Much Hadham, St Andrew (LEP) version: 2

Things seen about our local community

• This is a generally well-off parish but some are not so affluent.
• Sometimes newcomers or those less well-off can feel excluded.

Vision (for five years' time)

To grow spiritually, numerically and in service.

Current Situation

From our Parish Statistics for Mission, we see that we are / have...

We are committed to working together with the Holy Cross Roman Catholic congregation, with whom we have a sharing agreement. We have an excellent relationship with the voluntary aided primary school, the Rector takes assemblies regularly in the school and there are (at least) termly school services in church. Our relationship with the village Scouts group is growing. We are active in many areas but the congregation is ageing. Although we have younger families in our congregation, we need to address the gradual decline in this age range.

Priorities (for the next five years)

• To match the demographic within the church more closely that of the community
• Developing ministry among children, youth and younger families.

Goals (for the next year)

• Develop our Benefice Messy Church, led by St Andrew’s, which has now been established as a monthly gathering with previously unchurched people attending. This is a shared initiative with the Congregational Church and Roman Catholic congregation.
• Develop the recently re-established Benefice youth group.
• Evaluate and develop the Family Service which has been revised recently.
• Set up a group for those with babies or toddlers after school drop-off.
• Plan a special event for all ages to celebrate our church’s 800th anniversary in 2020