Our vision

The Parochial Church Council (the church's governing body) agreed a vision and mission for St Mary's church in December 2022.  This followed a wide consultation, including work with key groups in the church to consider St Mary's unique qualities and opportunities for ministry in the community.  A vision and mission group, which has led this work, is now working on its implementation.  You are warmly invited to get involved as we create the future of St Mary's, sharing the love of God.

Our Mission:  Sharing the Love of God

Our Vision:

1. Our heart for God: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength' (Mark 12:30)

• Personal relationship with God
• Celebrate a deep awareness of the love of God for us and through us
• Strong and confident sense of who we are and where we are going
• Recognise and accommodate that we are all on a journey

2. Confidence in our church: 'willing to give the reason for the hope that we have' (1 Peter 3:15); Building fellowship: 'clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience' (Colossians 3:12)

• Individual and collective gifts and buildings
• Honour others, build relationships and respond to needs
• 7-day faith
• Welcome, include and nurture

3. Hub of our community: 'Live as children of light - for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true' (Ephesians 5:9)

• Authentic Christian faith, visibly part of same body
• Generosity of spirit, heart and giving
• Responds to the needs of the community
• Environmental stewardship

4. Prophetic and challenging: 'You are the salt of the earth' (Matthew 5:13)

• Counter-cultural, salty presence
• A self-aware belonging, believing and behaving culture
• A prophetic voice for social justice and societal issues
• Responding with inclusivity, acceptance and flexibility in a changing world

Our strategic objectives cover these key mission areas:

1. Growing as disciples:

• Learning together
• Worship and sacrament
• Prayer

2. Building fellowship:

• Getting to know each other
• Children and families
• Pastoral support

3. Outreach:

• Community engagement
• Developing mission and ministry to specific groups
• Extending outreach in response to needs
• Buildings and environmental stewardship
• Social justice and service