Joseph Diwakar was appointed as the diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry earlier this year, taking up his new role in June. We caught up with him to find out how his first few months have been and his plans for the Equipping Ministers for Mission underpinning diocesan priority.
At All Saints church in Sedgley on Sunday 21st September, Giles Joiner was installed as Team Vicar in the benefice of Gornal and Sedgley by Bishop Anne Hollinghurst. It was a joyful service, designed to offer a warm welcome to Giles and his family.
Jayne Parker recently spent several days at the Diocesan Office on a curacy placement, gaining insight into the behind-the-scenes work that supports the life of the Church.
Tim Hancock’s latest career move has made him feel like his life has gone full circle. Moving to work for Holy Trinity Old Hill, the church he was raised attending and where his father once served as vicar, has taken him out of the fast-paced world of AV corporate sales...
The second Auxiliary Pathway cohort started in September 2024. This group includes people who are training to be Licensed Lay Ministers (Readers) alongside those who are exploring a vocation to be ordained.
Nathan Shipton started a new role as Youth Pastor for the Malvern Chase team in April 2024 bringing with him a fresh vision and passion for engaging with 11–18 year olds that has already made a difference across the churches’ communities.
A Readers residential was held at the weekend with over 30 Licensed Lay Ministers from across the Diocese coming together at our diocesan retreat house, Holland House near Pershore.
Clergy life is deeply rewarding, but it can also bring hidden challenges — isolation, loneliness, and heavy workloads. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we're highlighting the importance of supporting the wellbeing of our clergy and their families.
Melissa Rose is a Reader or Licensed Lay Minister (LLM) in Dudley. She was one of our first LLMs to be trained at Queen’s Theological college and was licensed in September 2015.
A learning community has been launched for Renewal and Resourcing Church leaders to support each other as they journey together on their missions to revitalise existing churches and grow the Kingdom.
As more children, youth and families’ workers have been recruited in the diocese over the last few years, the diocesan Programme Lead for Children and Young People, Simon Hill, has created a Children, Youth and Families Ministry Network for paid workers.
A new guide to New Worshipping Communities (NWCs) in the Diocese has been launched. It will support parishes who are looking to find creative ways of reaching people beyond our existing congregations as we look to reach our target of creating 100 NWCs by 2030.
In 2023 we launched a seven-year transformation programme, assisted by funding from the national church, aiming to transform communities through churches that are growing in health and sustainability. The first data back from churches is showing encouraging signs of growth.
In September 2024, Fraser Oates was appointed as the Renewal Leader for St Stephen's Church in Redditch and has relocated there, marking a new chapter for him and his family as well as the church and community.
Leaders and volunteers from the 150 smaller churches in our diocese are warmly invited to attend our one-day Conference for Smaller Churches.
St Stephens in Redditch held a prayer breakfast focusing on their Renewal journey. Fraser Oates who has been Assistant Curate at All Saints in Worcester will shortly be moving to Redditch to take up the role of Renewal Leader.
Thanks to funding from the national church, the Diocese of Worcester has been able to create a new team to support parishes as we work together towards achieving the outcomes of our diocesan vision and Transformation programme.
14 of those ordained in June trained through the ‘Auxiliary Pathway’. With a second cohort of candidates due to start in September, hear from two of those who were ordained Deacon this year.
Mission Accompaniers are available to come alongside parishes to offer tailored support. Nick Gowers had been vicar nine years, when in 2022, Chris Bright became his Mission Accompanier.
Children, youth and family work is thriving at St Andrew’s church in Malvern with over 100 children and young people on their books and over 50 attending most Sundays.
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28th November 2025