OUR VISION AND STRATEGY 2021 TO 2025 restoring l refreshing l inspiring WELCOME At , we are excited! We are keen to share our Vision and Strategy Document with you that will form the basis of the Priory’s mission over the next five years.

We have set out here our strategic objectives, the key aims and mission action priorities. These will form a pathway for us to realise our Vision to restore, refresh and inspire the Priory building and community.

Each year, guided by prayer, we will set objectives in a Mission Action Plan and then monitor what happens. We will celebrate our achievements and learn from our failures.

So, pray for us and come with us. May we sparkle as Christians as we work together to transform our building, our outreach to our community and ourselves in fresh new ways. What an adventure this is!

Revd. Rod Corke - Vicar 1 WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT THE PRIORY?

Nestled under the Malvern Hills, the Grade 1 listed building is a Major and part of a former Benedictine founded in 1085. Sited in the centre of the town on the ‘Route to the Hills’, the Priory’s heritage includes the finest collection of English 15th and early 16th century medieval stained-glass windows outside York Minster*, ancient carved and a thousand locally made medieval floor and wall tiles in a hundred different designs. The Priory has an active and growing congregation of more than 300 people of all ages and welcomes over 40,000 visitors a year. * Source: David O’Connor FSA. 2001. Corpus Vitrearum Medii Aevi (CVMA) A strong choral tradition contributes to a wide variety of styles of worship Great Britain’s National Survey of which enables Christians from a broad range of backgrounds to find a spiritual Medieval home here.

The Priory community responds to God’s love in worship and through our service to others. WHAT IS OUR Inspired by our Benedictine heritage we welcome all in the PURPOSE? name of Jesus Christ, bear witness to our faith and offer a safe space both for individual stillness and communal gathering. 2 OUR VISION , through its heritage, Christian witness and community support, inspires more people to know the love of God, and be refreshed in body, restored in mind and excited by the Holy Spirit.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society recently stated that: “Faith groups have vital resources which are crucial for community wellbeing and which cannot be found anywhere else”.

The Annunciation: Mary is told that she is to be the Mother of Jesus. C.1430 HOW WILL WE TURN THE VISION INTO REALITY?

The pathway towards our Vision is set out under five Strategic Objectives: WORSHIP

HERITAGE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES

RESILIENCE

Each of these has associated Aims which form the basis of our Mission Action Plans, refreshed each year to set out activities and Key Projects necessary to achieve Vision Outcomes. Progress is monitored regularly by using appropriate Measures. 3 WORSHIP

Our range of opportunities for corporate worship, prayer and Christian teaching will inspire growth in church belonging, service and discipleship and foster a deeper sense of spirituality and fellowship across all ages. We will work together with local churches to promote the good news of Jesus. Our Aim is that:

A. We develop spiritual understanding and growth through preaching and teaching the Bible to all ages, deepening prayer and supporting opportunities for church fellowship.

B. We provide opportunities for worship in different styles, embracing Anglican heritage together with offerings from both contemporary and other traditions.

C. We facilitate opportunities for the training and equipping of various ministries.

D. We develop our capabilities to broadcast services and widen the reach of our ministry.

E. We celebrate and continue to develop our musical excellence and choral traditions.

F. We actively support and work with other church organisations in the Malvern and Upton Deanery area. 4 HERITAGE

We will continue our programme of work to conserve, restore and refresh the significant heritage of the Priory for future generations and will enhance the building sympathetically and sustainably to meet modern-day needs, standards and expectations. Our Aim is that:

A. The Priory Development Plan, founded on wide consultation, community engagement and expert professional advice, will comply with appropriate best practice and statutory requirements. It will gain wide-ranging support together with the necessary approvals.

B. We secure the necessary funding through grants and fundraising activities in order to deliver the initial phase of our Priory Development Plan.

C. We develop plans for environmental sustainability in order to achieve net zero carbon by 2030.

D. The interpretation of our heritage is creatively developed and made accessible through a range of means, including digital.

E. We continue to work closely and productively with The Friends of Malvern Priory.

5 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We will work closely with the local community, welcoming visitors and all who come here, and promote activities which encourage discovery, learning, spiritual wellbeing and personal growth. Our Aim is that:

A. Inspired by our Benedictine heritage, we offer a warm welcome to all visitors.

B. We develop, in conjunction with The Friends of Malvern Priory, local schools and other organisations, a Community Engagement Plan to initiate, nurture and strengthen enduring links and partnerships with the wider community in Malvern.

C. We improve our visitor experience by understanding more about who comes to the Priory, widening our appeal and encouraging a greater visitor diversity.

D. We offer and encourage the use of church space to a wider and more diverse range of organisations in and around Malvern, celebrating our links with science, culture and the arts.

E. We improve our external communications and use of media to share our story and grow our community.

6 CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITIES

We will live out our Christian responsibilities to others by making a difference for those in need locally and offer support further afield through our mission partners. Our Aim is that:

A. We work in partnership to actively support organisations such as the local Food Bank, Lyttelton Well, CAP (debt relief) and Malvern Dementia Action Alliance.

B. We identify new opportunities in our and beyond to help those in need, supporting wellbeing, assisting in skills development and encouraging community cohesion.

C. We make financial provision annually through our mission giving to support those in need.

D. Our mission partners and associated organisations are supported both financially and in prayer.

7 RESILIENCE

We will ensure a sustainable future for our church, building financial stability, broadening opportunities for participation in the life of the church and creating long-term resilience. Our Aim is that:

A. We nurture and grow a diverse Priory community with a range of ages, all of whom are encouraged and enabled to participate fully in the life of the Priory, using their talents in the service of others.

B. We ensure that prudential financial management is employed, risks are appropriately managed and operational structures are fully effective.

C. We develop a range of ways to generate income including enabling and encouraging visitors and congregation to contribute through cashless donations, planned giving and legacies.

D. We ensure that safeguarding is fully and actively undertaken.

E. We arrange a programme of skills development and training for paid staff and volunteers, and also aim to meet local needs.

8 WORSHIP HERITAGE

Strategic Objective Strategic Objective

Our range of opportunities for corporate worship, prayer and Christian We will continue our programme of work to conserve, restore and teaching will inspire growth in church belonging, service and discipleship and refresh the significant heritage of the Priory for future generations and will foster a deeper sense of spirituality and fellowship across all ages. We will enhance the building sympathetically and sustainably to meet modern-day work together with local churches to promote the good news of Jesus. needs and expectations. Vision Outcome Vision Outcome Our worship will be accessible and inclusive, celebrating our musical Acknowledging our environmental responsibilities, our building and assets heritage and opening up new and inspiring pathways into faith, in will be carefully managed and well presented, enabling us to continue to increased fellowship with our local churches. share our heritage with all and serve our purpose in the 21st century.

Key Projects Key Projects • Establishment of a quality broadcast and audio-visual system. • Procurement of an architect for the Priory Development Plan. • Incorporation of a range of different styles in an annual pattern of • Fundraising plan. worship. • Definition of the initial construction contract.

Measures Measures • The number of regular and online worshippers across all ages at the • Appointment of an architect. Priory. • Progress towards our fundraising target. • The number of joint projects/services/initiatives with other local churches. • Award of the construction contract for the initial phase of the Priory • The number of Priory members who go forward for Christian vocational Development Plan. training.

9 CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESILIENCE RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Objective Strategic Objective Strategic Objective

We will work closely with the local community, We will live out our Christian responsibilities to We will ensure a sustainable future for our welcoming visitors and all who come here, and others by making a difference for those in need church, building financial stability, broadening promote activities which encourage discovery, locally and offer support further afield through opportunities for participation in the life of the learning, spiritual wellbeing and personal growth. our mission partners. church and creating long-term resilience. Vision Outcome Vision Outcome Vision Outcome We will be a place for visitors and local people We will work with our local community in Our financial position will be robust, with well which is known for its innovative programmes of Malvern in partnership with other Christian managed operational activity and governance. activity, learning and engagement, and the way in organisations to ensure we serve those in We will be committed to safeguarding and which it warmly welcomes all. particular need. Our mission partners will feel providing opportunities for training and well supported by the Priory community. encouraging active participation within the Priory community. Key Projects Key Projects Key Projects • Establishment of a Community Engagement Team. • Programme of active support for local • Finance and church management system • An understanding of who our current visitors are, organisations and charities. development. and their motivations for visiting. • Social action project which meets need within • Coronavirus recovery plan. • Development of a communications and media the parish. • Proactive safeguarding. plan. • Review and celebration of the work with our • Programme of training and development for mission partners. staff and volunteers. Measures Measures Measures • Creation of a Community Engagement Plan • The number of individuals reached through • Setting and achievement of the annual church 2021-2025. the social action project. operating budget. • Feedback (quantity and quality) from visitors via • Financial support given to mission partners. • The number of staff and volunteers social media, surveys, etc. supporting the full operation of the church. • Metrics from social and other media including • Annual safeguarding report. local and tourist publicity.

10 THANK YOU We hope you have enjoyed reading our Vision and Strategy document. Do feel welcome to join us through becoming a member of the Great Malvern Priory church family or through The Friends. Now it’s time for us to get up and make it happen!

As Jeremiah wrote: “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord… plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

For more information, please visit our website https://www.greatmalvernpriory.org.uk © The Parochial Church Council of Great Malvern Priory 2021