A cornerstone for change
We have just moved house, all of one and a quarter miles up the road, but into a different village and a new group of parishes. Everything went smoothly on the day and the piano which came in on its side, seems to have survived intact. Most of the boxes have been emptied and familiar items of everyday life put into new places, giving a happy reassurance of continuity amongst upheaval and change.
For some time we have been wondering what church will be like in the new place. We could have gone to visit beforehand but didn’t, drawn to stay with our current village church for as long as possible. The lovely congregation there made us so very welcome when we arrived seven years ago. The other reason for not going in advance? – if I’m honest – the fear of change. Fear of moving on from the familiar can hold us back when we should be stepping out with Christ. Will the people be friendly? Yes, I suspect so. Jocelyn from the new congregation arrived to see us just as the boxes of books were piled high in the hall. It was a lovely welcome and spoke wonderfully of the love of the people in this place.
Moving is a good time to sort, clear and recycle. Why is it that we find it so difficult to part with things that are no longer useful? Partly perhaps the thought that it will be useful somewhere at some point. However there must be a balance between sentimentality and reality. How in church do we know when it is time to move on? This is not easy; a dwindling congregation for
Evensong, the hall that has to be shut before it falls down or the two new families with children who have just arrived at church for the first time. All these and many more scenarios mean change, which is a challenge. With Christ as the cornerstone of our lives, the continuity in an ever changing world, we cannot refuse to make the changes needed to
sustain the church and ourselves in the future.
Jill Hopkinson Editor
On a whim?
Church policy, at national, area or local level, is too often based on the whim of a strong leader, without supporting evidence for its likely success or failure.
The Centre for Studies in Rural Ministry invites people of ability and experience (with or without a first degree) to undertake guided study and research on themes of their own choosing, related to the work and life of the church in rural areas.
Recent examples of work include: Festivals as a method of evangelism
The future for small congregations in one rural area Baptism policy and its effects
Attitudes to rural ministry among a group of clergy in one denomination
Survey of visitors to a monastic guest-house and recommendations for its improvement
What future for organised Christianity in one remote valley The use of one particular church as a place for prayer
Participants work towards a Masters degree, and a certain amount of time flexibility is possible because of the modular system of assembling credits. Students come together at St Deiniol’s Residential Library near Chester three times a year for an overnight shared seminar, but otherwise tutors from the University of Wales, Bangor provide support and advice remotely.
If you could enhance your ministry or understanding of aspects of the work of the church in rural areas by disciplined study, contact Revd Canon Jeremy Martineau on 01348 874886 or
jeremy.m@onetel.net; or Revd Prof Leslie Francis on 01248 382566 or
l.j.francis@
bangor.ac.uk
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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