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.
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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.
The Diocese of Chester has launched a contactless donation device for churches to try. Its first outing was at St Martin's in Aston Upon Mersey, which coincided with the first day of their Christmas tree festival.
Following a consultation process between Bishop Mark, Bishop’s Council, Chuch Buildings Council, and the Chancellor, the new Chair of the DAC will be Nicholas Rank. He replaces his predecessor, Bob Munn who served in the role since 2008.
Bishop Julie thanks the churches that participated in the annual awareness raising campaign that aims to give churches an opportunity to show their communities that they take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously. Next year's event will happen on the 19 November.
The 10th Women's Voices Conference from the Diocese of Chester will take place on Saturday 14th October 2023. Event organiser and Church House employee, the Revd Liz Shercliff, has said the events have always been memorable and hopes that 2023 will be no different.
The Church of England is supporting the international campaign for 16 days of activism to end gender-based violence, as newly released figures show that there has been a 37% increase in reports of domestic abuse to diocesan safeguarding advisers over the past three years.
A "silly flyer" is how Jim Johnson describes a church leaflet that was put through his letter box last year. But something in that flyer compelled Jim to go to church. This is his story.
Church House welcomes our newest member of staff, Samantha Sudderey, who has joined the Safeguarding Team as an Assistant Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser.
The Church of England has been making more resources available for this year's Christmas campaign, titled, Follow the Star. The downloadable resources, which include videos, graphics, and music are free to use in church buildings, websites, and social media.
The Yearbook, the printed directory of contacts from across the diocese has been discontinued. The 2022 edition featuring the three bishops on the front cover is the last edition. In its place will be a new online Contact Management System due to be rolled out in the New Year.
With the rise in energy costs and an increase in the cost of living, many people are struggling to keep their homes heated properly, which is why churches across the diocese are doing their best to help by providing places of warmth and welcome.
St Bridget’s in West Kirby has struck up a great relationship with their local school in which pupils help out at St Bridget's church centre every Wednesday at 10am as part of a Place of Welcome in the community.
The Everyday Faith events held across the diocese for parishes from every deanery to attend, have concluded with a final event in Stockport. Over the course of seven months, hundreds of representatives from parishes in every deanery have come to learn more about how the local church can encourage people to live out their faith in everyday life.
When Christ Church, Bebington discovered that local financial cutbacks by the council meant that there wasn't going to be an organised bonfire night for the community, they got all fired up, sparked some ideas around, and decided to have a blast in the church garden.
During a recent Sunday service at Christ Church, Moreton, Pastoral Worker Jane Fisher explained to the congregation what 'pastoral care' is all about. She describes pastoral care as the "ministry of listening" that's part of a "network of care" for the community.
The number of people using the Church of England’s Daily Prayer audio service has passed a million, as the podcasting revolution becomes part of many people's daily pattern of worship. Just search Daily Prayer wherever you get your podcasts.
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Bishop Julie Conalty has contributed a Bible reflection to a safeguarding campaign organised by Christian safeguarding chairty, Thirtyone:eight. Her reflection is part of a suite of resources including prayers, worship ideas, animations, and liturgy that are freely available to churches.
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Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives of Divine Love will be the topic of discussion at an event on 14 November as part of Interfaith Week. Find out more about the three speakers from the main Abrahamic faiths taking part.
The Church of England has published lots of advice to help churches reduce their energy costs this winter. There are practical suggestions from the Cathedral and Church Buildings Division and also a webinar on "housekeeping and quick wins" which discusses a range of ideas for reducing energy usage.
Jerry Marshall is a member of St Mary’s Church Weaverham, where he is a youth leader, communications coordinator, and part of their café church team. He also devotes his time to helping people in Africa, something to which he says he feels called by God to do.
Buildings for Mission Adviser, Sheena Wilson, looks at Warm Hubs and offers some advice on whether this is something you and your church could be offering this winter. There are plenty of resources to help you explore this topic at a time of need for many in our communities.
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The Growing Faith Foundation is seeking to resource 12 Learning Hubs across the country to further its impact. The hubs will act as strong developmental communities of practice from which other school and church leaders (both regionally and nationally) can learn.
