Rich Johnson, Vicar of All Saints in Worcester is to be the new National Leader of New Wine, a network of evangelical churches in England. Announced at the New Wine…
Announced at the New Wine Leadership Conference last month, Rich will take on the role from May. He will be seconded to New Wine for 45% of his time while continuing to work in our Resourcing Church for the other 55%. The Trustees of New Wine, recognising how Kath and Rich lead together, have also invited Kath Johnson to also be part of the leadership of New Wine going forward alongside her role with IJM (International Justice Mission).
Rich said: It’s a huge privilege for Kath and I to receive the baton of leadership of New Wine England from the Harcourts over next few months as I become National Leader & we form a new leadership team. We’re so thankful for the support of All Saints and others in the Diocese as we take on this challenge.”
Rich has been part of the New Wine family since he came to faith in Jesus as a member of Trinity Cheltenham. He recently developed a new strategy for networking church leaders around the country. Bishop Jill Duff, one of the trustees of New Wine, who chaired the interview process commented: “Rich brings vision, prayerfulness and strategic clarity. We were unanimous in our decision to appoint him. Team is vital to him and our passion to grow younger and more diverse was already on Rich’s heart.”
Bishop John welcomed Rich’s appointment saying: “I am delighted that Rich has been appointed as the next Leader of New Wine. He is an exceptionally gifted leader and pastor who has done so much in his role as Vicar of All Saints over the last ten years. He will be brilliant in this new role and here in Worcester we can bask in reflected glory as well as continue to benefit from Rich’s considerable ministry in our midst.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An article from Archdeacon Mark for December editions of parish magazines.
The Muslim-Christian dialogue group in Lye, Stourbridge, arranged a litter pick on 31 October to clear up two local streets.
A new singing group for children will launch at St Peter’s Centre at Pedmore Church on 15 November, 10 years after Singing Angels originally began at St Andrew’s Church on the Straits.
