Leadership in Rural Multi-Parish Benefices
Rural CMD day
27 Sept 10am-3.30pm, St Mary’s Convent, Wantage
Explore how leadership can be exercised in rural context in a Continuing Ministerial Development day centred on rural church issues. With the Revds Margot Hodson and Talisker Macleod providing expert advice, this is a great opportunity for all clergy, particularly curates, ministering in rural contexts.
The event is open and we recommend clergy bring along a support person – whether it’s your warden or the village headteacher, this will be an inspiring chance to plan your collaborative work on the ground.
The Revd Margot Hodson has been the Associate Vicar for the Shill Valley and Broadshire Benefice since 2019 and also works as Director of Theology and Education for the John Ray Initiative. Prior to that she was the incumbent of the Wychert Vale Benefice in Buckinghamshire for ten years. The Revd Talisker Macleod has been Rector of the Cherbury with Gainfield Benefice since 2015.
Parishes attending will receive a copy of How Village Churches Thrive: A Practical Guide* and are warmly invited to our Rural Read-along later in the autumn.
Book before 19 September via Eventbrite
Flourishing mission & ministry in today’s rural context
A rural lecture
Tuesday 27 September 7.30pm, Zoom
The Rt Revd Dagmar Winter, Bishop of Huntingdon and national Lead Bishop for Rural Affairs, considers how we can flourish in mission and ministry in our rural contexts today.
Introduced by the Rt Revd Gavin Collins, this inaugural lecture includes an open time for questions.
Parishes attending will receive a copy of How Village Churches Thrive: A Practical Guide* and are warmly invited to our Rural Read-along later in the autumn.
Register on Zoom | Watch live on YouTube
Rural forum
Tuesday 11 October, Zoom
An opportunity to reflect with rural colleagues on pressing issues.
How Village Churches Thrive
A Diocese of Oxford rural read-along
Various dates from Wednesday 19 October, 8pm, Zoom
Read along to How Village Churches Thrive: A Practical Guide, and join monthly discussions with colleagues across the diocese. Each session, we’re joined by an expert in the field to give advice and support on the relevant chapter topic.
Register now
You are invited to attend as many sessions as you are able, and the Zoom details are the same each time. Sessions take place across a variety of evenings so there will be something available to everyone. Details of the monthly themes will be added shortly. The sessions will take place on:
19 October, 8pm
16 November, 8pm
8 December, 8pm
9 January, 8pm
7 February, 8pm
8 March, 8pm
How Village Churches Thrive
A hugely collaborative effort, How Village Churches Thrive draws on a wealth of expert information to present practical inspiration for all who work and worship in village churches. Packed with real-life examples, the handbook addresses ten core themes at the heart of church life.
Download a taster and register for the Rural CMD Day or the Rural Lecture to get a free copy for your parish.
Canon Dr John Rees, the former registrar for the Diocese of Oxford, shares his thoughts on the book.
*While stocks last. Maximum two copies per parish.