News - Diocese of Chester

General guidance for parish churches

General guidance for parish churches on marking the passing of the Sovereign is and is being shared with parishes. It contains advice on flying flags at half-mast and opening books of condolence.

Vision development process set for diocesan-wide launch

The start of the new season heralds the unveiling of an exciting new project at the end of the month when the Bishop of Chester will launch the vision development process for the Diocese of Chester. The grassroots consultation promises to "cast the net wide"

Church makes community links and raises money through half-marathon

For the second year in a row, St Michael’s Church in Middlewich partnered with its local running group, Run Middlewich, to organise a charity half-marathon event. In total, 42 runners ran the half-marathon, starting and finishing in the churchyard.

Knife Angel sculpture and volunteer chaplains praised

An art installation and the volunteers that helped make it a success in Birkenhead have been praised for the impact it has had. According to Wirral Council, the Knife Angel had a "phenomenal" impact on local residents and visitors from far and wide.

Buildings for Mission Advisor joins Church House team

Sheena Wilson has joined the team at Church House where she has begun her role as Buildings for Mission Advisor working in the Outreach Team

Creamfields Church Tent is 'genuinely AMAZING!'

Volunteers from churches around Warrington and Runcorn have been supporting young Creamfields festival goers by offering support, space and conversation. Now into its fourth year one festival goer described the volunteers as "inspirational".

Churches to continue support for abuse victims following successful pilot

The Church of England will be continuing to provide support for victims of church-based abuse, following a successful two-year pilot of the Safe Spaces service. Since the service began in September 2020, a team of trained support advocates has supported more than 300 victims.

A season of celebration this autumn

A number of diocesan events are planned for the autumn, including a special service to celebrate our different abilities, a service to mark World Mental Health Day, our annual lay licensing service at Chester Cathedral, and an event exploring love across the Abrahamic religions.

Heritage Trail reopens

After a two and a-half-year hiatus, All Angels Church in Middlewich are due to reopen their heritage trail. The trail, is a project designed to reveal the fascinating history of St Michael’s, its contents and its people, and the links they all had to the town of Middlewich through the centuries.

Costa del Holiday in Hoole

All Saints in Hoole are currently hosting all-inclusive break for older members of the Church Family and the local community. The event lasts from 17 – 19 August and is themed around a trip to the Caribbean and includes a variety of activities, games and excursions for people to enjoy during the 3-day experience.

Bishop Julie joins call for ban on sexualised school uniforms

The Bishop of Birkenhead has signed a petition calling on the Government to make it illegal for school uniforms to be sold in sex shops and used as a costume in pornography. The petition was set up by students at Sandbach High School.

Lambeth Conference welcomes bishops from around the world

Bishops Mark, Julie, and Sam have joined their peers from across the Anglican Communion at the Lambeth Conference which runs from 26 July to 08 August. Please pray for all who are attending, the conversations they will have and the fellowship they will share.

Children leave with hope and joy

Hundreds of children received prayers and encouraging words for the next stage of their school journey. They congregated at Chester Cathedral for the traditional leavers' service which takes place as children move from primary to secondary school.

Bishop Julie thanks outgoing DSAP Chair

The Bishop of Birkenhead has thanked the outgoing DSAP Chair, David Hermitt, for his role in "establishing a better safeguarding culture" in the Diocese of Chester. David has resigned from the Chair after being co-opted to serve on General Synod.

Everyday Faith red hot roll-out continues

Around 40 people from parishes in the deaneries of Chadkirk, Stockport, and Mottram braved the heat at the latest Everyday Faith deanery event to learn more about how the local church can encourage people to live out their faith in everyday life.

Last call to submit 2021 data to The Energy Footprint Tool

We are asking all parishes to urgently submit their returns for 2021 energy usage ahead of the 31st July 2022 deadline. After this date, the returns form will close until April 2023, when it will be reopened for submission of 2022 data.

Applications open for Foundations for Ministry

Foundations for Ministry is again open to anyone who would like to explore what their ministry might be. Director of Ministry, the Revd Simon Chesters, says the course is a good basis for lots of different people and prior academic knowledge is not necessary.

The Journey weekend proves to be a hit

Young people from different parts of the diocese enjoyed being at Foxhill for The Journey, a weekend of activities and fun for young Christians. Expressions of interest for next year's weekend are open to youth and children's workers.

David Hermitt reflects on his time at General Synod

David Hermitt gave his maiden speech at General Synod in support of a proposal to change the makeup of the CNC that will decide the next Archbishop of Canterbury. David was "co-opted" to the House of Laity in response to the Archbishops' anti-racism report, From Lament to Action.

A book about preaching

The Revd Liz Shercliff is the Director of Studies for Readers. Her newly published book, 'The Present Preacher: Discerning God in the Now', is a practical, confidence-building guide for all who want to develop their preaching "by homing in on that which points to God in the now."

Stellar steps forward for Chester Cathedral

Chester Cathedral is undertaking a significant step toward reducing its carbon footprint by installing roof-mounted solar panels on the ancient monastic building. The solar panels are one part of the Cathedral’s activity towards becoming net-zero carbon

Bob Pullan remembered by A Rocha

Christian environmental charity A Rocha has published an obituary for Upton Churchwarden Bob Pullan. Bob was one of the first chairs of the A Rocha trustees in 1983 when the organization was established.

Everyday Faith event gets thumbs up

The third of the Everyday Faith deanery events was given a big thumbs up by those attending in Prenton. Over 60 people from more than ten churches came along to learn more about how the local church can encourage people to live out their faith in everyday life.

End modern slavery at hand car washes

The Clewer Initiative aims to combat modern slavery. Their Safe Car Wash App, which has been downloaded 31,000 times, enables people to report concerns of possible exploitation of people working in unsafe, unfair, and controlling conditions.

Meet our new clergy

On Sunday 03 July 12 men and women were ordinand as deacons at Chester Cathedral. Please hold the newly ordained deacons in your prayers as they go forward to do God's work in our diocese.

Nominations open for National Church Awards

The first ever National Church Awards to celebrate churches and the people who use and look after them are now open for entries.

Cranmer Awards open for entries

Young people aged 11 to 18 are invited to take part in this year's Cranmer Awards. The Cranmer Awards are an annual competition run by the Prayer Book Society to introduce young people to the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

Ministry hardship fund open to applicants

The Diocese of Chester has received a grant of £72,000 from the Archbishops’ Council as part of a nationwide scheme to assist clergy who are struggling with the cost of living crisis. Clergy can apply here.

'I assumed that was the national policy'

The journey to ordination has not been straightforward for retired judge, Tom Ryan, who describes how he had previously been told he was too old to train for ordination but was encouraged by others seeing in him the qualities he didn't necessarily see in himself.

'I’m starting to worry there might actually be a God'

Jayne Manfredi, who is due to be ordained at Chester Cathedral, has said a local toddler group in Crewe helped her find God. The mother of four children, who was raised an atheist, will be ordained on 03 July 2022.