Hi ,

this is a follow up to the parish soup and rolls discussion on Sunday 25th August 2024.

At our recent parish meeting one of the preferred options voted for was increasing revenue at the community shop and increased giving.

We would greatly appreciate it if you could fill out an anonymous survey which would give us a clearer indication as to whether increased giving is a viable option. We understand that this is an uncomfortable question so please do not feel pressured in any way, we are purely asking if this is something you would consider.

Please be assured that there is absolutely no obligation to increase your giving and if you wish to do so, this is purely voluntary. Your response will be strictly anonymous.

Below are the 4 options. Your response will greatly assist vestry in planning for 2025. Will your giving be:

Reduced
About the same
Increased
I would like to give a one-off donation

If you wish to talk to someone about this, you may confidentially talk to one of our wardens, Connie Strong 027 3500 548 and Mark van der Ham 021 2711 207.

Your wardens,
Connie and Mark.

2025 Giving Survey

Vestry information document

Future options - 5 potential ways forward

Three directions, five options

1) a managed closure,

2) re-plant Anglican Mission,

3) expand our current mission and vision

Option 1 - lease/rent buildings

Sell all/most of our assets, the advantage is that we no longer have the burden of responsibility of being a landlord (taking care of the buildings entrusted to us); we instead rent. This enables us to instead focus on the core faith business for those who are left. We acknowledge that this will ultimately lead to closure or the replanting of Anglican Mission

Option 2 - combining parishes

Combine with another parish like St John’s Campbells Bay, who have just said that they can no longer afford a full-time priest. We likewise would go to a half-time priest. This means that we can re-direct money spent on a stipend/salary into maintenance and extend our closure date. We acknowledge that this will ultimately lead to closure.

Option 3 - Re-plant Anglican Mission

Close Takapuna-St Peter's / Milford-St Paul’s / Cambell’s Bay-St Johns / Torbay-St Mary’s – sell all our assets, and replant a new mission for 2026 and beyond, looking at what is needed today and into the future, rather than being shaped by a past that no longer works. For example, all 4 venues have halls that were fantastic venues for community get-togethers, dances and the like, that simply don’t happen today. We acknowledge that the volunteer pool is getting smaller and we need to radically redefine how mission and ministry will happen in this part of the North Shore.

Option 4 - Expand community shop & giving

We expand the community shop to cover our outgoings and see this as the way to meet our current vision/mission. We put in effort to maximise the community shop to stablise the faith community’s vision and mission. We make a drive for those currently giving to give more money to the mission/vision at least until the community shop can be expanded. And we continue to apply for grants and funding to expand our ministry in the community. Those of us present acknowledge that we need to do this ourselves and that this will not all be passed onto potential new people coming into the faith community.

Option 5 - Expand community shop + new venture

We expand the community shop to cover our outgoings, and we start a new enterprise/business/venture to meet our maintenance and day to day needs. We acknowledge in this that giving will continue to decline and that the way forward is to externally fund St Mary by the Sea. And we continue to apply for grants and funding to expand our ministry in the community. Those of us present acknowledge that we need to do this ourselves and that this will not all be passed onto potential new people coming into the faith community.

Option 6 - Status Quo - un-managed closure

We make no changes and head towards an unmanaged closure.