Inspiration for rural churches in Haveringland

Around a hundred people gathered in Haveringland Parish Church on Friday 15 May for a day of sharing and mutual support for those interested in the future of rural churches.

Those attending received inspiration and challenge from keynote speakers Bishop Jane Steen and Cambridge architect Nigel Walter. They were stimulated by panel discussions on a range of topics, and representatives from the National Lottery Heritage Fund were on hand to inform delegates about their funding streams for churches.
 
Participants were treated to lunch supplied by Cawston’s All Things Nice and the day concluded with a contemporary take on the traditional rural church festival of Rogation, a service where we pray for God’s blessing on the land, our farmers and our communities.
 
Cawston Vicar, Rev’d Andrew Whitehead, said “It was amazing to see people streaming in to this isolated rural church for the conference! So much wisdom was shared in the addresses and in the panel discussions - everyone came away having learned something new, and we hope we’ve inspired delegates to return to their own churches with a refreshed sense of enthusiasm.”
 
Positive feedback from satisfied attendees included Alan Duff from Stiffkey Church who said “It was a fantastic day! The conference was run very professionally. The content has given us much food for thought and above all inspiration to seek out new ideas”
 
The conference is the final part of a transformational project at Haveringland Parish Church and Community Hub which has been funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund along with other funders. The momentous £500,000 project has delivered extensive repairs and improvements to what was a remote and dilapidated church building, transforming it into a well-appointed facility which serves its community in fresh ways, with an impressive programme of events and community engagement initiatives.
 
Recordings from the day will be available at communitychangemakers.org.uk.
Artwork created on the day by Andy Gray of drawnoutmeetings.com will also be available on that website.
 
St Peter’s Church is at NR10 4FW, or what3words: ///dent.palettes.probe
 
The photo is courtesy Rebecca Whitehead. The drawn graphics are courtesy of Andy Gray.

Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture.