Economy in Kingdom
The rural economy is a diverse system which is influenced by global issues, trends in international monetary policy, as well as national and local priorities. This edition of Country Way looks at aspects of food production and retailing within the UK and how the church relates to this. The cost and difficulties of food production in the current state of agriculture are well known and put a great deal of pressure on large scale producers and small farming families alike. The human stories about farmers and growers are more often than not hidden and overlooked behind the
supermarket shelves and financial institutions, as is the impact of the global and national policy decisions. These issues will also be writ large in the precarious nature of communities that find themselves on the edge, such as the Scottish Islands, remote hill settlements and farmers everywhere.
Rural congregations and churches have the opportunity to get to know their farmers and growers in a way that is not so straightforward for those living in towns and cities. How many of us actually take the opportunity to do this? Have we bothered to find a good local market or farmers’ market or sought out locally produced goods in shops and supermarkets? As Christians we have a moral responsibility in the decisions we take. Many congregations are committed to fair trade. This concern needs to include our own farmers and growers. Exercising this responsibility by purchasing produce that has been grown locally, is British or that is fairly traded, will have an important impact on people, either in our own communities or internationally.
The Kingdom of God is all around, not held within the walls of a church building. The rural economy may not feel like an obvious part of God’s Kingdom but it is an
Mission-shaped and rural
There were four lucky winners of a free copy of this new book. They were:
Mark Cawte – North Yorkshire Melia Cope – Shropshire
Penny Fenton – Kent Frank Harper – Somerset
FRESH EXPRESSIONS OF CHURCH
- A RURAL PERSPECTIVE – What is being tried?
What works? What does not work? Meet key strategists and others already engaging in rural fresh expressions
An opportunity to think outside the box!
inescapable part of it that we ignore at our peril. If we want to see change in how things work in the rural economy then we may need to challenge our whole political system… However, we can make a difference locally, nationally and internationally by the decisions we take when exercising our responsibility for caring for God’s creation and his people.
Jill Hopkinson
jillh@rase.org.uk
Art in
different mediums
SEPTEMBER 13 – 14 2007 Hothorpe Hall, Leicestershire £85 inclusive
Organised by the Rural Evangelism Network with participation from Fresh Expressions and Rural Expressions
4 Clarence Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7NE Email:
ren@ruralmissions.org.uk
Churches are fascinating places for discovering art in different mediums – carving, painting, glass. They are also good places for the performing arts – music, drama, dance. Putting all these together is the aim of ARCH in West Wales (Arts in Churches) as a way of sharing culture and the Good News with those who have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. Local churches are encouraged to open up their space to the performing or the static arts. After expenses are deducted an organisation providing the venue is given 60% of the profit.
For more information contact Anthony Bailey on 01437 532430 or
anthony@bailey7939.freeserve.co.uk and visit
www.arts.churchsociety.net
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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editorial
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