March 2022
An Easter appeal: laying the foundations for digital mission
The college’s vision statement speaks of our intent to become a beacon of Christian learning and formation, and a core element of realising that vision will be equipping our leaders for digital mission in the Church.
We are in the business of equipping our ordinands for priestly ministry, forming them into leaders who can take on the traditional roles of that calling, and also meet the new demands that our digitally connected world presents. The pandemic has served to underline those demands as the Church has sought to maintain connections with the isolated communities that she serves.
But our mission to prepare leaders for the Church just at our site in Cambridge is not the limit of our calling. If we are to be a beacon of Christian learning and formation, we must also reach beyond our physical location to serve a national and international audience with the resources that God has given us.
The internet is now an element in the lives of most of the world’s population. Of the nearly eight billion people alive today, over five billion have some online access, and that number is growing fast. I am convinced that Ridley Hall has an important role to play in this arena, and if we are wise and bold we can use digital platforms to help form leaders on a national and global scale. With this in mind, our Easter appeal for 2022 focuses on the role of Ridley Hall in the digital mission of the Church.
Two projects in focus
Whilst the vision is broad, the objectives of our appeal are very specific. We are seeking financial support for two projects, which are at the heart of our contribution to digital mission.
1. Training and formation beyond Cambridge
First, we recognise that providing the necessary training and formation for ordinands and lay leaders at a national and international level requires us to have the right infrastructure here at the college. Investing in this infrastructure now, including all of the hardware and connection services required, will support the various projects that we have in mind for the future. We need £15,000 in order to lay these foundations.
2. Providing training in digital mission
The second project acknowledges the need for our students to develop a digital skillset alongside the traditional knowledge and skills that they need to meet their calling. We want to provide the very best training we can to our ordinands and lay leaders in essential digital skills like podcast and video production, content distribution, and the effective use of social media platforms. We are seeking to raise £10,000 to provide the right resources and training in these areas.
How to support the appeal
If you would like to support us in either or both of these projects, you can make a gift to us below:
As you donate there will be an opportunity to add a message if you would like your gift to be earmarked for a specific project.
(L: shown in chapel; R: icon detail)
Project updates
We will give updates on progress on each project through the Ridley Connection, our termly e-newsletter – if you need to update your contact details with us you can do so below:
Thank you for your continuing support of the college. We could not continue in our mission without the commitment of our friends and benefactors. May you experience the presence and peace of Christ this Lent and receive the Easter hope with great joy when it comes.
