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Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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A diocesan Christmas carol (& other resources!)
We're planning to record a diocesan version of 'Once in Royal David's City' to release in Christmas week and need your help! We'd like as many people as possible to film themselves singing the final three verses using the backing track available on the diocesan website so we can put it together into one amazing hymn to share on our website and social media pages! You don't have to be in a choir to do this, anyone who loves singing can take part! Find out more.
To complement the hymns being put together by the national church, we'd also like to include on our website a page of virtual Advent and Christmas hymns sung by choirs/ music groups in our diocese which they'd be happy for other churches to use in their online services. If your church is planning some recordings that you'd be willing to share, please let Sam in Communications know!
Finally - if you'd like to put together a short (less than 2 minute) film of yourself talking about your favourite Christmas carol, we'd love to use these during Advent too! Please send any films to James in the Communications Team.
Useful Christmas resources: |
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Work at Holland House
Those working from home and local small businesses can now benefit from meeting and working at retreat house, Holland House, which has had new audio visual and internet facilities installed.
Thanks to local Worcestershire-based I.T. business HTS (Hadleigh Technical Support Ltd), the new facilities mean that a range of people can work effectively in the beautiful setting of the old house. Individuals can be accommodated, as well as a business that needs a "blended" meeting (people on-site together with people working remotely). It is also possible for larger groups to work in the house in different rooms while still working together in real time. More detail
- Holland House's annual residential retreat based on the books and spirituality of Fr Richard Rohr is going ahead on 27 - 30 November. Book on the website.
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Small steps to save the planet - Public transport
The latest edition of Called to Action with small steps to change our planet looks at public transport. Read more
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Safeguarding
The Church of England has launched Safe Spaces, an independent service which offers support to survivors of church-related abuse whether or not a report has been made. It is run by the charity Victim Support and funded by the Church of England together with the Catholic Church in England and Wales and the Church in Wales. It is free to access via telephone, email or web-chat.
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In brief ...
- With sadness, we report that Brian Tetley, husband of the former Archdeacon of Worcester, Joy Tetley, died on 4 October. Please remember Joy and their family in your prayers.
- We are looking for a volunteer to help carry out some research into our churches' websites and social media. It is essential that this person is familiar with social media and confident using Excel. Anyone interested should contact Sam in Communications.
- There is still time to take part in the consultation into the future of our deaneries. More information.
- Mission Enablers Helen and Anne have put together a video to to help those thinking about starting an Open The Book team, developing an existing OTB team and keeping in touch with your local school during the pandemic. Watch it on our website (scroll down the page).
- October is Black History Month. If you're planning Remembrance services of any kind, please consider including reference to the African, Caribbean and Indian soldiers as well as other cultures who may not usually get mentioned.
- The Diocese of Bristol has launched a new lectionary-based app which provides users with a bible passage, thought-provoking questions, a quote and a prayer focus. Great for young people, families or clergy looking for inspiration! Find out more
- The Archbishop of Canterbury has announced revised dates for the 15th Lambeth Conference. Hosted in Canterbury, conference is now being planned for 27 July – 8 August 2022.
- Transforming Communities Together is looking for a Chief Officer. Find out more
- Worcestershire Maternity Voices is looking for new parents to share their experiences of maternity care, particularly those within the BAME community. Download flyer.
- We've been made aware that vulnerable residents in Bromsgrove have been targeted by courier fraudsters who are trying to get them into handing over money to police. They key message is that police will never ask people to hand over money or bank details or send officers to people’s homes to collect cash, PINs or cards. Download poster
- The Just Finance Foundation is offering COVID Cash Recovery courses to churches in the Black Country, training you to help others with universal credit, budgeting, bills etc. Find out more
- Scripture Union have launched a new Mission Framework 'Revealing Jesus', which sets out Scripture Union’s strategy to mobilise and equip churches across England and Wales to share the Christian faith with the 95% of under 18s who don’t go to church. Find out more
- Urban Saints is hosting a two day period of prayer from Thursday 29 - Saturday 31 October. More details
- It is now possible to register for the Spring Harvest pop up event taking place this half term. Visit the website.
- The Meaningful Chocolate Company has launched an ethically sourced Christmas stocking, filled with Fairtrade chocolate treats. More details
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Training Opportunities
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Receiving online donations
Thursday 5 November, midday or Tuesday 8 December, 11am
Every church can now have an on-line giving button on their website or ‘A Church Near You’ page.
To help you with this, the National Church are offering on-line giving webinars.
More information
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Christmas in your Community: Bringing Comfort and Joy
Thursday 12 November, 9.30 - 10.30am
Creative & practical ideas about how to make Christmas memorable in and beyond the church, with a focus on the possible, working alongside the national digital campaign and resources. Space to share your ideas too. Book here
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Vacancies
Click here to see the latest parish, diocesan and volunteering opportunities.
Please pray for those parishes who are currently in vacancy.
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Video Reflections
Each week we produce a short video from senior Clergy and Diocesan staff. These cover a range of topics and themes and are published on the website and all diocesan social media channels. |
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Prayer Diary
Download the prayer diary for: November 2020
Daily prayers are published on our social media channels and the homepage of the website. |
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Our clergy are amazing, but COVID-19 means we need help to continue to meet the costs of their stipends.
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Please continue to support your local church as your first priority.
However, if in addition to this, you are able to give to the ‘Diocese of Worcester Ministry Fund’, your donation will be used to help pay for our clergy now and in the coming months.
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