Bishop Donald took part in a virtual House of Lords debate yesterday (18th June) regarding the proposed merger of the Department for International Development and the Foreign Office. Bishop Donald’s contribution was as follows: My Lords, I thank the Leader of the House for answering questions on this matter. On these Benches, we affirm the […]
Churches are busier than ever, whether it is providing pastoral care and support for their congregations or navigating the daunting task of reopening their doors, so we recognise that collecting information on virtual church offerings may not be a priority for some. However, for those who are keen, we have produced a simple attendance tracker spreadsheet which enables churches […]
Applications for the Lay Ministry Course are now closed for this autumn. We are delighted to see so many people keen to train for ministries in the Church, and the course is at capacity for the coming year. The Lay Ministry Course is always evolving and developing to keep up with the needs of our churches. […]
I wonder if you are the sort of person who loves to get stuck into a book or two over the summer. “Well, choose carefully because you can’t judge a book by its cover” – that’s what I was told as a schoolboy. A rapid glance at my bookshelf will confirm that theory – Power, […]
One of our Gen2 missioners has been keeping children and young people entertained in an unusual way during lockdown – thanks to Taskmaster. Lizzie Moesbauer, Youth Minister at Whitefriars Church in Rushden, has been organising Taskmaster activities twice a week for the church youth. For those unfamiliar, Taskmaster is a TV show (previously on Dave, […]
Victim Support has been awarded the contract to manage ‘Safe Spaces’, a joint Anglican and Catholic Church in England and Wales (CCEW) project to provide a vital support service for survivors of church-related abuse. The charity, well known for its work with people affected by crime, abuse and traumatic events, have been awarded the contract to […]
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, will be marking his final day in post with two special services this Sunday (7th June). Firstly, he will take part in a time of music, prayer and reflection across BBC Local Radio on Sunday at 8.00am. Following this, he will preach at the weekly online service for the Church […]
Charities working with those affected by COVID-19 restrictions and lockdown are among those to receive support from Peterborough’s St John the Baptist. The city’s parish church, based in Cathedral Square, has made gifts of more than £7,000 from last year’s proceeds of the church’s coffee shop. In addition to supporting the work of the Church, […]
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge will be taking part in the Church of England national online service this Sunday (24th May) to mark the end of Mental Health Awareness Week. In it, he will urge people who are concerned about their mental health or that of others to reach out and start a conversation. As in previous […]
As today is a Thursday (21st May) and the nation will be clapping for our carers at 8pm, let’s step back in time to Sunday 16th February when we marked 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife (very prophetic) with the licensing and commissioning of four Parish nurses by Bishop Donald at […]
The Church of England has issued some important guidance regarding construction work, now that certain elements of the lockdown are beginning to be eased. Guidance for using professional contractors can be found here. Guidance for churches and cathedrals on access to their buildings for construction work can be found here. The closure of many premises […]
Like all churches in our diocese, the Castor Benefice has been involved in a huge amount of work since lockdown began on 23rd March. We thought we’d let you know what the six parishes and churches within the benefice (St Kyneburgha, Castor; St Michael at Sutton; St Mary the Virgin, Marholm; St John the Baptist, Upton; St John the […]
Attention all schoolchildren in our diocese! Do you fancy taking part in a mass virtual singalong for Thank a Teacher Day? The chosen song is ‘Looking To The Rainbow’, composed by Becky Drake for Bluecoat Church of England School in Birmingham, where she is chaplain. A video of Bluecoat School pupils singing the song was […]
HOPE Together has made the hugely popular ‘Talking Jesus course‘ available to watch online for free during the COVID-19 crisis. The course includes six practical, video-based teaching sessions with inspirational testimonies, as-well as short parable-style films designed to get small groups thinking. Small group members are invited to discuss the video teaching, apply it to […]
In light of the Government’s statement on Sunday (10th May), the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers has released a new summary of the current Church of England guidance and advice on chiming (including the need for strict hand hygiene) to bell ringers across the UK. You can look at the advice here or read […]
Thy Kingdom Come – the Archbishops’ initiative to pray, which since it began has gone ecumenical and international – is taking place again this year. However, due to the current coronavirus circumstances, it will be in a slightly different form. At the heart of TKC is still an encouragement to pray in the time between Ascension […]
Christian Aid Week 2020 has begun, taking place from Sunday 10th to Saturday 16th May. But this year will be a different, digital campaign of prayer and action. Since 1957, the week has brought communities together in action and prayer. Think of Christian Aid Week and you might picture red envelopes through doors, plant sales, […]
A variety of churches in the diocese are broadcasting live streamed and online services in the wake of the current situation. Details of these services are as follows: All Saints and All Hallows Benefice is publishing its weekly Prayer and Praise service every Sunday at 10.00am on YouTube. An electronic copy of the service sheet is also […]
The Church of England has released rights-free music for use on streamed services (in conjunction with St Martin-in-the-Fields and the Royal School of Church Music). Up to five hymns are being released each week, which are available for free from the A Church Near You Resource Hub every Thursday evening during the coronavirus pandemic. The Resource Hub […]
A host of useful safeguarding resources can be found below (in their relevant sections). Feel free to also read the latest edition of our Diocesan Safeguarding Newsletter, which can be found here. Boots Victims of domestic abuse will be able to seek help in Boots pharmacies from Friday 8th May through special safe spaces. You can […]