It is important to note that, by default, the incumbent is automatically the administrator (and an editor) of your church's page(s).

As the administrator, the incumbent can then grant editor access to up to five other people.

If your church is in vacancy or if the incumbent does not have access for some reason, you can follow the procedures below.

If you want to become an editor of your A Church Near You Page, you must have an account.

First, go to achurchnearyou.com and find your church by entering the postcode or town in the search box.

As you type, look for the suggestions offered to you under the search box and use the most appropriate, then click the orange arrow - it's more accurate!

We'll use St Alkmund's Duffield as an example:

 Next, choose your church from the list on the left...

This will take you to an overview page for the church. Once you get to that, click 'Visit Page' on the left. This will take you to the next level for that church.

Once you're on the church's main page, again look at the left-hand side and, at the bottom, click 'Edit this church'.

If you don't have an account, this page will allow you to register - it's a simple process.

An email will be sent to you containing a link which you'll need to click to prove you own the email address.

Once you've verified your email address by clicking the link which will have arrived in your inbox, head back to www.achurchnearyou.com and make sure you're logged in to your new account.

Search for the same church again then select “Edit this church” from the list of tabs on the left-hand side.

This time, instead of the form you had to fill in before, there are three scenarios:

1 - If you're the vicar who leads the church

If you are the vicar who leads a church, your application to edit that church on AChurchNearYou is automatically approved so long as:

1) You have listed an email address on your Crockford’s entry and you have not requested to have your contact details restricted
2)The email address you've used for your AChurchNearYou account matches the email address on your Crockford's entry.
3) You are included on the Crockford's entry for the church(es) you're requesting to edit (if you don't have a Crockford's subscription you can check if you're listed on a church's entry by going to the church's AChurchNearYou page and clicking More Information, if you're listed under the Crockford's Contact Details section you're listed on the entry)

If you are the vicar who leads the church, and you meet the criteria above, then your request to edit the church will be automatically approved and you will also be automatically assigned administrator status for the church.

An editor with administrator status can approve or decline requests from other people to edit that church, and can remove existing editors from that church.

Only the vicar who leads the church can be the administrator.

If you need to update either your contact details on AChurchNearYou or your Crockford's entry please follow the instructions at: https://achurchnearyou.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002336113

Please note: You do not need a Crockford's subscription to find out what is listed on your own entry or to update your own entry. You can update your Crockford's entry at any time.

2 - If you are not the vicar who leads the church:

If you're not the vicar who leads this church, then you'll see a box into which you'll need to enter a short message to your vicar and a button which you'll need to click which says REQUEST ACCESS.

Unless your church is in vacancy, the vicar who leads your church needs to approve your application.

If the vicar doesn't have an account they’ll need to create one, and request to edit their church as described in the steps above.

Once they're able to edit the church they'll be able to click Manage Editors and then click Pending Requests. From there they can approve your request, even if they haven’t received an approval request email for you to edit the church.

This article explains how the vicar who leads a church can approve requests to edit their church: https://achurchnearyou.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360003569093

3 - If your church is in vacancy

If your church is in vacancy, you’ll need to ask for manual verification; once you have created an account on AChurchNearYou.com and have requested to edit a church make sure you’re logged in and click the purple Help button on the right hand side of any page of AChurchNearYou, or the 'Submit a request' button at the top of the Help Centre...

Say that you're requesting manual verification because your church is in vacancy.

In your message please include the following:

• The reason you're requesting Manual Approval (eg you're an interim minster covering a group of churches. Please provide as much information as possible so that the support team can understand the situation fully and provide approval as quickly as possible)
• Your role within the church (office administrator, curate, PCC member, etc)
• Your email address (the one with which you registered for your AChurchNearYou account)
• Your permission to disclose your name, contact details, and request to your Area/Rural Dean, Archdeacon, and/or Diocesan staff in order to gain approval.
• The AChurchNearYou ID of the church(es) you have requested to edit and for which you require Manual Approval.

You'll find this ID by going to the AChurchNearYou church page in question and looking in the browser address bar where you'll see: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/ followed some numbers, please provide us with those numbers.

For instance, the URL for St Alkmund's in Duffield is: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/13370/ so their AChurchNearYou ID is 13370.

Forgotten password or unable to log in?

If you are unable to login to AChurchNearYou please visit: https://www.achurchnearyou.com/accounts/login and click FORGOT PASSWORD? and follow the process from there.

A message on screen will say that a password reset email is on its way. However, for security reasons, this message will display whether or not an account exists for that email address.

If you do not receive a password reset email: please try other email addresses you use just to make sure you're using the correct email address.

If you continue not to receive a password reset email it's most likely you do not have an account. We therefore recommend that you register for a new account, and request to edit your churches.

USERNAMES/CODES/DORMANT ACCOUNT DELETION:

The AChurchNearYou login method and procedure was updated, from usernames/codes to email addresses, in November 2017. At the same time, accounts which had not been used for 12 months prior were removed.

Download the Diocese of Derby Zoom Guide for Attendees [PDF]

Information provided by EMSOU, the East Midlands Special Operations Unit of the five police forces in the East Midlands region.

When it comes to Video Conferencing, for many, the sudden adoption of remote working, social
distancing and self-isolation has created a demand for simple easy ways to stay in touch with
family, friends and co-workers.

The demand has popularised many apps and one of the most talked about in Cyber Security
circles is Zoom, a video chat platform, available in both free and paid for versions.

Unfortunately, Zoom has received quite a lot of adverse publicity because of a number of
important security flaws. Criticism has ranged from uninvited people joining your conversation
to deliver racist messages or pornographic images, to poor encryption methods that mean
private conversations are not always private.

The guidance below has been written for home and business users that may have adopted
zoom, for its ease of use, availability and in the absence of a paid for service.

WHAT CAN I DO?

For those of you using Zoom, make sure you have the latest version of their software. Click
your user icon and select 'Check for Updates'. Usually, updates fix known security flaws.
Running anti-virus software or a firewall on your computer and keeping software up-to-date
will improve your security.

If you are holding public meetings, where anyone can join the conversation, be sure to
configure screen-sharing settings.

Go to 'In Meeting (Basic)' and select 'host alone can share' or turn off screen sharing
entirely. This can also be controlled by the host during a meeting.

Finally, turn of 'Annotation', if you are worried about how people might annotate your shared
slide show.

Stop Uninvited Guests

Setting up a Zoom meeting creates a 9 digit ID. Anyone who has this ID can join the
conversation. Don’t advertise it publicly by posting it on your Social media.

If you use the 'Options Panel' when setting up a meeting, you can add an access password
too. Would-be trolls now need an ID and a password to gate crash your meeting.

Use the 'Advanced Options' to enable a 'Waiting Room'. This puts people in a holding area before you grant or deny them access to your conversation.
Organisers can lock the meeting once everyone who needs to has joined. Click Manage Participants >> More >> Lock Meeting.

Stay Private

The organiser of a meeting can record audio and video from the meeting. Also, anyone involved in a ‘private chat’ can save this as a log file.
Turn off video and mute yourself unless needed. This prevents video recording conversations in your home or exposing information inadvertently.

It is possible to encrypt your video calls in the settings panel, which will improve the confidentiality of your conversations. Be aware, however that there is no certainty as to whether this is end-to-end encryption.
Accessing Zoom through the browser is more secure than downloading the app. The feature is available on the log in screen when invited to a meeting, although hard to spot.

Always Be Aware

Your conversations may not be as private as you would like. Is Siri, Alexa or Google assistant in range? They will ALWAYS be listening and passing info back to their servers to maintain the connection and sampling purposes.

Final Thoughts

Whatever platform is chosen it is vital that all the security settings are reviewed and implemented as appropriate.

In circumstances where sensitive or confidential discussions are being held other providers, such as Google Duo, Skype, Face Time, WhatsApp and Webex might be alternatives.

Receiving donations online

To set up a provider to receive and process online donations for you, and receive a significant discount in some cases: 

>> Parish Buying website
>> Parish Resources website

>> Add a donation button to your ACNY page
>> Add a donation button to your website

Copyright and licence information

>> What copyright is and how it will affect you
>> Read the latest copyright guidance from the Church of England, including advice on live streaming licences
>> Live streaming worship music and staying legal
>> CCLI licence
>> ONE licence
>> Performing Rights Society (PRS)

Zoom

>> How to use Zoom for a church meeting, Bible study, prayer session or small group
>> Zoom plans and pricing
>> Zoom security

Video

>> A beginner’s guide to live streaming
>> Going live FAQ
>> How to set up to film a video on a smartphone
>> How to premiere a video on Facebook and YouTube
>> How to improve the quality of audio in video recordings
>> How to upload a video with Facebook Creator Studio
>> How to create subtitles

Social Media

>> Diocese of Derby's Social Media Guidelines
>> Online social media courses from the CofE
>> Facebook: Pages vs groups vs profiles
>> Facebook pages for churches
>> How to set up a YouTube channel
>> How to create an Instagram profile and business profile
>> How to use Instagram stories
>> How to schedule a post on Facebook and Instagram with Creator Studio
>> Paid advertising: How to boost a Facebook post

Other useful platforms

>> How to create and invite to a WhatsApp group
>> WhatsApp group calls
>> Skype group calls

A Church Near You
Please note: the diocesan communications team cannot grant you access to your A Church Near You Page - but we can help you get access if you are struggling. Please follow the instructions under 'Become an editor' first.

Become an editor
Editor help centre - Please contact the help centre if your request to edit has not been approved
Create a page
Embed a video
Add a livestream tag to your page to appear on the livestream map
The Resource Hub (for editors)

Photography and design tools

The Diocese of Derby photography guidelines
www.canva.com Free design tool
www.spark.adobe.com
www.unsplash.com
www.pixabay.com
www.pexels.com
www.freepik.com

Safeguarding

Contact the diocesan safeguarding team
Read the Safer Environments Guide for sharing images and video online [PDF]
Advice for using digital conferencing with youth from the Safeguarding team

For some time now, cathedrals have been struggling with getting Facebook to recognise that they are charities in the absence of a registered charity number. 

Rochester Cathedral has finally managed to get the donation button to work without having to resort to using the details of a related registered charity.  

‘This is the process Rochester Cathedral used to get its Facebook donation button working.

In order to complete a Facebook Donation application:

1. Assign “non-profit” in the category section of the organisation’s Facebook Page
2. Apply to Facebook via their donate/sign-up page
3. Submit documents: 

• tax ID to verify charitable tax exemption status
• proof of identity of CEO/executive director, address and personal details 
• proof of address (utility statement) 
• bank details and proof of account (recent statement)
• Additionally, Facebook requested proof of applicant’s identity.

4. Update About Page on Facebook to include:

• mission statement
• what the cathedral supports
• goals and how the cathedral plans to achieve them
• complete address and contact details
• link to website
• link to cathedral's policies.

It’s also been pointed out by Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood, the CofE’s National Giving Adviser, that there are gift aid issues with Facebook Donate (on which the Charity Tax Group is working) so it is recommended that a link to the cathedral’s online giving provider is a pinned comment on services streamed through Facebook. 

See https://www.churchofengland.org/more/church-resources/digital-labs/labs-learning-webinars for various webinars on navigating the digital world, including one on receiving online donations.

Why use A Church Near You?

A Church Near You is a fantastic, free resource available to all Church of England churches.

You A Church Near You entry will often appear at the top of Google / Bing searches for churches in your area.

Remember, that once people find your ACNY page, you will have about 7 seconds to grab them, so it's vital that your page has at least up-to-date contact details listed. Not doing so is effectively the same as turning people away at the door!

A Church Near You is also where the Find a Church links point to on this website.

But A Church Near You is so much more than a directory listing - you can save yourself a lot of money by using your ACNY pages as your church's main website! See how St Peter's Chellaston does this.

It doesn't matter if you already have a URL (web address) for your church, you can direct that straight to your ACNY page.

There is lots of online support available, as well as support from the diocesan Communications Team.

Being your ACNY editor also gives you access to a whole range of resources you can use in your church, on your website and on social media etc. 

>> How to become an approved editor of a church’s site

>> Get help with A Church Near You

>> Training webinars for editors on A Church Near You 

Press releases are used to communicate news, grab attention, and generate publicity. 

They are generally sent to local newspapers and other publications, local radio stations (BBC and independents) and regional TV centres.

There may be a number of reasons to send a press release, including: 

• a specific event or regular activity – something new to share 
• the appointment of a new member of the team – good news to share 
• winning an award or recognition – share and celebrate success! 
• crisis management – when things go wrong 

Whatever the reason you think you have, work through the basics:

• Is my story newsworthy and interesting to anyone else but me / our church? 
  Make no mistake, when a journalist reads a news release, they are only interested in whether or not it is a good story and an interesting story for their readers/listeners/viewers. It doesn’t matter how interesting or important YOU think it is, if the journalist doesn’t see it as interesting and good for their audience, it won’t make the cut. And if they don't find it interesting in the first couple of paragraphs, it's in the bin!
  
  
• What makes a good story?
  People stories are always the best, but not all stories are about people. Something new or updated; something different or out of the ordinary; something local and/or relevant to your community; something personal or about a person; something visual.  A great story will stick in a person’s memory if it resonates with them.
  
  
• Write down the facts 
  Before you start writing a press release you need to think through what content you have. Write down the detail of what you know - as this helps you gather your thoughts. Who is involved? What is happening? Where is it happening? Why is it happening? How do people feel about this? How will it impact people? What will be the outcome? What do you want your reader to know, feel or do? 
  
• Make it stand out 
  Journalists receive a lot of news releases each day so they will most likely feature the most interesting stories and the easiest ones to cover. Your subject matter is crucial here and you need to grab their attention in the headline and first paragraph, or you’ll simply be wasting your time! Also, remember that just because you send a press release, it doesn’t guarantee any coverage at all.
  
  
• Write a good headline 
  A good headline will grab the journalist’s attention, but the most important thing is that it leaves them in no doubt what the story is about.  Don’t try to be clever with your headline. It needs to convince the journalist that they should read the rest of your release and feature your story (think: it does what it says on the tin). 
  
  
• Write a good first paragraph 
  No more than three of four lines, your first paragraph should summarise the story and address the who, what, where, when and why questions.
   
  
• Keep it simple 
  Don’t fall into the trap of feeling like you have to tell every little detail and list and thank everyone involved – this will make your press release long and boring! Keep it simple! Details that are important to you may not be important to a journalist or to a reader. Remember, you are writing for the reader, not for yourself. 
  
  
• Keep it short 
  A news release should be less than a side of A4 long (300-400 words). If your news release is longer, you risk it not being read or parts of it being ignored. Sometimes, four or five short paragraphs and a quote is often sufficient. 
  
  
• Quotes 
  You should almost always include a quote in a press release, but a quote should be used to add value to the story – aim to make your third paragraph a quote. They should provide a personal view and move the story forward – not information about the church. And don’t let a quote be used as an excuse to include all the boring stuff! Equally, don’t include extra quotes from someone just to satisfy them and make them feel included. If it doesn’t add to the story, don’t use it! 
  
  
• Photos 
  A photo is often essential in modern journalism, and you can attach an image to your press release. However, do ensure that it isn’t a large file size that will clog up the journalist’s inbox (you could instead attach a smaller image size and say in the ‘Notes for Editors’ section that a higher resolution image is available on request). Also, make sure it is a well-taken, relevant and interesting image! 
  
  
• Notes for editors and contacts 
  Notes for editors can be used to add contextual information that doesn’t form part of the main story. Adding a contact – someone the journalist can call or email for more information or to discuss anything they’re unsure about – is vital. 
  
  
• Writing style 
  The purpose of a press release is to communicate news, so don’t be flowery and casual. You need to strike a formal tone, At the same time, don’t try to be too clever in your use of language and words – write in a natural, flowing way. 
  Don’t include links to things on your Facebook feed – if you can’t be bothered to put the information in the press release, why should the journalist be bothered to look at it?! 
  
  
• Get support 
  Before sending your press release, why not ask the diocesan Communications Team to take a look? Or feel free to talk to us before you start writing so we can give you some pointers and suggestions. Contact us: communications@derby.anglican.org or 01332 388671. 
  
  
• Press ‘send’! 
  But before you do, make sure you’re sending it to the most appropriate places. Not sure where to send it? Check with the diocesan Communications Team. 
  For printed publications, remember they often plan and write their copy days or even weeks in advance, so make sure you’ve checked the copy deadline.

Can we show online videos in our church?

Video-sharing platforms offer a treasure trove of content for almost every conceivable situation.

However, as the sheer volume of content and the number of channels increases, understanding if and when you can show this content in church becomes ever more challenging.

So is it okay to stream videos during your church services and activities?

Showing content from video-sharing websites in church

Put simply, you should always have permission from the copyright owner, regardless of the source.

CCLI recommends you always use official sources when you are playing copyrighted content.

Not all videos uploaded to video-sharing websites have been done so by, or with the permission of, the copyright owner or licensor.

With a staggering number of videos being uploaded to the internet every minute, it is impossible for any platform to control or police the content being uploaded.

It’s likely that many ofthese videos infringe copyright, either accidentally or deliberately, and many sites will place the responsibility for obtaining permission on the creator (check the platform’s T&Cs for details).

If you can find content that has been uploaded by an official source, the permission you need to show it may be obtained in a number of ways.

Movies (and scenes and clips from movies and TV)

The easiest way for churches and ministries to get permission to show authorised movies and television shows is through CCLI’s Church Video Licence.

In this case, the licence is considered as consent from the “respective licensor”.

Check that the scene has been uploaded by the copyright owner or someone authorised by the owner.

If the scene has been uploaded to the studio’s own channel, or that of an official partner, you can be confident you’re viewing content from an official source.

Studios may have agreements with third parties to upload their content for them.

In this case, check carefully that the channel is an official one.

If a scene has been uploaded by an individual, e.g. a fan of the movie, then it should not be deemed covered by the Church Video Licence and consequently it should not be shown during church activities.

Note: If you show movies in your church/church hall, the CCLI licence covers you to show the movie (as per above) but the rules on advertising your film events mean that you CANNOT advertise them outside of the church building - including on websites, social media and in newsletters. Be sure to check the wording of the terms and conditions of your licence! If in doubt, contact CCLI.

Lyric videos

Videos that show the lyrics for communal singing are increasingly common on video-sharing platforms.

The CCLI Church Copyright Licence and Streaming Plus Licence do not cover the visual element of a song video.

Therefore, regardless of the source, it is recommended you have direct permission from the owner before displaying a song or lyric video in church.

Sometimes, videos may be embedded on the publisher’s website with details of how they can be used.

If the owner or publisher’s description permits a video’s use in church, then this would constitute consent.

If there is any doubt, contact the publisher or copyright owner for permission before showing the video.

Changing lyrics

Song lyrics cannot be changed to fit a church’s preferences or theology unless permission has been given by the song owner.

One of the exclusive rights of a copyright owner is 'derivative works', so any changes must have the owner’s permission.

You are free to arrange songs as you wish, as long as it doesn’t change the melody, lyrics or fundamental character of a song.

You may want to start with the chorus, for example, if it fits the flow of your worship set.

Feel free to skip verses etc - just don’t change the lyrics!

Other videos

As a general rule, CCLI recommends that you don’t show any other videos without the explicit permission ofthe copyright owner.

If in doubt, it may be possible to establish who owns the copyright.

Seeking their direct permission is the safest way to ensure that you’re acting legally and doing the right thing.

Copyright notice on projections and in print

Part of the agreement for the CCLI licence is that your church includes the copyright information on each printed or projected song copy.

For a song projection, the information only has to appear once, and is usually placed at the beginning or end.

An example of the information to display is:

“Hallelujah”
Words and music by John Doe
© 2018 Good Music Co.
Used by Permission.
CCLI Licence #12345

The number e.g. #12345, should be your church’s CCLI licence number, not the song’s CCLI ID number.

Need further information or guidance?

Contact the Diocese of Derby Communications Team: communications@derby.anglican.org

Or contact CCLI: uk.ccli.com

We are building this communications toolkit to help parishes understand and develop best communications practice.

If there is anything you would like to see covered, email communications@derby.anglican.org

Why posting event flyers and posters on social media is a really bad idea…

So the date for the event is set, someone has put posters around the village and now you want to get the message out there on social media.

Surely the thing to do is post the flyer on Facebook and Instagram, right?

No!

Posters advertising events on social media never do well, and there are two good reasons why.

First, you need to make your event discoverable and searchable in as many ways as possible. But when you simply upload a flyer to Facebook, what actually happens is that effectively it disappears... all Facebook sees is a photograph of your poster.

That means it doesn't know what your poster is all about and so it doesn't know whom to show it to!

That in turn means that people cannot search and find it and your event won’t show up in local searches looking for events.

So it’s highly unlikely anyone will come across it – unless they are a follower of your page (and it is already well known that Facebook doesn’t show your posts to ALL your followers).

Too hard to read

The other reason is that, in this digital age, event flyers don’t belong on Instagram or Facebook.

With so much information now being uploaded to the internet, people don’t really stop to read blocks of text.

Social media is made up of platforms that are, in the main, visual and what you need is something that ‘stops the scroll’ and lets people see that your post is worth pausing for.

A flyer packed with text isn’t going to do that.

And imagine how small all that text looks on a mobile phone screen! Remember, most people who use Facebook and Instagram view them on mobiles.

So what should we do?

Use Facebook Events!

Yes, there’s a special feature in Facebook that is designed for promoting events! (It’s free, by the way.)

It’s a little bit more effort than simply uploading a poster, but Facebook Events have the potential to be seen by many more people and, importantly, they are searchable.

They are also included in local lists of events. See some examples here.

Another nice feature of Facebook Events is that people can click to say they are interested or even that they are going. This can encourage others.

On Facebook Events, you could use the artwork from a poster to illustrate your summer fair or concert, for example, but you’d be better to use a striking image from last year’s event together with an engaging caption about the forthcoming event.

>> See Facebook's guide to creating an event

When wording the information (and this applies to all platforms) remember to start with the information people NEED to know. What is important to THEM (not to YOU).

Don’t try to fit in every detail.

What’s the headline?

Is it catchy enough to stop the scroll?

The rest of the details can follow but you MUST grab people’s attention first.

Take a look at the image at the top of this page - that was enough to get your attention and draw you in... there's no detail, just a headline. Keep it simple!

If you know how to use Instagram Stories, try using those. Stories are perfect for promoting events because you can talk about the event multiple times without it living on your feed forever.

Plan ahead - Reach Out!

The earlier you can get your event on Facebook Events the better.

Not only will it give you more time to promote, but your followers will be able to look at what you have coming up and plan accordingly.

Also, don't confine your event promotion just to Facebook. 

Spread the word about your event across all your social media channels and your website. Your Facebook Event can serve as the information hub where people can learn more and get specifics.

Time to stop using those flyers on social!

Resourcing and empowering churches to engage with a General Election period

The General Election has been announced for 4 July, so now is the time for churches and individuals to take action.

The church has long been involved in politics in various ways, and we continue to be called to ‘seek the welfare of the city’ (Jeremiah 29:7), including on environmental issues and addressing poverty and inequality in our communities.

Political parties' manifestos have been written, so we have an opportunity to ensure our local candidates are committed to focusing on the important issues and holding those elected accountable to deliver on their promises.

There are a number of ways you can engage locally with the election period, with parishes uniquely placed to advocate on behalf of the issues and needs of our communities.

Pray Your Part

First, dont forget that Pray Your Part is an invitation from the bishops of the Church of England to encourage prayer and participation in the life of our nation and communities, both as voters and as citizens. 

This 21-day journey of prayer and reflection is designed for use in the run-up to the UK General Election. Each day explores a different theme, with a short Bible reading, reflection and prayer for a different aspect of our common life.

• See the resources

Want to get involved?

What can I do?

As a church

1. Become a Voter Registration Champion

The Electoral Commission estimates that around 26 million eligible voters will miss out on voting at the next General Election because they haven't properly registered, don't have photo ID, or won't turn out to vote on the day.

You're at greater risk of not being able to participate in the democratic process if you are young, a non-UK national, rent your home, have moved recently, live in an economically-disadvantaged community, or are from an ethnic minority.

Your church can encourage democratic participation in your area by giving reminders on registration, ID, and voting dates in your pew sheets or e-news, sharing in service notices, running a voter registration event after your Sunday service or at your community groups. Even if people aren't British Citizens, they may still be eligible to vote (eg if they're from Commonwealth countries), so encourage people to check using the Can I Vote? search tool.

Find out how to accredit as a Voter Registration Champion with Citizens UK.

2. Host a hustings event

A hustings is an election meeting during a general election period. Hustings support the democratic process, facilitate public debate, and help people know who their local candidates are and what they stand for.

They can also be the start of relationship-building.

Continuing to work with MPs between elections is crucial for building good working relationships, raising issues important to your community, and keeping them accountable.

Hustings are normally organised locally by churches (often ecumenically through Churches Together networks) and communities.

If a hustings isn't being planned in your constituency, your church could host it.

Resources for running a hustings:

• Churches Together's guidance for running a hustings
• Register your hustings event with Churches Together here

With the general election only a few weeks away, you need to move quickly if you want to host a hustings event. If you can start planning now, we'd recommend you:

1. Gather your planning team
2. Decide on a venue (church building, community hall, school etc) and find out its availability
3. Invite your local constituents (you may want to choose a date or offer a couple of dates, or to find out candidates' availability first)

3. Pray and preach

As a church, be praying for the election period; for your candidates, for respect and kindness during political debate, and that whoever forms the next government takes issues of poverty, inequality, and the environment seriously.

It can feel daunting to preach on politics during the election period, but it's vital for us to explore how our faith speaks into and interacts with politics today, and to encourage our congregations to be active citizens and voters.

Resources for prayer and preaching:

• Join with the Church of England's call to pray for our nation using the #PrayYourPart resources
• Watch the preaching politics part of this recorded webinar from the diocese
• Read blog Praying and Preaching from JPIT

As an individual 

Unlike churches, parishioners are able to support a specific political party and to engage in any range of political activity or campaigning, assuming it is within the boundaries of the law.

Here's four things you could do this election season:

1. Sign up for free daily reflections ahead of the election to join in prayer for our nation and play your part as a citizen and voter.
2. Vote - register to vote, check what photo ID you need to take to the polling station, and find out who you can vote for. (Even if you're not a British Citizen, you may still be able to vote, so check here.)
3. Attend a hustings - a public meeting where election candidates speak to potential voters, allowing you to hear directly from them and ask questions. Find out where your local hustings is and go along. It might even be at your church!
4. Read Citizens UK’s General Election Manifesto setting out eight key issues they are asking the next UK Government to address.

Support and training

• Citizens UK Churches’ Community for Practice

A series for churches to explore the theological take on the General Election, including strategies for mission and ministry in the context of General Election strategy: voter ID, voter registration, community engagement, and how we can prepare for the election.

Underlying all these themes will be the agenda of working at all times for social justice.

• Thursday 6 June, 4pm
• Thursday 5 September, 4pm

• Faith in Public: Political Theology for Mission

A three-day residential in London by Church Mission Society and Theos.

• 11-13 July 2024

Beyond the election

Elections aren’t the only time you can help shape the political direction.

Here are some ways you can engage beyond the elections...

Join a political party

Don’t sit on the sidelines - get involved with a political party to help be part of a team working to shape the agenda.

You join others to get involved with events and campaign days to help elect candidates, and vote on aspects of the party. You might even stand as an election candidate yourself one day.

You’re unlikely to find a party with whom you agree with on everything, but join one with whom you agree with most and help shape their policies.

Run the Influence Course

Run this interactive six-week course in small groups to explore the Biblical basis of our call to public life, and how we can be active participants not just armchair commentators.

Meet your MP

JPIT explains how you can build positive links between you and your MP, more than just sending an occasional email.

This gives your MP an opportunity to better understand the activities and concerns of their local community – update them on the good things you and your church are involved in, and the difficulties or challenges facing those in your community. See some top tips here.

You can also...

• Write to your MP about the things that matter most to you. Not sure what to say? Try a template from Hope for the Future.
• Track your MP’s activity in Parliament on Parallel Parliament

Even if there’s nothing specific you need your MP to do at this point, engagement now can still be important to grow a strong relationship which will aid you in the future if something important arises.

Join Citizens UK

Explore joining Citizens UK, an alliance of local faith groups, schools, charities, and unions in Reading, Oxford, or Milton Keynes, to act on issues related to the needs of local people. This might be through forming and joining campaigns, conversations with powerholders, and engagement with MPs.

Read

Some suggestions:

• Those Who Show Up, Andy Flannagan (Christians in Politics) – a book on the importance of being involved in politics, not just watching from the sidelines, and how this fits with faith.
• Just Mission: Practical Politics for Local Churches, Helen Cameron – an introduction to political and public theology for churches to see how to use the democratic process to achieve justice
• Politics & Mission: Rediscovering the Political Power of what Christians do, Bishop of Kingston, Martin Gainsborough – looking at how the church’s liturgy is powerful counter-cultural, and through this, the church is uniquely political
• Faith in Democracy: Framing a Politics of Deep Diversity, Jonathan Chaplain – considering the place of faith in public life, finding a third way beyond ‘secularism’ and the ‘Christian nation’