STOP PRESS: FRIDAY 25 MARCH 2022
We are delighted to say that the conference is now fully booked.
If you have not been able to book we will be live streaming aspects of the conference. You are also welcome to RSVP if you would like to be put on a waiting liist.
Small Faithful Rural: Authentic Rural Church is an opportunity to share in conversation and workshops focusing on the realities of church contexts that are small, faithful, and rural.
The conference will feature keynote inputs from the well known writer and speaker John Bell of the Iona Community and Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley Bishop of Ripon.
Small Faithful Rural has been organised as a residential event. The full delegate fee is expected to be in the region of £100 full board. There is also a subsidised rate expected to be in the region of £40 for lay and ordained from the Dioceses of Carlisle, Durham, and Newcastle. There will be a small number of places for those who wish to join us on Saturday. Priority for booking will be given to those who wish to book for both days.
Small Faithful Rural is being organised by a representatives of the Church of England Dioceses of Carlisle, Durham, Newcastle, and Edinburgh.
Small Faithful Rural: Authentic Rural Church
10-11 June 2022
The Sill National Landscape Discovery Centre and Youth Hostel close to Hadrian's Wall
Schedule
Friday 10 June 3pm
Registration
Registration at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre and an opportunity to explore The Sill and its exhibitions and find rooms and settle in at The Sill YHA
Overnight accommodation will be on a shared room basis at The Sill YHA.
If you let us know in advance we can arrange accommodation by parish or church group.
The rooms are of the highest standard. If you have any queries about the accommodation please feel free to let us know through the expression of interest form below.
We have sole use of the accommodation on the evening of Friday 10 June 2022
Friday 10 June 5pm
Opening Worship
Opening Eucharist at where John Bell will preach. This will (weather permitting) take place on the site of one of the Christian Churches at Vindolanda, the earliest recorded site of Christian worship in the North of England.
Vindolanda is half-a-mile walk from The Sill. We will provide transport for those who require it. We also hope to organise tours of the Christian heritage of Vindolanda prior to the opening worship.
Friday 10 June 6.30pm
Dinner and Opening Address
Dinner will be served at The Sill (cafeteria style)
followed by an opening address by John Bell of the Iona Community.
Saturday 11 June 10am
First Session
What opportunities do we see?
What burdens do we carry?
Where is God calling us?
Bishop Helen-Ann Hartley will help us begin the conversations that will fill our day as we explore what it means to be an authentic rural church.
Saturday 11 June 11am - 3pm
Workshops
In a series of Bell Tents pitched around The Sill site you will be able to learn about, and take away practical resources for worship, being disciples, social action, and what digital and online outreach opportunities which are already being used by churches in small faithful and rural contexts.
From God's Tent to praying the agricultural year;
praying with the Northern Saints to supporting social isolation.
There will also be a chance to pause, reflect, and have conversations on what it means for us to be an authentic Christian presence in our communities.
Lunch will be served buffet style during this period.
Saturday 11 June 3pm
Final Worship
Through a simple act of worship we will draw together all the conversations and what we have learnt from each other and from God through the conference. This will send us out renewed, refreshed, and resourced to return to our own contexts wherever they may be.
We expect the conference to be finished by 5pm.
Generously supported by
