GATHERED FOR GROWTH SEMINAR Growing within the local community: making local networks work CASE STUDIES

The Diocese of Canterbury Case Study 1:  In order to ensure its survival, a village school would like to set up a pre-school nursery but does not have sufficient accommodation. In the community, the only community building is the local church which has a small parish room, but its congregation due to their work commitments, age etc. are not able to provide volunteers. A new family have moved into the community, and the mother is a nursery school teacher and is available each morning to run a session. The school was able to provide advertising materials to local families and were willing to pay a hiring fee, the church were able to provide the parish room were willing to cover heating costs. Five years later, a small number of local needs housing was built which brought new families to the village.

The Diocese of Canterbury Case Study 2:  Intermission, in the parish church of St Saviour's, London SW3 1SA, has a variety of dynamic spaces for worship, performances, exhibitions, workshops and meetings. Intermission is a faith community that goes beyond the walls of St Saviour's. It is a community of Christian performers, writers and artists committed to the deepening understanding of God through Arts Media. Within the space they are invited to worship, inspire and entertain through the creativity of God. Intermission hosts a rolling monthly exhibition as well as inviting others from the world of theatre, music, media, dance and the visual arts.

The Diocese of Canterbury Case Study 3:  A small rural church was approached by an artist who was looking for studio space. The church has a small side chapel which has good light, and is not pawed. The church has arranged for the artist to be resident in the church daily, so allowing the church to be open to visitors. The artist pays a ‘rental’ fee to the parish for use of the space. Visitors to the church have been able to engage with the artist, while ensuring that the church is open.