Our Story St Xxxxx’s was planted in 1893 so that the people in the growing town of Someplace could have a place to worship together. St Xxxxx’s was planted in 1893 so that the people in the growing town of Someplace could have a place to worship together. Today we are in the heart of a thriving but challenging commercial centre. Today we are in the heart of a thriving but challenging commercial centre.

Our Location Extraordinary position Extraordinary position Unparalleled opportunities Reconfigured building Unparalleled opportunities Reconfigured building Superb facilities to fulfil our calling Superb facilities to fulfil our calling

Today’s Reality Pockets of poverty Pockets of poverty Loneliness Loneliness Family breakdown Family breakdown Unwanted pregnancies Unwanted pregnancies Drug abuse Drug abuse Debt Debt Spiritual hunger Spiritual hunger

Our Vision A transformed community of Someplace resulting from God’s love working amongst us and through us A transformed community of Someplace resulting from God’s love working amongst us and through us

Transformation We can make a real difference to people’s lives in Someplace with the transforming power of the Gospel, working in and through us by the power of the Spirit. We can make a real difference to people’s lives in Someplace with the transforming power of the Gospel, working in and through us by the power of the Spirit.

Recent Highlights 6 Alpha courses 6 Alpha courses 2 Marriage courses 2 Marriage courses New Youth Congregation New Youth Congregation Re-launched the 7pm service Re-launched the 7pm service Sent 3 youth mission teams to Africa Sent 3 youth mission teams to Africa Children’s work has doubled in size Children’s work has doubled in size Small groups established Small groups established Refurbished buildings (including Bookshop) Refurbished buildings (including Bookshop)

The Future A new phase of mission and ministry. A new phase of mission and ministry. We believe this is God’s vision for us to make a difference for the next 3 years. We believe this is God’s vision for us to make a difference for the next 3 years.

Worship In 2010 we want to say: We are a lively church in Someplace made up of a number of growing congregations. We are a lively church in Someplace made up of a number of growing congregations. We are passionate about our faith. We are passionate about our faith. We see God working in our lives, and the lives of those around us. We see God working in our lives, and the lives of those around us. Our contemporary services have inspirational biblical preaching and vibrant musical worship. Our contemporary services have inspirational biblical preaching and vibrant musical worship. We expect to encounter God through Word, Sacrament and Spirit, to transform us into the people he wants us to be. We expect to encounter God through Word, Sacrament and Spirit, to transform us into the people he wants us to be.

Worship We Plan to: Plant a new congregation from Alpha Plant a new congregation from Alpha Plant a new congregation from the congregation Plant a new congregation from the congregation Train up new worship leaders Train up new worship leaders Develop leadership teams for each congregation Develop leadership teams for each congregation Encourage each congregation to have a particular vision for mission Encourage each congregation to have a particular vision for mission

Mission In 2010 we want to say: We are called by Jesus to share our faith. We share our faith as a natural part of our lives. We are called by Jesus to share our faith. We share our faith as a natural part of our lives. We see God working in our lives and in those around us. We see God working in our lives and in those around us. We regularly connect with people, build relationships and offer opportunities for them to commit their lives to God. We regularly connect with people, build relationships and offer opportunities for them to commit their lives to God.

Mission We plan to: Increase our publicity and visibility Increase our publicity and visibility Encourage members and small groups to organise events that we can invite friends to Encourage members and small groups to organise events that we can invite friends to Increase the number of pre-Alpha events and continue to run at least 2 Alphas and one Youth Quest each year Increase the number of pre-Alpha events and continue to run at least 2 Alphas and one Youth Quest each year Equip and encourage members to share their faith naturally Equip and encourage members to share their faith naturally Support overseas mission including sending and receiving mission action teams Support overseas mission including sending and receiving mission action teams

Discipleship In 2010 we want to say: We have a strong sense of community amongst us. We have a strong sense of community amongst us. We encourage each other through small groups. We encourage each other through small groups. We apply our faith to our lives and pray for one another. We apply our faith to our lives and pray for one another. We provide opportunities to encourage discipleship. We provide opportunities to encourage discipleship.

Discipleship We plan to: Develop and institute a discipleship process. Develop and institute a discipleship process. Ensure that everyone is cared for through the Care Network. Ensure that everyone is cared for through the Care Network. Encourage prayer triplets/partnerships and mentoring relationships. Encourage prayer triplets/partnerships and mentoring relationships. Appoint a minister to work with the older generations. Appoint a minister to work with the older generations. Encourage everyone to be a member of a small group. Encourage everyone to be a member of a small group.

Service In 2010 we want to say: We believe that God wants to transform our society through word and action. We believe that God wants to transform our society through word and action. We show God’s concern for creation, poverty, injustice, oppression and peace. We show God’s concern for creation, poverty, injustice, oppression and peace. Our calling is to encourage a Godly perspective and balance in people’s lives. Our calling is to encourage a Godly perspective and balance in people’s lives.

Service We plan to: Envision, teach and equip on issues of environmental care, poverty and injustice. Envision, teach and equip on issues of environmental care, poverty and injustice. Serve our community by providing courses such as Family Time, Practical Parenting, Marriage course and on topics such as money management, addiction. Serve our community by providing courses such as Family Time, Practical Parenting, Marriage course and on topics such as money management, addiction. Support local projects that care for the poor and the environment. Support local projects that care for the poor and the environment.

Stewardship In 2010 we want to say: We have a well resourced and gifted ministry team We have a well resourced and gifted ministry team Every member is encouraged to play their part. Every member is encouraged to play their part. Our building is used as a resource by the local community. Our building is used as a resource by the local community. The Beacon Café draws people from the town. The Beacon Café draws people from the town. Our Bookshop acts as a resource for local Christians and churches. Our Bookshop acts as a resource for local Christians and churches.

Stewardship We plan to : Encourage everyone to use their gifts in service. Encourage everyone to use their gifts in service. Develop administration eg IT network, Website. Develop administration eg IT network, Website. Build a staff team to develop specialist ministries. Build a staff team to develop specialist ministries. Continue to develop the building to serve the mission and vision. Continue to develop the building to serve the mission and vision. Appoint an experienced person to support our paid staff and volunteers in integrating the life and mission of the church and town centre ministry. Appoint an experienced person to support our paid staff and volunteers in integrating the life and mission of the church and town centre ministry.

Prayer “Almighty God, mindful of your extraordinary goodness to us, we dare to ask for more. Help us to grow in discipleship, share our faith with those around us and help those in need – to see your kingdom come on earth as in heaven. May your Holy Spirit equip us to make a difference in Someplace. We ask this not for our sake but for the glory of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.” “Almighty God, mindful of your extraordinary goodness to us, we dare to ask for more. Help us to grow in discipleship, share our faith with those around us and help those in need – to see your kingdom come on earth as in heaven. May your Holy Spirit equip us to make a difference in Someplace. We ask this not for our sake but for the glory of Jesus, our Saviour and Lord. Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20 – 21: Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more that we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen. Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more that we would ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages. Amen.

The Financial Facts

To enable St Xxxx’s Church to carry out its ministry we need £138,000 a year. That is £2,654 per week!

Where does it go? Parish Share £77,600 Running Costs £17,900 Maintenance £8,500 Outward Giving £15,100 Support Costs £13,600 Worship & Pastoral Care £5,300 £138,000

Parish Share Parochial Ministry-£62,000 - Clergy wages/pensions/housing -Clergy training -Parish Support Church Work in the Diocese-£11,600 - Parish Support and Training -Education/Communication -Administration General Synod, Anglican &-£ 4,000 Ecumenical Activities Total: £77,600

Our Expected Income for this year Regular Giving (Gift Aid) £52,000 Income Tax Recovered £15,000 Regular Giving (non Gift Aid) £6,000 Investments £9,000 Fees and Events £9,000 Collections & Donations £16,000 £107,000

Our Shortfall We have a shortfall of £31,000 to pay our way for this year We need another per week £600

Our Current Regular Giving is 21up to £2.00£28 20£ £3.00£49 22£ £4.00£78 15£ £5.00£70 34£ £10.00£248 12£ £15.00£148 8£ £20.00£144 10more than £20.01£ £1036 NoAmount/weekTotal/week

Reordering Costs Estimated reordering costs - £120K Estimated reordering costs - £120K Funding 50:50 split Funding 50:50 split £60k from current reserves £60k from current reserves £60k from planned giving/donations £60k from planned giving/donations Planned work over next 3 years Planned work over next 3 years Need to raise £20k/year (£380/wk) Need to raise £20k/year (£380/wk)

In Summary Currently we receive £1036/week Currently we receive £1036/week To meet To meet Our shortfall we need another £600/wk Our shortfall we need another £600/wk Our reordering costs we need another £380/wk Our reordering costs we need another £380/wk We need to increase our Giving by £980/wk We need to increase our Giving by £980/wk That’s an extra That’s an extra £6.90/week each £6.90/week each

Where next? Bury our heads in the sand! Bury our heads in the sand! Sack the clergy! Sack the clergy! Ask all worshippers to increase their giving? Ask all worshippers to increase their giving?

What Next? Review your current giving Review your current giving Register for Regular Giving & Gift Aid Register for Regular Giving & Gift Aid Via Envelope Scheme Via Envelope Scheme Via Bank Account Via Bank Account Via both! Via both! Complete and return of the Confidential Response Forms by Complete and return of the Confidential Response Forms by 15th October

What our Current Regular Giving could be 29up to £4.00£102 28£ £5.00£126 33£ £6.00£182 24£ £7.00£156 41£ £10.00£359 23£ £20.00£345 15£ £25.00£338 13more than £25.01£ £2016 NoAmount/weekTotal/week

God Loves a Cheerful Giver “The one who gives sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work” 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8