Recognising different callings
Published: 7th June 2026An article for July editions of parish magazines, from the Dean of Worcester Stephen Edwards.
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An article for July editions of parish magazines, from the Dean of Worcester Stephen Edwards.
Bishop Hugh spent the day in Malvern and Upton Deanery earlier in the week where he visited churches, schools and toddler groups to get a sense of some of the things happening across the Deanery.
A new section on the Church of England website signposts PCCs to existing mandatory and best practice information relating to protecting people from harm in a church setting, including a range of policies for the PCC to consider.
One of the key elements of our renewal churches is that they will resource other local churches. St Stephen’s Church in Redditch did that when they decided to return the funding allocated to them by the national church to improve their building. This generosity will enable other renewal churches to complete their own building works.
As the new Director of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI), Jennie Johnson is committed to creating church spaces which are places of welcoming and belonging to everyone, regardless of their background. Read about her background and how she sees the role.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund, a new Government grants fund for listed places of worship to help pay for capital works including fabric repairs and essential improvements, has been launched.
Bishop Hugh has announced the appointment of the Revd Michael Edwards as Curate in Charge (to be Priest in Charge) of All Saints in Evesham with St Andrew, Hampton.
Bishop Hugh has announced that the Revd Adam Hadley has been appointed Rector of the Benefice of Kingswinford St Mary with effect from 1 June 2026.
A unique recycling initiative is being launched at St Stephen’s Church in Redditch which will give its Victorian pews a new lease of life in community settings.
Licensed Lay Ministers from across the Diocese gathered at Holland House this weekend for a chance to learn together, support one another and socialise.
Families@4 is a new worshipping community at St Peter’s Church in Ipsley. Throughout 2026, they decided to theme their programme around learning about God’s creation and have created a garden in which the children and their families are growing vegetables and flowers.
People from across the Muddy Boots Rural Mission Area, as well as members of the Chaplaincy for Agriculture and Rural Life, gathered at Abberley Hills Vineyard last week for a prayer walk to mark Rogation.
New church bells arrived at Grade 1 listed Elmley Castle Church this morning, welcomed by the village as well as children from Elmley Castle CE First School.
While the world has traded vinyl records for streaming and telegrams for smartphones, Dave Banner has continued to sing in the choir of St John’s Church in Bromsgrove. On 10 May Dave celebrated 70 years as a chorister at the church!
An article for June editions of parish magazines, from the Archdeacon of Worcester, Mark Badger.
The finance team at the diocesan office now offers a bookkeeping service for parishes. It is hoped that this will be particularly useful for those churches who have treasurers wishing to retire or inexperienced treasurers who might need some support taking on the role, particularly with the legal aspects.
On Friday 1 May children from Key Stage 2 at Whittington CE Primary School gathered in the grounds of Whittington Church, stopping at various places to pray for our church and community.
Students in Church Schools across the Diocese are being encouraged to get creative and enter our new diocesan art competition.
Over 90 people from Dudley churches made their way down to St Paul’s Cathedral last Friday to support former Rector of Dudley, James Treasure as he was consecrated as Bishop of St Germans in the Diocese of Truro.
Whittington CE Primary School and the Church of St Philip and St James in Whittington have come together for a community celebration day. There were activities for the children at both the church and the school throughout the day and parents were invited to come in and take part alongside their children.
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13th July 2026
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