Marking Black History Month
October is Black History month. This is being marked by two of our churches in completely different ways. Read about what Bewdley and Kidderminster East have been doing.
Throughout Autumn, Bishop Martin will be journeying around the diocese in a pilgrimage of prayer and hope, spending two days in each of our deaneries and visiting as many churches…
Bishop Martin said: “I was very struck when, at the height of the pandemic, a member of the clergy said how sad he was that his font had been dry over the last year. I have really missed the sacraments, and this pilgrimage is an opportunity for me to bless our churches – both the buildings and the people – as the living waters of grace flow again.”

On each of his two days in a deanery, Bishop Martin will visit at least six churches to say a simple prayer of blessing over their fonts. He will walk between some churches and visit others by car. Each day he will say morning, midday and evening prayer in three of the churches and people are welcome to join him there.
“On one of the days, we’ll be having a slightly bigger prayer service for the deanery. I know one deanery is planning a confirmation service while another will host a deanery praise celebration. I’ll answer any questions that people may have, and it will be a chance for us to come together and pray for all that we’ve been through during the pandemic and for the future as things begin to ease.”
Read more about why Bishop Martin is taking on this pilgrimage.