How 'Family Friendly' is your Parish...?

We all share responsibility for our parish so here are some questions for us all to consider We cannot answer every need, but we can all answer some of them. It is not expected that every parish should offer all that is listed here. However, the important point behind all of these suggestions is the need to create a parish community where Christian parents and their partners feel that they belong and where they feel part of the family, whether they are passing through or staying for many years. Is your parish the kind of environment in which Christian parents and their partners can operate successfully? Are they given space to develop as Christians themselves, and how much help do they get as they introduce their faith to their children? Not all of these suggestions are specifically religious, but they all help build a genuine community in which families can feel comfortable and valued

• What is there for young, expectant parents in your parish?
• Is there a pre-baptismal gathering where they can get to know other expectant parents?
• What kind of preparation do you provide?
• Do non-Christian partners feel welcome?
• Does your parish supply each new arrival with a white garment?
• What chance do new parents have to meet other new parents?
• Do you have a mother and toddler group for all families connected to the parish? A non-Christian mum can feel very excluded if she never has a chance to meet others in your community.
• Do you have a clothes exchange for young families?
• Do you have a second-hand baby equipment service?
• Do you have a toy library?
• Do you operate a baby-sitting service?
• Is there some liturgy in your parish at which young families can feel at home?
• Does your church have easily accessible lavatory facilities?
• Does your church have a room available for baby feeding?
• What support is there for children who do not attend Christian schools?
• Is your sacramental preparation programme sensitive to partners and families in difficult or unusual domestic situations or does it assume that all the children are living with two parents in a traditional setting?
• Is there any support for children after school for working parents?
• What is available for young people in your parish?
• How do you help parents of school aged children? Are there any courses, workshops. groups for single parents, separated and divorced parents? Is there help for parents on teaching the faith, anything on reconciliation, any support for parents of teenagers? What about Christianity and sex any opportunities for gathering accurate information?
• Is there any help for non-Christian partners at First Holy Communion or Confirmation times?
• Are the parents in your parish helped to feel that they are acceptable as they are and not because of what they do? Do you help them believe in themselves?
• Do you know your deanery Special Needs Contact?
• Is there a parent of a child or family member with special needs on your marriage and family life team?
• Is there an established shared care programme whereby parents of special needs children can have a regular break on a weekly or monthly basis?
• Does your liturgy reflect your community, musically? In its active participants? In special celebrations7 Are the customs of ethnic groups acknowledged and given time and space?
• What is the state of your hymn books, service sheets, missals, etc.? Do they make it easy to follow services? Are they clear enough for elderly people?
• Is there wheelchair access to your church, is there any facility for deaf people to hear services?
• How do people know what is going on in your parish, and if there is anything going on?
• What facilities do you have for welcoming newcomers?
• Do you have a regular marriage and family life newsletter ? Can everyone access it?
• Do you have a parish magazine? This can be a good link particularly for housebound and elderly parishioners.
• Do you have a parish directory with an opportunity for sharing skills, experiences and information?
• Do you have a supply of books, pamphlets, information available on problem areas?
• Is there a prayer group/centre in your parish?