In this Church House Blog, Emily Allen, Church Buildings Missioner reflects on the decision to close church buildings and provides practical tips and thoughts on how your church building can be a blessing, even when the doors are shut.
Bishop Keith offers a sermon at Passiontide from his home in Wirral. Readings include: Ezekiel 37: 1-14, John 11: 1-45, Romans 6: 8-11. The home sermon follows the archbishops advice to "stay home, protect the NHS, and save lives".
Bishop Keith offers a reflection for us all, based on his own personal experiences and concerns and asks us to think about what a good day looks like and how we might nurture that at this time.
The Church of England has issued some helpful advice for Incumbents, Churchwardens and PCC members to help with some of the practicalities of closing a church building for an extended period of time.
The archbishops have written to all clergy to reiterate their advice to stay at home and follow government advice. They say: "The Church of England is called to model the very best practice. We must lead by example."
The Church of England has published resources to support good mental health and to cope with anxiety and loneliness. The resources have been welcomed by Head of Counselling Services in the Diocese of Chester.
As the Church finds new ways to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable in our society, the National Safeguarding Team (NST) has issued new guidance to help the Church observe good safeguarding practice.
Revd Jane Proudfoot has recently taken to YouTube to share sermons and children’s worship with the local community. So, she was surprised to receive an email from someone 10,464 miles away thanking her for her new style of ministry.
School children across the Diocese of Chester are being encouraged to take part in the #prayerjarchallenge, a fun competition to see who can come up with the most exciting and creative prayer jar.
A couple from Wistaston were married on Monday afternoon, hours before the Prime Minster announced strict measures to close all church buildings. Alana and Joe were due to be married on 04 April in front of some 100 guests.
In an open letter to the diocese, following the Prime Minster's address to the nation, the Acting Bishop of Chester, Keith Sinclair says "the church of Jesus Christ is never closed" and through technology, "the church is more open than ever."
The Diocesan Secretary, George Colville, has written to parishes to explain what measures are being put in place by the Diocese of Chester and the National Church to support parishes during this time of uncertainty.
The UK Government has issued financial measures and a package of support for businesses, including charities, through the period of disruption caused by Coronavirus. The national Church has published guidance for parishes.
The Archbishops have issued a letter in response to the Prime Minister's decision to close all places of worship. The letter says: "it is imperative...the Church of England strictly observes the new guidelines".
The Acting Bishop of Chester, Keith Sinclair, and the Dean of Chester, Tim Stratford, have offered their support for the Prime Minister’s decision to close all places of worship.
The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of England have urged everyone to follow the instructions given by the Prime Minister to stay in their homes in a national effort to limit the transmission of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Archbishop Justin Welby has announced the postponement of the Lambeth Conference. Writing in a letter to the Bishops of the Anglican Communion, he said: "God is calling us to be ‘God’s Church for God’s World’ in new and responsive ways."
Sisters Olivia and Ella Williams were baptised at St Bartholomew’s, Thurstaston on Mothering Sunday. It was just one of a number of baptism services that took place across the diocese and the country.
In his Mothering Sunday sermon, Bishop Keith refers to John 19:25-27 to remind us that this moment at the cross is one of the moments in which the Church is formed. We are given to each other as brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers.
The Diocese of Chester has issued guidance following the announcement that the Government has put in place an arrangement for children of those deemed to be Key Workers to continue to be accommodated at school.
Jonathan Masters, Youth, Children and Families Missioner highlights some useful resources, and shares some thoughts on the current situation and how it is affecting those that work with younger people in our diocese.
The Diocese of Chester has issued guidance on the use of church halls. PCCs should consider how the church hall is being used and whether it is appropriate in the present crisis we face.
For 2020, the time for holding a meeting of parishioners to choose churchwardens is extended until 31 October (instead of 31 May). Read an explanatory note on what this means for parishes.
The Archbishops have so far written twice to all clergy in parishes across the Church of England. They first wrote on Tuesday and then again on Thursday. Read both letters in full here.
Church House has issued some guidance to clergy households advising that although there is reduced service at this time, members of staff are on hand to provide whatever support they can.
The Bishop of Birkenhead, and Acting Bishop of Chester, Keith Sinclair, has written an open letter to the diocese thanking people for their response to the crisis and highlighting a national day of prayer this Sunday.
Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby is to lead a national broadcast in response to the challenge of becoming a “different sort of church†in the face of the coronavirus crisis. The service will be broadcast on BBC radio on Sunday.
On the eve of school closures across the diocese, the Bishop of Birkenhead, Keith Sinclair, has written to head teachers to offer personal prayer and encouragement for all affected by the situation.
Guidance on weddings and baptisms during the current period of restrictions on public gatherings to combat coronavirus has been updated by the Church of England today (19 March).
Church House has closed until further notice. A skeleton staff at Church House will continue to carry out urgent and essential functions and all contact details for staff at Church House and those working remotely can be found here.