The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are issuing a call to the nation to pause and reflect to remember the more than 100,000 people across the UK who have died after contracting Covid-19 and all those who know and love them.
The Bishop of Chester is calling on the Prime Minister to introduce legally binding targets to cut plastic pollution. He’s joined others in writing to Boris Johnson to ask for the measures to be included in the Environment Bill.
In normal times we would have a Cheshire United Service on the Sunday of the Week of Prayer. This year a group from Alsager Churches Together has gathered to record the service.
The Revd Alec Brown, vicar of Aston-by-Budworth and Great Budworth, has written two poems, that have taken their inspiration from the times we are in. They are titled 'Lockdown 3' and 'Winter walking'.
In this Church House Blog, the Revd Jenny Bridgman shares her personal account of the challenges of homeschooling and urges us all to reach out to friends, family and neighbours and "be the calming presence" they might need.
As we approach the flagship diocesan event, Called to Serve, Bishop Mark, reflects on his own calling to be a bishop and reminds us that with God's help we can grow to be the person God wants us to be.Â
The Revd Peter Froggatt has begun his new role as Director of Outreach. Peter leads the new department of Outreach which incorporates the work of the previous departments of Mission and Social Responsibility.
The Revd Simon Stride says he has always been passionate about three things: Jesus, church, and music. Approaching his 30s, he left his “dream job†working in a recording studio to follow a call to the priesthood.
Judge David Turner, who is the Diocesan Chancellor, has been named as the new Deputy Chair of the Clergy Discipline Commission replacing Sir Mark Hedley, who retired in December 2020.
In his virtual address to the One Planet Summit on 11 January, Prince Charles called upon businesses and organisations to fight against the climate crisis, something our own environment forum is working towards.
It's been five years since the death of the enigmatic English singer-songwriter, David Bowie. In a tribute concert for the late Freddie Mercury, he paused during his performance to do something that took everyone by surprise.
The Diocese of Chester has been given permission to appoint two new suffragan bishops. Following a consultation, Bishop Mark is now beginning the appointment process.
The Diocese of Chester is creating additional clergy support groups which any member of the clergy can join. The announcement of the additional clergy support comes following a challenging Christmas.
The Revd Ailsa Whorton has successfully passed an intensive training course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst and remains a self-supporting minister with PTO in the Diocese of Chester.
Following Prime Minister, Boris Johnson's statement detailing new restrictions in England to control the spread of Covid-19, the Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, who chairs the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, has issued a response.
In the first of this year's reflections, Mike Gilbertson, The Archdeacon of Chester, imagines how things might be different if each one of us were to grow closer to Jesus in 2021 in both prayer and in our daily lives.
The January edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available. It includes a reflection from Archdeacon Mike Gilbertson, an article on being 'Called to Serve', and a list of forthcoming events.
The Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, has recorded a short Christmas message for the whole diocese in which he reminds us that even in "this strangest of years, Christ is with us."
_1608648943.png)
Church House will be closed from lunchtime on Wednesday 23 December and will re-open on Monday 4 January 2021. In the event of a clergy housing emergency, please contact one of the two named contractors.
In this Church House Blog, Jonathan Masters, Children and Families Missioner, thanks those who have worked with and supported children, young people and families with their parish this year.
As Christmas approaches, we wanted to give you a taste of some of the different ways parishes around the Diocese of Chester are sharing comfort and joy with congregations and the wider community.
How have parishes adapted their prayer lives during the pandemic? Archdeacon Mike and Emily Allen, Church Buildings Missioner, discuss this and hear from three parishes about the ways they've shared prayer in 2020.
_1608286505.png)
Emily Allen, Church Building Missioner, says prayer is a gift we can all give freely with those we love and know, as well as those we don’t, and encourages us to be bolder and braver in offering prayer to others this Christmas time.
Churches are increasingly involved in running and supporting food clubs – often known as pantries – helping families to cut their food bills amid the long-term economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
Writing in the December edition of Chester Diocesan News, the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, Ian Bishop, finds there is comfort and joy to be found this Christmas if we put our faith in God.
_1607965159.png)
A magnificent art installation called 'Starry Starry Night ' by Peter Walker, designed as a stunning visual interpretation of the Star of Bethlehem is now open to the public at Chester Cathedral.
This was to be a story about a simple carol service, but instead, it turned out to be a great example of how a church that engages with the community on a long term basis can be very worthwhile for both the church and for the community.
The Christmas edition of the Chester Diocesan News is now available, which includes a reflection from The Archdeacon of Macclesfield and a feature on the 'Comfort and Joy' Christmas campaign.
Bishop Mark and his wife Lindsay have recorded themselves reading a children's book in support of "Your Christmas", the Christmas campaign from adoption agency and children's charity, Adoption Matters.
Chester Cathedral's famous Christmas Tree Festival returns, with over 40 trees decorated by schools, local businesses and charities. The Dean says he wants it to bring "joy and hope" to Chester and beyond.
