Simon Brignall and the vision of the next A Rocha UK Centre...

 

Rural team-vicar Simon Brignall has had a growing vision to establish an A Rocha Project in rural South Oxfordshire, amongst the 'Red Kite country' of the beautiful Chiltern hills.

'I have wanted to find a project that will bring together the rural church, local communities and conservation organisations, to show God's love for creation which is very much A Rocha's ethos'

After a lengthy process of consultation, the church, and local people, with the strong support of conservation organisations, led Simon to think that an A Rocha project based in Lewknor could become a reality.

Now the project has been formally approved by Lewknor Church Council and Oxford Diocese, and the plan is that Simon will divide his week equally between working for the Team Ministry andsetting up the project under A Rocha's management: 'Obviously we are right at the beginning but eventually Lewknor church will be fitted out with an exhibition area, kitchen and toilets, while still being used as a place of worship'. The key aims are to work with the local church, work in partnership with local conservation organisations, form links with schools and to work in partnership with Sage (Oxford's Christian environmental group with long-standing A Rocha links) to promote creation inspired worship around the Diocese.

 

Autumn events included:

• LOAF  (Local Organic Animal Friendly Fairtrade) fayre 
• launching a low energy light bulb library for the village (bulbs supplied by Eco-St),
• a candle lit eco-trail,
• schools nature club ..and more.

For updates see SAGE Oxford website and A Rocha website.

To get involved, please contact:

• Simon Brignall 01844 281 827 sbrignall@psaconnect.net
• Jane Pendlenton 01844 281 827/ 07974 018 482 jane.pendlenton@arocha.org

If you want to volunteer for practical conservation working parties at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve overlooking Lewknor, contact Natural England: 01844 351833 or jenny.crook@naturalengland.org.uk