Conference Aims

The day conference will explore how rural churches can use their buildings creatively to support their mission and better serve their communities. Through keynote speakers, workshops and plenary sessions, this inspiring and practical day will provide opportunities to hear and discuss the experiences of churches and partner organisations focused on community engagement and mission in rural areas. While Growing the Rural Church (GtRC) is a Church of England project, we want to take this opportunity to share our learning ecumenically and to learn from others, and so we welcome church leaders (lay and ordained) and professionals from all denominations.

Speakers and Workshops

Our keynote speakers will be Rt Revd Dr Helen-Ann Hartley (Bishop of Ripon and previous Bishop of Waikato, New Zealand) and Revd Clare Maxim (CEO of Germinate, an ecumenical charity working with rural churches across the UK). There will also be presentations on GtRC’s experience and learning so far, and from the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich with an early look at the DDCMS and Historic England Taylor Review Pilot.

Our workshops will feature some of the GtRC pilot projects and will include exploration of mission, community engagement, and enterprise in rural churches.

Tickets and Booking Process

Tickets are £40 (+ booking fee) to include lunch and refreshments throughout the day. We’d be delighted to have you join us and would also be really grateful if you circulate these details among your networks.

Full details can be found on our webpages, and bookings are via Eventbrite

Growing the Rural Church: Building Conversations Conference