Chester Diocesan News

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1 Chester Diocesan News June 2016 News, features, jobs... chester.anglican.org Growing stronger parishes Big new community centre planned by parish A project to build a community centre for Handbridge, an area of Chester just across the River Dee from the city centre, is gathering pace driven by parishioners from St Mary Without-the-Walls. The parish s current hall was built in the 1960s, costing less than 20,000. Its expected lifespan was around 20 years so the parish has certainly had its money s worth. A straightforward replacement of the basic parish hall could be easily achieved, but the parish has decided to go for something much more ambitious. A 1.5 million parish centre is planned, and it will have lots of facilities for use by the whole community of Handbridge. Rector, Revd Paul Dawson, said: This new centre will provide the community facilities that Handbridge will really benefit from. The project will mean a lot to the area, from the number of groups who can benefit from it, to things like the café, which will provide somewhere to meet. Social isolation is a problem in Handbridge. We really hope that having a centre like this will help. As long as we get the funding in time we want to build a new centre next year. A development committee, set up by the PCC in 2013, has been working on the concept of replacing the current single room hall with two good-sized meeting halls, a medical consultation room for the adjacent surgery and a café / social area. An outdoor safe play area and improved access for people with disabilities are also part of the plans. Photograph of the parish team with their plans by Kirsty Thompson, reproduced by kind permission of Cheshire Life. The picture and original report about this exciting project appeared in the magazine s March issue as part of a Town life feature on the Handbridge area of Chester The overall aim is to provide a focal point for the community and help revitalise the life of the area and the work of the church. The parish currently has just over 800,000 committed to the new centre. If it can raise another 300,000 that will enable the development committee to approach grant-making bodies which will fund projects once they reach 75% of their target costs. The planning process has been complex due to the nature of the site and being in a conservation area. It is hoped the building work can commence in May 2017 with completion and opening by November that year. Holy Land pilgrimage For booking information see page 5

The Church at the Show celebrates 25 years The Royal Cheshire Show will take place on the 21 and 22 June at the showground at Tabley and this year it s special for two reasons Firstly, it is 25 years

2 The Church at the Show celebrates 25 years The Royal Cheshire Show will take place on the 21 and 22 June at the showground at Tabley and this year it s special for two reasons Firstly, it is 25 years since The Church at the Show (TCATS) first took its place on the showground. Secondly, the show achieved royal status earlier this year and so is now called The Royal Cheshire Show instead of simply the Cheshire County Show. Thanks to support from the Cheshire Agricultural Society (which runs the show) and from our diocese, TCATS has developed over the years into an important part of this agricultural show. Events start with a service at 7.30pm on Monday 20 June. And each following day begins with a communion service at 8am. A service for the countryside is held at 2pm on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The TCATS marquee hosts the services and is also a place for people to meet and chat over the teas and coffees. It also aims to showcase all that is good about churches across Cheshire. A team of children s workers provide activities for youngsters. Salt of the Earth brings its blend of science and faith, providing hands on experiments for visitors to the TCATS tent. A Traidcraft stall offers opportunity to support those further afield. Chester Cathedral is involved, both in leading worship and in displaying in the marquee. If you are planning to come to visit the Royal Cheshire Show this year, don t forget to call at TCATS. You can be assured of a warm welcome. Bishop Libby and Canon Keith Ineson in conversation with the Countess of Wessex at last year s show St Peter s Lounge part of the new annexe at Prestbury church near Macclesfield is starting to be used for live music events. The first of such concerts happened back in February when singer-songwriter Gareth Davies-Jones performed as part of an event to highlight Christian Aid s work in Haiti. There was also an exhibition of photographs and artwork from Haiti, which is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Chester Diocesan News EDITOR: Stephen Regan, tel ext stories and pictures for the August issue by 18 June, to: stephen.regan@chester.anglican.org DISTRIBUTION: phone Inprint Colour Ltd on and ask for Mark Heywood. Chester Diocesan Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England (no. 7826) and a registered charity (no ) 2

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few... says Bishop Keith A famous verse on mission from Luke s gospel The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

3 The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few... says Bishop Keith A famous verse on mission from Luke s gospel The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field (10:2). The day of the deadline for this article is the day we interview for the new Diocesan Missioner post, and by the time of publication I hope we will have been able to make an announcement; pray for the person that they will help us understand the plentiful harvest and equip us in our being sent out. A moment, too, to thank Richard Burton and Ian Rumsey the Parish Development Officers very much as they move on; they have helped many parishes take new steps into the harvest field. 3 One rather wonderful worker in the harvest field is Her Majesty the Queen, and her 90 th birthday celebrations allow us to express to her our heartfelt congratulations and to thank God for her witness. I hope you have seen, read and passed on to someone else the beautiful book produced by the Bible Society, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) and Hope as a tribute The Servant Queen, and the King she serves. Another new book on the harvest field in Britain today is Love, Sweat and Tears ; a study on church planting in East London produced by the Centre for Theology and Community. The focus is 5 churches, Shadwell, Bethnal Green, Bow, Millwall and Spitalfields and the 4 summary headlines are, overall Sunday attendance has grown tenfold in 10 years - the diocese of London is now over 300,000 better off each year as a result of the financial changes - there is a high degree of volunteering and involvement across the five churches - church growth and social transformation seem not only compatible but may reinforce each other. Worth a look! The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, pray Pray for the new Diocesan Missioner and the Queen, and pray for our clergy. At the end of this month is the conference held every three years. The theme is Confidence in Christ which is essential if we are not to be overwhelmed by the size of the harvest and the fewness of the workers. Continued on p6

Looks familiar and sets people thinking St George s church, Poynton, near Macclesfield, invited members of the local community to a special witness event back on Maundy Thursday in March.

Each year the parish tries to do imaginative things in Holy Week. This year their live event was called The Twelve.

4 Looks familiar and sets people thinking St George s church, Poynton, near Macclesfield, invited members of the local community to a special witness event back on Maundy Thursday in March. Some 100 people attended the event which involved a live depiction (pictured above) of The Last Supper scene made famous by Leonardo da Vinci s 15 th century mural painting. Each year the parish tries to do imaginative things in Holy Week. This year their live event was called The Twelve. It featured parishioners dressed as the apostles with Christ at the long table in the Upper Room. Those who attended were introduced to each of the 12. The scene where Christ told the apostles that one of them would betray him was portrayed in the tableau as it is in da Vinci s mural. There was an explanation of the scene, in all its importance to the Easter story, given by the Vicar, the Revd Canon Rob McClaren. Rob said: We re really pleased with the way this worked out, and it was very effective on social media. Topping out at landmark church Wirral s Mayor, Cllr Les Rowlands,is pictured installing the cross atop the newly restored spire at St James church in New Brighton, Wirral. With him is Richard Wilberforce, chair of the restoration committee. A great celebration lunch accompanied the topping out. Full report in our July issue. 4

Join our 2017 diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land This spiritually refreshing and stimulating pilgrimage will be led by our three Bishops, assisted by the Revd Professor Walter Moberly, who

5 Join our 2017 diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land This spiritually refreshing and stimulating pilgrimage will be led by our three Bishops, assisted by the Revd Professor Walter Moberly, who memorably led the Bible Expositions at the last two residential clergy conferences at Swanwick. It s planned to charter our own dedicated plane from Manchester to Tel Aviv, which makes travel arrangements easier. One of the key purposes of the pilgrimage is to help us better understand the Bible in its original context. Walter Moberly will help with that and also he ll reflect on the places we visit, after each evening meal, and assist with worship. Our pilgrims will have their own dining rooms in specially selected, good quality hotels. Among the places we will visit: the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane; the Upper Room (where tradition holds the Last Supper was held); and the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds Fields in Bethlehem. Highlights will include visits to the Via Dolorosa (the Way of the Cross), the Dead Sea, the Tomb of Lazarus, the Sea of Galilee; Mount Tabor (the site of Christ s Transfiguration); the location where the Lord delivered his Sermon on the Mount; and Yardenit, the baptismal site on the River Jordan. Bishop Peter said: There is always some uncertainty on the political front, Pilgrims take to the water on a previous pilgrimage to the Holy Lands 5 but typically Israel is a very safe country, away from certain border areas (which we avoid). We will visit Bethlehem, and engage with the contemporary situation for Christians in the Holy Land to a degree. However, the main purpose of the pilgrimage is to make a spiritual journey in the land of the Holy One, and to engage with the Jewish and historical roots of our faith. An experienced GP will accompany pilgrims to provide medical advice and support. The pilgrimage will take place from Tuesday 28 March to Thursday 6 April The cost at 2,141 per person in a shared (twin-bedded) room is, of course, not inconsiderable. Accordingly, payments can be received in stages, if so desired. Also, bursaries of 500 can be offered to help those who might not otherwise be able to come. The Revd Canon Diane Cookson will administer those arrangements. Continued on p6

6 Pilgrimage Cont. from p5 Included in the total cost are: all flights, tours and transfers; morning and evening meals at the hotels; all excursions and entrance fees; tips for the guides and drivers; and a luggage allowance of 20kg. Our diocese carefully considered reducing the cost, either by having a shorter pilgrimage, or staying in cheaper hotels/hostels, but concluded that the losses would outweigh any gains. A shorter pilgrimage would feel too rushed, and the physical demands of the daily routine mean that having good quality (4*+) hotels is particularly welcome. Such hotels also readily provide the private dining room which we find helpful for evening fellowship, talks and activities. A downloadable and printable booking form is available. Click on the link Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the lower right hand of our homepage then click the link Tour Brochure and Booking Form. If you prefer, contact the Revd Canon Diane Cookson on or her via st.saviours@virgin.net and she can send you a brochure / booking form. St Peter s church, Swettenham, is holding a Petertide Festival on the weekend of 2 and 3 July. An exhibition, Blooms, Babies and Baptisms, will include flowers, baptism wear and photographs of the babies who wore the garments. On Saturday 2 July there ll be a concert in the church at 7.30pm by the Kingsfield Singers from Biddulph, plus a baptism thanksgiving service on Sunday 3 July, starting at 11.15am. For more details the Revd Pamela Soult pamelasoult@aol.com Foundations for Ministry: Discover your gifts and calling while learning with others. This course is open to anyone who wants to grow and develop in Christian ministry. It forms the first year of training for Reader and Pastoral Worker ministries. The next course begins in September. For information or an application form please phone Anne Cody on ext 237 or ministry@chester.anglican.org Time to talk about depression... anxiety, madness, addiction and other taboos: This day to be held at St John s Church Centre, Hartford CW8 1NP, on Friday 7 October from 10am to 3.30pm will explore and address some of the taboo issues of mental health. It is a diocesan pre-event for World Mental Health Day which falls on Monday 10 October. Booking is essential. Please phone Jane Hood on ext 257 or jane.hood@chester.anglican.org Bishop Keith Cont. from p3 A good moment to remember that the Lord of the harvest was alone, rejected on the cross. But Jesus dealt with sin and death once and for all. He brings the harvest of his resurrection and is with us by his Spirit. At the end of her forward to The Servant Queen, Her Majesty reminds us of other famous words she suggested to her father in 1939, words which could take us back to the verse from Luke in 2016, I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. And he replied, Go out into the darkness, and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way. +Keith 6

Knitting in Stockport for a big Noah festival Residents of the Richard House home in Stockport are pictured above being visited by Vicar the Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall to thank them for making

People from across Stockport are busy knitting for a giant prayer chain, a very large patchwork elephant (Elmer, a character loved by children), and stuffed animals of various shapes and sizes.

7 Knitting in Stockport for a big Noah festival Residents of the Richard House home in Stockport are pictured above being visited by Vicar the Revd Canon Elaine Chegwin Hall to thank them for making knitted items for a big event coming up at St George s church on the town s Buxton Road. People from across Stockport are busy knitting for a giant prayer chain, a very large patchwork elephant (Elmer, a character loved by children), and stuffed animals of various shapes and sizes. The knitting talents of the ladies of Richard House residential home will be displayed as part of St George s big Noah Festival to be held from 6 to 10 July. The church hosts a themed summer festival over five days every few years. This year the focus is on Noah and his ark filled with animals. During festival week St George s will be filled by an art exhibition staged by local artists. Most of the works on display will relate to animals, water and the environment. Some highlights of the festival: a performance of Splash (a Noah musical) at 6pm on Friday 8 July; All Aboard, a concert for people of all ages at 3pm Saturday 9 July; and a pet service with Bishop John Hayden at am on Sunday 10 July. For more information, please visit If you have any questions Kim Regan d.kim.regan@gmail.com Birkenhead Christian Bookshop celebrated 70 years of existence back in April. A day-long programme of Christian musicians, poets, puppeteers and storytellers was planned for the shop (pictured), along with special goody-bags to be given out to mark the celebrations. Originally called the Evangelical Bookshop, the shop is located at 14 Grange Road West close to National Westminster bank and just around the corner from the McDonalds restaurant. As this issue of CDN was being prepared for print, Flame Radio (a Christian and community regional station) was planning to broadcast from the celebrations. 7

His son Chris, who has joined John on several previous pilgrimages, will also be on this one. Canon John Bowers is a retired clergyman who lives West Kirby.

8 Help our cycling canon on his latest pilgrimage The Revd Canon John Bowers has gone off on one of his sponsored cycling pilgrimages. By the time most of you read this he ll have pedalled about 250-miles to Anglesey and around the island, visiting Christian sites. His son Chris, who has joined John on several previous pilgrimages, will also be on this one. Canon John Bowers is a retired clergyman who lives West Kirby. He s been raising funds for the Barnabas Fund charity annually since his retirement in Our picture right shows John with his son Chris, and Chris s 16-year-old daughter Ayse on the summit of Croagh Patrick in Ireland, from last year s pilgrimage. You can sponsor John and Chris by writing and send a donation to Canon John Bowers at 2 Shalford Grove, West Kirby CH48 9XY. Please make your cheque payable to Barnabas Fund and indicate if it is to be gift-aided. All the money raised will be divided and donated to help two causes: firstly, to maintain and care for girls who are at A garden of hope INSIDE church Each year at Easter a special garden is created within St Michael s church, Coppenhall, Crewe, as an aid to prayer and a symbol of joy and hope. Parishioners grow plants to create a big Open Tomb scene within the church, and they renew and replace the plants right through the Easter season until Pentecost. At the end of every Sunday Mass, the congregation gather by the Easter garden (which features statues of the risen Christ, Mary Magdalene and the angel) as it is sprinkled with holy water and incense. risk of female genital mutilation in Kenya; and secondly to support Syrian Christians with food and medical aid during the present conflict. Canon John said: From the depths of my heart I thank individuals and churches who last year helped us raise 18, sent without deduction to the Barnabas Fund. We hope people will be as generous this year as the need increases. Father Charles Razzall, Rector, said: Over the years the size and scope of our Easter garden has grown. Everyone loves it. It makes people think about the hope that Easter offers. 8

Chester Diocesan News

Chester Diocesan News October 2016 News, features, jobs... chester.anglican.org Growing stronger parishes Church Wardens support asylum seekers The Archdeacons would like to thank everyone who contributed