Surprises in Lent
Published: 9th February 2024An article for March editions of parish magazines from Stephen Edwards, Interim Dean of Worcester.
News
Using social media to boost Christmas attendance
Published: 7th February 2024St Thomas’ Church in Stourbridge saw a significant increase in attendance at its Christmas services this year, which the vicar, Andrew Sillis, is crediting in part to a campaign on social media.
How your accounts can help your church
Published: 1st February 2024As we begin a new year, our fantastic treasurers will be busy preparing the annual accounts for our churches. As with all charities, including PCCs, these are required by law, however, using your accounts well can be of real benefit to your church and give the PCC confidence in the decisions they are making.
A focus on New Worshipping Communities
Published: 1st February 2024Last weekend saw the first meeting of a new learning community for leaders of new worshipping communities and their teams in parishes across the Diocese.
Thursday family club in Malvern
Published: 29th January 2024Malvern Link with Cowleigh has started an after-school club for local families in the hall at the Church of the Ascension. Parents with primary school age children can come along to the club, to do craft and games together and then have a hot meal.
Hidden history being uncovered at Great Malvern Priory
Published: 23rd January 2024At Great Malvern Priory, the nave floor is currently being levelled so that people will no longer trip up and fall off the pew plinths that were left there when the Victorians restored the church. As part of the work, the Priory had a visit from Victoria Bryant, the diocesan Archaeological Advisor.
PGS: One-off gifts, one year on
Published: 18th January 2024In December 2022 the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) introduced the option for donors to give a one-off gift to a parish and have so far raised over £1.6 million, with the average gift being nearly £200!
New reflection and prayer space at Hartlebury Primary School
Published: 18th January 2024Bishop John visited Hartlebury CE Primary School this week to bless their new reflection and prayer space which has been created by the pupils themselves.
New Community Hub at St John’s Church, Dudley
Published: 17th January 2024Bishop Martin joined the congregation of St John’s Church in Kates Hill, Dudley last Sunday to bless their new community space.
Heritage Lottery Funding for St John's Church in Bromsgrove
Published: 11th January 2024St John’s Church in Bromsgrove has been awarded a grant by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to repair the top of the spire and further engage visitors in the building’s heritage.
Communicating with God
Published: 4th January 2024An article for February editions of parish magazines, from the Archdeacon of Worcester, Mark Badger.
Parish Council discretionary grants for churches
Published: 4th January 2024A change to the law which came into effect on 26 December should make it easier for PCCs to apply to parish councils for funding for items such as churchyard maintenance and clock maintenance.
Julie James to be licensed to Longdon, Castlemorton, Bushley & Queenhill
Published: 2nd January 2024Bishop Martin will be pleased to license the Revd Julie James as Assistant Curate in the Benefice of Longdon, Castlemorton, Bushley and Queenhill with Holdfast on Sunday 28 January.
Epiphany: Blessing of the Chalk
Published: 2nd January 2024There is a tradition of blessing chalk at Epiphany to mark the threshold of our homes with a new year blessing.
New Area Deans appointed
Published: 20th December 2023Bishop John has appointed Andrew Sillis to be the new Area Dean of Greater Dudley Deanery and Gary Crellin to be the new Area Dean of Malvern and Upton Deanery.
Solar panels planned for Rous Lench church
Published: 20th December 2023St Peter’s Church in Rous Lench, just outside Evesham, has been given permission to install solar panels on the roof of their Grade 1 listed church. The panels will be part of a major project to reimagine the church as a multi-purpose community space, with the parish ensuring the project is as environmentally friendly as possible.
Christmas initiatives in Kidderminster
Published: 20th December 2023A group chaired by Heather Prangley in the Kidderminster West Team Ministry has developed two new initiatives for residents across Kidderminster. The aims were to get people talking, hopefully make people smile and engage within their local community.
Schools join the Five Alive Carol service
Published: 19th December 2023Children from Cropthorne with Charlton C of E First School and Fladbury C of E First School sang with the Five Alive Parish Choir at the Candlelit Carol Service on Sunday at Fladbury.
ALMs share their testimonies
Published: 18th December 2023A number of ALMs offered their testimonies at All Saints Church in Evesham on All Saints Sunday, with a bit of background on why they became ALMs and what they enjoy about their roles.
Pilot project to recruit more children & youth work volunteers
Published: 13th December 2023Worcester is one of five dioceses to pilot a new national volunteer recruitment toolkit next Summer. Find out how your parish could get involved!
Latest News
Bishop Martin's Christmas Message
20th December 2024
Bishop Martin reflects on a poem by Howard Thurman in this year's Christmas message and explores how we can light candles in dark places as we pray for peace and hope.