At 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 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.
Bishop 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.
Our 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.
Churches 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!
In 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.
Holy 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.
Headteachers 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'.
Pilgrims 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.
One 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.
In 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!
Lapal 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.
The Worcestershire West Rural team kicked off #Recognise week a day early yesterday with a special All Age service to thank those who working with children and families across the patch.
New clergy and lay members are being elected to General Synod this year – and you are invited to stand as a candidate.
A striking new stained-glass window at St James, Norton (on the edge of Worcester) has been blessed and dedicated by Archdeacon Mark and Dean Stephen.
All churches registered with Eco Church are invited to a special celebration event in the Old Palace gardens, Worcester on Saturday 25 July, 2 – 4.30pm. Book your free ticket now!
2026 has seen a considerable increase in digital giving in our churches. In the first quarter of this year, giving via contactless, QR codes and online campaigns was £99,481, compared to £61,236 in the first quarter of 2025.
St Peter’s Church in Cowleigh, Malvern has welcomed local residents into its air conditioned building during the recent hot weather, providing a cool refuge from the soaring temperatures. Around 100 people came into the building to shelter from the heat outside.
Two new Area Deans have been appointed with Phil Bradford becoming Area Dean for Worcester and Glenn Reading becoming Area Dean of Pershore and Evesham when Sarah Dangerfield steps down at the end of the month.
St Thomas church in Stourbridge are set to run a school uniform bank this summer which will be bigger than ever, expanding across Lye and Tipton. This will help more families in Dudley and Smethwick by providing them with free pre-loved school uniform.
Latest News
8th October 2026