Chester Diocesan News now available
Read the latest edition of the Chester Diocesan News, including coverage and photographs of a service at Chester Cathedral to mark Bishop Mark's start to public ministry, and a reflection from the bishop too.
News
Open letter ahead of IICSA report
Read the open letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the lead safeguarding bishop and the national director of safeguarding, shared ahead of IICSA publishing its overarching investigation report into the Church of England.
Bishop Mark welcomes 'Safe Spaces'
Bishop Mark has welcomed the launch of a new service providing vital support for survivors of church-related abuse. Safe Spaces, commissioned by the Church of England, will be run by Victim Support, an independent charity.
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Ordination and licensing services
A total of 21 men and women will be ordained priest at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 03 October. A further 14 men and women will be licensed as a Reader or Pastoral Worker at Chester Cathedral on Sunday 04 October.Â
Everyday faith in the work place
People across the Diocese of Chester have all been affected by the pandemic. This has presented various challenges in all kinds of ways We speak with four people from the diocese and ask them how their lives have changed.
Create an experience for visitors
Even in these times, there are ways to encourage and engage visitors as part of your mission of welcome, hospitality and faith journey from visitor to pilgrim. Emily Allen, Church Buildings Missioner, offers some ideas.
Responding to the latest guidance
The Diocesean Secretary, in consultation with the archdeacons, has issued the following guidance in response to a number of questions from parishes about the "rule of six" and also local "lockdown" restrictions.
Archbishops' letter to bishops
The Church has a vital role to play in offering hope and comfort to the nation as we face an expected second wave of the coronavirus, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York have said in a joint letter.
Bishop Mark's ministry begins
Bishop Mark Tanner began his public ministry as the Bishop of Chester on Sunday 20 September. The service of welcome for the new bishop had to be altered to conform with the coronavirus restrictions.
Diocesan podcast now on additional platforms
Chester Box is the new podcast from the Diocese of Chester. Launched in the middle of the lockdown, it is a place for Christians in Cheshire and the surrounding areas to talk about Jesus, God, faith, and ministry.
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Bishop Mark to chair board of new college
The Anglican Bishops in the North West have welcomed the appointment of the Revd Dr Michael Leyden as the first Dean of Emmanuel Theological College, and Bishop Mark as the proposed chair of the board of trustees.
Goal for 188 churches to share sermon
A Church Army Captain is hoping that 188 churches will make his video sermon a part of their service in support of the Church Army's 1882 Challenge, which aims to raise £82,000 for marginalised communities across the UK and Ireland.
Battle of Britain Day - today
The Revd Dr Joe Kennedy, has created a video service to commemorate the Battle of Britain, eighty years since the Battle of Britain – the air battle in the summer of 1940 which proved to be one of the great turning points in the War.
Cathedral pays tribute to Christian martyrs
Chester Cathedral has re-dedicated one of its chapels to commemorate the lives of Christian martyrs. In recognition of the link between the Diocese of Chester and the Anglican Church of Melanesia, an icon has been installed.
Learning about holiday food and activities
Transforming Lives Together are holding online conversations about food provision to children during school holidays. Whether you currently provide holiday food or not, join the conversation to learn more and support others.
Provision for online APCMs
In a letter to all parishes, the Diocesan Secretary writes that Annual Parochial Church Meetings can now be held online up to the 31 October in order to improve safety and accessibility of annual parish meetings in this emergency period.
Duchess chooses Bunbury photo for exhibition
Kate Middleton has chosen a photograph, taken within a church in Bunbury to form part of a national exhibition by the national portrait gallery. Just 100 photos were chosen from over 30000 entrants.
Public worship can continue
Following the announcement of the new 'rule of six' restrictions, the Church of England last night issued a brief statement confirming it had received reassurances from the Prime Minister that "public worship can continue."
New tool helps measure carbon footprint
More than 3,000 churches are using a tool created by the Church of England to understand their carbon footprint. The tool aims to help parishes measure their carbon output and energy use and provides pointers for improving efficiency.
Crozier service live
On the 20 September, Bishop Mark will begin his public ministry, a moment that in times of normality is symbolised by the bishop taking up the "cathedra". Dean Tim Stratford, explains the significance of the cathedra.
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"Back up and running smoothly"
One Church of England High School re-opened on 07 September after a tumultuous summer. Its Head says her school’s focus on positive relationships has helped them to respond to the pandemic with strength and resilience.
A reflection from the Dean
Writing in this month's CDN, the Dean of Chester reflects on how recent events have impacted on us and looks ahead to key event at the Cathedral this autumn, including a welcome for Bishop Mark and our new ordinands.
September CDN is now available
The September edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available online as a PDF. This edition includes an article from the Dean of Chester and a feature on Sir Thomas Boteler Church of England High School, Warrington.
Delaying re-opening of church buildings
In this guidance note, the archdeacons advise that parishes will need to pass an appropriate resolution to delay the re-opening of their church buildings for public worship beyond Sunday 6 September. Full details here.
I saw a sign
In this Church House Blog, a walk along a canal towpath for communications officer, Stephen Freeman, leaves him with a painful memory and a lesson in how to see things from other people's perspective.
British Army recruits oldest female chaplain
The British Army has set a new record in recruiting the oldest female ever to take up the role of chaplain. Ailsa Whorton, currently a curate in our diocese will be commissioned as an officer in the British Army on 07 September.
Is your church seeking to install broadband?
Under certain circumstances, it will no longer be required for churches to seek faculty consent for a new telephone line for provision of broadband, provided a short process is followed, including consultation with the office of the DAC.
Tranforming Lives Together delivering food
Transforming Lives Together have been busy throughout the pandemic, providing hot meals and bags of food to people in the community. TLT has so far distributed over £15,000 (raised from different funders) to 19 churches.
New Director of Outreach
We are delighted to announce that Reverend Peter Froggatt has been appointed as the Director of Outreach. Peter is currently the Vicar of the benefice of Barnston and Pensby on Wirral.
£92million Culture Recovery Fund
The government has committed £1.57 billion to support thousands of arts and cultural organisations through the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is relevant to churches, cathedrals. The funding closes to applications on 17 August.
