cost of living
The people of today are worried about climate change, cost of living, the safety of their family.
I have an MA in international Business, and I will support the national church and the various community strategies to help those who are struggling with the cost-of-living crises; to support the vulnerable and marginalised, and to look at various strategies to use our resources better to support church growth and clergy wellbeing.
However, there is also much to celebrate and it is not hard to find signs of God’s work in people and parishes across the land including: growing numbers of young people turning to Christ, burgeoning vocations in some dioceses across all kinds of churches, but particularly those from deprived areas, confirmation and ordination candidates who have journeyed to the church from all over the world and from many different faiths, the growth of new monastic communities like The Nazareth Community, imaginative and sacrificial approaches to poverty and the cost-of-living crisis in so many churches including debt counselling, night shelters and foodbanks.
With the cost-of-living crisis ongoing and economic inequality growing, championing our lower income communities continues to be urgent.
I would also like to encourage discussion on the future use of church land such as the opportunity for community- based food growing and mission-focused allotments which would support positive wellbeing and connection in local communities whilst reducing the cost of living.
05 MISSION The church has a vital role to play in supporting everyone who faces challenges in our parishes, including loneliness, disability, disadvantage, the cost of living and lack of empowerment.
I have spoken in debates on a wide variety of subjects including safeguarding and the safeguarding redress scheme, burial and funeral fees, the clergy dignity and fairness retirement review, support for looked after children, the Armed Forces Covenant and the cost of living.
Due to my family having come here during a financial crisis which damaged our stability, I am aware of the difficulties facing those financially struggling with the cost of living crisis - myself having had to work various lower-end jobs to make ends meet, I am aware of how difficult it is for many people to have hope in difficult times.
I spoke particularly about rural poverty and hardship often hidden behind hedgerows and closed doors: families struggling with the cost of living, inadequate transport, isolation and limited access to services.
I would advocate for a stipend that increases in line with the cost of living, and firm assurances about our pensions and affordable housing options in retirement.
With the cost of living increasing, worshippers are struggling more with giving.
There are many areas of concern for our Parishes from small village churches concerned for buildings, for our hardworking Clergy and their spiralling costs and lack of numbers; to bigger Parish Churches, some who have a vast range of mission fields, extreme poverty, complex pastoral needs and the cost-of living impacting ministry and congregation alike, from every angle.
Having clergy in every parish is needed more than ever with increases in loneliness through more single living, social media and working from home combined with cost of living pressures.
This will include looking at how investment funds are used and apportioned, safeguarding structures in response to the Makin review, raising and paying for vocations, continued work on sexuality, renewing trust between the laity, clergy, Bishops and the NCIs, our response in bringing peace to a divided nation, providing hope in a cost of living crisis and deeply embedded poverty and inequality, and the rise in Christian nationalism.
Jesus’ teaching that ‘what you do for the least of these, you do for me’ guides my response to issues such as the cost-of-living crisis or our welcome of refugees.
I feel the church should speak into issues such as the cost of living, human dignity, peace rather than war, interfaith understanding and welcome for refugees and migrants.
Raising concerns about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on parishioners and local churches.
I want to be a representative for local churches making sure that as many churches as possible have a vicar, especially in poorer areas and despite the cost of living crisis.
What is working well and what needs to be improved to form healthy church leaders with positive experiences as anecdotal evidence suggests that too many curacies are breaking down, impacting both curates, Training Incumbents and church communities. ❖ Cost of living Crises: Using our voice as the established Church and religion of England to bring positive change for every day people and accountability through challenging unjust structures like the fourth mark of mission.
Today, as many struggle with the rising cost of living and other inequalities we must continue to advocate for human dignity, justice and compassion.