Further COVID updates
The Church of England's Recovery Group has published a slew of updated advice following the introduction of the three-tier risk system last week. The updates cover funerals, confirmations, and baptisms, among other things.
News
Services in the Christmas Season
Due to the Coronavirus restrictions, Bishop Mark and Bishop Keith are today giving general permission to benefices to dispense with the requirement to hold a service of public worship on Sunday 27 December, if they wish.
Remembering and Remembrance
The central Church of England have produced a number of resources to help clergy and lay leaders prepare for All Saints' Day, All Souls’ Day and Remembrance in 2020. The resources include posters, prayers cards, liturgies and prayers.
Advice for clergy conducting weddings
The Church of England's Recovery Group has published details about the changes in advice for clergy conducting weddings. The changes are in response to the new three-tier system which came into effect this week.
Permitted activities under the three-tier system
The Church of England's Recovery Group has published details about the ways in which the three-tier system will impact on the main activities related to churches. You can view the information here.
Bishop Keith announces his retirement
Bishop Keith Sinclair, has announced that he is to retire on 08 March 2021, 14 years after he was consecrated. Read Keith's statement, and watch a conversation between him and Bishop Mark, recorded on the day of the announcement.
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Cathedral exhibition highlights modern slavery
A new exhibition opening at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 10 October will draw attention to the global issue of modern slavery. Human trafficking and modern slavery affect an estimated 40 million people worldwide. Â
Scarecrows form part of congregation
You could say that the team at Christ Church, Higher Bebington, were clutching at straws when they came up with their latest idea to connect with the local community, but things just grew from there.
Statement on publication of IICSA
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, IICSA, has published its report into the Anglican Church in England and Wales. Bishop Mark has issued a statement following the publication of the report.
Baby loss memorial service
An ordained couple in Timperley, who lost a child eight weeks into a pregnancy, will unveil a permanent memorial on Friday 9 October to help local people to remember children lost to miscarriage, stillbirth, and abortion.
Chester Diocesan News now available
Read the latest edition of the Chester Diocesan News, including coverage and photographs of a service at Chester Cathedral to mark Bishop Mark's start to public ministry, and a reflection from the bishop too.
Open letter ahead of IICSA report
Read the open letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the lead safeguarding bishop and the national director of safeguarding, shared ahead of IICSA publishing its overarching investigation report into the Church of England.
Bishop Mark welcomes 'Safe Spaces'
Bishop Mark has welcomed the launch of a new service providing vital support for survivors of church-related abuse. Safe Spaces, commissioned by the Church of England, will be run by Victim Support, an independent charity.
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Ordination and licensing services
A total of 21 men and women will be ordained priest at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 03 October. A further 14 men and women will be licensed as a Reader or Pastoral Worker at Chester Cathedral on Sunday 04 October.Â
Everyday faith in the work place
People across the Diocese of Chester have all been affected by the pandemic. This has presented various challenges in all kinds of ways We speak with four people from the diocese and ask them how their lives have changed.
Create an experience for visitors
Even in these times, there are ways to encourage and engage visitors as part of your mission of welcome, hospitality and faith journey from visitor to pilgrim. Emily Allen, Church Buildings Missioner, offers some ideas.
Responding to the latest guidance
The Diocesean Secretary, in consultation with the archdeacons, has issued the following guidance in response to a number of questions from parishes about the "rule of six" and also local "lockdown" restrictions.
Archbishops' letter to bishops
The Church has a vital role to play in offering hope and comfort to the nation as we face an expected second wave of the coronavirus, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have said in a joint letter.
Bishop Mark's ministry begins
Bishop Mark Tanner began his public ministry as the Bishop of Chester on Sunday 20 September. The service of welcome for the new bishop had to be altered to conform with the coronavirus restrictions.
Diocesan podcast now on additional platforms
Chester Box is the new podcast from the Diocese of Chester. Launched in the middle of the lockdown, it is a place for Christians in Cheshire and the surrounding areas to talk about Jesus, God, faith, and ministry.
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Bishop Mark to chair board of new college
The Anglican Bishops in the North West have welcomed the appointment of the Revd Dr Michael Leyden as the first Dean of Emmanuel Theological College, and Bishop Mark as the proposed chair of the board of trustees.
Goal for 188 churches to share sermon
A Church Army Captain is hoping that 188 churches will make his video sermon a part of their service in support of the Church Army's 1882 Challenge, which aims to raise £82,000 for marginalised communities across the UK and Ireland.
Battle of Britain Day - today
The Revd Dr Joe Kennedy, has created a video service to commemorate the Battle of Britain, eighty years since the Battle of Britain – the air battle in the summer of 1940 which proved to be one of the great turning points in the War.
Cathedral pays tribute to Christian martyrs
Chester Cathedral has re-dedicated one of its chapels to commemorate the lives of Christian martyrs. In recognition of the link between the Diocese of Chester and the Anglican Church of Melanesia, an icon has been installed.
Learning about holiday food and activities
Transforming Lives Together are holding online conversations about food provision to children during school holidays. Whether you currently provide holiday food or not, join the conversation to learn more and support others.
Provision for online APCMs
In a letter to all parishes, the Diocesan Secretary writes that Annual Parochial Church Meetings can now be held online up to the 31 October in order to improve safety and accessibility of annual parish meetings in this emergency period.
Duchess chooses Bunbury photo for exhibition
Kate Middleton has chosen a photograph, taken within a church in Bunbury to form part of a national exhibition by the national portrait gallery. Just 100 photos were chosen from over 30000 entrants.
Public worship can continue
Following the announcement of the new 'rule of six' restrictions, the Church of England last night issued a brief statement confirming it had received reassurances from the Prime Minister that "public worship can continue."
New tool helps measure carbon footprint
More than 3,000 churches are using a tool created by the Church of England to understand their carbon footprint. The tool aims to help parishes measure their carbon output and energy use and provides pointers for improving efficiency.
Crozier service live
On the 20 September, Bishop Mark will begin his public ministry, a moment that in times of normality is symbolised by the bishop taking up the "cathedra". Dean Tim Stratford, explains the significance of the cathedra.
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