Sharing The Joy of Christmas with children, young people and families
2025-09-22 12:00 - 13:00 UTC
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO REACH children, young people and families this Advent and Christmas? Our special webinar will give you plenty of ideas, as well as unpacking the resources available for churches, schools and individuals this year as part of the Church of England’s Advent and Christmas theme, The Joy of Christmas.
Date/time
This webinar will be held on Monday 22 September 2025, 12pm.
More information
The webinar shares details of our resources and will include a heart-warming retelling of the Christmas story – The Grumpy Owl and the Joy of Christmas. Illustrated by Jago, the award-winning illustrator of The Jesus Storybook Bible, it tells the story of Jesus’ birth through the eyes of an owl who seems determined to miss all the excitement. With accompanying resources, the book will be ideal to use at church or purchase as a gift.
How to book
To register for this webinar, click the purple ‘Register’ button on the right side of the page.
If you are interested but unable to attend this webinar, please do register anyway – everyone who has registered will receive a link to the recording and to the resources shared in this webinar. They will also be available on this page after the webinar.
This webinar will have a BSL interpreter.
REGISTER by logging in or signing up via: Sharing The Joy of Christmas with children, young people and families – Church Support Hub

Module One: Inhabiting the New Testament
2025-09-27 14:30 - 17:00, 2025-10-02 19:00 - 2025-10-09 21:00, 2025-10-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-16 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-23 19:00 - 21:00
What will be covered in this module?
Inhabiting the New Testament topics:

The World of the NT
How do I read the Gospels?
What did Jesus teach?
Is Acts history?
How do I read Paul today

When will the sessions take place?

Saturday 27 September in person
Thursdays on zoom: 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct 2025

Want to know more about the whole Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning? Click here.
Further details and eligibility

You need to be 18+ to take part.
You don’t have to be connected to or part of a church to apply
The learning is open and available to all
There are 5 subject area blocks, you are welcome to join 1 or select some, but the Certificate will only be awarded to people who complete all 5 learning blocks.
The sessions look at: Old Testament, New Testament, Prayer, Mission and the Christian Life.
The first session of each block is in person, on a Saturday in Norwich with four sessions on Zoom on Wednesday evenings.
The cost of each block is £25, total for 5 is £125. There is a 10% discount if you book for all 5. Bursaries are available to cover if cost is an issue and parishes might choose to pay some of the cost for people who wish to apply too.

Open the Book: Air and Share
2025-10-06 13:00 - 15:30
Calling all Open the Book Storytellers!
You’re warmly invited to our Open the Book 25th anniversary celebration: Air and Share.
Over the past 25 years, Open the Book has grown in ways we never imagined. Join us to celebrate this incredible milestone and connect with fellow Storytellers!
This is your chance to:

Air any questions, concerns, or challenges – let us support you.
Share your successes, testimonies, creative ideas, and even props or costumes (feel free to bring examples).

Book your place: visit biblesociety.org.uk/otbtraining
Venue: St Andrew’s church hall, 41 Church Lane, Eaton NR4 6NW
There is plenty of parking at the church in a gravel car park. Please share rides if possible.
We can’t wait to see you there!

Eco Chaplain Training
2025-10-09 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-16 14:00 - 16:00 | St Stephens, St Stephens, Rampant Horse Street, Norwich, NR2 1QP
Next training course dates: 9 & 16 October, 2-4pm, St Stephens, Rampant Horse Street, Norwich, NR2 1QP

We’re building a network of chaplains across the diocese. If you’re already a parish Eco Rep, this will really simply mean sharing your experience with churches in a wider area. Could God be calling you?

The primary purpose of this voluntary role is to encourage and support churches to respond to the climate an ecological crisis, by advocating for environmental action, resourcing others, and helping churches on their Eco Church and net zero journey.

For a more details of what the role commitment and responsibilities are, please see the role description here and/or contact Barbara.bryant@dioceseofnorwich.org 07876 634867 for a chat.

You’ll need to be able to commit to attending both dates, but do not need to commit to the role until after training is completed.

The training sessions will cover the theological context of our climate and biodiversity crises, our missional response to them, and how to signpost to practical support on working towards net zero, improving biodiversity and working through the Eco Church survey.

Please contact Barbara if you would like to book onto the course.

LECTIO DIVINA - a way of being with scripture and other sacred texts
2025-10-10 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-11-14 14:30 - 15:00 | Norwich Cathedral
We host a monthly group Lectio Divina session in the cathedral library, on the SECOND FRIDAY of every month at 2.30pm.
Lectio Divina is a contemplative way of reading the Bible, focusing on a short passage and allowing it to speak to us. The passage is read aloud, and we may share a word or phrase that resonates with us, but without discussion. It is a traditional Benedictine approach to the scriptures.
Open to all, readings and full outline of the approach provided. Come along to try it out, or contact Gudrun at gwarren@cathedral.org.uk if you would like to know more.

Session Two: Being Us - The Church of England
2025-10-16 19:00 - 21:00
Is God speaking to you about your Ministry and Mission?
The Shared Vocations Space programme gives you the chance to explore whether you are being called to play a role in Ministry. Discover the various pathways leading to Licensed Lay Ministry (LLM), Ordained Ministry (becoming a priest), Chaplaincy, Pioneer, Authorised Worship and Authorised Pastoral Assistant.
Hear vocations stories, explore Scripture and have the chance to think about some key issues relating to each ministry. There will be opportunities to explore your questions in small groups. By the end of the programme, you will be well placed to enter the formal selection process for either LLM or Ordained Ministry.
Contact: Register your interest via email to lucy.dallas@dioceseofnorwich.org
The sessions are hosted by Revd Lucy Dallas and members of the DDO & LLM teams with contributions from mission practitioners alongside lay and ordained ministers from around and beyond the diocese.
2025/26 Programme
Session 1
Setting Out and Starting Out
Wednesday 17 September 2025 at 7-9pm St Luke’s, 61 Aylsham Road, Norwich NR3 2HF
Session 2
Being Us: The Church of England
Thursday 16 October 2025 7-9pm Online
Session 3
Being Me: How God calls people
13 November 2025 7-9pm online
Session 4
Being Sent Out: The Church of England and Christian Mission
11th December 2025 7-9pm Online
Session 5
Trying Out: Knocking on the Door
15 January 2025 at 7-9pm online
Session 6
Walking by Faith: What next?
11th February 2026 at 7-9pm at 7-9pm St Luke’s, Norwich (address above)

Holy Habitats
2025-10-21 10:30 - 12:00
Norfolk is renowned for its stunning churches, and almost all 650 of them feature a churchyard—often the last remaining undisturbed grassland in the parish, making these spaces vital havens for wildlife. Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Diocese of Norwich have partnered for over 40 years to run the Churchyard Conservation scheme, providing expert advice to communities who manage their churchyards with wildlife in mind.
We’d like to start a conversation to better understand the key challenges you may face, so we can offer the right support to best help you to enhance the biodiversity in your little patch of Eden.
Three churches are helping us to host these “listening events” and you are welcome to book into whichever best suits you:

Tuesday 1 April
10.30am to 12noon
St. Michael’s Hall, Church Street, Reepham, Norfolk, NR10 4JW
What3Words – eclipses.sulked.vocally

Tuesday 2 September
10.30am to 12noon
Great Yarmouth Minster, 24 Church Plain, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, NR30 1NE
What3Words – expert.gather.latest

Tuesday 21 October
10.30am to 12noon
King’s Lynn Minster, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1DQ
What3Words – abode.dishes.mount

Please book in advance using the QR code or this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/holy-habitats-4124523

Ask us anything: Church websites at Christmas
2025-10-22 14:00 - 15:00
How can you make the most of your church websites at Christmas?
This webinar will help you make strategic use of your church’s online home, whether it’s on AChurchNearYou.com, another website, or both.
We will share advice and exercises to help you optimise your website, and look at how you can use AChurchNearYou.com to share church events and help people find you online.
We’ll also be available to answer any questions you might have about church websites and digital comms over Advent and Christmas.
Sign up here: Webinar Registration – Zoom
FOLLOW-UP
Webinar follow up will include the presentation slides, useful links and a recording of the session sent by email to all attendees.
RECORDING
Register for the webinar to receive a recording after the date.

Church heating: your questions answered!
2025-10-23 19:30 - 20:30
The Net Zero Carbon Adviser at the Diocese of St Albans will give a short online presentation (four slides) on the data he has collated over his two years of working with churches after which there will be a question and answer session.
The event is taking place via Zoom on Thursday 23 October from 7:30-8:30pm.
To book your place please click here.
Please submit any questions via this link.

Black History Month Celebration Service 2025
2025-10-26 17:30 - 19:00 | Norwich Cathedral
On Sunday 26 October 2025, Choral Evensong at Norwich Cathedral will commemorate Black History Month.
This follows the hugely successful first ever Black History Month Celebration Service in 2024.
More details to follow.

Ask us anything: Livestreaming and recording church services at Christmas
2025-10-28 15:00 - 16:00
Are you hosting church services online this Advent and Christmas?
Or are you recording services and sharing clips on social media?
In this special webinar we’ll share advice and take questions on how to make the most of these opportunities and engage your community.
We’ll look at top tools and tips for recording and livestreaming church services, and how you can use service clips to create engaging digital content. This webinar will be hosted by the Content Producer of the Church of England’s weekly online services, and a guest contributor with extensive experience in livestreaming church services.
As well as sharing advice, we’ll be available to answer any specific questions you might have about recording and using church services online.
Sign up here: Webinar Registration – Zoom
FOLLOW-UP
Webinar follow up will include the presentation slides, useful links and a recording of the session sent by email to all attendees.
RECORDING
Register for the webinar to receive a recording after the date.

Parish Support Team Pop-up: Blofield
2025-11-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Blofield Church, Church Road, Blofield, NR13 4NA
The Parish Support Team are on tour again! Come along and meet us at two ‘pop up’ events with any questions you have. These events are for PCCs, church officers and volunteers, anyone involved in a local parish church. It’s an opportunity to meet people who can help your church to flourish.

Monday 3 November 4-6pm: St Andrew and St Peter, Blofield
Tuesday 4 November 4-6pm: Fountain of Life, Ashill

Following the previous ‘pop up’s in May, we received feedback that parishes are happy to know who is available to help them and what support is on offer.
If you can’t make it to either event, please don’t forget that you can contact us anytime in work hours Monday to Friday via phone or email or arrange to come into Diocesan House in Easton to meet us.
Main point of contact: Dani Rice, Parish Support Adviser, 01603 880853. or email hello@dioceseofnorwich.org

Parish Support Team Pop-up: Ashill
2025-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Fountain of Life, Ashill, Swaffham Road, Ashill, IP25 7BT

Session Three: Being Me - How God calls people
2025-11-13 19:00 - 21:00

SOULSHAPER
2025-11-14 - 2025-11-16 | The Horstead Centre, Rectory Road, Horstead, Norwich,, Norwich, NR12 7EP, United Kingdom
Come away for the weekend and be with friends old and new as you enjoy the challenge of outdoor activities, spend time playing, relaxing, chatting and eating together, and engage in faith-building activities and creative worship.
SOULSHAPER is a residential activity and discipleship weekend at The Horstead Centre for youth groups or individuals who do not have a regular church youth group.
Groups accompanied by a youth leader are encouraged and individuals are welcome (please contact the children, youth & families office on 01603 882374 before booking as an individual).
For those in school years 7-13. For further information and booking visit: www.DofN.org/Soulshaper
Cost:
£110 per person
Final booking date Sunday 2nd November 2025
Groups must come with at least one adult leader
£50 per leader

Safeguarding Sunday
2025-11-16

Celebrating Chaplaincy
2025-11-16 15:30 - 17:00
The Bishop of Lynn and the Dean of Norwich invite you to a Service of Evensong Celebrating Chaplaincy.

Sunday 16th November 2025
3.30pm Norwich Cathedral

Refreshments will be served afterwards.

Homegrown - Research Webinar
2025-11-19 19:00 - 20:30
Back in September the Homegrown project launched their findings from a year of research listening to the voices of young people, schools and key community partners in Kings Lynn and West Norfolk. At the launch event we heard some of the key findings and recommendations from the report and kickstarted the ecumenical conversations to help form our response. This month we’re hoping to continue those conversations and invite more to hear the findings at our Homegrown Webinar.
HOMEGROWN is a partnership between the local church and its surrounding community, including representatives from the churches of the Lynn and Heacham and Rising Deaneries, Viva (international faith-based community development organisation), the Parish Support Team and West Norfolk County Council.
The heart of HOMEGROWN is to be a gift. A gift to the local church, regardless of size or denomination, through mapping a clear picture of the landscape facing children and young people, and any projects that are already seeking to support them, and a gift to the wider community by encouraging and equipping the church on their doorstep to better respond to their needs.
During 2024/25 we have listened to hundreds of voices – from children in schools, from churches, and from community partners. We have heard both joy and struggle: safe spaces that make a difference, but also stress, isolation, poverty, and challenges that no single group can tackle alone. The report is a compilation of all the voices we have heard over the last year and a reflection of their thoughts and opinions of the church, the communities and their lives.
Read the report here.
The aim of this report is not to demonstrate how many children are in church. It is about recognising that local churches, i.e. groups of like-minded local Christian people, are already part of the community fabric – and asking how multiple groups of churches might work together more confidently, across our area, to better
know and serve children and young people where they are.
Our findings highlight the biggest issues facing young people, where schools and churches see the same concerns, and where the gaps lie. The message is clear: collaboration is essential. Churches have people, long-lasting presence, and trust – but long-term change will only come if we share resources, avoid duplication, and act together.
We offer this report as both a snapshot and a call to action. Its purpose is to:

Inspire churches to make a difference by working together,
demonstrating a greater expression and public witness of
Christian faith.
Raise awareness of, and encourage the church to advocate for,
social pressures facing children, young people and families.
Prompt collaboration for a stronger response around key issues
like family poverty, mental health, and safe youth spaces.
Facilitate a stronger connection between the church, schools
and the public sector to contribute to borough-wide change
for children, youth and families.

Join the webinar via: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nVSfbkhBRj-O-vTyOTH1cA#/registration
For more information about the project, upcoming events or to find out how else you can get involved, contact Vicki Price: vicki.price@dioceseofnorwich.org

Module Two: Inhabiting the New Testament
2025-11-22 14:30 - 17:00, 2025-11-27 19:00 - 2025-12-04 21:00, 2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:00
What will be covered in this module?
Exploring the Old Testament topics:

The world of the OT
How do I read Genesis?
Horrible histories
Reading the Prophets
Seeking Wisdom

When will the sessions take place?

Saturday 22 November in person
Thursdays on Zoom. 27 Nov, 4 Dec, 11 Dec, 18 Dec 2025

Want to know more about the whole Bishop’s Certificate in Christian Learning? Click here.
Further details and eligibility

You need to be 18+ to take part.
You don’t have to be connected to or part of a church to apply
The learning is open and available to all
There are 5 subject area blocks, you are welcome to join 1 or select some, but the Certificate will only be awarded to people who complete all 5 learning blocks.
The sessions look at: Old Testament, New Testament, Prayer, Mission and the Christian Life.
The first session of each block is in person, on a Saturday in Norwich with four sessions on Zoom on Wednesday evenings.
The cost of each block is £25, total for 5 is £125. There is a 10% discount if you book for all 5. Bursaries are available to cover if cost is an issue and parishes might choose to pay some of the cost for people who wish to apply too.

Webinar - EV Charger Installation Grants for Clergy Housing with Q&A
2025-11-24 13:00 - 14:00
In this Webinar, the national Church of England team cover the two main application routes for government EV Charger Installation Grants applicable to clergy housing.

Both grants are worth around £350 – or up to 75% of the full installation cost.

The Giving Directorate’s Dave Stout will talk about accessing the grant for his (non-clergy) home and how he schedules his charging times to get the best value.

Jo Chamberlain will talk about accessing the grant for her clergy home.

There will be Q&As and discussion. Please share this invitation with any colleagues and clergy who might like to join.

Register here to join the Zoom call.

Launch of Stained Glass Thursford - A Record
2025-11-28 18:30 - 20:00
The Churchwarden’s of St Andrew’s Church in Thursford invite you to the launch of the Stained Glass of the Church of St Andrew. A Record by James Sidgwick and James Thomson. The Recorders will be present and deliver a presentation describing the book which will be available.
Friday 28 November 2025 at 6.30pm, St Andrew’s Church, Thursford
RSVP by 21 November 2025. Lance Sharpus-Jones and Chris Rheinberg, Churchwardens, 07425159013

Christmas Tree Festival Rockland
2025-12-06 10:30 - 2025-12-07 16:00
Rockland St Mary Church Christmas Tree Festival 6th and 7th December 10.30am – 4pm.
Refreshments, home made cakes, Tombola, Raffle and Craft in The Barn.
