Rediscovering and Revealing Gods Kingdom through

Seven Sacred Spaces

Seven Sacred Spaces is a lens to help us to look at the things we are currently doing, where we currently proclaiming the love of God. It is also a way to look at where we arent doing as much or as well as we could be. In each church there are two copies of the workbook we used as a PCC to look at what things we could add to the Parish activities. Please feel free to borrow one and have a read of it, there is also a DVD which goes with it (but please return it for others to use). This booklet it a list of the things we have decided to do or at least to explore further over the next year. Please ask anyone who is on the PCC if you are unsure of anything here. I hope and pray that you will join us on this journey of exploring how to grow Gods Kingdom here in this place. August 2013

Yours in Christ, Fr Michael.

Cell

A place to be alone with God. Sometimes a place to share with just a few people who can respect sharing a sacred space.

pray

We believe in personal prayer life So we will... ...have a weekly intention

This will be put on the noticesheet each week in order to give a parish wide focus to peoples private prayers and it can also be used in the public intercessions. Things might be very specific or more general, they might be local things within the parish or locality or they might be national or global.

...remind people of the value of keeping silence before services ...have a parish quiet day

Spending time in prayer prior to worship aids everyone in getting into the right frame of mind to listen to God speaking to us during services.

To spend a day each year (more than one if there is desire) in quiet in an appropriate venue. An opportunity for people to experience the value of quality time spent with God without distractions .

What we are already doing...

Bible reading notes; Bible in a year; Mothers Union Prayer Book; the Tablet; Morning / evening / night prayer; Personal intercessions; Daily Bible readings;

Chapel

A place to pray with others. Linked by the Holy Spirit who prays in us and through us to God the Father in the name of Christ the Lord.

worship

We believe in worshipping with others So we will... ...make the services more visitor friendly
What things need to change to make the services more accessible for people not used to church services? We need to ask how easy it is to follow where the service is. We need to make sure someone is looking after visitors during the service.

...use Eucharistic Ministers to take the Sacrament to those unable to attend

When someone is unable to attend services a person in each church will identify them as not present. Those absent will then be given the opportunity to receive Holy Communion at home from one of the Eucharistic Ministers, if they are absent for an extended time theyre to receive Communion regularly.

What we are already doing...

Sunday / weekday masses; Parish retreat; PCT carol service; Memorial service; Remembrance day service; Eucharists in sheltered housing complexes; Services in Cae Glas Home;

Chapter

A place of meeting and decision-making. Carrying our faith with us in all aspects of life.

decide

We believe in mutual accountability and meeting with others So we will... ...publish meeting agenda ahead of the meeting
To enable everyone in the congregations to know what the PCC or church committee is discussing we will, whenever possible, put a copy of the agenda on the noticeboard. This will allow anyone to ask about items to be discussed or to make comments.

...consider delaying This will give time for prayer and, where appropriate, input from the wider congregation(s). It will also give major decisions to more time to pray about matters. the next meeting ...use the weekly intention when major items are on the agenda
In order to encourage the whole Parish to spend time in prayer when there is a significant item being discussed we will make this the weekly intention.

What we are already doing...

PCC meetings; Church committee meetings; PACT meetings; Publishing a summary of meetings in the magazine; Annual report;

Cloister

That place of encounter. Connecting the Church community and the world of which it is a part.

meet

We believe in meeting and encountering others So we will... ...grow our school connections
We have various connections with the local schools, but there is always room to increase this and make it more effective. We shall make more use of the Childrens Worker based at St Catherines. The University is a place where many come to study, where many are away from home for the first time. We have the ability to make them feel welcome and valued in this community.

...make more of the Student Welcome services ...recognise the opportunities God gives us

Too often we are unsure of what to do or what to say. Too often we dont make use of the opportunities God gives us to talk to people about him and his love. We are scared of what to say when he actually tells us that the Holy Spirit will give us what we need to say.

What we are already doing...

Fetes / Bazaars; Jumble sales; Whist drive; Pontypridd Big Bite; Fernbank House visits; Fashion show; Craft projects for Royal Glamorgan Hospital & Ty Hafan; Positively Ponty; PCSO visits; BBQs; School visits; Student welcome service;

Garden

A place of labour and productivity. It can help us seek a deeper harmony and purpose in our lives.

work

We believe in the values of our faith, applied and shared with others in all our labours So we will... ...look at the use we What use is made of the church grounds, are they a place where people can find peace and rest? Can we make of church make use of them for growing produce? grounds ...teach more about recycling and reusing
We can always encourage more and more things to be recycled both in church and also in our homes. Being good stewards of the environment benefits everyone. We can make use of RCT initiatives such as inviting Rhys Cycle to events or visiting the recycling centre.

...have a Parish calendar

Throughout the year well take pictures of our churches and churchyards so that in 2015 we can create a Parish calendar with pictures from around the Parish.

What we are already doing...

Crafty Crew; Eco Congregation; Fairtrade; Recycling; Choir; Cleaning; Gardening; Art class;

Refectory

A place of hospitality and eating together. A precious space for both host and guest.

share

We believe in hospitality and eating with others So we will... ...advertise the services and events more
Each church will get an A board which can be used to advertise the services and events. These will then be put somewhere prominent near the church in advance of the service or event.

...become better at For many walking through the door of a church is a major step, one which takes a huge amount of courage. welcoming visitors We need to put them at their ease as soon as possible. ...have a drop in cafe

Can we provide hospitality to the local community in a direct way with a cafe in one or more of the churches or halls? Jesus ate with many different people, both the well to do and the rejected, can we provide food and drink to anyone and everyone?

...go on pilgrimage

Pilgrimage is an ancient tradition and one which will help the Parish to grow closer together.

What we are already doing...

Pontypridd Foodbank; Parish / Church lunches; Social events; Poetry evenings; Lent Lunches; Womens Aid; Mothers Union;

Library
A place of knowledge and learning; accessing and sharing it with others.

study

We believe in studying and learning and sharing knowledge with others So we will... ...have a lending library in each church
It is good to read books, it is good to read books about religion. For many knowing where to get and paying for such books is difficult, so well provide the books in each church. People will be able to borrow them, read them and then return them.

...provide chances to look at and study the faith ...engage with the Graig community and explore its history

Studying the things we believe in will only make us better at understanding them and help us to Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3.15

To understand where we are and why we are here it is good to explore where we came from. The hope is to relaunch the Graig History Project exploring the area with the community.

What we are already doing...

Living Faith course; Magazine articles; Bishops Lent talks; Diocesan training; Sunday School; Wednesday Club; Bible Reading Fellowship notes;