Applications have now been reopened for the third round of funding for the Growing Rural Parishes Programme (GRPP), which offers financial support to benefices looking to develop their mission and ministry. But what sort of changes can this grant make to your benefice?
Two years ago, there were no children attending Sunday services at St Nicholas’ Church in Longparish, which is in the Bright Waters Benefice. Now this rural church has a growing family attendance.
Churchwarden John Young, who has attended St Nicholas’ Church for more than 20 years, said that this growth has built the church up again, and in time they hope even more people will join the congregation. He commented, “More people are getting involved and they really enjoy being here. It’s very exciting to see what God is doing for us.”
The Bright Waters Benefice is one of eight rural benefices that are benefiting from being part of the Growing Rural Parishes Programme. This offers up to £30k of support per benefice for their mission and ministry. Types of support include advice from a Family and Children’s Specialist, funds to strengthen websites and IT and, the much-valued, peer learning days. Please note that this funding cannot be used for building work or repairs.
The Thornton and Blackwater Benefice Team, pictured at the top of this page, have stated that they have so much from the seed funding they received, and that the Growing Rural Parishes Programme has been a very important part of the flourishing that they’ve been seeing. One team member commented that, “Growing Rural Parishes is a bit of a catalyst for lots of good things.”
Could your benefice benefit from GRPP? Feel free to get in touch with our new Project Relationship Manager for GRPP, Richard Lister. He will be able to provide you with further information, such as what support could be available, what your commitment would be, eligibility criteria and the process for application and selection.
Please note that the deadline for receipt of bids in this round is close of play on Friday 19 September 2025.
Find the application form and learn more about the Growing Rural Parishes Programme here.
