20 July 2017

10,000 raised for Peru

Bishop John's appeal to raise funds to help the Diocese of Peru following serious flooding has
raised over 10,000. Thanks to all those who donated Read more.

Children's Council is looking for new members!

Would your child, or a child in your church benefit from being part of a
group of children who meet once a month, having fun and growing in their
faith? We'd love them to join us in Children's Council. Watch this short
video to find out more.

A Church Near You

Work is underway to redesign ACNY, and the new site will be launching in
October or early November.
To ensure the records are up to date, please log in to your account in the
coming weeks. Now is a good time to check your church's details and
service times are accurate. Any account that has not been logged into in
the last 12 months by October 2017 will not be transferred to the new
site.

Last year, ACNY received more than 12 million page views thats really
exciting, as it means more people than ever are looking for churches in
their local area and they're finding you.

The new site will make it easier for you to update, and easier for users to
find the church theyre looking for along with all the activities and
services offered. It will also be possible for churches to have up to five
editors, making it easier for churches to stay up to date.

Will the poor always be with us?

Read a blog and watch a video from Bishop Graham following his day
finding out more about benefits, poverty & debt in Dudley and beyond.

Bishop Peter
celebrates 50 years!

All are welcome to help Bishop Peter (Bishop of

Worcester from 1997 - 2007) celebrate 50 years
 since his ordination as Priest on Sunday 1
October at St John the Divine, Kennington.

The Preacher will be the Archbishop of Armagh

and Primate of all Ireland, the Most Revd Dr
Richard Clarke. Mass will be followed by lunch
for all in church.

If you'd like to attend, please contact Sam in

Communications for more details.

Safeguarding
Have you visited your tower recently? Here's an important safeguarding message from Bishop Graham
for all churches where there are bell ringers. Read message.

Please also read this reminder about the importance of keeping parish safeguarding records - both
hard copies and electronic: Read more

In brief ...
The Archdeacons have asked that this reminder of the legal requirements for weddings
is circulated.
Scripture Union has launched a new campaign - The 95, helping the 95% of children
who are not in church to hear the good news of Jesus. Find out more, including details
of the Good News Fund, which is offering grants of up to 5,000 for great missional
 ideas to reach the 95.
On 16 September, the Revd Fran Battin will do a tandem skydive in aid of the
Alzheimers Society. If you would like to donate to Fran, you can do so
at: www.everyclick.com/franbattin
Near Neighbours grants are now open. The idea is to bring people together who are
near neighbours in communities that are religiously and ethnically diverse, so that
they can get to know each other better, build relationships of trust and collaborate
together on initiatives that improve the local community they live in. Find out more.
The Archbishop of Canterburys Mustard Seed Appeal is returning in 2017 so that the
Just Finance Foundation can reach further across the country and reach more people
in financial distress. Could you make a difference this harvest? Find out more and view
more Harvest resources and appeals.
A duo known as the Blackheart Orchestra is playing at Holland House on Friday 19
August at 7pm. Tickets 15 including a light supper in the interval:
www.hollandhouse.org
Roots has produced a number of resources for the new term: Visit their website.
St Stephen's Church in Redditch will be hosting a service of Thanksgiving for National
Donor Week on 2 September, 3pm - Celebrating the lives of transplant recipients,
those awaiting transplant, Donors and their families. To reserve free seats for this
national event please call 07542 850511. Download flyer
The Ecumenical Forum of European Christian Women will hold its 10th General
Assembly in Serbia from 7-12 August 2018. Our theme is If you remain silent at this
time...Christian Women Speak Out. Find out more. Dorothy Knights is England
Coordinator for EFECW. Contact Dorothy.
Could you volunteer to help Cards for Good Causes in Worcester this Christmas?
Contact Pauline Jenkins, Area Co-ordinator: 01432 360543. More information.
Are you thinking of organising a pilgrimage to the Holy Land? Lightline Pilgrimages is
running a familiarisation pilgrimage for clergy in January. More information.
Church Society has published free teaching resources for children, families, schools
and young people to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Visit website
 The Meaningful Chocolate Company has produced some chocolate treats to help with
mission work on, and leading up to, the eve of All Saints (Halloween). Find out more
Worcester Cathedral is recruiting an Apprentice Stonemason. If you are interested in
applying for this post please click here for more information and details on how to
apply.
The Revd Ruth Heeley is selling some clerical wear. If interested contact her via
email:
o Cassock alb. Cream lightweight wool. Double breasted. Small hood. Size to fit
women's 14/16 Height 5'8" 25.00
o Black polycotton ladie's clerical shirt. Tab collar. Long sleeves. Size 14. 7.50
o Jazzy long sleeved clerical shirt. Heavy weight polyester. Tab collar Colour
blocks, red, cream, blue. Size 14. 10.00
o Beige 3/4 sleeve polycotton shirt. Pleated front. Tab collar. Size 14. 7.50

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.

Big Bible Study 2017

30 September, 10am - 1pm, St Georges RC Church, Worcester
Join Bishop John and Archbishop Bernard Longley for a morning of bible study before sharing lunch together.

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

'Moving On'
23 November, Coventry, CV4 7EZ
Offering insight into the tricky subject of moving jobs. It will provide some biblical framework to the
discernment process, how to make good choices, the practicalities of completing good applications and
handling interviews well. 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

Mission Shaped Ministry Course

September 2017 - June 2018 in the Black Country
Equipping participants for a lifetime of good practice and learning in planting and sustaining fresh expressions
of church. A one-year learning journey in a supportive community. Download flyer

Sharing Faith as a Grandparent

Thursday 21 September, 10am - 2pm, Diocesan Office, Worcester
Are you a Grandparent or could you be a Grandparent figure for children in your church? Join us for a day
specially dedicated to Grandparents and find out ways in which you can share your Christian faith with children.
Download flyer. To book your place please email:
cydproject@cofe-worcester.org.uk

Managing Major Buildings Projects

Thursday 19th 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 and you will:

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 visions impact on the Diocese of Worcester from Bishop Graham
engage in Q&A sessions with leaders of education and explore how they can be supported by their local
churches
take part in workshops 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.

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

CPAS is running two courses in Malvern on 'The Buck Stops Here' for clergy who have recently started (or are
about to start) their first post of responsibility (31 Oct - 2 Nov) and 'New Chapters' for clergy moving to a new
incumbency or area of ministry (6 - 9 Nov).

And Finally...95 Missional Theses!

#webelieve

Following Martin Luther and his famous 95 theses the Mission Theology Advisory Group
(MTAG) has produced 95 missional theses for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on
31 October 2017. Ours are based around the five marks of mission. Each takes the form of a
positive statement: We believe in a Church that.. They will be tweeted, one a day in a
randomised order, from @95missiontheses from 28th July. We want to start LOTS of
conversations about the sort of Church we believe in and want to see. People dont have to
stick with ours; anyone can join the discussions or make up some theses of their own. We
want to hear about those, too!

On 31st October were hoping the complete set of missional theses will be posted in all kinds
of places from real cathedral doors to virtual ones. This is a great chance to get people
together to ask what a 21st century missional Church could be like. A Church that isnt
ashamed to proclaim Jesus Christ? A Church that cares about the environment? A Church
that really, seriously, engages in social justice? After 31 October MTAG will provide more
study resources to enable churches and groups to dig deeper into what the theses are saying.
Its going to be exciting, but challenging!

More information from Anne at anne.richards@churchofengland.org

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