Development Plan

As part of the Down and Dromore 'Think Again Initiative' Glencraig Parish drew up a 5 year plan or Parish Strategy in 2000 which has undergone regular review and been the subject of discussion and reflection at several Parish meetings. The programme, like the Diocesan initiative, has three major themes namely; Reconciliation, Outreach and Young People. The vision has been: 'through spiritual renewal. to make Holy Trinity Church a vigorous testimony to the love and example of Jesus Christ by being responsive to the needs of is community and to the needs of others".

On this page we will update some of the initiatives which we are mounting to help achieve the goals we have set in our plan.

Under each of these themes we have set objectives and goals which we are striving to achieve. The plan was issued to everyone in the Parish but if you have misplaced your copy please contact us.

 

Glencraig Parish Strategy

2000 — 2005

A Parish Strategy is necessary so that Glencraig can continue its worship in the community into the new millennium. The strategy set out what Glencraig Church hopes to achieve in the next five years.

Achieving the Strategy’s vision and objectives will require participation by everyone and will necessitate openness, patience, optimism and commitment.

In working for the development and growth of our parish, we must be prepared to:

  • listen to and empathise with other peoples views and opinions
  • challenge ourselves with new ideas, and
  • Support innovation aimed at achieving our objectives

Spiritual development can only prosper in a church;

  • where there is an openness and willingness,
  • that is alive to the voice of the Holy Spirit
  • which challenges itself to walk in the footsteps of Christ

The Church must be relevant to the society, which it serves and to which it seeks to provide witness, and, as such must be continually evolving.

Personal spiritual renewal must underpin development and can be defined as a Christian’s deepening relationship with God the Father through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

Reconciliation

Objective

  • To foster bridge building between Northern Ireland’s communities.

As a parish we must be prepared, through repentance to embrace reconciliation and challenge the perception that bridge building is not necessary in this area.

 

Means of Achieving Objective

  1. Bell Ring 2000 on 1st January 2000 will be a community event with leaflets being distributed to each household within the Parish boundary
  2. Twining Glencraig with a Catholic Church, with whom integrated events would take place.
  3. Increasing our understanding of other groups within Northern Ireland through meetings featuring speakers from other religious or cultural groups.
  4. To establish working relationships with cross-community organisations
  5. Holding nondenominational services each year, for example:
  • to mark the passage of children from primary to secondary education
  • to mark the graduation of young people from secondary education

      6. Holding community events such as fun days and garden parties etc.

 

 

Outreach

Objectives

  • To achieve an increasing in the number of people attending Sunday Services
  • To address the spiritual and physical needs of the Parish community

As a Parish we must be prepared to consider new ideas and to
challenge complacency and apathy

 

Means of Achieving Objectives

           1. Bell Ring 2000 on 1st January 2000 will be a community event with leaflets being
          distributed to each household within the Parish boundary and advertising posters being           placed on the Church Noticeboard.

    2. Creating a welcomers team to ensure that visitors to the Church are familiar with the structure and service and are made to feel part of the church family.

    3. Creating a support network to identify members of the local community (e.g.. Elderly or disabled) with practical needs that the Church, through its members can fulfill.

4. Distributing leaflets providing information about the Glencraig Parish Church to each household within the Parish Boundary.

           5. Widening "Alpha" to involve the whole community, not just Glencraig Parishioners.

6. Reaching out to the world beyond our shores and, in particular, committing ourselves to supporting the partnership with the Diocese of Maridi in Sudan.

7. Holding quarterly Seekers Services and monthly Family Services aimed at attracting new people to church.

8. Investigating ways in which the Church services can be made more comprehensive and accessible to all worshipers.

 

Youth

Objectives

  • To ensure that children baptised in Glencraig remain part of the Church family
  • To encourage children within the Parish to attend regularly
  • To involve young people in the lifer work and witness of the Parish

As a Parish we must be prepared to address spiritual needs of young people and to challenge complacency and apathy.

Means of Achieving Objectives

       1 Carrying out a survey to identify the feelings and opinions of young people resident         within the Parish boundary.

         2 Identifying steps taken by other North Down churches to retain their young
         people

3 Developing a youth policy based on the findings of the survey and the discussions with other churches

4 Establishing a Youth Club providing an attractive environment in which contact can be made with young people of the area.

5 Establishing and Fellowship Group with regular informal meetings in which the young people of the area can learn about the Christian Faith and life of the Parish

 6 Establishing links with other Youth Clubs and Fellowship Clubs with in North Down.

7 Running a Youth Alpha course with invitations being extended to all young people resident within the Parish Boundary.