Next Steps and Case Studies – Week 2 training session

Planning next steps

Firstly – do not do everything!

  • Find a team – some people who share your thoughts that welcome is actively building the kingdom
  • Share the vision – get them to watch the videos/read through the resources
  • Do your homework – mystery worship other churches, look at your own church with new eyes
  • Find 3 things that you can easily do

“May we become a Church with pitcher in hand, a Church that reawakens thirst and brings water. Let us open wide our hearts in love so that we can become be the large and welcoming room where everyone can enter and meet the Lord. Let us break the bread of our lives in compassion and solidarity, so that through us the world may see the grandeur of God’s love. Then the Lord will come, he will surprise us once more, he will again become food for the life of the world. And he will satisfy us always, until the day when, at the heavenly banquet, we will contemplate his face and come to know the joy that has no end.”

Pope Francis, conclusion to Homily for the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Download the second Entertaining Angels handout here: Entertaining angels week 2 handout

Case Study 1: Quick Wins

Sacred Heart & St John Stone Church, Ainsdale

  • Welcomers in the car park… guiding newcomers
  • Welcomers need access to resources/info about signposting if people have a need they can’t address
  • Someone was once told RCIA means “Roman Catholics in AGONY” – do we explain acronyms
  • Are they strangers? newcomers? guests? angels? how you label people guides your thinking
  • Continue the care calling group for people who need to talk?
  • Stewards could write (new) next to contact info to flag for welcoming next time?
  • Poor signage to one church — ask Councillor to help get this renewed
  • Update the new parishioners pack, also have it in the club / hall … tell people where it is … parishioners to please flag up when more packs needed
  • Can someone put our churches into “What Three Words” app?
  • We need to include on the website and on invitations to events: directions/parking info/disabled facilities info/which service includes children’s liturgy
  • Tell Estate Agents about us so that they can tell their clients
  • Ask a friend from another parish to be a Mystery Worshipper, so that we get real feedback on their experience of coming to our churches
  • Have a “gifting” Sunday, asking people to try their hand with at least one thing until they find what they enjoy helping with – no obligation

 

Case Study 2: Strategic Approach

St Gregory’s Parish, Northampton

1. Hospitality Team

Because the church renovations are not just a few, once off tasks but an ongoing commitment of many tasks, it is suggested that you create a team of passionate, friendly, loving, willing, enthusiastic and committed members, who can work together as a team to drive the ‘renovations’ that are needed within your parish.  We at St. Gregory’s have now formed a ‘Hospitality Team’, with 10 members, who are inspired and ready to make a difference!

So, as a start, form your own Hospitality Team.

2. Identify what renovations are needed at your parish

After each Monday Divine Renovation seminars (find the series here: https://pastoralministryoffice.org/summer_webinars/), we had a follow up meeting to discuss that week’s chapter, and what issues expressed in that chapter are found to be part of OUR PARISH. This is important. What might be an issue at one parish might not be an issue at another parish, and changing something that is already working well, might be damaging to that parish.  So, within your Hospitality Team, identify what renovations, YOUR PARISH needs!

3. Perform an on-sight inspection at your parish

Sometimes we walk into our parish with blinkers on, especially if we have been attending that parish for years. Our eyes have become used to seeing things that are wrong or need fixing, and over time, we just accept them as is.

Our Hospitality Team have planned an on-sight meeting at our parish on Saturday, at 1pm, where we will start in the PARKING, then move to the FRONT of the Church (the welcoming point), then to the ENTRANCE, then the INSIDE the church, then the COFFEE/TEA hall, and the TOILETS etc.  With the understanding that the Church is the foundation and the first point of call to a Christian faith, we need to have these issues addressed. It is no good, inviting someone new to the Church, but having it presented to them in an ‘unwelcoming way’. We will never see that person again!

So, I suggest your Hospitality Team meet at the church and walk from the front to the back, covering the entire church, and look with fresh eyes, identifying what renovations need to be done to make the church presentable and welcoming to ALL.

4. Start small and slowly (Rome was not built in a day)

Once the Divine Renovation’ seminar is complete, and you have fully completed your on-sight ‘autopsy’ on the church, sit down and list all the renovations that needs to be done for your parish. Then jointly decide which TWO or THREE (no more) points are in urgent need of renovation and start there! Don’t try attempt to renovate all at once and don’t rush through them.  As I mentioned, Rome was not built in a day.  When these are complete, only then take on a few more renovations and continue.

So, my suggestion is START SMALL and SLOWLY!

5. Revisit your completed renovation

As I mentioned before, these renovations are ongoing, and need continuous revaluation. As a team, keep reviewing your past renovations and see if they continue to work well or need tweaking. You don’t want parishioners to say, “I used to love that but it’s no more”.  At St. Gregory’s we are committing to follow up meetings, to ensure our ‘good work’ continues to serve the community.

These are just 5 suggested guidelines which may assist one with the start of your renovation.

Implementation

  1. Within point 2 above, I mentioned to the group, the issue of WELCOMING with particular focus to the front of the Parish. Do we have a parish which welcomes EVERYONE?
  2. At St. Gregory’s we were looking at a young team of GREETERS, who would each wear a blue sash, saying “welcome” on it and would also hand out the leaflets. Any new members, would get a warm welcome and would be able to get the assistance they need to ensure they are looked after, including an invite to coffee and tea afterwards.
  3. We are looking at having a ‘welcome sign’ erected, in many languages.  This would welcome any new foreigners in their   language, making them feel at home.
  4. We are also looking at adding fresh colourful flowers at the front in baskets, just to brighten up the front of the church.