Every year the Vestry ‘go away’ for a long morning, to be together and to consider the year that has just passed and the year that is to be. We reflect on what has been achieved and what we might do in the coming 12 months. This is a good exercise for it gives us time to understand what is happening in the community and what perhaps needs to be done.
But the morning always kicks off with a team building exercise – this year the challenge was to build the tallest tower out of 20 pieces of paper on which you can balance a Cadbury’s Crème Egg….
Mission Action Plan 2026:
What we achieved LAST YEAR – Jan 2025 – Jan 2026
Welcome and Integration
• New Dais for the church
• Altar Fall restored
• Painting of Christ by Graham Sutherland restored
• Began work towards a new sign at entrance of church grounds
• Bought and planted a tree for our 250th Anniversary
• Bought new Processional Cross in memory of Margaret Wastie
Learning and Discipleship
• Produced job descriptions and policies to help with succession planning and tighten Governance demands
• Took 14 members on a retreat to Whitchester where we explored our faith together
Imaginative outreach into the Community
• Began work towards building a toilet extension and meeting room for the church and those who use the church for groups and concerts
• Established in good healthy numbers the Lunch Bunch Group who go for lunch every Weds after the service – where spouses and non HT folk also join in
• Established a new website
• Strengthened links with Lammermuir Larder with regular donations
• Our services are now streamed into the Hailes Community twice a month and attract a good number watching
Eco Considerations
• Began process of getting secondary glazing for Rectory
Missional Leadership
• Rev Liz was elected Synod Clerk
• Rev Liz was elected onto Preparatory Committee to elect a new Bishop
• Hosted the Provincial Pilgrimage
• Rev Ayo began his 3 year placement with Holy Trinity as a contextual student
Children and young people
• Once again hosted a very successful Stable Service with 302 people attending
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This year 2026 we will focus on the areas of:
Welcome and Integration
• Continue to work for a new sign for church grounds
• Continue to explore building a new toilet block and meeting room for the community and church to use
• Governance: Continue to examine our Governance to make sure it is robust and complete
Learning and Discipleship
• Establish a regular Bible Study (online at first?)
• Encourage laity involvement in offering talks in the service as they did last year for Silver Sunday
Imaginative Outreach into Local Communities
• Make connections with whoever will be Haddington Parish Church’s new minister and explore new initiatives – which might include Messy Church held ecumenically
• Felling Male Voice Choir Concert (fundraising and for community) 24th October
• Hold a community event (scones and tea?) with stalls and games – outside in church grounds or at the Trinity Centre
• Connect with Community Church who are establishing themselves in a church building in Haddington. Good Friday Witness?
• Offer to stream our service into Haddington Care Home and Hilton Lodge
• Strengthen the links with Knox Academy and the youngsters who help us with Soup n Sweet
• Pet service
Eco Considerations
• Secondary glazing for Rectory
Children and Young People
• Establish children’s provision once a month – Sunday School – using ‘Out of the Box’ materials