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.
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.
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."
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.
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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One Church of England High School re-opened on 07 September after a tumultuous summer. Its Head says her school’s focus on positive relationships has helped them to respond to the pandemic with strength and resilience.
Writing in this month's CDN, the Dean of Chester reflects on how recent events have impacted on us and looks ahead to key event at the Cathedral this autumn, including a welcome for Bishop Mark and our new ordinands.
The September edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available online as a PDF. This edition includes an article from the Dean of Chester and a feature on Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, Warrington.
In this guidance note, the archdeacons advise that parishes will need to pass an appropriate resolution to delay the re-opening of their church buildings for public worship beyond Sunday 6 September. Full details here.
In this Church House Blog, a walk along a canal towpath for communications officer, Stephen Freeman, leaves him with a painful memory and a lesson in how to see things from other people's perspective.
The British Army has set a new record in recruiting the oldest female ever to take up the role of chaplain. Ailsa Whorton, currently a curate in our diocese will be commissioned as an officer in the British Army on 07 September.
Under certain circumstances, it will no longer be required for churches to seek faculty consent for a new telephone line for provision of broadband, provided a short process is followed, including consultation with the office of the DAC.
Transforming Lives Together have been busy throughout the pandemic, providing hot meals and bags of food to people in the community. TLT has so far distributed over £15,000 (raised from different funders) to 19 churches.
We are delighted to announce that Reverend Peter Froggatt has been appointed as the Director of Outreach. Peter is currently the Vicar of the benefice of Barnston and Pensby on Wirral.
The government has committed £1.57 billion to support thousands of arts and cultural organisations through the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is relevant to churches, cathedrals. The funding closes to applications on 17 August.
The August edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available online as a PDF. This edition includes Bishop Mark's confirmation, a reflection from Archdeacon of Chester, Mike Gilbertson and a list of online events.
In the Diocese of Chester the bishop has made special provision extending the time for holding annual meetings of parishioners to choose churchwardens and annual parochial church meetings (APCMs) to 31 October 2020.
Archdeacon of Chester, Mike Gilbertson, looks at how these times have made people tired and how it is important to take time to rest in all of its dimensions. Jesus still offers us the rest and refreshment that comes from being closer to him.
In this Church House Blog, Stephen Freeman, Design and Communications Officer, with a basic knowledge of maths, wonders how Christianity passes from one person to another.
The video of the confirmation of the election of Bishop Mark Tanner is now available to view. The footage of the service has been edited to include a signer, for those who are hard of hearing.
The latest sonnet from the Revd Alec Brown, Rural Dean of Great Budworth, and poet in his spare time. If you enjoy poetry, there is an active poetry group in the diocese that meets to discuss and share poetry.
Following the confirmation of election service earlier in the week (15 July), Bishop Mark Tanner was interviewed by the BBC for the first time in his official role as the Bishop of Chester.
The Diocesan Registrar, Lisa Moncur, has prepared an update to information about reading wedding banns at Sunday services. There are also details about the fee for a common licence.
Since lockdown began, Holy Trinity Church Blacon, Chester have been a principle member of Blacon Action Team, which is a collaboration of different local organisations and agencies, providing food for those who are in need.
A free phone line offering hymns, prayers, and reflections to tens of thousands of callers after church buildings closed because of the coronavirus is to continue despite moves to ease the lockdown restrictions.
Chester Box is the new podcast from the Diocese of Chester. The podcast will be a place to listen to Christians in Cheshire and the surrounding areas talking about Jesus, God, faith, and ministry. It is available to listen to on Spotify.
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The Archbishop of Canterbury has taken the important decision to reschedule the Lambeth Conference by a further year to the British summer of 2022. The conference will meet in 2022 in Canterbury.
Bishop Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell will be confirmed as the 98th Archbishop of York at 11.00am on Thursday 9 July 2020, in a service broadcast entirely via video conference due to the Coronavirus restrictions.
These are a series of days at Foxhill during the autumn. We are asking for expressions of interest so that we can best coordinate the events when the relaxing coronavirus restrictions enable Foxhill to re-open.
Bishop Mark Tanner will be confirmed as the Bishop of Chester at 11am on Wednesday 15 July. The service is the point at which Bishop Mark legally becomes the Bishop of Chester. He will take up public duties in September.
