Major National Conference Set for Region

The start of a National Campaign by the Church of England is to begin in the West Midlands. A major Conference in the city of Hereford will be the first in a year of events under the banner “Crossing the Threshold”.

'Crossing the Threshold' is a series of events aimed at helping dioceses and parishes, working with other groups,  to get the best from their buildings for wider community use,” said Wendy Coombey, Community, Partnership and Funding Officer for the Diocese of Hereford, which is hosting the significant event. “The cost and difficulty of new build can be irrelevant if we use the buildings that already exist for wider and better use and that is what we have tried to do here.” 

The day in Hereford, will be dedicated to sharing best practice in the use of church buildings, and looking at examples of how successful projects are working in and for their communities already. In the past five years several churches, Grade I listed buildings, have transformed the buildings into ones fit for service in the twenty first century. The programme marks the fifth anniversary of the launch of the Church of England's national strategy document, Building Faith in Our Future, on which this Diocese has been leading the way.”

“St Peter’s in Peterstow, a village just north of Ross-on-Wye is still being used regularly for worship,” said Wendy, “but it’s also the place for a very successful Lunch Club, Book Club, Gardening Club, Tai Chi for the over 50s run by Age Concern and a craft club still deciding on a name! The building now has a kitchen and toilets and brand new chairs. Its instant success has surprised everyone. It is just one example among several in the Diocese.”

National Speakers include Diana Evans, English Heritage Head of Policy for Church Buildings outlining English Heritage Policy on the use of church buildings and the support they are able to give;  David Rayner, from the Department of Communities and Local Government, will be speaking on the national document 'Realising the Potential', highlighting the benefits of closer working partnerships between the Church and government at all levels. Janet Gough who is head of Building for the Church of England will also address the Conference and Sue Rowe will be presenting an updated evaluation of the 'Rural Churches in Community Service' project, 9 years after she initiated the then Millennium Project.

“Crossing the Threshold” is already attracting people from all over the country. Two of the workshops offered during the Conference are bus trips to see community development and partnership in action. “All the developments, and there are more in the pipeline, depend upon the church community working with others, local village groups, the Local Authority, Government Offices and possibly charities and other vested interest groups,” added Wendy. “Those who opt for the trips will be able to see what happens when people pull together, it can and does transform communities.”

The Conference “Crossing the Threshold” takes place on Thursday 19th November from 9.30 am at The Point4, Royal National College, Hereford, HR1 1DT, a brand new purpose built Conference Centre. More details at http://www.hereford.anglican.org/churchgoers/community_partnership_and_funding/about_us_and_latest_news/index.aspx

The Conference is funded by Church Urban Fund, English Heritage, Herefordshire Council and Big Lottery Fund Awards for All.