The Church, as the fragrant community of grace, is called to experience and share the aroma of Christ’s love, compassion, and redemption, drawing others into the beauty of God’s kingdom through its witness, worship, and service. 2 Corinthians 2:15 suggests that we are called to be a pleasing aroma of Christ wherever we are placed. It should constantly encourage to review our vision as a community of faith.

A Vision Statement for 2025

The vision of a church is a clear and compelling statement that articulates its purpose, direction, and long-term aspirations in alignment with its faith and mission. It serves as a guiding principle for the congregation, shaping its ministries, outreach, and spiritual growth. A strong church vision is rooted in biblical principles and reflects the unique calling of that particular community of believers.

Envisioning should be a participatory process. At the ACF early this year we had a Vision Box through which people were asked to share their vision, especially for the new year 2025. There was a good response from the congregation and we collated the suggestions and after consultation with the Chaplaincy Council have summarised the vision statement thus.

Vision Statement

“We envision a fragrant church, radiating the love of Christ through grace, compassion, and service. A growing church, deeply rooted in faith and continually flourishing in discipleship. A caring and compassionate community where all find healing, hope, and belonging.

We strive to be a welcoming and inviting sanctuary, embracing all with open hearts and open doors. A sustaining and safe haven where people experience peace, renewal, and strength.

Called to be engaged and participating, we commit to serving, learning, and growing together. As a prophetic voice, we stand for justice, truth, and transformation, guided by the Spirit.

We nurture a child and youth-friendly environment, fostering faith in the next generation. Sensitive to our world, we embrace an intercultural and multi-generational identity, celebrating diversity in unity.

Above all, we remain prayerful and passionate, devoted to worship, mission, and the unshakable hope we have in Christ.”

Strategic Plan for 2025

For any vision to come true we need to transform those into concrete goals and a doable plan of action. What we do in ACF as our strategic plan could be thus envisaged.

1 – Meaningful Worship

1. Sunday Services embracing all the varieties and beauty of diversity of the Anglican Communion and beyond
2. Compline- an online weekly liturgical prayer
3. Lenten/ Advent Bible Studies- delving deep into the Scriptures
4. Weekend Away- A time of fellowship, connecting and growing
5. Special Services- marking special occasions of the liturgical year

2 – Engagement in Small Groups

The life and growth of the church is best reflected in small groups each of which are part of the whole and attends to specific needs of the community. It lives out the ethos- all for each and each for all. The small groups we look at in the ACF includes

1. Men’s Fellowship
2. Men’s Prayer
3. Women’s Fellowship
4. Women’s Prayer
5. Wise Ones- a gathering of the 55+
6. Children’s Church
7. Teenagers/ Youth
8. Young Adults
9. Families in Faith
10. Singing Groups
11. Welcoming and Inclusion team (with rota)
12. Hospitality and Kitchen team
13. Communications and Website
14. Home Groups
15. Shared Meal (every second Sunday of the month)
16. Hospitality Evenings
17. Singles Matter
18. Parish Council
19. The Annual General Meeting- A time of reflecting and envisioning together

3 – Ecumenical Engagement-

1. Acknowledging that we part of a larger whole we will actively engage with our ecumenical partners listed below and beyond
2. With Petrus Paulus and Old Catholics
3. With the ACK
4. With Basel
5. With the German Deanery and CAECG
6. With the Diocese of Europe- Racial Justice and Youth Work
7. With the Global Church

4 – Fragrance in Freiburg initiative- reaching out to the last and the edges

This is a project initiative that is intended to transform our engagement with the people in the edges including refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers among others. The strands of events we will aim at this year supported by the Episcopal Welcome Grant would include

1. Hospitality Events
2. Reaching Out Initiatives
3. Touching Lives
4. Impactful Presence
5. Distinctiveness
6. Positive Influences

5 – Making ACF Known

Ensuring that people know that we exist is vital. We do have a good web presence but beyond that we should find meaningful ways of making ourselves known in Freiburg

1. Making ACF known through intentional campaigns
2. Signage- more visible, inviting and creative
3. Posters of special events and inclusion in public spaces
4. Special Events- Movie Nights, Quiz Nights
5. Cultural Evenings and Concerts
6. Creative Initiatives
7. Media Possibilities

6 – Partnership in Global Mission

1. Outward Giving
2. Engagement with the Church Mission Society and other mission agencies
3. Being physically able to participate in missional engagements

7 – Ensuring being a Safe Church

1. Safeguarding Protocols and Guidelines
2. Safeguarding Officers
3. Safeguarding Trainings

8 – Ensuring a Self Sustained Church- Parish Finances

1. Donations
2. Offertory, Digital Giving
3. Dedicated Giving
4. Fund Raising Initiatives
5. Project Funding
6. Partnership Funding
7. Endowments/ Legacy/ Bequeathments
8. Budget 2025- as a vision statement rather than a financial document

9 – Equip Clerics for the future

1. Ministerial Training
2. Ministerial/ Vocational Discernment
3. Diocesan Lay Learning Programme

Key Areas that will need strengthening in 2025

1. Ministry among Teenagers- How do we make church meaningful to the 13-18 age group would be one key area we will be looking at this year
2. Ministry with the Singles- Much needs to be done to meaningfully engage with people of all ages who are single
3. Ministry of Listening- Pastoral Care for those who long to share lives struggles must be strengthened and we need to build on the pastoral care team given the safeguarding protocols in place.

Open Ended Document

This is an open ended document where people are free to add areas of engagement and the more we add the more we need volunteer support to ensure we are able to do those things.

The invitation is for a more active and intentional participation in the life of the areas in areas your talents are best suited. Together we will grow, Together we will be fragrant. Together we ensure that the aroma of Christ is in us.

“Everywhere we are, people should breathe in the exquisite fragrance of Christ. Because of him, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation—an aroma redolent with life.” 2 Corinthians 2:15 (MSG)

Vinod Victor

February 2025