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The E-Bulletin is back for a new term. We hope you had a lovely summer and were able to take a break. 

A season of celebration this autumn


A service celebrating all of our different abilities will kick off a season of events in the Diocese of Chester that will, in different ways, celebrate and give thanks for the generous way God provides for us. 

Director of Outreach, the Revd Peter Froggatt, says: "These events coming up over the autumn are a celebration of God's love for all and the generous way in which he provides for us. We hope they can be a reminder that there is much for which we can give thanks to God, and an encouragement to us to be and to speak the good news of the Gospel, despite the challenges our communities are facing at the moment."

Events include a special service to celebrate our diversity; Harvest events celebrating the production of local food; a service to mark World Mental Health Day; our annual lay licensing service at Chester Cathedral; and an event exploring the meaning of divine love across the Abrahamic religions. 

Find out more

Half-marathon fun run into its second year


For the second year in a row, St Michael’s Church in Middlewich partnered with its local running group, Run Middlewich, to organise a charity half-marathon event that raised money and built bridges. 

Creamfields Church Tent is 'genuinely AMAZING!'


Volunteers from churches around Warrington and Runcorn have been supporting young Creamfields festival goers by offering support, space and conversation. It was described as "inspirational" by some. 

Knife Angle sculpture and volunteer chaplains praised

An art installation and the volunteers that helped make it a success in Birkenhead have been praised for the impact they have had on local residents, which Wirral council described as "phenomenal". 

Vision development process set for diocesan-wide launch


The start of the new season heralds the unveiling of an exciting new project at the end of the month when the Bishop of Chester will launch the vision development process for the Diocese of Chester.

This will be a grassroots consultation that promises to "cast the net wide" in order to capture the views of the widest number of people in our churches and communities to determine the values that will shape the strategy for how the diocese works and grows together in the future.

On Sunday 04 September, that process started to take shape as staff from Church House facilitated a pilot Vision Café event at St Wilfred’s Church, Grappenhall

With a message centred on Luke 5: 1-12 and the miracle of the great catch of fish, the hymns and prayers in the Sunday service were used to introduce the congregation to the theme of casting the net wide.

It is hoped that churches across the diocese will host their own Vision Café events between October and March 2023.

Find out more

Church House staff at a pilot event in Grappenhall on Sunday

Latest News

Churches to continue support for abuse victims following successful pilot


The Church of England will be continuing to provide support for victims of church-based abuse, following a successful two-year pilot of the Safe Spaces service. Since the service began in September 2020, a team of trained support advocates has supported more than 300 victims.

New local reporting function of the Safeguarding Training Portal


There is now functionality available on the Safeguarding Training Portal for local reporting; this report enables parish safeguarding officers to run reports to check on training completions in their parish. More information is available here.

National survey seeks input from victims and survivors


There are less than two weeks left to contribute to a vital national survey that is seeking to understand how victims and survivors would like to be involved in the development and implementation of a Church of England survivor engagement framework. The anonymous survey closes on 18 September. 

Survey on Ministerial Development Review for licensed clergy


We are reviewing our system of Ministerial Development Review (MDR) for clergy. As we seek to review the existing system and put a new system in place, we would very much value your feedback, even if you have not been involved in the existing MDR system. This survey is for all currently licensed clergy in Chester Diocese – apart from curates in training, who will be emailed separately with a survey tailored to them. Please complete the survey here.

Ministry hardship fund reopens for a second round of applications


The ministry hardship fund has reopened for a second round of applications. If you are experiencing hardship as a result of the cost of living crisis and would like to be considered for a grant, please complete and submit an application no later than 07 October. The funding is part of a national scheme provided by the Archbishops' Council. 

Sabbaticals in 2023


For clergy planning to take a sabbatical in 2023, please note that the deadline for applications for a grant from the Ministry Bursary Fund from Ecclesiastical Insurance is the end of September 2022.

Retired clergy and clergy widow(er)'s day


Retired clergy and clergy widow(er)s within the diocese are invited to a day at Foxhill on 16 September. It will be a relaxed day with a flexible programme of events between 10am and 4pm where guests can feel free to spend the day exploring the grounds, The theme is rest and relaxation and costs £10. To book, email tricia.shuler@gmail.com

Everyday Faith deanery rollout continues


The diocesan Everyday Faith deanery rollout will kick back into gear this evening when parishes from the deaneries of Bowden and Knutsford will get together. Parishes in Nantwich and Congleton will get their opportunity later this month before two events in October will complete the series. Find out more and book your deanery event here. 

Harvest resources from Growing Good out now


Growing Good yesterday launched a free Harvest resource pack to help churches give thanks and celebrate the good gifts in the community. It includes prayers, activity ideas, and sermon notes. More information here

Archdeacon Visitation Service collections


The Archdeacons wish to thank everyone who contributed to the Visitation Service collection. A payment of £1619 has been made to each of our selected charities, DEC (Ukraine appeal) and MMUK (Covid appeal). Your support is greatly appreciated!

Wanted: Two second-hand electric sewing machines


Do you have an unwanted sewing machine that could be put to good use teaching women and girls how to make clothes for income generation in the Diocese of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands? The Melanesian Mission is sending a shipment of sewing equipment, patterns, and material to the Solomon Islands on 19 September. Sewing workshops train women in making clothes and give them valuable skills to generate their own money, making school uniforms, clergy apparel, and everyday clothes. If you can help, contact Katie on 01404 851656 or email mission@mmuk.net

Latest newsletter from the Melanesian Mission


Read the latest newsletter from the Melanesian Mission, including details of its Annual General Meeting on Monday 19 September. 
Events and Webinars

List your HARVEST event today


DID YOU KNOW: 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.

Upcoming events....
 

Enabling all God’s people

10 September 2022 - Online

Join others for a service to celebrate our different abilities, led by the Bishop of Birkenhead, with guest speaker Darius Traves. The Bible says we are all fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God and so the Diocese of Chester is pleased to be to host a service to celebrate all of our different abilities.

Treasurer Support Network

12 September 2022 - Online

This event will look at the role of 'Treasurer', and considers ways that we make it more appealing. It will offer some thoughts about how we can encourage newcomers to the role.

Sponsoring, supporting and welcoming refugees networking event

22 September 2022 - Church House, Daresbury

An opportunity to meet with others who are sponsoring, supporting and welcoming refugees, to share ideas and experiences and answer any questions you might have.

Poetry Break Out

22 September 2022 - Online

At this event Linda Cosgriff will be encouraging us to explore our appreciation of poetry, and work on ideas and techniques for our own poetry writing.

British Food Fortnight National Harvest Festival Service

25 September 2022

The Service is the culmination of a series of events celebrating the production of local food. This service is open to all. If you are Clergy or Readers then you are invited to robe. 

World Mental Health Day Service

09 October 2022 - Stretton

Bishop Sam will join us at this service to talk about Mental Health. It has been a particularly challenging couple of years and this gives us chance to pray together and look towards the future.
 

Women's Voices 2022: Bleeding Women

15 October 2022

What do our bodies tell us about God? This year's conference focuses on the “subjugated knowledges” of women; truths about God, faith, and life that have traditionally been controlled by others.
Vacancies

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. 

Priest-in-Charge

Christ Church Willaston

We are seeking a part-time priest-in-charge offering Sunday duties plus three days per week for this small benefice (population 2,600) in an attractive part of the Wirral. Overall, the church tradition is fairly central, although the incoming priest-in-charge will be someone who can relate well to a breadth of traditions. 

Incumbent

Eccleston and Pulford, near Chester

We are seeking an incumbent for this small semi-rural parish (population 800). There are strong links with the church school. The patronage is held by the Duke of Westminster, and the Eaton Estate provides the housing for the rector, in Eccleston.

Children and Families Missioner

Bowdon

With the imminent appointment of a new vicar, you will be part of a developing ministry team. We are looking for a committed Christian, with experience in children and families work who will develop and coordinate this work in the church and community. We believe that children are equal partners in mission and teach adults as much as we teach them about the love of God.

Leader of Children and Families Ministry

Bebington

Are you excited by the opportunity to help lead and renew Christian children & families work? Do you have the vision to lead teams in re-shaping discipleship and outreach in our post-Covid world? Are you passionate about enabling children and families to discover and follow Jesus? If the answer is yes, St Andrew’s and Townfield churches might have just the right job for you.

Headteacher

St. Berteline’s, Runcorn

This is an exciting opportunity for an existing Headteacher or Deputy Head who has the leadership ability, enthusiasm, drive, determination and commitment to continue to develop this unique school now and into the future.

View all vacancies here
 

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The E-Bulletin is compiled from a range of sources. The editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information supplied. This E-Bulletin is circulated to office holders in the Diocese of Chester and others who have chosen to subscribe. If you believe you have received this message in error, please contact the Communications Team at the Diocese of Chester immediately by e-mail or telephone on 01928 718834. 

The Diocese of Chester is an operating name for the Chester Diocesan Board of Finance (CDBF), a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England no:7826; Registered Charity no:248968.

The contents of this message may contain personal views, which are not the views of the Diocese of 
Chester, unless specifically stated.






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Diocese of Chester · Church House, 5500 Daresbury Park · Daresbury · Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4GE · United Kingdom