CRuC

Christian Rural Concern

Course
Diploma
Contacts
Links

Christian Rural Concern

Active since 1985 Christian Rural Concern ( CRuC ) has attracted Christians and others who have a concern for the rural situation, through its consultations, mutual support and study programmes.

Membership is currently £10 p.a. This gives access to information about the CRES course - Christian Rural and Environmental Studies - the activities of the John Ray Initiative( JRI ) , based at Cheltenham, and the CRuC Journal Countrywide Care.

The President is Baroness Hazel Byford DBE and the chairman is Rev. John Whitehead, co-author of Seasonal Worship from the Countryside ( 2003 ) SPCK London

Our Aim

Our aim is to spread a Christian understanding of rural and environmental issues, based on the belief that God cares about us and the way in which we live on the earth which He created.
We focus especially on the situation in rural Britain today, but take into account our history and contemporary developments worldwide.

The CRES Certificate Course - Christian Rural and Environmental Studies

Initiated by CRuC, and supported by CRuC and JRI , the CRES course is run by a Steering Group and the Principal Tutor. The course does not require qualifications and is part-time for 2 years. It is based at Ripon College Cuddesdon ( RCC ), an Anglican ministry training centre. RCC validates the Certificate and Diploma ( see below ) through an External Examiner. Students - clergy and others - range from the recently- graduated to the newly- retired. Each student has a local tutor, and attends Training Gatherings and Open Days 4 times a year. To date there are 9 Study Modules from which students choose 6 on which to write Study Papers. Total fees are £690. Further details from CRES web site.

Student Projects
Students choose their own topic of study for their project and study papers with the help of staff. The final Project to be presented at Cuddesdon may include a practical element, like photography, video or artwork. Projects produced in the past cover all aspects of the environment and country life. Subjects chosen for Certificate and Diploma Projects include:
  • "Let all the World in Every Corner Sing" - an organist's view of worship in rural churches.
  • The Role of the Church and the Local Community in Conserving Trees.
  • The Development of some Rural Ecumenical Partnerships.
  • The village shop at risk.
  • Many parishes - one vicar.
  • The Living Churchyard - a Comparison of Suburban and Country Churchyard Conservation
  • A Liturgy for Conservation Sunday
  • Care for the Elderly in Surrey Villages
  • Creation - Good, Groaning and Glorious
  • Theological Reflections on Sheep Production in an age of Climate Change and Peak Oil


Diploma in Christian Rural and Environmental Studies

This 2 year part-time course consists of a research project linking theological principles to the economic, social and environmental concerns of today’s society and rural communities. It is intended for those who have completed the Certificate.



Contacts

Christian Rural Concern (CRuC)----------

Chairman   Rev John Whitehead
Paddock House, Longhill Lane, Hankelow, Cheshire, CW3 0JG
Tel:  01270 812607
E-mail  jbwhitehead@onetel.com

Christian Rural & Environmental Studies (CRES)----------

For further information about the CRES courses please contact
Mrs Lynda McKeown
The John Ray Initiative, QW212, Francis Close Campus, Swindon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4AZ.
Tel:  012 4271 4842
Email:  admin@jri.org.uk
Also visit:  www.cres.org.uk

The John Ray Initiative (JRI)----------

Founded in 1998, JRI works to develop a Christian understanding of the environment, and to promote environmental stewardship, through research, education, conferences and publications.

Tel::  01242 543 580
Email:  jri@chelt.ac.uk
Also visit:  www.jri.org.uk

Links to Relevant Web Pages

CRES  Christian Rural and Environmental Studies
RTA  Rural Theology Association
JRI  John Ray Initiative
CEL  Christian Ecology Link


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Last updated September 2010 by Diane Finlayson and John Whitehead.
Material on this site © 1996 to 2010 Christian Rural Concern.
Registered Charity number 328 204.