Pastoral Strategy Meeting Summary
On Wednesday 18 March, parishioners gathered for a meeting following Bishop Stephen’s invitation, coming together to reflect on our faith, our mission, and how we continue to grow as a parish community.
During the evening, we explored four key areas — Community, Serving Others, Teaching, and Worship — through smaller group discussions. Each group reflected on what is currently going well in our parish, as well as the challenges we face and opportunities for growth.
A number of important themes emerged, including strengthening our sense of belonging, encouraging greater participation in parish life, reaching out to those who feel disconnected, supporting young people and families, and deepening our shared faith and worship.
If you were unable to attend, we would still very much value your input. Please take some time to read through the points raised below and feel free to share your own thoughts and reflections. You can either send your thoughts through our contact form here, or email stmarystwilfrid.bishopauckland@diocesehn.org.uk. There will be a meeting held in St Mary’s meeting room on Wednesday 1st April at 6:30pm where you are welcome to come along and discuss the outcome of the parish meeting, as we decide together which best ways we move forward when putting the document together to send back to Bishop Stephen.
We will be then continuing these conversations at our next parish meeting on Wednesday 15 April at 6:30pm, with Emma and Mark from the Diocese and all are warmly invited to attend.
Please read through the notes below that Fr David has collated from the sheets each of our groups filled in, and get in touch if there is anything you would like to add.
