Mission Action Planning is a process that enables local churches prayerfully to discern the priorities God has for them, and to plan the mission activities they are going to undertake over the coming months and years.
St Michael’s was assisted in the preparation of our MAP by the Revd Gill Lovell, the Parish Development Advisor (Buckingham Archdeaconry). A copy of our plan (MAP), published in May 2018 can be seen here. It is reviewed on an annual basis. The 2022 update can be seen here.
Our MAP helps us to focus on the priorities we have set ourselves. While we are continuing to reach out and serve our local community in tried and trusted ways, we have also started new ventures, such as Messy Church, Gathered Round and the COTHA Christmas Tree Festival. The choir initiative of a new format to the Nine Lessons and Carols in 2018, using both the Church building and St. Michael's Square, with Amersham Band and refreshments, was a great leap of faith. This was rewarded with positive feedback on both the service and the engagement with local community groups. At the same time, our Shrove Tuesday social has taken us into a new area of engagement within the congregation.
Alongside this, our church, our church rooms and our hall are used throughout the week by a wide range of hirers and community groups providing instruction, social engagement, interest and pleasure for those taking part. Together with plant and other sales taking place through the year on St Michael’s Square, art exhibitions in church in June and in the autumn, and Cards for Good Causes in the lead up to Christmas, St Michael’s is very much a community hub.