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.
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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Fourteen candidates will be ordained over the first weekend in July to serve in parishes across the Diocese.
Over 40 people from across the Diocese have received a certificate from Bishop Martin, marking the completion of a course designed to help them relate their Christian faith to their own life and locality.
Calum Burke, Curate at Top Church in Dudley has recently taken part in a 'Stammer Stories' podcast series, sharing his experiences of stammering & ordained ministry. In this blog he talks about his stammer & the impact on his faith journey.
Five people from parishes across the Diocese were admitted to the office of Reader on Saturday. Bishop Martin conducted the service, licensing the individuals to minister in the parishes they have been called to serve.
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26th January 2025