The Church Buildings Department are running two diocesan information evenings which focus on key areas of our ongoing support for parishes:
These events are designed to support PCCs, clergy, and churchwardens in exploring sustainable models of governance, community engagement, and long‑term support for our parish churches.
- Friends, Action, and Project Groups – community‑based groups that help parishes widen engagement, support church building maintenance and repair/improvement projects, and strengthen local ownership
- Festival Churches – a flexible model of ministry that supports sustainable worship, creative community use, and broader participation in church life
Both gatherings will offer real‑world examples, time for questions, and guidance from those exploring adopting these models throughout the Diocese.
Festival Churches: An Evening of Vision & Practical Guidance
- Date: Monday 1 June
- Time: 5:30–9:30pm
- Venue: All Saints' Rampton, CB24 8QA
- Booking: https://elydatabase.org/events/view?course=4610
- Info: samuel.pedlar@elydiocese.org
Join us for an opportunity to explore how the Festival Church model can support sustainable worship, community engagement, and the future flourishing of our parish churches. This will be a practical and encouraging event for clergy, PCC members, and churchwardens, whether you’re actively considering Festival Church status or simply want to understand what it could mean for your parish.
Featuring discussions including:
- A background to Festival Churches
- Reflections from our Archdeacons on the Festival Church Model
- Real stories from a Festival Church
- Reflections on the missional opportunity of Festival Churches
- Guidance on the new process for becoming a Festival Church
- Opportunities for Q&A and networking with others exploring this model
Friends & Action Groups Information Evening
- Date: Tuesday 5 May
- Time: 5:30–9:30pm
- Venue: St Peter & St Paul, Alconbury, PE28 4DX
- Booking: https://elydatabase.org/events/view?course=4616
- Info: samuel.pedlar@elydiocese.org
Join us for our Friends & Action Groups Information Evening — your chance to explore how Friends, Action, and Project Groups can support sustainability, community engagement, and the long‑term care of your parish church. Whether you’re actively considering forming a Friends Group or simply want to understand what it could mean for your parish. We encourage you to attend!
Featuring discussions including:
- Why Friends Groups?
- Reflections from the Archdeacons on the value of Friends Groups
- Real stories and case studies from active Friends Groups
- The missional and community‑building opportunities Friends Groups unlock
- Practical guidance on starting or strengthening a Friends Group
- Opportunities for Q&A and networking with others exploring this model