This weekend saw the licensing of James Ellin as Team Vicar and Renewal Lead in the Saltway Team at St Andrew's Church in Droitwich. James will be working alongside Team…
James will be working alongside Team Rector Laura Handy to grow the church in Droitwich as part of our priority to ensure that each major area of population has at least one church with 150 people attending weekly, enabling them to support other local churches.
James was joined by members of the churches across Doitwich, Salwarpe and Hindlip with Martin Hussingtree as well as people from All Saints in Worcester where James was previously Associate Vicar. He was licensed by Bishop Hugh who also preached during the service saying:
“When I met with James ahead of this licensing, he spoke about his vision of a church which serves the local community, speaks generously of others and that is full of people. This vision reflects the three values of faith, hope and love, which should be key to all of us who are Christians living as Kingdom People. This licensing marks a new start and with the support of our faithful God as the one in which we hope and who loves us, if you give yourselves to faith, hope and love, I am confident that James’ vision will become a reality.”
During the service James was welcomed by representatives of the benefice, deanery, town and local schools, including a special welcome song from the church’s ‘Sparkle Tots’ group, a video message from Hindlip CE First School and cards from both Hindlip and St Peter’s CE Academy.
The Mayor of Doitwich, Councillor Sue Brazier also offered a welcome, alongside the local Methodist and Baptist ministers. At the end of the service, James rang the church bell to let the town know that he had been appointed.
James said: “I am looking forward in great hope and great love to being in Droitwich and worshipping here with you. I will be looking for opportunities to build partnership and reach out into the community as we work together for the common good of everyone in the town.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally will visit the Diocese over the weekend of 6 and 7 February. She will spend two days in the Diocese visiting churches and meeting with a range of people; hearing some of our stories and offering encouragement.
At the recent Clergy Conference, the diocesan stewardship team launched a Boomerang offering, to help activate generosity across the Diocese. Each person was given a £5 note to take home, pray with and see what act of generosity God was calling them towards. We also asked them to share their stories of how the money was used.
Many of our churches hosted ‘light parties’ at the end of October as a popular alternative to Halloween. Some of our renewal churches hosted the biggest celebrations.
Our diocese has been awarded £3.6 million to continue to support churches as part of phase two of our programme to ensure our churches are healthy and sustainable for the future.
Kelly Gordon is a member of Wordsley Parish in Greater Dudley Deanery. She has recently been selected as one of only three people in the UK to be part of the Leaders Europe programme within the Obama Foundation.
St Peter’s CE Academy and St Peter’s Church in the Saltway Team have been awarded a silver Church and School Partnership Award recognising the close relationship between the church, school and local community.
This year’s Church of England Advent and Christmas theme focuses on the first and greatest Christmas gift of all: the gift of God being born as one of us in Jesus Christ.
An article from Archdeacon Mark for December editions of parish magazines.
The Muslim-Christian dialogue group in Lye, Stourbridge, arranged a litter pick on 31 October to clear up two local streets.
A new singing group for children will launch at St Peter’s Centre at Pedmore Church on 15 November, 10 years after Singing Angels originally began at St Andrew’s Church on the Straits.
