The summer is officially over, and we are now into autumn, a season that brings with it certain weather conditions and natural phenomena that can cause damage to church buildings. If left unchecked and unresolved, damage can become much more of an issue come winter, costing more money and time to fix.
The Director for Vocations in the Diocese of Chester has confirmed that Called to Serve, will go ahead on Saturday 04 February 2023. The flagship event will be held at Foxhill and is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to consider what it is God might be calling them to be and do.
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In the week when the nation mourns the passing of our monarch, the Everyday Faith team made some changes to its planned deanery event in Elworth to honour the example of Christian discipleship and everyday faith set by Queen Elizabeth.
The Revd Canon Ian Davenport, someone well known to the Diocese of Chester, reflects on being a chaplain to the Queen and what he says was “the greatest privilege" of his life. It's a role he held until her passing on 08 September 2022.
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Ceremonies to proclaim the accession to the throne of King Charles III have taken place across the Diocese of Chester. From Sandbach to Stockport, Neston to Northwich, people came to hear the news and to hold the King and the Royal Family in prayer.
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Services of thanksgiving at Chester Cathedral and other locations around the diocese will be held this week ahead of the state funeral for the late Queen on Monday 19 September. Parishes are encouraged to list their services on A Church Near You.
Parishes are encouraged to list services of thanksgiving for the late Queen on A Church Near You. It only takes a few moments to update your details and doing so will ensure anyone searching for details of a local service can easily find them.
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Click for a list of ceremonies taking place around the diocese at which Charles III will be proclaimed king. The Queen's funeral will take place on Monday 19 September. 2022.
Following the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Bishop Mark talks with Lisa Marrey from BBC Radio Merseyside about her legacy and the impact that she had around the world. For Mark, who was born in Canada, she was also the Queen of his homeland.
The bishops of the diocese and other senior leaders, as well as clergy and lay leaders around the Diocese of Chester have been offering prayers and tributes to Her Late Queen Elizabeth II, and staff at Church House briefly interrupted their work to pray in the chapel.
Parish churches, cathedrals, and chapels across the country have been open for prayer and reflection. Queues of people have been filing into Chester Cathedral and parish churches to pay their respects.
Called to Serve, the flagship diocesan vocations event, will take place in February 2023. The Revd Canon Sarah Fenby confirmed that it will take place on 04 February at Foxhill. The day is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to consider what it is God might be calling them to be and do.
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The Bishop of Chester has offered prayers for Queen Elizabeth II and her family following the news of her passing on 08 September 2022. He says: "We look to you, her Lord and ours, her saviour and ours."
Church bells are expected to be tolled across England tomorrow following the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Guidance from the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers recommends tolling bells for one hour from noon tomorrow.
Bishop Mark has paid tribute to the Queen, saying: "We pray with gratitude for her long, wise, and compassionate reign. We pray for our nation and the Commonwealth. We pray for the Royal Family in their loss and grieving. And, in particular, we pray for our King."
General guidance for parish churches on marking the passing of the Sovereign is and is being shared with parishes. It contains advice on flying flags at half-mast and opening books of condolence.
The start of the new season heralds the unveiling of an exciting new project at the end of the month when the Bishop of Chester will launch the vision development process for the Diocese of Chester. The grassroots consultation promises to "cast the net wide"
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For the second year in a row, St Michael’s Church in Middlewich partnered with its local running group, Run Middlewich, to organise a charity half-marathon event. In total, 42 runners ran the half-marathon, starting and finishing in the churchyard.
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An art installation and the volunteers that helped make it a success in Birkenhead have been praised for the impact it has had. According to Wirral Council, the Knife Angel had a "phenomenal" impact on local residents and visitors from far and wide.
Sheena Wilson has joined the team at Church House where she has begun her role as Buildings for Mission Advisor working in the Outreach Team
Volunteers from churches around Warrington and Runcorn have been supporting young Creamfields festival goers by offering support, space and conversation. Now into its fourth year one festival goer described the volunteers as "inspirational".
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The Church of England will be continuing to provide support for victims of church-based abuse, following a successful two-year pilot of the Safe Spaces service. Since the service began in September 2020, a team of trained support advocates has supported more than 300 victims.
A number of diocesan events are planned for the autumn, including a special service to celebrate our different abilities, a service to mark World Mental Health Day, our annual lay licensing service at Chester Cathedral, and an event exploring love across the Abrahamic religions.
After a two and a-half-year hiatus, All Angels Church in Middlewich are due to reopen their heritage trail. The trail, is a project designed to reveal the fascinating history of St Michael’s, its contents and its people, and the links they all had to the town of Middlewich through the centuries.
All Saints in Hoole are currently hosting all-inclusive break for older members of the Church Family and the local community. The event lasts from 17 – 19 August and is themed around a trip to the Caribbean and includes a variety of activities, games and excursions for people to enjoy during the 3-day experience.
Bishops Mark, Julie, and Sam have joined their peers from across the Anglican Communion at the Lambeth Conference which runs from 26 July to 08 August. Please pray for all who are attending, the conversations they will have and the fellowship they will share.
Hundreds of children received prayers and encouraging words for the next stage of their school journey. They congregated at Chester Cathedral for the traditional leavers' service which takes place as children move from primary to secondary school.
The Bishop of Birkenhead has thanked the outgoing DSAP Chair, David Hermitt, for his role in "establishing a better safeguarding culture" in the Diocese of Chester. David has resigned from the Chair after being co-opted to serve on General Synod.
Around 40 people from parishes in the deaneries of Chadkirk, Stockport, and Mottram braved the heat at the latest Everyday Faith deanery event to learn more about how the local church can encourage people to live out their faith in everyday life.
We are asking all parishes to urgently submit their returns for 2021 energy usage ahead of the 31st July 2022 deadline. After this date, the returns form will close until April 2023, when it will be reopened for submission of 2022 data.
