Gtrc Annual Report

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GROWING THE RURAL CHURCH OUR YEAR 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 WELCOME TEAM UPDATES WELCOME Marian Carson FROM BISHOP ROBERT Marian Carson FROM BISHOP ROBERT Project Manager

2018 was quite a year for Growing the Rural Marian is a project management professional with a background in delivering Church (GtRC). From welcoming ‘Champers’ government funded programmes at both local and national levels. She is to the first Champing™ site in Devon, to experienced in community engagement, partnership working and change sharing our learning so far through hosting a management. Marian is married to a priest in the Church of England and has national conference in Coventry, the GtRC two primary-school aged children. Over the last year, Marian has enjoyed team and their colleagues in the Diocese seeing our pilot projects come to fruition. Across our county, more people of Exeter have consistently provided a high are now involved in our rural churches, thanks to a partnership between local quality, professional service to individuals and congregations, communities and the GtRC team. Marian is looking forward to communities across a range of projects. building on this in 2019. Sarah Cracknell As GtRC engages with rural mission Sarah Cracknell communities, the team seeks to join in with Project Officer the story of individuals, of churches and of GtRC’s work is enhanced by collaborating with communities, supporting where God is at work, some wonderful partners, and we are grateful communities, supporting where God is at work, Sarah has many years’ experience in community development work and and enabling new vision and energy to emerge. for the way they bring fresh insight and ideas to and enabling new vision and energy to emerge. working with vulnerable and marginalised groups in the community, as well as GtRC aims to: individual projects. GtRC aims to: working on a wide range of projects. She has a passion for supporting others to achieve things they think seem impossible. In the past year, Sarah has met • Develop sustainable uses of church buildings We hope you enjoy catching up on what GtRC • Develop sustainable uses of church buildings with 16 churches and embarked on an exciting journey of engagement and in partnership with local communities; has been up to in the past year, and that our in partnership with local communities; development with 7 of them. She is looking forward to continuing this in • Increase local capacity for mission; learning provides food for thought and ideas for • Increase local capacity for mission; 2019, as well as meeting and starting projects with many more churches and • Share our learning with others so all can your own context. • Share our learning with others so all can communities. benefit from the project’s resources. Sophie West MISSION Executive Officer Sophie arrived in Devon for university in 2002, and – despite the odd period STATEMENT away – has never quite managed to leave! Having studied Modern Languages, she taught French and Spanish in various universities and schools before arriving at the Diocese in 2014. Sophie joined the Growing the Rural Growing the Rural Church works with rural Church project in early 2018, and key pieces of work this year have included mission communities to develop their resources practical organisation of the GtRC conference, production of project publicity and, in particular their church buildings, to enable and surveys, and development of strategic projects around pilgrimage and them to grow in prayer, make new disciples and welcome. Sophie will be on maternity leave for much of 2019. serve the people of Devon with joy. Katharine Otley We do this by supporting rural mission communities to partner with their local Executive Officer (Maternity Cover) communities and external agencies to find sustainable missional, community, commercial or cultural uses for their church buildings, which benefit the whole community. Katharine has a degree and MA in Early Modern History. She has worked within the heritage sector as a Visitor Services Manager for the National When we do this, we ensure that the public spaces offered by our rural church buildings, both for Trust, and is experienced in volunteer training and management, events worship and extended missional, community, commercial or cultural use, are sustainably managed, and planning, marketing and historic interpretation. She has lived in Devon since we seek to draw more people into the life of our rural mission communities. 2013 and enjoys discovering new pockets of Dartmoor with her two boys, or trawling antique and charity shops with her husband. She also enjoys baking and taking an active role in her church.

2 3 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 TEAM UPDATES WELCOME TEAM UPDATES WELCOME Marian Carson FROM BISHOP ROBERT Marian Carson FROM BISHOP ROBERT Project Manager FROM BISHOP ROBERT Project Manager 2018 was quite a year for Growing the Rural Marian is a project management professional with a background in delivering Marian is a project management professional with a background in delivering Church2018 was (GtRC). quite a From year forwelcoming Growing ‘Champers’ the Rural government funded programmes at both local and national levels. She is government funded programmes at both local and national levels. She is toChurch the first (GtRC). Champing™ From welcoming site in Devon, ‘Champers’ to experienced in community engagement, partnership working and change experienced in community engagement, partnership working and change sharingto the first our learningChamping™ so far site through in Devon, hosting to a management. Marian is married to a priest in the Church of England and has management. Marian is married to a priest in the Church of England and has nationalsharing our conference learning inso Coventry, far through the hosting GtRC a two primary-school aged children. Over the last year, Marian has enjoyed two primary-school aged children. Over the last year, Marian has enjoyed teamnational and conference their colleagues in Coventry, in the Diocesethe GtRC seeing our pilot projects come to fruition. Across our county, more people seeing our pilot projects come to fruition. Across our county, more people ofteam Exeter and theirhave consistentlycolleagues in provided the Diocese a high are now involved in our rural churches, thanks to a partnership between local are now involved in our rural churches, thanks to a partnership between local quality,of Exeter professional have consistently service providedto individuals a high and congregations, communities and the GtRC team. Marian is looking forward to congregations, communities and the GtRC team. Marian is looking forward to communitiesquality, professional across servicea range toof individualsprojects. and building on this in 2019. communities across a range of projects. building on this in 2019. Sarah Cracknell As GtRC engages with rural mission Sarah Cracknell communities,As GtRC engages the teamwith seeksrural missionto join in with Project Officer thecommunities, story of individuals, the team seeksof churches to join andin with of GtRC’s work is enhanced by collaborating with Project Officer GtRC’s work is enhanced by collaborating with communities,the story of individuals, supporting of where churches God and is at of work, some wonderful partners, and we are grateful some wonderful partners, and we are grateful Sarah has many years’ experience in community development work and andcommunities, enabling new supporting vision and where energy God to is emerge.at work, for the way they bring fresh insight and ideas to Sarah has many years’ experience in community development work and for the way they bring fresh insight and ideas to working with vulnerable and marginalised groups in the community, as well as GtRCand enabling aims to: new vision and energy to emerge. individual projects. working with vulnerable and marginalised groups in the community, as well as GtRC aims to: individual projects. working on a wide range of projects. She has a passion for supporting others toworking achieve on things a wide they range think of seemprojects. impossible. She has aIn passion the past for year, supporting Sarah has others met • Develop sustainable uses of church buildings We hope you enjoy catching up on what GtRC to achieve things they think seem impossible. In the past year, Sarah has met We hope you enjoy catching up on what GtRC with 16 churches and embarked on an exciting journey of engagement and • inDevelop partnership sustainable with local uses communities;of church buildings has been up to in the past year, and that our with 16 churches and embarked on an exciting journey of engagement and has been up to in the past year, and that our development with 7 of them. She is looking forward to continuing this in • Increasein partnership local capacitywith local for communities; mission; learning provides food for thought and ideas for development with 7 of them. She is looking forward to continuing this in learning provides food for thought and ideas for 2019, as well as meeting and starting projects with many more churches and • ShareIncrease our local learning capacity with for others mission; so all can your own context. 2019, as well as meeting and starting projects with many more churches and your own context. communities. • benefitShare our from learning the project’s with others resources. so all can communities. benefit from the project’s resources. Sophie West Sophie West Executive Officer MISSION Executive Officer Sophie arrived in Devon for university in 2002, and – despite the odd period awaySophie – arrivedhas never in Devonquite managed for university to leave! in 2002,Having and studied – despite Modern the oddLanguages, period STATEMENT away – has never quite managed to leave! Having studied Modern Languages, STATEMENT she taught French and Spanish in various universities and schools before arrivingshe taught at theFrench Diocese and Spanish in 2014. in Sophievarious joined universities the Growing and schools the Rural before arriving at the Diocese in 2014. Sophie joined the Growing the Rural Growing the Rural Church works with rural Church project in early 2018, and key pieces of work this year have included missionGrowing communities the Rural Church to develop works their with resources rural practicalChurch project organisation in early of 2018, the GtRC and key conference, pieces of productionwork this year of project have included publicity mission communities to develop their resources practical organisation of the GtRC conference, production of project publicity and,mission in particular communities their to church develop buildings, their resources to enable and surveys, and development of strategic projects around pilgrimage and themand, in to particular grow in prayer,their church make newbuildings, disciples to enable and welcome.and surveys, Sophie and development will be on maternity of strategic leave projects for much around of 2019. pilgrimage and them to grow in prayer, make new disciples and welcome. Sophie will be on maternity leave for much of 2019. servethem tothe grow people in prayer,of Devon make with new joy. disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy. Katharine Otley We do this by supporting rural mission Katharine Otley communitiesWe do this by to supporting partner with rural their mission local Executive Officer (Maternity Cover) communities to partner with their local Executive Officer (Maternity Cover) communities andto partner external with agencies their localto find sustainable missional, community, commercial or cultural communities and external agencies to find sustainable missional, community, commercial or cultural uses for their church buildings, which benefit the whole community. Katharine has a degree and MA in Early Modern History. She has worked uses for their church buildings, which benefit the whole community. withinKatharine the hasheritage a degree sector and as MA a Visitor in Early Services Modern Manager History. for She the has National worked When we do this, we ensure that the public spaces offered by our rural church buildings, both for Trust,within andthe isheritage experienced sector in as volunteer a Visitor Servicestraining andManager management, for the Nationalevents When we do this, we ensure that the public spaces offered by our rural church buildings, both for worship and extended missional, community, commercial or cultural use, are sustainably managed, and planning,Trust, and marketing is experienced and historic in volunteer interpretation. training and She management, has lived in Devonevents since worship and extended missional, community, commercial or cultural use, are sustainably managed, and we seek to draw more people into the life of our rural mission communities. 2013planning, and marketing enjoys discovering and historic new interpretation. pockets of Dartmoor She has withlived herin Devon two boys, since or we seek to draw more people into the life of our rural mission communities. trawling2013 and antique enjoys anddiscovering charity shopsnew pockets with her of husband. Dartmoor She with also her enjoys two boys,baking or andtrawling taking antique an active and rolecharity in her shops church. with her husband. She also enjoys baking and taking an active role in her church.

2 3 2 3 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018

feel towards their local church, and providing opportunities to shape the future of the building’s use OUR IMPACT THIS YEAR collectively. One of our learning points from 2018 is that church-community conversations take time to develop, mature and bear fruit. As we look at our current projects, we are excited by the ideas emerging for OVERVIEW OF GTRC ACTIVITY the use of rural church buildings but, whilst a community consultation can be planned and delivered in a matter of months, the outworking of the resulting conversation is a longer process. Nevertheless, In addition to continuing our 8 pilots from 2017, GtRC commenced work on 29 additional projects In addition to continuing our 8 pilots from 2017, GtRC commenced work on 29 additional projects we are seeing more sustainable futures emerge for rural church buildings and, whilst a lot of our work in 2018. As with any large scale programme, some projects get off to a strong start and continue in in 2018. As with any large scale programme, some projects get off to a strong start and continue in is qualitative, there are some more tangible metrics that indicate our approach is delivering positive this way, some take a little longer to gain momentum, and some lose traction, for a variety of reasons. this way, some take a little longer to gain momentum, and some lose traction, for a variety of reasons. results. For example, following a community consultation, we look at whether a church-community Through closer work with the diocesan Mission and Ministry team, we have also referred some Through closer work with the diocesan Mission and Ministry team, we have also referred some partnership, project team, action group or friends organisation emerges. We then track the activities mission communities to our colleagues for initial support with mission action planning before engaging mission communities to our colleagues for initial support with mission action planning before engaging of that group, whilst supporting them to realise their aims. The table below provides a summary of with GtRC. This ensures that the support GtRC can offer grows out of a clear understanding of how with GtRC. This ensures that the support GtRC can offer grows out of a clear understanding of how activities in 2018 of a 25% sample of our completed and live projects: a rural mission community wants to use its church buildings to support its local vision for growing in prayer, making new disciples and serving the people of Devon with joy. A summary of GtRC activity can be seen in the table below. can be seen in the table below. Rural Church Community Principle Activities Fundraising Total Involvement in 2018 (where GtRC Project Activity in 2018 Resulting from relevant) Consultation Commenced in 2018 29 Consultation Completed in 2018 6 Alverdiscott Friends Group Refreshments at Services £3307 towards building Completed in 2018 6 Community Events repair/conservation GtRC Projects Status as of December 2018 Community Events repair/conservation GtRC Projects Status as of December 2018 Faculty Applications Live Projects 19 Live Projects 19 Bratton Fleming Church-Community Community Meals N/A Prioritised Projects 5 Partnership Churchyard Biodiversity Awaiting Prioritisation 2 On Hold (including projects referred for Mission Action Planning Support) 9 Huntshaw Friends Group Community Events £29000 towards building Building Maintenance repair/conservation Receiving Informal Advice 4 Building Maintenance repair/conservation Grant Applications Meshaw Church-Community Grant Applications £10000 towards Project Team Feasibility Study into AIM 1: INCREASING THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF reordering the church to provide community RURAL CHURCH BUILDINGS space Monkleigh Church-Community Project to reorder N/A Supporting rural churches to engage their communities in conversation forms a large part of Project Team church to provide space GtRC’s work. Of our 19 live projects at the end of December 2018, 5 were supported to undertake for primary school and community consultations in 2018 and a further 9 have community consultations taking place in Spring community activities 2019. The focus of each consultation varies according to the local situation, but all make use of tools Parkham Anglican-Methodist Project to reorder both N/A drawn from appreciative enquiry and asset-based community development. This means that the Project Team church buildings to meet conversation starts with noting the good things about the church (both people and building) and the faith and community needs community. This leads into conversations identifying where the needs are in a community, discussing how the church building might be better used to meet these needs, and then creating AIM 2: INCREASING CAPACITY FOR MISSION church-community partnerships to take ideas forward. forward. GtRC’s approach is based on national Church of England research papers including Released for Mission: Growing the Rural Church (2015). This states that ‘Church buildings can be both a blessing and a burden, This last point is key to the success of the Growing the Rural Church (2015). This states that ‘Church buildings can be both a blessing and a burden, This last point is key to the success of the which falls primarily on the congregation and clergy. Urgent attention needs to be given to a strategy projects GtRC supports. Our work is not for their future management, as well as continuing the work to sustain buildings through extended about generating community conversations for their future management, as well as continuing the work to sustain buildings through extended about generating community conversations community use.’ which result in more actions being added to the already very long ‘to do’ lists in rural to the already very long ‘to do’ lists in rural A direct consequence of supporting rural churches to engage their communities in conversation is churches. Rather, it is about naming the sense that worshipping congregations are brought into increased contact with a wider group of people from of belonging communities often already that worshipping congregations are brought into increased contact with a wider group of people from of belonging communities often already their locality. Working together on joint church-community projects also builds new relationships and

4 5 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018

feel towards their local church, and providing opportunities to shape the future of the building’s use WELCOMEOUR IMPACT THIS YEAR TEAMcollectively. UPDATES One of our learning points fromMarian 2018 is Carsonthat church-community conversations take time to develop, mature and bear fruit. As we look at our current projects, we are excited by the ideas emerging for FROM BISHOP ROBERT mature and bear fruit. As we lookProject at our Manager current projects, we are excited by the ideas emerging for OVERVIEW OF GTRC ACTIVITY the use of rural church buildings but, whilst a community consultation can be planned and delivered in a matter of months, the outworking of the resulting conversation is a longer process. Nevertheless, In addition to continuing our 8 pilots from 2017, GtRC commenced work on 29 additional projects In2018 addition was quite to continuing a year for our Growing 8 pilots the from Rural 2017, GtRC commenced work on 29 additional projects we are seeing more sustainableMarian futures is emergea project for management rural church professional buildings with and, a whilstbackground a lot inof deliveringour work in 2018. As with any large scale programme, some projects get off to a strong start and continue in inChurch 2018. (GtRC). As with Fromany large welcoming scale programme, ‘Champers’ some projects get off to a strong start and continue in is qualitative, there are some moregovernment tangible funded metrics programmes that indicate at both our localapproach and national is delivering levels. Shepositive is this way, some take a little longer to gain momentum, and some lose traction, for a variety of reasons. thisto the way, first some Champing™ take a little site longer in Devon,to gain to momentum, and some lose traction, for a variety of reasons. results. For example, following aexperienced community in consultation, community engagement, we look at partnership whether a working church-community and change Through closer work with the diocesan Mission and Ministry team, we have also referred some Throughsharing our closer learning work so with far thethrough diocesan hosting Mission a and Ministry team, we have also referred some partnership, project team, actionmanagement. group or friends Marian organisationis married to aemerges. priest in theWe Church then track of England the activities and has mission communities to our colleagues for initial support with mission action planning before engaging missionnational communitiesconference in to Coventry, our colleagues the GtRC for initial support with mission action planning before engaging of that group, whilst supportingtwo them primary-school to realise their aged aims. children. The Overtable thebelow last providesyear, Marian a summary has enjoyed of with GtRC. This ensures that the support GtRC can offer grows out of a clear understanding of how withteam GtRC. and their This colleagues ensures that in the the Diocese support GtRC can offer grows out of a clear understanding of how activities in 2018 of a 25% sampleseeing of ourour pilotcompleted projects and come live to projects: fruition. Across our county, more people aof rural Exeter mission have consistentlycommunity wantsprovided to usea high its church buildings to support its local vision for growing in are now involved in our rural churches, thanks to a partnership between local prayer,quality, makingprofessional new disciplesservice toand individuals serving the and people of Devon with joy. A summary of GtRC activity congregations, communities and the GtRC team. Marian is looking forward to can be seen in the table below. cancommunities be seen in across the table a range below. of projects. Rural Church Communitybuilding on this in Principle2019. Activities Fundraising Total InvolvementSarah Cracknell in 2018 (where AsGtRC GtRC Projectengages with Activity rural mission in 2018 Resulting from relevant) communities,GtRC Project the team Activity seeks to in join 2018 in with Project Officer Commenced in 2018 29 Consultation theCommenced story of individuals, in 2018 of churches and of GtRC’s work is enhanced by collaborating29 with Alverdiscott Friends Group Refreshments at Services £3307 towards building communities,Completed insupporting 2018 where God is at work, some wonderful partners, and we6 are grateful Sarah has many years’Community experience Events in community developmentrepair/conservation work and andGtRC enabling Projects new vision Status and energy as of to December emerge. for2018 the way they bring fresh insight and ideas to GtRC Projects Status as of December 2018 working with vulnerableFaculty and Applications marginalised groups in the community, as well as GtRCLive Projectsaims to: individual projects. 19 Live Projects 19 Bratton Fleming Church-Communityworking on a wideCommunity range of projects. Meals She has a passionN/A for supporting others Prioritised Projects 5 Partnershipto achieve things theyChurchyard think seem Biodiversity impossible. In the past year, Sarah has met • Develop sustainable uses of church buildings We hope you enjoy catching up on what GtRC Partnership Churchyard Biodiversity Awaiting Prioritisation 2 with 16 churches and embarked on an exciting journey of engagement and Awaitingin partnership Prioritisation with local communities; has been up to in the past year, and2 that our Huntshaw Friends Groupdevelopment withCommunity 7 of them. She Events is looking forward£29000 to continuing towards this building in • OnIncrease Hold (including local capacity projects for referredmission; for Mission Actionlearning Planning provides Support) food for thought9 and ideas for Huntshaw Friends Group Community Events £29000 towards building 2019, as well as meetingBuilding and Maintenance starting projects withrepair/conservation many more churches and • ReceivingShare our Informal learning Advice with others so all can your own context. 4 Building Maintenance repair/conservation communities. Grant Applications benefit from the project’s resources. Grant Applications Meshaw Church-Community Grant Applications £10000 towards Project TeamSophie West Feasibility Study into AIM 1: INCREASING THE SUSTAINABLE USE OF Executive Officer reordering the church MISSION to provide community RURAL CHURCH BUILDINGS space Sophie arrived in Devon for university in 2002, and – despite the odd period Monkleigh Church-Community Project to reorder N/A away – has never quite managed to leave! Having studied Modern Languages, SupportingSTATEMENT rural churches to engage their communities in conversation forms a large part of Project Team church to provide space she taught French and Spanish in various universities and schools before GtRC’s work. Of our 19 live projects at the end of December 2018, 5 were supported to undertake for primary school and arriving at the Diocese in 2014. Sophie joined the Growing the Rural community consultations in 2018 and a further 9 have community consultations taking place in Spring community activities Church project in early 2018, and key pieces of work this year have included 2019.Growing The thefocus Rural of each Church consultation works with varies rural according to the local situation, but all make use of tools Parkham Anglican-Methodist Project to reorder both N/A Parkham Anglican-Methodistpractical organisation Project of the to GtRC reorder conference, both productionN/A of project publicity drawnmission from communities appreciative to developenquiry theirand asset-based resources community development. This means that the Project Team church buildings to meet Project Teamand surveys, and developmentchurch buildings of strategic to meet projects around pilgrimage and conversationand, in particular starts their with church noting buildings, the good to things enable about the church (both people and building) and the faith and community needs welcome. Sophie willfaith be and on communitymaternity leave needs for much of 2019. community.them to grow This in leadsprayer, into make conversations new disciples identifying and where the needs are in a community, discussing howserve the the church people building of Devon might with be joy. better used to meet these needs, and then creating AIM 2: INCREASINGKatharine CAPACITY Otley FOR MISSION church-communityWe do this by supporting partnerships rural missionto take ideas communities to partner with their local Executive Officer (Maternity Cover) forward. GtRC’s approach is based on national Church of England research papers including Released for Mission: communities and external agencies to find sustainable missional, community, commercial or cultural GtRC’s approach is based on national Church of England research papers including Released for Mission: Growing the Rural Church (2015). This states that ‘Church buildings can be both a blessing and a burden, Thisuses lastfor theirpoint churchis key to buildings, the success which of benefit the the whole community. Katharine has a degree and MA in Early Modern History. She has worked This last point is key to the success of the which falls primarily on the congregation and clergy. Urgent attention needs to be given to a strategy projects GtRC supports. Our work is not within the heritage sector as a Visitor Services Manager for the National projects GtRC supports. Our work is not for their future management, as well as continuing the work to sustain buildings through extended aboutWhen generating we do this, community we ensure conversationsthat the public spaces offered by our rural church buildings, both for Trust, and is experienced in volunteer training and management, events about generating community conversations community use.’ whichworship result and inextended more actions missional, being community, added commercial or cultural use, are sustainably managed, and planning, marketing and historic interpretation. She has lived in Devon since towe the seek already to draw very more long people ‘to do’ intolists thein rural life of our rural mission communities. 2013 and enjoys discovering new pockets of Dartmoor with her two boys, or to the already very long ‘to do’ lists in rural A direct consequence of supporting rural churches to engage their communities in conversation is churches. Rather, it is about naming the sense trawling antique and charity shops with her husband. She also enjoys baking churches. Rather, it is about naming the sense that worshipping congregations are brought into increased contact with a wider group of people from of belonging communities often already and taking an active role in her church. of belonging communities often already their locality. Working together on joint church-community projects also builds new relationships and

4 5 2 3 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018

strengthens existing ones. As more people become involved in the life of our rural churches, we can and development, we need both local congregations and the expertise of colleagues in our diocesan see that the ‘burden-blessing’ imbalance of our rural church buildings is being redressed. Mission and Ministry team, working collaboratively and strategically together, to develop a plan for a sustainable future of each rural church with which we engage. As a result, existing worshipping communities are finding they have more capacity to think about their missional role in their community, rather than the majority of their time being taken up as custodians VALUE YOUR ASSETS of an ancient building. For example, following a public consultation, GtRC recently supported the development of a new Friends Group at a church on Dartmoor. An inaugural meeting elected a In any project involving a rural church building, we have found it invaluable to start with appreciating committee of 6 community members who immediately began to shoulder some of the responsibility the good things and engaging the wider community in that conversation. for the fabric of the building and its use by the community. The excitement of the PCC in response to this was palpable. They could see space opening up for them to reflect on how they might further Community consultation usually highlights that people who attend irregularly actually identify as develop opportunities for people to engage with the worshipping community and consider questions belonging to churches through one-off events such as Harvest and Christmas services, through the of faith. faith and witness of people known to be part of the church and through a sense that Very often, local clergy and lay leadership teams are adept at seizing the opportunities that increased the church building in their community is capacity for mission creates, but GtRC also refers individuals and groups to our colleagues in ‘theirs’, however often they actually enter it. the diocesan Mission and Ministry Department for specific support around mission, starting new For more on this, see God’s Belongers (2017) congregations and developing lay discipleship. by the Right Rev. David Walker, Bishop of Manchester. AIM 3: SHARING OUR LEARNING These thoughts are enormously encouraging Sharing our learning was a major focus for GtRC for our rural churches who do one-off, in 2018. On a local level, we saw an increase of festival services really well, whose people peer learning rural church visits where, facilitated are woven into the fabric of any rural by GtRC, members of one church visited another community and whose building draws people to it through its sense of holding the spiritual and rural church to share experiences of community community history of the place. Where we encounter energy-drain, we aim to turn the conversation engagement, re-ordering opportunities and mission. around, enabling our rural churches to value these assets and use them as a great place to start a A number of connections were supported by our conversation with their wider community. diocesan network of Mission Sheds, geographically based meetings that bring people together, often CHANGE IS A PROCESS AND PROGRESS IS TO BE CELEBRATED from rural areas, three times a year to share stories, learn from each other and be inspired about GtRC’s experiences have taught us to work in a way that recognises that change is a process, that mission. GtRC’s experiences have taught us to work in a way that recognises that change is a process, that the time needed for projects is generally more than we anticipate and that it is, therefore, worth celebrating progress at milestones along the way. On a national level, we held a conference entitled celebrating progress at milestones along the way. ‘Building Conversations: Churches for Rural In GtRC’s experience, the conversation around the future of rural churches usually involves a Communities’ in October 2018. Bringing together In GtRC’s experience, the conversation around the future of rural churches usually involves a recognition of the need for change to a greater or lesser extent. This can, at times, be painful for those delegates from across the country, we were able to share something of what we have learnt so far recognition of the need for change to a greater or lesser extent. This can, at times, be painful for those involved. We recognise that the feelings experienced during a period of change are part of a natural with parish members and clergy, diocesan officers, bishops and national officers, as well as ecumenical involved. We recognise that the feelings experienced during a period of change are part of a natural human process for adapting, and what is needed for progression towards problem solving is a lot of partners. Below, we share some of our key messages from that day. human process for adapting, and what is needed for progression towards problem solving is a lot of listening and, crucially, time. We genuinely see the passage of time as our friend, and have learnt to INTENTIONALITY balance the necessary need for momentum with that of allowing time for the change process to work itself through in our project planning. The Church of England reports From Anecdote to Evidence (2014) and Released for Mission: Growing the Rural Church (2015) tell us that meaningful mission and growth is possible in rural churches where Consequently, as Rural Church (2015) tell us that meaningful mission and growth is possible in rural churches where we deliver projects clergy and lay people have a clear mission and purpose we deliver projects and are intentional about the life of their church and its with our mission and are intentional about the life of their church and its communities, we have engagement with the community around it. communities, we have learnt to recognise Our experience in GtRC bears this out. There have been and celebrate progress. Our experience in GtRC bears this out. There have been The people living and occasions where, on engaging with a mission community, The people living and we have encountered a lack of clarity about how that group working in a rural we have encountered a lack of clarity about how that group community are only of churches is seeking to be intentionally missional. Our community are only learning from working with these churches is that, while the current custodians learning from working with these churches is that, while of that place’s spiritual, the GtRC team brings skills in community engagement of that place’s spiritual,

6 7 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 strengthens existing ones. As more people become involved in the life of our rural churches, we can and development, we need both local congregations and the expertise of colleagues in our diocesan see that the ‘burden-blessing’ imbalance of our rural church buildings is being redressed. MissionTEAM and MinistryUPDATES team, working collaboratively and strategically together, to develop a plan for a WELCOME sustainable future of each rural church with which we engage. As a result, existing worshipping communities are finding they have more capacity to think about their Marian Carson missional role in their community, rather than the majority of their time being taken up as custodians missionalFROM role BISHOP in their community, ROBERT rather than the majority of their time being taken up as custodians VALUE YOUR ASSETSProject Manager of an ancient building. For example, following a public consultation, GtRC recently supported the development of a new Friends Group at a church on Dartmoor. An inaugural meeting elected a In any project involving a rural church building, we have found it invaluable to start with appreciating Marian is a project management professional with a background in delivering committee2018 was quite of 6 communitya year for Growing members the who Rural immediately began to shoulder some of the responsibility the good things and engaging the wider community in that conversation. forChurch the fabric (GtRC). of theFrom building welcoming and its ‘Champers’ use by the community. The excitement of the PCC in response government funded programmes at both local and national levels. She is experienced in community engagement, partnership working and change toto thisthe wasfirst palpable. Champing™ They sitecould in seeDevon, space to opening up for them to reflect on how they might further Community consultation usually highlights that people who attend irregularly actually identify as management. Marian is married to a priest in the Church of England and has developsharing ouropportunities learning so for far people through to hosting engage awith the worshipping community and consider questions belonging to churches through one-off events such as Harvest and Christmas services, through the two primary-school aged children. Over the last year, Marian has enjoyed ofnational faith. conference in Coventry, the GtRC faith and witness of people known to be seeing our pilot projects come to fruition. Across our county, more people team and their colleagues in the Diocese part of the church and through a sense that are now involved in our rural churches, thanks to a partnership between local Veryof Exeter often, have local consistently clergy and layprovided leadership a high teams are adept at seizing the opportunities that increased the church building in their community is congregations, communities and the GtRC team. Marian is looking forward to capacityquality, professional for mission servicecreates, tobut individuals GtRC also and refers individuals and groups to our colleagues in ‘theirs’, however often they actually enter it. building on this in 2019. thecommunities diocesan Missionacross a and range Ministry of projects. Department for specific support around mission, starting new For more on this, see God’s Belongers (2017) congregations and developing lay discipleship. congregations and developing lay discipleship. by the Right Rev. David Walker, BishopSarah ofCracknell As GtRC engages with rural mission Manchester. AIMcommunities, 3: SHARINGthe team seeks to joinOUR in with LEARNING Project Officer the story of individuals, of churches and of GtRC’s work is enhanced by collaborating with These thoughts are enormously encouraging some wonderful partners, and we are grateful Sharingcommunities, our learning supporting was awhere major God focus is forat work, GtRC for our rural churches who do one-off,Sarah has many years’ experience in community development work and for the way they bring fresh insight and ideas to inand 2018. enabling On a new local vision level, andwe sawenergy an increaseto emerge. of festival services really well, whoseworking people with vulnerable and marginalised groups in the community, as well as individual projects. peerGtRC learning aims to: rural church visits where, facilitated are woven into the fabric of anyworking rural on a wide range of projects. She has a passion for supporting others by GtRC, members of one church visited another community and whose building todraws achieve people things to they it through think seem its senseimpossible. of holding In the thepast spiritual year, Sarah and has met We hope you enjoy catching up on what GtRC rural• Develop church sustainableto share experiences uses of church of community buildings community history of the place.with Where 16 churches we encounter and embarked energy-drain, on an exciting we aim journey to turn of the engagement conversation and has been up to in the past year, and that our engagement,in partnership re-ordering with local opportunities communities; and mission. around, enabling our rural churchesdevelopment to value with these 7 ofassets them. and She useis looking them forwardas a great to placecontinuing to start this ain learning provides food for thought and ideas for A• numberIncrease of local connections capacity werefor mission; supported by our conversation with their wider community.2019, as well as meeting and starting projects with many more churches and your own context. diocesan• Share networkour learning of Mission with others Sheds, so geographically all can communities. basedbenefit meetings from that the bring project’s people resources. together, often CHANGE IS A PROCESS AND PROGRESS IS TO BE CELEBRATED from rural areas, three times a year to share stories, learn from each other and be inspired about Sophie West GtRC’s experiences have taught us to work in a way that recognises that change is a process, that mission. GtRC’s experiences have taughtExecutive us to work Officer in a way that recognises that change is a process, that MISSION the time needed for projects is generally more than we anticipate and that it is, therefore, worth celebrating progress at milestones along the way. On a national level, we held a conference entitled Sophie arrived in Devon for university in 2002, and – despite the odd period ‘Building Conversations: Churches for Rural away – has never quite managed to leave! Having studied Modern Languages, STATEMENTCommunities’ in October 2018. Bringing together In GtRC’s experience, the conversation around the future of rural churches usually involves a Communities’ in October 2018. Bringing together she taught French and Spanish in various universities and schools before recognition of the need for change to a greater or lesser extent. This can, at times, be painful for those delegates from across the country, we were able to share something of what we have learnt so far arriving at the Diocese in 2014. Sophie joined the Growing the Rural involved. We recognise that the feelings experienced during a period of change are part of a natural with parish members and clergy, diocesan officers, bishops and national officers, as well as ecumenical Church project in early 2018, and key pieces of work this year have included Growing the Rural Church works with rural human process for adapting, and what is needed for progression towards problem solving is a lot of partners. Below, we share some of our key messages from that day. practical organisation of the GtRC conference, production of project publicity mission communities to develop their resources listening and, crucially, time. We genuinely see the passage of time as our friend, and have learnt to and surveys, and development of strategic projects around pilgrimage and and, in particular their church buildings, to enable balance the necessary need for momentum with that of allowing time for the change process to work INTENTIONALITY welcome. Sophie will be on maternity leave for much of 2019. them to grow in prayer, make new disciples and itself through in our project planning. serve the people of Devon with joy. The Church of England reports From Anecdote to Evidence (2014) and Released for Mission: Growing the Rural Church (2015) tell us that meaningful mission and growth is possible in rural churches where Katharine Otley Consequently, as WeRural do Church this by (2015) supporting tell us rural that meaningfulmission mission and growth is possible in rural churches where clergy and lay people have a clear mission and purpose we deliver projects communities to partner with their local clergy and lay people have a clear mission and purpose Executive Officer (Maternity Cover) and are intentional about the life of their church and its with our mission communities and external agencies to findand sustainable are intentional missional, about community, the life of commercial their church or and cultural its communities, we have engagement with the community around it. communities, we have uses for their church buildings, which benefit the whole community. Katharine has a degree and MA in Early Modern History.learnt She to hasrecognise worked within the heritage sector as a Visitor Services Managerand celebratefor the National progress. Our experience in GtRC bears this out. There have been and celebrate progress. When we do this, we ensure that the public spaces offered by our rural church buildings, both for Trust, and is experienced in volunteer training and management,The people eventsliving and occasions where, on engaging with a mission community, The people living and worship and extended missional, community, commercial or cultural use, are sustainably managed, and planning, marketing and historic interpretation. She workinghas lived inin aDevon rural since we have encountered a lack of clarity about how that group working in a rural we seek to draw more people into the life of our rural mission communities. 2013 and enjoys discovering new pockets of Dartmoorcommunity with her aretwo only boys, or of churches is seeking to be intentionally missional. Our community are only trawling antique and charity shops with her husband.the She current also enjoys custodians baking learning from working with these churches is that, while the current custodians and taking an active role in her church. of that place’s spiritual, the GtRC team brings skills in community engagement of that place’s spiritual,

6 7 2 3 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 social and economic health. They pass on, and new needs and new projects emerge. Any finished piece of work we do with a mission community is never the end of the story, so it’s important that we of socialwork andwe doeconomic with a missionhealth. They community pass on, andis never new needsthe end and of new the projectsstory, so emerge. it’s important Any finished that we piece celebrate progress as we share part of their story with them. PROJECT STORIES celebrateof work progress we do with as wea mission share communitypart of their is storynever withthe end them. of the story, so it’s important that we PROJECT STORIES celebrate progress as we share part of their story with them. PROJECT STORIES CONCLUSION CONCLUSION WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? WHAT’SOur 2017 Annual HAPPENING Report included project NOW? stories from our pilot programmes. Here’s how some of Being part of any GtRC project with a rural mission community is a privilege. Time and time again, Our 2017 Annual Report included project stories from our pilot programmes. Here’s how some of them are getting on… as Beingwe engage part of with any ruralGtRC churches project with and atheir rural local mission communities, community we is afind privilege. resilience Time andand timehope. again, If you Ourthem 2017 areAnnual getting Report on… included project stories from our pilot programmes. Here’s how some of liveas over we engagean hour with from rural the churches nearest andcity their and 40local minutes communities, from a we market find town,resilience resilience and hope. is partIf you of them are getting on… yourlive DNA. over anWe hour are fromlearning the tonearest value city this and and 40 harness minutes it fromas we a supportmarket town, local resiliencecommunities is part to of shape whatyour church DNA. looksWe are like learning for them to value in rural this Devon. and harness And hope?it as we Despite support the local gloomy communities narrative to ofshape reduced SHIRWELL employment,what church increasing looks like house for them prices, in rural and Devon.retreating And publichope? Despiteservices the in ourgloomy rural narrative areas, GtRC of reduced SHIRWELL employment, increasing house prices, and retreating public services in our rural areas, GtRC MISSION encounters a surprising amount of hope. In one recent community survey we conducted, we asked MISSIONMISSION theencounters question, ‘Ina surprising 3 words, amounthow would of hope. you Inlike one this recent village community to be described survey wein 20 conducted, years time?’ we askedThis is the question, ‘In 3 words, how would you like this village to be described in 20 years time?’ This is COMMUNITY what people living in an isolated coastal community said… COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY what people living in an isolated coastal community said… In 2017 we reported on our In 2017 we reported on our partnership with Shirwell Mission partnershipCommunity with andShirwell Mosaic Mission Creative to CommunityCommunity and Mosaicand Mosaic Creative Creative to to explore Stories on the Street, a six-part exploreexplore Stories Stories on the on Street, the Street, a six-part a six-part resource that uses creative Bible study, resourceresource that thatuses usescreative creative Bible Biblestudy, study, art andart anddrama drama to help to churchhelp church members members gain gainnew newinsights insights and give and themgive themenergy energy and andpassion passion for working for working alongside alongside their their community.community. Members Members of all of7 churchesall 7 churches in thein Missionthe Mission Community Community took parttook in part in and getand to knowget to each know other each better other across better the across the the sessionsthe sessions between between January January and July and 2018, July out2018, outgenerations. generations. As a result, As aa result,church-community a church-community of whichof which have havegrown grown four churchfour church and community and community partnership partnership is now beingis now explored. being explored. So far, events So far, events projects.projects. One Oneof these of these is in Brattonis in Bratton Fleming, Fleming, a a have includedhave included a biodiversity a biodiversity survey of survey the of the largelarge village village which which supports supports a primary a primary school school churchyard,churchyard, a community a community meal and meal a repair and café.a repair café. and anda community a community shop. shop.Despite Despite these thesefacilities, facilities, communitycommunity mapping mapping and consultation and consultation showed showed churchchurch members members that peoplethat people in the in village the villagewere were eager to have a place to meet, to share skills eager to have a place to meet, to share skills

TWOTWO RIVERS RIVERS MISSION MISSION COMMUNITY COMMUNITY This collective vision of hope is not uncommon in GtRC’s work and we value the opportunity to be TWO RIVERS MISSION COMMUNITY This collective vision of hope is not uncommon in GtRC’s work and we value the opportunity to be Thispart collective of the journey vision towardsof hope brighteris not uncommon futures in thein GtRC’s rural communities work and wewith value whom the we opportunity engage. to be In 2017 we reported on the early work we had also members of the free church in their local part of the journey towards brighter futures in the rural communities with whom we engage. doneIn with 2017 four we parishes reported in Twoon the Rivers early Mission work we hadmarket also town. members Despite beingof the part free of church a thriving in their local Community.done with Through four parishes 2018, the in word Two spreadRivers Missionworshipping market community town. Despite elsewhere, being they part felt of a thriving acrossCommunity. the area, and Through we have 2018, now the engaged word inspread 8 of it reallyworshipping important that community there was elsewhere, a Christian they felt the 11across parishes. the area,In each and we we have have run now a community engaged in 8presence of it reallythrough important the church that in theretheir parish.was a Christian consultation,the 11 parishes. seeking Into eachunderstand we have what run local a community However, presence they were through feeling the despondent church in – their very parish. peopleconsultation, value about seeking their churches to understand and offering what localfew peopleHowever, attended they the were monthly feeling service, despondent and the – very opportunitiespeople value to be about part theirof the churches ongoing lifeand of offering building few was people feeling attendeda burden. theSo, wemonthly supported service, and the the church.opportunities One of tothese be partis St Mary’sof the ongoingHuntshaw. life of them tobuilding consult was with feeling their community a burden. So,about we supported Set deepthe church. in of one One of ourof these many is rolling St Mary’s valleys, Huntshaw. the the futurethem of tothe consult church. withAt a welltheir attended community about churchSet isdeep located in of next one to of a ourcouple many of housesrolling valleys,and publicthe meeting,the future two of strong the church. themes At emerged. a well attended the parishchurch hall, is located but is otherwise next to a surrounded couple of housesby andThe firstpublic was meeting,that people two wantedstrong the themes church emerged. to farmland.the parish hall, but is otherwise surrounded byremain Theopen first and werewas that prepared people to getwanted stuck the in church to to fundraising and maintenance to ensure this farmland. remain open and were prepared to get stuck in When we first visited Huntshaw, we met the happened. The second was that they wanted a to fundraising and maintenance to ensure this remaining three PCC members, all of whom were church that was relevant to them. One lady said, When we first visited Huntshaw, we met the happened. The second was that they wanted a remaining three PCC members, all of whom were church that was relevant to them. One lady said, 8 9

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church that was relevant to them. One lady said, remaining three PCC members, all of whom were

happened. The second was that they wanted a When we first visited Huntshaw, we met the

to fundraising and maintenance to ensure this

remain open and were prepared to get stuck in farmland.

The first was that people wanted the church to the parish hall, but is otherwise surrounded by

public meeting, two strong themes emerged. church is located next to a couple of houses and

the future of the church. At a well attended Set deep in of one of our many rolling valleys, the

them to consult with their community about the church. One of these is St Mary’s Huntshaw.

building was feeling a burden. So, we supported opportunities to be part of the ongoing life of

few people attended the monthly service, and the people value about their churches and offering

However, they were feeling despondent – very consultation, seeking to understand what local

presence through the church in their parish. the 11 parishes. In each we have run a community

it really important that there was a Christian across the area, and we have now engaged in 8 of

worshipping community elsewhere, they felt Community. Through 2018, the word spread

market town. Despite being part of a thriving done with four parishes in Two Rivers Mission

part of the journey towards brighter futures in the rural communities with whom we engage.

also members of the free church in their local In 2017 we reported on the early work we had

This collective vision of hope is not uncommon in GtRC’s work and we value the opportunity to be

TWO RIVERS MISSION COMMUNITY

eager to have a place to meet, to share skills

church members that people in the village were

community mapping and consultation showed

and a community shop. Despite these facilities,

large village which supports a primary school churchyard, a community meal and a repair café.

projects. One of these is in Bratton Fleming, a have included a biodiversity survey of the

of which have grown four church and community partnership is now being explored. So far, events

the sessions between January and July 2018, out generations. As a result, a church-community

in the Mission Community took part in and get to know each other better across the

community. Members of all 7 churches

and passion for working alongside their

gain new insights and give them energy

art and drama to help church members

resource that uses creative Bible study,

explore Stories on the Street, a six-part

Community and Mosaic Creative to

partnership with Shirwell Mission

In 2017 we reported on our

what people living in an isolated coastal community said…

COMMUNITY

the question, ‘In 3 words, how would you like this village to be described in 20 years time?’ This is

encounters a surprising amount of hope. In one recent community survey we conducted, we asked

MISSION

employment, increasing house prices, and retreating public services in our rural areas, GtRC

SHIRWELL what church looks like for them in rural Devon. And hope? Despite the gloomy narrative of reduced

your DNA. We are learning to value this and harness it as we support local communities to shape

live over an hour from the nearest city and 40 minutes from a market town, resilience is part of

as we engage with rural churches and their local communities, we find resilience and hope. If you

them are getting on…

Being part of any GtRC project with a rural mission community is a privilege. Time and time again, Our 2017 Annual Report included project stories from our pilot programmes. Here’s how some of

WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? CONCLUSION

PROJECT STORIES celebrate progress as we share part of their story with them.

of work we do with a mission community is never the end of the story, so it’s important that we

social and economic health. They pass on, and new needs and new projects emerge. Any finished piece Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 Growing the Rural Church our year 2018 social and economic health. They pass on, and new needs and new projects emerge. Any finished piece of work we do with a mission community is never the end of the story, so it’s important that we of socialwork andwe doeconomic with a missionhealth. They community pass on, andis never new needsthe end and of new the projectsstory, so emerge. it’s important Any finished that we piece TEAM UPDATES celebrate progress as we share part of their story with them. PROJECT STORIES WELCOMEof work we do with a mission community is never the end of the story, so it’s important that we celebrate progress as we share part of their story with them. PROJECTMarian STORIES Carson FROM BISHOP ROBERT CONCLUSION Project Manager CONCLUSION WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW? 2018 was quite a year for Growing the Rural WHAT’SOur 2017 Annual HAPPENING Report includedMarian project NOW? is a project stories management from our pilot professional programmes. with a Here’sbackground how in some delivering of Being part of any GtRC project with a rural mission community is a privilege. Time and time again, Our 2017 Annual Report included project stories from our pilot programmes. Here’s how some of Church (GtRC). From welcoming ‘Champers’ them are getting on… government funded programmes at both local and national levels. She is as Beingwe engage part of with any ruralGtRC churches project with and atheir rural local mission communities, community we is afind privilege. resilience Time andand timehope. again, If you Ourthem 2017 areAnnual getting Report on… included project stories from our pilot programmes. Here’s how some of to the first Champing™ site in Devon, to them are getting on… experienced in community engagement, partnership working and change liveas over we engagean hour with from rural the churches nearest andcity their and 40local minutes communities, from a we market find town,resilience resilience and hope. is partIf you of sharing our learning so far through hosting a management. Marian is married to a priest in the Church of England and has yourlive DNA. over anWe hour are fromlearning the tonearest value city this and and 40 harness minutes it fromas we a supportmarket town, local resiliencecommunities is part to of shape national conference in Coventry, the GtRC two primary-school aged children. Over the last year, Marian has enjoyed whatyour church DNA. looksWe are like learning for them to value in rural this Devon. and harness And hope?it as we Despite support the local gloomy communities narrative to ofshape reduced SHIRWELL team and their colleagues in the Diocese SHIRWELL seeing our pilot projects come to fruition. Across our county, more people employment,what church increasing looks like house for them prices, in rural and Devon.retreating And publichope? Despiteservices the in ourgloomy rural narrative areas, GtRC of reduced SHIRWELL of Exeter have consistently provided a high are now involved in our rural churches, thanks to a partnership between local encountersemployment, a surprising increasing amount house prices, of hope. and In retreating one recent public community services insurvey our rural we conducted,areas, GtRC we asked MISSION quality, professional service to individuals and MISSION congregations, communities and the GtRC team. Marian is looking forward to theencounters question, ‘Ina surprising 3 words, amounthow would of hope. you Inlike one this recent village community to be described survey wein 20 conducted, years time?’ we askedThis is communitiesthe question, across ‘In 3 words, a range how of projects.would you like this village to be described in 20 years time?’ This is COMMUNITY building on this in 2019. what people living in an isolated coastal community said… COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY what people living in an isolated coastal community said… In 2017 we reported on our In 2017 we reported on our As GtRC engages with rural mission partnership with Shirwell MissionSarah Cracknell partnershipCommunity with andShirwell Mosaic Mission Creative to communities, the team seeks to join in with CommunityCommunity and Mosaicand Mosaic Creative Creative to Project to Officer explore Stories on the Street, a six-part the story of individuals, of churches and of GtRC’s work is enhanced by collaborating with exploreexplore Stories Stories on the on Street, the Street, a six-part a six-part some wonderful partners, and we are grateful resource that uses creative Bible study, communities, supporting where God is at work, resourceresource that thatuses usescreative creative Bible Biblestudy,Sarah study, has many years’ experience in community development work and for the way they bring fresh insight and ideas to art and drama to help church members and enabling new vision and energy to emerge. art andart anddrama drama to help to churchhelp church members membersworking with vulnerable and marginalised groups in the community, as well as individual projects. gain new insights and give them energy GtRC aims to: gain gainnew newinsights insights and give and themgive themenergy workingenergy on a wide range of projects. She has a passion for supporting others and passion for working alongside their and andpassion passion for working for working alongside alongside theirto achievetheir things they think seem impossible. In the past year, Sarah has met We hope you enjoy catching up on what GtRC community. Members of all 7 churches • Develop sustainable uses of church buildings community.community. Members Members of all of7 churchesall 7 churcheswith 16 churches and embarked on an exciting journey of engagement and has been up to in the past year, and that our in the Mission Community took part in and getand to knowget to each know other each better other across better the across the in partnership with local communities; in thein Missionthe Mission Community Community took parttook developmentin part in with 7 of them. She is looking forward to continuing this in learning provides food for thought and ideas for the sessionsthe sessions between between January January and July and 2018, July out2018, outgenerations. generations. As a result, As aa result,church-community a church-community • Increase local capacity for mission; the sessions between January and2019, July as 2018, well asout meeting and starting projects with many more churches and your own context. of whichof which have havegrown grown four churchfour church and community and community partnership partnership is now beingis now explored. being explored. So far, events So far, events • Share our learning with others so all can of which have grown four churchcommunities. and community benefit from the project’s resources. projects.projects. One Oneof these of these is in Brattonis in Bratton Fleming, Fleming, a a have includedhave included a biodiversity a biodiversity survey of survey the of the largelarge village village which which supports supports a primary a primary school school churchyard,churchyard, a community a community meal and meal a repair and café.a repair café. and anda community a community shop. shop.Despite Despite theseSophie thesefacilities, facilities, West communitycommunity mapping mapping and consultation and consultationExecutive showed showed Officer churchchurch members members that peoplethat people in the in village the villagewere were MISSION eager to have a place to meet, to share skills eager to have a place to meet, to share skills Sophie arrived in Devon for university in 2002, and – despite the odd period STATEMENT away – has never quite managed to leave! Having studied Modern Languages, TWOTWO RIVERS RIVERS MISSION MISSIONshe taught French COMMUNITY and COMMUNITY Spanish in various universities and schools before This collective vision of hope is not uncommon in GtRC’s work and we value the opportunity to be TWO RIVERS MISSIONarriving at the Diocese COMMUNITY in 2014. Sophie joined the Growing the Rural ThisGrowing collective the Rural vision Church of hope works is not with uncommon rural in GtRC’s work and we value the opportunity to be In 2017 we reported on the early workChurch we had project inalso early members 2018, and of thekey freepieces church of work in theirthis year local have included part of the journey towards brighter futures in the rural communities with whom we engage. In 2017 we reported on the early work we had also members of the free church in their local partmission of the communities journey towards to develop brighter their futures resources in the rural communities with whom we engage. doneIn with 2017 four we parishes reported in Twoon the Rivers earlypractical Mission work organisation we hadmarket ofalso town.the membersGtRC Despite conference, beingof the part free production of church a thriving ofin projecttheir local publicity done with four parishes in Two Rivers Mission market town. Despite being part of a thriving and, in particular their church buildings, to enable Community.done with Through four parishes 2018, the in word Two andspreadRivers surveys, Mission andworshipping developmentmarket community of town. strategic Despite elsewhere, projects being around they part felt pilgrimageof a thriving and Community. Through 2018, the word spread worshipping community elsewhere, they felt them to grow in prayer, make new disciples and acrossCommunity. the area, and Through we have 2018, now the engaged welcome.word inspread 8 Sophieof it willreally beworshipping important on maternity that community leave there for was much elsewhere, a Christian of 2019. they felt across the area, and we have now engaged in 8 of it really important that there was a Christian serve the people of Devon with joy. the 11across parishes. the area,In each and we we have have run now a community engaged in 8presence of it reallythrough important the church that in theretheir parish.was a Christian consultation,the 11 parishes. seeking Into eachunderstand we have what run local a community However, presence they were through feeling the despondent church in – their very parish. consultation, seeking to understandKatharine what local Otley However, they were feeling despondent – very We do this by supporting rural mission peopleconsultation, value about seeking their churches to understand and offering what localfew peopleHowever, attended they the were monthly feeling service, despondent and the – very opportunitiespeople value to be about part theirof the churches ongoing lifeand of offering building few was people feeling attendeda burden. theSo, wemonthly supported service, and the communities to partner with their local people value about their churchesExecutive and offering Officer (Maternityfew people Cover)attended the monthly service, and the the church.opportunities One of tothese be partis St Mary’sof the ongoingHuntshaw. life of them tobuilding consult was with feeling their community a burden. So,about we supported communities and external agencies to find sustainable missional, community, commercial or cultural opportunities to be part of the ongoing life of building was feeling a burden. So, we supported Set deepthe church. in of one One of ourof these many is rolling St Mary’s valleys, Huntshaw. the the futurethem of tothe consult church. withAt a welltheir attended community about uses for their church buildings, which benefit the whole community. Katharine has a degree and MA in Early Modern History. She has worked churchSet isdeep located in of next one to of a ourcouple many of housesrolling valleys,and publicthe meeting,the future two of strong the church. themes At emerged. a well attended within the heritage sector as a Visitor Services Manager for the National the parishchurch hall, is located but is otherwise next to a surrounded couple of housesby andThe firstpublic was meeting,that people two wantedstrong the themes church emerged. to When we do this, we ensure that the public spaces offered by our rural church buildings, both for Trust, and is experienced in volunteer training and management, events farmland.the parish hall, but is otherwise surrounded byremain Theopen first and werewas that prepared people to getwanted stuck the in church to worship and extended missional, community, commercial or cultural use, are sustainably managed, and planning, marketingto fundraising and historic and interpretation. maintenance Sheto ensurehas lived this in Devon since farmland. remain open and were prepared to get stuck in we seek to draw more people into the life of our rural mission communities. When we first visited Huntshaw, we 2013met theand enjoyshappened. discovering The new second pockets was of that Dartmoor they wanted with her a two boys, or to fundraising and maintenance to ensure this remaining three PCC members, all of trawlingwhom were antique church and charity that wasshops relevant with her to husband. them. One She lady also said, enjoys baking When we first visited Huntshaw, we met the happened. The second was that they wanted a and taking an active role in her church. remaining three PCC members, all of whom were church that was relevant to them. One lady said, 8 9

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2 3