1. Shaping up for Mission November 2009 Synod meeting North Western Synod

2. A Process November 08 – March 09 Synod finances November 09 – March 10 Setting Mission Priorities North Western Synod

3. Our story so far…  2004 Renewed for Witness & Service District Mission Committees District Mission Committees Mission Advocates Mission Advocates Mission topics included … Mission topics included … North Western Synod

4. Youth work Children’s work World Church Evangelism Ecumenical relations Racial justice Health & Healing Silence & Retreats Stewardship advocate Commitment for Life Church & Society Environmental Concerns North Western Synod

5. What we have agreed already  2008 Synod Education Policy is to: encourage learning about mission encourage learning about mission assist churches & ministers on development pathways assist churches & ministers on development pathways help congregations develop new ways of being church and sharing our faith help congregations develop new ways of being church and sharing our faith North Western Synod

7. planning and priorities in the north western synod North Western Synod

8. identity In ten years’ time every local church will be able to say who they are, what they do and why they do it. Vision4Life God is Still Speaking North Western Synod

9. spirituality In ten years’ time we will have grown in our practice of prayer and spirituality … developing our discernment of where God is and what God is calling us to do. Health & Healing Silence and retreats North Western Synod

10. ecumenical ecumenical In ten years time we will be more confident in our identity, valuing the treasures of our tradition, discerning when to seek ecumenical partnerships, and when and how to seek the further unity of the church. local & synod ecumenical relationships North Western Synod

11. community community In ten years’ time we will be a church that is more active in the life of local neighbourhoods. church & society local community projects North Western Synod

12. diversity diversity In ten years’ time we will be a diverse church that does more to welcome and include all people equally. racial justice inclusive worship North Western Synod

13. evangelism evangelism In ten years’ time we will be more confident to engage in evangelism, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God with friends, families and strangers, through story and action. evangelism advocates emerging church initiatives North Western Synod

14. church growthchurch growth In ten years’ time we will be a growing church with an increasing membership. evangelism advocates North Western Synod

15. global partnerships global partnerships In ten years’ time we will be a church that is an active partner in God’s global mission with other churches around the world. Taiwan links Waldensian Fellowship Commitment for Life North Western Synod

16. justice justice North Western Synod Inten years’ time we will be a church which keeps faith with the poor and challenges injustice. In ten years’ time we will be a church which keeps faith with the poor and challenges injustice. Commitment for Life Racial justice

17. the integrity of creation the integrity of creation North Western Synod In ten years’ time we will be a denomination where each congregation has taken significant steps to safeguard the integrity of creation, to sustain and renew the life of the earth Environmental concerns

18. children & young people children & young people In ten years’ timewe will In ten years’ time we will be a church in which children and young people are accepted as equal partners with regards to worship and resources and who have the same rights and safeguards as other members of our church community. North Western Synod Creation of Pilot companies The Child Friendly Church Award Scheme

19. 62 of our churches responded or 43 % Question: Do the ten statements highlight the churches’ priorities for the next ten years Our answer: 43 yes 11 no 2 undecided Question: Do you think local mission pledges would help your church to clarify its objectives? Our Answer: 36 yes 7 no 9 don’t know Question: Do you agree that such pledges will help Synod & Assembly staff plan the kind of support they can offer local churches? Our answer: 32 yes 4 no 18 don’t know North Western Synod

20. Wider developments  Challenge to the Church – a report to General Assembly 2008 anticipating more local leadership and shared ministry.  Vision 4 Life – helping the church be refreshed through Bible, Prayer and sharing our story.  Fresh Expressions – the URC has joined the Anglicans and Methodists.  Living with Legislation – conforming to recent legislation affecting churches. North Western Synod

21. Acting strategically  Appointment of two special category ministers to Inner Manchester Mission Network and Cumbria Area presidency.  Resourcing Mission areas – Trinity LEP, Cottam Hall Trinity LEP, Cottam Hall Middlebrook Retail Park chaplaincy. Middlebrook Retail Park chaplaincy. Salford Gateway community minister. Salford Gateway community minister.  Supporting local initiatives – Levenshulme’s Inspire Project Levenshulme’s Inspire Project Salford Central Oasis partnership Salford Central Oasis partnership North Western Synod

22. Our task is to prioritise  We cannot do everything at once  What areas should the Synod emphasise for the next three years? What might they be? North Western Synod