Cows and a dairy farm in Somerset
A Deanery Rural Officer organized a day for 800 year 3 children (aged 7-8) from Taunton and surrounding villages visiting a 250-cow dairy farm in the Quantock Hills. They were shown how green grass becomes white milk, yoghurt, cheese and flavoured drinks. Each child made some yoghurt and took home samples, thanks to the generosity of local dairies. The children pretended to be cows in the milking parlour and walked into the grazing field to watch the animals. A new-born calf drinking from its mother fascinated them. They also learnt about wildlife on the farm.
This was an up-front church event, culminating in an act of worship in the cow cubicle-shed. Feedback from teachers and children showed that the event had been a great success. It was a wonderful way to bring town and country, producer and consumer together. It was noticeable, and worrying, that in any class of 30 pupils, only one or two at most knew anything about farming.
Many of the local farmers who escorted the groups of children had gone through very difficult times in recent years but found great joy in talking to the children and explaining just how much work goes into producing a carton of milk.
Cell Church
‘Cell church’ emerges from the image of the church as the body of Christ. Every human body has cells which are the building blocks of life. Cell church is composed of small groups (6-14 members in each) with the following values:
• Jesus at the centre • every member in ministry • every member growing in discipleship • everyone involved in making Jesus known • quality of community life – marked by sacrificial love and honest relationships
New life in rural Norfolk
The Tas Valley Team Ministry in south Norfolk has six villages; each having a parish church with services each Sunday. In addition, the team ministry includes a cell church with members from across the entire team. Cell church currently involves around 40 adults and 15 teenagers and is the fastest growing church in the team. The cells grew out of Alpha courses complementing the ministry of the parish churches rather than competing with them. The cells are self-financing and contribute to the ministry costs of the team. Many cell members are also very active members of their parish churches and find that cell life supports them in this. Some new Christians have started to attend their local parish church as well after becoming involved in a cell first of all. Each cell draws its members from across the benefice, helping the whole team to work together more closely.
Cells engage in all the activities of other churches although in a different way to a larger congregation. Worship takes on a more intimate form, appropriate to a small group and there is Bible study and discussion. Cell members commit to care for each other and reach out to the wider community. A cell expects to grow through mission and service and eventually form new cells. Cell church can work alongside more traditional forms of church to be good news to all parts of rural communities.
For further information contact Cell UK Ministries –
www.celluk.org.uk
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