What we stand for

Our targets/goals for 2021-2022

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 Recruitment of a new Rector to lead us in this mission.

ii To continue to welcome new attendees and visitors. 

iii To support our Curate, Alex.

iv A parish weekend at Othona in the Summer (planned 10^th. to 12^th. September).

v To explore opportunities for prayer and contemplation.

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

vii Continued participation by members of the congregation in the rota and preaching the God at Work sermon series. In August they choose the hymns.

viii To continue to support individual and class organ tuition by RCO accredited teachers.

ix To continue support for our Organ Scholar.

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 when rules for social distancing permit ringing to restart.

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 To be Confident Disciples, a Compassionate Community and to Create Growth.

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

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

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

v Book Fairs which raise funds for the church, involve a wide range of volunteers and simultaneously encourage the public to come into St. Giles’.

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

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

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

ix Support for other charities from our commercial income when activities in the previous year generated a surplus.

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 St Paul’s when permitted.

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

vii Encourage involvement with “Home Prayer Groups”.

ix Promote links with local schools.

We adapt and grow

• We seek ways to ensure we can maintain our church – it is a living place and seek to generate revenues from a range of sources.
• We are able to evolve and adapt as events demand.

i Complete the first phase of the Strategic Plan with new furniture and repairs to the interior walls. Plan for a servery.

ii To encourage donors who pay UK tax to Gift Aid their donations.

iii To encourage regular donors to give by standing order.

iv To continue use of the portable card reader and Give.net for contactless payments.

v To promote St Giles’ as a venue for concerts, recordings and filming publicising when covid restrictions permit.

vi To conclude discussions with the City of London Corporation concerning the church yard lease.

vii To encourage visitors, especially organised tours, to contribute to the upkeep of the church.

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 non-attenders 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.

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’.

xiii To engage with the YMCA and support its chaplain.