Church of St John the Baptist, Plymtree

“God’s love in action, with a heart for service”

MISSION ACTION PLAN – INTERIM UPDATE FEBRUARY 2017

• This Mission Action Plan was approved by PCC on 18th February 2017
• It is an updated version of the Action Plan drawn up by PCC following discussion in January 2013.
• The plan will be regularly monitored by PCC in cooperation with the other members of the Dunkeswell Mission Community.

A lot of good practice within the life of the Church has been identified and some important aspects are included in the Appendix. It is envisaged that these things will continue.

The following specific additional activities were agreed as things which the Church should aim to deliver in the near future.

1) The Mission Statement of “God’s love in action, with a heart for service” has been adopted by the Church to summarise the purpose of the Church in Plymtree and it is promoted on publicity and information.

2) Spiritual Life of the Church. We will:

a) Continue to work with Plymtree URC in order to co-ordinate activities

b) Explore opportunities to invite outside speakers to inform us and to and inspire our faith.

c) Review the forms of service for both the Family Service and Morning Prayer

d) Plan and prepare Family Services trying to create more participation

3) Outreach and evangelism. We will:

a) Make an effort to follow up families of those who are baptised and married in our Church.

4) Families and Children. We will:

a) Work to support Plymtree Primary School in their worship activities, especially in Church.

b) Continue to explore opportunities and investigate possibilities for the involvement of children and young people in the life and worship of the church.

5) Pastoral Care and Wider Social Concern. We will:

a) Look for opportunities for more people to be involved with caring in the community.

b) Continue to support appropriate charitable causes.

c) Work to support the sponsorship of Itegekwanande J Jacques in Rwanda though Compassion UK and in association with Plymtree School and also Face to Face Ministries in Uganda.

6) Teaching and nurture: We will:

a) Explore opportunities for appropriate courses, including Pilgrim or something similar.

7) Community Involvement: We will:

a) Develop support for those who face difficulty in the present economic climate.

b) Ensure that appropriate enquiries are made as to which people might be in particular need.

c) As a Church, engage with other projects which support the needy in the local area.

8) Church Building and Fabric: We will:

a) Look for opportunities to celebrate the building and churchyard and its heritage amongst parishioners and visitors.

9) Mission Community: We will:

a)   Work with the parishes of the Dunkeswell Mission Community to develop our collective mission, worship and spiritual life.

Appendix

Examples of good practice which we will endeavour to continue

The Spiritual Life of the Church	A service every Sunday, including a variety of styles Special services – harvest, Christmas etc School worshipping in church Regular sharing of Holy Communion Participation in services – readers, intercessors The work of the PCC Care and presentation of the building for worship – flowers, altar Call to worship by bellringers Provision of music Baptisms Weddings Funerals
Outreach and evangelism	Priest’s letter in the magazine Letters from churchwardens Publicity & promotion of events and services – magazine, website, posters Baptism preparation Marriage preparation Distribution of Bibles to school leavers Invitations to special events; eg Brownies to Mothering Sunday, School to Christingle Personal and collective living, example and relationships Welcome to services by sidesmen Provision of refreshments after worship
Pastoral Care	Welcome to newcomers to the Parish Support at funerals and bereavement Community care
Wider Social Concern	Charitable giving Child sponsorship Fairtrade church Support of Lent Lunches Support local food banks Support for and involvement with school and playgroup activities
Teaching and Nurture	Work of the school with children Advent and Lent courses – Pilgrim Awareness of child protection and the care of vulnerable adults
Community involvement	Production of the Parish Magazine Individual support of village activities and organisations Social and fundraising activities
Building and fabric	On-going care and maintenance of the building and fabric to provide an environment fit for worship and fellowship, and to retain its heritage.
Mission Community	Shared worship, mission, activities, administration and events