Creamfields volunteers wanted
Rev’d Jane Proudfoot is looking for volunteers to be part of an ecumenical team to listen, love and care for the festival-goers at Creamfields, the biggest dance festival in the UK.
News
Please pray for those being ordained priest
Please pray for all those who have been called to ordained ministry, in particular, we give thanks to God for those who are to be ordained priest at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 10th June, as well as Jonathan Roberts, who is due to be ordained on the 15th June in Coppenhall.
Chester Cathedral to Commemorate National Refugee Week
Chester Cathedral will be participating in National Refugee Week, taking place from Monday 19th June to Sunday 25th June. As a City of Sanctuary, Chester aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, emphasising the importance of compassion.
Bishop Mark: 'Together in Christ, Sharing Hope'
The launch of a new vision for the Church in the Diocese of Chester took another step forward on Saturday 20 May when Bishop Mark shared for the first time what it is he has noticed and what he has identified as the themes and priorities to have emerged from the consultation process, Casting the Net Wide.
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Building to return into Cathedral’s care
A partnership between Barclays Bank plc, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Cathedral will see a major piece of the Cathedral’s architectural heritage return into the Cathedral’s care during the summer/autumn of 2023.
Free contactless giving devices available
50 free contactless donation devices are now available to churches across the diocese. It's part of a national rollout to offer more donation options to people visiting our churches. If your church would like one of the devices you will need to complete the application form via 'Parish Buying'.
Watch the Vision Feedback Event here
If you can't make it to Chester Cathedral on Saturday 20 May, or join in at one of the four "watch parties" dotted around the diocese, then you can watch the service on YouTube here from 11am.
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Global Majority heritage participants encouraged
The project team behind an exhibition exploring links between Chester Cathedral and the British Empire is actively encouraging people from Global Majority backgrounds to participate in a series of events between the 18 and 30 May.
Leave plenty of time for your journey on Saturday
Those taking part or attending the live Vision Feedback Event on Saturday are urged to leave plenty of time for their journey. The M56 between junctions 11 and 12 will be closed in both directions on Saturday for planned works to demolish a decommissioned bridge.
Final preparations for Saturday's live event
Staff and volunteers at the Cathedral and four locations around the diocese are making final preparations ahead of Saturday's live Vision Feedback Event. The ambitious service will see people from each location contribute to the service via a live video link.
Cathedral exhibition to explore legacy of Empire
Chester Cathedral is preparing for its first exhibition looking at relationships between the 900-year-old Cathedral and the British Empire in its history. Imperial Legacies, Sacred Space exhibit will occupy the South Transept of the Cathedral and opens to the public on Thursday 18 May.
General Synod to meet in November
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, as Presidents of the General Synod of the Church of England, have agreed to proceed with a November meeting of Synod this year. The group of sessions will be held in London from Monday November 13 to Wednesday November 15.
Churches across the diocese celebrate the coronation
It was a weekend filled with celebration across the diocese as churches held all kinds of events to mark the occasion of King Charles lll being formally crowned as monarch of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey.
Ringing for the King in Astbury
The King's Coronation has ignited a newfound interest in bell ringing at St Mary's in Astbury, with 23 new members joining in the last few months alone. Bishop Sam went to meet the new recruits ahead of the Coronation.
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New podcast 'Glimpses of Grace'
The Bishop of Chester has launched Glimpses of Grace, a new podcast with the aim of “capturing the grace and love of God around our Diocese”. Co-hosting the podcast alongside him is Rachel Hsuan, Acting Director of Operations at Bishop’s House. Available now on all popular streaming sites.
Diocesan Environment Forum attend 'The Big One'
Members of the diocesan Environment Forum joined environmental campaigners from across the country, including the former Archbishop of York, to travel down to London for “The Big One” climate protest.
Count on Nature at St Mary’s Upton
Count on Nature is an initiative developed by Caring for God’s Acre, which focuses on the brilliant wildlife to be found in churchyards. Jane Hill, Secretary of the St Mary’s Eco Group has been instrumental in counting numerous species of plants and animals since 2021.
Thy Kingdom Come: 18 - 28 May 2023
Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.
Bishops to share emerging themes from diocesan consultation at Chester Cathedral
A special event at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 20th May will provide an opportunity for the bishops to give their feedback on the broad themes and priorities that they see emerging from the vision consultation, Casting the Net Wide. All are welcome to join them at the feedback event.
Digital donations to churches on the increase
There has been a significant increase in donations made to churches using digital payment methods, such as online, QR codes, and contactless, both nationally and within the Diocese of Chester.
The Great Hot Cross Bun Givaway
On a glorious sunny Good Friday day in Chester, Vicar of St Peter's in Chester, Jonathan Phillips and his team are giving away a massive amount of Hot Cross Buns to the people of Chester in celebration of Good Friday.
Bishop Mark encourages diocese in sermon
In his Maundy Thursday sermon at Chester Cathedral, the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, urged the Diocese of Chester to "rediscover the freedom of doing the one thing we can do for God and to do it brilliantly."
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TLT recognised for its work supporting communities
In a recent newsletter sent out nationally to its supporters, the Church Urban Fund featured St Paul's Church, Stalybridge and the work it is undertaking alongside Transforming Lives Together to offer welcome and hope to the local community through its Places of Welcome initiative.
Vicar who was told he was 'a bit overweight' takes on Ironman
When Revd Stuart Cornes's doctor said that he was "a bit overweight" he came up with the idea of combining a bit of keep-fit with a way to raise money for essential church repairs by entering the Ironman 70.3 Staffordshire competition.
Donations from Churchwardens to support 'Filling the Gap'
At the Archdeacons' Visitation Services, the Churchwardens in attendance traditionally make a donation to charity and this year the Archdeacons have chosen Transforming Lives Together as their charity of choice. The money raised will go towards funding the 'Filling the Gap' initiative.
Environment Forum Chair urges care for creation
As the daffodils dazzle and spring blooms all around, the Chair of the diocesan Environment Forum, the Revd Mike Loach, has written a reflection for the diocesan Cycle of Prayer in which he urges us all to consider God's creation.
Write a poem about the vision process, Casting the Net Wide
Poets of all standards and experience are invited to join April's Poetry Break, the theme of which will be the diocesan vision process, Casting the Net Wide. Attendees can contribute their own verses or simply enjoy listening to others recite theirs.
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New chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel
Alisa Wilson has been announced as the new chair for DSAP, Diocesan Safeguarding Advisory Panel. Alisa is an independent safeguarding consultant and chartered manager supporting a national cancer charity in their delivery of safeguarding.
Being Bishop of Chester 'changes me every single day'
Bishop Mark has told the BBC that being the Bishop of Chester "changes him every single day". In an interview on BBC Merseyside, he reflected on his time in the diocese since his appointment three years ago and told presenter Paul Beesley about his new book, Clinging to the Cross.
Counting wildlife in ‘undisturbed’ churchyards
Parishes across England and Wales can now register to participate in Churches Count on Nature, an annual scheme where people visit churchyards and record the plant and animal species they encounter.
