News
On this page, you’ll find the latest updates, event coverage, and important announcements.
Stay informed and engaged with all the latest happenings.
From April 1st, 2025
Hardwick Church Now Open Daily for Prayer, Reflection & Exploration.
Hardwick Church will be open daily from 10am to 4pm for private prayer and quiet contemplation. Visitors are also welcome to explore the beautiful architecture, memorials, and stained-glass windows. Please make use of this special and peaceful space.
May 17th, 2025
Meet Our Global Partners – Climate Action & Faith in Unity
We wanted to share this great opportunity coming up in May—it's a chance to meet our international diocesan partners and explore how we can respond together to climate and environmental challenges.
Details are below in the email from Maranda St John Nicolle—do take a look and consider joining. Feel free to pass it on to others who might be interested too!
Dear All,
As a diocese we have four international links, with Indian, Jamaican, South African and Swedish partners.
We travel quite sparingly, conscious of the carbon footprint of flights – but we do occasionally have visits, as there is nothing that builds relationship[s quite like being in each other’s countries, meeting in person, and seeing what each other’s lives are like. And at a time when the world is polarizing and fragmenting, it is important to build unity and think how we can work together across boundaries.
This May, for the first time, we will have partners from all four links here at the same time – and we’re holding a day conference on 17 May to give everyone who is interested a chance to meet them.
The partners include the environmental coordinator from Kimberley and Kuruman in South Africa, Archdeacon Tshenolo Hove; the environmental lead for Växjö in Sweden, Sara Nodmar; and the former Archbishop of the West Indies, Most Revd Howard Gregory, who has been a strong advocate of climate action. They’re all going to be speaking at the day about how their areas are affected by the climate and environmental crises and what they are doing to respond. They’ll also be running a workshop on how we as churches can join together for action.
You’d be warmly welcome to join! There will also be worship from each country, a final service with Bishop Mary preaching, a lunch with both sandwiches and dishes contributed by the different link groups, stalls from mission agencies, and panels on nurturing disciples and seeking justice. And it’s all free!
All best wishes,
Maranda
Please do register Sharing the journey: Seeking the kingdom alongside our global partners Tickets, Sat, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite and please do spread the word in your churches and groups.
From May 1st, 2025
Lighthouse Shelswell
Wonderful news! We now have enough group leaders to offer places to 60 children again this year! And we have a full team of teenage helpers! Thank you to everyone who has already signed up.
Children’s Registration opens on 1st May – first come, first served.
Alice. (01280 848192 / alicegoodall313@gmail.com)
Volunteers’ Registration
We could still do with some more adults to help the group leaders, assist with crafts, sport and drama activities, and help with registration.
Please contact me if you want to discuss this further, or go to the online form at https://signmeup.org.uk/
March 20th, 2025
The Bishop of Dorchester visited the Deanery to cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony for St Edburg's new Lower School buildings, ably assisted by the oldest and youngest pupils.
February 28th, 2025
Spiritual Care for Older People
Seven people attended the course on ‘Spiritual Care for Older People’ at Emmanuel Church, Bicester which was ably facilitated by the Ksenija Jackson, the Deanery administrator. The eight sessions included Understanding the Ageing Journey, Good Communication, Dementia, Grief and Loss, and Self Care. These topics were covered through a mixture of videos, biblical reflections, discussion and role play – and homework.
A New Home and a New Life was a particularly enlightening session which looked at the adjustments people face as lose their independence and need to go into a care home or other unfamiliar setting.
Spiritual care is not necessarily focussed on organised religion, rather on what gives people hope and meaning now and into the future. Such things may include art, music and the natural environment. The importance of Spiritual Carers walking alongside and listening to older people was emphasised. The whole course was challenging, informative and enjoyable.
Liz Welters