Parish Offer – why living generously as a parish is so important
Published on: 6th June 2024St Michael and All Angels in Bodenham shows why Parish Offer is so important in our rural diocese - and we explain what is
News
Parish with vacancy finds simple ways to kindle faith and fellowship
Published on: 1st March 2024A local worship leader in a benefice with a vacancy has found simple steps work best to kindle new faith groups
Rural church explores alternative service in a bid to engage local community
Published on: 1st February 2024The café church format allows a more relaxed style and opportunity for people to meet up, eat together and discuss life issues from a Christian standpoint. "We have been delighted to welcome on average nearly 30 people to each meeting. This includes new people who live in the local community but who do not regularly attend a Sunday service in our Church building."
Extending a comforting hand: A Beacon of Support
Published on: 17th January 2024For many rural towns and villages that dominate our diocese, the post office, like the church, often remains one of the last centres of community life. The revelations of the challenges faced by those impacted by the Horizon scandal have rocked many and ignited a call for support.
A Joyful Journey of Faith: A family decision to get Baptised
Published on: 31st July 2023A local Herefordshire family who attend Holy Trinity Church which is part of the West Hereford Team Ministry, share their family journey from coming back to church to getting baptism and then seeking confirmation.
Prayer pebbles offer a spiritual connection to visitors
Published on: 20th July 2023As walkers approach the church door, they often stop to take a look at the small cairn (a hand-built pile of stones), which has been gradually growing with the passing seasons.
How a churchyard labyrinth revealed a surprising discovery about prayer habits
Published on: 11th July 2023At St Dubricius church, which is part of the Wye Reaches benefice, removing a 180-year-old tree from the churchyard created a perfect space for a stone labyrinth. Created in the summer of 2022 for an arts and crafts exhibition, the vicar, Revd Tim Starling, kept intending to tidy up the stone labyrinth until he noticed that it was still being used.
Prayer life: the foundation of a rural church
Published on: 21st June 2023In a small Norman church on the Welsh border, a group of committed Christians has been reexploring prayer as part of the diocese’s Year of Prayer. The church of St Mary the Virgin in Welsh Newton is a beautiful building in a rural setting. It has been a place of worship for over 800 years, marking the seasons and the passing trends in Christianity. It stands witness to many generations of worshippers who have sought a deeper spiritual connection with the Almighty.
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A commitment to prayer walking helps rural church connect with community
Published on: 11th April 2023“The benefit of walking outdoors helps people to connect spiritually with the world around them and the message of hope that Easter brings. It also gives us an opportunity to invite people to join us on Sundays.”
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Bishop of Hereford's Sermon - Chrism Mass Sermon 2023
Published on: 5th April 2023People project a lot of their own stuff onto you. A vicar told me a few days ago of their wife visiting the doctor’s surgery only to overhear a conversation amongst two others in the seats behind, complaining about the number of people in church post-COVID and blaming the vicar for it.
