Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Parish Churches: Family Attendance

Thursday 26 January 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Church of England churches provide breakfast and lunch clubs and various activities for children and youth.
  • Kevin Foster thanked the Minister for recognizing the Church of England's efforts to engage families.
  • The Church Commissioner commended the work of St Martin's church in Barton under the leadership of Father Nick Debney and Pamela Macey.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kevin Foster Con
Religion & Faith
Context

The question arises from the need to encourage family engagement with parish churches, focusing on specific activities and events.

Question

What recent steps the Church of England has taken to encourage families to attend events at parish churches?

Answer from Andrew Selous

There are Church of England churches that provide breakfast and lunch clubs, as well as youth, children's and toddler activities, including messy church and much more besides. A vibrant children's and youth ministry is often a key component of church growth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify any recent steps or initiatives by the Church of England to encourage family attendance at events.

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Q2 Kevin Foster Con
Religion & Faith
Context

The core of any parish mission is outreach to the community, with events such as a family fun day at St Martin's church, Barton. The event will offer local families free fun and lunch.

Question

I thank my hon. Friend for his answer. The core of any parish mission is outreach to the community, with events such as the forthcoming family fun day at St Martin's church, Barton, which will offer local families a chance for free fun, with lunch included. What resources are the Church Commissioners providing to support parishes in that mission and to ensure that details of such events reach those who would most benefit from attending?

Answer from Andrew Selous

I commend my hon. Friend for drawing attention, for the second month in a row, to the great work done by his local churches—none more so than St Martin's church, Barton under the inspirational leadership of Father Nick Debney and Pamela Macey. On behalf of the House and the Church of England leadership, I warmly thank them for everything they do. I will send my hon. Friend details of the national churches strategic funding programmes, to which the diocese of Exeter can apply for St Martin's church and other local churches.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific resources or information about how the Church Commissioners help disseminate event details.

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