The Arthur Rank Centre’s successful Centre for Studies in Rural Ministry, which educates individuals for a better ministry and mission in rural areas, has been successful in 3 bids for funding to help it grow.
The St Matthias Foundation, Earl Fitzwilliam Charitable Trust, and Mr & Mrs J T Morgan Foundation have donated funds amounting to £4,000 to help the project to grow to meet increasing demand.
The CSRM is a successful partnership between the ARC, which provides the requisite expertise in rural ministry, the University of York and St Deiniols Residential Library. New funding will allow the development of studies at a second centre at Westcott House Theological College, Cambridge, which will enable us to take more students, and offer sabbatical studies. Established in 2002, the course provides all denominations and professions with study at Masters and Doctorate level. 36 people have graduated to date.
The growing demand is in part due to increasing problems of poverty, isolation, expensive housing and changing employment in rural Britain. The church’s role in countering social deprivation is a considerable one and this project ensures this role is maximised by raising professional standards and encouraging research.
All of ARC’s projects to support the rural community and its churches are funded through donations from individuals and trusts.
