What we stand for

Our targets/goals for 2020-2021

We are energised by our faith

• We celebrate God through regular worship and prayer and pilgrimage

• Music is a central part of St Giles – we praise God through singing, organ playing, bell ringing and concerts.

i. To continue to welcome new attendees and visitors.

ii. To support our Curate, Alex.

iii. A parish weekend at Othona in the Summer (planned for 3rd. to 5th.July 2020)

iv. To explore opportunities for prayer and contemplation.

v. To promote the monthly private prayers on the website and in church publications

vi. Continued participation by members of the congregation in the rota, in leading Morning and Evening Prayer and preaching. In August they choose the hymns and have the opportunity to lead different styles of worship.

vii. To continue to support individual and class organ tuition by RCO accredited teachers and the Summer Organ School.

viii. To continue support for our Organ Scholar.

ix. To continue support for the City of London Brass Band which rehearses/performs in the church each Wednesday evening.

x. To continue to support the Director of Music in encouraging sight readers to join the choir at the Parish Carol Service and other occasions during the year.

xi. To encourage City of London School for Girls to promote their lunchtime concerts.

xii. To encourage the bell ringers especially when ringing with shutters open.

We make room for others

• We embrace diversity in

our church

• We seek to build a

positive atmosphere for

our visitors.

i. To offer an open church, with a welcome for stressed City workers seeking peace and quiet, during the working week and,

whenever possible, at weekends.

ii. We will continue to work hard to create a welcoming and social environment at the church, in particular before the service

greeting people by name, and after the service, sharing coffee and cake.

iii. We will work hard to promote St Giles as a church where everyone is welcome, regardless of race, sexuality or disability, and including people of other faith traditions, whether they are attending a service, concert, the book fair or visiting the church at other times.

iv. To continue our registration with Inclusive Church and Visible Congregation.

v. To continue to welcome the London Gay Symphony Orchestra

We look outwards

• We will give a warm welcome to all our

congregation – new and old

• Our church is open during the week,

offering space for prayer, for peace and

information about our history

• We support international and local charities – and members of the congregation in their

individual fund-raising ventures.

• We are committed to raising the issue of

hidden and unrelieved poverty within the

parish.

• We consider the wider world in how we

purchase goods for the Church

i. Listening to God and Listening to London (Discerning our 2030 Vision) - we will pray and listen to discern God’s plans for our city.

ii. Continue the practice of inviting stake holders in the community to read at the Parish Carol Service

iii. Invite representatives/descendants of notable figures associated with St. Giles’ to read at the Parish Carol Service.

iv. Foodbank collections four times a year targeting specific shortages as needed in partnership with Wesley’s Chapel.

v. Support and promote the London Capital Credit Union to ensure that affordable loans are available to those in the parish who need

them.

vi. Book Fairs which raise funds for the church, involve a wide range of volunteers and simultaneously encourage the public to come

into St. Giles’.

vii. Where we can, making sure the sick in hospital and at home are visited

viii. Supporting members of the congregation who are caring for sick, elderly, lonely or bereaved parish residents.

ix. Encourage individual fundraising by members of the congregation, especially Sunday cake stalls and sponsored

activities.

x. Support for Refugees at Home.

xi. Support for the Diocesan Lent Appeal.

xii. Support for Alex’s Sunday Lunches

We are inquisitive

• We are ready to explore

our faith – St Giles offers the chance to

discuss themes and views on faith and

religion

i. To maintain our significant Ecumenical Partnership with St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Jewin Welsh Church and Wesley’s

Chapel.

ii. To create opportunities to increase awareness and understanding of other faiths.

iii. To support the weekly Ecumenical Saturday Groups in Lent and October.

iv. Encourage participation in the St. Paul’s Cathedral Adult Learning programme.

v. Baptism and Confirmation classes will be held twice a year to prepare candidates for baptism and/or confirmation at All Saints

and on Holy Saturday at St Paul’s.

vi. Preparation groups for young children (aged 7) to receive communion before confirmation.

vii. Encourage involvement with “Home Prayer Groups”.

viii. Promote links with local schools.

We build community

• Our church is a sacred place for the benefit of

our community.

• We look towards the wider community, local

and virtual. Our events are for everyone –

attenders and nonattenders alike.

• Children are an important part of our

church – through the Sunday Club and

through their roles in services, we are

building a congregation that is confident to

share the gospel with future generations

i. We will share the church with our neighbours, welcoming them to community events including our Advent Fair, Give & Take days and Book Fairs.

ii. Encourage the wider community to join the regular congregation by publicity for the All Souls service, Christingle Service, Parish

Carol service and “Welcome Back Sunday”.

iii. Bringing others in the community into contact with the church by making it available as a venue for non-church events

iv. Continue distribution of the Advent/Christmas and Holy Week/Easter news leaflets and include a “Year Card”.

v. To practise hospitality and to eat together including PCC Supper meetings, Maundy Thursday, Progressive Lunches, Bring and

Share lunch at Open Church Sunday, special Sundays and

summer picnics.

vi. To socialise together e.g. pub quizzes.

vii. We will encourage parental involvement in the Sunday Club and continue to support the children in their fundraising cake stalls and other events.

viii. To support St. Luke’s CofE Primary School as governors, in worship both at school and at St. Giles’.

ix. We will encourage others to join the cleaning angels who meet monthly to clean and share companionship

x. We will maintain appropriate relationships with our neighbour Moorgate Talks.

xi. To participate in the Culture Mile and maintain a friendly relationship with the Barbican Arts Centre.

xii. To build links with Livery Companies and businesses in the parish or with connections to St. Giles’.