Eco Church is a scheme run by A Rocha, UK equipping churches to care for God's creation through their worship, buildings, land, community engagement, and individual lifestyles. Find out how your church can move to being recognised as an Eco church.
There are just a few days left to contribute to the diocesan-wide vision process which, over the last six months, has been gathering the views of people in our churches and communities with the aim of developing a shared vision for the Church in the Diocese of Chester.
_1678364121.png)
The three churches that form the parish of Tarporley have each been awarded a Bronze Eco-Church award by A Rocha. The award scheme recognises how churches express their care for God’s creation through caring for the world and engaging with the local community on environmental issues.
Churches in the Diocese of Chester who have an ACNY account will be pleased to hear that there are some new extra features available for editors which include a dedicated safeguarding information box for church homepages.
Chester Cathedral has installed solar panels on its ancient monastic building. The 206 solar panels generate 22-25% of the total energy consumption of the building and contribute to the Church of England’s aim to be Net Zero by 2030.
Revd Claire Corley and Revd Aled Seago, from St George's and St Margaret's, Altrincham were out in the town centre celebrating Ash Wednesday by offering people in the community the opportunity to be ashed.
_1677080896.jpg)
The speaker at the next 'Sunday at Seven' event at St Mary’s Upton, on Sunday 05 March will be Dr. Krish Kandiah. For those who may not have heard of Krish, he’s an internationally respected speaker and campaigner.
For us all to have a plan for growth for our churches, it's important to have a good understanding of our churches across many areas of mission. Gathering statistics is a key part of understanding the overall picture.
A video of two members of our clergy performing a choreographed Valentine's Day dance routine has been viewed thousands of times on social media since it was posted. The idea for the dance, which is fast becoming an annual routine, began in 2021 as a way of lifting the spirits of the community.
You could be mistaken for thinking that the ‘Crafty Café’ at St Mary’s, Liscard is so-called because of some sneaky way of skimping on their ingredients, but you couldn’t be further from the truth. Crafty Café is a weekly event that unites people together through their shared interest in crafts, such as knitting, crocheting, sewing, painting, etc.
The Church of England’s General Synod has called on the bishops to take the next step to issue prayers which would enable same-sex couples to come to church after a civil marriage or civil partnership to give thanks, dedicate their relationship to God and receive God’s blessing.
Over 70 curates and training incumbents gathered at Forest Hills Hotel to enter into an ongoing conversation between peers about racial justice. Participants were challenged to think about their experience and background, and how this shapes their wider views on race.
_1674837262.png)
We will soon be offering courses for clergy looking to receive pastoral supervision. In conjunction with this, we are also running training for those who could act as supervisors. Could you be one of those people?
A new Contact Management System adopted by the Diocese of Chester will assist Church House staff, Bishop’s House staff and parishes to manage administrative tasks and aid communication. Church House staff will be working with parishes to roll out the CMS locally and explain how to use it
A webinar with Bishop Mark offered attendees the opportunity to discuss the ongoing consultation process to develop a new vision for the Church in the Diocese of Chester and to find out more about the different ways people can take part. Watch again here.
_1674753403.png)
Gaia, a touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram is coming to Chester Cathedral. From the 7th of February the public will be able to view this awe-inspiring installation. The artwork is a representation of our planet and aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, a term first coined by author Frank White in 1987.
_1674740230.png)
An art installation coming to Chester Cathedral in May will be a key creative feature of the Casting the Net Wide vision process. The community artwork will comprise of a shoal of 1000 paper fish, produced by parishes from across the diocese. Parishes are invited to start making the fish in preparation.
In this short video, Paul Williams, a Churchwarden at St Luke's, Huntington explains how the church has been able to carry on during the temporary period when they are without a vicar, a period known as interregnum. He says it's been both "scary" and "exciting" as they've adapted to the new situation.
"God calls us to serve because of who we are, not who we may think he wants us to be." When NHS Nurse, Andrew Bradley-Gibbons felt God calling him to ordained ministry he responded enthusiastically. However, it wasn't meant to be - at least not yet. He shares his story of responding to God.
A service offering victims and survivors of church related abuse a confidential, personal, and safe space to discuss their experiences has increased its operational hours under a newly appointed independent provider, First Light, which took over the service from Monday 9th January.
_1673346163.png)
To start the new year, Bishops Mark, Julie and Sam reflect together on the ways in which they have each responded to God's call in their own lives and how they encourage others to recognise it in theirs too. Where is God calling you in 2023? Come and explore with supportive staff at Church House.
In this short reflection, first published in the Cycle of Prayer, Director of Vocations in the Diocese of Chester, the Revd Canon Sarah Fenby, looks to the year ahead and encourages us all to reflect on where it is God is calling us this year.
Bishops Mark and Julie featured on BBC Radio Merseyside on the first day of 2023 to share their New Year's messages. They were on the BBC programme Daybreak hosted by, Helen Jones. You can listen to them here.
The community of St John’s, Adlington,l part of the Parish of Prestbury - turned a Christmas tradition on its head when they put together a nativity play that was performed in the main by grown-ups and not children.
Many already know that we publish a monthly Cycle of Prayer as a downloadable PDF document, on our homepage but you can also receive the prayers daily using a free app called PrayerMate.
The Bishop of Chester has appointed the Revd Amanda Pike as the new Chair of the diocesan Disability Forum. The forum is the body that discusses issues relating to disability and aims to help churches to better understand and accommodate those with disabilities.
We know that at Christmas time an increasing number of people, who wouldn't normally come to church, attend our church services. A number of social media graphics are available for churches to download and use to help dispel the apprehension that some people feel about attending church.
_1671025121.jpg)
A new Christmas film, made by the national church has been released. It follows the life of someone attending church, from a young girl through to her elderly years, and depicts how she is supported by her local church through many Christmases.
The next Bishop of Ebbsfleet will be the Revd Dr Rob Munro, the Rector of Cheadle, Downing Street has announced. Bishop Mark welcomed the announcement saying: “I am delighted by his appointment, although we shall be sorry to see him leave the parish. He and Sarah go with our gratitude and prayers.”
Parishes across the Diocese of Chester are to receive grants, ranging from £714 to £4,140 thanks to the national church having made £15 million available to dioceses as a contribution towards helping parishes with their energy costs.
