people’s views of the church and the local community in the survey. For
some respondents the Church was seen as ‘irrelevant’ in an increasingly
secular society, others felt the Church was ‘exclusive’; among the apathy
towards religion there was also an appreciation of the Church among
respondents.
Feedback indicated that the Church was ‘integral’ to life’s ‘milestone’
events such as christenings, weddings and funerals. The
survey also asked what people worried about most in the local
community – work, family, money, children’s safety, unemployment, dog
mess, poverty, crime, debt, lack of parking, lack of community spirit,
insecurity, drugs, litter and concerns about the future and society in
general, all featured in the feedback.
Gary Cregeen, our Team Rector , comments, “We are really grateful to
those who took the time to participate in the Survey and all the
responses will be considered by St. Aidan’s Parochial Church
Council. The Survey Feedback will inform the plans for the
development of St Aidan’s Church and Hall and help determine
how these facilities can be a resource to the wider Newbarns
community. The feedback from the survey concerning the church
and the community will also shape the church’s mission priorities.
Christians believe that God is for all people, regardless of their
background. Clearly, the Church needs to communicate more
effectively the transforming good news about Jesus Christ in a way
that people can relate to. Christianity is not about religion; it is
about an amazing relationship with God made possible through
Jesus Christ. The survey revealed that people in Newbarns have
real concerns and worries and the Church needs to engage with
those concerns and be a means of hope in the midst of uncertainty”
Details of the survey will eventually appear on the Team Website:
www.sbtchurches.co.uk , which also includes details about the
proposed developments at St. Aidans, as well as other useful information
about the Church in South Barrow.