Mininisters in our rural churches are now linked together through a rural network. Serviced by our rural officers Janet Flawn and David Herbert, the Network provides ministers with mutual support and opportunities to share experiences.
In addition to work within the Synod, Dave is a member of the Churches’ Rural Group based at the Arthur Rank Centre at Stoneleigh near Warwick, and is also involved with the Scottish Churches’ Rural Group based at Dunblane. His present ministry in North Northumberland involves a research project exploring the place of outdoor spirituality and pilgrimage in secular society.
Members of our Rural Network meet together on an occasional basis, and are also kept informed through an email network that draws heavily on material sent from the Arthur Rank Centre through our National Rural Officer (shared between the URC and Methodists), Graham Jones.
Read about the latest Rural Network Meeting
A good Rural CTS Story
Other information below
General Assembly meeting at Edinburgh 11-14 July 2008 passed the following resolution brought by our Synod by Janet Flawn:-
General Assembly while noting that the majority of Christians support fairness and justice in trade with farmers and growers of the developing world economies, and reaffirming its commitment to fairly traded goods,
recognises with concern that domestic producers, farmers and growers are often treated unfairly by the British supermarkets. It therefore
asks the Ethical Investments Advisory Group and the Joint Public Issues Team to determine ways of influencing supermarket policies to reduce abuse of their powers in determining prices;
urges the UK Government to re-examine the robustness of the regulatory framework under which supermarkets operate;
renews its advice to churches and individuals to use fairly traded and locally produced goods wherever possible; and
requests all church members to re-examine their own purchasing and consumption patterns and expectations, and so reduce unfairness and injustice in the domestic market.
The following Press Release was issued after Assembly adjourned:-
Church members asked to eat to save British farmers
Members of the United Reformed Church have been asked to look more carefully at what they eat, to help save British farmers. A move to support farmers and growers who, it was said, are “often treated unfairly” by supermarkets, received whole-hearted backing from more than 400 people attending the Church’s general assembly, in Edinburgh (July 11-14).
Church members will be asked to consider what they buy and eat – to use goods that are fairly traded and locally produced as much as possible – to reduce injustice and unfairness.
The assembly, which brings together church members from across England, Scotland and Wales, was told that farmers were going out of business at an alarming rate. The Revd Janet Flawn, from Northumberland, who is also rural consultant to the Church’s Northern Synod (area) said: “We need to be fair to farmers in our own country, as well as those in other countries”.
Together with other Churches, the United Reformed Church will explore how supermarket policies can be influenced, to reduce “abuse of their powers” in determining prices.
The Revd Graham Jones, national rural officer for the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church, was among those at the assembly. Afterwards, he said: “I am delighted by this stand. Churches have been at the forefront of the campaign for fair-trade in developing countries and are now recognising that there needs to be justice in our domestic markets. The two go together; both reflect the necessary move towards valuing our food more highly.
“That doesn’t mean simply being prepared to pay more, but taking a greater interest in where food comes from, and how it is produced. Local, seasonal produce will be healthier for us, for our rural communities and for the environment”.
Further information from the Revd Graham Jones, national rural officer for the United Reformed Church and the Methodist Church tel. 02476 853074 or from Stuart Dew, press officer, tel. 020 7916 2020.
This is the title of a Newcastle Diocesan Synod Forum to be held at St John's, Kingston Park on 20th September 2008. It is a day for anyone who is interested - but you are asked to book in advance.
Download the leaflet and booking details
The Arthur Rank Centre website