The Presidents of Churches Together in Shire & Soke (Northamptonshire, Peterborough & Rutland) have written to all church leaders to urge them to work together to be as effective as possible in both urban and rural contexts.
With the current cost of living crisis, rising energy bills, inflation and increased poverty, this represents a huge challenge for churches to provide what they can for their local communities and by working together they can better serve their communities.
The Presidents said: ‘It is a truism to state that we can be far more effective together than we can apart. In the coming months we will need to overcome any obstacles that have prevented us from working collaboratively in the communities we seek to serve. The cold and hungry are not interested whether those who care for them are of a particular denomination; therefore, as disciples of Jesus, we need to come together as one.’
In the Diocese there are a number of churches who are already looking at providing warm spaces and help for their communities in collaboration with local community groups or ecumenical partners. Bishop John encourages this saying: 'Many of us are deeply concerned about the cost of living crisis, particularly the impact upon the most vulnerable members of our society. Denominational leaders across the region have joined together to encourage joint responses in our communities.'
Read the full transcript of the Churches Together letter here.