The conference is a yearly event to celebrate the global impact that sending shoeboxes has across the world; to give thanks to God for the many blessings that have been witnessed in 2025 and previous years; to support and affirm the many UK volunteers and partners involved.
The theme verse for the conference was Philippians 1:27: “Only conduct yourselves in a
manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. So that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The conference commenced on the Friday evening with worship, led by staff based at the ministry centre. Debra said, “our experience of volunteering with OCC, is that we commence and end with prayer and thanksgiving to God.”
Delegates attending had opportunity to hear a positive and detailed presentation of the impact of shoeboxes sent across the world in the name of the Jesus.
Mark said, “in our four years of serving, it has become very apparent that we are in a family culture that seeks to affirm one another in prayer, words and actions. Volunteers repeatedly received thanks and encouragement from local and global staff and most significantly from the mouths of children, now adults, serving in the name of the gospel, due to receiving a shoebox.”
The full picture of OCC was celebrated, given that this ministry started in the UK 1993, and has now grown to be one of the biggest ministries to support churches to reach out to their own communities with a tangible gift and the gospel message.
All ministries need workers, both paid and voluntary, a message was given us to follow these
guidelines:
Delegates were invited to pray and encourage new volunteers for this ministry. Mark said, “when I look back over many years, the invite to serve has brought blessings, we find this very much in volunteering with OCC. God has a plan for us, whatever age you are.”
Those interested in more information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school,
group or business; volunteering, please contact Mark and Debra Watkins
at markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com
OCC is a ministry that sits within Christian organisation Samaritans Purse. For more information visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk
Pictured above left to right, Mark; Cynthia (child recipient of shoebox and now OCC
volunteer with her husband, Moses and new baby Immanuel; Debra and Trish Regional
manager.
An opportunity to hear about the work of Operation Christmas Child, alongside delicious tea and cake, is on Saturday 4th July 2- 4pm at Thetford Baptist Church. Click for details
Norfolk Christian Bookshop Christmas pop-up shops
Green Pastures Christian Bookshop in Dereham will be hosting Christmas pop-up shops across the county in November and December.
Report reveals encouraging growth across Diocese
Rising Mass attendance, growing numbers of catechumens and increased participation in the sacraments are among the encouraging signs highlighted in the annual report of the Diocese of East Anglia.
Historic Norfolk churches share £1.2m in grants
Half a dozen Norfolk churches have shared in the latest Historic England grants boost of £41 million through its Places of Worship Renewal Fund and the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.
(Author: Keith Morris)
YMCA Norfolk Awards start 170th celebrations
Young people, volunteers and staff were recognised for their achievements at YMCA Norfolk's Annual Celebration and Pride of YMCA Norfolk Awards on Thursday October 15.
Securing the future for E Anglian Christian centre
Churches and Christian organisations across East Anglia, including many in Norfolk, are being asked to support an appeal to secure the future of Sizewell Hall in Suffolk for future generations.
(Author: Tony Rothe)
600 pupils gather at Schools Mass in Norwich
More than 600 pupils from schools across the Diocese of East Anglia gathered at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist for the Annual Schools’ Mass on Friday September 25.
New lay ministers licensed for Diocese of Norwich
Half a dozen new Licensed Lay Ministers (LLM) were licensed for the Diocese of Norwich at Norwich Cathedral on Saturday September 19.
Bishop of Norwich relieved after assisted dying vote
The Bishop of Norwich said he is “relieved” that MPs voted against proposals to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales in Parliament today, bringing the latest effort to change the law to an end.
(Author: Keith Morris)
Uncertain future of Norfolk parishes is debated
The Future of the Rural Parish was debated at a conference in Norwich on September 5, with issues such as large benefices, long clergy vacancies and underfunding being discussed.
Norfolk prayer walks include one on the No 42 bus
A series of prayer walks, including one on the No 42 bus, took place across the Diocese of Norwich on September 1, with people gathering to pray for their local churches, schools, communities and the Mission strategy.
Volunteers accreditation boost for YMCA Norfolk
YMCA Norfolk has achieved the prestigious Investors in Volunteers (IiV) accreditation, the UK's recognised quality standard for organisations that work with volunteers, with over 50 volunteers contributing 4,645 hours of their time in the last year.
Norfolk church receives prize as annual bike ride approaches
As the 2026 Norfolk Churches Bike Ride approaches on September 12, prizes have been given out for participants in last year’s annual event.
Norfolk appeal to help Nepal flash flooding victims
The Norfolk based Christian CEO of charity Street Child has appealed to Christians and churches across the county to support its appeal to help the victims of the flash flooding in Nepal.
Norfolk hospital team provide spiritual healthcare
The Spiritual Healthcare team at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital have touched a staggering 116,560 patients, relatives and staff in recorded encounters over the past 15 years. Its Head, Rev Adrian Woodbridge, reports.
Norfolk parishes under pressure - join the debate
Rural parishes across the country are under pressure, including in Norfolk, and a meeting to address some of the issues is set to be held in Norwich in September and all are welcome to attend.
East Anglia bishop voices opposition to assisted dying bill
The Bishop of East Anglia has re-stated his opposition to the reintroduction of the assisted dying Bill and echoed the sentiments of Prime Minister Andy Burnham who said he thinks that palliative care should be better funded before the matter is debated.
(Author: Keith Morris)
YMCA Norfolk project wins World Impact Award
A Norfolk Christian charity has won an international award for its work in offering mental health wellbeing pathways to over 1200 young people.
Norfolk surgeons transforming lives in floating hospitals
Two Norfolk plastic surgeons are using their God-given skills to help transform lives in floating hospitals with the Mercy Ships charity in sub-Saharan Africa.
Sixteen new Norfolk priests and deacons welcomed
Sixteen men and women were ordained this weekend to serve in parishes across Norfolk and Waveney.
(Author: Helen Baldry)
Norfolk MP champions churches in Parliament
South Norfolk MP Ben Goldsborough has been championing churches in his constituency and the availability of a new £92m Places of Worship Renewal Fund to provide grants for urgent repairs and essential capital improvements.
Golden celebration of Norfolk Churches Trust
A celebration service was held at Norwich Cathedral on June 17 to mark the golden jubilee of the Norfolk Churches Trust.
Norwich celebration marks 3,300 years of marriage
More than 200 people gathered at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Norwich on June 13for the Diocese of East Anglia’s annual Marriage Celebration Mass, led by Bishop Peter Collins.
Norfolk Mothers Union members are salt and light
The Bishop of Norwich’s spoke at Mothers’ Union’s Festival Service at Norwich Cathedral where grassroot Mothers’ Union members were celebrated as being both salt and light in our communities; making big differences in small ways to the lives of others.
Call to join in churches' nature week across Norfolk
It’s Churches Count on Nature week from June 6 to Sunday June 14 and the Bishop of Norwich, who is also the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment, is inviting everyone to get involved and explore the natural wonders of our churchyards.
Christian retreat house looks for team members
Quiet Waters Christian retreat house is entering one of its busiest seasons, with a full programme, a growing number of self‑led quiet days, and ongoing stories of God’s provision shaping daily life.
YMCA Norfolk's £250k heritage history project
YMCA Norfolk has been awarded a £250k grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to save, share and celebrate its 170 years of social history, ensuring the important heritage is preserved and made accessible for future generations.
Norfolk faith leaders call for 1000 acts of hope
Faith leaders from across Norwich and Norfolk have issued a joint invitation to build hope-filled communities by collecting 1000 Acts of Hope.
Pilgrims gather at Walsingham to mark 50th anniversary
Hundreds of pilgrims from across the Diocese of East Anglia gathered at Walsingham on May 4 to celebrate their annual pilgrimage, held this year on the Feast of the Feast of the English Martyrs.
Scores of Christian bikers gather in Norwich
Up to 80 leather-clad Christian motorcyclists gathered in Norwich on April 17 for the Christian Motorcyclists Association's (CMA) AGM and Fellowship Weekend.
Bishop defeats dragon on the streets of Norwich
Snap the Dragon was defeated on the streets of Norwich on April 23 – St George’s Day - by the Bishop of Thetford.
Bishops join in condemning antisemitic attacks
The Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher has joined the bishops of Gloucester, Chelmsford and Southwark in publishing a joint statement in response to the rise of antisemitism in Britain.
Norfolk churches hit by three crimes every week
Three crimes were recorded at churches and places of worship in Norfolk every single week last year on average, according to figures obtained by the Countryside Alliance from Norfolk Constabulary.
(Author: Keith Morris)
Celebrating Easter across the Diocese of Norwich
Church communities across the Diocese of Norwich have been sharing their Easter celebrations on social media and include Easter baskets, walks of witness, Easter Egg and craft events, sunrise communion, baptisms and Christenings.
Bishop of Norwich on Songs of Praise Maundy service
On Maundy Thursday the King and Queen will be at St Asaph Cathedral in north Wales when 154 people will be given specially-struck silver coins in recognition of their Christian service to their churches and communities.
Young people join YMCA Norfolk Sleep Easy
This year’s YMCA Norfolk Sleep Easy event on Friday March 6 saw an inspiring show of compassion and action from young people across its community.
Latest Norfolk Christian news
This is a roundup of the latest Christian news from across Norfolk.
Large numbers join Catholic Church in East Anglia
The number of candidates preparing to be received into the Catholic Church across England at Easter is at its highest level for 15 years, including in the Diocese of East Anglia.
(Author: Keith Morris)
Prayer is in the very DNA of Norwich says Greig
Prayer is in the very DNA of Norwich and has been for hundreds of years, says 24-7 Prayer movement founder and author Pete Greig, who spoke at several meetings at Soul Church in the city yesterday
Pete Greig to lead open Norwich prayer night
24-7 Prayer movement founder and author Pete Greig will lead a city-wide prayer night at Soul Church in Norwich on February 1 to which all churches and Christians across Norwich and Norfolk are invited.
Plough Sunday tradition returns in Norfolk churches
A tradition which was once a major event in the towns and villages of East Anglia will be celebrated in Anglican churches in Norfolk this weekend.
Diocese of Norwich trio honoured by King Charles
Three people connected to the Diocese of Norwich have received honours in the King’s New Year Honours List 2026, which recognises people who have achievements in public life or committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.
Suffolk sees 'encouraging' church attendance rise
Church of England churches in Suffolk have seen a rise in congregation numbers – surpassing the overall national increase in church attendance this year.
Live as pilgrims of hope says Bishop of East Anglia
In his Christmas message the Bishop of East Anglia urges us, amid a troubled world, to embrace the true hope revealed in Christ’s birth and to live as faithful pilgrims of hope.
YMCA Norfolk's Christmas appeal to community
This Christmas, YMCA Norfolk is calling on the community to come together and make a real difference for young people and families across Norfolk who are struggling.
Bishop of Norwich's Christmas message of joy
In his Christmas message, Bishop of Norwich, the Rt Rev Graham Usher, shares his address reflecting on the significance and complexity of joy in times of division.
Claim back St George's cross says Bishop of Norwich
We need to claim back the St George’s cross and welcome refugees into our community, was the message of Bishop of Norwich Graham Usher when addressing the annual ecumenical celebration of unity hosted by Churches Together in Norfolk and Waveney.
Norfolk prayers included as Eternal Wall project begins
Construction has begun on the UK’s largest Christian landmark near Birmingham – the Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer – and Norfolk prayers will be among those included.
(Author: Keith Morris)
James is new Norwich Diocese eco-chaplain
This summer 24-year-old James Lee became an eco-chaplain. He is one of the Diocese of Norwich’s first four eco-chaplains – trained and commissioned to help parishes embed creation care in their mission and ministry.
Norwich Bishop's concerns on new refugee plans
The Bishop of Norwich has accused Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of "lumping all asylum seekers together" in her plans for changing the immigration system.
Norfolk faith communities given a royal thank-you
Faith representatives from across Norfolk have been thanked by King Charles III, through HM Lord-Lieutenant, Lady Phillipa Dannatt, at an evening to celebrate their community work, held at County Hall in Norwich on Monday night.
(Author: Keith Morris)