Church Statement of Mission

National Churches Trust Grant Application, November 2023
Supporting Information - Church of St Mary the Virgin, West Rainton

St Mary's Church Mission Statement

Through the Grace of God, we aim to follow Jesus as individuals and as a caring community, proclaiming by word and example the love of God in Christ.

In order to achieve this we will:

  • Grow in faith and share our faith with the community we serve and the world around us;
  • Strive to be an 'open-door' church, actively reaching out and welcoming all persons;
  • Give our very best efforts towards our weekly corporate worship services;
  • Provide opportunities for service, outreach and improvement in our community as well as in
  • the global community of which we are part;
  • Encourage inclusiveness for all persons and in our relationships with one another in thechurch community and beyond; and
  • Maintain the fabric and contents of our listed church building for future generations of the parish we serve.

To fulfil the Church of England's Marks of Mission we will:

TELL the Good News of the Kingdom in our community and beyond;

TEACH, (baptise) and nurture new members;

TEND to human need by loving service;

Seek to TRANSFORM unjust structures of society; and

Strive to TREASURE the integrity Of creation and sustain and renew the earth through safeguarding, inclusion and making fair and good choices.

These marks of mission require us to tend and treasure the premises where our mission can be fulfilled and to this end, we must secure and protect the listed building of St Mary's Church for future generations.