Rural Sunrise in the East Midlands

This venture began from the end of 2005 following an invitation to Barry Osborne from the members of Theddingworth Congregational Church, Leicestershire, who were looking for someone to implement a vision for mission action to demonstrate the love of God to those beyond the walls of existing village churches. It has developed into a scheme in which rural churches across the denominations are encouraged to work in informal partnership with one another as they seek to fulfil the call of God to mission.

 

Many village churches feel that they are struggling just to survive, and that they certainly do not have the resources to do what they would like to do. There just are not enough people resources, money is tight, and the fabric and other commitments are a considerable burden. However there are considerable resources spread throughout the churches; what we need to do is to learn to share with one another. Perhaps if we could develop a culture of lending what we can and borrowing what we need much more could be accomplished. The aim would be not to impoverish anyone in the process but that all might gain.

 

To enable this Barry has functioned as a facilitator but progress is slow in these early stages.  Many church leaders have caught the vision but much more work has to be done to turn the vision into reality.

 

The Target Area: The provisional target area suggested was a ten mile radius from Theddingworth. This was suggested only because Theddingworth Congregational Church had initiated the idea. They did not wish to restrict in any way. Very roughly, the A14, A6, M1 triangle would contain most of this but some villages would fall the other side of these roads.

 

Why rural? Ministry and mission in rural areas is different from that in larger towns and cities. While the nature of English villages is changing, there are still some significant cultural constraints such as:

 Small rural churches should not be compared to town churches no more than tangerines should be compared to oranges. They are similar but there are valued differences.

The Resources: These would consist of anything that the churches are willing to offer to one another. This might include wisdom, experience, talents such as drama or music, ministry gifts, time, or even money.

 

Theddingworth Congregational Church began by offering a Project Leader, a good singing quartet, and gifts of hospitality.

 

A Steering Group: Having begun under the auspices of Theddingworth Congregational Church the work is now overseen by a steering group made up of representatives from across the Churches in the area.

 

Most rural churches on either side of the county and diocesan boundaries have shown some interest.  Because the Partnership is an informal and voluntary association. involvement might only be the participation of the Minister or Priest in the bi-monthly meetings.  For others there may be a higher level of involvement and participation.

 

To see the complete picture we suggest that you open the PowerPoint presentation where you will see maps.

 

Market Harborough Congregational Church

Christian Council on Ageing

Torch Trust for the Blind

Local Agricultural Christian Fellowship members

 

Congregational Federation East Midlands Area

Leicestershire Ecumenical Officer

Northamptonshire Ecumenical Officer

Churches Together in Harborough

Hothorpe Hall Christian Conference Centre

 

We have also established good links with

Harborough District Council

Leicestershire Rural Community Council

South Leicestershire Council of Voluntary Organisations