There are just a few days left to contribute to the diocesan-wide vision process which has been gathering the views of people in our churches and communities with the aim of developing a shared vision for the Church in the Diocese of Chester.
Anyone is welcome to attend one of the remaining Vision Cafe events that are still to be held between now and the end of March.
If you are unable to attend one of these Vision Cafe events, an online survey can be completed up until Monday 13 March.
The grassroots consultation process, called Casting the Net Wide, began in the autumn of 2022. Since then, people of all backgrounds, ages, gender, and tradition have contributed their ideas and thoughts on how the Church can develop a new vision and strategy for the future.
The responses and contributions are being collated and a team made up of senior staff, including the three bishops, will review the responses before discerning what should be the key priorities and strategic aims for the Church in the Diocese of Chester.
Harriet Roberts, who has been leading the project on behalf of the Bishop of Chester, says it has been a blessing to speak with so many people: "Over the last six months and across every corner of the diocese, I have spoken with thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds. The way in which people have embraced the Vision Cafes has been really exciting. However, the hard work is still to come as we discern those priorities that are at the heart of the consultation and shape these into a strategic plan for the coming years."
An event at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 20th May at 11am will be an opportunity to celebrate the vision process so far and to feedback to the diocese on some of the overarching themes and priorities to have come out of the consultation. Further details about the event will be published on the diocesan website, Eventbrite page, and E-Bulletin in the coming weeks.
The first Vision Cafe event was held in Grappenhall in September