Budget Response – Autumn 2024

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Budget Response

Following recent budget announcements, we are mindful of the uncertainty that many within the farming community are feeling. The potential reduction in Agricultural Property Relief, along with other budgetary changes, brings fresh challenges, and we understand the added pressure this may place on those who work tirelessly to support the nation’s food security.

At a time like this, it’s vital that we look to one another for strength and support. In our rural churches, we are reminded of our calling to stand alongside each other and to be there for those who need a helping hand. As stewards of our land and our communities, we’re encouraged to share in the responsibility of ensuring that no one is left isolated or struggling alone.

We would like to remind you that our sister charity, the Farming Community Network’s (FCN) helpline is available (03000 111 999) for anyone who may wish to talk or seek advice. The helpline is staffed daily by volunteers who understand the unique challenges faced by those in agriculture and rural life.

We continue to pray earnestly for our rural churches as they support their local communities, especially during these times of change. May we all find renewed hope and resilience as we seek to care for each other, knowing that we are not alone.

FCN Helpline

Recent Rural Mission and Ministry Course reflections, and 2025 bookings open

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Rural Mission and Ministry Course, October 2024

Held at King’s Park, Northampton, October’s Rural Mission and Ministry Course brought together church leaders and lay members for a couple of days of engaging learning and sharing. The course focused on building resilient rural ministries with sessions tailored to key challenges, from understanding community needs to creative communication and outreach strategies.

Practical tools and resources were shared, sparking ideas for effective, relevant ministry across diverse rural settings. Participants also valued the chance to network, leaving with renewed vision, practical strategies, and a strong sense of fellowship to take back to their own communities.

This was a gathering, rich in inspiration and insight, setting a solid foundation for strengthening rural churches and their mission.

Revd Tracey Voysey, kindly wrote to us afterwards with her wonderful reflections …

I attended the Arthur Rank Rural Ministry Course in hope that I would be with like-minded people who understood the joys, challenges, love and frustrations of rural ministry.  I also hoped that I would come away re-energised and reinvigorated to go back into ministry in Devon.

Well, my hopes were filled well and truly, but the course also provided so much more than I imagined. Each session spoke deeply to me from considering yet again, how important ‘belonging and place’ is in life, to hearing, and talking about the ‘nitty gritty’ of farming and rural life and its consequences, and how we can speak into that as ministers. The emotions in the room were real and tangible. That along with the sessions on Mission and Evangelism, Leadership and Wild all-age worship have left with me reflecting profoundly on my ministry.

I reconnected with ‘finding my why,’ the thing that is deeply rooted in me and drives me to do what I do, and recognising once again that ‘God’s hand is over each of us’ enabling us to do what we do.

The course left me with filled with the Spirit after rediscovering my passions for rural ministry and its way of life, and well as have the time to refuel and be kind to myself.

Thank you to the Matt and Sarah from the Arthur Rank Centre for creating a ‘home’ for two days. A home that fostered welcome, kindness and showed God’s love. Thanks too for the excellent range of speakers, I have been blessed by each and every one of you, likewise my fellow course mates. The food was fabulous too!

Booking for the 2025 courses are now open… Click here to make your booking