A Christmas Message from Bishop Julie
In the second of a series of four Advent Sunday messages from our three Bishops, Bishop Julie talks about one of the core themes of our vision, 'Growing braver, fuller faith'.
News
Epiphany/Vision Sunday resource pack
Churches across the Diocese of Chester are being invited to use the season of Epiphany to pray for the diocesan vision by holding a Vision Sunday service. To support this an Epiphany/Vision Sunday resource pack titled 'Together in Christ, Sharing Hope.'
New Bishop’s Advisers for Licensed Lay Ministers
The Ministry Team at Church House is delighted to welcome two new members of staff. Jeanette Howe and Karen MacMillan jointly share the role of Bishop’s Adviser for Licensed Lay Ministers, working the equivalent of a full-time role.
Advent Sunday message from Bishop Mark
In the first of a series of four Advent Sunday messages from our three Bishops, Bishop Mark talks about one of the core themes of our vision, "Blessing 1.5 million lives, one life at a time."
Greater than the sum of their parts
Hope Central is a Christian charity committed to bringing hope and relieving poverty in Cheshire East. It was formed by three churches working together to bring help and services to the local community, which they wouldn't have been able to provide independently of each other.
COP 28 Statement sent to Prime Minister
Bishop Julie and other senior clergy from Churches Together in the Merseyside region have collectively written and signed a letter to the Prime Minister to offer their support and prayers for the COP28 Summit.
New Children and Youth Advisor
Katy Herrera is the new Families, Children, and Youth Advisor. Based at Church House, she will be supporting parishes to develop faith among children and young people in their homes, schools and churches across the diocese.
Join the Song - This Christmas
The Church of England has released a Christmas single, as part of a campaign encouraging people to come to church, sing carols, and celebrate the real meaning of Christmas.
Church of England releases Advent Calendar
The Church of England has released its first-ever printed Advent Calendar, inviting people to put the birth of Jesus at the heart of their Christmas preparations.
Bishop William visits our Diocese
Bishop William from the Diocese of Boga, visited the Diocese of Chester recently taking in the sights, praying with us and meeting people. Among his many stops, was Bishop's House where Bishop Mark asked him about his time in Boga and how we can pray for its people.
Readers and Pastoral Workers Gather at Community Days
Pastoral Workers and Readers from across the Diocese of Chester gathered together earlier this month, as part of two community days for licensed lay ministers, which included over 70 Readers and over 50 Pastoral Workers.
Parish Nursing
Parish Nursing enables local churches to offer help and advice in a nursing context, to people during their visits to church or community centre. We visit St Saviours Church in Stockport to see Parish Nursing in action.
What does fundraising look like?
For Revd Hannah Hupfield, fundraising has looked like... spending every single night in October sleeping in a cold, damp, and draughty tent in her back garden, but in her own words, "I loved every minute of it".
Church of England awards £9 million to help parishes
The Church of England has awarded £9 million to dioceses for repairs and specialist advice to parishes, with the Diocese of Chester to receive £123,750.
Pastoral Supervision – Places available
Described by one of our own Clergy as, “The most helpful thing for me in ministry”, Pastoral Supervision is available for clergy who want to gain insight and space for reflection in a relaxed and informal context. To experience how this might benefit you, there’s a 1-day course on 30 November.
Lucy Moore to speak at Growing Faith Conference
Lucy Moore, creator of Messy Church, and Head of the Growing Faith Foundation will be the keynote speaker at our Growing Faith Conference on 02 December 2023, open to anyone interested in developing and growing the faith of children and young people.
BBC visits St Mary's, Stockport
BBC Radio Manchester presenter, Mike Sweeney spoke with Revd Chris Blunt (pictured) when he visited Stockport to take in the sights and sounds of the town's market and adjacent church, St Mary's.
Cathedral to host unique debating forum
Chester Cathedral will launch a debate forum this October to create a space where big topics affecting our local, national, and global communities such as climate change, free speech, the distribution of wealth, and issues of race and gender can be discussed, explored, and learnt about in a central space in Chester.
Revd Dan Harris chairs international exhibition
The Moorman Library, celebrated it’s 50th year, in Rome with an exhibition titled ‘ Sharing Treasures and Inpiration in the Anglican Centre, Rome. It was attended by Anglicans from around the world including the Archbishop of Canterbury and our own, Revd Dan Harris.
Richard Walker to take up new ordained discernment role and Cathedral post
The Bishop of Chester is delighted to announce that in the new year the Reverend Richard Walker will be taking up the new post of Bishop’s Adviser for Diocesan Discernment of Ordained Ministry, and Residentiary Canon Diocesan at Chester Cathedral.
House of Bishops agrees to commend Prayers of Love and Faith
The Church of England’s House of Bishops has agreed in principle that prayers asking for God’s blessing for same-sex couples – known as Prayers of Love and Faith – should be commended for use.
Church Chats
Christ Church in Higher Bebington is helping people who are struggling with mental illness, to talk through their issues with professional therapists, who visit the church on a weekly basis. It's all part of a new venture called 'Church Chats'.
Licensing of Pastoral Workers and Readers
Eight Pastoral Workers and four Readers were licensed at a special service at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 07 October. The service was led by the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner. The service can be viewed on the Chester Cathedral YouTube channel
The Light House Church Opens
After years of development, from the idea to the final completion of the building, the Lighthouse Church in Heswall was officially opened on 05 October 2023. The building sits on the same ground of the previous Church of the Good Shepherd and has been completely reimagined to better serve the community.
Waterways Chaplaincy
John Phillips is a Churchwarden at St James Church, Ince, and also a Waterways Chaplain on the stretch of canal between the Ellesmere Port Boat Museum and Chester. He describes it as a very rewarding role, but what does it actually involve?
New role for Revd Jenny Bridgman
On Monday, 25 September 25, at a service at Church House, Bishop Sam licensed Revd Jenny Bridgman to a new role as Bishop’s Adviser for Curate Development and Clergy Transitions.
What is an Ecumenical Officer?
Reverend Beverley Jameson is the Vicar at St Mary's, Lymm. She also has a secondary role as the Ecumenical Officer for the Diocese of Chester, but what does that involve?
Parish and town councils can provide support to churches
Legislation clarifying that parish and town councils can provide support to churches for repairs and improvements has cleared its final stages in the House of Lords.
Admission of Children to Holy Communion before Confirmation
Arrangements for the Admission of Children to Holy Communion before Confirmation were revised at Diocesan Synod in March this year.. A new information pack has been published, which provides full details of the new arrangments, including background information.
Digital Giving devices on their way to Parishes
Fifty free contactless donation devices are being handed over to parishes across the diocese, enabling them to accept donations via a contactless card machine that can automatically process donations through the swipe of a bank card.
