Our Parish Mission Statement
St. Dunstan’s and the Church of the Good Shepherd seek to be a vibrant, worshipping community committed to serving God in the world.
We seek to do this by following the example of Jesus Christ who taught us to care for one another, and by helping others to know Him through what we say and do.
Everyone is welcome to join our church family and learn more about the love of God.
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Thinking how we might prepare an Audit on the prospect of employing A Youth and Young Family Worker…
- How do you bless children, young people and families in the community? i.e. doing good things that encourage and support others (e.g. Danish pastries in the staff room of the local primary schools – just to say thank you for the work they do / Going through the village, offering to pray for businesses and any needs people might have – this can be amazingly fruitful)
- How do you help people belong to St Dunstans? Welcome / is there a welcome pack? Is it clear what is on offer? (Children’s groups / parent support / beyond the services – what connects people to St Dunstans?) / are expectations in worship understood? Explained?
- How do you help people believe at St Dunstans? What do YOU believe – about yourselves as a community of faith, about Jesus Christ, about the Church, about the gospel? How is this belief communicated? Is there a shared “vision” about what St Dunstans is here for? At the Church, how do you help people believe in themselves – i.e. what they have to offer? Their gifts and talents? Is there space for people to believe in “their” way – or is that determined by others?
- How do you help people become at St Dunstans? By that I mean, how do they become all they are called to be – In Christ – what is the process by which a “new Christian” young or old, will grow into maturity at St Dunstans? Discipleship groups? Mentoring? Teaching programme?
These might seem general questions that don’t specifically relate to children and young people, but – they are key – if we have the right environment then work with children, young people and families is far more likely to flourish. If the church sees growth in work with children and young people, this is also the time when most people come to faith and become Christians . . . the discipleship question is a key one.
Looking at three dynamics of Church life: Up / In / Out – you might also reflect on:
- How do we help children and young people look “up” to God in worship?
- How do we help children and young people engage “in” the life of the Church?
- How do we help children and young people look “out” and serve, alongside adults in reaching those in our community who need the love of God?
The audit itself will cover more detailed, specific questions about actual practice and the things you have in place – but your values will determine whether your work will be effective and matters just as much as good practice.
Mayfield and Five Ashes Children’s 1st Communion Programme 2012
| Day and Date | Time | Venue | Topic |
| Tuesday, 24th January | 6.15pm | St Dunstan’s | Who’s Who,
What’s What & When? |
| I
Tues 7th Feb
|
6.15pm | Vicarage | Pull Yourself Together! The Gathering: Being part of the Community |
| Break for Half Term | |||
| * Shrove Tuesday | 3.30pm-5pm | St Dunstan’s | ‘Messy’ Pancakes and Beginning of Lent |
| Sunday, 26th Feb | 10.15am | St Dunstan’s | Enrolment Sunday (revised date)
|
| II
Mon 27th Feb |
6.15pm | Vicarage | Wash your hands first! Penitence :The accepting community |
| Sunday, 4th March | * 2.30pm-5.30pm | Scout Hall | Children’s Parties |
| III
Wed 7th March |
6.15pm | Vicarage | Stand up for Jesus! The Gospel : The believing Community |
| IV
Mon 12th March |
6.15pm | Vicarage | It’s all yours!
Offering : The giving community |
| Sunday 18th March (Mothering Sunday) | 10.15am | St Dunstan’s | Prayer Sponsor(s) join you for the offertory |
| V
Tues 20th March |
6.15pm | Vicarage | Food for the Journey.
Eucharistic Prayer: The thankfully sharing community |
| VI
Sunday 25th March |
5pm | Vicarage | Take Away
Dismissal: The serving community |
| *Saturday, 31st March | 10.00am – 12.30pm | St Dunstan’s | ‘Messy Church’ |
| Saturday, 7th April | * 10.00am | St Dunstan’s | Making of Easter Garden |
| 11.00am | St Dunstan’s | 1st Communion Rehearsal | |
| Sunday, 8th April | 10.15am | St Dunstan’s | Easter Sunday and First Communion |
Any problems? You can contact Fr Nigel on 01435 873180 (home) /01435 873484 (office)
* – optional
