Gustard Wood, St Peter version: 1

Things seen about our local community

• Growing rural commuter village with limited local employment, but a good sense of community.
• Predominantely white, but socially diverse, covering a wide spectrum.
• Many people feel busy and under time pressure, with a variety of weekly patterns.

Three things we have seen about our church

• Committed and growing congregations, but only about 3% of population and missing some areas.
• Congregations keen to deepen and share their faith, with a strong, broad, active base of volunteers.
• A desire for more mission and outreach to the wider village community.

Vision (for five years' time)

St Helen's and St Peter's:- Vibrant centres for Christian service. A community growing in Christian maturity. Deepening our connection with God through worship.

Priorities (for the next five years)

• Strengthen our mission and outreach by providing practical, pastoral and spiritual support around the village.
• To develop our worship with more variety and something for everyone.
• To deepen our faith through more small groups and teaching such as Bible study, prayer and Alpha, as well as youth group.

Goals (for the next year)

• Mission: Identify community support provided by village & church, and map provision against needs.
• Mission: Invite membes to group meals to discuss our vision and how they can help.
• Worship: Make the parish communion service more engaging & review Sunday evening worship.
• Groups: Find out what people want and identify and train effective leaders.
• Review plans for phasing and managing our proposed extension and re-ordering.