Seeking the Welfare of Laira: An Exciting New Season for Our Parish

We are excited to share an update on a significant new missional journey that our Parochial Church Council (PCC) has agreed to embark upon: an intentional 12-month commitment to the community of Laira and St Mary's Church. 

Why Laira? 

Many of you will already be familiar with this journey. Over a number of years, we have led and organised services at St Mary’s. Over the past year we have hosted prayer meetings at St Mary's, spoken about this possibility in sermons, and seen many members of our church family serve at community events in Laira. Alongside this, we have spent time listening to residents and local organisations about the hopes and challenges facing the neighbourhood. 

Those conversations have revealed both need and opportunity. Like many communities, Laira has experienced the gradual loss of local community spaces, contributing to increased loneliness and isolation. Yet, again and again we heard a desire for St Mary's to remain a place of belonging,  wellbeing and hope for local people. 

A little while ago, regular Sunday services at St Mary's were paused. This was not an act of abandonment but a purposeful decision to create space to listen, pray, build relationships and discern what God might be calling us to next.

What Are We Discerning? 

The question before us is not simply, "How do we save a building?" Rather, we are asking a deeper question:  Is God inviting us to establish a new worshipping community in Laira that brings hope to the neighbourhood and places Jesus Christ at the centre of its renewal? 

We believe this is the right question because churches exist not primarily for buildings, but for people and for the glory of God. Our desire is to see a vibrant, local, Jesus-centred community emerge in Laira, shaped by local people and rooted in the life of the neighbourhood. 

How Will We Do This? 

The PCC has agreed to a 12-month period of mission and discernment running until  31st July 2027. During this time we hope to see St Mary's increasingly used throughout the week by residents, community groups and organisations working to strengthen wellbeing, family life and community resilience. 

As part of this journey, we are exploring the Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP) developed by Tearfund. CCMP begins with a simple conviction: God has already placed gifts, skills, resources and potential within every community. Rather than bringing ready-made solutions, the church seeks to discover where God is already at work and encourage local people to become active participants in the flourishing of their neighbourhood. 

This approach resonates strongly with Jesus' instructions in Luke 10. When He sent out the disciples, He told them to look for the "person of peace" and discover the resources God had already placed within the communities they visited. We want to enter Laira in that same spirit—listening carefully, building relationships, and discerning where the Holy Spirit is already at work. ⁸ 

What Would Success Look Like? 

As your Team Rector, I want us to remain both hungry for God's leading and hopeful about what He may do. At the same time, good leadership requires realism and faithful stewardship. 

We face genuine challenges. Emmanuel is currently operating without the Associate Priest, our leadership team is carrying significant responsibilities, and a major transition lies ahead in May 2027 when Darryl and Bev retire after many years of faithful ministry at St Paul's. We want Emmanuel, St Paul's and St Mary's all to flourish together rather than one church thriving at the expense of another. The St Mary's building also requires substantial investment to make it warm, watertight and fit for purpose. 

For these reasons, we will be looking for clear signs of viability by July 2027: 

·         A Credible Building Pipeline – secured funding and realistic plans for necessary building improvements.

·         An Emerging Worshipping Community – the beginnings of a regular local gathering centred on Jesus, with emerging local leaders. 

·         Sustainable Ministry – a realistic staffing and volunteer model across the parish, developed in partnership with the Diocese. 

What If These Things Do Not Emerge? 

Importantly, this 12-month commitment is a commitment to mission and discernment, not a commitment by Emmanuel to assume long-term responsibility for the St Mary's building. 

By 31 July 2027, we will need to see clear evidence of sustainable mission, a credible funding pathway, sufficient ministry capacity across the parish, and agreed legal arrangements with the Diocese. If these conditions are not in place, Emmanuel will not assume long-term responsibility for the building, and responsibility for its future should remain with the Diocese. 

Whatever the outcome, our desire to seek the welfare of Laira will remain. Discernment is not about forcing a particular result; it is about faithfully following where God leads. 

Please Pray 

As we begin this next chapter, please pray for the people of Laira, for those already serving in the community, and for wisdom as we seek to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. 

We step forward with humility and hope, trusting that God is already at work ahead of us and praying for the grace to join in with what He is doing. 

If you would like to know more or have any questions, please do get in touch.