GA 2009 - Growth Day - Summary of Outcomes

Statistics

• Nearly 300 people participated in the day.
• 4 people spoke about their Growth & Renewal experiences during the last year.
• Jim Corrigall reflected on the 12 ‘Top Tips’ for growth gathered during his visits to congregations.
• Rev Jane Dwinell led a lively session relating her experiences of Growth to our Unitarian communities. Jane led into the District Group and personal statement sessions which followed.
• District groupings discussed how they could act together on some of the ideas presented. Actions resources needed were identified.
• Rev Don Phillips presented the future ministry summary report.
• Almost 200 people completed their own response to the questions ‘What’s that badge? A Flaming what?’ otherwise known as the ‘lift pitch’ or ‘lift line.’
• A number of people also made comments and suggestions for the Executive Committee to review.
• Closing Worship was led by Mel Prideaux with Ant Howe.

Summary of afternoon session

Actions

• Get a mandate — agree if want to grow and how much - Congregational growth day
• Positive attitude to being small
• Audit of newcomers, review newsletter - Remember newcomers in everything we do
• Deliver pastoral care using lay resources
• Establish a District Facilitator (may be shared between districts)
• Visit each other to learn & share good practice
• New leaflets & visible noticeboards - Post cards of local chapel - Quote own and national websites on all publicity
• Dedicated welcomers for visitors:
• Create feeling of warmth
• Neat tidy church
• get rid of clutter
• Change church posters regularly - Publicity in community - Week day sessions (open church)
• Have taster sessions, Parent & Toddler groups, Pass on skills to other members, Pavement café
• Explanation of order of service - Use of music as variety in services
• Social action versus social club
• Consider all as ‘work in progress’ and rejoice in the small steps along the way
• Keep it simple

Angela Maher, reporting in GAZette, quoted her favourite ‘lift lines’ from those shared during the session:

• “We’re the sort of people who set chalices on fire rather than drink from them.”
• “We believe in one god.  We don’t care if you spell that with one, or two ‘O’s”

These are just a few of the outcomes. A full list, together with identified resources needed, will be put on the GA website, together with the personal statements