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Are churches losing faith in low-income communities?

Broomhall Centre, Broomspring Lane, Sheffield
Thursday 29 May 2025, 7:30pm – 9:30pm

Churches across Sheffield are being asked to take a long hard look at the support they provide for low-income communities. Church Action on Poverty in Sheffield is responding to research showing churches are more likely to close in low-income areas than in better-off ones by organising an evening conference asking the question: ‘Are churches losing faith in low-income communities?”

  • Church Action on Poverty research found that in Greater Manchester, three out of every five churches closed by the Church of England between 2010 and 2020 were in deprived areas, while half the Methodist and Baptist churches and two out of five Roman Catholic churches that closed were in deprived areas.
  • Speakers at the conference will include:
    Niall Cooper, CEO of Church Action on Poverty;
    The Rev Lucy Sablan, who has been working in Arbourthorne and is now Rector of the Manor;
    Nick Waterfield, a Pioneer Methodist minister and community worker in the Parson Cross community.
  • There will be an opportunity to ask questions, contribute to the debate, and light refreshments will be available.

Admission is free and there is no need to book.
For more information about the event, please contact Briony Broome: briony.broome@hotmail.co.uk or 07801 532 954.

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