Additional clergy support groups available
The Diocese of Chester is creating additional clergy support groups which any member of the clergy can join. The announcement of the additional clergy support comes following a challenging Christmas.
News
She's in the Army now
The Revd Ailsa Whorton has successfully passed an intensive training course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and remains a self-supporting minister with PTO in the Diocese of Chester.
Bishop of London responds to new restrictions
Following Prime Minister, Boris Johnson's statement detailing new restrictions in England to control the spread of Covid-19, the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who chairs the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, has issued a response.
A reflection from the Archdeacon of Chester
In the first of this year's reflections, Mike Gilbertson, The Archdeacon of Chester, imagines how things might be different if each one of us were to grow closer to Jesus in 2021 in both prayer and in our daily lives.
Chester Diocesan News now available
The January edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available. It includes a reflection from Archdeacon Mike Gilbertson, an article on being 'Called to Serve', and a list of forthcoming events.
A message from Bishop Mark at Christmas
The Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, has recorded a short Christmas message for the whole diocese in which he reminds us that even in "this strangest of years, Christ is with us."
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Clergy housing emergency cover
Church House will be closed from lunchtime on Wednesday 23 December and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021. In the event of a clergy housing emergency, please contact one of the two named contractors.
Comfort and Joy across the diocese
As Christmas approaches, we wanted to give you a taste of some of the different ways parishes around the Diocese of Chester are sharing comfort and joy with congregations and the wider community.
Everyday prayer in a pandemic
How have parishes adapted their prayer lives during the pandemic? Archdeacon Mike and Emily Allen, Church Buildings Missioner, discuss this and hear from three parishes about the ways they've shared prayer in 2020.
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Thanks for supporting our young people
In this Church House Blog, Jonathan Masters, Children and Families Missioner, thanks those who have worked with and supported children, young people and families with their parish this year.
Can I pray for you?
Emily Allen, Church Building Missioner, says prayer is a gift we can all give freely with those we love and know, as well as those we don’t, and encourages us to be bolder and braver in offering prayer to others this Christmas time.
Macclesfield church opens food club
Churches are increasingly involved in running and supporting food clubs – often known as pantries – helping families to cut their food bills amid the long-term economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Christmas reflection from Archdeacon Ian
Writing in the December edition of Chester Diocesan News, the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Ian Bishop, finds there is comfort and joy to be found this Christmas if we put our faith in God.
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Starry Starry Night at Chester Cathedral
A magnificent art installation called 'Starry Starry Night ' by Peter Walker, designed as a stunning visual interpretation of the Star of Bethlehem is now open to the public at Chester Cathedral.
Driving a Drive-in Carol Service
This was to be a story about a simple carol service, but instead, it turned out to be a great example of how a church that engages with the community on a long term basis can be very worthwhile for both the church and for the community.
Chester Diocesan News out now
The Christmas edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available, which includes a reflection from The Archdeacon of Macclesfield and a feature on the 'Comfort and Joy' Christmas campaign.
Bishop and wife read story for adopted children
Bishop Mark and his wife Lindsay have recorded themselves reading a children's book in support of "Your Christmas", the Christmas campaign from adoption agency and children's charity, Adoption Matters.
Cathedral Christmas Tree Festival sees stars
Chester Cathedral's famous Christmas Tree Festival returns, with over 40 trees decorated by schools, local businesses and charities. The Dean says he wants it to bring "joy and hope" to Chester and beyond.
Outdoor congregational carol singing permitted
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has welcomed guidance from the Government permitting outdoor singing for places of worship in all tiers in England from 02 December.
Wallasey Unleashed
On Friday 27 November, the Revd Elaine White, curate in Liscard, Wallasey and her team, broadcast their inaugural TV show, 'Wallasey Unleashed'. Watch a recording of the live stream again on YouTube.
The ultimate online advent calendar
To bring some Christmas cheer this Advent, the dioceses of Chester, Manchester and Sheffield have teamed together to launch the Ultimate Online Advent Calendar, to be used in youth groups and schools.
A poem for advent
The Revd Steve Sheridan, the vicar of Chester St Oswald & St Thomas of Canterbury, has composed a poem for Advent about the symbolism of the Advent candles. The poem is titled "The Advent Wreath"
Public worship permitted from 02 December
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has welcomed the publication of the Government's Covid-19 Winter Plan, detailing that places of worship will be permitted to reopen for public worship from 02 December.
Comfort and Joy - Christmas Campaign
Created by the National Church of England, this year’s Christmas campaign, called ‘Comfort and Joy’ aims to bring some festive cheer to people and churches everywhere. A wealth of digital and print content is available.
Lockdown walking
After following in the footsteps of one of Antrobus' more famous former parishioners, Arnold Boyd of Antrobus, the Revd Alec Brown was inspired to put pen to paper and write a poem called 'Lockdown Walking'.
What has the lockdown done for us?
If we can find the positives in lockdown it is that we have been enabled to prioritise things in ways that we've never been able to before. In a short video, Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall offers her thoughts on the lockdown.
Future of Transforming Lives Together
Transforming Lives Together, the joint initiative between the Diocese of Chester and the Church Urban Fund is to pause all activities due to a shortage of guaranteed funding, forcing the Board to “re-evaluate the immediate futureâ€.
Foxhill to pause all residential activities
Foxhill has announced it has paused all residential activities until the 1st September 2021. Day events will continue once restrictions have been lifted. Foxhill Director, Jonathon Green, said the decisions have been made with a "heavy heart".
Diocesan thanks to Allchurches Trust
The Diocesan Secretary, George Colville, has expressed his gratitude and thanks to Allchurches Trust for its annual grant of just over £160,000 which is given to the Diocesan Board of Finance.Â
Disabled Christians talking about their faith
This week marks 25 years since the UK’s Disability Discrimination Act was passed in parliament. To mark the occasion, the Diocese of Chester is publishing a series of interviews with Christians who are themselves disabled.
