Here at St John's, we aim to engage effectively with the community around us. We want to move towards a consistent, year-round, church-based ministry of practical support for the residents of our area. To achieve this, we are going to develop and manage the project on a revised model, and also recruit new members of the Team. As the new logo 'SPICE' suggests, the people of St John's want to give practical expression to their Christian faith, and we see this as a journey, not a destination. One small step of faith will lead inevitably to another, until a pattern of ministry emerges that will be entirely appropriate to the local scene.
HOW IT WILL WORK
Based on the Tear Fund model, we see the following as crucial to us:
*The proclamation and demonstration of the gospel are indivisible. As Jesus showed, being, saying and doing are at the heart of mission.
* Local churches are called to be salt and light, and to act as agents of transformation within the communities they are part of. They are also called to be partners with their neighbourhoods, not 'set apart.'
* Local churches can work with the community towards the solution of common problems, and embody the love of God for their area. They are called to relate to other agencies and groups with mutual respect and a recognition of the distinctive role of each party.
We can aim to:
• Build relationships with our community of Greenlands, Woodrow and Wirehill, and continue to identify needs;
• Motivate and envision St John's people to become involved and make a difference;
• Deal with issues as they arise, as we begin to engage with the community;
• Guard against assuming that we know what the issues are; it is too easy to ignore or patronize people, which is why good listening is always key to delivering effective help.
Like so many similar church-based groups throughout the UK, we aim to work within the local community alongside individuals and existing groups, identifying social and other needs, and responding in ways that are appropriate to the need and our resources. As one church put it: 'A church in the heart of the community, with the community at its heart.'
This is a challenge for us as a church, with Woodrow presenting, perhaps, more specific challenges. Moving out as a church as SPICE will involve us all, to one extent or another, and we need to be sensitive to the fact that not everybody will immediately share the same vision at the same time. But we must take that first step of faith! For example, some people will share the vision, but not have much spare time.
Here's another quote from a church:
'We have sought to change the view of the congregation from insider to outsider, from inward-looking, to outward-looking. With our doors open, we are not so much peeking out to invite people in as opening the doors so we might go out to where others are .. .'
And another:
'We let go our plans and ideas, and allow God to pitch his tent in the community. Through listening to him and to people around us, we have a new view of where we live and work, and a clearer vision of what God is calling us not only to do, but also to be, for him.'
SOME IDEAS FOR THE WOODROW VISION GROUP AND ST. JOHN'S DCC/CONGREGATION TO BE THINKING/PRAYING ABOUT:
* Linking volunteers with requests for help, via our special card system
* Help is free, and might include a great variety of things, such as gardening, transport, shopping, a friendly chat, etc, etc.
* Helping neighbours help each other;
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*Befriending people who might be lonely/lacking in self-confidence;
* Look into the referral process from/to statutory agencies;
* Enhance relationships with those agencies, e.g. police/council/Welcome Centre/Social Services/drug and alcohol abuse services, etc.;
* Teaching English to immigrants;
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*Developing contacts with single mothers;
* Surviving Parenthood course?
* Advertise in Woodrow Library;
* Contact Age Concern/Help the Aged;
Other ideas that we might pursue as a church will include the following, always bearing in mind, of course, that there are not many gaps in service provision on Woodrow!
• The opportunity to conduct door-to-door surveys, with properly prepared questions. (We don't aim to set the agenda, but to work WITH the community.)
• Teas/Lunch Clubs for elderly, perhaps with a speaker/entertainment. This is already done very well by Eileen and Sue and their team, and could be developed to include outings and arts/crafts. We know that many people experience isolation/loss of confidence for a variety of reasons, and this would be a real ministry.
• At the other end of the age range, a Children's Club of some description might be considered, although this would take a lot of regular commitment.
• Get some wider publicity under way, e.g. the Diocesan News/Intercessions/local press ,etc.
• Look for grants, such as the Church Urban Fund, in partnership with the Welcome Centre on Woodrow.
In all, we seek as a local church to be part of the transformation of our area, and to be part of the changing of the sometimes negative perception that people have of Woodrow;(and, indeed, that residents might have of themselves.) In short, to bring the love of Christ to those around us.
Finally, some realistic questions we should ask ourselves:
• How might our church support those with social needs in our area?
• What about training/insurance issues?
• How will we integrate ourselves into the community without forcing our values onto others?
• How open are we to the reality that things might not work out as we expect?
• How might we remain distinctively Christian without alienating other agencies?
Philippians 1:3-6
Gary Noyes, June, 2009
