificent organ has been comprehensively restored and the church heating system replaced. All has been successfully completed. Stirling qualities have been much in evidence among the faithful throughout a period of considerable disruption and uncertainty.

As a Christian community we believe we are more realistic about ourselves and better in touch with others. We are in good spirits and looking forwards. These same events have also produced a perhaps unexpected dividend, and have helped us to refocus our sights on the really important things of our worship and witness. We are beginning to engage more fruitfully with our surroundings.

The incumbent and PCC share the following vision and priorities taken from the Introduction to the Parish Development Plan …

"The Church... seeks to proclaim with joy the glorification of Jesus as our risen Lord and Saviour. Even though he now reigns in eternal glory, the Church will not allow her members to forget that he is still alive and present in the community today calling it to new levels of mission, ministry and vision for the future."

Objectives:

1. To be a parish with congregations enjoying a sense of belonging to a 'parish family', and characterised by mutual acceptance and affirmation of all who come.
   
   
2. To be a Christian community which will continue to grow in the 21st century:
   
   
   1. in worship, so that our worship is attended by large, thriving,
      regular congregations from all ages and backgrounds, sharing in real,
      uplifting and transforming worship.
      
      
   2. in prayer and the discernment of God's will;
      
      
   3. in knowledge and understanding of the faith we profess;
      
      
   4. in service to the wider community,
      both in our local setting where we have particular responsibilities, and further afield.
      
      
3. To be a parish which recognises, values and develops the resources which God gives it, human and material, without ever turning ends into means, or means into ends.
   

Questions:

• What initiatives could we take to move in these directions?
  
• What resources can we identify to carry forward such initiatives?
  
• What timescales are realistic?

We should realise that much of the initial direction and leadership would have to come from the Incumbent and the PCC, which will have to rise to the challenge, and find an organised way of working, and generate an increased level of involvement, accountability and openness.

The main assumptions are:

(i) that change is possible
(ii) that certain change is desirable
(iii) that there is an unfulfilled demand and potential within the Parish to enable growth.

The idea of developing our "Ministry of Welcome" is foundational to such a Plan for growth. It is inspired by a motto to be found at the Olde House Retreat, Southam. "Make your home with me as I make my home with you."

Many different aspects are to be recognised as necessary 'ingredients' to the creation and direction of such a Plan, covering:

• Prayer and Worship
  
• Pastoral Care
  
• Mission and Evangelism
  
• Spiritual Guidance
  
• Education & Nurture
  
• Stewardship & Charitable Giving