An update from Southwell Minster and how you can help
This update was originally published on the Southwell Minster website and has been reposted here for wider visibility. We know that recent news about Southwell Minster has been unsettling. Media headlines have raised understandable questions. and concerns about our future, and we want to give everyone an update on where things stand, what we are doing about the problems we face and how you can help. We also know how much the Minster means to so many people: to those who worship,
Welcome to our new General Synod representatives
Voting for our General Synod representatives in the Houses of Laity and Clergy has now been concluded, and we are pleased to announce who will be representing the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham for the next five-year term (until 2031). These representatives were voted for by members of deanery synods across the diocese, and were given the opportunity to share their election campaign in a hustings evening that was held at the end of September. Our new representatives are: House of Laity Ian
Candidates & election addresses for General Synod
15th October update: Nominations for General Synod clergy and lay members closed on Monday 7th September. The voting period opened on 21st September and closed on 13th October. The election results will be published on our website on Friday 16th October. Continue reading this article for details of the candidates and their election addresses. Everyone who has been nominated has already submitted their electoral address if they have chosen to write one. You can see all of our candidates and read
We have a message of hope | Start the Month with Bishop Paul & Sarah (196)
“As the Church in this diocese and around the world, we have a message of hope, the promise of a Saviour.” In the first Start the Month of the new academic year, Bishop Paul and Sarah bring us a message of hope from Psalm 46, which says that “God is our ever-present help in times of trouble.” As we look ahead to the new term, with all its challenges and opportunities, we are encouraged to remember that Jesus is our ultimate, living
New Building Management Portal replacing Online Faculty System in October
The Church of England is introducing the Building Management Portal, a new national digital system for managing applications relating to works on churches, their contents, and churchyards, with a planned release date of 6th October 2026. The new portal has been designed to make the application process easier to follow and to improve consistency in the way casework is managed. It will give users clearer information about application stages, supporting documents and the actions needed as an application progresses. The portal will
INEQE action planning, safeguarding risk register & diocesan staffing changes | DSAP June 2026
Sally Hodges, the Independent Chair for Southwell & Nottingham’s Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP), has summarised the key messages from the last panel meeting earlier in the summer. The Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel (DSAP) met in June, and I am pleased to say that there was good representation from our partner colleagues, as well as safeguarding professionals and other senior leaders. 1. Draft INEQE report received DSAP was happy to hear that the draft report from the INEQE safeguarding audit had been received
Stand for Synod 2026: Information for General Synod elections
Please be aware that clergy and lay member nominations closed on Monday 7th September. Voting for General Synod members will take place between 21st September and 13th October. For further information, please follow our updates here. New clergy and lay members will be elected for General Synod this year, with nominations open between 14th August and 7th September. Those elected will serve as General Synod members for the next five years. General Synod members have the opportunity to represent their community and diocese on a
Bishop Paul speaks out for children in care at General Synod
At General Synod on Tuesday 14th July, Bishop Paul spoke in support of a private member's motion putting forward the appointment of a lead bishop to advocate for the more than 80,000 looked after children in England, care leavers and carers. After the debate, members of the Synod voted unanimously in favour of the motion, which had been brought by Billy-Jo O'Leary. To hear what Bishop Paul said on the topic, watch the video below or scroll to read his full transcript.
Good News Spotlight: Community donations & grants make new waterless toilet a reality for All Saints Barnby
Community generosity and grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation and the FCC Communities Foundation made the installation of a new waterless toilet possible at All Saints', Barnby in the Willows. The fundraising journey for a new Woo-Woo waterless toilet started five years ago with a 20-mile sponsored walk to each of the eight churches around Barnby. These efforts where then aided by fundraising concerts from local a cappella choirs, continued comunity donations and the grants that were received. One waterless toilet will
Jubilee House Volunteer Day 2026 in Bilsthorpe and Manton
Every year, diocesan staff head out from Jubilee House to two parishes to spend a day helping out however they need us to. This year's Volunteer Day took us to St Margaret's, Bilsthorpe and St Paul's, Manton, both of which were wonderful hosts and fantastic places to spend the day. ST PAUL'S, MANTON St Paul's is a community-focused church in Manton, a suburb of Worksop. It is a church with a beautiful legacy of prayer and support from the surrounding area and