St. Philip Parishioners Survey

Greetings, St. Philip Parishioner!  The Parish Council and Father Allen are planning for the future and considering a number of ideas for our ministry and parish life.  In our discussions, the need for volunteers within the St. Philip community is recognised as necessary to make these undertakings a reality.  At the same time, there are likely many other skills and talents within St. Philip that we could draw upon as we consider ways and means to enrich our spiritual life at St. Philip; knowing our volunteer base will make our planning more realistic.  We would appreciate and value your feedback and comments using the attached survey.  Rest assured: this is NOT a sign-up sheet; your responses will not commit you to anything!  There are no strings attached to completing this survey!  It would be great if you can submit your response by July 31st, 2023.  Thank you very much in advance for providing your valuable input!

This survey has ended. Thank you for your input! For results, please see the attached files under Downloads, below.

1. Please tell us your name.  Remember: this survey isn't a sign-up sheet!  But we'd like to know who might be willing to share their skills and talents with the St. Philip community.  Some of your responses may be personal, so rest assured your individual comments will not be shared outside the church leadership team.

2. Which of the following do you appreciate about being part of St. Philip Church? (select all that apply)

• Sunday 8:00 AM worship
• Sunday 9:30 AM worship
• Sunday morning worship music
• Tuesday contemplative prayer
• Thursday Eucharist and book study
• children's ministry
• youth ministry
• sense of community
• prayer ministry
• home group involvement
• special worship service (Christmas Day)
• special worship service (Taizé)
• special worship service (New Year's Eve)
• other

3. Are there ministries within the St. Philip community (i.e., local ministries) that you’d like to see enhanced or initiated? (select all that apply)

• special activities for seniors
• refugee support
• lay-led pastoral care (e.g. visitation)
• hospice care
• reconciliation with indigenous people
• music ministry
• people with disabilities
• ministry to families
• mental wellness ministry
• relationship counselling
• climate change action
• no added St. Philip ministries
• Other

4.Are there ministries you’d like to see St. Philip enhance or begin in order to engage the wider community (outreach ministries)? (select all that apply)

• food bank
• poverty relief
• special activities for seniors
• refugee support
• hospice care
• reconciliation with indigenous people
• prison ministry
• people with disabilities
• relationship counselling
• climate change action
• evangelism
• no added outreach ministries
• Other

5.In what ways would you like to grow spiritually? (select all that apply)

• develop a richer prayer life
• participate in Taizé worship
• lay leadership in worship (e.g. morning/evening prayer or liturgy of the Word)
• regular bible study
• developing ministry gifts, ie pastoral care
• liturgical worship
• Bible knowledge
• theological knowledge
• not applicable to me
• I prefer not to answer
• Other

6.If it were offered, which of the following would you personally be likely to attend?

• evening presentations relating faith to the world
• home group
• ministry training ie in pastoral care
• evening Bible study
• daytime social gatherings at church
• evening social gatherings at church
• weekend retreat
• weekend church camp
• special music events (e.g., bluegrass, gospel nights)
• choir
• Other

7.The Holy Spirit moves through our passions.  What are your passions?  What excites and motivates you?  What do you enjoy most in your faith journey and church involvement?

8.In your working life (presently or before retirement), what is (or was) your job? (indicate all that apply to you)

9.Which skills do you most enjoy using, either within or outside your working life? (list all that apply to you)

10.Which of the following BEST describes your participation as a volunteer in the life of St. Philip? (select all that apply)

• I currently do not volunteer in any significant capacity
• I volunteer weekly at an activity that requires little or no advance preparation.
• I volunteer weekly at an activity that requires significant preparation each time (at least 2-3 hours).
• I volunteer monthly at an activity that requires little or no advance preparation.
• I volunteer monthly at an activity that requires significant preparation each time (at least 2-3 hours).
• I volunteer quarterly (every three months) at an activity that requires little or no advance preparation.
• I volunteer quarterly (every three months) at an activity that requires significant preparation each time (at least 2-3 hours).
• I volunteer annually at an activity that requires little or no advance preparation.
• I volunteer annually at an activity that requires significant preparation each time (at least 2-3 hours).

11.If you are interested in increasing your level of volunteer engagement, what level do you aspire to achieve? If you volunteer in multiple areas, check all that apply)

• once per week with little advance preparation
• once per week with significant advance preparation (at least 2-3 hours)
• once per month with little advance preparation
• once per month with significant advance preparation (at least 2-3 hours)
• once per quarter with little advance preparation
• once per quarter with significant advance preparation (at least 2-3 hours)
• once per year with little advance preparation
• once per year with significant advance preparation (at least 2-3 hours)
• not applicable to me (I am happy with my level of involvement)

12. Are you interested in volunteering in any of the following  operations-related areas? (select all that apply) 

• greeting people and ushering
• helping prepare for Sunday coffee time
• helping set up for parish events (e.g. parish picnic, Agape meal, seniors lunches, etc.)
• helping take down or clean up after parish events (e.g. parish picnic, Agape meal, seniors lunches, etc.)
• helping operate the worship slide projection computer
• helping manage the live-stream operation
• Altar Guild membership (preparing sanctuary for worship)
• helping the office administrator with office work
• assisting the envelop secretary with counting the weekly offering
• building maintenance activities (painting, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, woodworking)
• garden maintenance or lawn care
• none of the above activities interest me
• Other

13. Are you interested in volunteering in any of the following worship-related areas? (select all that apply) 

• leading worship by playing an instrument
• leading worship by singing
• reading scripture on a regular basis
• serving the chalice at communion
• preparing and leading the Prayers of the People
• lay preaching
• praying with people during communion time
• praying behind the scenes with the Prayer Chain
• lay pastoral care (visiting shut-ins, hospital visitation, writing cards)
• none of the above activities interest me
• Other

14.What would you say are your impediments to volunteering in the life of St. Philip? (indicate all that apply)

• I am too busy with my work
• I am too busy with my family commitments
• I am unaware of the opportunities
• I feel I need training
• I need a mentor
• I need to know I can say 'no'
• I need volunteering to have an end date
• not applicable to me (I have no impediments to volunteering!)
• Other

15. Would you like to talk to someone in leadership to obtain more information about volunteering or volunteer opportunities?

• no
• yes, I would like to talk to Fr. Allen
• yes, I would like to talk to a warden

16. Do you have any other comments?

17. Feel free to suggest topic areas for future Parish Council information gathering surveys.

[Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]