Farewell to DDO John Fitzmaurice
Published: 11th August 2026We are sorry to share the news that John Fitzmaurice will be stepping down as our Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) and leaving at the end of October.
News
Equipping our Ministers for Mission
Published: 6th August 2026The way we package our training is set to change! Underpinning our three priorities is a fourth - the importance of ensuring all our ministers, both lay and ordained, are properly equipped for mission.
New Rector in the Dudley Team
Published: 2nd August 2026Bishop Hugh has announced the appointment of the Revd Alison Hill as Team Rector in the Dudley Team Ministry and Resourcing Church Leader at Top Church.
A gathered choir for Choral Evensong
Published: 29th July 202640 choristers from seven different churches gathered at St Mary’s Church in Kingswinford as Adam Hadley was licensed as Rector of the benefice.
Bishop Hugh blesses churchyard orchard
Published: 28th July 2026Bishop Hugh has visited St James’ Church in Malvern to bless their orchard as well as their Orchard Church New Worshipping Community, as work starts to create an eco-pond and ‘pilgrim path’ through the orchard.
Celebrating 10 years of Eco Church
Published: 27th July 2026Around 80 people from across the Diocese gathered in the garden of the Old Palace in Worcester on Saturday to celebrate 10 years of the Eco Church Award Scheme.
iSingPOP diocesan partnership comes to an end
Published: 23rd July 2026Over the past 18 months, we have been working with iSingPOP on a partnership project to enable parishes to access their training and resources. Following a review of the project and its impact, the decision has been made to bring the project to a close at the end of July.
Taster Week at Holland House
Published: 23rd July 2026Diocesan retreat house, Holland House is offering a taster week from 25 - 28 August with activities and a cup of tea or coffee offered for a donation.
Lapal's Patronal Eco Flower Festival
Published: 22nd July 2026At the end of June the Church remembers the martyrdoms of St Peter and St Paul and this year, for their Patronal Festival, St Peter’s Church in Lapal, just outside Halesowen, held an ‘Eco-flower’ Festival in a wonderfully creative way!
Chris Smith licensed in Pensnett
Published: 22nd July 2026Chris Smith was licensed as Curate in Charge of the parish of St Mark in Pensnett last Sunday by Bishop Martin in a service full of joy. Pensnett Church is sometimes referred to as the Cathedral of the Black Country and will become one of our diocesan renewal churches.
Celebrating the full re-opening of Wribbenhall Church
Published: 21st July 2026Bishop Hugh led a special service at All Saints’ Church in Wribbenhall (between Bewdley and Kidderminster) on Sunday. The Bishop blessed the church following the full reopening of the nave enabling the whole church to be able to be used.
Criminal Justice Prayers July 2026
Published: 21st July 2026Our diocese hosts a group whose focus is criminal justice. The group offers a faith perspective on criminal justice matters and raises awareness of the issues. CJAG offers this bi-monthly prayer guide which we hope will be useful for personal and intercessory prayer in local parishes. July's prayers focus on offenders with mental health problems.
Appeal for donations to provide ‘Bags of Hope’ this summer
Published: 16th July 2026Churches from across the Redditch Mission Area are planning to make use of a unit at the Kingfisher Shopping Centre this summer, launching a new initiative called ‘Bags of Hope’ to support families across Redditch and show Christ’s love - but they need donations to get this off the ground!
Kingswinford Parish Host ‘Sustainable Evening’ on escalating Climate Crisis
Published: 15th July 2026In June, 24 members of Kingswinford Parish got together to host their first ‘Sustainable Evening’ with friends. They watched ‘The People’s Emergency Briefing’ film, after sharing a vegan meal. The evening ended with open and meaningful conversation and prayer.
The Ark at Amblecote
Published: 13th July 2026Holy Trinity Church in Amblecote has started a new monthly gathering for children and their families on Sunday afternoons. Called 'The Ark', they now have a small, but growing group who join them regularly.
Heads and senior leaders attend annual conference
Published: 13th July 2026Headteachers and senior leaders from across the Diocese came together on 19 June for their annual conference, a day of worship, reflection and professional learning focused on the theme 'Vision in Action'.
Join a Franciscan pilgrimage through our diocese
Published: 11th July 2026Pilgrims will be marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St Francis as they walk through our diocese from Clent to Upton from 23 – 28 August. There will also be a special day of celebration in the Cathedral on Thursday 27 August, with an exhibition, communion service and picnic.
Priesting at Mucknell Abbey
Published: 9th July 2026One of our Priests ordained this year was Brother Michaël Brossard who trained through the Auxiliary Pathway. Brother Michaël is part of the community at Mucknell Abbey and his ordination to the Priesthood was held at the Abbey.
Coat of Arms from King George III
Published: 9th July 2026In about 1790, King George III gifted a large Coat of Arms to St Mary's Church in Kidderminster which hangs above the main entrance. The need to bring it down to repair the roof has provided the opportunity for a closer look!
New defibrillator at Lapal Church
Published: 7th July 2026Lapal Community Choir, based at St Peter’s Church has raised more than £1,000 which has been used to install a new external defibrillator, an essential piece of lifesaving equipment that will be available for public use at any time.
Latest News
Farewell to DDO John Fitzmaurice
11th August 2026
We are sorry to share the news that John Fitzmaurice will be stepping down as our Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO) and leaving at the end of October.