Diocese of Norwich

Book Launch: 'God's Own Gentlewoman' The Life of Margaret Paston'' by Diane Watt
2024-09-07 14:00 - 16:30 UTC
An afternoon with Diane Watt and Dr. Rob Knee about the life of Margaret Paston

Revelations of Divine Love - a two-day reterat with Gail Adams and Ian Adams
2024-09-27 09:30 - 2024-09-28 16:30 | St John the Baptist’s, Timberhill, Timber Hill, Norwich, NR1 3LA
Living with faith, hope and love in the company of Julian of Norwich.
In 1373 Julian of Norwich experienced a remarkable series of visions of Christ, that she would later call Showings or Revelations of Divine Love.
Over 650 years on we continue to find ourselves nourished, moved and challenged by Julian’s prayerful reflections on her experience. We sense
that Julian is a gift for our times, and invite you to join us as we explore excerpts from Revelations of Divine Love.
This two-day retreat will offer a spacious mix of teaching, stillness and contemplative prayer, with space and time to enjoy and pray in the
Julian cell, church and garden. Gail and Ian will be offering a simple and deepening practice of contemplative prayer through the retreat. They will
be sharing from their life experiences, and Ian will be sharing from his poems and photographs.

Admiral Lord Nelson: The Man Behind the Legend (Talk)
2024-10-12 19:00 - 20:30
Commodore Barry Bryant CVO RN will give an entertaining and fascinating talk on Admiral Lord Nelson – our local Norfolk hero!
Everyone will no doubt know the story of how Admiral Lord Nelson won a famous victory over a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 – sadly making the ultimate sacrifice for his country that day, dying of his battle wounds at the age of just 47. But how well do you know the man behind the legend? What made the son of a rural Norfolk vicar go on to become one of this country’s greatest heroes?
Our talk will explore Nelson’s journey from Burnham Thorpe to his final resting place in St Paul’s Cathedral and his immortal place in the heart of this nation.
Refreshments will be served after the talk.
No entrance fee but donations welcome – proceeds to the Holme Hale Church Restoration Appeal.

The South Creake Lectures: Food for the mind and the soul
2024-10-18 19:00 - 21:00
Who do you think you are? A talk from John-Francis Friendship
John-Francis Friendship is a priest, spiritual director, pastoral supervisor and published author. He previously was professed to the Society of St. Francis. Then he was an Anglican priest for a decade. Today he is the author of Enfolded in Christ: The inner life of a priest, The Mystery of Faith: Exploring Christian belief, and What do you seek?: The Wisdom of Religious Life.

Who Do You Think You Are? won’t be a special edition of the popular BBC series but a chance to reflect on a question people have grappled with for millennia. The evening will explore aspects of the question – not least how we gain our identity and why religion can give a perspective to aid our understanding
Free Entry – No Booking Needed

Winter talks - conservation management of churchyards
2025-01-16 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-01-16 18:30 - 20:30
The first of this series of talks kicks off with two very different approaches! Gemma Walker from Norfolk Wildlife Trust will be talking about how to care for churchyards with wildlife in mind. Laura Carey will be discussing a Norfolk-designed Chelsea Show Garden. Come and be inspired!

Holocaust Memorial Day
2025-01-27 19:00 - 20:00
To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, St Peter’s Church in Sheringham is holding a special and reflective service on the evening of Monday 27th January. The service follows the guidelines for Holocaust Memorial in Christian Churches as outlined by the Council for Christians and Jews, using Common Worship material.
The service will include reflective music and prayer as well as stories from the past and passages of scripture that are shared in both the Christian and Jewish traditions.
Alongside the service is a small exhibition detailing the history of the Holocaust and other genocides which are remembered on Holocaust Memorial Day. This exhibition gives the opportunity throughout the month for people to learn about what happened, be involved in Holocaust Memorial and take a chance to reflect and pray. Exhibition to run all through January.

Winter Talks - all about bats!
2025-02-20 18:30 - 20:30
The second in this series of winter eco talks in Holt is totally bats!
Jane Harris of the Norfolk & Norwich Bat Group will be talking about our local species and those from further afield. Angus Beaton will be discussing the bats of nearby Hunworth Common. Come and be amazed by these creatures in our area!
Refreshments are provided. The event is free and open to all. Donations are welcomed.

Interfaith talk with the Coat of Hopes
2025-02-28 19:30 - 21:30 | St Giles-on-the-Hill, St Giles-on-the-Hill Church, 75 Upper St Giles St, Norwich, NR2 1AB
This evening is an opportunity for all faiths to join together in our shared concern for the environment.
It is centred around the Coat of Hopes and a talk by one of the pilgrims who have walked with the coat to Norwich.
This is a casual evening with the talk, the opportunity to see the coat and enjoy some refreshments together.
The Coat of Hopes is a patchwork pilgrim coat, on an ongoing walk through Britain. Made, worn and walked by many hundreds of people during and since the pilgrimage on which it was created from the south coast of England to the gates of COP 26, the UN climate summit, in Glasgow

Pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea, information evening.
2025-03-11 19:00 - 20:00
Saturday 11 March, 7pm.
Granary Court, Bishop’s House
The 2025 pilgrimage with the Bishop of Norwich is planned for September 1-12 and will continue the shared history of Norfolk and Waveney and Papua New Guinea learning, working and praying together.
Come along to the information evening to find out more.

Winter talks - living walls
2025-03-20 18:30 - 20:30
The third, and final event in this winter eco talks series in Holt features renowned local naturalist, Tony Leech helping us to take a closer look at “living walls” in our locality – the plants which make our local walls their home. There will also be an update on all things “green” in Holt.
Refreshments are provided. The event is free and open to all. Donations are welcomed.

How to worship outdoors - Webinar with Rev Coryn Stanforth
2025-05-07 19:30 - 21:00
Outdoor worship is deeply rooted in Scripture. Throughout the history of the church outdoor worship has taken place, often out of necessity— but there are positive reasons for engaging with nature as part of our devotion.
In this webinar we will explore these reasons, and a wealth of ideas for worshipping together outdoors in a range of contexts.
Book your place by emailing Marleen Madinda: marleen.madinda@dioceseofnorwich.org
The Zoom details for the session will be shared shortly.
Revd Coryn Stanforth is Rector of the Coastal Group Benefice in the Diocese of Norwich.

Christians and Assisted Dying - Day Conference
2025-05-22 10:30 - 15:00 | The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, Norfolk, NR22 6BP
A day conference for clergy, ordinands and laity of all denominations organised by The Guild of All Souls with The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
Incarnation – what does it mean for us? The Revd Fr Andrew Wenzel SSC, Vice Principal and Director of Pastoral Studies at St Stephen’s House, Oxford.
Attitudes to death – what should we think? Teresa Lynch, RN, MSc, founder member of Pro-life Nurses UK.
Assisted dying – a Christian response. Dr Simon Eyre MA, FRCP, FRCGP, GP (retired) member of the Church of England General Synod.

Christians and Assisted Dying
2025-05-22 10:45 - 14:45 | The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, Walsingham, Norfolk, NR22 6BP
Day Conference open to clergy, ordinands and laity of all denominations.
£25 including coffee/tea and 2 course lunch.
To book, email Maureen Howard: mihoward@btinternet.com
Keynote Speakers: The Revd Dr Andreas Wenzel: ‘Incarnation – What does it mean for us?, Teresa Lynch RN: ‘Attitudes to Death – What should we think?’; Dr Simon Eyre FRCP: ‘Assisted Dying – A Christian Response’.
Organised by The Guild of All Souls and The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Church Law webinar - Baptism, Marriage, and Funerals
2025-06-12 19:30 - 20:30
Led by our Diocesan Registrar, Stuart Jones, and Deputy Registrar, Kevin Wilson, this practical, scenarios-based session will look at the law surrounding baptisms, weddings and funerals. In addition, the webinar will explore the current law and recent legal updates. There will be time during the session to ask questions.
The seminar is open to Clergy and LLMs in the Diocese of Norwich and others with a particular interest in the subject.
Zoom details:
https://dioceseofnorwich-org.zoom.us/j/81278411903?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 812 7841 1903
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Walking in the way of St Francis - with Brother Sam
2026-04-11 18:30 - 19:30 | St Francis Church, Norwich, 98 Rider Haggard Road, Norwich, NR7 9UQ, United Kingdom
Walking in the Way of St. Francis
Saturday, 11th April, 2:30pm-4:00pm & 6:30pm-7:30pm
St. Francis Church, Rider Haggard Road, Norwich NR7 9UQ

Join us for a special opportunity to reflect on the life and legacy of St. Francis of Assisi, as we mark the 800th anniversary of his passing. These two events at St. Francis Church invite all ages and backgrounds to come together in the spirit of St. Francis, whose love for Christ and creation continues to inspire Christians of every tradition.
At 2:30pm-4:00pm, we invite families, individuals, and communities to an outdoor wildcraft session—a hands-on, joyful time of connecting with God’s creation. There will be banner-making and nature art, free minor bike repairs, hot chocolate, and toasting of marshmallows over our fire pit. Together, with Brother Sam, we’ll explore how God’s love shines through nature and how we can deepen our care for His world.
At 6:30pm, Brother Sam, a well-known Franciscan speaker, author, and retreat leader will share the story of St. Francis, a man who profoundly followed Jesus with radical love and simplicity, and how his life can still speak to us today—calling us to embrace a life of humility, peace, and devotion. Brother Sam will also reflect on how St. Francis’ example can inspire us to live more fully in the love of Christ and care for His creation.
Brother Sam is a Franciscan living in a vibrant community in Plaistow, London, where the challenges of homelessness and isolation are met with a radical hospitality rooted in prayer and love. Known for his ministry at Hilfield Friary in Dorset, and more recently in a community in Plaistow, London, he has long been dedicated to prayer, sustainable living, environmental care, and offering a welcoming space for those in need. His life and work are a powerful reminder that the Way of St. Francis offers a profound re-orientation of our hearts—calling us to live out our faith with love for Christ and a deep reverence for the world He made.
There is a free event and there is no need to book. Everyone is welcome to join us for these two special gatherings, where we’ll walk together in the spirit of St. Francis, exploring faith, creation, and community.
For further information contact: revjulianbryant@gmail.com

Community Changemakers event
2026-05-15 10:00 - 16:30
This May, the church in Haveringland will host a free day-conference for people interested in the plight of rural churches. The conference is the final part of a transformational project in the church which has been funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund along with other funders. The project has delivered extensive repairs and improvements to the physical building along with an impressive programme of events and community engagement initiatives.
Churches in rural areas face significant challenges and many are finding it hard to think positively about the future. This day conference on Friday 15th May at Haveringland Parish Church will explore the realities of rural parish life, and provide some inspiration to take away with you.
There will be keynote talks from Bishop Jane Steen (Bishop of Lynn) and Nigel Walter (Archangel Architects – Cambridge). We’ll have panel discussions on church buildings and the environment, community health and wellbeing, transforming governance structures & exploring different models of church.
Cawston Vicar, Rev’d Andrew Whitehead, said “We’re delighted to be able to offer this day conference as part of the NLHF funded project in Haveringland. We’d like to share the experiences we’ve had and the lessons we’ve learnt, as well as offering a place for people to come together and ask their own questions. Being involved in a rural church can make you feel vulnerable and isolated, and we hope we can provide an opportunity for mutual support and encouragement.”
The venue for the conference is the amazing Haveringland Parish Church & Community Hub. The conference marks the end of a momentous £500,000 project which has seen the remote and dilapidated church building transformed into a well-appointed facility which serves its community in fresh ways. You can find the church with the postcode: NR10 4FW or what3words: ///dent.palettes.probe
The conference is offered to you free of charge thanks to the generous support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, who have been major funders of the work we have done. All you have to do is register your place. We’ll even provide you with a free lunch and refreshments throughout the day. Places are limited, so click here to register https://www.communitychangemakers.org.uk/
Book here: Home

Living Well with Dementia
2026-06-11 10:45 - 14:45
A day conference for clergy, ordinands and laity of all denominations
Thursday 11 June 10.45-2.45pm at The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
www.guildofallsouls.org.uk for full details and booking
