Bear in mind the need to ensure that small communities do not feel swamped - or ignored.

Become aware of what ‘worshipping communities’ there are in the Area e.g. schools, hospitals, convents, chaplaincies, prisons as well as churches.

Celebrate the diversity of people in the Pastoral Area – welcome and include those of different abilities, ages, cultures, ethnicities and languages.

Identify the relationships that already exist across the parishes and communities in the Area.

What do you think are the pastoral priorities of your Area?  How might these be addressed?

Hold a regular time of prayer for the development of the Pastoral Area.  This could be organized so that it takes place in a different church each day.

Look at the Pastoral Plan - is there a new outreach initiative which might be undertaken by the whole Pastoral Area?

Explore how people in the same ministries (e.g. catechists, readers, flower arrangers, those involved in bereavement support or justice and peace) can share resources and work together across the Pastoral Area.

Coordinate Mass times across the Area and ensure that each church in the Area has details of Mass times throughout the Area.

Gather people together from each of the communities in the Pastoral Area to share the story of their community, to find common ground on which to build new relationships.

Organise a display of photos of churches, schools, convents, hospitals, local sights etc in your Pastoral Area.

Organise a car Treasure Hunt as a fun way of getting used to the geography of the Pastoral Area – and end with a picnic or shared meal.

Hold a meal and meeting for all parish administrative staff from the Pastoral Area to come together to discuss how they can work together.

Invite all Parish Pastoral Councils to explore the implications for them of being in their particular Pastoral Area.

Gather a group of people from across the Pastoral Area to arrange a social event in the coming year to which Bishop Crispian is invited

Hold an Area Day of Prayer and Reflection and include social time.

Host an Area Quiz Night.

Have an away day for confirmation candidates from across the Area.

Arrange a "pilgrimage" around your Pastoral Area. Over a period of weeks, visit each church and school in turn. Have a special candle which is lit for a short service followed by refreshments.

Where churches are fairly close together consider a walking pilgrimage - from one church to another one week - from there to a third and so on... A short service - refreshments. Ensure people are around offer lifts back home.

Look ahead to Advent and think about a Traveling Crib. Prepare figures of Mary and Joseph (maybe knitted or hand-made by someone in the Area). Each night, "Mary and Joseph" are given shelter in a different house in the Area. A short service greets them at each new stopping place. (This is a Mexican Tradition called Posada). Think about including schools, the elderly and housebound, prisons and hospitals as well as families.