Renewing Our Vision

Introduction

In recent months, we have been seeking to renew our vision as a church. Thankyou to all who have given your time and wisdom to this process.

From these reflections has emerged a belief that, at this time, we feel called as a church to show, through our words and actions, the good news of Jesus Christ to the neighbourhood in which our church currently stands, sharing in our mission where appropriate with our fellow travellers from other local churches.

If would like to share in any part of our vision, through gifts of time, money or ideas, or would just like to find out more about our church, please contact the minister.

Although there is much hard work ahead for our community, we remember St Paul's letter to the fledgling church in Philippi 2000 years ago:

"I thank God every time I think of you... being confident that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion, until the day of Christ."

We are working to make our vision a reality. Changes in the life our church in the coming months will include themes of learning and caring, worship and service and evangelism. This will affect how we use our resources including working together, buildings and finance.

Learning and Caring

We will increase the number of house groups meeting each month because we believe that small groups are the most effective way of providing mutual support and developing our faith through discussion, Bible study and prayer.

We will ensure that pastoral care, including visiting, will be provided for those we know who are in need.

In Autumn 2004 we will run a series of studies reminding us of the beliefs and history of our part of the Christian Church entitled "Know your Methodism" because we believe in the importance of continued learning and reflection on what we believe.

Worship

We will continue to review our services, to ensure that they remain both accessible and understandable for those not familiar with our church, and enriching for those who have become part of our congregation.

We are currently investigating how to enrich our worship through use of technology and increasing opportunities for members to share in leading our worship. We will also seek to advertise our worship effectively. Services this month are listed on the events page.

Service and Evangelism

We will endeavour to serve our neighbours, challenge injustice and share the gospel message:

In the area around our site in North Cambridge;
Wherever our members live, work and spend their time; and
By acting to influence global or national issues.

Our programme of community activities currently includes coffee mornings, the Parents and Tots group and children's holiday clubs.

Over the summer we will speak to other community groups and local people to renew our understanding of the needs of our neighbours, and expect to start new projects in response to these.

Working Together

We will share in our activities with other groups or churches that share our vision. Acts of worship shared with the Parish of the Ascension, St Luke's URC and Castle End Mission are listed on the events page.

Buildings

We had previously hoped to build a new church building on Castle Street. However after much work on the plans and finance for this new building, our existing building was given Grade II Listed status. After discussion with relevant bodies, we do not believe that we can now obtain permission to demolish the existing Listed building.

We believe that our existing building can be refurbished to combine modern facilities, accessible by all, with a welcoming exterior and preservation of important historic features. This will require much work and further financial cost. Details of plans will be placed on the website when available.

Finance

We are thankful for all donations made towards the cost of a new building prior to our current building being given Grade II Listed status. As demolition of the existing building is no longer permissible, we will refurbish our existing premises because we believe that this can support the visions outlined above. We will contact donors, wherever possible, to seek permission to use money already donated for a new building to support this new scheme. If you have given to the development appeal in the past, please contact the minister or the treasurer of the development fund.

We still need further funds to support the updating of our existing building. Please contact the minister or the treasurer if you are interested in contributing.

Development | Lent 2004 course