Readers gather at Holland House
Published: 20th May 2025A Readers residential was held at the weekend with over 30 Licensed Lay Ministers from across the Diocese coming together at our diocesan retreat house, Holland House near Pershore.
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A Readers residential was held at the weekend with over 30 Licensed Lay Ministers from across the Diocese coming together at our diocesan retreat house, Holland House near Pershore.
Clergy life is deeply rewarding, but it can also bring hidden challenges — isolation, loneliness, and heavy workloads. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're highlighting the importance of supporting the wellbeing of our clergy and their families.
The central and Anglican Communion members of the Canterbury Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) have been announced and include our very own Canon Claire Lording, Vicar of Pershore with Pinvin, Wick & Birlingham.
Melissa Rose is a Reader or Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) in Dudley. She was one of our first LLMs to be trained at Queen’s Theological college and was licensed in September 2015.
People from churches across the Diocese gathered together in the Cathedral to celebrate the life of our smaller churches. Churches with 20 or fewer active members make up 45% of our churches and play an important role in their communities.
Our companion Diocese of Peru is also in the process of selecting a new bishop - please pray for them as the synod meets on 31 May to elect a candidate to become Bishop Coadjutor.
Matthew White is a member of the church of St Peter and St Paul in Rock. He has set up Men United, a social enterprise set up as a CIC (Community Interest Company), to support men who are struggling with their mental health.
Shellie Ward is Vicar of Broadway with Wickhamford and Childswickham but has begun working more widely across Evesham and the surrounding areas to create new mission opportunities and support parishes in vacancy.
The Muddy Boots Rural Mission area covers 26 churches and 156 square miles. The area has a number of ministers and three stipendiary incumbents – Sallie Butcher, Julia Curtis and David Morris, who work closely together to support each other.
Five new honorary Canons have been installed at Worcester Cathedral in recognition of their work in both the Diocese and the wider Church. Appointments are made by the Bishop of Worcester (or Acting Bishop) in consultation with the Dean.
To support one of their Neurodivergent parishioners who is Dyslexic, the team in Halas has bought a special Dyslexia-friendly bible with coloured inlays. This enables more people to join the reading rota and share passages from the bible.
St James Church in Hartlebury village near Kidderminster has launched a new monthly energetic church service called ‘Jamie’s’ for children and families featuring ISingPOP’s catchy worship songs and dance routines. It takes place on the second Sunday of the month in the church at 4pm.
St John’s church in Halesowen is looking at ways they can build stronger links with and better serve their local community. This week they have launched a post exam calm space for year 11s about to embark on their GCSEs.
A pilot project to support parishes and increase the number of church-led funerals will be starting in Pershore and Evesham Deanery in the summer.
Churches across the diocese baptised new people into the faith on Easter Day.
A blog from Diocesan Lead for Transformation and Change, Nikki Groarke about conversations taking place in each of our churches over the next couple of months as we continue on our journey to improve the health and sustainability of our churches
Heather Murphy has recently been appointed as Children, Youth and families Minister for three churches in Worcester that already work closely together.
A sermon for Easter Sunday morning preached by Bishop Martin.
14 people from across the Diocese were confirmed at the Easter Eve service in the Cathedral on Saturday night.
The Lightbox team braved the rain on Good Friday to offer activities as well as free food and drink to young people in Worcester City Centre.
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12th September 2025
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