Thrive Two Ways!

When a member of the team tested positive for Covid, Rural Field Officers for the Diocese, Claire Horton and Rhona Floate, who support the THRIVE teams, and the staff from St Francis, Church Salisbury, swung into action to help make THRIVE happen. Five of the six teams from rural multi-parish benefices met in person with the sixth Zooming in.

Pam McNaughton and Lesley Bentley, Thrive facilitators from CPAS, seamlessly embraced the challenge of ensuring that the learning was inclusive and the first hybrid THRIVE Learning Community was born!

Afterwards, Pam wrote:

"Thank you so much for all the hard work and sheer determination to make Friday and Saturday work – in all sorts of ways, but particularly technologically. I am so impressed we managed to do that."

The teams really appreciated the opportunity to gather round a table for the first time and there was a lot of creative energy – not only in the room - but also via the internet, as all engaged in the theme of Discipleship. This was the third session of their two-year programme.

As part of the Rural Hope Project the Diocese is investing in the CPAS THRIVE learning programme which is designed to enable multi-parish benefices to develop strong collaborative leadership, explore mission in their communities and put their learning into practice.

Comments from the teams: 

“We found today really inspirational. Thank you.”

“It’s a gift!”

Inspired by reading about THRIVE?

Why not have a conversation with your RFO about a condensed course, Flex – a one year programme exploring leadership, collaboration, mission and what it means to be a hybrid church.

For more information on how your RFOs can support your rural context, please contact:

Wiltshire: Rhona Floate – rfowiltshire@salisbury.anglican.org

Sarum: Claire Horton – rfosarum@salisbury.anglcan.org

Dorset: Richard Hancock – rfodorset@salisbury.anglican.org

Sherborne: Margaret Preuss- Higham – rfosherborne@salisbury.anglican.org