Lieut-Colonel Alan Burns Leader Fit for Mission Implementation Team Telephone: 020 7601 7011 Mobile: 0772 6695417 Email: alan.burns@salvationarmy.org.uk Web: http://fitformission.salvationarmy.org.uk
Date:13th December 2013 Re: Invitation to attend the Great Mission Conversation Focus Group Dear Friends, What’s our purpose as The Salvation Army in the 21st Century? What are we doing in our communities to make a real difference in people’s daily lives? How do we remain relevant in a world with so much diversity, and many needs and opportunities? The answers to these and many more questions are not only for Territorial Headquarters (THQ) and senior leadership to decide — they need to come from all of us who are part of our Territory in the UK and Ireland. Your contribution is important to this change process called ‘Fit for Mission’ which is The Salvation Army taking a detailed look at ourselves and what we do as a community-focused Christian church and charity in the UK and Ireland. This means involving all aspects of our movement, with everyone coming together to talk about our shared values, strategic focus, issues and opportunities. We want to ensure we’re good stewards of the resources entrusted to us and that our holistic support services offered to individuals and communities are as effective as possible. Since May 2013 a team under my leadership has been in place at THQ, capturing views on being ‘fit’ for the mission. This work is on-going and we’re currently developing projects to address concerns and ideas that have been captured. Now we’re looking at getting the ‘mission’ part right. To do so, we’ve launched the Great Mission Conversation to start a dialogue and to capture people’s views from all parts of the Territory — officers, members (Salvationists, Adherents, people who regularly attend a Salvation Army place of worship), volunteers, clients and others. We’re holding a Focus Group in your division on 13th January at 7pm at DHQ and invite you to be a part of this discussion. We would greatly value your insight and contribution at this event. The format of the Focus Group will be: Video message from the Territorial Commander Prayer focus Update on Fit for Mission Group discussion on our purpose and values Conclusion and depart by 9pm After the focus group has concluded you will be encouraged to complete an online Fit for Mission survey (via our website http://fitformission.salvationarmy.org.uk) either on site or afterwards in a more private setting. There will also be paper copies for people who don’t have access to the internet. Should you not be able to attend the focus group, we still ask you to get involved in the Great Mission Conversation by completing the survey and praying for Fit for Mission. We recognise this request is at short notice and comes at a time when you may have other priorities and responsibilities; however it’s imperative that we maintain the momentum that is building. By sharing and The Salvation Army, 101 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6BN Telephone: 020 7367 4500 Web: www.salvationarmy.org.uk Registered Charity No.214779 and in Scotland SC009359; Social Trust Registered Charity No. 215174 and in Scotland SC037691, in Ireland CHY6399 General: André Cox. Territorial Commander for the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland: Commissioner Clive Adams