Thank you to everyone that turned up to church parade today. You all looked really smart and sat very quietly. It is important that the Parish see us taking an active part in parish life.
This month we moved Church Parade to the second Sunday of the month in order to avoid the half term holiday and to benefit from the monthly Children's Homily (child friendly sermon with the children gathered around the altar). Unfortunately the children's homily was skipped due to a special recorded message from the cardinal.
We are trying to gather our members' views on the future of church parades as holding them on the second Sunday opens up more potential dates as we would often miss the first Sunday due to bank holidays.
Our group is officially sponsored by the parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel and St George, and therefore the group leadership team and clergy are keen that we play an active part in parish worship, which for us means attendance at Mass in the form of church parade. We are mindful that as an “open group” we have members of various faiths and denominations, but all members are very welcome, and indeed encouraged to join us. This forms part of the commitment and spiritual aspects of personal development that Scouting strives to deliver.
We welcome your feedback on the future of Church Parades. We are considering in particular the frequency which might be increased to once a month, or limited to perhaps two a term. Whatever the outcome we will be expecting your support and good attendance. Today’s turnout was very disappointing indeed.
Comments please by email to gsl@29thenfield.org.uk . which will be published here anonymously.
I look forward to reviewing your feedback.
Yours,
Peter
Peter Jones
Group Scout Leader
Comments
A Beaver parent stated:
“I think that continuing to have Church Parade on the 2nd Sunday, with the children's homily, would be a great idea. I thought that the children were very well behaved on Sunday but, if there was the chance for them to be more engaged, then that would make it a lot easier for them.
With regard to frequency, we already attend St Michael's church and have commitments there so would find it hard to attend Parade on a monthly basis. It would be better for us to have it twice a term. I also think that you would get a better turn out if it was an 'event' (i.e. less frequent) rather than part of a monthly routine. Part of the reason that my son really enjoyed Parade yesterday because it felt like a special occasion..."
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