The Outreach Committee were asked to summarise their idea of the role of the committee on which they served. It was decided that there are many aspects to outreach within the life of the church and that many of our activities involve a degree of evangelisation. It was agreed that it is important to make church members and visitors welcome and comfortable within our community, whilst at the same time attempting to provide answers to the many questions which are asked and meanwhile working to deepen our own faith; for it was felt that as church members develop their own faith, so evangelisation would naturally follow.
The Committee has provided welcome leaflets for the three churches and these are now available for visitors. It is surprising how often these leaflets need updating as small changes occur in our routine frequently.
The Beacon Magazine occupies a large amount of our time and the editor, Committee Member Graham Sharpless, keeps us updated. As Manager of our splendid web site Graham also keeps the Committee informed of developments in this area of the Church's outreach. We feel that it is important to embrace these newer methods of communication as they represent a means by which it is possible to reach out into the wider community.
Plans are also in hand to improve the bookstalls and notice boards in the three churches. The Committee feels that visitors to a church can obtain good initial impressions if the information provided is easy to understand, informative and helpful. Members of the Committee would wish to encourage Beacon Parishioners to share their hopes, aspirations and also their concerns, so that we may as a church reach out more effectively to our community, thus sharing the Gospel, which brings us great joy.
Ian Berrill