The St John’s Policy on Outreach

(as approved at a congregational meeting on the 17th of November 2002):

Up to 25% of budgeted income, net of the required inflationary adjustment to the Trust Fund, is committed to outreach. This will include the PCANZ national levies, which represent our commitment to the wider work of the church.  It will exclude grants made from the Carter and Mackenzie funds.

1. Most of St John’s commitment in outreach is to establish partnerships in outreach rather than be a benefactor of outreach.
2. Proposed financial outlays in outreach will be assessed on the grounds of the nature of the relationship with the organization concerned and the possibility of an ongoing and active partnership that advances the mission of St John’s. The stronger the relationship and possibility for partnership, the stronger the commitment.   Projects can only be approved for an agreed term, with a review prior to the end of that period to consider whether there are good reasons for the project to be continued, should further funds be requested.
3. A minimum of 5% and a maximum of 15% of the outreach budget (excluding PCANZ levies) will be committed to national and/or international initiatives in mission.
4. The congregation will be invited and encouraged to contribute personally to projects wherever possible.
5. Where the anticipated level of outreach expenditure exceeds 25% of budgeted income, the congregation will be encouraged to make up the short-fall through a special appeal.
6. Where the amount available for outreach exceeds the budgeted expenditure the balance shall be available for distribution by the Outreach Committee provided there is a budgeted surplus of income over expenditure for the year.
7. A minimum of 5% and a maximum of 15% of the outreach budget (excluding PCANZ levies) be set aside for discretionary spending in outreach. Discretionary funding is deemed to consist of this amount in the annual budget plus the monies available under the Carter Special Assistance Fund and the untied legacies (consisting mainly of the Mackenzie Fund).

The Committee considers requests on an annual basis, by a closing date of 31 March of any year, from groups, organisations, and individuals involved in activities compatible with the work of the Christian Church, in particular those whose work assists others in the community.   We will   consider applications, irrespective of religious denomination, but they must be from within the wider Wellington region.

If you would like an application form, click the link or contact the Church Office by phone on (04) 385 1546 or email us on: enquiries@stjohnsinthecity.org

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING - Knox Waitara Project

ST JOHN ’S OUTREACH - Update for 2010/11

Outreach at St John’s has been particularly busy during 2010/11. There are a large number of people in the congregation actively involved in some form of outreach in the community and an active Outreach Committee is working to provide opportunities for the congregation to implement the Outreach Policy approved by the Congregation in 2002. The policy sees the Church being active in outreach locally and overseas, particularly working in partnerships with other groups.

Helping others in the community;

Last year the congregation at the AGM agreed that $12,000 should be in the budget to assist community groups which are involved in activities that are compatible with the work of the Christian Church

Mission Work and Grants:

St John’s annual budget also provides $12,000 for grants for overseas and local mission and the committee makes an allocation once a year. It considers projects that the National Church is promoting, projects from the Global Mission Office and others that may be proposed by members of the congregation.

Partnership with Victoria University: Our partnership with Victoria University for the St John’s Lecturer in Christian Theology (Prof. Christ Marshall); the Visiting Scholar in Christian Theology (similar to the Burns Lecture at Otago University; and the series of six lectures Chris Marshall is giving at St John’s , starting Tuesday 9 August, were discussed in a flyer that went out with the March Messenger. You are warmly recommended to put Professor Chris Marshall’s lectures into the diary.

Legacies: The Church was left a bequest by a parishioner who had a particular interest in helping women at Arohata Prison. The Outreach Committee is looking at ways it can assist the rehabilitation and reintegration of women prisoners back in to the community. The committee is concerned that it has been able to find no useful research or programmes to assist women prisoners and parolees and the committee is looking at how it might initiate activities that would be of benefit. It is making contacts with others interested in this work.

There have also been bequests which the church has been asked to ensure are used to assist people in need. At present grants are made to Presbyterian Support Central and Down to wn Community Ministry to support programmes for people in great need in the City.

Discussion and dialogue on ethical or public interest matters: The committee’s terms of reference require it to provide opportunity for discussion, debate and dialogue on ethical or public interest issues, including organising fora and seminars. The first forum/panel discussion will be at 7.00 pm on Thursday 23 June on Prisoner Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Reconciliation. It is being advertised through Welling to n Churches and the University and on the St John’s web site.

St John’s Outreach Partnerships and Relationships:

• St John’s has a very close relationship with the Boys and Girls Institute as it appoints the members of the BGI Board of Management. It contracts with the BGI to provide a Christian education programme for its youth group (the Christian Education Committee manage this) and gives a grant. BGI rents offices in Troup House, owned by St John’s .
• St John’s is a member of Down to wn Community Ministry. The DCM food bank is supported.
• One of the Church’s ministers is presently the President of Vic to ria House, which provides accommodation for University students. This role alternates between St John’s and the Anglican Church who were partners in establishing Vic to ria House, originally for women students.
• There are links with Queen Margaret and Scots Colleges which were founded by St John’s .
• Joint services are held on an annual basis with St Peters Anglican Church and St Mary of the Angels.
• There are contacts with Presbyterian Support Central, and in the past we have had members on the Board. St John’s founded PSC.
• And there are many other contacts that members of the congregation have with organisations that provide assistance and outreach in our community.