News

Foundations for Ministry – apply now for the Autumn

Sue Horn talks about how Foundations has equipped, encouraged and enabled her to grow in faith and explore the next step in her Christian life.

Bishop Mark Announces Interim Diocesan Secretary

Further to the recent announcement that our long-standing Dicoesen secretary, George Colville is to stand down at the end of August, Bishop Mark has asked two people to provide interim cover for the role until a new Diocesan Secretary can be appointed.

Jane's Journey to Ordination

Revd Jane Addenbrooke is to be Priested this coming Saturday, 15 June at Chester Cathedral. Her journey hasn't been smooth. In her own words, she explains, how, despite her health issues, God has given her the strength she needed to fulfil her calling to ordination.

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 15 June. May they be blessed in their ministry and be a blessing to those they meet and serve.

The Reverend Vet

Revd Jenny McKay wanted to keep in touch with her veterinarian work colleagues during the outbreak of Covid so she started a simple Facebook page called @thereverendvet. The page has grown to nearly 9000 followers from all around the world.

Bronze Eco Diocese award for the Diocese of Chester

The Diocese of Chester has been awarded a bronze Eco Diocese award in recognition of our care for creation. The award was given by the Christian conservation charity A Rocha UK, and reflects Chester Diocese’s commitment to walk in step with nature and put creation care at the heart of what we do.

Archbishop of York to visit our Diocese

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, is making a missionary visit to Chester diocese later this month. He aims to share in and encourage the mission of the church, the work that churches, schools, and chaplaincies are doing to show the love of God and to make him known to the 1.5 million people of our diocese who have no connection with church.

Diocesan Secretary to Step Down

Canon George Colville will step down from his post as Diocesan Secretary for the Diocese of Chester on 31 August 2024. He has served the Diocese for twenty-five years, fourteen as Diocesan Secretary, and moves on with our gratitude and affection.

Pray your Part - General Election 2024

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are encouraging Christians to pray systematically in the run-up to the election. We have provided some links to resources that will be useful to parishes during the pre-election period.

Sam's Journey to Ordination

Sam Rowan will be joining our Dicoese on 30 June 2024, when he will be Ordained as a Deacon, along with others, at Chester Cathedral. But how did his journey to ordination begin?

Bishop Mark visits DRC

Bishop Mark recently visited the Diocese of Aru, one of our linked dioceses in the global Anglican Communion. The Diocese of Aru is located in the far north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), near the borders of Uganda and South Sudan.

Men's Talk

St Mary's in Licard is serving up a smashing Men's breakfast, replete with sausages, black pudding, beans, egg, bacon, tomatoes and toast, on the third Saturday of every month. The food, though fantastic, by any greasy spoon standards, is only part of how the diners are nourished

National church attendance up 5%

Average weekly attendance at Church of England services rose by almost five per cent in 2023 - the third year of consecutive growth, preliminary figures show. Even more positively, attendance by children was up by almost 6% cent last year, according to the annual Statistics for Mission findings.

Jesus Shaped People - A quick catch-up

Earlier this year, Rebecca Holland was appointed as our JSP Champion for the Diocese of Chester. She recently visited Church House to meet with the Director of Outreach, Revd Peter Froggatt, which gave us an ideal opportunity to learn about her role and the progress she's been making.

All creatures great and small in churchyards

In June, a week-long event will unfold to celebrate wildlife in churchyards and cemeteries across England, which have provided a haven for all creatures, from wildflowers to insects, birds, and mammals for centuries.

'How I Came to Faith' - Barbara Williams

In this story of 'How I Came to Faith', we hear from Barbara Williams, who was walking with her young daughter along a street in Liscard, when her daughter suddenly got out of her pushchair and dashed into the Church grounds.

Transforming a space to welcome children.

St. Mary’s Church in Partington and Carrington have recently re-vamped their children’s area offering a more welcoming space for the younger members of the church.

Stained glass artist exhibition

Chester Cathedral is to host the first exhibition exploring the legacy of Chester’s renowned woman stained glass artist

Jane Proudfoot - Archdeacon of Macclesfield

At Chester Cathedral on Sunday 28 April, Revd Jane Proudfoot was installed as the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, in a service led by the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner.

Celebrating 30 years of women priests

On 12 March 1994, the Church of England held an ordination service like never before. The service, at Bristol Cathedral was a historic moment that would see women priests accepted into the Church of England.

Wirral faith groups deliver over £8 million of support

In a recent audit, it was discovered that faith groups in Wirral play a crucial role in supporting local communities. They engage in a wide-range of social action activities, including operating food banks, providing debt advice, and assisting families.

£73,190 from Digital Giving

Last year, the National Church allocated 50 devices to the Diocese of Chester to distribute to parishes across our diocese. Now, six months on since the churches received the devices, the churches collectively have received £73,190.

Get Ready for Thy Kingdom Come

Thy Kingdom Come is a global ecumenical prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. This year TKC takes place from 9-19 May.

'How I Came to Faith' - Mike Holt

In this story of 'How I Came to Faith', we hear from Mike Holt. He recalls the very moment when Jesus Christ became real to him while watching a black and white TV in his bedroom.

Heating the People, Not the Church

Revd David Page, from St. Peter’s Church in Elworth, shares how their innovative heating system has significantly improved the experience for attendees during church services.

Could you be an Occasional Worship Leader?

The Diocese of Chester is launching a new initiative to help equip and enable lay people to lead worship. The course will run twice a year in spring and autumn, with the dates for 2024 starting in May.

Energy Footprint Tool now open for churches

The Church of England’s Energy Footprint Tool is now open for churches to enter fuel and power use from 2023. The data collected from the tool will help your church understand its carbon footprint and will mean you may be eligible for grants to help kickstart your net zero projects.