Around 170 people from across a range of historic denominations gathered at St Edmundsbury Cathedral on 22 and 23 September to be inspired and encouraged for mission and ministry in the rural areas of England.
Excellent keynotes addresses from Bishop Mike Harrison (the newish Bishop of Exeter, one of the most rural dioceses in England) and Rev Simon Mattholie (Baptist minister and former CEO of the charity Rural Ministries) helped the delegates think about the importance of missional listening and joining in with what the Spirit of God is already doing in rural contexts.
There were helpful seminars and breakout sessions on ministry in multi-parish benefices, a session on new research entitled ‘What’s in Our Hands?’ where Richard Tiplady presented findings from eight rural dioceses focused on making new disciples.
There was also space for people to sit and talk about the challenges they were facing on the ground and share common stories of joy and hope. Other breakout sessions focussed on Forest Church, working with preschoolers and working in new housing areas in rural settings.
It was good to see the Arthur Rank Centre and Rural Missions, both of whom are Charities and Networks in Association with Churches Together in England, on hand to offer resources, advice, and consultancy with visits and local engagement.
Organised by an ecumenical team made up of Methodists, Church of England, and Baptist representatives, the gathering reminded us that ministry in rural settings is thriving and there is much to celebrate.