Bishop Graham making his first speech outside The Forum today (3 May 2019)

Downing Street has today announced that the Rt Revd Graham Usher will become the 72nd Bishop of Norwich.

Bishop Graham, 48, is currently the Bishop of Dudley.  Prior to this he was Rector of Hexham in Northumberland, following his time working in Middlesbrough.  He has also spent time living and working in Ghana, Africa.

On his appointment, Graham said:

“It’s a great honour and somewhat daunting to be nominated as Bishop of Norwich. I’m excited to have been called to serve among the people of Norfolk and Waveney as together we seek to live out Jesus Christ’s call to love God and our neighbours.

“A theme of God’s calling in my life is that each new chapter has been to a new and unexpected place. The Diocese of Norwich is equally a new and unexpected place for me, and what a wonderful privilege it is to be called to serve here.

“I see the role of a bishop as encouraging others to live out their faith in Jesus Christ with a generosity of spirit and compassion, bringing people together to serve their neighbours in partnership with others.”

We welcome Bishop Graham’s appointment, pray for him as he settles in to his new role and look forward to his ministry among us.

This Saturday between 9.00 and 12.30 we are holding a grand book and jigsaw fair with over 2500 good quality second hand fiction and non-fiction books for sale. And jigsaws! Who doesn’t love a jigsaw?

Come and see us and pick up some reading matter.

We are flying the French Tricolore from the church tower in honour of the arrival of a large party of guests from our twin town in central France, Olivet. Our visitors (including Olivet’s Mayor) are with us until Tuesday and the flag will fly until then.

It’s the first time we’ve been able to fly a flag since the re-erection of the flag pole following Storm Doris last year which did significant damage to one of the pinnacles on the church tower.

We warmly welcome our guests from Olivet and wish them a happy and memorable stay in Fakenham.

Do you love music? Have you thought about coming along to experience Choral Evensong? Our regular Choral Evensong service takes place on the third Sunday of the month (that’s this Sunday 17th June) at 6.30pm: it’s a 45-min long peace-inducing service in which the ‘song’ of voices sounding together in harmony is heard at the ‘even’ point between the active day and restful night, allowing listeners time for restful contemplation. The service is open and welcoming to believers and to those who do not believe. The service is free of charge and allows an individual to engage with it in his or her own way. Indeed, there is very little for the congregation to do – you need only join in the Apostles’ Creed (if you want to), sing some hymns, and perhaps say a few Amens. Its 470-year-old choral music tradition – established around 1549 –  is performed live by our choir to a very high standard. More about the history of Choral Evensong can be found on the Choral Evensong website.

So treat yourself, come along and enjoy this elegant, peaceful and beautiful service and find an increasingly rare opportunity for rest and contemplation once a month.

Fakenham Parish Church Choir

We are serious as a church about protecting your personal data. In preparation for the new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that took effect on 25 May 2018, we have carried out an audit of the personal data we hold and have developed a Data Privacy Policy which we will abide by and which is now available to view here: Data Privacy Policy. This means we have put in place measures to ensure that we collect, use and store your data in accordance with the principles of the GDPR.

Please do feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns by in the first instance emailing us at keith@fakenhamparishchurch.org.uk, or by calling us on 01328 862268.

Our monthly Messy Church will take place this Sunday, 3rd June at 2.30pm. It’s a once-a-month time of creative activities, worship and sharing a meal together. There  is a different theme each month and all the games, and craft activities as well as the decoration of the church, fit in with the theme: you can find more information about what takes place on our Messy Church page. 

We’d love to see you and don’t worry if you’ve not been before, it’s fun and relaxed and we have a really good time.

This Saturday 2nd June at 10.30am, our latest Saturday Morning Music offering is Top of the (Tudor) Pops – a little different to the TOTP we may all have known and loved, but it’s going to be great. As normal, the whole event is free, withe refreshments also free. And it’s informal too so please feel free to join or leave as and when you wish to. We’re really enjoying putting on these events and the response has been fantastic so we look forward to another fabulous gig on Saturday – why not join us?

The Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich has announced that he will be retiring early next year.

In his announcement, Bishop Graham says:

“I intend to retire as Bishop of Norwich early next year, and will conclude my public ministry at a service in Norwich Cathedral on Sunday 25 November 2018, the final Sunday of the Christian year.

“I will use the following weeks to draw my involvement with many local organisations and charities to a close, and also to disengage from a number of national responsibilities.

“It’s been a privilege and honour to serve as Bishop of Norwich for almost 19 years, and Julie and I will find it hard to leave. We are returning to Cornwall (to Truro) but the Diocese of Norwich and her people will always have a big place in our hearts. Thank you for all your support.

“Please pray for us as we prepare for this new chapter in our lives, as well as for those who will be responsible for the appointment of my successor.

“May God continue to bless you and this diocese.

“+Graham Norvic:”

A service of reflection through words and music for Pentecost. Please feel welcome to come along and enjoy the tranquillity and peace of a reflective service of Celtic liturgy.