All Saints Church involved as Berkshire churches partner to develop mission

Members of the All Saints PMC Steering and Listening teams (foreground table)
 at the focus day held in Greyfriars Church Reading

All Saints Church took part recently in a day for Berkshire churches focussed on spiritual and practical development in mission. 

The process, "Partnership for Missional Church"(PMC),  is supported by the Bishop of Reading and the Church Mission Society. It is facilitated by an international team of theologians and church consultants from the UK, the USA, and Malawi. It  involves local churches coming together, to work on a process aimed at helping them to become more confident in their faith, and more responsive to the needs of people in their communities.

Each participant church has a steering group consisting of church members; and is also partnered with other local churches. All Saints Wokingham is partnered with St Paul Wokingham and All Saints Maidenhead.

The current steering group at All Saints Wokingham is Peter Barrett, John Boylan and Clive Charlton. More members are being sought for the group. 

Additionally a listening team led by Jo Robinson has worked alongside the steering group.

The PMC process has introduced the practice of "Dwelling in the Word". This is a simple method of reading and talking together in groups about a bible reading which is used meetings such as those of the Parochial Church Council. The listening team undertook a structured survey to gain people's views of the church. A timeline history of the church was developed in order to deepen the church's understanding of where and what it is now.

Clergy of the local churches involved receive training in order to offer spiritual leadership into the process. David and Anna, Rector and Associate Rector, attended a day for clergy.