Here are some details of our next meeting.
It is to be on Friday 6th November, 11.30am -- 3.00pm. To give it extra rural credibility, we shall be meeting on the farm of Richard Coles in Steep, Portsmouth Diocese Hampshire (kindly arranged by John Owen, vicar).
Richard farms Aldersnapp Farm. He is a lifelong farmer and keeps cattle and sheep and some grain. He hosted the parish Rogation Service in his barn, and he is also Chairman of the Parish Council. He is offering the use of a barn (with some animals in for autumn) for meeting/lunching, and would be glad to lead a tour of his farm in the afternoon (be prepared for wet and mud). Steep Church is a mile and a half away where there are toilets also. There is a mission church a 500 yard walk away, which may be more convenient for the concluding service.
Aldersnapp Farm, Steep, Petersfield GU32 1AS is directly off the A272 Winchester to Petersfield road, 2 miles from the A3, so is fairly accessible for people coming from west and north Hants.
From 11.00am Arrival and coffee in Barn
11.30am Welcome and discussion on ‘Creation theology and Creation Services’ – see examples of Harvest Services from The Arthur Rank Centre website and New Patterns for Worship. How do we celebrate creation without ignoring redemption? Creation AND Christ. If you have an example of any ‘creation services’ (Rogation, Lammas, Plough Sunday, Harvest etc.) could you bring it, please as a possible resource for sharing.
12.30pm Update on Pastoral Reorganisation of rural benefices in the two dioceses
12.50pm Lunch – please bring your own, drinks provided
1.30pm Tour of Aldersnapp farm (be prepared for wet and mud).
2.40pm Steep Church for short closing Service.
Martin Coppen email: via link below
Sunday, 13 September 2009
Sunday, 24 May 2009
Rural Enterprise Visits
[gallery]
16 members met on a sunny 20th May at St Andrew, Timsbury near Romsey. Jonathan Durrant, River Keeper for Timsbury Fishery gave an illustrated talk on his work and then led a walking tour along the banks of the River Test. Emerging Mayfly, weed cutting, Rainbow and Brown Trout, Fly-fishing, carrier streams and water meadows are all a little less mysterious through Jonathan's enthusiastic talk and guided tour.
After lunch at the Timsbury Fishery Clubhouse, the party then drove to the nearby Choice Plants, a family run plant centre and nursery owned by Roger and Mary Savage. Roger explained the process of creating hanging baskets which is a main activity of the nursery, though with a short season. Members were very impressed with the work involved and organisation required to produce the baskets which bring colour and beauty to town and city centres. They were also very grateful for the kindness of a cup of tea to send then refreshed on their way.
The group would like to express their thanks to Jonathan Durrant and the Timsbury Fishery, to Roger and Mary Savage and the staff at Choice Plants -- and to Canon Bruce Kington for organising the day.
16 members met on a sunny 20th May at St Andrew, Timsbury near Romsey. Jonathan Durrant, River Keeper for Timsbury Fishery gave an illustrated talk on his work and then led a walking tour along the banks of the River Test. Emerging Mayfly, weed cutting, Rainbow and Brown Trout, Fly-fishing, carrier streams and water meadows are all a little less mysterious through Jonathan's enthusiastic talk and guided tour.
After lunch at the Timsbury Fishery Clubhouse, the party then drove to the nearby Choice Plants, a family run plant centre and nursery owned by Roger and Mary Savage. Roger explained the process of creating hanging baskets which is a main activity of the nursery, though with a short season. Members were very impressed with the work involved and organisation required to produce the baskets which bring colour and beauty to town and city centres. They were also very grateful for the kindness of a cup of tea to send then refreshed on their way.
The group would like to express their thanks to Jonathan Durrant and the Timsbury Fishery, to Roger and Mary Savage and the staff at Choice Plants -- and to Canon Bruce Kington for organising the day.
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Mega-Parish Benefices
Headlines from A Consultation
held at Weston Patrick, near Basingstoke on Wednesday 18th February 2009
Twenty-four members of the Hampshire Rural Group (HRG), met for this consultation. We are a network of practitioners in rural church ministry in the Dioceses of Portsmouth and Winchester, clergy and lay, meeting under the auspices of the Rural Theology Association. The Group wished to highlight to those involved in pastoral organisation both issues and reflections from their experience in rural benefices in both dioceses. Peter Dyson, rector of the newly formed North Hampshire Downs Benefice reflected on the experience of forming a benefice of twelve churches in eight parishes. Considering the cost borne by multi-parish clergy families, Lucy Kington offered a view of a clergy spouse. From these observations and the discussion they stimulated, we suggest the following points should be borne in mind in rural pastoral reorganisation.
“How far can love be stretched?”
The benefice exists to present and make flesh and word God’s love for the small part of the world which it covers. Any restructuring of its shape and ministry must remain faithful to this basic task. (Cf ‘Turning the Sod’, ACORA 1995, p3). The institution must serve the mission and the pastoral task. Looking at mega-parish benefices, how far can love be stretched – in the discussions, in the process of bringing together? What are our responsibilities towards each other?
1. ‘Minster Model’ Not Appropriate.
2. Sociological Coherence Essential within Benefice.
3. Complex Benefice Histories Need Understanding.
4. Building Mega-Parish benefices Can Damage Relationships.
5. Money Brings out Parish Rivalries.
6. Mega-Parish Priesthood Less Satisfying.
7. Overwhelmed by Administration.
8. Lay Leadership Issues.
9. Define ‘Sustainability’.
10. More Support and Resourcing Needed.
11. The Hidden Cost of Mega-Parish Benefice Ministry Is Borne by Many.
The full notes of the consultation are found here.
If you would like to comment on any of the points made, please click on the word Comments immediately below and a box for you to type in should appear ...
Sunday, 4 January 2009
February 2009 - Mega-Parish Benefices
Our Spring 2009 Meeting was on ...
Wednesday 18th February 2009, 11.30am to 3.00pm at Weston Patrick Village Hall, near Basingstoke RG25 2NT by kind invitation of the Revd Peter Dyson, the Rector.
We discussed, with particular reference to the North Hampshire Downs benefice (in which we were meeting), the theology, progress and policy of bringing together large clusters of parishes to form a benefice.
What does it do for clergy and people? What does it cost? What does it require of them? Can it ‘work’? Is it sustainable – and over what sort of period?
Hampshire Rural Group is an Open Group, affiliated to the Rural Theology Association, which keeps an eye on rural issues and how they affect the churches of Hampshire.
Wednesday 18th February 2009, 11.30am to 3.00pm at Weston Patrick Village Hall, near Basingstoke RG25 2NT by kind invitation of the Revd Peter Dyson, the Rector.
Mega-Parish Benefices – A Review
We discussed, with particular reference to the North Hampshire Downs benefice (in which we were meeting), the theology, progress and policy of bringing together large clusters of parishes to form a benefice.
What does it do for clergy and people? What does it cost? What does it require of them? Can it ‘work’? Is it sustainable – and over what sort of period?
Hampshire Rural Group is an Open Group, affiliated to the Rural Theology Association, which keeps an eye on rural issues and how they affect the churches of Hampshire.
Monday, 1 September 2008
Autumn 2008 Meeting ~ Sustaining the Rural Spirit
Autumn Meeting 2008
11.30am–3.00pm, Tuesday 11th November
at Greatham Church Centre, GU33 6HB
Sustaining the Rural Spirit
What does the English rural spiritual tradition have to say to the contemporary rural church? What is the connection between rural life and spirituality? What can sustain the rural spirit through these times of change? Are modern explorations of the Celtic tradition and rural year services adequate for the 21st century rural spirit?
We discussed two celebrated priests in the English rural church tradition and try to discern if they have anything worthwhile to say for our situation. And is there any country church which does not use the Book of Common Prayer? Is it a sign of rural conservatism or something deeper?
Papers offered at the Meeting are available here.
The Programme we followed:--
Coffee on arrival, from 11.00am
11.30am Introduction & Welcome
11.40 George Herbert – introduction by the Revd John Owen, once Curate of Bemerton, Salisbury, where Herbert ministered until his death in 1633
12.20 Gilbert White (1720-93) – introduced by the Revd Nicky Judd
1.00pm bring your own lunch, drinks will be available
1.45 The Book of Common Prayer in Rural Churches – Canon Martin Coppen
2.30 Any news or concerns to share from Hampshire rural church life?
2.45 A Short Service in the adjoining St John the Baptist Parish Church led by our host, Revd David Heatley, Rural Officer of Portsmouth Diocese
3.00pm Depart
Greatham Church Centre is at St John the Baptist Church, just off the B3006 Alton–Liss road. GU33 6HB
David Heatley may be contacted on 01730 – 827459 email dhheatley@aol.com : Group convenor is Martin Coppen 01264 738308 revd.coppen@dsl.pipex.com
11.30am–3.00pm, Tuesday 11th November
at Greatham Church Centre, GU33 6HB
Sustaining the Rural Spirit
What does the English rural spiritual tradition have to say to the contemporary rural church? What is the connection between rural life and spirituality? What can sustain the rural spirit through these times of change? Are modern explorations of the Celtic tradition and rural year services adequate for the 21st century rural spirit?
We discussed two celebrated priests in the English rural church tradition and try to discern if they have anything worthwhile to say for our situation. And is there any country church which does not use the Book of Common Prayer? Is it a sign of rural conservatism or something deeper?
Papers offered at the Meeting are available here.
The Programme we followed:--
Coffee on arrival, from 11.00am
11.30am Introduction & Welcome
11.40 George Herbert – introduction by the Revd John Owen, once Curate of Bemerton, Salisbury, where Herbert ministered until his death in 1633
12.20 Gilbert White (1720-93) – introduced by the Revd Nicky Judd
1.00pm bring your own lunch, drinks will be available
1.45 The Book of Common Prayer in Rural Churches – Canon Martin Coppen
2.30 Any news or concerns to share from Hampshire rural church life?
2.45 A Short Service in the adjoining St John the Baptist Parish Church led by our host, Revd David Heatley, Rural Officer of Portsmouth Diocese
3.00pm Depart
Greatham Church Centre is at St John the Baptist Church, just off the B3006 Alton–Liss road. GU33 6HB
David Heatley may be contacted on 01730 – 827459 email dhheatley@aol.com : Group convenor is Martin Coppen 01264 738308 revd.coppen@dsl.pipex.com
Sunday, 20 July 2008
this is the book cover for future reference! Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Summer 2008 Farm Visit
Summer Visit - Wednesday 25th June 2008
Vitacress Salads Ltd, Lower Link Farm, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 6DB
01264 738766
“Europe’s leading Growers and Packers of Watercress, Rocket, Baby Leaf Salads and Speciality Vegetables”
11.00am Arrival and introductions: there is very adequate car parking on the site: enter the estate by Gate 1, which is nearer to the railway viaduct and has a (usually unmanned) security box. Go to reception. The visit is being arranged by Eunice Hiscocks, PA to the Operations Director, Mike Rushworth.
11.30 Tour of Watercress Beds
12.15 Factory Tour
13.00 Lunch, supplied by Vitacress (it’s a nut-free site and we may not bring any glass with us, etc) followed by presentations from Mike Rushworth and perhaps a question and answer session.
14.30 Leave Vitacress for a short Service at St Andrew, Hurstbourne Priors: turn right out of the gate, under the viaduct and travel along the B3048 into the village of Hurstbourne Priors, where the church is at the end of an avenue on the left.
15.00 Service finishes, depart in peace.
Please let the Convenor, Canon Martin Coppen, know if you are coming, to help Vitacress plan the refreshments. You are very welcome to invite others interested in rural ministry to come as well – please get the word round! Spouses are particularly welcome – no need to ask.
Full directions to Vitacress are available here.
Vitacress Salads Ltd, Lower Link Farm, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Hampshire. SP11 6DB
01264 738766
“Europe’s leading Growers and Packers of Watercress, Rocket, Baby Leaf Salads and Speciality Vegetables”
11.00am Arrival and introductions: there is very adequate car parking on the site: enter the estate by Gate 1, which is nearer to the railway viaduct and has a (usually unmanned) security box. Go to reception. The visit is being arranged by Eunice Hiscocks, PA to the Operations Director, Mike Rushworth.11.30 Tour of Watercress Beds
12.15 Factory Tour
13.00 Lunch, supplied by Vitacress (it’s a nut-free site and we may not bring any glass with us, etc) followed by presentations from Mike Rushworth and perhaps a question and answer session.
14.30 Leave Vitacress for a short Service at St Andrew, Hurstbourne Priors: turn right out of the gate, under the viaduct and travel along the B3048 into the village of Hurstbourne Priors, where the church is at the end of an avenue on the left.
15.00 Service finishes, depart in peace.
Please let the Convenor, Canon Martin Coppen, know if you are coming, to help Vitacress plan the refreshments. You are very welcome to invite others interested in rural ministry to come as well – please get the word round! Spouses are particularly welcome – no need to ask.
Full directions to Vitacress are available here.
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