News from around the Diocese

19 September 2017

New Ministerial Experience Scheme

Three people have have moved into a vicarage in the Diocese for a year to
gain a real understanding of what being a Church of England vicar might
involve.

Jonathan Fleury, Melissa Drinkwater and Peter Owen are all exploring a
calling to ministry and are living together as an intentional community for
a year, working in different parishes in Dudley to develop their vocation
further. Read more...

Pride of Place
BBC Hereford & Worcester are
starting a new series on their
Sunday breakfast show and are keen
to come out to churches to find out
about something you're proud of!
 It could be a great community
project, a beautiful stained glass
window, the bells being
refurbished, an innovative service,
the choir being brilliant or having a
100 year old church wardenthe list
is almost endless!

If you've got an idea, please contact

Lizzie Lane at the BBC.

Calling Young Disciples learning

community

Mission Enablers and parishes gathered for the

first CYD learning community, run by CPAS to
help them think more deeply about their
engagement with children and young people.
Read all about it.

New ALMs and Readers

Congratulations to those ALMs who have received their certificates from

Bishop John & our new new Readers who were licensed on Saturday.

Read about the new Authorised Lay Ministers & see photos.
Find out more about the new Readers.

Accessing National Lottery funding

While the process of securing National Lottery funding for historic places of worship has changed, over
the next two years the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has guaranteed to maintain its proportional
investment in historic places of worship.

This briefing supplied by HLF is designed to help the PCCs as custodians of the UKs historic places of
worship access National Lottery funding through the open grants programmes. The HLF has also
compiled some useful Frequently Asked Questions which accompany this briefing.

Dont forget that you can always ask for my help and assistance in preparing an HLF application.

Andrew Mottram

Safeguarding
Our Bishops Council has adopted a domestic abuse policy for the Diocese, found in the 'Practice
Guidance' section of the safeguarding policies web page. Copies of the national policy and guidance
have already been provided to all PCCs setting out what needs to be in place in each parish.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation in the Aftermath of Abuse, a House of Bishops commended

document from the Faith and Order Commission has been released and is available from Church
House Publishing. This resource addresses specific challenges to the church as it seeks to speak in
the aftermath of abuse, and provides material to help parishes and dioceses facing the complex
 realities of such issues. Read an article from the Bishop of Coventry.

In brief ...
Br. Thomas Quin OSB was elected Abbot of Mucknell Abbey on 11 September,
following the retirement from office of Br. Stuart Burns.
Changes are taking place in the diocesan office library. Check the new opening times.
Director of Ministry & Discipleship, Jonathan Kimber is giving a Cello recital to mark
(within a couple of weeks) the 40th anniversary of his very first cello lesson. Hear
Jonathan, accompanied by Mike Elden, perform a programme of favourites from the
cello repertoire including Saint-Saens, Elgar and Bach. Coffee, tea and homemade
cakes will be served. Entry is free with all donations going to the Holy Trinity and St
Matthews Church Building Fund.
Funding for Church projects. Steve Baylis who works for the Roman Catholic
Archdiocese of Birmingham produces a regular funding update which is offered to all
Churches across the denominations. Andrew Mottram suggests signing up to receive
the update via email. All you need to do is send an email to Steve and ask for your
email address to be put on the Funding Update circulation list. Read the August
newsletter.
Sunday 8 October is Prisons Sunday. The 10.30 am Eucharist in the cathedral will
focus on prisons and especially work with the children and families of prisoners. More
about Prisons' Week.
Important updates to 'A Church Near You'. Find out what churches need to do before
the launch. You'll need to have logged in within the last 12 months to be included in
the new site.
There is a group looking to re-establish Cursillo in the diocese. This global movement
is led by lay people to empower and support Christians to grow in faith through
 prayer, study and Christian service. If you have been involved previously, please get in
touch with Diana Farmer. Find out more about Cursillo.
The Palestinian Ambassador to the UK is coming to Worcester to talk about the
current situation in the Middle East. This is a joint meeting with the Friends of the
Holy Land at St Georges RC church on Friday 13 October: free refreshments from 6:30.
Talk begins at 7pm. More information.
Thank you to those who responded to Elisabeth Maley's request for The Children's
Worship by Phyllis Graham - she now has a copy to give to her sister!
Mike McHargue, Science Mike, will be live in Birmingham on Friday 13 October,
7.30pm. This one-night-only special event features a live recording of his popular
podcast, where he will invite the audience to ask him questions about science, faith,
and life. The questions are unfiltered and the answered unrehearsed. Find out more.
St Faith's Church in Berrow will be celebrating St Faith's Day on 6 - 8 October, with
talks, tours & services. Find out more
If you shop in Tesco in Worcester or Droitwich, St Mark's Church in the Cherry
Orchard needs your help! They're one of three local community projects shortlisted to
receive a grant from the proceeds of carrier bag sales. Please ask for voting tokens
and vote for the church's 'Bees, Butterflies & Wildlife 'project.
St John in Bedwardine Church in Worcester is holding a free community breakfast on
7 October, a Harvest Quiz night on 14 October and Bingo and Bangers on 28 October!
Do join them.
Worcester Oxfam is hosting its annual Barn Dance on Saturday 14 October. Download
poster
St Francis, Dudley is holding two events of singing learning and reflection - A Big Sing
on 4 November and a Day with John Bell on 25 November. Find out more
There will be a talk about Croome Court from Property Manager, Michael Forster-
Smith, on Friday, 29 September at St James' Church in Bishampton. More information.
On the 500th anniversary year of Luthers Ninety-Five Theses, Saltmine Theatre
Company has announced a new 40-minute dramatic presentation: Legacy: The Story
of Martin Luther', available to book for Oct/ Nov. Email creative@saltmine.org to find
 out more.
A new Germinate Enterprise course is beginning in Evesham on 28 September to help
those thinking of starting their own business. Find out more.
Pip Bowhay from All Saints' Church in Kenton, Devon is walking from John O'Groats to
Lands End to raise money for a local hospice. She's looking for local accommodation in
Bewdley, Worcester and Upton. If you think you can help her, please read more.
Read the latest newsletter from the Mission Morogoro charity.
Download free resources for Thank your Vicar Week (15 - 22 October) on the St Luke's
Heathcare website

To read more news, including sermon podcasts, blogs and daily prayers, head over to
our website.

Events coming up

Training opportunities

For a full list of upcoming events go to our Events listings. You can also add your own event to the listing.

Retired Clergy Association - Keeping in Touch

12 October, 10am 2pm, The Old Palace, Worcester
An opportunity offered to all retired clergy to hear - updates about recent ministry developments, news of
plans from various departments, share in reflection and worship and enjoy lunch together. Download flyer

Just As I Am: Living Theology

14 October, St Martins Hall St Martin-in-the-Fields Trafalgar Square, London
What does it mean to be disabled, and what might that say about God? Organised by and for disabled people,
supporters and people with an interest in disability issues. Download flyer.

Festival of Healing 2017

Saturday 4 November in the Cathedral
Principle speaker: Bishop John plus a Healing Eucharist in the afternoon. Further details will follow. There is
also to be a Healing Conference weekend 27 - 29 April, 2018 at Holland House to which all will be welcomed.
Save the date!

Spirituality in the Consulting Room

Saturday 4 November, The University of Birmingham
This lecture by Murray Stein will take a fresh look at this topic and offer some examples of spirituality in
practice, both positive and negative. Murray Stein, Ph.D. is a Jungian psychoanalyst practicing in Zurich,
Switzerland.

Young Women: God's Calling

18 November, Holy Trinity Church, Cheltenham, GL52 2NX
An event from the Diocese of Gloucester for young women to come and explore their vocation. Find out more

Rethinking Mission: Living in a Religiously Diverse World

Saturday 14 March, Birmingham Cathedral
Speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East will reflect on their own contexts to help us explore our
religious identity in a pluralistic age. Downloading flyer

Help for Church Treasurers

There is still time to sign up for one of the Treasurers training sessions Tuesday 3 or Saturday 14 October. All
new or recently-appointed treasurers are welcome, together with any others who would like a refresher. Find
out more

Managing Major Buildings Projects

Thursday 19 October, Oxford Booking NOW OPEN
th
The Historic Religious Buildings Alliance is running their 7 training day in partnership with Purcell UK. Find out
more.

Developing Relationships between Church & School Communities

8 November, 9.15am - 4pm, Stanbrook Abbey
Join us for the day to gain an insight into the Church of Englands vision for education from the Revd Nigel
Genders (Chief Education Officer for the Church of England), understand the vision's impact in our diocese
and equip yourself with creative resources and practical ideas to enable you to proactively engage your church
with local schools.
To book your place contact Emma Woolaston on 01905 732812.

Lectionary Gospel with David Wenham

Tuesday 21 November 2017
Methodist Church, Pump Street Worcester, 10am 3.30pm
St Chads, Burcher Green, Kidderminster, DY10 3AY, 7.30 9.30pm
The Revd Dr David Wenham returns to our diocese to lead two events on the lectionary Gospel for next year,
namely Mark, with some input on John included as well. This free event is arranged in partnership with the
Methodist Church, and is open to all who regularly preach. The Revd Dr David Wenham will be our guide in
approaching the Gospel, in order to help us to explore and share Mark in our preaching and discipleship in the
coming year. For more information and to book your place, please contact Emma Woollaston - 01905 732812.

Lucy Moore - Messy Discipleship Training

18 November, The Living Well, Top Barn Farm.
Exploring what discipleship means in a Messy Church context, what strategies are appropriate for growing
discipleship among team members and families. Led by Lucy Moore, who is responsible for developing the work
of Messy Church nationally and internationally. Find out more.
Book: training@cofe-worcester.org.uk

And Finally...
Two books have been published by people
connected with the Diocese.

Former Archdeacon of Worcester, Joy

Tetley, has produced 'Jesus' Women' (published
by Kevin Mayhew), a collection of short
reflections on all the women in the life, ministry
and teaching of Jesus, as mentioned in the
Gospels.

And Reader Emeritus at St Mary's, Oldswinford,

Roy Peacock has written a book on three former
bishops of Worcester (see photo) All proceeds
from this book will go to the Cathedral's Edgar
Tower appeal. Find out more.