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Complete Presbytery Mission Plan as at 010922.

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Mission Plan Update - July 2022 (Agreed Draft Presbytery Mission Plan)

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Mission Plan Update - July 2022 (Agreed Draft Presbytery Mission Plan)

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Dear Presbytery,

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for God, the living God." - Psalm 42 v1

Earlier this week we experienced a tremendous heatwave - with new record temperatures reached in Scotland and across the UK! It is evidence that our climate is changing because of human actions in our world over a long period of time. It reminds us of the importance to work to "safeguard the integrity of creation" - the 5th Mark of Mission. We can still make a difference and work to mitigate even further extremes being experienced in the future. But that will require us to make changes now and in the near future. Some changes will be welcomed, and might include using the latest in technological advances to improve the quality of life for many. But some changes will be harder to accept, and may require significant cost or sacrifice to be made.

Similarly, as we know, our church is facing changes too - as the climate around us is different to the climate experienced in previous generations.

As we discovered this week, when experiencing extreme heat, it is important to keep cool and well-hydrated. And so likewise, in experiencing the extreme challenges we face in our church we can find comfort and keep well-nourished in the streams of living water we long for and find in our Living God.

"Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing his songs, praying to God who gives me life" - Psalm 42 v8

Agreed Draft Presbytery Mission Plan

Fife Presbytery received the revised draft Presbytery Mission Plan at our Presbytery Meeting of 18th June.

Following wide-ranging discussion, Presbytery agreed to the revised draft subject to a few amendments.

The amendments agreed at Presbytery have now been incorporated into the agreed draft.

The agreed draft PMP can be accessed via this padlet.

The agreed draft PMP has now been submitted to the Presbytery Mission Planning Implementation Group (Faith Nurture) and the General Trustees.

What Next?

We expect to receive formal feedback on our agreed draft from Faith Nurture and the General Trustees by August.

If agreed, the completed plan will be returned to Presbytery in September for final consideration and approval.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to be in touch via: fphilip@churchofscotland.org.uk

With Every Blessing,

Neil

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Agreed Draft Presbytery Mission Plan at 18 June 2022

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Agreed Draft Presbytery Mission Plan at 18 June 2022

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Presbytery agreed to a revised draft Presbytery Mission Plan on Saturday 18th June 2022.

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Mission Plan Update - June 2022 (Revised Draft Presbytery Mission Plan)

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Mission Plan Update - June 2022 (Revised Draft Presbytery Mission Plan)

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Dear Presbytery,

"After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but “must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon... And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.” These were his last words. As they watched, he was taken up and disappeared in a cloud. They stood there, staring into the empty sky. Suddenly two men appeared—in white robes! They said, “You Galileans!—why do you just stand here looking up at an empty sky?"

- Acts 1: 1-10 selected verses, The Message translation.

Jesus' last words to his disciples were a promise. The promise of Pentecost. A promise that, although he was leaving them, they would not be alone on the journey that was to come. For Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be with them, would come upon them - and empower them to witness to the ends of the world.

From Ascension to Pentecost, churches across the world today are praying Thy Kingdom Come and for the Holy Spirit to come upon us - to empower us - to strengthen and guide us, as we seek to go out and witness in our communities. And as we do so, we should ask ourselves: where are the ends of our world, today? Our communities look quite different to the way they once did, and they are continuing to change. Are we, as a church, looking out at our changing world and asking how we can serve and witness today? Or are we stood still staring into the empty sky?

The promise of the Holy Spirit remains - that empowered by the Spirit, we will be able to. But we can't just stand here looking up at an empty sky. Let us together seek to witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ, through faith and service, and bring love, peace and hope to the ends of the world in the communities around us.

And as we seek God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit, to guide our ways, as we seek to journey to these ends together - let us simply and powerfully pray: Come, Holy Spirit!

Revised Draft Presbytery Mission Plan

The Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group wishes to deeply thank you for your prayerful consideration of the first draft and for the comments, feedback and responses received during the consultation. Having listened carefully during the consultation, the Task Group has now produced a revised draft Presbytery Mission Plan:

This revised draft includes:

Introduction from our Presbytery Moderator,

Revised Preface,

Recommendations reflecting some specific concerns and issues that were raised,

Revised allocations, adjustments and building categorisations.

You are encouraged to read the introduction, preface and recommendations first, to help give context to the ministry allocation, adjustment and building categorisation recommendations that follow.

The draft Mission Narrative, agreed by Presbytery in February, underpins the draft Plan.

What happens next?

The Task Group are to recommend to the Board of Mission that the revised PMP be reported to Presbytery in June (more details to follow).

Presbytery will have the opportunity to consider and discuss the revised draft plan.

If the revised draft plan is approved by Presbytery, it would then be sent to Faith Nurture Forum and the General Trustees for concurrence.

If Faith Nurture Forum and the General Trustees concur with the draft plan, it is returned to Presbytery for further consideration and final approval.

If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to be in touch via: fphilip@churchofscotland.org.uk

With Every Blessing,

Neil

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So the women hurried away from the tomb. They were afraid, but they were filled with joy. They ran to tell the disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings!” he said. They came to him, took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me.” Matthew 28:8-10

There’s a lot of commonality between the Easter stories and the Christmas Stories : New Life, yes, but also much fear among the witnesses and participants: calmed by the Angels at Jesus birth and the Risen Lord himself at the tomb and lakeside.

In the Mission Planning process there is a potent but sometimes paralyzing mix of fear and expectation. I like this quote from Eugene Peterson’s book “Living the Resurrection”,

“I love the contrast between those Roman guards- insensible and sprawled on the ground paralyzed by fear- and the two exuberant women kneeling on the same ground, energized by fear. It’s the same word in both cases-fear. But it’s not the same thing. There is a fear which incapacitates us for dealing with God, and there is a fear that pulls us out of our preoccupation with ourselves, our feelings, our circumstances, into a world of wonder. It pulls us out of ourselves into the vert action of God”.
- Rev. Jim Reid (Kinghorn Parish Church)

Please find below a brief update on our latest progress to develop a Presbytery Mission Plan:

Prayer Meeting

A weekly gathering for prayer takes place each Tuesday at 9am via Zoom. Meeting ID: 317 522 8773 Passcode: PRAYERROOM

Draft Presbytery Mission Plan

A first draft Presbytery Mission Plan for Fife Presbytery was produced by the Board of Mission: Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group and is available via this padlet.

The first draft was sent out to Kirk Sessions and members of Presbytery on 4th April for consultation, comment and wide discussion, with responses requested by Friday 6th May.

Draft Plan Consultation

The first draft was produced for the purpose of consultation, remaining open and subject to revision. No decisions have yet been taken by Fife Presbytery.

The Task Group has received 150+ submitted responses to the consultation, including from Kirk Sessions, Ministers, Elders, Community Organisations, Local Councillors, Residents and Interest Groups.

The Task Group has met with representatives from 26 congregations to discuss feedback and responses.

There has been substantial local interest in the draft plan across Fife.

Review of Draft Plan

The Task group will meet on Tuesday 17th May to review the draft plan, informed by the feedback and responses received during the consultation.

If a revised plan is subsequently produced it will be circulated across Presbytery at the earliest opportunity. Please note this would likely take around a week to produce.

The Task Group will also decide whether a draft plan is ready to be recommended to Presbytery in time for its meeting in June (subject to Board of Mission agreement).

Please can we ask you to keep the Task Group in your prayers as we prepare to meet to review the first draft.

Thank you for your ongoing prayer and support, as we continue to progress a Fife Presbytery Mission Plan.

With Every Blessing,

Neil Campbell, Mission Director
on behalf of the Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group

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“The doors of the house where the disciples met were locked for fear…” John 20:19

Even after hearing the good news from Mary, that Jesus was risen, the disciples were fearful. Until Jesus stood among them and said, “Peace be with you”. And their fear was transformed into joy.

We could ask ourselves, to what do we lock the doors in our own lives for fear? And are we prepared to embrace the peace that Christ offers us too. Are we ready to embrace the risen Jesus and have our fears transformed into Joy. And then what comes next? Then we are ready to be sent, to live and share the good news of Jesus. For Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

“Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” John 20:21

Please find below a brief update on our latest progress to develop a Presbytery Mission Plan:

Prayer Meeting

A weekly gathering for prayer takes place each Tuesday at 9am via Zoom. Meeting ID: 317 522 8773 Passcode: PRAYERROOM

Draft Presbytery Mission Plan

A first draft Presbytery Mission Plan for Fife Presbytery has been produced by the Board of Mission: Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group.

The first draft has been sent to Kirk Sessions and members of Presbytery for consultation, comment and wide discussion.

A period of consultation takes place until 6th May 2022.

Consultation on Draft Plan

The first draft is for the purpose of consultation and it is open and subject to revision. No decisions have yet been taken by Fife Presbytery.

The Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group welcomes all comments, feedback and suggestions.

Following the consultation period, the Task Group will meet in May to review the first draft plan.

Contents of Draft Plan

A Mission Narrative to be included as part of the plan was agreed by Presbytery in February, available via this padlet.

The draft plan has been produced following a period of consultation across Presbytery, with Kirk Sessions and facilitated Cluster Conversations with groups of churches across geographic areas.

The draft plan offers proposals to meet the requirements set by the General Assembly, including recommendations for:

Allocation of the 44.5FTE Ministries available to Fife Presbytery

Structures and adjustments

Categorisation of Church Buildings

· Next Steps

Draft Recommendations

The draft recommendations proposed for allocation of ministries have been influenced and informed by:

5 Marks of Mission

Consultation with Kirk Sessions

Cluster/Area/Group Conversations

Legacy Presbytery Plans

Code of Practice: Framework for Application (as agreed by Presbytery)

The draft recommendations proposed for church building categorisations have been influenced and informed by:

Mission

Legacy Presbytery Plans (where applicable)

Guidance from the General Trustees (well-equipped spaces, in the right places)

AMBA Reports

The Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group welcomes all comments, feedback and suggestions. These can be submitted via: fphilip@churchofscotland.org.uk

Thank you for your ongoing prayer and support, as we continue to progress a Fife Presbytery Mission Plan.

With Every Blessing,

Neil Campbell, Mission Director
on behalf of the Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group

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I realise that the size of the congregation and pressures on church finance mean that this old church does not merit retention when there is a less costly alternative available in the Church in the High Street.

My concern is that, if the building is to be disposed of, then this should happen as soon as practicable, while it is still wind and watertight, and not after its condition has deteriorated after standing empty for five more winters.

Thelma Hamill

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Fife Presbytery

First Draft Presbytery Mission Plan for Consultation - April 2022

Foreword

The first draft of the Fife Presbytery Mission Plan, produced by the Board of Mission: Strategy & Planning Task Group, is intended for wide consultation and discussion, with Kirk Sessions, Clusters/Areas/Groups (CAG’s) and Presbytery.  Working to the timeline agreed by the February 2022 meeting of Presbytery, the draft plan has been produced following a period of extensive consultation across Presbytery; with Kirk Sessions and facilitated Cluster conversations with groups of churches, throughout our geographic areas.

Working to the instructions handed down by the May 2021 General Assembly and the Presbytery Mission Plan Act, anallocation of 44.5FTE Ministries are available to Fife Presbytery. In order to deliver this, Presbytery has to consider the necessary structural changes and adjustments, as well as to categorise all our Church Buildings and Church Halls. At this stage no allocation of Manses has so far been considered.

In seeking to discern our Missional intent, all ministries including: Full Time Ministers of Word and Sacrament; Ministry Development Staff; Ordained Local Ministers; Deacons and Readers have been considered in determining the allocation of ministries. Extensive use has been made of information gathered from consultation with Kirk Sessions and records taken from CAG’s meetings and dialogue.

Our Mission Strategy was agreed by the Presbytery in February 2022 and this was applied to the available Legacy Presbytery Plans and the agreed Code of Practice: Framework for Application in producing the first draft of the Fife Presbytery Mission Plan. More details about our process can be found via: https://padlet.com/fifepresbytery/missionplan

The recommendations for church building categorisations have been influenced and informed by our imperative to enable Mission.  With the help of Legacy Presbytery Plans (where applicable) and the guidance from the General Trustees to deliver, ‘well-equipped spaces, in the right places,’ the Mission Strategy and Planning Task Group have worked hard with the Board of Management and our Presbytery Property Convenors to try and find a good solution. The much-heralded General Trustees Asset Management Building Audit (AMBA) has been a valuable asset in discerning our building categorisation but the final results delivered a ‘blunt’ instrument which has hidden inconsistences and while acting as a helpful guide did not in itself offer a definitive result.

According to the Presbytery Mission Plan Act: Presbytery will categorise each ecclesiastical building as either: -
(A) to be retained beyond the five years from the date at which the Mission Plan is approved or annually reviewed, or (B) to be sold, let or otherwise disposed of by a specified date which is within five years from the date at which the ecclesiastical building is first categorised as (B).

The draft plan received today is the full draft for Fife Presbytery. You are encouraged to communicate and share the details with your Kirk Session and congregation, but it is requested that you do not publicise the details via your website or social media. The Church of Scotland Comms Team have provided us with advice on how to more widely communicate the draft plan with the community of Fife. You may see a feature about the draft plan in local press in the coming days.

With the full draft plan published a period of reflection and consultation now begins until Friday 6th May. In the interim all comments and feedback are most welcome and should be submitted in the first instance to Mrs Fiona Philip, the Mission Plan Strategy Task Group Administrator at:fphilip@churchofscotland.org.uk.

In addition, any requests to meet with representatives of the Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group during 3rd - 6th May should be submitted to fphilip@churchofscotland.org.uk.

In conclusion, can we thank you all for participating in this important consultation and in helping to formulate the draft Mission Plan for Fife Presbytery. Last but not least, can we please ask that you continue to pray for the Mission plan as together we seek to discern God’s plan for the future of the Church of Scotland in Fife Presbytery?

With all good wishes and every blessing

Rev Dr David Coulter & Mr Neil Campbell
on behalf of the Board of Mission: Mission Planning & Strategy Task Group

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Presbytery agreed to work towards considering a draft Presbytery Mission Plan at our next meeting in June. The next few months will therefore be critical in drafting and consulting on the Mission Plan as it is being developed. Presbytery has agreed that following timetable.

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Agreed Code of Practice: Framework for Application

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Agreed Code of Practice: Framework for Application

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Snowdrops are viewed as an early sign of milder weather and that we are approaching the end of Winter. But this does not mean that stormy weather is not still to come - as we have experienced in recent weeks! Yet, as the shoots and buds of Snowdrops emerge, this new growth is a sign that Spring is coming...

As our churches continue to reopen and our various congregational activities restart, we have an opportunity to discern where the signs and shoots of new growth are in our parishes and presbytery? How can we nurture these so they might grow and blossom?

Please find below a brief update on our latest progress to develop a Presbytery Mission Plan:

Prayer Meeting

A weekly gathering for prayer takes place each Tuesday at 9am via Zoom. Meeting ID: 317 522 8773 Passcode: PRAYERROOM

Draft Mission Narrative inc. Code of Practice

Presbytery has agreed a Draft Mission Narrative inc. Code of Practice for our Mission Plan(See Mission, Vision & Strategy).

As requested at Presbytery, I have recorded the Mission Narrative Presentation and you are welcome to share this with KS and congregations (See Mission, Vision & Strategy).

New Ways of being Church - Pioneering Proposals

As Fife Presbytery develops a Presbytery Mission Plan, there is an expectation it will feature a “mixed economy” of church and provide an opportunity to discern, identify and resource New Ways of Being Church.

You are invited to discern and submit proposals that can be considered for resourcing as part of our Presbytery Mission Plan.

Please find attached a "Pioneer Project Proposal form" with further details and information.

Cluster/Area/Group Conversations

These conversations will continue up until mid-March. Cluster/Area/Group Conversation reports should be submitted to Presbytery by Monday 14th March.

Cluster/Area/Group Conversations will inform and influence the drafting of the PMP.

Draft Presbytery Mission Plan Timeline inc. Kirk Session Consultation

Presbytery agreed a Draft PMP Timeline March - June (See Roadmap Section)

With Every Blessing,

Neil Campbell, Mission Director
on behalf of the Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group

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Draft Mission Narrative inc. Code of Practice
The task group noted that Presbytery agreed the draft mission narrative inc. Code of Practice (See Mission Strategy Section). This has now been sent to Faith Nurture for comment and feedback.

PMP Timeline
Presbytery agreed to the PMP Timeline March - June (See Roadmap section)

Buildings Categorisation
An update was provided that the Buildings Audit was nearly complete.

PMPIG Update
Further guidance is expected soon about Team Ministry.

Draft PMP
The task group will meet on Thursday 17th & Friday 18th March to produce a first draft PMP.

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Group Membership
A member has stood down from the task group, we have a recommendation to the Board of Mission for a replacement. The current Presbytery Moderator will step down in February and be replaced by the new Presbytery Moderator Lorraine Fraser.

Parish Boundaries
A request that Parish boundaries be reviewed was discussed. It was agreed that this will be part of continued discussions once the PMP has been drafted, and as our mission plan evolves and is reviewed. It was noted that future census data will also help with this exercise.

Letter to Congregations
It was agreed to issue a letter to congregations and ministers to help raise awareness about the PMP.

Meetings / Workshops with Readers / OLMs and MDS
We plan to arrange 2 sessions for those in ministries by the end of February, to go over any questions with regards to how the plan is developing and what future plans involve.

Draft Mission Narrative
The task group agreed to recommend the Draft Mission Narrative which has been developed, and hopes it can be considered by Presbytery in February along with the Code of Practice.

Buildings Audit Update
A new Buildings Officer is due to start mid-March, which will assist in the process - Neil thanked Liz and the team for all their efforts to date with this project. The Buildings Audit is nearing completion.

New ways of being Church
Previously circulated proposal materials were sent out to Presbytery - and we invite proposals and ideas to be submitted by March 2022.

PMP Timeline
A timeline for drafting, consulting and presenting the PMP to Presbytery has been developed. A deadline of 14th March has been set for receiving Cluster Conversation reports to inform and influence the drafting of the PMP.

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Happy New Year! I hope you all had an enjoyable Christmas season, finding time for peace and relaxation.

As we start out through 2022, I look with hope to the year ahead: hope that we can build on what is good, hope for new ways of being church, and hope that our spirit is renewed for the journey ahead. Trusting that wherever our journey may lead, God is with us.

Please find below a brief update on our latest progress to develop a Presbytery Mission Plan:

Code of Practice: Framework for Application

Please find attached for consultation a draft "Code of Practice: Framework for Application".

You are invited to submit comments, feedback and/or suggestions on the draft by Friday 28th January.

Following feedback, a final draft Code will be included in the Board of Mission's report to Presbytery in February.

New Ways of being Church - Pioneering Proposals

As Fife Presbytery develops a Presbytery Mission Plan, there is an expectation it will feature a “mixed economy” of church and provide an opportunity to discern, identify and resource New Ways of Being Church.

You are invited to discern and submit proposals that can be considered for resourcing as part of our Presbytery Mission Plan.

Please find attached a "Pioneer Project Proposal form" with further details and information.

Cluster/Area/Group Conversations

Cluster meetings are currently taking place online until covid protection measures are eased and church meetings can resume in-person.

Each cluster should be able to meet at least twice before the end of Feb/early March, and provide a report to the Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group to help inform and influence the drafting of our Presbytery Mission Plan.

Padlet

The padlet has been updated, and includes new guidance received from Faith Nurture Forum.

https://padlet.com/fifepresbytery/missionplan

With Every Blessing,

Neil
Mission Director
on behalf of Fife Presbytery Board of Mission: Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group

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The nature of church is changing, and while in some areas church attendance and community support remains robust, in other areas new ways must be found to reach new members. As Fife Presbytery develops a Presbytery Mission Plan, there is an expectation it will feature a “mixed economy” of church and an opportunity to discern, identify and resource New Ways of Being Church.

New Ways of Being Church, or Emerging Church, include mission initiatives from across the missional pioneer spectrum. Examples of New Ways of Being Church include:-

-      Church plants (or replants) of new worshipping communities; either geographical, network or group based; digital or in person.

-      Fresh expressions or new forms of church such as café church, messy church, forest church, etc., that exist alongside or separate to existing congregations.

-      Missional social enterprises such as cafes, shops or businesses.

-      Social action initiatives addressing poverty, social injustices or local priorities.

For more information about New Ways of Being Church you are encouraged to watch out recent Talking Mission session with Rev Alan McWilliam via: https://youtu.be/uZSGsK8TCJE

You are invited as a member of Presbytery, Kirk Session, Cluster, Group of churches or Ecumenical partnership to submit proposals that will be considered as part of developing our Presbytery Mission Plan.

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Talking Mission with Alan McWilliam: New Ways of Being Church

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Talking Mission with Alan McWilliam: New Ways of Being Church

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Code of Practice: Framework for Application

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Code of Practice: Framework for Application

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To assist Presbyteries, Faith Nurture Forum has produced a Code of Practice (Section 5, Presbytery Mission Plan Act: Guidance & Code of Practice). The Code of Practice is to be applied when developing Presbytery Mission Plans. Where it is not, it must be justified according to the Five Marks of Mission as contextually appropriate.

The Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group presents a draft Code of Practice Framework for Application, to be applied during the development of the Fife Presbytery Mission Plan.

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Presbytery Mission Plan Guidance - Good Presbytery Process

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Presbytery Mission Plan Guidance - Good Presbytery Process

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thank you for the opportunity to express some thoughts on the way forward for our churches in the Dunfermline area of Fife Presbytery.

As an Elder, I believe we need to keep all our congregations and Kirk Sessions if we are to re-build our faith in the Dunfermline area.

If we dis-enfranchise in anyway our congregations, active volunteers, elders and ministry staff, then we will just loose people from our Church (CofS). They will become disheartened, fed-up, angry with how things are working out. These feelings were very evident in the Dunfermline churches after the publication of the Special Commission report. While the Special Commission report contained many brilliant ideas and recommendations, the perceived feeling that it was just about closing churches was very strong and led to a great deal of angst and loss of moral amongst our congregations.

From the Dunfermline area options and models for mission proposed, to me, Option4 Full Compass with Model 4 Partnerships, would be a winning combination for all the churches in the Dunfermline area. All the churches in Dunfermline are within a short physical distance (max 4 miles) of each other, making it physically easy to share valuable but limited resources with each other and also to offer pastoral support to every congregation.

When contemplating writing this comment, this thought prompted to me to actually do it: Having a choir of 15-20 people from my church sing carols in the Kingsgate (main in-door shopping area in Dunfermline)  at Christmas time is a fantastic dream, having a choir of 15-20 people from all 9 churches in the Dunfermline area sing carols in the Kingsgate  looks very achievable, very missional.

By coming together, the 9 churches of the Dunfermline area can look forward in hope, can re-build our church, can do mission.

J. Thomson
St Ninian's, Dunfermline

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I hope this update finds you safe and well, among the changing circumstances we find ourselves in once again amid the effects of the new omicron variant of covid-19.

I hope too that despite this time of such uncertainty, you and your congregations are able to anticipate Christmas with a longing for the hope, peace, joy and love that was born in the Christ child...

As we approach the end of this year, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a brief update on our progress to develop a Presbytery Mission Plan, and introduce you to our new Mission Plan Padlet.

Cluster/Area/Group Conversations

Cluster/Area/Group conversations are ongoing across Presbytery and nearly all have now met at least once.

There are 14 clusters, each with appointed facilitators to support open, honest and respectful conversation.

All clusters should be able to meet at least twice before the end of Feb 22 and provide a report to Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group.

Mission Narrative

The Mission Narrative is a significant requirement of the Presbytery Mission Plan Act and will provide the underpinning framework and criteria for drafting our Presbytery Mission Plan.

A focus group was established in September to consider the various strategic outcomes (GA, Faith Nurture, Presbytery) and recommend strategic objectives for our Presbytery Mission Plan.

A Code of Practice: Framework for Application has been produced following a Strategy Group Workshop on 6th December. This is being refined and will be shared for comment/feedback in January.

Together these will form a Draft Mission Narrative, and it is intended to bring this to February's Presbytery Meeting and seek agreement.

With Every Blessing,
Neil
on behalf of Fife Presbytery Board of Mission: Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group

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How can you help with Fife Presbytery's task of developing a Mission Plan?

1. Prayer - "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12. Prayer is vital. So, you are encouraged both as individuals and congregations to be praying for God's wisdom and guidance in this process. Praying that we would be led at all times by God's Spirit and will for us, and that we would be discerning enough to listen and follow, trusting in Him who is our Lord and Redeemer.

2. Engage - Please do engage with the process; sharing with you Kirk Session and congregation news and updates about the process - giving space and opportunity for discussion and feedback. There will be valid, strongly held and differing views throughout, so it's important that we are respectful of one another, while being open and honest.

3. Discerning - This is an opportunity to discern new ways of being church and to develop new mission initiatives. So, if you have an idea then please share it.

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Welcome to Fife Presbytery: Mission Plan Padlet

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Welcome to Fife Presbytery: Mission Plan Padlet

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Welcome to Fife Presbytery's Mission Plan Padlet.

This is a collaborative space where we can share content, information and updates as we develop our Mission Plan for Fife Presbytery.

There is space to ask questions, offer feedback and comments.

The data and information available via padlet is shared openly. Data or information which is sensitive or confidential will not be shared here, and instead communicated to Presbytery through the usual channels as and when appropriate.

Neil Campbell, Mission Director, Fife Presbytery
on behalf of
Board of Mission: Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group

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Introductions
Fred Vincent and Shuna Dicks joined the planning meeting as Faith Nurture (PMP Implementation Group) Reps and will support Fife Presbytery during the process.

Code of Practice
Neil shared the DRAFT Code of Practice framework with the group and noted some suggested changes from the group which will be included ahead of the next meeting in January.

Strategic Objectives
A one-page DRAFT slide was shared with the group, focusing on Fife Presbytery Strategic Objectives - looking at where we are right now as a presbytery, and where we would like to be as we evolve.  Some suggestions were offered for minor changes and this will be shared more widely for feedback in due course.

New ways of being church
Neil shared a link to a recent talking mission with Alan McWilliam which can be accessed on YouTube by CLICKING HERE.  The session looks broadly at pioneering ideas, and something we would encourage you to view when you have time - to think about how we could evolve as a presbytery in Fife.

Website / Communications
The group generally think the new Padlet is a good collaborative space / opportunity to share updates and key planning documents with the Presbytery - and this is something we will look to roll out to the Presbytery as a while for feedback / comments / suggestions.

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Following feedback from some cluster discussions requesting help to visualise options for future Models for Mission and adjustment, the following are offered as conversation starters.

None of the options provided are fixed - they are possibilities, and others could be designed.

Maybe you have an idea that could be shared?

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For more details about possible adjustments that Presbyteries can include in their Mission Plan, see the Presbytery Mission Plan Act 2021: Section 7 (under Guidance). They are listed as:

Union
Linkage
Deferred Union or Linkage
Local Mission Church
Guardianship
New Charge Development (No longer available)
Transportation
Parish Grouping
Dissolution
Team Ministry
New forms of church life
Presbytery Mission Initiative

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Please use this question to offer comments, feedback and for discussion on any aspect of the Mission Plan process and development, local and national.

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Please use this section to ask any questions you may have about the process to develop Fife Presbytery's Mission Plan. We will try to answer questions in a timely manner.

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Approval Process
Further clarification about Mission Plan contents was to be requested from Faith Nurture (PMPIG Facilitators). After discussion around a necessary timeline it was suggested that:

Draft Mission Plan circulated to KS by end of March 2022; Presbytery meetings are held on a cluster basis after Easter and into early May 2022.

CAG Conversations
It was noted some cluster memberships may adjust according following discussions and local feedback from KS.

Buildings
A meeting will be arranged in January to discuss criteria for interpreting data from audits once available.

Strategic Objectives - Focus Groups
We are working on Fife Presbytery Strategic Objectives which we would like to share with Presbytery for feedback / suggested additions / changes in due course.

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Training & Learning
It was agreed that, as a as a pioneering presbytery, we ought to bring up some discussions with the principal clerk about bringing to the general assembly the point of them asking us to be creative, whilst being tied to old legislation and ways, and creating an ordination to a purpose / group, could be helpful across the whole group.

It was discussed that one of things that has been mentioned several times in planning / moving towards launch of new presbytery, was the abolishment of the Training for Learning and Service (TLS) course, if you look at ministries that came out of this, it was a hugely successful course.

Discussion over a possible re-launch of this project or similar in Fife, working with others in education, it could meet a host of needs across the presbytery.

Presbytery Mission Plan
It has been communicated to all facilitators that Kirk session feedback should be sent to the Fife Presbytery Mission Plan Administrator - Fiona on FPhilip@churchofscotland.org.uk

Code of Practice
There needs to be time to consider the Code of Practice in detail and ensuring Mission remains central. On any occasion where there was a proposed deviation from the Code of Practice, there must be supporting evidence that there was a missional purpose.   Subsequently, a Code of Practice workshop to develop a Framework for Application will take place on Thursday 25th November in Kirkcaldy.

Ecumenical Consultation
There is hope to progress to discussions with a range of ecumenical partners. There are also potential opportunities for ecumenical development and engagement through Youth Work.

It was recognised that there may be geographical areas in Fife where the opportunity for ecumenical engagement was thin.

Focus Group

The first meeting of the Focus Group had been held and the direction of the discussions had not been overly managed and provided an opportunity for issues, concerns, hope and dreams to come from the group, led by Bill Bolam (Strategic Planner).

Administrative Support
Fiona Philip has now joined the team for a period of 6 months to provide dedicated administrative support to the development of the Mission Plan

Communication Strategy
The Mission Director was currently looking in to ways of sharing what we are doing, keeping Presbytery updated on progress and sharing positive steps forward on the Website.

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As part of developing a PMP, Presbytery is instructed to categorise each ecclesiastical building. This task is being undertaken by Fife Presbytery's Board of Management using the General Trustees new Presbytery Building Assessment Management Audit.

"Presbytery will categorise each ecclesiastical building as either:

-

(a) to be retained beyond the five years from the date at which the Mission Plan is approved or annually reviewed,

or

(b) to be sold, let or otherwise disposed of by a specified date which is within five years from the date at which the

ecclesiastical building is first categorised as (b).

2.1.3

In order to arrive at these categorisations the Presbytery shall use, and reference, resources and advice provided by the General Trustees, including the Land and Buildings Toolkit (or any successor guidance issued by the General Trustees).

2.1.4

In the case of a (b) categorisation the General Trustees shall be empowered, at their discretion and in consultation with the Forum, to refuse any application made in respect of that building in terms of the Work at Ecclesiastical Buildings

Regulations (Regs I 1998) (as amended from time to

time).

2.1.5

The Mission Plan shall also record those ecclesiastical buildings within the Presbytery which are Historic Properties, regardless of whether they are categorised as (a) or (b).

(Presbytery Mission Plan Act 2021)

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Following from the Mission Plan Consultations, a Focus group was established to identify and analyse the themes and priorities that emerged.

The group aims to develop strategic objectives for Fife Presbytery's Mission Plan, that can include and balance: Fife Presbytery's Aspirations, CofS National PMP Objectives, and Fife Presbytery's Strategy Workshop Conclusions.

Focus Group Membership:
Rev Jane Barron (Presbytery Moderator)
Rev David Coulter (Presbytery Clerk)
Neil Campbell (Mission Director)
Bill Bolam
Rev Justin Taylor
Rev Douglas Creighton
Nancy Olszok
Rev Muriel Willoughby
Fiona Kerr
Charles Munn
Rev Peter Gerbrandy-Baird
Fiona Philip (Administrative Assistant)

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Presbytery Roadmap - Consultation Feedback
There had been a wide range of constructive feedback on the discussions that the documents had prompted within Kirk Sessions.

Buildings Audit
The Audit would be discussed at the next Board of Management and it was hoped to clarified the type of information that could be used in the context of the Mission Plan in relation to building condition and usage. Clarification was also required with regards to the General Trustees role in decisions on buildings. It had been implied recently that the General Trustees could veto the Presbytery decisions on buildings.

Cluster/Area/Group adjustments
The “clusters” had been created broadly as a starting point. There would be potential for adjustments at the boundaries and Kirk Sessions were encouraged to raise or flag any opportunities for working with a congregation on the border of different “clusters”. It was anticipated that most of the shifting would be at the edges of the legacy Presbyteries.

Guidance and Conversation Starters
The aim was to take these to the meeting with the facilitators and then work to revise them together, establishing what could realistically be achieved by the end of February 2022.

There was reasonable confidence that useful ideas and recommendations would come out of the local discussions that could inform and influence the drafting of a Mission Plan. There was not expectation that the local discussions would result in a set of Local Mission Plans.

Cluster Facilitators
The Mission Director had identified facilitators for each “group” and he would be meeting with them shortly to discuss the process, time frame and aims of the cluster conversations. While each context was different, a consistency of approach by each facilitator would be important.

Ecumenical Consultation
The Clerk was leading on this and was making contact with our ecumenical partners and it was hope to have ongoing dialogue with these partners. Partnerships were already quite strong in some areas but did not exist in others

Other consultations

A meeting had been arranged with all the Minsters of Word and Sacrament who were in charges in Fife. This meeting would look at the concern for and expectations of ministers now and in the future as well as exploring a range of topics such as Pioneer Ministry, Fresh expressions of church and Rural Ministry.

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Fife Presbytery Strategic Workshop Conclusions

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Fife Presbytery Strategic Workshop Conclusions

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Fife Presbytery held a Strategic Workshop on Thursday 7th October 2021 to discern a vision for our future.

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Wordcloud capturing the aspirations of Fife Presbytery. The two priorities are that Fife Presbytery is 1. Missional and 2. Supportive.

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(FP Mission Plan Roadmap: Section 11)
Fife Presbytery’s strategic aim is to be the regional Church of Scotland where the mission of  Christ  is  revealed.  A  presbytery  that  is  missional  in  worship,  witness,  nurture  and service. A presbytery that is supportive of our local congregations, caring to our ministers, elders and ministries staff. Fife Presbytery aims to bring closer the Kingdom of God, and make known the love of Jesus Christ, to all across the Kingdom of Fife.

The  Five Marks  of  Mission have  been  adopted  by  Fife  Presbytery  at  its  June  2021 meeting. These marks provide guiding principles of a church active in mission.

Through Presbytery Mission Planning, the Five Marks should be evidenced and reviewed at a local level by congregations and in any new mission initiatives proposed.

Fife  Presbytery identified at  its  outset, by consultation,

hopes for  the  future  of  the presbytery, and  that  we  would prioritise being  both: missional and supportive. These foundational  aspirations  should  not  be  lost  during  the  Presbytery  Mission  Plan  process and remain instinctive at all stages of development.

An intended  outcome through developing  a  Presbytery  Mission  Plan  is to  reshape  the church, from its current predominance of parish congregations and church buildings to a mixed economy of church. This mixed economy  of church could include appropriately resourced territorial parish congregations and traditional churches, complimented by new ways of being church from across the pioneering spectrum, which may include: church (re)plants, resource churches, pioneering initiatives, fresh expressions and social enterprises.

A  mixed  economy  of  church should  be  resourced  by  a mixed ecology  of  ministries. Ministers  of  Word  &  Sacrament (MWS) will  remain  pivotal  in  any  successful  mission strategy.

Ministers must be provided with the support to fulfil their vows and calling, to celebrate the sacraments, proclaim the good news and provide the functions and offices of ministry such as pastoral care, weddings and funerals. Ministers of Word & Sacrament are called as leaders in contextual mission.

However, reliance on our ministers performing every function, task of mission, ministry across the church, and in the community cannot continue. The Christendom days of one minister to a small territorial parish context, perhaps normalised for much of the 19th and 20th centuries, have passed. A successful strategy for the  future must establish realistic expectations and patterns of all those engaged in ministry. This should include consideration of the balance of a MWS time and how it is divided between parish ministry and  mission  (e.g. 60%  mission,  40%  parish  ministry).  It  should  not  be  normal for a minister to moderate multiple Kirk Sessions or be regularly involved in demanding non-mission related commitments (e.g. building maintenance, local affiliated organisations). Otherwise, the presbytery will fail in its intention of being either missional or supportive. Ministers should also be supported to take regular time off, study leave and/or spiritual retreats, and their full holiday entitlement.

Deacons  should  be enabled to  serve  where  there  are  particular  needs,  reflecting  their distinctive  service  and  ministry.  Deacons  should  also  be provided  with  the  support to fulfil  their  vows  and  calling,  to  proclaim  the  good  news  and  provide  the  functions  and offices of their ministry such as pastoral care, weddings and funerals.

Ministries Development Staff (MDS) posts should be well designed and supported, with clear missional purpose and goals, as part of an appropriate context. MDS posts can be deployed in  local  mission  settings,  across CAGs, as  well  as  in  presbytery  wide  roles. Consideration should be given to developing Pioneering MDS roles that could serve and support  multiple  congregations, supporting  the establishment  of new shapes  of  church life.

The role and deployment of Ordained Local Ministers and Readers provides Presbytery an opportunity to support local mission and congregations. Congregations should also be encouraged to invest in local mission, where able, and consider what locally funded roles they could develop to achieve their mission aims.

Through developing a Presbytery Mission Plan, the God

- given gifts, skills and talents of those in ministry roles and across the church should be applied in appropriate ways and contexts. By nurturing these abilities, individuals will be able to flourish in their callings.

As a Presbytery, we should draw on the energy, skills and time of those who are willing and able to serve across our structures. Training and development should be provided to further  enhance  our  collective  skills  and  knowledge.  Persons  or  groups  appointed  to particular tasks across presbytery should be trusted and resourced to succeed in their roles. Presbytery  members  should  feel  that  Fife  Presbytery  is  a  presbytery  they are  proud  to serve within.

The Fife  Presbytery  Mission  Plan  should  seek  to develop  a  church  that empowers and enables its members, elders and those in ministry to fully and faithfully

serve a flourishing and growing church that is sustainable, resilient, and with the mission of Christ present

in all it achieves through worship, witness, nurture and service.

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Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group Remit

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Mission Strategy & Planning Task Group Remit

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As agreed at June 2021 Presbytery Meeting:

To discern and develop recommendations for a mission focused Presbytery vision and strategy for growth.

To conduct a review of the Presbytery Plans and report to Presbytery with recommendations and any alterations of

the Plans perceived as necessary for their effective implementation.

Develop recommendations which will support and enable mission-focused presbytery planning in the future.

Give consideration of the 'shape' of local church needed to ensure that effective mission, worship and pastoral care is in place throughout the bounds of the Presbytery, including work with other denominations.

To oversee and support the work of clusters/area/groupings to develop effective collaborative working and partnerships between and among congregations.

To initiate meetings and discussion and reflection with

particular congregations/clusters as an ongoing part of the evolution and development of the Presbytery Plan.

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Aims of Cluster/Area/Group Conversations:

To consider and explore how churches could undertake further work together.

To share and identify common challenges and opportunities.

To agree and develop recommendations and/or proposals for future mission and ministry across a Cluster/Area/Group OR a similar outcome as agreed by the Cluster/Area/Group.

Cluster/Area/Group conversations should take place between 1st October 2021 and 28th February 2022. The location (inc. in-person or online), length and frequency of meetings should be determined by each group, as they feel appropriate to their context.

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CAG Conversations are intended as a creative approach to inform and influence the mission plan. The focus is on discerning together possibilities for the future and what could be done - rather than getting bogged down by hard practicalities such as buildings and finance.

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Letter to Mins/Ims/SCs

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Neil Campbell (Mission Director) (Convener)
Rev Andrew Morrice (Board of Mission)
Liz Slattery (Board of Management)
Iona Kimmitt
Pamela Scott DCS
John Wilson
Rev Jim Reid
Esther Nisbet
Rev Alec Shuttleworth
Rev Arthur Christie
Rev Jane Barron (Moderator)
Rev David Coulter (Presbytery Clerk)
Fiona Philip (Administrative Assistant)

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Kirk Session Consultation Discussion Questions

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Fife Pres Mission Plan Roadmap as at 02nd Sep - par nos

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Fife Presbytery Population Estimates by Parish

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Fife Presbytery Population Estimates by Parish

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Mission Plan Roadmap Consultation

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Roadmap Consultation Feedback

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MPConsultationNote - 16 and 18 Aug - responses grouped. (2)