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.
Four young people from around the Diocese of Chester got together at Foxhill in December to discuss with Bishop Julie their thoughts on the topic of "inclusion" as part of a regular meeting of Youth Speak.
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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.
Hundreds of football fans enjoyed a post-match carol concert at Prenton Park on Saturday 18 December at what is fast becoming a much-loved tradition and missional opportunity in Birkenhead.
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Bishop Mark and Bishop Julie delivered their Christmas messages as part of the Daybreak programme on BBC Radio Merseyside on Sunday 19 December. Listen to their Christmas messages here.
Church House will be closed from lunchtime on Thursday 23 December and will re-open on Tuesday 4 January 2022. In the event of a clergy housing emergency (e.g. escape of water, total loss of power), emergency cover is available.
Dr Michael Beasley, Bishop of Hertford and an epidemiologist, writes of the urgent need to vaccinate the world on the first anniversary of vaccines being administered in the United Kingdom.
A new online course called Talking Jesus will inspire you to share your faith and will give you practical suggestions to help you to be natural and relevant as you talk about Jesus with the people you meet.
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Chester Cathedral will give thanks for the work of the NHS at a special Christmas Celebration on Sunday 12 December starting at 3pm. Expect jolly Christmas carols as well as reflections on the last year.
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Writing in December's edition of Cheshire Life magazine, Bishop Mark has shared a Christmas message for the people of Cheshire and confirms that it is OK to eat chocolate before breakfast on Christmas Day.Â
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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".
The Church of England has launched a film that explores what is at the heart of Christmas, which forms the centrepiece of the Advent and Christmas campaign #AtTheHeartOfChristmas
The December edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available online as a PDF. This edition includes a reflection from Bishop Mark and information about the new national Church of England Christmas campaign.
The Lay Conference 2022 will take place during the weekend of 25 March 2022. Titled, "Not just Sunday - Encouraging #EverydayFaith" it is free to attend with accommodation and all meals included.
Following their election in October, representatives of the Diocese of Chester attended the inaugural meeting of the new General Synod in November, including Sam Wilson, who is one of Synod's youngest.
Downing Street has announced that the Revd Lynne Cullens will be the next Bishop of Barking in the Diocese of Chelmsford. Lynne is currently the Rector of Stockport and Brinnington, a role she has held since 2019.
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has called for everyone to take steps to protect themselves and others following the identification of the new omicron variant of Covid-19. She confirms that new Government guidance is expected.
Bishop Sam has marked the start of Advent with an interview on BBC Radio Manchester. Bishop Sam told Mike Shaft of the joy he has experienced meeting people around the diocese, including Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham.
After the Tranmere Rovers home game on Saturday 18 December, the Kop end of the pitch plays host to a carol concert and readings from the Christmas story. Katie Ritson, will perform a solo.
Jonny Masters shares some thoughts on the role young people can and are playing in keeping the environment and creation on the agenda and helping the Church and wider society to turn words and promises into action.
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.,
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The Church of England’s first Head of its new Growing Faith Foundation has been announced as Lucy Moore. The Growing Faith Concept began in 2019 to promote partnership between the church, school and household.
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A Church of England High School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted for the first time in its history. Sir Thomas Boteler hosted the bishops on the day Downing Street announced Julie and Sam as the bishops of Birkenhead and Stockport.
Every church can have a presence on A Church Near You, the website platform which is helping churches to share service details with people who might be unfamiliar with Church and seeking a local Christmas service.
'At the heart of Christmas' is the Church of England's theme for Advent and Christmas 2021. A wide range of resources and support is available for use by churches, including printed and digital materials.
Holy Trinity Blacon is celebrating after being awarded a Bronze Eco Church award by the Christian environmental charity A’Rocha. The award is largely down to the efforts of what could be our youngest eco-champion and her mother.
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Church House will bid farewell to three members of staff at the end of this year. Sandra Reynolds, Peter Bacon, and Emily Allen are all moving on to new beginnings after serving parishes across the Diocese of Chester for a number of years.
The search is on for Britain's best church magazine. Entries are now invited for the annual competition run by the Association for Church Editors. The deadline for entering is 07 February.
The regional and national competition in which young people are judged on their delivery of extracts from the Book of Common Prayer, returns this year. The regional heat will take place on 28 November.
Over the past year, over 100 parishioners have been knitting thousands of poppies for an amazing display at Christ Church, Bebington, to mark the centenary of the Royal British Legion poppy appeal.
