Stir Up Church in Hanley Castle
Published: 9th October 2026Stir Up Church is a New Worshipping Community which takes place at St Mary’s Church in Hanley Castle on the third Sunday of every month.
News
Choir bolsters worship, faith and wellbeing
Published: 1st October 2026As the Teme Valley South Churches Choir celebrates its third anniversary, we reflect on the difference it has made to the rural church community. As well as providing good quality music to bolster worship and congregations, it has also improved wellbeing, deepened faith and bought the communities closer.
Moving on from curacy
Published: 18th September 2026Mike Edwards and Chris Smith have recently taken on new roles in Evesham and Pensnett in the Black Country, in the neighbouring parishes to where they have served as curates in Bengeworth and Kingswinford. We asked them about their curacy and what they are looking forward to as their start their first incumbency.
Blessing bags in Evesham to start the new school year
Published: 15th September 2026To celebrate the beginning of the new school year, All Saints, Evesham and St. Andrews, Hampton held a Bag Blessing service.
Top Church: Building an intergenerational Church
Published: 10th September 2026Top Church in Dudley, a Resourcing Church with a congregation of over 150 have reported that around a third of their usual Sunday attenders are children and young people.
Mike Edwards licensed as Curate in Charge at Evesham
Published: 1st September 2026On Saturday 15 August, Bishop Hugh licensed Mike Edwards to be Curate in Charge of All Saints in Evesham with St Andrew, Hampton
Pilgrimage activity day in Wyre Forest West
Published: 26th August 2026Inspired by the Church of England’s “Pilgrim People, Holy lives” campaign, 22 children came to Bayton Church to learn about pilgrimage and enjoy a virtual pilgrimage activity, following in the footsteps of five Saints; St. Cedd, St. Frideswide, St Etheldreda, St Bertha and St Alcuin.
Diocesan office achieves Silver Eco Award
Published: 13th August 2026Our diocesan office has achieved a Silver Eco Award, recognised by A Rocha
Faith Foundations Course Success in Kingswinford Parish
Published: 12th August 2026Kingswinford Parish have had great success with a course they developed called Faith Foundations, for adults who want to know more about Christianity. It has led to a growth in faith for those attending, baptisms and confirmations, and one person exploring the path to ordination.
Equipping our Ministers for Mission
Published: 6th August 2026The way we package our training is set to change! Underpinning our three priorities is a fourth - the importance of ensuring all our ministers, both lay and ordained, are properly equipped for mission.
A gathered choir for Choral Evensong
Published: 29th July 202640 choristers from seven different churches gathered at St Mary’s Church in Kingswinford as Adam Hadley was licensed as Rector of the benefice.
Bishop Hugh blesses churchyard orchard
Published: 28th July 2026Bishop Hugh has visited St James’ Church in Malvern to bless their orchard as well as their Orchard Church New Worshipping Community, as work starts to create an eco-pond and ‘pilgrim path’ through the orchard.
iSingPOP diocesan partnership comes to an end
Published: 23rd July 2026Over the past 18 months, we have been working with iSingPOP on a partnership project to enable parishes to access their training and resources. Following a review of the project and its impact, the decision has been made to bring the project to a close at the end of July.
Chris Smith licensed in Pensnett
Published: 22nd July 2026Chris Smith was licensed as Curate in Charge of the parish of St Mark in Pensnett last Sunday by Bishop Martin in a service full of joy. Pensnett Church is sometimes referred to as the Cathedral of the Black Country and will become one of our diocesan renewal churches.
Appeal for donations to provide ‘Bags of Hope’ this summer
Published: 16th July 2026Churches from across the Redditch Mission Area are planning to make use of a unit at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre this summer, launching a new initiative called ‘Bags of Hope’ to support families across Redditch and show Christ’s love - but they need donations to get this off the ground!
Churches to Host Summer Holiday Clubs
Published: 16th July 2026Many churches across our diocese are planning to offer free or low-cost children’s holiday clubs to support families in their communities during the school summer holidays and introduce children who may not usually come to church to Christianity in a fun and creative way.
Kingswinford Parish Host ‘Sustainable Evening’ on escalating Climate Crisis
Published: 15th July 2026In June, 24 members of Kingswinford Parish got together to host their first ‘Sustainable Evening’ with friends. They watched ‘The People’s Emergency Briefing’ film, after sharing a vegan meal. The evening ended with open and meaningful conversation and prayer.
Recognising all those who support children and families
Published: 6th July 2026The Worcestershire West Rural team kicked off #Recognise week a day early yesterday with a special All Age service to thank those who working with children and families across the patch.
St Thomas Stourbridge Uniform Bank extends across Dudley
Published: 25th June 2026St Thomas church in Stourbridge are set to run a school uniform bank this summer which will be bigger than ever, expanding across Lye and Tipton. This will help more families in Dudley and Smethwick by providing them with free pre-loved school uniform.
Historic ring of Halesowen's bells
Published: 25th June 2026Recently, the sound of Halesowen’s bells carried more than just music across the town – they carried 250 years of history.
Latest News
New Children and Youth Minister appointed for three Worcester churches
14th October 2026
Claines Church, St Stephen’s church in Worcester and St George’s church in Barbourne have recently appointed Nathaniel Glover (aka ‘Nate’) to be their new Children, Youth and Families minister, working to encourage, co-ordinate and support the efforts of volunteers across all three churches.