We have three core values that drive who we are and how we join with other churches in Kettering to be a blessing to those we come in contact with.
These values are held within our logo and are Arts, Belief and Community.
Belief (represented by the church) This is the starting point and everything we do, builds from that. It’s our battery and what gives us energy to do what we do. If we don’t grow and nourish our faith, like a muscle it grows weaker. Things get slower and eventually stop working, but as we grow in the riches of faith in God, we will do things not in our own strength but through his.
Practical ways we are investing:
- Invest in groups for people to access and explore faith
a. Café church (non traditional forms of church)
b Evensong (traditional forms of church)
c. Children and youth groups
d. Kintsugi hope (mental health and wellbeing group)
2. Invest in groups for people to deepen their faith
a. Prayer groups
b. Home groups
c. Boiler house (going deeper group)
d. Alpha (exploring faith groups)
3. Raise up teachers from within the church to invest in key areas
a, Worship leaders course
b. Lay readers
c. Childrens and youth leaders
d. Chaplains
Community (represented by the lights shining out of the church) This value is all about welcoming others building real honest friendships. Looking for those in need, befriending the lonely, laughing with the stranger who may become a friend. St Andrews does this in spades, but just because we’re already good at it, that doesn’t mean we can take this for granted. How do we continue to grow in that place and to help others discover the riches of being loved and loving others in community?
Practical ways we are investing
- Develop Community groups for all ages particularly those who are in the parish but underepresented in St Andrew’s
a. Children and youth
b. 18-30’s
c. 30-50’s
d. Minority groups
2. Champion Intergenerational community
a. Build stronger links between School and church
b. Stronger links between elderly and young people
c. Prayer aunties and uncles to promote stronger prayer support
d. Intergenerational community events for social occasions
3. Build stronger links with our parish
a. Stronger links with places of education (particularly St Andrew’s school)
b. Shops and businesses
c. Homes in the parish
d. Churches and other faiths in the town
Arts (represented by the rays of light shining out to the community) This value is all about allowing us to be who God made us to be, to bring forth our creativity and celebrate what the person next to us can offer. We are all unique and wonderfully made, but so often we can feel we have to be someone else in church.
Where would we be without the brilliant Christian painters, sculptors, authors, film makers and singers. The arts have a powerful way of leading us into a space for God to meet with us without the masks we wear around others. To heal the wounds that are below the surface, to inspire us to be more than people expect of us, to discover the riches God has gifted us with.
Practical investment-
- Invest in new leaders
a. Young leaders and interns
b. Worship leaders
c. Children’s and youth leaders
d. Arts centre leaders
2. Invest in the Arts
a. A month of Arts (September 23 we had an artist in residence)
b. Champion the arts and art groups in our town
c. Support local artists
d. Build spaces for variety of arts to be included in our worship
3. Widen expectations
a. Pilgrimages
b. Reflection days
c. Inspirational speakers
d. Mission trips