A 'renewal project' for Bengeworth
The Bishop of Worcester is pleased to announce the appointment of The Revd Andy Smith as Curate-in-Charge of the Parish of Bengeworth St Peter.
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Andy is currently Assistant Curate at All Saints, Worcester, a Resourcing Church in this Diocese. Part of the role of resourcing churches is to release clergy and laity to revitalise other churches for mission and this will be the first ‘renewal project’ from All Saints. Bengeworth PCC welcomes this opportunity to develop and grow in partnership with All Saints, Worcester.
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Earth Hour 2021: online vigil from Worcester Cathedral
To mark international earth hour switch off your lights and join Bishop Martin and others for an online vigil of prayer and silence livestreamed from the cathedral on Saturday 27 March, 8.30-9.30pm on the Cathedral Facebook page.
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The latest edition of Called to Action focusses on how you can join in with Earth Hour as well as the journey from Earth Hour to the COP 26 conference in Glasgow in November.
Find out more
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Sign up to PGS online!
It's now even easier for people to give to your church using the Parish Giving Scheme. Once your church is registered, individuals can now set up their donations via the PGS website, as well as via the telephone line (0333 002 1271, Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and the paper forms, which are available from your PGS parish rep. Find out more
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Changes to marriage registration & sham marriages
Two significant changes to marriages affecting the Church of England and Church in Wales are coming in over the next few months.
- On 4 May, the long-trailed changes to the way Marriages are registered come into force.
- Then on 1 July, changes to the Sham Marriage Referral Scheme come into force.
Read more
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A Virtual Passion Play
We need your help for our diocesan virtual Passion Play! Most of the key roles have been assigned but we are still looking for lots of people to part of the "crowd" and we'd like it to be as diverse as possible. Film yourself at home shouting "Crucify him!" in front of a plain wall and send us the video, either by email or wetransfer.
Find out more.
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Not just another brick in the wall!
Last month an historic wall at Worcester Cathedral collapsed in the heavy rain causing damage to the nearby trees and surrounding area. The wall was a retaining wall that supports the terracing in the West Gardens.
The Cathedral has launched an ‘It’s Not Just Another Brick in the Wall’ appeal to raise as much as possible to help rebuild it and ensure the preservation of the grounds and security of the area. Donate a virtual brick! |
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In brief ...
- The Church Representation Rules have recently been changed and now allow an extra month for APCMs to take place. These should now happen before the end of May (this change is unconnected to Covid).
- The March activity sheet to share with your families from the Calling Young Disciples Team is based around 'Handa's Surprise' and reminds us that life doesn't always go to plan. Download the resource
- As the diocesan office prepares to move, there are various items which are no longer needed including fridges, fans, heaters, desk top printers & projectors. If interested please contact reception@cofe-worcester.org.uk.
- Diocesan retreat house, Holland House is hoping to open from 17 May with their quiet garden days starting on 20 May. More details
- The latest newsletter from the Church Support Hub includes information on Mothering Sunday and the National Day of Reflection on 23 March. Read it here.
- HMP Hewell is looking for an Anglican Chaplain. Find out more
- The Central Council for Church Bellringers have published their roadmap to resume ringing. The Cathedral Teaching Centre can be available for ringers who would like to get some "rope time" before returning to ring at their local tower. Please contact Mark Regan to take up this opportunity after June 2021.
- Churches and individuals can influence the next Worcestershire County Council Health & Well Being strategy. The themes of the strategy will also inspire churches to think about how they can embed Kingdom values in local mission, working in partnership to bring healing, hope and support to transform lives and communities. Find out more
- The National Deaneries Network is hosting a briefing on 'a vision for lay ministry' on Wed 17 March. Find out more
- Worcester City aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. Faith communities can find out about the strategy and how they can be involved in the process on Wednesday 17 March, 7.45 - 9pm. More information
- The Diocese of Gloucester is looking for a Lay Ministry Officer and Warden of Readers. Find out more
- The Revd Eva McIntyre has launched anew podcast, Stories to Delight the Soul, where she is uploading oral stories based on biblical narratives. Listen here.
- Read the latest newsletter from Dudley CVS.
- Cuddesdon Gloucester & Hereford is looking for a Pathway Academic Administrator (17.5 hrs pw). More information
- The Praxis network is offering a day to explore how liturgy helps us express grief and hope during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Lamenting the past, embracing the future is on 12 May. Find out more
- The College of Preaching is offering a number of online events during Spring including: preaching online, poetry of the word and making the ordinary extraordinary. Find out more
- The Church Times is running a number of online events including: Festival of Pilgrimage on 22 March and an evening in support of refugees on 25 March.
- The Your Church Wedding website is changing to offer couples visiting their site a downloadable PDF booklet to help them think through wedding choices like music, readings and hymns. This will replace the old online ceremony planner which will be discontinued.
- A new Cliff College Online parenting course launched on 1 March in partnership with BRF’s Parenting for Faith ministry which will equip students to support parents and carers as they disciple their children and explore what parenting for faith might look like in their church and community. Find out more
- The Leprosy Mission has prepared a virtual service that churches can use anytime from now to the 24 April which includes a short five minute video by Dame Darcey Bussell. More information
- The Meaningful Chocolate Company's website is the only place where you can buy the full 2021 Real Easter Egg range this year. Find out more
- You can now register for Spring Harvest Home 2021 on the website where this year they look at the theme entitled ‘Unrivalled - 'Why We Worship’.
- The Bridge Counselling Service in Worcester is looking to appoint an Administrator to work for 8 hours per week. Find out more
- The Saltley Trust is looking for a part-time West Midlands Further Education Chaplaincy Ambassador to work with FE colleges and local churches to develop new forms of chaplaincy suppor.t More details
- Bishop Martin is taking part in a webinar about 'As One', which is a way that the Church can respond to the present moment we are in, and the impact it is having on our communities. It will launch in Dudley soon. Join the webinar
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Training Opportunities
- Diocesan Training and Events Programme
- The Church of England's digital and Evangelism & Discipleship teams are running a number of webinars to resource your church and help church leaders to keep connected. Find details here
- There are a range of webinars designed to support and equip churches to reach the "net zero carbon" emissions target; everything from forming your team to putting solar panels on your roof, and including low cost 'housekeeping' actions which can pay back quickly. More details
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Everyday Faith in work
Either 19 May, 7.30 – 9pm or 10 June, 7.30 – 9pm
How do your faith and your work connect? A lot of what is said and written about faith in the workplace is about relationships: treating people well, finding opportunities to share appropriately what we believe, bearing witness to the difference God makes in our lives.
But what about the nature of the work itself? If we are employees, what are the aims and purposes of the companies we work for? Is the business about making money or making useful products, and where does the balance lie? How does my workplace serve the economy, or build up the common good?
This workshop is for people to come together to explore these and other questions, and how they might relate to their own work and workplace. Find out more/ download flyer
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Stepping up: Three workshops
- Reading the Bible: Monday 10 May, 7.30pm
- Leading the intercessions: Monday 24 May, 7.30pm
- Leading worship: Monday 14 June, 7.30pm
Around the diocese people are stepping up to enable worship to continue in their churches. Some of those are exploring particular ministries, lay and ordained, but many more are prepared to volunteer and have a go at some of the basic activities that enable worship to happen.
If you’re thinking of helping out in your church, if you’ve already put your name forward, if you’ve had your arm twisted, or even been doing one or more of these for a while, then these workshops could be for you.
All three workshops will be led by Doug Chaplin, Discipleship and Lay Training Officer. Find out more/ download flyer
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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: March 2021
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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