Diocese of Norwich

Open the Book: Air and Share
2025-10-06 13:00 - 15:30 UTC
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!

Module One: Inhabiting the New Testament
2025-10-02 19:00 - 2025-10-09 21:00, 2025-09-27 14:30 - 17:00
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.

Sharing The Joy of Christmas with children, young people and families
2025-09-22 12:00 - 13:00
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

Your Story, My Story
2025-09-18 10:00 - 16:00
A Quiet Day of Rest and Reflection; Exploring the use of Story-Telling for Health Care Chaplains, Volunteers and those interested in Pastoral care.
Suggested Donation £10 to cover lunch and all refreshments
Further details and booking, contact Helen Garrard via Chaplain@nchc.nhs.uk or 01603 776633

Session One: Setting Out and Starting Out
2025-09-17 19:00 - 21:00 | St Luke’s, 61 Aylsham Rd, Norwich, NR3 2HF
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)

Eco Forum: eco church survey surgery
2025-09-16 19:00 - 20:00
Tue 16 Sep | 7-8pm | online
We’re delighted to welcome Polly Eaton, Eco Diocese Officer for A Rocha UK as a host in our next Eco Forum.
Whether you’re new to the Eco Church survey, or have been doing it for some time, this is an opportunity to bring your questions and experiences to this “surgery session” with Polly. We’re aware that the changes to the survey since the New Year may have thrown up some new challenges, so ask anything! Come ready to share some top tips of what you’ve found works well so we can help one another too.
Ahead of the meeting, please have a quick re-cap of the survey questions by taking a look at the pdf/printer-friendly versions on the Eco Church website here: What is the Eco Church survey? – Eco Church Pick one or two areas/issues you’d really like to discuss.
Join the forum on Microsoft Teams via THIS LINK

Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride, Walk & Drive 2025
2025-09-13
The 2025 Norfolk Churches Trust Bike Ride, Walk & Drive will take place on 13 September, with the aim of raising vital funds to support our region’s historic church buildings.
Since the Bike Ride started in 1983 an incredible £4.4 million has been raised, with all proceeds directly benefitting Norfolk churches.
For more information on all ways to get involved, and to sign up as an individual or church, head over to: Bike Ride & Walk & Drive – The Norfolk Churches Trust

LECTIO DIVINA - a way of being with scripture and other sacred texts
2025-09-12 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-08-08 14:30 - 15:00, 2025-07-11 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.

Five steps to creating a simple management plan for your churchyard
2025-09-11 10:30 - 12:30
Do you care for a churchyard and want to manage part of it with wildlife in mind?
In this session we’ll help you discover what is special about your churchyard, how to manage it well for people and wildlife, and how to create your own simple management plan.
In 2024 General Synod passed a motion for all parishes to develop a land management plan with biodiversity enhancement in mind. This workshop will help you to do that, and will help in the “land section” of your Eco Church survey too.
Booking essential at this Eventbrite link
One of the four FREE Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Churchyard Conservation Scheme workshops, run in partnership with the Diocese of Norwich during 2025.

CANCELLED - Education Celebration and Commissioning Service
2025-09-04 17:30 - 19:00 | Open Academy, Salhouse Road, Norwich, NR7 9DL, United Kingdom
Due to unforeseen circumstances the previously advertised celebration and commissioning service at Open Academy on 4 September 2025 will not be taking place.
We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and thank you for support of the event.

Holy Habitats
2025-09-02 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

Thursday Lunchtime Organ Recital
2025-07-31 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-07-24 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-07-17 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-07-10 12:30 - 13:30, 2025-07-03 12:30 - 13:30 | St Nicholas’ Church, North Walsham, Market Pl, North Walsham, NR28 9BT, United Kingdom
A series of organ recitals by well known local organists.

Open the Book Core Training (In person)
2025-07-24 13:00 - 16:00 | St Mary the Virgin, Martham, St Mary the Virgin, 64 Black Street, Martham, NR29 4PR
Open the Book is an exciting storytelling project where Bible stories are shared with children in a way that is fun, interactive and memorable.
As invited guests in school, storytelling teams use the Open the Book programme to prepare and present a 10–15 minute scripted Bible story to a school assembly, involving the children as much as possible.
The workshop will offer you the chance to learn the core skills for becoming a Storyteller.
The workshop will be held on Thursday 24th July, 1-4pm at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church, 64 Black Street, Martham, Great Yarmouth, NR29 4PR.
It is free to attend but booking is necessary.
Book your place at: www.biblesociety.org.uk/otbtraining

Join Bishop Graham on a pilgrimage to Taize
2025-07-19 - 2025-07-28
19-28 July 2025
Young people aged 18-35 are once again invited to join a group travelling from the Diocese of Norwich, 19-28 July 2025, for a truly unique experience of community, worship and prayer with Taizé. Young adults from many different backgrounds and denominations travel to Taizé for a unique Christian experience of openness, solidarity and encounter.
Bishop Graham said: “A pilgrim is someone who leaves the comfort of home to travel beyond familiar boundaries, to cross into new landscapes and places, and to step out into the unknown on an adventure with God. That’s my invitation to you – to experience something new in your journey with Jesus in the rhythm of prayer and a simple life at Taizé.”
For 2025, the prices are as follows:

Students and those out of work – £165.00
Church workers – £275.00
Those in full-time employment – £330.00

Bursaries available for those who need additional support

Being at Taizé is an experience rather than a ‘talk’. This means it is accessible to those who do not think of themselves as being religious, as well as those of other faiths. Each day in the community includes services, biblical reflections, small international discussion groups, practical activities, and prayer with the whole community. As well as this, it offers a safe way for young people to experience a wide range of languages and cultures.
To sign up, please email: taize.pilgrimage@dioceseofnorwich.org. Spaces will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Know a young person who might be interested? Visiting Taizé has been a transformational experience for many, many people. If you know a young person who would enjoy and benefit from this opportunity, please do share this with them! Thank you.

Pilgrimage to Taize
2025-07-19 - 2025-07-28
19-28 July 2025
Join Bishop Graham on a pilgrimage to Taize, For those aged 18-35 and living in the Diocese of Norwich.
More information at DofN.org/Taize

Five Churches Festival
2025-07-09 09:00 - 2025-07-13 17:00
Five Churches Festival is back for its 3rd year! Once again, the five churches of the Glaven Valley Benefice – Blakeney, Cley, Glandford, Letheringsett and Wiveton – each with their own unique architecture and atmosphere, will play host to an exciting and varied programme of music from 9th- 13th July. Featuring musicians of international acclaim alongside established professionals from across Norfolk, and talented young musicians from Norwich School, the Festival provides five days of high-level concerts with something for everyone. Chamber music, jazz, brass, and an idyllic finale of English music for strings.
The Festival Service on Sunday 13th will have as its guest preacher Michael Wakelin – former Head of Religious Broadcasting at the BBC and Series Producer of Songs of Praise.
Full details, online booking and how to become a Festival Friend can be found at Home | FiveChurchesFestival | Norfolk, UK

The Sanctuary Course
2025-06-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-06-23 19:30 - 21:30
An 8-week course designed to help the church support people with mental illness and strengthen mental health.

Concert Performance of Music & Words on the theme of Humans and Nature
2025-06-26 19:00 - 21:00 | St Helen’s Church, Ranworth, Woodbastwick Road, Ranworth, NR13 6HT

RE Moderation and Sharing of Good Practice
2025-06-25 14:00 - 17:00
This session at Diocese House will provide an opportunity for RE leads to moderate RE across the Diocese. It will enable colleagues to share experiences of assessing pupils using the age-related expectations, support professional dialogue about learning in RE and provide ways of ensuring there is standardisation in terms of achievement in RE. It will begin to consider how we assess children through the disciplinary lenses as well as how we assess substantive knowledge and ways of knowing in your RE curriculum. It will also be an opportunity to look at different ways of recording RE (floor books, express books) and a range of exemplified examples of pupils work in each of the three lenses linked to the Norfolk Agreed Syllabus.
Audience: Teachers and RE leaders in ALL schools (Community, Church of England and academies)
DofN.org/GoodPractice2025

Swifts in your church
2025-06-24 10:00 - 11:00
Would summer be the same without swift ‘screaming parties’ as they fly overhead?
Join Caroline Spinks from Norwich Swift Network for an outdoor walk and talk, discussing the key role Norfolk churches can take in helping this red-data listed bird, and the practicalities involved in setting up a church swift project. Learn through the experiences at Aylsham, Reepham and Saxthorpe.
One of the four FREE Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Churchyard Conservation Scheme workshops, run in partnership with the Diocese of Norwich during 2025.

RE Local Leaders Forum
2025-06-23 13:30 - 16:00
A termly meeting with RE Leaders from across Norfolk, including church, community, academy, primary and secondary school contexts. We meet to share good practice, have regular updates on RE resources and curriculum matters as well as hear from a range of guest speakers in the world of RE and worldviews. It is also a forum where we develop action research projects that have a direct impact on the delivery of RE in Norfolk classrooms.
Audience: RE Leaders of ALL schools (Community, Church of England and Academies)
dofn.org/LLF-Jun

Authorised Pastoral Assistants training course
2025-06-23 10:00 - 12:00
The Authorised Pastoral Assistants course is running at All Saints Church, Church Plain, Mattishall NR20 3QF on six Mondays beginning 12th May through to June 23th (no session on Bank Holiday Monday May 26th)
The sessions are from 10am-12 noon and it is essential to attend them all. If you are interested in becoming an APA, please speak with your parish priest first.
The course will be led by Jackie Crisp and Revd Sue Hemsley Halls.
Please contact Sue to book or to get further information
sue.hemsleyhalls@dioceseofnorwich.org 01508 528326
