Oral Answers to Questions

Kevin Foster Excerpts

Thursday 26th January 2023 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for South West Bedfordshire, representing the Church Commissioners, was asked—

[Kevin Foster (Torbay) (Con)]

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

[The Second Church Estates Commissioner (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.

[Kevin Foster]

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?

[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.