High hopes

Well, the Synod’s safely over, with absolutely everyone voting in favour of apple pie. (Not strictly true, with 350 voting on women bishops before lunch becoming 220 after coffee to worry over built heritage.) I’d hoped to be in the public gallery to hear for myself all the happy stories of what people are doing to keep their churches solvent and sensible, but my son was playing a recital in the Midlands and I wasn’t going to miss that even for the Bishop of London’s performance.

Now Synod members (and the Church of England as a whole) are charged with making their high aims reality. The most important task is undoubtedly to get government at various levels to pick up a significant part of the tab, and that’s presumably the job of the more august and well-connected memberships of the Church Heritage Forum and such like.

As far as Sanctuary UK is concerned, we have to start at the other end, with the local churches enthusing their communities to ‘own’ their ancient (or not-so-ancient) building. Hand-outs from on high, if we can get them, are all very well, but they will only stimulate local and long-term engagement with the problem if the neighbourhood has some interest in what’s going on; (viz the exciting stories of tourist trails or community and multi-cultural use of the building).

Sanctuary UK provides an umbrella for initiative emanating from the community. In a sample survey of three dioceses, 83% of clergy respondents said they thought this was just what was needed. Several of those who thought not missed the point and saw another centralized megalith being erected.

The vicar of Holy Trinity Stratford-upon-Avon, who might be said to have particular challenges and opportunities, nevertheless offers a typical survey response to the idea of Sanctuary UK:

Can I just say what a great idea this is - a national 'brand' for 'Friends' groups in a way. Something like a National Trust for churches is desperately needed. To expect my 200 faithful givers to raise £107k parish share this year, and finance local worship and mission, and single-handedly finance the urgent restoration of a huge national monument is neither feasible nor fair.

It’s not going to be easy to get discussion going on this one, though. I abandoned my blog for less sophisticated technology at this week’s Christian Resources Exhibition (see photo). The sandwich-board caused more excitement than the message it was carrying! – happy memories of Marshall McLuhan. I scattered some come-blogging invitations around, so we’ll see if anything happens.