Religion, Community and Events

Any discussion on the role of church engagement with their communities would be incomplete without reference to the nature of events held by and in the church. Whilst connections between church and ‘events’ may not initially be apparent, in addition to the range of projects and services within local communities, many churches’ energies are focused on events, from fetes, to community days, to music events, and conferences for clergy and laity. This presentation assesses the role that events play in the culture of the local church and its local community, with case study research on three churches, in building relationships within the community and developing a sense of belonging and identity.