Thought For The Week 10 November 2024

As you will know, Parish Council has called a congregational meeting on Sunday 24th November, following a 10am combined worship service at Trinity for the congregation to consider the long term vision that Council has been working on this year.

In response to the feedback from the congregation, we would like to clarify some issues that have been raised:

• What is the motion? The motion that we will be voting on is“That the TPP               congregation support the Long Term vision document presented by Parish Council”. There will be plenty of room given for discussion and discernment, and the outcome of the vote will be respected as we discern God’s will together. Notices of motion from the floor will not be accepted.
• Are we voting to change the time and place of worship? While the most immediate impact of voting “yes” to this proposal will be moving to one worship service at
• St. Stephens on Sunday morning, the main intent is to become sustainable and fruitful in ministry and mission for the future.
• Does voting “yes” mean that Trinity will be abandoned or sold? Parish Council are hopeful that in addition to our weekly Sunday morning worship, we can make room for other expressions of worship. For instance a monthly evensong or afternoon communion at Trinity would be possible. There are no plans to sell Trinity. Parish    Council believe that selling property would be a backwards step.
• How will this save us money? Questions have been raised about how moving to one service will help us to achieve financial sustainability. In itself, it will not. However, worshipping together as one positions us well to restructure our staffing and ministry team. Increasing our giving, or restructuring our staffing are the only ways to move    towards financial sustainability. Our projections suggest that restructuring our ministry team needs to  happen within the next 12-24 months. However, depending on other   circumstances, it could happen much more quickly.
• Do the ministers have a conflict of interest in this proposal? Concerns have been raised about conflicts of interest for the ministry team in proposing the Long Term Vision. Council has considered this. A conflict of interest will arise when restructuring of ministry staff occurs. This is unavoidable. However, it can, and will, be managed to protect the interests of the Parish. Presbytery are responsible for overseeing the    vocation of ministers, and there are robust procedures in place to manage conflicts of interest. These will be followed when the time comes.
• Will my vote count? Have Parish Council already made up their minds? Parish Council are elected by the congregation to lead in discernment. The proposal before you is the outcome of Council’s discernment. However, the discernment process is not complete until we seek God’s will together as a congregation. We encourage you approach the meeting on the 24th with an open heart. Your vote will count, and whatever the         outcome, God will continue to guide us all into His future.

On behalf of the Parish Council,

Judith, Lois, Rory and Brent.