We are thrilled to announce that the North Monmouthshire Ministry Area has been selected to receive a School Engagement Pioneer (SEP), thanks to a successful funding bid from the Church in Wales’ Growth Fund initiative. This initiative will also benefit three other Ministry Areas within the Diocese, and we’re honoured to be part of this transformative project.
The SEP will focus on building relationships within local schools, creating opportunities for students to explore faith and engage with God’s story. Through this ministry, we aim to lay the foundation for a new worshipping community in our area, one that will grow organically and take shape in a way that best serves our community’s needs. The specifics—where and when this community will meet—will be tailored to have the greatest impact here in North Monmouthshire. The process began when our Ministry Area Warden, Jessica Graham, submitted an application back in April. Following this, we were shortlisted for the second round of consideration, where Fr. Julian attended an invitation-only session. In September, we received the fantastic news that the Diocese had secured funding, and we are delighted to be one of the chosen Ministry Areas.
While the primary focus of the SEP is to form a new worshipping community, the outreach will benefit all our churches, particularly because many of our schools serve rural catchment areas. This ministry has the potential to positively influence the entire Ministry Area. The funding will cover the SEP’s salary, expenses, and set-up costs, along with a resource budget for the next five years. As with all funded initiatives, there are goals to meet. By the end of this five-year period, we hope to establish a vibrant worshipping community of approximately 60 people.
We already have a few exciting ideas in the works, such as “Bubble Church” and “Wild Church,” but we welcome any suggestions or further input. If you have ideas or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out. As we move forward, we ask for your prayers. Please pray for the recruitment of our SEP and for the success of this ministry as it takes root and grows within our community. Together, we look forward to the exciting journey ahead. Many thanks to Jess Graham and Julian for their continued work on this project.