Links & Resources

Category: Resource organisations

ExploreChurches - The National Churches Trust

Link URL: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/explore-churches

ExploreChurches, from the National Churches Trust, is a high quality resource for visitors and churches, supporting and promoting a beautiful collection of fascinating places to visit.

The resource is being further developed, and with over 42,000 Christian places of worship in the UK, there will always be to add, and more information to enhance individual church listings.

You can also learn how to understanding church buildings and find links to other church tourism projects or organisations.

Germinate - The Arthur Rank Centre

Link URL: http://germinate.net/

Since 1972 Germinate: The Arthur Rank Centre, an ecumenical Christian charity, has served both the spiritual and practical needs of the rural community through a programme of community and social projects, resourcing and training.

Resources for rural churches include a comprehensive range of worship resources and rural stories, ideas and inspiration though the magazine, Country Way, and the Rural Ministry Course which has been running for over 30 years.

Newer projects include Germinate Enterprise, a rural business start-up programme, Germinate Groups, learning communities for multi-church groups, and Germinate Leadership, a training programme developing the creative and entrepreneurial skills of rural church leaders. There is also a biennial Germinate Conference, a major national day conference for all those involved in rural mission and ministry.

Rural Mission Sunday is an annual celebration of the life and work of rural churches, an opportunity to remember all the things they do well, and challenge themselves to do one new thing.

Germinate is the home of the National Rural Officers for the Church of England, Methodist and United Reformed Church; and also the hub for the church network of Rural Officers and Agricultural Chaplains. Its focus is to support and strengthen the UK’s 15,000 rural churches, so they can respond positively to change and impact the communities they serve.

Champing

Link URL: https://www.champing.co.uk/

The Churches Conservation Trust Champing scheme is a new use for beautiful ancient churches, providing unique opportunities to stay somewhere truly extraordinary.
There’s no need to worry about the British weather; it will always be dry and tranquil, with light and space. Prices don’t change during the school holidays, children and dogs welcome and delicious breakfasts are available for a small charge. It’s also eco-friendly, s the Champing™ carbon footprint is tiny- sustainable tourism at its greenest.

Living Spirituality Connections

Link URL: http://www.livingspirit.org.uk

Living Spirituality Connections is a hub for creative ways of exploring spirituality and a resource through which people can find material, groups and people to help deepen their explorations. "LSC is there to keep people informed about a wide range of initiatives and events relevant to our vision, and to connect people on a similar journey." There are special interest areas on the website - Art, Poetry & Spirituality; Music & Spirituality; Spiritual Journeying; Towards Human Flourishing

Spirit of the Place

Link URL: http://www.spiritoftheplace-co-uk.com/

Spirit of the Place offer Cultural tours with a Difference and also provide lectures and lecture series, which support the tours.

Pilgrim Paths (Labyrinths)

Link URL: http://www.pilgrimpaths.co.uk

Pilgrim Paths provides bespoke labyrinth retreat days and workshops, works with schools, church groups and organisations, and creates resources for prayer and reflection. there are free resources available on the site e.g. Labyrinth Prayer Walk leaflets.

The Labyrinth Company

Link URL: http://www.thelabyrinthcompany.com

The Labyrinth Company designs and builds walkable labyrinths in all media for temporary or permanent use.

The Prayer Trust

Link URL: http://www/theprayertrust.org.uk

The Prayer Trust does all it can to encourage the use of prayer by everyone, everywhere. They produce reasonably priced (e.g. 50p)little books of simple prayers.

St Anthony's Priory, Durham

Link URL: http://www.stantonyspriory.co.uk/

St Antony's Priory is a peaceful oasis near the centre of Durham City. The Centre's small ecumenical team provides hospitality and weekday worship as well as an annual programme of:

• Quiet days and workshops;
• Hosting and facilitating quiet days and workshops for small groups;
• Space for individuals or small groups
• Helping develop the work of the North-East Prayer Guides Network;
• Individually-guided and private retreats and space for a day or more in personal prayer, contemplation, counselling and spiritual guidance.

Seeds of Silence

Link URL: http://seedsofsilence.org.uk

Encourages and supports Christians in developing a prayerful spiritual discipline of silence.

Still Paths - Labyrinths

Link URL: http://www.diwilliams.com

The Still Paths website is a resource for those who want to discover more about labyrinths and what walking these ancient and new paths can offer for personal, community or organisational life.

The Quiet Garden Movement

Link URL: http://quietgarden.org

The Quiet Garden Movement fosters the provision of quiet spaces, small and large, creating sanctuaries of stillness and refreshment. Quiet Gardens can be found in homes, churches, retreat centres, schools and hospitals, where they provide an oasis for contemplation and stillness. “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31) The Quiet Garden Movement seeks to encourage inner reflection and equip people for living out the paradox of contemplation-in-action.

The Retreat Association

Link URL: http://www.retreats.org.uk/

The Retreat Association office provides an information resource for those involved in retreat work (both in Retreat Houses and the local community) and spiritual direction, offering advice and information to individual inquirers, parishes and various groups, by phone, fax, and letter or in person.