News

Bishop Hugh standing at a lectern in a church with people watching on.

Bishop Hugh’s address on AI

Bishop Hugh's address at the latest Diocesan Synod focussed on Artificial Intelligence. Read it below.

Living Gently on the Earth Lent course

If you haven't yet organised a Lent course for 2027, why not consider the Living Gently on the Earth resources which have been developed by members of both the Cathedral and the diocesan Climate Crisis group.

A head and shoulders shot of Archbishop Sarah Mullally in her purple Bishop's shirt

Archbishop Sarah to visit the Diocese

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.

One big multi coloured knitted pumpkin and one tiny orange one.

Activating generosity across the Diocese

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.

Cross lit up at St Stephen's light party

Renewal churches hold light parties as popular alternative to Halloween

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.

Head and shoulders picture of Sarah Gillard-Faulkner in black clericals.

New Managing Chaplain at HMP Long Lartin

The Revd Sarah Gillard-Faulkner has been appointed as the new Managing Chaplain at HMP Long Lartin. She took up the role in mid-October and was officially licensed by Bishop Martin in Cathedral Evensong on Monday.

Chris Smith praying the guitar at the front of church as people look on as they sit in a café church style

New national church funding awarded

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.

A head and shoulders shot of Kelly Gordon who is wearing a light brown jacket and green-rimmed glasses.

Wordsley parishioner selected for international programme

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.

A group of children and staff stand at the front of church holding two Church and School Partnership Award certificates. Stood next to them are members of clergy, the Deputy Head of the school and others from the parish

Silver Church & School Partnership Award in Droitwich

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.

The gift of Christmas

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.