Diocesan News
Connor Vision Strategy Progresses
Over the past few weeks, the Diocese of Connor has been progressing its Vision Strategy at Rural Deanery meetings across the diocese.
The meetings began in North Belfast on April 17, and since then the Rural Deaneries of Derriaghy, Antrim, Ballymena, Coleraine and Lisburn have met.
At each up to 175 parishioners and members of select vestries from each parish within the Rural Deanery have gathered to hear the Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor, and the Diocesan Vision Strategy team talk about how ministry must evolve to engage with our changing culture.
At the meetings Bishop Alan outlines the plan for the evening and refers to the three strands identified in the Vision Strategy: Empowering Ministry; Engaging Culture and Effecting Change.
A member of the Vision Strategy group gives a presentation on the background to the strategy, focusing on the findings of a parish survey conducted last year.
Bishop Alan addresses how dramatically the culture and communities in which we live have changed in just a matter of decades, stressing that the Church must make changes too.
At each meeting there has been a presentation on examples of Best Practice, highlighting some of the excellent work parishes in Connor are already doing to engage with their communities.
Following a short video clip, each parish is split into groups to discuss issues relating to changes in the context around their parish, signs of a widening gap between the church and the community and their fears and hopes about engaging with the community. They are also asked to think about possible next steps for their parish.
After refreshments Bishop Alan sums up the evening and speaks about the way ahead. Each meeting closes with a short act of worship.
The next meeting takes place in Holy Trinity, Woodburn, on Wednesday June 13 and is for the Rural Deanery of Carrickfergus, and the last two meetings, for the Rural Deaneries of Mid and South Belfast, will follow in September.
For further information contact Karen Bushby, Connor Diocesan Communications Officer, on 028 9082 8874 / 4066 0798 or 07766 103880 (mob) or email [email protected]