Cluster Vision - Characteristics needed for the Council members


South Edinburgh Cluster – Cluster Council

We are about to populate our initial Cluster Pastoral Council, and the way we would like to do this is by seeking suggestions from individuals and groups across the cluster of potential members.


The Council should be around 12 people, and it is important that we have a good balance of youth and experience, thinkers and doers and that we have a body which is representative of Parish Life in all its richness and variety. To get to a good balance in that 12 we need many more suggestions.  Fr Alex will have the task of whittling down that number to a well - formed, diverse Council.


As stated, we want a representative body, not a body of representatives. People who can think about the greater, collective good and how to achieve this, rather than to represent their parish or group are what will make the greatest difference.


It’s important to think about what each of us has to give, not seek perfection. Pope John Paul II said that “Mission is not based on human abilities, but on the power of the risen Lord.” What we are asking you to do is to trust in the Spirit, and be open to that, both in what you see in yourself, and what you see in others.


If the purpose of the Cluster Council is to work together with the priest to enrich the quality of parish life across our 3 parishes by bringing about our shared vision, let’s consider some of the qualities or charisms that might help bring that about:


  1. Being connected – understanding what are the hopes and fears of our parishioners and being able to articulate these
  2. Being open to new possibilities. Being curious, both about life in our Cluster and the wider Church. Having an eagerness to help the cluster make the vision a reality
  3. Having a desire for spiritual growth and seeing how that can be shared
  4. Being able to look beyond the immediate and think longer term
  5. Listening, praying, reflecting and helping a consensus to emerge among a group
  6. Showing empathy and compassion for those who may not have a voice, and being able to articulate that on their behalf
  7. Having the ability to follow through on commitments
  8. Having the courage to take the first step, which in turn makes it easier for others to join.
  9. Having the ability to work well together in groups.
  10. A commitment to openness, transparency, and effective communication between parishioners and Council.


To be really clear, we are not looking for people who can achieve all of the above. The question is - can you identify with even one of these, as that may be the one that makes the difference to the group?  


You can read the cluster vision on the Cluster vision page