Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham

11/06/2026

“Joining in worship with people from across different churches felt very special”

Over the past few months, more than 100 people have taken part in the DISCIPLE course pilot across three deaneries and it has been encouraging to hear so many inspiring stories from those who attended.

DISCIPLE is the brand new five-week video course series designed to inspire and equip participants to follow the teachings of Jesus into real life. It was hosted at three venues – St Michaels Church, Farnsfield Church of England in Clifton, Nottingham and St Nicholas, Bawtry.

Across all three locations, the pilot has been a great success, and it has been encouraging to hear so many inspiring stories from those who attended.

Use this link in to read some of the testimonies and know more about the DISCIPLE course: https://southwell.anglican.org/over-100-people-attend-the-disciple-course-pilot/

09/06/2026

Welcoming Revd Emma Wilkinson!

It was a joyful service on Sunday afternoon as the Revd Emma Wilkinson was licensed by Bishop Paul as Vicar of All Saints Church Huthwaite .

Archdeacon Tors shared from 2 Corinthians 4, reminding the community at All Saints that “we do not lose heart”, because the light of Jesus is at work in each of us, and we are called to share the treasure of this good news.

April Hunt, Churchwarden and LLM at Huthwaite, shared, “Our thanks, praises and celebrations of God's love for us will have reached the ears of all of heaven on Sunday! We are overjoyed to welcome Emma and so blessed to have an amazing church.”

Emma has lived in Bradford for most of her life, apart from time studying Theology in Durham and training for ministry in Cambridge. She came to faith as a teenager when she wandered into the Christian Club at her secondary school and was so struck by the good news of Jesus that she knew she had to respond. Emma has just completed her curacy across the parishes of Christ Church Windhill, St Paul's Shipley, St Peter's Shipley and The Eldwick Church.

Please join us in praying for Emma as she settles into the role, and for a fresh move of the Holy Spirit to bring an overflow of God’s blessing to the communities in Huthwaite.

08/06/2026

We have previously circulated communications regarding concerns relating to Peter John Holland (deceased), who was convicted in 2011 of multiple criminal offences against children within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. We are very keen to hear from you or anyone you know who has been affected either directly or indirectly by the actions of Peter Holland or any other Safeguarding concerns from 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. All allegations or concerns of abuse, whether recent or non-recent, are taken seriously by the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. We would also like to ensure that appropriate support is offered.

The diosesan safeguarding team and Lucy Andrewartha (Cathedral Safeguarding Officer) will be available later in June if you wish to discuss anything relating to the actions of Peter John Holland.

See times and locations here:

We have previously circulated communications regarding concerns relating to Peter John Holland (deceased), who was convicted in 2011 of multiple criminal offences against children within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. We are very keen to hear from you or anyone you know who has been affected either...

05/06/2026

‘Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.’ Proverbs 4:23

What does it mean to guard our hearts? In Start the Month for June, Bishop Paul and Sarah reflect on Proverbs 4, reminding us that we can guard our hearts by filling it with good things, above all with God’s wisdom from His Word. They share the encouragement that whatever we are facing, when we put God’s truths into our hearts by reading the Scriptures, the living hope of Jesus rises up within us and flows to those around us.

Watch the full message here: https://youtu.be/Qm-m_kOv6H8

03/06/2026

Yesterday, churchwardens and supporters from across the diocese gathered at Southwell Minster Minster for the annual Archdeacons’ Visitation and admission of churchwardens to office.

This year’s theme, Inspiring Worship, featured reflections from Archdeacon Phil on embracing both traditional and contemporary worship, alongside contributions from Stephen Bullamore (Organist at St Mary’s, Newark), Tom Walters, and Hannah Crutch.

Please join us in prayer for all those admitted as churchwardens yesterday. You are also warmly invited to the next Visitation Service at Southwell Minster on Tuesday 21 July 2026 at 7:30pm.

28/05/2026

It was an uplifting evening last Saturday as families and friends of 12 confirmation candidates from across the diocese, including one candidate being received into the Church of England, gathered with the congregation of Trinity Church Nottingham to celebrate their commitment to God.

Rev Sam Watkins-Smith preached from Acts 2:1–17, speaking about the Holy Spirit living within us as God’s way of drawing close. Bishop Andy confirmed each candidate, and the congregation was also invited to receive the Holy Spirit afresh.

Please do pray for the candidates as they continue in their journey of faith. If you would like to be confirmed or maybe explore faith for the very first time, use this link to find a church near you: https://southwell.anglican.org/find-a-church/

22/05/2026

Whatever our circumstances, we lift our eyes and fix our best attention on the Lord.

Bishop Paul and Sarah’s encouragement from Psalm 121 reminds us that in all things, our most important response is to lift our eyes to the Lord.

Join them in their full reflection on this beautiful psalm here: https://youtu.be/WL5cigF04uU?si=KOmqnLM-rtFGwT8K

Look out for June’s Start the Month in a couple of weeks.

20/05/2026

We’re thankful for the joyful confirmation service that took place at St Margaret's Aspley, where 27 candidates from across the diocese were confirmed in the presence of family and friends.

The service, led by Bishop Paul, was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many ways God is at work in people’s lives, with candidates from St Mary's Church Eastwood , St Helens Church, Trowell , St Margaret's Aspley , St Martin's Bilborough , Woven St. Martha's , All Saints Strelley, and Woven St Aidan's .

It was a privilege to hear their stories of faith and to pray together for the Holy Spirit to fill them as they committed themselves to following Jesus.

Read more here: https://southwell.anglican.org/27-candidates-confirmed-at-woven-st-margarets-aspley/

15/05/2026

“Jesus died for my sins, I am forgiven.”

Hannah sat down with us to share her story of receiving God’s redemptive grace and forgiveness. She grew up in a loving Christian home, but drifted from her faith in her teens and early adulthood. Hannah went on to make some regrettable decisions, but found God in the midst of her brokenness when searching for hope and comfort. Despite everything, Hannah’s family were reconciled together again and she has since rediscovered the impact of the love and forgiveness of Jesus in her life.

If you find yourself searching for hope in the midst of a difficult situation, we’d love to encourage you to find out more about the love of Jesus at a church near you.

https://southwell.anglican.org/find-a-church/

14/05/2026

Today churches across our diocese will be remembering and celebrating Jesus ascending to his Father in heaven, and the promise of His presence in our lives. But what is Ascension day and why is it celebrated? Swipe across to find out more.

Want to join the celebration? We’d love to invite you to a special Diocesan Day of Prayer event this evening at St Paul’s Carlton, led by Bishop Paul at 7.30pm (refreshments served from 7pm).