We’d love you to become part of the #RuralHope network and have hopefully made it easy!
You’re welcome to join us in any of the opportunities listed below. That might mean an hour online each term for a regular catch-up, a one-off session on a particular topic that interests you, or a mixture depending upon your situation, role and interests.
The #RuralHope network is designed to support you as you live out your faith in your rural context.
Regional rural networking
The Hub
A national online ecumenical gathering for anyone involved with rural mission and ministry at a regional/district level. A space to stay connected and up-to-date with all things rural.
Dates for 2026/2027 are the following Thursdays, at 11.30am – 12.30pm:
- 17 September 2026
- 5 November 2026
- 14 January 2027
- 29 April 2027
- 1 July 2027
- 23 September 2027
- 11 November 2027
Please contact the Rural Officer for a joining link.
Local rural leaders’ network
Online ecumenical gatherings for anyone interested in rural mission and ministry at local level. We gather termly around various strands of rural mission to explore and learn together. Dates will be added each term and further details can be found via our Eventbrite collection Rural Hope.
Topics covered include:
- Rural justice : We join with Church At the Margins and Joint Public Issues Team to provide the rural perspective on all issues of justice.
- Rural mission, growing churches and merging work: We offer a space to gather for inspiration, hear stories, share top tips and connect with people and resources around merging for mission.
- Rural and rooted: A gathering open to anyone from a small church or rural community looking for ways to be church (even without a building). Exploring Methodist Way of Life discipleship practices in rural contexts.
- Rural & Wild: A gathering partnering with Fresh Expressions, open to anyone wanting to share ideas, hear stories of outdoor church and network with others.
- Rural New Places for New People: We’re also part of the wider Methodist Pioneering Pathways, encouraging rural pioneering and New Places for New People in rural contexts. Interested and want to find out more? Click here to visit our NPNP page.