Board for Church in Society
Meet the Team
The Board for Church in Society is a group of clergy and lay persons concerned with a broad range of social issues in the diocese. We seek to promote, develop, and co-ordinate responsible social thought and action within the Diocese, by raising awareness about how Christian beliefs and values can help shape a more just and caring society.
Canon Dr Alan Hargrave
Chairman of Board for Church in Society
01353 660300
Dr Hilary Lavis
Church in Society Officer
01353 652720
Richard Hough
Treasurer
01480 453230
Members include the officers concerned with rural and environmental, industrial, social and work related areas plus the Bishop’s Advisers on Travellers and World Mission. The County Ecumenical Officer is a member. There are also lay members elected by the Diocesan Synod and representatives of the criminal justice group, the health group and the local voluntary sector.
What we do
We meet four times a year to discuss current issues, listen to talks, agree priorities and decide on action to support individuals and groups engaged in projects of social action within the community.
The Board aims to raise awareness of social responsibility issues, suggest resources for parishes, and publicise local, regional and national events.
Links are maintained with the local Christian Aid office and the national voluntary sector. We are exploring ways of working regionally on an ecumenical basis through a network of agencies.
Board Meetings in 2013
- 14 February
- 25 April
- 18 July
- 10 October
What we do
Each member represents an area of social concern, such as rural issues and criminal justice, and makes regular reports on current matters. We arrange day conferences and open meetings for members of the diocese, and for any other interested social action groups.
You can find details of some of our recent conferences on this site.
Our quarterly newsletter, is distributed to clergy, board members and a network of caring professional agencies.
How are the parishes involved?
- All parishes receive the quarterly newsletter
- Every parish is invited to form a social action group, and to keep the Board informed about local events, for which financial sponsorship may be available
- Everyone is encouraged to pray for social justice in their community and the wider world
The Board currently works to represent and support these areas of social concern:
- Asylum Seekers
- Church Urban Fund
- Churches Regional Forum
- Criminal Justice
- Ely Social Responsibility Forum External website
- Environmental matters
- Fairtrade
- Health
- International charity work
- Local Voluntary Agencies
- Newsletters
- People at Work
- Travellers and gypsies
- Working with other churches
- World Mission