Churches across the Diocese are being invited to enter nominations for this year's National Church Awards.
Known as the BAFTA's for churches, the event has awards in architecture, volunteering, tourism and in many other categories.
It is organised by the National Churches Trust in partnership with the Pilgrim Trust, Marsh Charitable Trust, the Ecclesiastical Architects & Surveyors Association and Mercers’ Company.
Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said the awards are a good way to celebrate churches and the importance to communities.
She added: “Churches are the beating hearts of communities. They contribute £55 billion of economic and social good each year, bringing communities together to help them to thrive. We are excited to host an awards ceremony that showcases their importance, as well as the many other wonderful ways they contribute to society. This is a great opportunity for people across the UK to join with us in celebrating local churches and their buildings.”
Canon Easter, former Chaplain to the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who hosted the awards last year, and will be returning as host this year said: “It was a great privilege to host these awards last year. It was lovely to see churches from across the whole of the UK nominated and cheered on by their communities. But there are many more churches doing wonderful work, and I hope they will enter for an award this year.”
Churches can nominate themselves for an award by going to: www.nationalchurchestrust.org/awards23
Nominations will close on July 23, 2023, with judging then taking place by church and heritage experts. The awards ceremony will take place on Monday 6 November at the Mercer’s Hall, London.
The Churches Trust works in partnership with churches across the UK to keep them open and in use. Whether seeking quiet reflection, access to critical community services, a warm welcome or a place to worship, it believes churches should be loved and supported, and available to all. Working together with churches across all four nations, the trust helps to maintain these wonderful historic buildings and keep them thriving today, and tomorrow.