Church Breakfast and Conversation Sunday 19th November 2017

Initial Report

Church Breakfast and Conversation Sunday 19th November 2017

The Kirk Session agreed to undertake a consultation exercise with the congregation to identify future priorities for the Church. This took place in the form of the Church Breakfast and Conversation on Sunday 19th November prior to morning worship. This time of fellowship, over a delicious hot breakfast, was enjoyed by all.

The conversation took place in small groups round the breakfast tables. People were asked to provide their points of view to three specific questions. All points of view given were written down and there was an opportunity at the end for everybody to see of all these.

All of the points of view given on the day have been collected together to form one larger response to the three questions asked. These were:

Question 1 In what ways do you feel Neilston Parish Church could be more active as a congregation?

Question 2 Why is it important to you to be part of Neilston Parish Church?

Question 3 Which aspects of Church life help or hinder you growing in your Christian faith?

This report provides the information you gave back in November 2017. However, it is more important that we use the information to become the Church people said they wanted us to be. We have grouped the points of view given for each question under the themes of worship, active discipleship and connecting with communities (the Church of Scotland is using these same themes to plan how it will meet the needs of people living in 21st century Scotland).

The Kirk Session is responsible for leading us but it will need help, support, participation and encouragement from all people in the congregation as we move forward.

Finally, perhaps you were not able to participate in the Church Breakfast and Conversation, or you have other points of view that you didn’t express on the day? Don’t worry; there will be other opportunities: watch this space!

Question 1 In what ways do you feel Neilston Parish Church could be more active as a congregation?

Worship Active discipleship Connecting with CommunitiesAlternative / early worship or eveningCarol singing round village or joint service with St Thomas'Ecumenical eventsInvolve GB & BB in Church services & eventsLess formality, to encourage outsidersMeet up with other ChurchesMore ecumenical interactionMore evening servicesMore interaction with other churchesOpen air service in Pig squareOther diets of worship - flexibility i.e. evening servicesOutdoor services (in Summer)

At Easter hand out Palm Crosses round village with an invitation to attendBe friendly and welcoming to others in the village e.g. good morning / afternoonBuddy system to bring back people who have not been to church recentlyEncourage others to participate more oftenLess talking.... More action...More active eldersMore Church volunteers to enable these community involvements to happenMore events like thisMore regular 'soup' lunchReach out to new families & estates - don't wait on them coming to usTalk to people who have just joined Church make them feel welcomeTo reach out to elderly who are not involved in ChurchTrips/ outings: Iona?We could do more for teenagersWelcome back Sunday for those not recent attendeesWork more with other religious groups in communityYouth bible study

Church CafeA community CafeChurch FayreChurch needs to go to communityExpand ideas for Neilston TentFilm showsFood bank - encourage teens to be involvedHave more coffee morningsInvolvement in CommunityIs it possible to go round deprived areas in Neilston to encourage groups of children to be involved?Kirk cafe againMore advertising in village for eventsMore involvement with the communityMore seen in the communityMore social functions for congregation and communityMore use of Church hall to involve non-Church goers during week, not just SundaysNeilston show - other opportunitiesSocial events? Quiz nights?Tie in with the community councilYouth club e.g. Thursday ClubYouth Forum - all groups to share

Other responses which could be used to address ‘how’ included:- best practice - do not work in silos, Better use of building e.g. Church upstairs, Business-like approach, Pro-active, worship group to cover these times.

Question 2 Why is it important to you to be part of Neilston Parish Church?

Worship Active discipleship Connecting with CommunitiesA chance to hear the Word from the BibleA way & space to say thanks to GodChoirEnjoy the music of praiseGood ministerIn digital age, people become very remote and like this church & traditionLocal fellowshipLucky to have a beautiful building & wonderful MinisterPeace (a place of)Quiet time at end of week. Time for reflectionSermon Sermons inspire, reassure and guide us, relevant at times to our own situation. Local fellowshipServices give guidance and inspirationSinging with othersUplift from singing the hymns and a sense of togetherness

Coffee & tea = a time to catch up with othersComfort .... Knowing someone else caresExtended familyFeel part of Church familyFeel safe in community and support can be given. There's a connection there.Feel welcome - NOT judged!! Accepted as we are.FellowshipFriendshipKnowing peoplePart of a familyPastoral care, Boys Brigade / elderlySupport and consolation in troubles and griefTo be a witness to others in the villageTo support the work of the Church both locally and globallyWe can change for the better

(New people in village) - a great way of becoming integrated in village lifeBaptisms - to welcome those who don't normally come to ChurchBeing part of a church community within the villageCDs are a great ideaGood way of staying in touch when you live in a rural environmentHeritage - familyHistoricalIt's a spiritual landmark in the villageMaintains my connection to NeilstonOnly Church in this villageOnly day see some people, socialisingOnly way to meet someonePart of communityPart of the fabric of the villageSecurityStrong links with local schoolsThe localityThe peopleTo retain old friendshipsTraditionTraditional & move with the timesVillage church - uniqueWorking parents- church is only opportunity to socialise with others in village

Christian habit Church gives a sense of belonging and mixingEnjoyable experience

Encouragement from like-minded peopleFaith / Good habit to have

Good to feel in touch with the spiritual sideKeeping the promise of vows made

Keeps me travelling in the right path in lifeKeeps my faith alive Keeps you connected

It's part of my lifePart of life, Sunday

Joyful...upliftingSatisfaction of souls and helping one another

To be with people with similar beliefsTo make a public profession of faith

Question 3 Which aspects of Church life help you growing in your Christian faith?

Worship Active discipleship Connecting with CommunitiesApproachable ministerChildren's address is enjoyableChoirCommunion - morning and evening. Good!Consistency / continuityEmpathy of ministerEnjoymentEvening communion being intimateHard working ministerHaving an unrestricted charge helpsLength of serviceLively active childrenMinisterMinister really welcomes children of all ages even if really noisyMinister very valuable and strongMore modern uplifting hymns / musicMusic / choirMusic touches soulOrganPrayers relevant to current situationsReadings relevant to today's lifeRelation of bible message to today's life by the Sermon and prayersSermon gives me a thoughtful inspirationSermon relevant to the life of the congregation, community and the wider worldsermonsSimple ritual / routine - Word being brought in / anthem etcSinging hymnsTime to be quietTime to hear & reflect on God's wordTraditions but not exclusive

A strong leadership helpsBeing involvedBible readingChildren being part of the serviceCongregation involvedDifferent church groups / organisationsEncouraged at times to do special tasks (wool daily readings) lent / Christmas ideasExcitement about new projectsFellowshipFlowersFriendly welcoming atmosphereGatherings like today helpGood welcome at the doorInvolvement with eldership duties helpInvolvement in organising and / or committees helpMidweek service / gathering - informality & opportunity for discussionPew leaflet - bible readings to recap laterPastoral care - 90th birthday visits, CDs etcRoutineSense of belongingSupport from my faithTea & coffee post serviceVisit to the Holy land... Made the picture clearer

Socialising and coffee morningsSummer club encourages our faithVisits from minister

Other things that people mentioned that help included bring your own cushion and chocolate.

Question 3 Which aspects of Church life hinder you growing in your Christian faith?

Worship Active discipleship Connecting with CommunitiesBad sermonsChanging the version of the Lord's prayerCommunion - too few celebrationsCommunion for all rather than being exclusive at the momentDuration of serviceFewer hymnsFor parents of very young children -unable to attend when no Sunday club / provisionFormality of communionFormat of communionHymns can be too sombreOut of sorts when arriving for service can't listen, own state of mind can hinder People chatting during service can be a distractionPS distractionsThe challenge of sitting in the right / wrong place hindersTime (restrictive) of worshipTiming of services could be a hindranceToo long a sermon

A lack of people willing to volunteer for small tasksBad behaviours demonstrated by some membersBickeringCliques... Make you feel left outDismissed as being too youngFalse peopleGossipHypocritical individualsLack of continuity.... Projects started but not seen throughLack of support for the ministerNeeds to be more inclusiveNot always feel welcomePeoples unkind / unhelpful attitudesPlenty of talkers... Not enough doersPoor welcome at doorResistance to change (“aye done it that way” mentality)Some people not showing Christian spirit

Inappropriate comments about other people both in the Church & communityLack of pastoral follow up of church members

Other hindrances people mentioned which can have an overall impact included hearing problems, illnesses and the weather.

Children and young people are the future of our Church and it was important that they were part of the Church Breakfast and Conversation. We are grateful to leaders and helpers in the Sunday Club who provided a crèche area and ‘hosted’ a table for those children and young people who preferred to sit with their friends. The questions asked were the same but different words were used to make sure everyone could join in.

Q1 What more can we do? Q2 Why do we go to Church? Q3 What do you like? Q3 What don't you like?

Help the homelessLook after the environmentRaise money for refugeesFood banksRun an afterschool clubVisit the housebound

Because your family doesIt is a place for youTo be part of somethingTo celebrateTo get peaceTo go on special occasionsTo go to Church for comfortTo have funTo learn about JesusTo meet your friendsTo take people you love to ChurchYou meet different people

Bible readingsChristmas eve serviceCosy groupEaster egg huntInvolve the young peopleMore people come when there is a special serviceMusic / choirSpecial servicesSummer clubSunday clubThe nativityTime to reflect

All age chats are too youngDon't like the songsSo few childrenSunday clubThe congregation is too spread out