As a paid Children and Families’ worker at Pershore Abbey (funded in part with a grant from the Healthier Churches Fund), Sam Andrews has been able to expand the Abbey’s work with children, families and schools in the local area.
St Andrew's Church in Malvern has a new worshipping community called ‘Early Birds’ aimed at families with young children. Recently, one of the parents that attends, shared her testimony on how Early Birds brought her on her own faith journey.
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.
Last week, Holy Trinity in Malvern hosted a special festive ‘Messy Vintage’ service, with people coming to sing carols, create a Christmas card and enjoy refreshments together.
The Church of the Ascension in Wall Heath had been without a working clock since the Spring but thanks to the generosity of the local community and their incredible response to a Crowdfunding appeal, it has now been fixed!
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.
St. Wulstan’s Church, Worcester, has undergone a transformation since the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving into a thriving, inter-generational community.
Julie Winstone was appointed full time Children and Young People’s Worker at St Peter’s Bengeworth in August 2024. This is a brand-new role for St Peter’s which is a renewal church and part of our diocesan vision to grow as Kingdom People.
New premises for Community Link in Cradley Heath will enable the church-run charity to better serve their local community.
During October, all churches are encouraged to think about the numbers attending different services for data collected as part of the Statistics for Mission process. Read why this is important and who should be counted!
On Wednesday 9 October we hosted a one-day ‘Smaller Churches Conference’ at The Pear Tree Inn, Worcester. The conference was attended by almost 90 delegates from smaller churches across the Diocese.
Last Thursday, Oasis UK founder Steve Chalke shared his ‘Manifesto for Hope’ with attendees from churches across the Diocese at an evening event at Top Church. ‘Manifesto for Hope’ sets out 10 principles for transforming the lives of children and young people and their families, and how churches can and should be involved in that.
Debra Hill has been recruited as Children and Families Worker for the Worcester Southeast Team and St. Barnabas. Debra has lots of ideas and is very keen to get going. She hopes to see children’s ministry flourish at all the churches.
To start the school term, the Church of the Ascension in Wall Heath held their annual bag blessing service.
Fraser Oates was licensed as Renewal Leader at St Stephen’s Church in Redditch on Sunday as the church moves forward with its vision to grow into a thriving church at the heart of the town centre.
Top Church (St Thomas & St Luke’s Church) held a heritage Open Day on Saturday 7th September to showcase their innovative Digital Tour which aims to share the history of the church and the role it has played in supporting the residents of Dudley.
Leaders and volunteers from the 150 smaller churches in our diocese are warmly invited to attend our one-day Conference for Smaller Churches.
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.
‘Experience Dudley’ is a faith, community and heritage project that started as a pilot at Top Church in 2022, partnering with one local school. Thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this year staff have been able to expand it to partner with three local schools, reaching close to 1000 children.
Soulspace is a free resource available online that offers advice on how to gently introduce an optional worship element to established groups either before or after the main activity.
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24th January 2025