RWF ADOPTS NEW NAME & STRATEGIC VISION
At its meeting in June, the Board of the Rural Workers Fellowship (RWF) adopted a new strategic vision and changed the name of the organization to Rural Ministries Network to reflect its new mission.
Centered especially on rural ministry, Rural Ministries Network emphasizes communications, networking, forming a prayer community, and advocating on behalf of small and rural congregations.
RMN, a membership organization, fosters communication among rural and small town congregations by its journal, Crossroads, and its website . Both aim to facilitate the sharing of resources of all sorts. Each member of RMN is remembered by name on its prayer list, as are heroes of rural and small town ministry.
RMN wants to raise up the concerns of rural and small town people. Already the website includes material supporting the effort of Native people in Minnesota to prevent the introduction of genetically modified wild rice which could endanger their sacred areas. From destructive mining practices to large-scale livestock confinement, RMN stands ready to provide a forum for the people and concerns of rural areas and to promote their causes.
Advocating on behalf of the concerns of small and rural congregations, the RMN Board has prepared resolutions to be introduced at upcoming diocesan conventions and the 2006 General Convention. One resolution asks Convention to encourage the Church Pension Fund to change its method of calculating members' time of service in a way which is fairer to low-paid church workers. In another, RMN seeks a voice in the appointment of the Church Center's Missioner for Rural and Small Community Ministries when the current Missioner retires at the end of 2005. Board members will seek support of these resolutions from their various diocesan conventions.
To join RMN, contact the Rev. Stephen Cuffs at 735 State Rte. 41, SW, Washington Court House, OH 43160.
Dues are $20.00 a year for regular membership and $50.00 a year for a patron membership. All members receive copies of the RMN quarterly newsletter, Crossroads.