News


Celebrating 60 years of Self-Supporting Ministry

To mark the 60th anniversary since the first ordinations of clergy to Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry in the Church of England, SSMs joined the Bishop of Chester for a garden party celebration followed by Evensong at Chester Cathedral.


Memories of a much-loved CofE headteacher

Tributes and memories have been shared of a much-loved former Church of England headteacher ahead of her funeral on Monday 26 June in, Stockport. Alice Ramsbottom, who died in May at the age of 108, has been described as "a diminutive figure with a massive heart".


Pray for our ordinands

This year, for the first time in living memory, the ordination of deacons will be conducted at four different locations around the Diocese of Chester, rather than Chester Cathedral. Please hold in your prayers all those who are to be ordained deacon on Saturday 1 July 2023. 


Ordination of priests

Eight men and women were ordained by Bishop Mark at a memorable service held at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 10 June 2023 and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet ordained the Revd Jonathan Roberts at a service held at St Michae's, Coppenhall on 15 June.


Archdeacon Ian announced as the next Bishop of Thetford

Ian Bishop, the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, is to be the next Bishop of Thetford in the Diocese of Norwich, Downing Street has announced. Ian will spend the day touring the diocese, a place that holds many happy memories for him as he has previously served there as a parish priest.


Please pray for those being ordained priest

Please pray for all those who have been called to ordained ministry, in particular, we give thanks to God for those who are to be ordained priest at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 10th June, as well as Jonathan Roberts, who is due to be ordained on the 15th June in Coppenhall.


Ringing for the King in Astbury

The King's Coronation has ignited a newfound interest in bell ringing at St Mary's in Astbury, with 23 new members joining in the last few months alone. Bishop Sam went to meet the new recruits ahead of the Coronation.


'Amazing servants' celebrated in Wheelock

Christ Church, Wheelock recently gave thanks for the dedicated service of two members of its congregation. George Wood has recently marked 60 years as a Reader alongside his sister June who has been playing the church organ for 75 years. George's nephew Carleton will be licensed as a Reader on Saturday.


Called to Serve confirmed for February 2023

The Director for Vocations in the Diocese of Chester has confirmed that Called to Serve, will go ahead on Saturday 04 February 2023. The flagship event will be held at Foxhill and is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to consider what it is God might be calling them to be and do.


Called to Serve confirmed for 2023

Called to Serve, the flagship diocesan vocations event, will take place in February 2023. The Revd Canon Sarah Fenby confirmed that it will take place on 04 February at Foxhill. The day is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to consider what it is God might be calling them to be and do.


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.


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. 


'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.


Readers Awarded Bachelor’s Degrees in Theology 

Four Readers from the Diocese of Chester have successfully completed a Bachelor’s degree in Theology. Deborah Rowlands, Belinda Priestley, Les Hutchinson, and Andrew Bradley-Gibbons each completed their degrees with Honours


One year on from ordination

It's been a year since we first filmed the Revd Jonny Frost shortly before he was about to be ordained deacon in July 2021. We caught up with him recently to see how he's been doing as Curate at Holy Trinity Church, Hurdsfield.


Our diocesan registrar features in The Times

Lisa Moncur, the registrar for the Diocese of Chester, has been interviewed by The Times newspaper about what it's like working for the Church. "There's never a dull day", says Lisa in the article published on 20 January.


12 spaces remain for Called to Serve

Final preparations are being made for the vocations event Called to Serve, which takes place on Saturday 29 January at Foxhill. 12 spaces still remain on the one-day event for those wishing to explore God’s call on their lives. 


Church House Blog: Let's talk vocations

The Director of Vocations writes in this Church House Blog about the ways in which we can all play our role in encouraging vocation, in ourselves and others around us, through relationships, conversations, and careful listening.


More music festival chaplaincy work for Lynn

Although the Revd Lynn Boyle retires as Vicar of St Paul’s, Compstall on 31 December, after more than a decade in parish ministry, she fully expects to continue her chaplaincy work at the Buckle and Boots Country Music Festival.


Christian entrepreneur guided by God

Jerry Marshall, a member of St Mary's Church, Weaverham, always wanted to be financially successful but has since sensed God calling him to take a different road and "deal" with his "financial ambitions".


Called to Serve confirmed for 2022

The flagship diocesan vocations day, Called to Serve, will take place on Saturday 29 January 2022. Fifty places are available to individuals who want to find out more about the different vocations available to them in the Church.,


Volunteers sought to assist training delivery

Volunteers are being sought to assist the diocese in delivering safeguarding training to parishes. The volunteers must be suitably qualified and experienced with a willingness to assist the lead trainers in a co-working capacity. 


Christian social enterprise opens in Poynton

Just-Ice, Poynton opened its doors to the public in October. The ice cream shop and community hub in the centre of the village is run on Christian values, where “all are welcome" and aims to offer employment to survivors of slavery.


Watch the lay licensing online

12 men and women will be licensed into lay ministry on Saturday at 2.30pm. Bishop Mark will lead the service which will be available to watch online. Please continue to pray for the new Readers, Pastoral Workers, and Lay Pioneers.


Church House Blog: Let's talk vocations

Director of Vocations, Sarah Fenby, writes in this Church House Blog about the ways in which we can all play our role in encouraging vocation in ourselves and others around us through relationship, conversation and listening.

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