With the Intensive Phase of the Planned Growth Mission just completed it was pleasing to receive a letter from the Rector the Venerable John Stead.
Dear Ron,
Thank you for the significant contribution to the life of the Anglican Parish of Wagga Wagga in the preparation and implementation of the Planned Growth Mission.
The material provided in the PlannedGrowth CD was very useful as we prepared the Parish Directory, and the Vision Budget. It assisted us to keep on track as we prepared for the intensive phase of the Mission; as did the prompts, in relation to tasks that need to be undertaken that are included in the guidelines. The process that has been developed is tried and reliable and I am aware that you are continually refining it as each Planned Growth Mission is completed.
Over the weeks of the intensive phase your presence was a great motivator to keep on track and to put in the effort necessary to achieve a significant result. The involvement of members of the parish in visiting to pass on a personal invitation to the Thanksgiving Dinner as well as delivering copies of the Parish Directory and Vision Budget resulted in a very pleasing attendance at the dinner. The feedback that I received about the evening was very positive and I would like to think that we would make it an annual event as we recommit ourselves to the Parish Vision and Mission Statement and our commitment to growth. A particularly pleasing aspect of the dinner was the attendance of members of the various congregations of the parish and the opportunity for people to see the diversity of the congregation and to realise that there are many more people involved than they see as part of the congregation that they attend.
The material and the process will not only benefit the ‘bottom line’ but also will; I believe most significantly, impact the life of the parish - the sharing of vision, the growing commitment for parishioners to take a more significant place in the pastoral role, and a greater willingness to engage in mission and ministry. I expect to see a great degree of enthusiasm for ministry and mission, which is an area that I have been committed to over the last four years - the Planned Growth Mission has been part of that process of setting a new course.
It is my intention, along with the members of the Continuation Committee, to ensure that we maintain the momentum and build on what has been achieved over these last few months and particularly these last few weeks.
I wish you God’s blessing for your ongoing work.
Yours in Christ
John Stead
Rector Anglican Parish of Wagga Wagga
Archdeacon for Continuing Ministry Development
