Notes from Mapping the Way Forward Committee
                                                                                                                                                      
Date: 16th January 2012
 
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 •    Posters/pavement window displays/Notice boards - All aspects operating well. New lighting installed. Refurbish required for large external notice board. Need policy notice for Hilda Shaw board.

•    Website/IT – Suggest that e-mail addresses be requested from new/infrequent attendees so that we can have a positive way of keeping in touch. The method(s) of doing this to be included in the discussions on-going at the moment about the welcoming process.
Ray

•    Communications to be executed via The Beacon and website as well as local media publications. Third edition of “The Warbler” planned fro May, first meeting of editorial group to be early Mar. Regular info being entered into West Kirby Messenger, suggest we should also include an article with a specific message when appropriate. The size of the welcome pack to be looked at to see whether a version with a larger outer folder could be produced. The existing logo to be adapted to include “Growing Together” for use in other situations to highlight this campaign.

Ray/David/Jim


Profile in Community

•    Social events – The role of Event Coordinator is seen as key to engaging with our community, an annual schedule to be established and should include a small number of major events aimed at non members.

•    Planned visit by Mark Topping on March 10th “Impossible God” passion play going ahead. The publicity to be maximised to attract as many people from outside our church as possible. “Christians in Sport” themed quiz can be set up with support via DVD and resources. Suggest that this be planned for Sept. “All the Bells” event to be setup for Fri 27th Jul, this will be taking place nationally, suggest we have our event at church (mainly outside). Need to plan for attracting others to come. Another possibility is a Super Soup lunch on 30th Mar in support of Christian Aid.

•    Condition and layout of premises – We should now initiate a project to look at the possibilities of improving the facilities to attract and cater for visitors. Suggest we start by considering how to create a new area to be used as an informal meeting/reception area accessed, and adjacent to, the Hilda S entrance. The resulting area would provide for a reasonable café/reception (transept area being a service area). Discussed long-term alternative of developing site with an Housing Association.

•    Now we have an excellent grand piano installed in church we should be able to attract music groups to hold rehearsals/concerts on the premises.


Church and Worship

•    Welcoming – This is one of the most important aspects of making contact with newcomers and/or occasional visitors. A study is currently being undertaken.

•    Family Friendly Formats –The conclusions of the leadership team meetings with Rod Hill are that our natural growth is likely to come from new members that are in an age bracket +/- 10yr around the average age of the present membership. To seriously attract people outside this age range we will probably need to offer a totally different package of services and/or different meeting place. The idea of appointing a suitable person, on a part time basis, to help us develop contacts with a “younger generation” has moved to the point where a Job Description has been created. The next step is to setup a skills/personal profile and proceed to explore ways of how these can be implemented.
Graham/Ian J/David

•    The Liverpool Revelation Gospel Choir group have planned a visit for W/e 28/29th Jan.

•    A “family” service has not got established as planned. At the very least we need to use the Parade Services to get the format for younger people right. Need to ensure publicity is always in place in advance.

•    Community Engagement Group has been established, and is now operating in conjunction with Mawf. Contact with schools has been pursued with good success, and will be ongoing. A Questionnaire agreed with Hilbre which should be used to find what perceptions are regarding how the Church is viewed. Need to see what progress if any has been made. Contact with Martin Dickson is advised.

•    Evening service formats could be used to experiment egg Jazz etc.

•    Next Meeting; Thurs 15th Mar @ 1.30pm.




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