As the Teme Valley South Churches Choir celebrates its third anniversary, we reflect on the difference it has made to the rural church community. As well as providing good quality music to bolster worship and congregations, it has also improved wellbeing, deepened faith and bought the communities closer.
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.
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!
Many churches across our diocese are planning to offer free or low-cost children’s holiday clubs to support families in their communities during the school summer holidays and introduce children who may not usually come to church to Christianity in a fun and creative way.
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.
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.
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.
The Chapter House at the Cathedral is currently hosting a vibrant exhibition of quilts as part of Refugee Week (15–21 June). Many of the quilts were produced as part of a group which supports refugees in Evesham. Bishop Hugh visited to hear more and bless the exhibition.
Clergy and Church leaders across our diocese are invited to get involved in the national #RECOGNISE campaign week from 6 -12 July to thank and celebrate your paid and voluntary children, youth and family (CYF) workers.
Last week Bishop Hugh met with our diocesan network of paid Children and Young People Ministers to listen to and encourage them.
Peter Carmody-Heaton is a pioneer priest who has been working in a new role as a Community Missioner primarily for The Forge Group, to help bring people to faith.
Saltmine Theatre company delivered interactive performances to pupils at five schools in diocese of Worcester last week to help bring the bible to life and make it fun, memorable and accessible to the primary aged children.
Whittington CE Primary School and the Church of St Philip and St James in Whittington have come together for a community celebration day. There were activities for the children at both the church and the school throughout the day and parents were invited to come in and take part alongside their children.
St Stephen’s Church in Redditch has recently been running Alpha Youth alongside their adult Alpha course. 28 young people have been taking part ranging from age 10 to 17.
Café Chad at St Chad’s Church in Kidderminster has been given a ‘No Barriers’ Award for its work to ensure the café is a warm and welcoming space for all in the community.
Around 300 bibles and Easter Eggs were given out to people in Redditch at the Redditch Mission Area ‘Easter Blessings Hub’.
The Healthier Churches Fund was created using money which has been freed up from investments alongside some Lowest Income Communities funding from the National Church. Parishes can apply for funding for projects to help make a difference in reaching out in their community and bring more people to faith.
Members of both St Matthew's and St Nicholas, Warndon have been clearing the derelict former site of St Matthew's church, which was demolished in 2015. Over Holy Week and Easter, the churches held some short outdoor acts of worship on the site.
A Sunday afternoon social group at Christ Church in Matchborough, Redditch is helping to bring people together and combat isolation. Fundays on Sundays is aimed at families and offers food, refreshments and lots of opportunities for family fun.
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8th October 2026