Our Rural Network held its second meeting April 24th 2008 at the URC/Methodist LEP at Stamfordham, from 12 noon until 3 pm. The Network exists to support, encourage and engage with those involved in rural pastorates. We are also keen to provide a platform for a variety of voices from the countryside to be heard.
Our first Network meeting had been a URC initiative, with our local Anglican and Methodist Rural Officers invited along. It was agreed to invite Methodist ministers and the local Church of England vicar in Stamfordham along to our second meeting. At that meeting, we decided to open up the Network to all ecumenical colleagues at future gatherings.
On April 24th, after a pack lunch, with drinks provided by our host church at Stamfordham, we enjoyed two sessions with Mr Ian Brown, a member of St James's URC in Alnwick. In his first talk Ian talked about his family's history as tenant farmers at Lee Moor farm, Rennington, and how farming had changed in recent decades. Ian's second talk was a very informative summary of the North East's economy, and the place of farming within our economy, drawing on his extensive network, history, and positions held within our region.
Les Hann, our region's Methodist Rural Officer, drew our afternoon to a close with a prayer.
We are grateful to Revd Janet Flawn, our Rural Consultant, and the Stamfordham congregation for their hospitality.
It is open to ministers of all denominations serving one or more rural churches. Bring a pack lunch, drinks will be provided. Apart from meeting up with one another, very important in itself, our guest speaker will be Revd Graham Jones, the national URC/Methodist Rural Officer. Graham works nationally from the Arthur Rank Centre at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. |
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