A learning community has been launched for Renewal and Resourcing Church leaders to support each other as they journey together on their missions to revitalise existing churches and grow the Kingdom.
As more children, youth and families’ workers have been recruited in the diocese over the last few years, the diocesan Programme Lead for Children and Young People, Simon Hill, has created a Children, Youth and Families Ministry Network for paid workers.
A new guide to New Worshipping Communities (NWCs) in the Diocese has been launched. It will support parishes who are looking to find creative ways of reaching people beyond our existing congregations as we look to reach our target of creating 100 NWCs by 2030.
In 2023 we launched a seven-year transformation programme, assisted by funding from the national church, aiming to transform communities through churches that are growing in health and sustainability. The first data back from churches is showing encouraging signs of growth.
In September 2024, Fraser Oates was appointed as the Renewal Leader for St Stephen's Church in Redditch and has relocated there, marking a new chapter for him and his family as well as the church and community.
St Stephens in Redditch held a prayer breakfast focusing on their Renewal journey. Fraser Oates who has been Assistant Curate at All Saints in Worcester will shortly be moving to Redditch to take up the role of Renewal Leader.
Leaders and volunteers from the 150 smaller churches in our diocese are warmly invited to attend our one-day Conference for Smaller Churches.
Thanks to funding from the national church, the Diocese of Worcester has been able to create a new team to support parishes as we work together towards achieving the outcomes of our diocesan vision and Transformation programme.
14 of those ordained in June trained through the ‘Auxiliary Pathway’. With a second cohort of candidates due to start in September, hear from two of those who were ordained Deacon this year.
Mission Accompaniers are available to come alongside parishes to offer tailored support. Nick Gowers had been vicar nine years, when in 2022, Chris Bright became his Mission Accompanier.
Children, youth and family work is thriving at St Andrew’s church in Malvern with over 100 children and young people on their books and over 50 attending most Sundays.
11 people from parishes across the Greater Dudley Deanery have been presented with certificates to mark the completion of their course to become Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs) as Worship Leaders.
Chris Sheehan is a Pioneer Minister in Evesham having been ordained six years ago. With a ministry focussed on working in the community, he decided to stay as a distinctive deacon rather than being ordained as a priest at the end of the first year of his curacy.
Three Priests in the Teme Valley who have recently joined together to work across a new wider mission area share the many advantages to grouping together in this new way
In January a New Worshipping Community Learning Pathway pilot will be starting. It’s not too late to sign-up if you are interested in joining a supportive community with other church teams developing New Worshipping Communities.
28 people received a certificate from Bishop John last Sunday to mark the completion of their courses to become Authorised Lay Ministers (ALMs). The special service at Worcester Cathedral was a celebration of this form of lay ministry.
Bishop Martin joined with the Halas Team at St John's Church in Halesowen on Sunday to bless and pray for the Revd Hazel Charlton, as she took up a new role as the Vicar for St John’s along with the exciting position of Renewal Project Lead.
On Saturday 9 September, Bishop Martin will license new Licensed Lay Ministers (also known as Readers) for parishes in Worcestershire and Dudley.
Around 30 Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) gathered at Holland House over the weekend for fellowship, prayer, and to study the bible together.
15 people from parishes across the Diocese have started a new training course with the hope that many of them will be able to be ordained over the next couple of years.
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17th April 2025