Rural Conference 2011 'Empowering Our Patch'
Rural
Conference at Duchy College, May 2011
Over 80 clergy and church leaders from across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset visited Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall on Wednesday 25th May, for a conference run by the South West Methodist Circuit and the Dioceses of Exeter and Truro.
The training day included sessions on adapting ancient church buildings for wider community use, pastoral care in a rural setting and Fresh Expressions of church.
Bishop Michael from Exeter Diocese said ‘Our rural community is a patchwork of different people with different needs: those who have lived there all their lives, others who have fled from urban issues, while others are desperate to leave. No ministry fits all. So I truly believe rural ministry is right on the cutting edge of Church life.’
Paul Griffith of National Farmers Union said: ‘The Church picks up the pastoral needs of the farming community, so it’s important they understand the pressures facing farmers and their families. Bovine TB, low prices and regulations are causing stress and overwork.’
Photo: Left to right: Paul Griffith of National Farmers Union, the Revd Stuart Wilson, Sue Tucker Devon Rural Officer, Brian Warren of Farm Crisis Network, the Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter, Cornwall Rural Officer the Revd Canon Bill Stuart-White at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, Cornwall. Photographer: Nick Shutt
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