Banns of marriage
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.
News
Providing food for the community
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.
Daily Hope phone line to continue
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.
Diocese launches podcast
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.
_1594275325.png)
The Lambeth Conference reschedules to 2022
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.
Confirmation of Election of Bishop Stephen
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.
'Catching your Breath' at Foxhill
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.
Confirmation of Election service
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.
July edition of Chester Diocesan News out now
The CDN includes news and information from around the Diocese. There's also an article about 'Back to Better', a series of webinars to support lay and ordained church leaders to prepare for the next chapter in church ministry.
How welcoming are we?
In this Church House Blog, Engagement and Inclusion Officer, Vanessa Layfield, recalls how her first day at University taught her about not making assumptions about anyone based on the colour of their skin or choice of dress.
Webinar series: Back to Better
As part of its response and support for parishes, the Diocese of Chester, led by Church House officers, will offer a series of webinars to support lay and ordained church leaders as we open up church buildings once again.
Full-time Christian Workers
As 23 deacons-to-be are commissioned to public ministry, Archdeacon Mike reminds us that we are all called to witness to Christ and that God "wants to live through you to bless the world". We are all FTCW's.
23 deacons-to-be commissioned online
The Diocese of Chester made history on 02 July 2020 when 23 deacons-to-be were commissioned to public ministry in parishes across the diocese via an online service. Hundreds joined in via Zoom and Facebook.
TEI's in the North West
A statement from the Acting Bishop of Chester, Keith Sinclair, regarding news that the North West bishops have decided to work for the formation of a new non-residential college which would open in September 2021.
Who is your neighbour?
On Tuesday 07 July, Archdeacon Ian will chair an online webinar about race and equality. Those taking part include the Revd Daud Gill, Incumbent at Broadheath, and the Revd Dr Jacob Davadason, Incumbent at Heald Green.
Praying for pupils returning to school
St Anne's, Sale wanted to show their support to children returning to school so they prayed for them. But in addition, they thought it might help the children if they knew that others were thinking of them in their prayers.
The light shines in the darkness
As we look ahead to public worship again, Archdeacon Ian says we should "return with a greater awareness that Christ is not locked down in a building" and reminds us that his light reaches far beyond the church walls.
Banns for forthcoming weddings
Lisa Moncur, Diocesan Registrar, has written directly to all clergy advising that when a church reopens for Sunday services, banns for forthcoming weddings should be read in the usual way as required by law.
Plas Newton church supports school in Zambia
St. Michael's in Plas Newton has been supporting a school in Zambia by helping to pay for state school fees and midday meals for the children. Recently, they have been helping to provide food to those affected by COVID-19.
Yesterday someone thanked me
In this Church House Blog, Stephen Freeman, Design and Communications Officer and "avid user of techno gadgetry" offers his thoughts on communication following a recent conversation with a member of the clergy.
Bishop Mark grilled by youths
Young people from around the diocese met online with the next Bishop of Chester recently to chat and ask him some very searching questions about his faith and what he has in store for the diocese upon his arrival.
Reopening of buildings for public worship
A statement from the Church of England following the Government announcement that church buildings can reopen for public worship from 04 July. Detailed advice for parishes will be updated and circulated in the coming days.
Quizzing with Bishop Mark
The Bishop-elect of Chester, Mark Tanner, will face questions from young people of Cheshire this evening in two online events. They will discuss a range of topics, from the fun to the serious. All are welcome to join in.
"Bring an end to racial injustice"
Following the recent protests around the world, senior clergy in the Diocese of Chester, including the Bishop of Birkenhead and the Archdeacon of Chester, have signed an open letter asking God to "bring an end to racial injustice".
End the sin of racism
The Church of England’s online weekly service will hear a call for action to build a fairer world ahead of a minute’s silence to lament the racism experienced by the Windrush generation and other black and UK minority ethnic people.
Deacons-to-be commissioning service
A service to commission 23 deacons-to-be to public ministry in their title parishes in the Diocese of Chester will take place on Thursday 02 July at 7pm. Family, friends, and parishioners are warmly invited to join in.
Black lives, like any other lives, do matter
The Revd Canon Lameck Mutete, Vicar of Tattenhall, Cheshire has produced this short video, reflecting on the death of George Floyd in the US, which sparked global demonstrations of justice and equity for all.
_1592250768.png)
Update on clergy housing matters
Following the easing of lockdown measures, the Property Team based at Church House has issued an update detailing which work can resume at this time, and which work will remain on hold for now.
Parishes gifted £2,000 boost
All parishes in the Diocese of Chester will receive a grant of £2,000 to help towards the new missional challenges following the coronavirus crisis. Church House staff will begin transferring the money to parishes from today.
A reflection from lockdown
As church buildings begin to open again, we wanted to share with you a reflection, written in lockdown, about everyday discipleship and how we are called by the Holy Spirit to action or inaction at different times.
