Communities & Farming
Ever since it was first opened in 1972 the Arthur Rank centre has provided a chaplaincy service to the organisations and companies based at the National Agricultural Centre at Stoneleigh Park and on certain occasions to the events that take place on the site. All of the ARC's Directors have served as Honorary Chaplain to the Royal Agricultural Society of England; a practice taht still continues with the current Director providing chaplaincy support to the RASE members and staff.
That ARC also has a chaplaincy responsibility at various farming and rural events including some of the most prestigious including the Oxford Farming Conference adn the CLA Game Fair.
The Director convenes and leads a prayer group based at the Farmers Club in London which involves a number of Christians involved in the wider agricultural scene.
Wherever possible the ARC provides pastoral support to those engaged in rural ministry, especially to the churches' Rural Officers and Agricultural Chaplains.
Agricultural Chaplains
The Agricultural Chaplains' Association (ACA) has its home at the Arthur Rank Centre and exists to resource those engaged in agricultural chaplaincy.
Rural Officers
Rural Officers are lay and ordained people appointed by a Methodist District, Anglican Diocese or URC Synod to give some or all of their time to providing information and advice, pastoral care and strategic thinking on rural issues for rural community and churches.
