Building for Tomorrow: The Questionnaire

Building for Tomorrow:
Questionnaire
September 2004

© Saint James’ Church, Manotick

Parish Survey

It’s been a while since we’ve really had a good look at ourselves as a parish – what we’re about, how well we’re doing, what we should be doing. Parish Council has accordingly appointed a Renewal Team to carry out “an examination of the strengths and weaknesses now existing [in the parish], with a view to bolstering the former and repairing the latter”. Team members are Ray Armstrong, Ron Brophy, Barry Moloney, and Spruce Riordon. This group will be asking others for their help in the task as it progresses.

You can help right away by giving us your ideas. Attached is a questionnaire dealing with a range of parish issues and activities. We are asking each member of the household (the very young excepted) to reply using a separate questionnaire for each person. Below you’ll find a question-and-answer format which gives further background. If you care about the parish of Saint James, please give this document your attention.

Q.	Isn’t this survey costing the parish a lot of money?
A.	Out-of-pocket expenses (e.g., postage, envelopes) have been covered by a donation specifically for that purpose, so that there is no direct cost to the parish.

Q.	Who will receive this questionnaire?
A.	It will be sent to all parishioners, and we are looking for as complete a response as possible.

Q.	You are asking for information about me. Why is that?
A.	First, you need not identify yourself by name. However, we need some data if we are to plan effectively. For example, if we find that 25 people want us to start a youth group, but that all of them are over 55 years old, that tells us something different than if half of them are teens. It doesn’t mean we wouldn’t advocate the establishment of the group, but it does help us to assess the opportunities and problems we would face.

Q.	Still, there’s a spot to fill in my name and phone number. Why is that?
A.	If you identify yourself, we may contact you and ask you to expand on your comments – we want your ideas. We shall not identify you individually when reporting on results of the survey. But it’s your choice; some people will wish to remain anonymous, and that’s fine.

Q.	Why do you want more than one reply from each household?
A.	Not everyone has the same opinions, ideas, and needs when it comes to parish planning. We’d like to get a range of views from boys and girls, from women, men, the young and old, regular and occasional attendees, etc.

Q.	What will be done with the results?
A.	The Renewal Team will report to Parish Council and to parish groups on the results, and will then develop a strategic plan for approval by Parish Council and Vestry. This plan will cover both short- and long-term endeavours.

Q.	As a parishioner, do I have any further input once the data is collected?
A.	Yes; the Renewal Team will consult with parishioners as the process unfolds. We have no intention of trying to plan in a vacuum.

Q.	I’m interested in this process. Can I get involved right now?
A.	Yes, we need help. Please identify yourself to any member of the Renewal Team (Ray Armstrong, Ron Brophy, Barry Moloney, Spruce Riordon).

Information Sheet

Please indicate whether you are:

c Male

c Female

To what age group do you belong?

c Under 15

c 15 – 19

c 20 – 24

c 25 – 34

c 35 – 55

c Over 55

What are the first three characters of your postal code? [See note1]

________

How long have you been attending Saint James’ church (even if occasionally)?

c Less than 6 months

c 6 mos – 1 year

c 1 – 4 years

c 5 – 10 years

c over 10 years

How often do you attend Saint James’?

c Usually weekly

c Twice monthly

c Once monthly

c Occasionally

Do you regularly attend any other church?

c Yes

c No

Which Sunday service do you most frequently attend?

c 8:15 am

c 10:00 am

c Evensong

c Each about equally

Do you belong to any Saint James’ organizations [See note 2], or perform a specific function such as lay administrator, crucifer, bible study leader, convenor of sidespersons, etc.?

c Yes

c No

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Note 1: We would like to know the geographic distribution of those answering the questionnaire, without identifying individuals. The whole postal code would in some cases be an identifier, but the first three characters are not. For example, K4M signifies Manotick generally.

Note 2: Organizations include those listed in ‘Parish Groups’ in the questionnaire.

If you wish to give us your name and phone number, please do so here. This is optional. If you do fill in your name, someone may get in touch with you to follow up on your comments.

Name: _____________________________________________ Phone: _____________________

Instructions for return: Please insert all the questionnaires for your household, including each information sheet, in the enclosed stamped and addressed envelope (postage costs have been covered by a donation for that purpose), or return the envelope to the church office.

Questionnaire

In the ‘Awareness’ column, indicate how familiar you are with this area at Saint James’ by circling your choice, ‘Y’ (yes) or ‘N’ (no), where these choices appear.

In the ‘Quality’ column, express your view of the strengths and weaknesses of the parish by circling your choice, #1 being very weak and #5 being very strong.

In the ‘Importance’ column, indicate which to you are most important in the life of the parish by circling your choice, #1 being not important and #5 being very important.

If you are not aware of activities in a particular area, leave the ‘Quality’ assessment blank; however, you may still wish to indicate its importance to you. A space has been provided at the end of each segment for your comments and/or suggestions regarding the topic. We encourage you to complete these sections, as your opinions and ideas are an important part of this survey. If these comments exceed the space available, attach another sheet or use the back of the questionnaire. Please note that, while all of the suggested items have been in place at some time in the parish, a few are not currently active.

Area			Awareness	Quality	Importance
WORSHIP

1. General

Planning (e.g., revival of worship committee)			Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Worship for children (worship activities in church school)			Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Worship for teens (e.g., offering youth-oriented services)			Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Worship opportunities during the week			Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Facilities for the disabled Nursery facilities			Y N Y N	1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:




2. The Eucharist
My assessment refers to service at 8:15 am 10:00 am
8 (Please circle one service time above)

Welcome at church entrance				1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Service bulletin				1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
BAS, hymn book available in pews				1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Music (in general; see ‘Music’ section later for specifics)				1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Sermon				1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Conduct of Holy Communion				1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Length of service (please circle)	Too short	About right	Too long	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:

Area	Awareness	Quality	Importance
3. Other/related worship services

Baptisms	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Weddings	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Funerals	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Choral Evensong	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Other (specify)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:




EDUCATION

For children (e.g., Church school curriculum, teachers)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
For teens (e.g., bible study, invited speakers)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
For adults (e.g., bible study, invited speakers, Alpha course)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:




FELLOWSHIP

Activities for children (e.g. parties, outings)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Activities for teens (e.g., revival of youth group)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Activities for adults (e.g., coffee hour, dinners, dances, plays)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Newcomers’ welcome (making newcomers feel at home)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:




MUSIC

Preludes/postludes		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Service music		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Hymns		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Psalms		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Anthems		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Adult choir		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Youth choir		1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:

Area	Awareness	Quality	Importance
OUTREACH

Evangelism: spreading the gospel of Christ	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Charitable work (helping the needy; e.g., provision of food)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Response to specific appeals (e.g., Bales for the North)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Visiting parishioners – regular	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Visiting parishioners – crisis	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:




Area	Awareness	Quality	Importance
PARISH GROUPS

Anglican Church Women	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Altar Guild	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Choir	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Craft group	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Men’s group (currently inactive)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Pastoral care	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Ways and Means	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Other (please note below)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:




Area	Awareness	Quality	Importance
PARISH ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISING

Garage sale	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Christmas Fayre	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Church picnic	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Pancake supper	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Newcomers’ welcome supper	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Plays, musicals	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Other (please note below)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:

Area	Awareness	Quality	Importance
LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS

Priestly services	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Parish Council and Church Corporation	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Openness to new ideas	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Responsiveness of the church office	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Internal communications (e.g., notices, Epistle)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
External communications (e.g., advertising, community notices)	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Physical maintenance of church	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Church Cleanliness	Y N	1 2 3 4 5	1 2 3 4 5
Comments/Suggestions:

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES
Please list two areas in which Saint James’ parish does a particularly good job.

Please list two areas of weakness in which considerable improvement is needed.

GENERAL: Please note any other comments here. Use back of sheet if necessary.

Awareness

My assessment refers to service at 8:15 am 10:00 am

EDUCATION

FELLOWSHIP

MUSIC

OUTREACH

PARISH GROUPS

PARISH ACTIVITIES AND FUNDRAISING

LEADERSHIP AND OPERATIONS