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Thank you from Bishop Graham and Rachel
Thank you to everyone across the diocese for your kindness to us whilst Rachel and I were in Dudley and for the many good wishes that were sent as we moved to Norwich. The two leaving services, at the Cathedral and in a big top at the Black Country Living museum, were both moving and memorable and we are thankful for all who made them possible, including the Ahmidiyya Muslim Community for providing such a delicious curry. Thank you also for your generous gifts, including the beautiful oil painting of the Malvern Hills and the prized ‘Dudley Bug’, but particularly for supporting a tree nursery in Morogoro. Our move to Norwich has gone well and we have been warmly welcomed. Last weekend I extracted over 300 lbs of honey from the bee hives – a unique blend of Dudley and Norwich! Thank you for all that you added to our lives and I owe you a great debt of gratitude for how Bishop John and all of you formed me as a bishop. This comes with the assurance of my prayers and all good wishes.
Bishop Graham will be welcomed and enthroned as the 72nd Bishop of Norwich on Saturday 9 November at 2pm in Norwich Cathedral. Anyone from the diocese who would like to attend is asked to register their interest, stating the number of tickets and giving a postal address, with Mrs Coralie Nichols (01603 629001) by 2 September.
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Free social media apps for your church to try
Today there are more than two million apps are available for Apple and Android users. With so many creative and productivity tools on offer, how do you know where to start and which ones to try?
The national digital team have put together our list of free apps for you to try in 2019. |
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Have you booked your place yet for All Together as Kingdom People?
On Saturday 28 September, people from across the Diocese will come together to be inspired, encouraged and equipped to grow as Kingdom People.
There are some fabulous workshops as well as the Bishop of Liverpool and the day is free but be sure to book your place in advance!
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Safeguarding
The Diocese of Worcester is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults to worship and grow in Christ safely.
Resources on safeguarding are available on the diocesan website.
Please ensure your parish website clearly displays the relevant safeguarding information - i.e. contact details, parish policy documents. If in doubt please contact our safeguarding team. |
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In brief ...
- Bishop John and a group will be going to visit our companion diocese of Peru in March 2020. Anyone who is interested in joining the group can contact the chair of the Peru Partnership Group, Phil Bradford: 01905 423794 / phil.bradford@westworcesterchurches.org.uk.
- The parish of Kidderminster East is looking for an Administration Assistant. More information.
- The Mothers’ Union provide various types of breaks for many people a year through their long running "Away From It All" scheme, which is intended to support families who are experiencing stressful times and would otherwise not have the opportunity of a holiday. Do you know a family who would benefit from the scheme? Find out more.
- Read a reflection on the importance of Agricultural Chaplaincy.
- Could you become an Ambassador for The Children's Society? Susan Price is retiring from her role as The Children’s Society Diocesan Ambassador after 18 years. Read more.
- In October Laura Handy, Team Vicar in the Saltway Team Ministry, is taking on the Zambezi River Challenge in aid of Compassion UK. Read more about her challenge.
- The next Worcester-Palestine Friendship meeting will be addressed by Paul Clark who will talk about his recent experience as a human rights monitor with Christian Peacemaker Teams in Hebron in the West Bank in Palestine. Wed 18 September, St George's Catholic Church Parish Hall, Worcester. Download poster.
- The Love Dudley Network is launching the Theology Network; a chance for ministers, leaders and other interested Christians to gather on a bi-monthly basis to engage in some theological discussion, facilitated by guest academics. Download flyer
- Church Action on Poverty is holding a midlands gathering on Speaking Truth to Power in Birmingham on Thursday 21 November, 4pm. Find out more
- Churches around the UK are invited to mark Christian Blind Mission Sunday on or around 13 October, the closest Sunday to World Sight Day. Find out more
- Jesus Money is a new simple resource for churches and others, helping people start informal discussions about how we use our money. It will be launched in Dudley on Wednesday 16 October – 2pm to 4pm, at St. Francis' Church, Laurel Rd, Dudley, DY1 3EZ. More information
- There will be A Celebration of BCUIM’s Ministry – Thursday 7 Nov, 7pm, St Peter’s Wolverhampton. The Black Country, its commercial life and its churches were very different places when BCUIM began “Connecting Church and the Economy” in 1976, but this work remains just as important.
- The next meeting of the Worcester Theological Society is on Thurs 19 September, 2pm at the Old Palace, Worcester: 'Exploring the Hebrew Bible with Robert Alter'. Find out more
- Transforming Churches Together is running a witness course for churches seeking to support asylum seekers through the legal process on 16 September, 1pm at St Peter's, Walsall. More information.
- St Richard’s Hospice is inviting local people to remember and celebrate their loved ones in the charity’s annual Lights of Love campaign. Visit the website for more information and to dedicate a light to a loved one or call the fundraising team on 01905 958262.
- Transforming Communities Together is looking for a Development Worker, Overcoming Shocking Debt. More information
- The Real Advent Calendar for 2019 has been launched with a competition for young people to design the front of an Advent Calendar with the theme of The Star over Bethlehem. The competition is open to primary schools, secondary schools, and Sunday schools/ Messy Church/ youth groups such as Guides or Boys’ Brigade. There are three first prizes of £150 in each category and three runners-up prizes of £50. More information
- York Courses’ forthcoming Lent Course for 2020 is Superstar, written by Bishop David Wilbourne (who gave the addresses at the 2019 ordination services) and based on Jesus Christ Superstar. Find out more
To read more news, including sermon podcasts, blogs and daily prayers, head over to our website. |
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Vacancies
See the latest parish and diocesan vacancies. Please pray for those parishes who are currently in vacancy.
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For a full list of upcoming events go to our Events listings. You can also add your own event.
Religion and Society Lecture
11 September, 7.30pm, Guesten, 15 College Green, Worcester
Walking, Wounds and Washing Feet – a theological response to migration from ground level. Lecturer: The Revd Dr Susanna Snyder, Ripon College, Cuddesdon. All welcome. Download poster
ALM Celebration
Sunday 15 September, 6.30pm, Worcester Cathedral
You are warmly invited to the diocesan Celebration of Authorised Lay Ministry. At this service those who have just completed their training will receive certificates from Bishop John, before being authorised in their own parishes.
Christian Community Conversation for the Black Country
26 September, 6pm, Wolverhampton
Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, ‘Black Country Churches Engaged’ and ‘Transforming Communities Together’ invite you to join them to celebrate and say thank you for the amazing social work being undertaken by the Christian community in the Black Country. More information
All Together as Kingdom People
Saturday 28 September, Cathedral
A day to be encouraged and equipped to grow as Kingdom People, with practical workshops, inspiring speakers and family activities. Featuring the Bishop of Liverpool, Paul Bayes. Download flyer / Watch the promo. Find out more
Knitting and Crocheting Ministry event
Saturday 5 Oct, 10am - 1pm, Abberley Village Hall
Churches are finding more and more ways in which knitting and crocheting can reach out to those in need. From prayer shawls, to prayer squares to prayer bears. The list goes on. If you are involved in knitting for your local church, or are interested in setting up a ministry, then come along to this event which offers a time for reflections and sharing. More information
Farmers' Harvest Festival
Sunday 6 October, 6.30pm, Worcester Cathedral
The Chaplaincy for Agriculture and Rural Life organise this annual service. Preacher: The Revd Elizabeth Clark, National Rural Officer (Methodists and URC Church). Collection in aid of The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I). Come and Support the Farming Community! Download poster
Empowered Conference
Saturday 12 October, 9.30am - 4pm, Harris School, Rugby CV22 6EA
Empowered is a one day conference from the Diocese of Coventry to share ideas and think about nurturing faith in children - for parents and for those who work with children in schools and churches. The keynote speaker for the day is Lynn Alexander, author of Children, Families and God - drawing the generations together to change the world. There will also be a number of interactive workshops taking place during the day. Find out more
Alive Worcestershire
Sunday 20 October, 3 pm, Worcester Arena
A children's and family worship concert featuring Orbitron Praise Party, iSingPop and Shell Perris. Download flyer
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Download the Autumn training programme.
Discerning Listening
This is a short experiential course from the Diocese of Hereford to develop a way of listening to people so that they can discern the leading of the Spirit of God in their lives.
For more information and how to apply for the 2019 Course Download the Leaflet here.
Bishop's Certificate
New Bishop's Certificate courses will be starting in several areas across the diocese this autumn. To find out more and to book a place visit the website.
Open the Book Training
If you are a new group wanting to get started, want to join an existing team, or you are a team who would like refresher training, then this is for you!
ALM 2020 – 10th Anniversary course
The course starting in 2020 marks the tenth anniversary of the ALM scheme. Do you know someone in your parish who you think might be called to serve in one of these ALM ministries? Might it be you who God is asking to take this step?
You can read more about the ALM course on our diocesan website, or you can book online for one of the two information evenings: Counselling Skills for Non-counsellors
Friday 18 October 10am - 4pm, Perdiswell Young People's Leisure Club, WR3 7SN
This one-day course will enable learners to develop skills in helping others by introducing some of the key counselling skills that support the helping process. This course is widely applicable to many professionals who listen to people and provide help and support including appropriate signposting. Find out more.
‘Sharing Faith as a Grandparent?’,
Tuesday 15 October, 7-9pm, St Michael & All Angels Church, Norton, Stourbridge.
The evening will include ideas on sharing faith with grandchildren, whether they are yours or not, near and far. There will also be opportunities to discuss and explore as a group, as well as enjoying tea, coffee and cake together! All are welcome, whether they have attended other Grandparents events or are attending for the first time. Book via Liz Toone by 7 October, 01905 732828.
From Stranger to Friend
5 & 6 November, Hayes Conference Centre, Derbyshire
Wherever, and however we meet people, there are small things that make a big difference to how those new to church move from stranger to friend. This conference from the national evangelism team is ideal for church leaders, evangelists, welcomers, family workers and all who want to see more people discover more about God and God’s people. Find out more
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And Finally ... All creatures great and small!
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Pets and their owners came to the Cathedral over the bank holiday weekend for a service of blessing.
The Dean said “This is an opportunity for people, with their much-loved pets, to come together and give thanks for the joy and companionship that they give to us.”
View the photos.
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For news about Calling Young Disciples, Buildings for Mission, Resourcing Churches, Stewardship and other news and events linked to our Kingdom People vision, sign up to our monthly newsletter.
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