Vocation Stories
As we pray for our ordinands who are getting ordained on 1 July, we wanted to feature some of the people responding to God's call.
News
Celebrating 60 years of Self-Supporting Ministry
To mark the 60th anniversary since the first ordinations of clergy to Self-Supporting Ordained Ministry in the Church of England, SSMs joined the Bishop of Chester for a garden party celebration followed by Evensong at Chester Cathedral.
Farewell service for Ian Bishop
As Archdeacon Ian prepares for pastures new, colleagues, friends and congregants are making plans to send him on his way with a special Chester farewell. Everyone is welcome in Wilmslow for a special farewell service on 23 July and contributions to a leaving collection can be made before then.
Memories of a much-loved CofE headteacher
Tributes and memories have been shared of a much-loved former Church of England headteacher ahead of her funeral on Monday 26 June in, Stockport. Alice Ramsbottom, who died in May at the age of 108, has been described as "a diminutive figure with a massive heart".
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Bishop Julie responds to the disbanding of Independent Safeguarding Board
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Thursday 22 June, Bishop Julie said the decision by the Archbishops' Council to disband its Independent Safeguarding Board was causing "distress and anger" among some of the survivors and victims of church-related abuse she had spoken to.
Pray for our ordinands
This year, for the first time in living memory, the ordination of deacons will be conducted at four different locations around the Diocese of Chester, rather than Chester Cathedral. Please hold in your prayers all those who are to be ordained deacon on Saturday 1 July 2023.
Details of national Redress Scheme published
Proposed details of the Church of England’s national Redress Scheme for survivors of Church-related abuse have been published. The purpose of the Redress Scheme is to demonstrate in tangible and practical ways that the Church is truly sorry for its past failings relating to safeguarding.
Supporting refugees and asylum seekers
Many parishes across the Diocese of Chester are actively supporting refugees and asylum seekers. We visit Runcorn parish where the church community has embraced and welcomed those seeking sanctuary and refuge wholeheartedly, helping them to find comfort in God and community.
Diocesan Synod unanimously approves vision themes and priorities
Diocesan Synod has agreed on the diocesan vision themes and priorities set out by the Bishop of Chester. The Synod, which constitutes members from all quarters of the diocese, voted unanimously in favour of the proposals at its meeting on Saturday 17 June at Chester Cathedral.
Your Church’s Energy Footprint – Why it’s important.
In recent E-Bulletins we’ve been asking all churches across the Diocese of Chester to complete a short Energy Footprint survey. We are grateful to the churches that have already completed the survey and would like to encourage those still yet to participate.
Ordination of priests
Eight men and women were ordained by Bishop Mark at a memorable service held at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 10 June 2023 and the Bishop of Ebbsfleet ordained the Revd Jonathan Roberts at a service held at St Michae's, Coppenhall on 15 June.
Archdeacon Ian announced as the next Bishop of Thetford
Ian Bishop, the Archdeacon of Macclesfield, is to be the next Bishop of Thetford in the Diocese of Norwich, Downing Street has announced. Ian will spend the day touring the diocese, a place that holds many happy memories for him as he has previously served there as a parish priest.
Creamfields volunteers wanted
Revd Jane Proudfoot is looking for volunteers to be part of an ecumenical team to listen, love, and care for the festival-goers at Creamfields, the biggest dance festival in the UK.
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 10th June, as well as Jonathan Roberts, who is due to be ordained on the 15th June in Coppenhall.
Chester Cathedral to Commemorate National Refugee Week
Chester Cathedral will be participating in National Refugee Week, taking place from Monday 19th June to Sunday 25th June. As a City of Sanctuary, Chester aims to draw attention to the challenges faced by refugees and asylum seekers, emphasising the importance of compassion.
Bishop Mark: 'Together in Christ, Sharing Hope'
The launch of a new vision for the Church in the Diocese of Chester took another step forward on Saturday 20 May when Bishop Mark shared for the first time what it is he has noticed and what he has identified as the themes and priorities to have emerged from the consultation process, Casting the Net Wide.
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Building to return into Cathedral’s care
A partnership between Barclays Bank plc, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Chester Cathedral will see a major piece of the Cathedral’s architectural heritage return into the Cathedral’s care during the summer/autumn of 2023.
Free contactless giving devices available
50 free contactless donation devices are now available to churches across the diocese. It's part of a national rollout to offer more donation options to people visiting our churches. If your church would like one of the devices you will need to complete the application form via 'Parish Buying'.
Watch the Vision Feedback Event here
If you can't make it to Chester Cathedral on Saturday 20 May, or join in at one of the four "watch parties" dotted around the diocese, then you can watch the service on YouTube here from 11am.
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Global Majority heritage participants encouraged
The project team behind an exhibition exploring links between Chester Cathedral and the British Empire is actively encouraging people from Global Majority backgrounds to participate in a series of events between the 18 and 30 May.
Leave plenty of time for your journey on Saturday
Those taking part or attending the live Vision Feedback Event on Saturday are urged to leave plenty of time for their journey. The M56 between junctions 11 and 12 will be closed in both directions on Saturday for planned works to demolish a decommissioned bridge.
Final preparations for Saturday's live event
Staff and volunteers at the Cathedral and four locations around the diocese are making final preparations ahead of Saturday's live Vision Feedback Event. The ambitious service will see people from each location contribute to the service via a live video link.
Cathedral exhibition to explore legacy of Empire
Chester Cathedral is preparing for its first exhibition looking at relationships between the 900-year-old Cathedral and the British Empire in its history. Imperial Legacies, Sacred Space exhibit will occupy the South Transept of the Cathedral and opens to the public on Thursday 18 May.
Churches across the diocese celebrate the coronation
It was a weekend filled with celebration across the diocese as churches held all kinds of events to mark the occasion of King Charles lll being formally crowned as monarch of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey.
Ringing for the King in Astbury
The King's Coronation has ignited a newfound interest in bell ringing at St Mary's in Astbury, with 23 new members joining in the last few months alone. Bishop Sam went to meet the new recruits ahead of the Coronation.
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New podcast 'Glimpses of Grace'
The Bishop of Chester has launched Glimpses of Grace, a new podcast with the aim of “capturing the grace and love of God around our Diocese”. Co-hosting the podcast alongside him is Rachel Hsuan, Acting Director of Operations at Bishop’s House. Available now on all popular streaming sites.
Diocesan Environment Forum attend 'The Big One'
Members of the diocesan Environment Forum joined environmental campaigners from across the country, including the former Archbishop of York, to travel down to London for “The Big One” climate protest.
Count on Nature at St Mary’s Upton
Count on Nature is an initiative developed by Caring for God’s Acre, which focuses on the brilliant wildlife to be found in churchyards. Jane Hill, Secretary of the St Mary’s Eco Group has been instrumental in counting numerous species of plants and animals since 2021.
Thy Kingdom Come: 18 - 28 May 2023
Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) 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.
Bishops to share emerging themes from diocesan consultation at Chester Cathedral
A special event at Chester Cathedral on Saturday 20th May will provide an opportunity for the bishops to give their feedback on the broad themes and priorities that they see emerging from the vision consultation, Casting the Net Wide. All are welcome to join them at the feedback event.
