When we moved to the rural Cotswolds three years ago we were very aware that coming from the inner city, we would be on a steep learning curve in this new situation. One of the words that kept coming to the forefront of our minds was the word ‘presence’, and what a Christian presence might be like in these new communities of which we had become a part. We were very pleased therefore to come across Presence, it seemed to address the very issues we wanted to explore.
Our three churches are small and struggling and wondering how they should look to the future. All
felt that they wanted to remain a presence in their villages or towns but with elderly congregations were unsure how this could be done. Presence did not come up with any clear answer but did give us some ways of thinking things through, often encouraging us that we were already on the right lines. We found it helpful to think through our worshipping, ecumenical and community responses. We used the material as a base for Sunday teaching and also for discussion in the week. It opened up some possibilities of looking at things in a new way – outside of the box – and sparked discussion about new initiatives. Particularly for our older folk, the examples of how others had addressed some of the problems offered a new perspective.
Thinking things through
One of the greatest difficulties for all of our three congregations is that the vast majority of people travel in and are not actually living where the churches are located. Presence therefore becomes an even greater challenge. We have much work and prayer still ahead!
Revds Brian and Christine Howden Arlington, Burford and Ducklington Baptist Churches
Welcome to Graham Jones
On 1 January 2006 Revd Graham Jones not only began a new year but also took on a new role as the Rural Consultant for the Methodist and the United Reformed Churches. Working from the ARC, Graham will be building on the well-established work and reputation of his predecessors, Jenny Carpenter, Michael Cruchley and John Clarke.
The post will involve him in encouraging and enabling rural congregations to engage with their communities; in ensuring that the rural voice is heard across both the Methodist and URC denominations; and in enabling both churches to contribute effectively to the development of national and regional rural policy.
was also a prison chaplain, and prior to training for the ministry he worked as a residential social worker.
Commenting on his new role, Graham said: ‘I’m excited by the challenges facing rural communities in Britain. I want to play a significant and distinctive part in the work of the ARC as it continues to make its contribution to developing and implementing rural strategies in the churches and in wider society.’
Prior to moving to Stoneleigh, Graham was Chaplain at the University of York and minister of an Anglican-Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership in the York South Methodist Circuit. Before that he was a minister in the Hull East Circuit, where he
Graham is married to Rachel and they have one young daughter. He can be contacted at the ARC on 024 7685 3074 or by email
grahamj@rase.org.uk
Gordon Gatward
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
21
rural ministry
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32