Mission
Mission in the 21st Century
Mission 21 pursues themes that weave together opportunities to increase our understanding of ourselves, our community and of issues that are of global importance, broadening our knowledge, sharing our views and relating them to our faith.
It can involve anyone by offering a choice of approaches – in practical exercises or intellectual stretches, moving sometimes beyond the edge of comfort. What do we get from music, art, and nature that stimulate us and enrich our faith? What does the friendship and social contact with fellow worshippers add to our spiritual well-being?
Who’s involved?
Developing Mission 21 is the work of the Research Committee as the “think tank” of the Kirk Session with the task of strategic planning and an oversight and review role. Experience has told us that lots of people want to become involved, but need to be asked, and so short term working groups involving members of both the Session and congregation are set up to take forward individual pieces of work.
What does our Mission look like?
In 2010 we held a Festival of Meditation and Prayer when the programme drew on visiting musicians, preachers and speakers who brought with them the richness of the Episcopalian, Reformed, Roman Catholic and Orthodox traditions to all those who are on a spiritual journey.
Our theme for 2011 is a
Celebration of Ageing and Faith. This autumn we aim to celebrate the wisdom, talent, knowledge, energy and vitality of older people and look at some of the opportunities, achievements, and aspirations on offer. We are a church with older people in its midst which means we are a church rich in experience, faith and lifetimes of service, and we want to acknowledge that and celebrate it. More than that, we want to encourage and support others to celebrate the lives and gifts of older people. Details of the programme of activities and events are in
What’s On.
Plans for 2012 will address the big question – Science, Reason and Religion.
Developing our knowledge and understanding
We aim to enlist the help of others – academics, leading practitioners in areas where we are pursuing an interest, voluntary organisations working in the field – to make links to our faith journey without losing the relevance to changes in our community and to a wider global perspective. Including lectures on a range of social and theological issues in our church calendar, and focussing on topics that affect our church life at our annual Kirk Session conference better equip us to develop mission in the 21st century.
For futher information contact Sandra Carter 0131 667 6052 email
Sandra.carter@barts.myzen.co.uk
