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<p>The parish church is a key source of community support and I commend the work of
clergy and volunteers across the country during this very challenging time.</p><p>Recent
research published by Theos and the Church Urban Fund <a href="https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/cmsfiles/GRACE-CUF-v10-combined.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/cmsfiles/GRACE-CUF-v10-combined.pdf</a>
and separately by the National Churches Trust <a href="https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/"
target="_blank">https://www.houseofgood.nationalchurchestrust.org/</a> has shown the
substantial social and economic contribution parishes, and cathedrals make to their
local communities.</p><p>Across the dioceses of the Church of England churches are
operating 35,000 based projects which serve the needs of their communities, I am pleased
to say that many of these have continued to operate during the pandemic within the
guidelines set out by Government on Covid-19, providing crisis support such as foodbanks,
bereavement counselling, night shelters, debt relief advice, as well as project work
to combat modern slavery and support victim of domestic abuse.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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