Outdoor congregational carol singing permitted
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has welcomed guidance from the Government permitting outdoor singing for places of worship in all tiers in England from 02 December.
News
Wallasey Unleashed
On Friday 27 November, the Revd Elaine White, curate in Liscard, Wallasey and her team, broadcast their inaugural TV show, 'Wallasey Unleashed'. Watch a recording of the live stream again on YouTube.
The ultimate online advent calendar
To bring some Christmas cheer this Advent, the dioceses of Chester, Manchester and Sheffield have teamed together to launch the Ultimate Online Advent Calendar, to be used in youth groups and schools.
A poem for advent
The Revd Steve Sheridan, the vicar of Chester St Oswald & St Thomas of Canterbury, has composed a poem for Advent about the symbolism of the Advent candles. The poem is titled "The Advent Wreath"
Public worship permitted from 02 December
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has welcomed the publication of the Government's Covid-19 Winter Plan, detailing that places of worship will be permitted to reopen for public worship from 02 December.
Comfort and Joy - Christmas Campaign
Created by the National Church of England, this year’s Christmas campaign, called ‘Comfort and Joy’ aims to bring some festive cheer to people and churches everywhere. A wealth of digital and print content is available.
Lockdown walking
After following in the footsteps of one of Antrobus' more famous former parishioners, Arnold Boyd of Antrobus, the Revd Alec Brown was inspired to put pen to paper and write a poem called 'Lockdown Walking'.
What has the lockdown done for us?
If we can find the positives in lockdown it is that we have been enabled to prioritise things in ways that we've never been able to before. In a short video, Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall offers her thoughts on the lockdown.
Future of Transforming Lives Together
Transforming Lives Together, the joint initiative between the Diocese of Chester and the Church Urban Fund is to pause all activities due to a shortage of guaranteed funding, forcing the Board to “re-evaluate the immediate futureâ€.
Foxhill to pause all residential activities
Foxhill has announced it has paused all residential activities until the 1st September 2021. Day events will continue once restrictions have been lifted. Foxhill Director, Jonathon Green, said the decisions have been made with a "heavy heart".
Diocesan thanks to Allchurches Trust
The Diocesan Secretary, George Colville, has expressed his gratitude and thanks to Allchurches Trust for its annual grant of just over £160,000 which is given to the Diocesan Board of Finance.Â
Disabled Christians talking about their faith
This week marks 25 years since the UK’s Disability Discrimination Act was passed in parliament. To mark the occasion, the Diocese of Chester is publishing a series of interviews with Christians who are themselves disabled.
Living in Love and Faith resources
The Church of England has published a landmark set of resources drawing together the Bible, theology, science and history with powerful real-life stories as it embarks on a new process of discernment and decision-making.
_1604937466.png)
New lockdown guidance for churches
The Church of England has published new guidance on its website. The document aims to help clergy and church leaders navigate to the sources of information to help parishes make decisions at a local level.
Quiet acts of remembrance and mourning
Last month, the Revd Jenny Bridgman unveiled a memorial stone dedicated to all lives lost through miscarriage, abortion and stillbirth. Since then, people from across the diocese have come to express their own quiet acts of remembrance.
#PrayerForTheNation
Bishop Mark has joined with the Archbishops and other senior church leaders to invite Christians across the nation to participate in a month of prayer as the second lockdown in England comes into force.
Be "calm, courageous and compassionate"
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have invited the nation to join them in prayer, in a message encouraging "calm, courageous and compassionate" responses to the difficulties of the second national lockdown in England.
Connecting without the internet
As we enter another period of lockdown some churches will be re-employing their newfound skills to continue their worship online. But the traditional telephone still has a part to play in keeping in touch with members of the community.
Archbishops join call to allow public worship
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York, together with the Bishop of London, have joined national faith leaders in calling on the Government to permit public worship during the forthcoming lockdown in England.Â
Take up your cross
In the week the nation enters a second national lockdown the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Ian Bishop, offers a personal video reflection and ponders what this challenging situation means for us as Christians.
Government guidance on Remembrance Sunday
The Government has today, Tuesday, published a guidance note about how Remembrance Sunday activities can take place in line with current COVID-19 restrictions and requirements in England.
Chester Diocesan News out now
In November's CDN, Bishop Keith writes about his decision to retire and there's a moving story about how an ordained couple in Altrincham unveiled a permanent memorial to remember children lost to miscarriage.
Ordinations to be broadcast live on 24 October
Twenty three people will be ordained Deacon tomorrow at Chester Cathedral in three separate services. Although the event is by invitation only, due to covid restrictions, the services will be broadcast live on YouTube
Publication of review into Bishop Whitsey
The Church of England has published the independent lessons learnt review concerning its handling of allegations against the late Victor Whitsey, formerly bishop in the Diocese of Chester from 1974 to 1981.
Over 17,000 services provided by C of E parishes
More than 17,000 online services and events are being provided by Church of England churches following the introduction of the lockdown and restrictions on public worship earlier this year, according to a new report.
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.
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.