Vision

 

 

The parish has a Vision for the future of St Helen’s and St Peter’s that will help out churches to grow God’s Kingdom among the people and community of Wheathampstead, and share His Love with them. Launched in september 2011, the Vision and its associated Mission Action Plan will be reviewed and refreshed regularly as we make progress and learn from experience. 

The PCC welcome comments and views on the Vision from everyone.  If you have something to say, please read on to see how you can let us know.

 

Our Vision Prayer…

Father of all, Guide and bless us as we seek to grow

your kingdom in our community and in the wider world.

May we grow closer to you through our worship

and through our journeying together.

Make our buildings places

where all are welcomed and feel at home.

Holy Spirit, enable us to show your loving presence to all

through our generous living.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus.
Amen.

 

  

 

The key elements of our Vision are:

To help us work towards the Vision, the PCC identified four Strategic Priorities to be the main focus for our development in the years ahead:

1.     To deepen our faith through more small groups and teaching, such as Bible study, prayer and Alpha, as well as re-starting a youth group

2.     To strengthen our mission and outreach by providing practical and pastoral support around the village

3.     To develop our worship with more variety and something for everyone

4.     To complete our extension and re-ordering (Project 21)

 

 

Each of the four Priorities is being worked on by a group of volunteers, who are planning and overseeing a series of projects that will help us work towards our Vision.

Please be in touch with the Church Office or speak to Richard Banham or Simon Best if:

  • You have any comments or questions on the Vision
  • You would like to help with the work being done in one or more of the Priority areas

 

 

 

Background

The Vision developed in 2011 builds on earlier thinking about how St Helen’s and St Peter’s could make a greater contribution to the lives of their congregations and to the communities of Wheathampstead and Gustard Wood, helping to grow God’s Kingdom in the parish.

In looking for a new Rector in 2009, the parish drew up a Parish Profile, based on widespread consultation with parishioners.  The Profile included a list of areas which the parish wished to see develop further under a new Rector.  The Strategic Priorities for the 2011 Vision very much echo the priorities identified in 2009.  The Parish Profile can be viewed at http://www.wheathampstead.net/sthelens/Parish%20Profile%2020091130.pdf.

The plans for an extension and re-ordering of St Helen’s Church (under the title Project 21) seek to equip St Helen’s to play a more active role in the life of the parish and community.  The Parish Vision echoes the vision of the Project 21 team to secure the future of St Helen’s Church as a vibrant centre for Christian service to the whole village, now and for generations to come, by providing enhanced facilities for the 21st century while sensitively preserving the historic building.

Underlying our Vision is a set of five Values, below, which describe the way that we wish to go about our Mission as a parish church.

The Vision for St Helen’s and St Peter’s is also a response to the Diocese of St Albans initiative, Living God’s Love, with its three themes of:

    • Going deeper into God
    • Transforming communities
    • Making new disciples

As part of Living God’s Love, the Diocese is encouraging each of its parishes to develop a Mission Action Plan (MAP) to help them to pursue the three themes of Living God’s Love.  MAPs have been used successfully in a number of other dioceses in England.  Our Vision is being developed in the framework of a Mission Action Plan, which will be shared with our Diocese.

The Vision and Mission Action Plan are being drawn up by a small group appointed by the PCC and with the aim of being broadly representative of the parish.  Its members are Revd Richard Banham, Sheila Ankerson, Simon Best, Lindy Clay, Hilary Hollick, Pippa Legg and Lucy Price.  The whole PCC has been kept informed throughout and has been actively involved at several stages in the process; there has also been a range of formal and informal consultation with parishioners to help the Vision group to reflect the views of the whole parish as far as possible.

 

If you wish to view the video shown on Vision Sunday in September 2011, please click on the link below: