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The first gold Eco Church award in our diocese goes to...
Christ Church, Higher Bebington has been celebrating becoming the first church in the diocese to receive a gold Eco Church award - the highest accolade possible in the award scheme from A Rocha, the Christian environmental organisation.
By his own admission, the Revd Mike Loach says the bronze and silver awards were "easy" in comparison, but acheive the gold award has been worth the effort.
The award is of special significance for both A Rocha and Christ Church because the church is the 30th recipient of the award in the UK and it's also the 30th anniversary for A Rocha as an organisation. In their letter to Christ Church, A Rocha says: "A huge congratulations to you and everyone involved with the Eco team at Christ Church, Higher Bebington on reaching this significant milestone."
Watch a short video with Mike and the team and find out how you can start your Eco Church journey.
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Revd Lesley Currie is the Dean of Women in Ministry
The Revd Lesley Currie has been appointed Dean of Women in Ministry. She will support ordained and lay women in ministry in a number of ways. Women can contact Lesley directly for support.
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Women's Voices concludes for another year
On Saturday 15 October over 60 women attended Women's Voices Conference. Five fantastic speakers were invited to share their perspectives on the Bible. So far, two of the five talks have been published, with more to come.
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Safeguarding Sunday resources
Bishop Julie has contributed a Bible reflection to a safeguarding campaign organised by a Christian safeguarding charity. Her reflection is part of a suite of resources freely available to churches to mark the day on 20 November.
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Together in Love: Meet the speakers
What is Divine Love, and how is it interpreted by the Islamic, Jewish and Christian faiths?
This question will form the basis of the Together in Love event which is due to take place at Chester Cathedral on 14 November during Interfaith Week.
The event will be chaired by Archdeacon Ian Bishop who has said previously that the challenge in chairing the discussion will be in getting the speakers to identify "where the differences are...and exploring that."
Meet the three speakers and register to attend the free event.
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Church responds to final IICSA report
The Church of England has responded to the publication of the final report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). The Church of England was one of the first institutions to call for the Inquiry and a spokesperson for the Church says it is "taking its recommendations very seriously." If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of the IICSA Report and want to talk to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visit www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the Acting Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, Sean Augustin.
E: sean.augustin@chester.anglican.org
T: 07704 338885
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Early collection of October attendance data
The diocese is taking part in an exercise which will use the early submission of the October attendance data to help spot trends in church attendance, in churches and at home. Your help in this, by putting figures on the Parish Returns System by 13th November, would be hugely appreciated. There is help on how to do this on the diocesan website. Data submitted now will be saved and will not need to be filled in again in the New Year.
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Planning for Christmas
The Christmas campaign theme for 2022 from the Church of England is Follow the Star - The Great Invitation. Some resources have already been released, with more promised soon. A recent webinar explains what's happening and what resources will be available to you. Find out more and watch the webinar here. You may also want to think about your presence on A Church Near You as we know that many more people use the service at Christmas to find a local service. Find out more here.
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Growing Faith Learning Hub grants available
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. Wondering what Growing Faith is all about? Find out more here.
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We continue to cast the net wide
The vision development process for the Diocese of Chester continues with a number of Vision Cafes having taken place this week with more to come next week. There was a good turnout at Hurdsfield recently, and on Wednesday at St Mary's Church Centre, Eastham, the Revd Beth Glover and the team organised a delicious fish and chip takeaway supper to fit the Casting the Net Wide theme! Learn more about the Vision process here. More information here.
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New website for Transforming Lives Together
Transforming Lives Together has recently launched their new TLT website, which includes information, resources and news on their work to tackle poverty, loneliness and social inequality through partnerships that inspire and equip communities to thrive.
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Cycle of Prayer
The Cycle of Prayer for November 2022 is now available on the home page of our website. It is also published on the Prayermate app, which is free to download to your phone. Search for Diocese of Chester once you have installed the app to access the daily prayers.
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Bishop John Perumbalath to be the Bishop of Liverpool
The official announcement confirming the new Bishop of Liverpool was made on 18 October. The nomination for his appointment was approved by Her Late Majesty The Queen. On a 'Day of Welcome' in the diocese, John visited various places across Liverpool and set out a vision of compassion, challenging all to build communities and urging the government to show more humanity. In a tweet, Bishop Mark welcomed Bishop John to the North West.
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COP27 is being held in Egypt from Sunday 6 November to Friday 18 November
Information about COP27 is available on the diocesan website and includes: Issues to look out for; ways of following the events of the conference; ways to be involved in the UK, including Ring out for the Climate and the Global day of Action on 12 November; and resources for prayer.
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Rowan Williams at St Asaph Cathedral
Lord Williams of Oystermouth (the former Archbishop of Canterbury) will be at St Asaph Cathedral on 07 November to speak on prayer with a talk entitled 'Finding the Centre: The Journey of Prayer'. It’s a free event (with a retiring collection) but seats need to be reserved.
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You can list your church event on our website by filling in a simple form. Once approved, it will be published on our Event calendar page for all to see. You might also wish to list it on A Church Near You so people in your community can easily find local service information.
Here are some recently added events
30 October - Cranmer Awards for Young People
01 November- All Souls Remembrance Service - Chester Cathedral
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04 November 2022 - Foxhill, Frodsham
An opportunity for you to find inner stillness through noticing and writing. The day will be focused on the spirituality of the natural world, especially trees. This day will offer an opportunity to be still with among the things that live and grow around Foxhill House – the Book of Nature that so often speaks to us of God.
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07 November 2022 - Foxhill, Frodsham
The goal of Here to Listen is to support schools by providing a safe person from the local church to listen to the concerns of children and young people and to allow them time and space in a busy day to process some of their internal anxieties.
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10 November 2022 - Online
November Poetry Break A break for poetry lovers to listen to the work of others and for those who want to share a poem of their own. If you would like to submit a poem, this month’s theme is 'The Torn Page.'
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14 November 2022 - Chester Cathedral
Come and listen to leaders of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths explore the meaning of divine love. The event is being held during Interfaith Week which aims to help build good relationships and working partnerships between people of different faiths and beliefs in the UK.
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25 - 27 November 2022 - Foxhill, Frodsham
Using the themes ‘hope to live in and strength to live by’ from the hymn 'All for Jesus', this Advent retreat with Ian Bishop, Archdeacon of macclesfield, will offer a chance to rest before the Christmas rush. £175pp - includes en-suite accommodation, meals and refreshments.
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28-30 November 2022 - Foxhill, Frodsham
A ‘spiritual MOT’ for clergy and church leaders led by ReSource. Using the outline structure of the Saints Alive course, we will together revisit the Trinitarian foundations of Christian faith. We begin by affirming our identity as children of God.
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02 December 2022 - Foxhill, Frodsham
Come and celebrate the joy of Christmas with other Leaders of Young Generations. Everyone who works with children or young people in churches is welcome.
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Parish Vacancies
If your parish has a vacancy, please let us know so that we can advertise the role on our website. Just email your vacancy to stephen.freeman@chester.anglican.org. Please remember to include all relevant information about the role, such as contact details and closing date.
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Helsby and Dunham-on-the-Hill
This is an important and exciting missional opportunity. There are strong community links and a desire to reach out to younger generations, including work with Helsby High School.
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Wilmslow
We are seeking a Rector who will be a warm and visible presence in getting to know and care for our parishioners and in welcoming new members to the church family.
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For Rostherne with Bollington & Priest in Charge for Over Tabley
The churches are all situated in largely rural settings and in lovely parts of Cheshire. All churches have faithful congregations who work hard to keep the buildings in good condition.
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Priory Parish Birkenhead
Applications are invited to take the lead in developing mission within the bounds of the Wirral Waters regeneration project, so as to create a new Christian community appropriate to the nature and needs of the people who live, work or study there. To apply for this exciting opportunity you will need to be an ordained minister in the Church of England, who has completed IME2 and been signed off at the end of their curacy.
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St Barnabas, Bredbury
The Bishop of Chester and the Patron (Vicar of Bredbury St Mark) are seeking a part time Incumbent (50% stipend 3.5 days plus Sunday) for the parish of St Barnabas, Bredbury which is part of the Borough of Stockport. The parish has a small, faithful, friendly and caring congregation
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St Philip & St James Church in Alderley Edge
Ths church are looking for a creative, proactive and entrepreneurial person with good social skills and verbal and written communication skills who is able to establish and maintain effective administrative systems.
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Heswall
The person we seek will have: an evangelistic and servant heart; a vision for the local church serving children and families; good organisational and communication skills; evidence of strategic thinking and experience of leadership; the ability to relate well with all ages and build teams.
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Nantwich
As a Single Academy Trust, this role would suit a serving Head Teacher or aspirational Deputy Head Teacher who will bring an ambitious and dynamic leadership style overseeing not only the school’s ongoing development but all aspects of the wider school business.
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