Are you providing a haven of peace?
People often see the rural church as a place for peace and reflection in a madly racing world of change. The local church can offer this through a weekly time for prayer when someone is in the church and it is open for people to call in to pray or reflect, by making leaflets available at the back of the church to help people pray or placing a seat in a corner of the graveyard to provide for those who want to sit and remember (Crowe Hill Methodist Church in the New Forest near Ringwood, Hampshire, is a good example of this). Planting a Quiet Garden on the Church plot is another helpful provision. (Willaston Methodist Church near Nantwich, Cheshire has such a garden). Are you helping people to escape noise pollution and enjoy an oasis? The premises might be used as a retreat centre for town based churches to enjoy a Quiet Day. Low key tourism can be encouraged (Cf. Hidden Britain). An excellent example of this is Hollinsclough in the Peak District where an old farm building opposite the Church has been converted to offer hospitality to walking groups. Llandecwyn in Wales is another such example (cf. story in Country Way via Arthur Rank Centre).