The Diocese of Norwich are proud to be partnered with:
The Church Urban Fund (CUF) was established by the Church of England as a practical response to unmet need.
Norfolk and Waveney Churches Together is an Intermediate Body of Churches Together in England covering the whole of Norfolk and those parts of the Waveney area around Lowestoft.
The Horstead Centre is the Diocese of Norwich’s residential activity centre, based in the Old Rectory at Horstead on the edge of the Norfolk Broads.
The Diocese of Norwich is home to a huge variety of Mothers’ Union members. Many are connected as part of a branch while others connect through Diocesan Membership.
Church Urban Fund
They work through the Church of England’s local parish networks, and alongside other faith-based and secular organisations, to bring about positive change in neighbourhoods and has been active in local communities for over 30 years. Their vision is to see people and communities all over England flourish and enjoy life in all its fullness.
They work by building trust, empowering local people to address the areas of greatest need in their communities, and speaking out against injustice.
Imagine Norfolk Together
Imagine Norfolk Together is part of the Together Network set up by Church Urban Fund.
This network of local relational partnerships work with churches, national and local government, charities and foundations, as well as individual supporters, to bring about positive change in communities.
The Together Network aims to develop capacity for action at a local level, and to inform, inspire, resource and support local churches and organisations, as they work to address issues of social justice and relationships between communities.
The Together Network aims to develop capacity for action at a local level by:
- increasing the number of church-based social activities, in order to create effective responses to poverty and build strong, flourishing communities;
- strengthening people’s capacity to take effective action to tackle poverty; and
- developing partnerships and collaborative working between churches and with other organisations, in order to encourage joined-up activities and innovative thinking.
Read past editions of the Imagine Norfolk Together in Great Yarmouth newsletter and subscribe here.
Read past editions of the Imagine Norfolk Together in King’s Lynn newsletter and subscribe here.
Churches Together
Their work is to enable seven Christian denominations working together to spread the Good News that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to us to rescue us from the penalty of falling short of God’s standards and to offer us his gift of life in Jesus.
The denominations involved are:
- Baptist
- Church of England
- Methodist
- Religious Society of Friends
- Roman Catholic
- The Salvation Army
- United Reformed Church
- Some other denominations are involved at local level
For further information please contact Dr Ian Watson, County Ecumenical Officer (Norfolk and Waveney) on NWCT-Watson@outlook.com.
Horstead Centre
The Horstead Centre is the Diocese of Norwich’s residential activity centre, based in the Old Rectory at Horstead on the edge of the Norfolk Broads.
It provides a place for young people to develop their spiritual, physical, intellectual and social capacities within a caring Christian community. Groups are also welcome to come for the day.
The Horstead Centre stands on the site of successive priests’ houses, being itself originally the Rectory for the church of All Saints Horstead next door. The first evidence of a Rectory on this site is 1564.
The Centre still retains close links with both the church, with its Anglo-Saxon foundations, and also the late Medieval Tithe Barn, now converted into the village hall.
Horstead Conference House started in 1965 when work was conducted by the new Rector and volunteer groups of young people to convert the Rectory and outbuildings for use as a ‘Residential Training Centre’.
Full time Wardens were appointed in 1987, separating the role of Warden from that of parish rector – a combination which had lasted 17 years. This division enabled the development of the centre and an increase in bookings and usage.
In 1990, the name was changed from the Horstead Conference House to the Horstead Centre, thereby avoiding confusion from potential clients by the use of the word ‘conference’. An increasing number of activities since then have attracted more groups, so much so it became an activity centre in the mid 1990’s.
Mothers' Union
In the Diocese of Norwich, there are 50 branches and over 1000 members, many of whom volunteer in their parishes and beyond.
All across Norfolk, members are participating in MU life at local, national and global level.
If you would like to get involed with Mothers’ Union, and maybe find out how to set up a branch in your parish, please contact the Mothers’ Union office:
Mothers’ Union Office
Post: Diocesan House, 109 Dereham Road, Easton, Norwich, NR9 5ES
Tel: 01603 882330
Email: munorwich@googlemail.com
Felicity Randall, Diocesan President
The Revd Adrian Aubrey-Jones , Chaplain
Here is a snapshot of what goes on:
- Away From It All (A.F.I.A) holidays: An MU project to provide holidays for disadvantage children in the UK.
- Angel Tree: An MU project connected with a local prison, enabling children of prisoners to receive Christmas gifts from their absent parent.
- Cathedral Prayers: On 1st Thursday of every month MU Norwich meets in the Jesus Chapel at Norwich Cathedral for Midday Prayers, each time hosted by a different MU group.
- Loving for Life: An interactive and encouraging relationship workshop, facilitated by trained MU members to help couples build a loving marriage. For more info email mulovingforlife@gmail.com
- Refugee Resettlement: MU members have been involved in many aspects of refugee resettlement, including bed making for their arrival and the provision of gardening equipment.
- 16 Days of Activism: An international campaign against gender-based violence, that takes place each year from 25th Nov – 10th Dec.
Many branches also provide community support through (but not limited to) running toddlers groups, giving out baptism cards and supporting church activities. Fellowship and prayer are a vital and vibrant part of Mothers’ Union in this Diocese.