Rural Affairs

The Rural Officer is Rev Clive Burgess email, Ewecross Deanery representative.

The Rural Task Group has these objectives:

To provide a breadth of knowledge and experience on Rural matters.
To support and direct the work of the Rural Officer.
To act as champion for the rural parishes and to raise pertinent issues specific to the rural agenda.
To oversee and monitor appropriate training for the church in partnership with Church And Rural Life through Post-Ordination Training and Placements.
To assist parishes in maintaining an engaged presence in rural areas.
To disseminate proactively and provide information and advice.
To share good practice through the provision of appropriate seminars.

These organisations can offer further advice and information:

Church of England National Rural Officer

Jill Hopkinson at the Arthur Rank Centre is the Church of England National Rural Officer.
Secretary: Katrina Sealey, katrinas@rase.org.uk

Arthur Rank Centre

The Centre is the national rural resources unit for the churches and is the main starting point for all those interested in rural ministry.
Website: www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk

Farm Crisis Network

FCN is a UK network of groups of volunteers drawn from the farming community and rural churches. It provides pastoral and practical support to farming people during periods of anxiety, stress and problems which relate to both the farm household and the farm business. It has a National Helpline, open daily.
Website: www.farmcrisisnetwork.org.uk

Rural Church Support Network

The Rural Church Support Network was established as an ecumenical organisation in 2001 to support rural churches and those engaged in rural ministry and mission. It grew out of the realisation that the countryside was undergoing a period of change unprecedented in recent times. It provides information through its newsletter and briefing papers, and arranges events on matters of concern and interest.
Contact: Leslie Morley leslie.morley@virgin.net

Rural Evangelism Network

This is the national network for all involved in or concerned for rural evangelism. Members are drawn from denominations and mission agencies. Over the years the Network has organised a large number of useful conferences and has published books, papers, articles, etc.
Website: www.ruralmissions.org.uk