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St Paul's
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Our parish is a community that seeks God and the fullness of creation by finding ourselves in relation to others. Our giving to the common, to the other, our sharing of ourselves is our commitment to this endeavour. |
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We Give Thanks ...
Church and East End: Beautiful church building and chapel Beautiful church Beautiful place being created Visual beauty developing Being part of vision and growth of St Paul’s
Peter:Our priest Peter Great sermons The chance to grow and improve as a person when taking Peter’s sermons into my life Relevant teaching The Rector and his distillation of the word in sermons and advice Ministry of Peter Provocative teaching Sincere services
Spirituality:Theology and liturgy Spiritual growth Spiritual support Opportunity to theologise Involvement in the mass Creative expression Spiritual awakenings Participation in public worship Finding the life force within Energy/life Healing Energy Spirit of searching and openness I find here Sense of energy Generosity of spirit Intellectual stimulation Closeness to the divine Sharing Sacred space Peace and quiet
Music:Songs, voices, smiles and care The joy of music, support and loving leadership in the choir by its members Music Music ministry Choir Choir Worship services and choir Joy in music Music Choir enthusiasm Music
Garden:Garden Garden Garden and building
Friendship – Fellowship:Care, friendship and life of the church Opportunity to share with wonderful people of God Openness, smiles, naturalness, ability to share their view Ongoing growth and friendship of the people and the joy of belonging to this parish A parish that is alive and worshipping with joy and thanks for what we have Friends The people Friendship My “St Paul’s” family Friendship and community spirit with caring people Fellowship Emotional support and friendship Friendship and fellowship Happy smiling faces Caring of the people Fellowship Love that comes out of the people Friendship of the community Friendship Support from friends spiritually and emotionally Giving of and generosity of love from all the community Support in time of need Sense of belonging Sense of belonging Support in day to day living A place to be myself
Community:Community (x 4) Love and blessings of this community Community spirit A close and friendly community Belonging to a caring community Sense of community Community spirit Community of faith Generous community
Gifts:Sharing the tasks Giftedness of the people Volunteers Cooking Cleaning
Being part of things – archives
Commitment of the people
My return to St Paul’s after many years of marriage and attendance elsewhere
Sunday School Joining families at Sunday School Children
Saving the cost of a gym membership!
Satisfaction in doing a job Activities for giving and receiving
Email discussion group that kept me spiritually connected while away Gabby’s photos and book excerpts
Fun and great range of activities Coffee
Home Group A chance to participate in Bible Study
“Beyond Church” Reaching out to the world Social justice
Structure, order, routine I can rely on when I am feeling the complete opposite
What I'd Like to Change
I want to see a service with modern music – everyday language that is a holy reflection of living faith Greater variety in music choice More contemporary music Music – update style of music chosen
To know more about decisions made before they happen To know about the decisions that are made when they’re made – i.e. ? notice in hall - ? part of pew sheet Communication from rector to parishioners – do not ignore More information as to what is our future – not to hear about things from somebody else
More pastoral care Pastoral care
Less talk of money Vision for new community hall/kitchen Greater ownership of financial responsibility Capacity to pay for a second priest Paying off chapel in two years
Not knowing the names of many parishioners Name tags
Make sure new people are welcomed New people should be given something – e.g. about St Paul’s and follow-up New people
Get Pinakarri people back “I miss Jeremy”
Church camp not on grand final weekend – maybe back to May
Stories of faith of the people (including Peter) sharing in the church to inspire one another A “knowing” of each other
Cakes baked on hot rocks
Less noise in church No talking in church Keep the service as “sacred” as possible – e.g. no social chit-chat No talking before the service More contemplative spaces in the liturgy Silent prayer More respect for sanctity of service time from some adults including respect for the choir when singing the postlude
Multiculturalism
Sustainability Some emphasis ecology when considering development of gardens – i.e. providing habitats for bugs, birds and reptiles More native plants, more insects
Bicycle racks
More dancing
Take care of tendency to “Group Speak” – i.e. jargon and forced wording
More diverse involvement in worship presentation A greater sense of all involvement
Cushions at the middle section of the communion rail Kneeling cushions at rail Kneeling pads all the way along the communion rail
All the children have a turn at lighting the candle Children contributing directly to worship service More activities involving our children
Fewer “after church” notices – e.g. family birthdays
The Agnus Dei – The Creed!
Not so much emphasis on food and wine
Heating and cooling in the church Cold in church in winter – hot in summer Fans in church
More small study groups for people to mix
Our ability to attract some younger members who will ultimately take “over the reins” More young people A teenage program which grows into a committed Christian involvement
Gossip, backbiting and complaining Negative talk about other people Gossip Cliques
More focus on leadership of all – not just a few to share the load
Inspiring ways to raise money Fundraising for all
Audio system for hearing impaired Sound system
A mid-week communion service
More storage space needed for Archives etc
The use of more people’s talents
Who chooses committees? Who has a say?
A more coordinated approach to the East End development with more respect and love for those involved Never an end to the need for repairs
What we seek to Realise in the year Ahead
More fun activities that express creativity as a way to the divine Singing, drama, games More of the same wonder music, Sunday lunches, worship and study groups
Promote the “community” of St Paul’s to hopefully attract new attendees Outreach to community – advertise the existence of what we have
Advertise the venue for weddings – a good source of income
Emphasis on spiritual growth for young people of the parish and the broader community New church members Bring in more children Continuation of children’s ministry
Just keep it all up – including me
Drama/music in the amphitheatre Exploitation of chapel and amphitheatre Performances in amphitheatre Interfaith events in chapel Repair to front of church – near doors
More meaningful worship
Less is more – rest awhile ? Youth group
Stop bitching – really show interest and care for one another – pretend community towards real community
Wheels on the piano in the hall
A slightly more functional kitchen one day Cleaning out the gutter Refurbishment of hall and associated structures Hanging the bell and ringing it for calling the faithful A plan for refurbishment of new kitchen and studio Community kitchen – cafe plans Community kitchen/meeting room Repairs to church stonework and hall
Possibility of people being able to rent a place somewhere on the block
A plan for our future senior/aged care outreach
Greater involvement by community in their spiritual growth
Variation of persons greeting people at church door at Sunday service – not just handing out books
To be more involved in the needs of the community when there are gaps in caring
Half (at least) of the loan paid Financial ownership of the church Growth in giving More help raising funds to repay debts Create innovative and sustainable fundraising for Snowlands School and other outreach projects Pay of one third of the loan
Taking social justice into the wider community
Honesty with one another Honesty with care, compassion and love
Development and realisation of beautiful gardens
Native plants Consider planting now fo the future – some local species tress that will give us and creatures shelter See garden grow Gardens growing
Development of 166/168 housing project
More recognition from rector/council
More people onboard rather than the same people contributing all the time Sound system for the church
Another service with contemporary music
Bring new people more diversity of praxis A concentrated effort once or twice a year to bring a friend or pick up an elderly person to bring to church
A space in the church for small children/parents – like the old play/crying room
Get help for Peter to grow St Paul’s Be on lookout for new members
Provide storage for Archival material
Contemplative time without words
A “Way of the Cross” style walk around the church, amphitheatre and garden for lent
More giving so that we may have the opportunity to expand, grow and develop
Being more “real”
Focus outward on others Follow-up and support for people new faith
More pastoral care
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Reflection from last week We all have an inner landscape that includes somewhere where we know what it is to walk with God. The divine dialogue gives voice to the obvious: the violence of the earth is not the way of God. Read more |
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