Below are details of a number of Bishop John’s engagements happening over the next few weeks. If you would like further information, or would like to send a photographer, please contact Sam Setchell on 07852 302516 or the relevant local contact.

Tuesday 9 June – fundraising evening at Holland House

Holland House has been a diocesan retreat centre since the 1970s and is now in need of some refurbishment.  Bishop John will help to start the fundraising for this work at an evening ‘soiree’ for those who have regularly supported the centre financially over the past few years. People have committed anything from £100 to £1000 per year, with all the money going towards the fabric of the House and the plans to redecorate bathrooms, provide new bedding etc.

More information from the Revd Ian Spencer: 01386 860330

Wednesday 10 June – Guest speaker at a Friends of Worcester Cathedral event

From 12.30pm, Bishop John will attend the Friendly lunch at the Guesten. The lunch takes place on the 2nd Wednesday of most months with a range of speakers from the wider community associated with the cathedral. Bishop John will introduce himself to the Friends of Worcester Cathedral, talking about his role, background and relationship with the cathedral. Up to 40 members will attend.

More information from the Friends Office at the Cathedral: 01905 732900.

Friday 12 June – Visits to Dudley Circles and Kemp Hospice

At 9.30am Bishop John will visit Dudley Circles, which offers restorative justice conferencing and training for young people and is funded by the Children’s Society and the Youth Justice Board. Circles works residential staff, foster carers and schools to help young people understand the consequences of actions which have brought them to the attention of the police. It aims to reduce numbers of young people in care who get in trouble with the law, reduce number of first time entrants into the criminal justice system and contribute to the reduction of truancy and exclusion rates.

Following his visit to Dudley Circles, Bishop John will visit Kemp Hospice in Kidderminster, which has been offering palliative care and support for those living with cancer and all other life threatening illnesses for the past 25 years.

Saturday 13 June – Readers licensing service at Worcester Cathedral

At 2.30pm, Bishop John will preside at a service to celebrate Reader Ministry and will license five new lay ministers. Readers are trained and licensed lay ministers in the Church of England authorised in particular to exercise a ministry of preaching and teaching. They undergo a two year training course before being admitted to the role, after which they carry out a wide range of tasks within their parishes and beyond, especially helping others to reflect on their faith and how it relates to their daily lives.

A press release with further information on the candidates will be issued after the service.

Saturday 13 June – Big Sleep Out outside Worcester Cathedral

At 7.30pm, Bishop John will visit those sleeping outside to support the work of St. Paul’s Hostel. This will be the charity’s third Big Sleep Out and it will be held on College Green outside of the Cathedral. It is open to anyone over the age of 10 (those under 16 will need to be accompanied by a responsible adult with parental responsibility).

For more information visit www.stpaulshostel.co.uk

Sunday 14 June – Dudley Songs of Praise

Bishop John will join the singing and say the final blessing at Dudley Songs of Praise in the grounds of Himley Hall. This is the 12th annual event and there are expected to be hundreds of people joining with the well-known worship songs and hymns from 4pm as well as activities in the grounds from 2pm.

A separate press release with further information is available on this event at www.cofe-worcester.org.uk. .

Wednesday 17 June – blessing of a new building at Upper Arley CE Primary School in Kidderminster

At 2pm, Bishop John will visit Upper Arley school where he will dedicate their new extension.  The new building has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the youngest children and offers the reception class and years one and two a secure environment in which to learn both inside and outside. It also includes a design and technology room where all the children in the school will be able to cook and do messy things!

For further information contact the school on 01299 861260.

Friday 19 June – Three Counties Show

At 7.45am, Bishop John will preside at the Show Eucharist in the Big Tent.  Later in the morning he will attend the award ceremony and lunch and it is hoped that the Bishop will also dedicate the Farm Crisis Network’s new exhibition trailer, which will be used at the show for the first time. [The Farm Crisis Network provides pastoral and practical support to farming people during periods of anxiety, stress and problems relating to both the farm household and the farm business.]

For further information contact the Revd Robert Barlow on 01886 821339.

ENDS.

The Diocese of Worcester is one of 44 dioceses in the Church of England. It covers an area of 671 square miles and includes parishes in the County of Worcestershire, the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, and a few parishes in northern Gloucestershire, south east Wolverhampton and Sandwell.