‘Carpe diem’
Just before Christmas I was listening to the PM programme on Radio 4 whilst driving home from work. A ten year old girl was interviewed about her book contract with a major publisher. Her book was for children on how to cope when their parents split up. The sadness of the need to write such a book aside, I was most struck by her answer to the last question she was asked. “What piece of advice is in your book that is useful for everyone, children and adults alike?” Her answer: “seize the day.” Make the best of every opportunity.
The phrase lifelong learning is used throughout Government and education nowadays. It peppers prospectuses for colleges and universities and also appears in church training courses. The implication of the phrase is, of course, the ability to learn throughout life, not just at school. Lifelong learning does depend on the
opportunities that we are given, and choose to take advantage of, in terms of formally taught academic courses. Vocational courses, or learning by doing, are perhaps even more important and just a few of these different opportunities are covered in the following pages. However, it is the experience of life itself that is so valuable to most of us, and we are not good at sharing that life experience and learning, generally or within church life.
There is so much expertise present when we meet anywhere, in the pub or in church; sadly we are not often willing to share it for the benefit of others. But especially when we get into a church context, we can become needlessly reticent about our skills and abilities, feeling that because
we aren’t trained in the ways or knowledge of the church then our views, understanding and experience is not relevant or needed. This has to stop, as it is a view that can be unintentionally projected by those in positions of responsibility, the old “Father knows best” syndrome. If we are to be an effective and living Christian presence in our rural places then we need to learn how to value, share and use the lifelong experience of each of us. In addition, carefully prepared training courses for those wanting to supplement their existing experience and learning have to be provided.
The future of the rural church is in the hands of all of us, so it is our lifelong learning, experience and training that will see it through. Therefore in the words of a ten year old girl: “seize the day and get on with it!”
Jill Hopkinson, Editor Seeds in Holy Ground
Seeds in Holy Ground, a new resource from the Church of England Rural Affairs Committee was published in November 2005. The workbook, edited by Jill Hopkinson, explains how rural churches face distinct challenges in meeting the expectations of their communities, while attracting the human and financial resources needed for ministry. Problems in rural communities, too, directly impact on the work of churches in the countryside: huge changes within the agriculture industry, soaring house prices turning some villages into dormitory settlements and poor public transport links all affect the mission of local Christian communities.
Recognising these unique challenges and opportunities, the workbook is not about encouraging rural churches to try to do even more, but to do whatever is done really well. It is packed with case studies from across the country to encourage and assist churches in doing just that.
Split into colourful spreads packed with up-to-date photography, each section of the workbook is dedicated to a topic of importance to rural churches, such as engagement with the wider community, working with church buildings or running mid-week activities. Each section contains questions for group discussion and activities linked to worship, mission, the surrounding community and celebrating rural life (prepared by Anne Richards).
It is ideal for use in home groups, small study groups, cell groups or for church council meetings.
Copies are available from ACORA Publishing on 024 7669 6460 or by email
katrinas@rase.org.uk at £3.99 each with bulk orders of five or more attracting a discount).
www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk
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editorial
A Workbook for Rural Churches
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