The Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023
Hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing their homelands to escape violence and persecution, as the world continues to be an unsafe place for many. In the past couple of years there have been increased numbers of people arriving in the UK from Afghanistan and Ukraine as well as many other countries. This year’s Bishop’s Lent Appeal 2023 will replenish the Welcome Fund which supports churches and projects in the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham working with new arrivals. Find out
Enabling More Churches to go Cashless
The Church of England is funding 50 contactless giving stations for parishes in the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham. In addition to the weekly congregational giving, the devices enable churches to have cashless payment options for events including weddings, christenings, church fetes and concerts, as well for making one-off donations and the booking of churches and halls. Applications for contactless devices opened on Monday, 6 March 2023 and can only be made through the Parish Buying website, where more information on the
St Giles’ Church is Welcoming Owls in Cropwell Bishop
St Giles' Church, Cropwell Bishop have been working hard on biodiversity in their churchyard. 12-year-old Alex has been leading the way. He has made a box for tawny owls from recycled wood and painted it. With 1 in 7 of the UK’s wildlife species is at risk of extinction, churchyards are important habitats. Across England, it is estimated that 10,000 churches have churchyards. That’s the area of a small national park. It’s a precious resource which can make a huge difference to
Bishop Paul calls for an immediate increase in spending for Ukraine
Bishop Paul has called for an immediate increase in UK defence spending. Speaking in the House of Lords, Bishop Paul said this would ensure that the Ukraine people could defend themselves and that refugees living in the UK received appropriate and sustained support.
The Rocking Ceremony
At St Mary’s Blidwoth, Candlemas is celebrated with the Rocking Ceremony – a tradition that is thought to be unique to the village. The Rocking Ceremony was typical in churches dedicated to St Mary of the Purification all over Europe at one time, but it is believed that Blidworth’s church is the only one in the UK still dedicated to St Mary of the Purification and the only church anywhere continuing with this custom.
The Church of England’s Doctrine of Marriage
Bishop Paul has contributed to the paper on the Doctrine of Marriage, alongside a number of other bishops. This paper seeks to support clergy and congregations as they think and pray through the important issues and questions arising at this time in the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process.
Bishop Paul Confirms 64 Candidates
Last night, Sunday 15 January, Bishop Paul confirmed 64 people at St Nic’s, including 54 from Iran and Afghanistan. There were 4 candidates from St Nic’s, 5 from St John’s Beeston, and 55 from St Stephen’s in Hyson Green. Of those born in countries where Islam is the predominate religion, around a third had come to faith in Jesus since arriving in the UK. There was a moving testimony from one man who was forced to leave his home country because of
The Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham, Rt Revd Paul Williams, delivered his Christmas Sermon at the Midnight Service in the Cathedral Church of Southwell Minister
We are now just minutes away from Christmas Morning, but how would it be if we heard that at short notice Christmas had been cancelled this year. In the Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe, Mr Tumnus said to Lucy, “It is always winter in Narnia and has been for ever so long…always winter but never Christmas.” Can you imagine the dark nights closing in and the bitter cold of winter without the celebration of Christmas? C S Lewis understood what an unbearable
Christmas 2022 – Reflections, Carols & Prayers
This Christmas, we have been inspired by carols. Please find contemporary renditions and reflections about the Everlasting Light. You can jump to the section you would like to view by clicking the links below. Carols Reflections Prayers Chapter House Carols Recorded in the Chapter House of Southwell Minster, these Christmas classics are a great way to reflect on this Advent season together. In the Bleak Midwinter // Chapter House Carols Performed by Joanne Arton & Luke Resch - Trinity Church Nottingham and Tom Pearson - St John's Bilborough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3WFRg001Vc O
Bishop of Southwell & Nottingham challenges government on national waiting time for children’s mental health services
The Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham, the Rt Revd Paul Williams has asked the government for a national review of waiting times for children and young people to access Child and Adolescent Mental Health services.