Prayer gathering Saturday 13 March
A prayer gathering was held on Zoom on Saturday 13 March to pray for the appointment process of the two new bishops. A recording of the prayer gathering is available to view on YouTube here. Bishop Mark encourages all to continue praying for the discernment process and those God is calling to serve as a bishop in the Diocese of Chester.
Download the Information Pack
Bishop Mark's Advisory Group
Next steps in the discernment process
Praying for the discernment process
The Diocese of Chester has been given permission to appoint two new bishops.
Bishop Mark is responsible for nominating the two new suffragan bishops to the Prime Minister who in turn puts forward the names to the Crown for approval. Bishop Mark is assisted in the discernment process by a diocesan advisory group.
As part of the discernment process, hundreds of people responded to a diocesan survey seeking views and comments about the two bishop posts.
In response to the successful survey, Bishop Mark said: “Thank you to everyone that took the time to share their views on the future Bishops of Stockport and Birkenhead. I was overwhelmed by the breadth and wisdom of the feedback. These give a good indication of the individual qualities we hope the future bishops will bring to the roles and also a reminder of the deep faith and warm enthusiasm we have in this diocese for all that God has for us and the communities we serve. Please continue to pray.”
Information Pack
Bishop Mark, assisted by a diocesan advisory group and the Bishop's Council, has set out a description of the two bishop roles and an overview of the diocese in an Information Pack which has been made available to potential candidates.
Bishop Mark's Advisory Group
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Chair of the House of Laity |
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Incumbent of St John the Baptist, Hartford |
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Curate at Christ Church Chester |
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Dean of Chester Cathedral |
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Chief Executive Officer of Congleton Multi-Academy Trust |
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Retired Reader at St Peter’s Hale and Lay Chair of Bowdon Deanery |
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Bishop of Doncaster |
Next steps in the discernment process
- Bishop Mark would be grateful for your prayers for the discernment process
- Candidate interviews are expected to be held in March
- An announcement on the appointment of the two new bishops is expected in May
Praying for the discernment process
A prayer gathering was held on Zoom on Saturday 13 March to pray for the appointment process of the two new bishops. A recording of the prayer gathering is available to view here and all are encouraged to continue praying for the discernment process and those God is calling to the roles.
Almighty God,
who sent Jesus Christ
to be the cornerstone of your Kingdom
and calls us to follow him.
Guide your Church, by the Holy Spirit,
to show humility, love and mercy as we seek your Kingdom.
We pray for those you are calling
to be the next bishops of Stockport and Birkenhead
and for those discerning that call.
Lead and strengthen them to answer your call;
in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.