Rural and Agricultural Issues

It is different from ministry in suburban and urban communities and requires some understanding of how rural communities work, how people make a living in rural areas, and how many others appreciate the rural landscape as a place for recreation.

The Rural Officers are available to support local parishes and ministers as they engage in mission and ministry in our rural areas. Training opportunities are provided for clergy who are new to rural ministry. Worship materials are made available for harvest festivals and Rogation Sundays and other celebrations of agricultural life. In times of crisis, as for example during outbreaks of bird-flu and foot and mouth disease, the rural officers will ensure that churches across the Diocese receive appropriate advice.

Rural Officers work closely with other organisations involved in rural and agricultural issues including Farm Crisis Network, which supports farming people in times of difficulty, the ARC-Addington Fund which offers housing for farmers who have to leave their farms and cannot find anywhere suitable to live, agricultural training institutions like Kingston Maurward College, agricultural show committees, and farmers’ organisations.

Rural Officer for the Sherborne Episcopal Area and the Diocese

Canon Jean Coates works ecumenically as part of Churches Together in Dorset and is also Rector of the Watercombe Benefice.
01305 852435, jean@coates.ctlconnect.co.uk 

Rural Officer for the Ramsbury Episcopal Area

The Rural Officer for the Ramsbury Episcopal Area is Revd Michael McHugh.
01672 563676, mtmch@hotmail.com 

Farming, Agriculture and Rural Ministry

Outreach to the Farming Community is facilitated by Anthony Matthew, a member of Farm Crisis Network. FCN are a national organisation with local networks able to respond to a huge variety of problems faced by the farming community. For further information about FCN visit their web site: www.fcn.org.uk 

Anthony represents the Church as part of his work which includes:

• Visits to livestock markets, shows, rallies and farm open days
• Attendance at a wide variety of meetings and forums
• Networking with volunteers
• Attending many training days and meetings
• One to one meetings and discussions on matters of concern
• Attendance at Diocesan Chaplains’ Meetings

Anthony also has links with the Agricultural Christian Fellowship which “helps its members to serve the farming world” For further information visit their web site: www.agriculturalchristianfellowship.org.uk

For further resources for Rural Ministry contact the Arthur Rank Centre: www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk

Contact: Anthony Matthew
Tel: 01225 782082
Email: anthony@matthewfcn.wanadoo.co.uk