The story of the Orchard is a gift to small congregations who are seeking to serve God while wondering how to navigate the challenges of diminishing resources.
It is designed to be used by small groups and to encourage the growth of faith, hope and love and stimulate creative thinking about working alongside other Christians to realise God's hopeful future for both church and community.
The Orchard aims to help you and those with whom you worship and witness to listen to what the Spirit of God might be saying to you today.
The story was written by Michael Volland, Principal of Ridley Hall and emerged in a group of parishes in east Durham.
You can read the short story online here and print copies are available from the college for 3 +p&p.
A case study of the parishes the story emerges from can be read in a Grove booklet: Mixed-economy mission.