Mission & Outreach

Committee Functions

To encourage reflection upon, and response to, the Five Marks of Mission.
To support the Mission Partnerships and local churches in outreach and the development of new mission opportunities, encouraging the use of such tools as the Wessex Navigator.
To support the ministry of the two Development and Support Officers in relation to mission enabling.
To foster within the Synod concern for and action on the matters covered by the Assembly’s Mission department.
To co-ordinate the work of the Church and Society Group and World Church Concerns Group, including reviewing terms of reference.
To relate to the Silence and Retreats Group, the Health and Healing Contact, Rural Link and Interfaith Advocate in appropriate ways.
To advocate the use of ‘ Safe Church’ procedures and processes in all local churches

Going For Gold

Going for Gold is a million pound investment by the Wessex Synod to encourage local churches to set up projects and employ people to relate to the needs of the people around their churches The Mission and Outreach Committee monitor the projects which relate to adults”

Our latest visit was to Immanuel Southbourne. They have called their project FACE “FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT” in Southbourne.
Learn about their exciting project by clicking on the link to their website. www.southbourne-urc.org.uk/FACE

Fresh Expressions

The lead person is Sheila Thatcher, who is willing to talk to your church about being church in contemporary ways.

The following links may give you some ideas to take to Church and Elder’s Meetings

Fresh Expressions www.freshexpressions.org.uk

RUN (Reaching the Unchurched Network) - www.RUN.org.uk

Starting a Fresh Expression published by Church House Publishing.

This is a must if you are thinking of starting a fresh expression of church - what's that? - it's a new form of church for our changing culture.
This booklet sets you off in the right direction if you are seeking wisdom and direction.
All over the country Christians across the denominations are stepping out in faith and beginningto start new forms of church that meet the needs of our changing culture.

Revd Tom Stuckey, President of the Methodist Conference 2005/6 said "We live in a time of turbulent change. Many, beyond the borders of the church are desperate for some sense of spiritual reality. Fresh Expressions of Church are the green shoots of the future. Adapted from Starting a fresh expression .

Booklets can be obtained at £5 for 5

Martin Manley (dso-s@urcwessex.org.uk) and Peter Hurter (dso-n@urcwessex.org.uk) have sets of videos to borrow, which show a variety of Fresh Expressions across the country, which will inspire you.

Training possibilities

Mission Shaped Ministry - a one year part time course starting in September 2008 - 7 days at approx monthly intervals, and a residential weekend in November at Sarum College. Ask Peter or Martin for further details.

Cafe Culture

An increasingly popular form of Fresh Expression.
Are you looking into the possibilities of starting or developing Cafe Church or Messy Church? Sheila Thatcher (023 8084 6404) would be interested to know, to offer information, training opportunities, or encouragement, if that is what you need. You can also be put in touch with other Churches to share experiences. A network of Churches looking at Fresh Expressions within the Synod is being planned.

Funding for mission

It is always a challenge to access grants and funds to help churches with their mission projects, programmes or events. This simple resource guide will point you to possible sources of financial help for your church.