We would like to invite you to an event on the topic of Christian community engagement.
How can we bring about real, sustained change in communities?
Should churches act as service providers?
How can I live out my faith as I work to bring change in my community?
How can I work to reduce poverty without undermining the dignity of those in poverty?
Submitted by Lynsey Robinson on
Exploring strengths-based approaches to community development
What is the difference between a needs-based and a strengths-based approach to community development? Which approach are we using in our church or our community? How would our activities look different if we switched from one to the other?
Last Wednesday, a small group of academics, church leaders and practitioners met together to discuss these questions. In doing so, we wanted to understand more about how can we can effectively tackle poverty and build strong, vibrant communities.
Submitted by Bethany Eckley on
Thousands of churches around the country are working to support people in their communities, providing activities ranging from food banks and debt advice, to night shelters and job clubs.
Both Church Urban Fund and Livability work to support churches as they engage with their communities and have contributed to the development of a Christian response to local life for many years. Given the impressive scale and diversity of Christian community engagement, it is all the more important that we continue to reflect upon the nature of that work and its impact.
Together Canterbury officer, Keith Berry, along with former Canterbury Diocesan Secretary David Kemp, will be undertaking a Poverty Pilgrimage by bike from Tuesday 9th June to Friday 12th June.
Birmingham’s CEOSleepout at Villa Park saw thirty four leading business figures spend the night on the stands of the football stadium to raise funds for Church Urban Fund, Thrive Together Birmingham, Villa in the Community, and other local charities. Below are some reflections on the event by Church Urban Fund Communications Officer Lynsey Robinson.
Submitted by Bethany Eckley on
Starting conversations about poverty in England
February 2015
As the general election approaches, we urgently need a constructive conversation about the reality of poverty for the people who experience it. We believe that this conversation needs to start with listening to people’s stories.
In this report we share three stories that show how complex life can be for ordinary people on a low income - the challenging situations they face and the hard decisions that need to be taken in difficult financial circumstances.
Submitted by Bethany Eckley on
A national survey of church-based social action
February 2015
Social action is not an optional side project for the Church; it is core to its heart and mission. The commitment to this calling can be clearly seen in the sheer scale and diversity of activities offered by local churches, ranging from food banks and debt advice, to lunch clubs and fitness classes.
This report reveals the scale and nature of Anglican social action in England.
Submitted by Bethany Eckley on
Good Neighbours: How churches help communities flourish
Read the latest news in the Together Middlesbrough News, including the appointment of Venerable Paul Ferguson as the new Bishop of Whitby. Paul is Chair of Trustees for Together Middlesbrough and we know that he will take the concerns of the communities of Middlesbrough and surroundings areas into his new role. The newsletter also contains lots of information about work going on locally as well as ideas about funding.