Parish of Maulden
« Mission Action Plan »

Like all churches, the covid restrictions made us rethink our priorities on how we could best serve our community. Looking back at our MAP and our achievements we felt that we had enabled God to continue with his work. Our first priority was to unlock the church door so people could enter their church and sit or pray quietly in his loving healing presence. The door has remained open in daylight hours ever since.
The church then became proactive organising regular village events like the Scarecrow Festival and as we continued the church felt more alive and welcoming. We were surrounded by happy smiling faces, and it gave us the chance to welcome new residents. It also gave us new hope.

Restrictions meant that our home study groups stopped meeting for a while and we were unable to run our Holiday Clubs. We are still unable to take “Open the Book” into the local school.
One bible study group continues to meet on Zoom.

Our vision is to share the love of God with the whole village through worship and and social events.
To increase the number of people of all ages to feel they belong to the church.
To make new people welcome

Total inclusivity.
The church is there for them
We want all people to feel God’s love when they enter our church.
They should never feel unwelcome, unwanted, undervalued or alone.

The personal touch.
People seem to appreciate the fact that you have time for them.
Time to deliver the parish magazine, especailly a free copy to a new resident.
Events are advertised locally and in the magazine but a personal reminder or invitation seems better and more likely to succeed

New residents to receive an invitation to a Welcome Evening at the Rectory

Information about social events,(especially if they ciome to the Welcome Evening) about Quiz Nights, Harvest Suppers, Open Gardens.

Information about traditional services, Harvest Festival, Carols by candle light, Christingle Service.

Our 2nd priority is hopefully a follow up from the 1st.
Going deeper into God.
New families that come into the village are encouraged eventually to come to the monthly Family Service(All Age Worship). This service involves adults as well as children and is great fun. Families who have their children baptised are always invited to this service.

Personal Invitations to an Alpha course or simular

House of Prayer.
An ecumenical group who meet once a week to pray for our village community. Presently on Zoom

As a follow up with this group we hold a service, open to all, once a month that includes music, personal reflextions and prayers, called “The Potting Shed” This again is on Zoom

Tradsforming Communities.

As a church we support the Need Project as a food collection point that people in the village know about and bring donations.

A Charity Dinner is open to all, (restricted to six diners at a time), the proceeds to support a school in Kenya