OUR VISION

We believe that the way to abundant life is to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Our aim is to worship God, to grow in faith and to live according to Christian principles.

Worshipping God:

• To proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, by:

Ø  actively teaching the Gospel

• To encourage the congregation to worship with reverence and awe, and with greater depth, by:

Ø  deepening the experience of the Intercessions

Ø  encouraging participation at Quiet Days and externally organised events

Ø  exploring the potential of the Choir to enhance our worship through music

• To honour our Anglican tradition, by:

Ø  ensuring that the Eucharist remains central to our worship

Ø  observing the Church’s year, including Advent and Lent

Ø  offering more Lent and Holy Week services and events

Ø  offering the sacraments, including healing

Ø  offering appropriate teaching to ensure traditions are understood

Ø  developing links with Bungoma Diocese in Kenya

• To deepen our ability to worship through the exploration of different expressions of worship, by:

Ø  being flexible and creative in our worship through the use of different media and music

Ø  exploring the notion of quieter, more reflective worship, especially the use of silence

Ø  offering a range of “alternative” worship at times other than Sunday morning

Ø  offering worship styles accessible to children and young people and encouraging them to take a leading part in worship

Ø  participating fully in acts of joint worship hosted by Churches Together in Central Peterborough

• To see our congregation grow in numbers, by:

Ø  hosting a series of special services and events to which members of the local community can be invited

Ø  actively promoting and advertising our services and events

Ø  producing and delivering leaflets at Easter & Christmas to show service times

Ø  producing prayer materials for those who visit the church privately during the week

Building our church community:

• To encourage discipleship and spiritual growth, both for individuals and the church community, by:

Ø  running an annual Alpha Course, together with any necessary preparation and follow-up sessions

Ø  running a weekly Bible Study Group

Ø  running a fortnightly Parish Prayer Group

Ø  running a confirmation class

• To discover and grow the gifts and abilities of all, by:

Ø  identifying and developing the skills and talents of church members

Ø  considering how members of church can contribute to the development of others

• To develop and use lay ministry, both licensed and unlicensed, by:

Ø  identifying and developing opportunities for lay ministry

Ø  Hosting, and encouraging participation in, the Deanery “All are Called” programme

• To foster and develop partnership with other Christian churches in the area, by:

Ø  actively increasing partnership with other Christian churches, especially through Churches Together in Central Peterborough

Ø  promoting and supporting combined worship activities and social functions

Living according to Christian principles:

• To be a living witness to the love of God in the practical outworking of our faith, by:

Ø  supporting and developing the regular series of fundraising events hosted by groups associated with the Church

Ø  setting an example of Christian behaviour to the next generation

Ø  actively supporting the work of the Street Pastors in central Peterborough.

• To be responsive to the needs of each section of our community, particularly children, young people and the elderly, by:

Ø  offering programmes for the Sunday Club & St Mary’s Youth, including social events.

Ø  building on and expanding existing links with the Panda Club for mothers and toddlers

Ø  exploring and developing ways of responding to the needs of elderly people living alone, in sheltered accommodation or in residential homes in the parish

• To promote and support work for social justice, by:

Ø  actively supporting the work of Christian Aid

Ø  promoting fair trade, including through a monthly Traidcraft stall

• To strengthen St Mary’s links with the local community, by:

Ø  using personal opportunities for promoting the church and strengthening links

Ø  taking a proactive approach to advertising the church’s activities

Ø  establishing and strengthening links with local groups and offices

Ø  maintaining and building on our links with local schools

Ø  maintaining our ecumenical and inter-faith links

• To maximise the use of our Community Centre, by:

Ø  promoting the use of the centre as a venue for both Deanery and community events

Ø  fostering closer connections with groups using the Centre.

Management & Administration:

• To make the best use of the clergy, lay workers and centre staff in achieving these aims, by:

Ø  ensuring that the clergy are supported to use their time effectively 

Ø  encouraging lay organisation of church activities

Ø  making the best use of the shared Church Office facility

Ø  identifying and recognising the talents of church members and using them to best effect

Ø  establishing a social committee to boost the church community

• To increase financial income, by:

Ø  preparing for changes in the Diocesan Funding Formula and increased running costs

Ø  promoting increased giving, and renewing commitment at least once a year

Ø  encouraging an increase in lettings

• To make the best use of our website, magazine (incl Diocesan magazines) and news sheet to achieve these aims, by:

Ø  ensuring that the church website is user-friendly, accurate and up-to-date

Ø  developing links with local media

• To maintain our buildings to support all activities, by:

Ø  ensuring effective caretaking and cleaning arrangements

Ø  ensuring that the buildings are properly maintained and meet all Health & Safety and Quinquennial Review requirements