News

Pray for rain

Published: 27th November 2015

Please pray for rain in South Africa. That is the message from Lichfield Diocese's Director of Ministry, the Revd Lesley Bentley, who has just been to Matlosane, our partner diocese.

In the latest video in our occasional series about hearing God's call, Revd Zoe Heming, curate in the Hodnet Deanery, talks about how being forced into a wheelchair at the same time as hearing God's call has been transformed into a powerfully enabling gift for many in her congregations.

Praying for labourers

Published: 23rd October 2015

The CofE has just released a helpful prayer resource with a monthly cycle of areas to help in praying for vocations. Although intended for religious communities such as the Community of St Anselm that Archbishop Justin launched earlier this month or our own dispersed Community of St Chad, it can be helpful to anyone who will 'ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest' (Luke 10:2)

Prisons Week November 15-21

Published: 9th October 2015

Bishop Clive writes in anticipation of Prisons week.

DDO David Newsome set for a new adventure

Published: 9th October 2015

Revds David & Jane Newsome will join the charity Hands at Work at the start of next year, and so are leaving their respective posts as Diocsean Director of Ordinands and Coordinating Chaplain at Swinfen Hall Prison & YOI in the next few weeks.

Creating Missional Worship - new book from Shrewsbury vicar

Published: 30th September 2015

To what extent should our worship be shaped by our day-to-day culture? Can contemporary influences speak in the eternal and the patterns of Anglican worship? A new book by a Shrewsbury vicar tries to provide an answer.

Deficit, decline, death & letting go, letting loose, releasing?

Published: 24th September 2015

Words from Rev Dr Sam Wells' "Thought for the Day" on dementia on 22 September have been living with me.

"Dear Dementia..."

Published: 6th September 2015

Revd Zoe Heming, the curate in Hodnet Deanery (in and around Market Drayton) has written a 'Dear Dementia' letter.

Granddad remembered at wedding

Published: 3rd September 2015

When Meg got married in August, she wanted to remember her granddad. He had had dementia and he died earlier in the year.

Donâ€™t talk about â€œsuffering from dementiaâ€ or â€œvictimsâ€

Published: 7th August 2015

"Words are very powerful - they can build you up or put you down. When you are speaking about dementia remember this."

Early Diagnosis â€“ Alzheimerâ€™s Society Experience

Published: 25th July 2015

It's important to know that, as churches, we don't have to go it alone! David Latcham is an Information Worker at the Alzheimer's Society in Shropshire.

Filling Stations keep rural faith motoring

Published: 23rd July 2015

The Filling Station is a national movement offering an informal way of expressing the Christian faith in a rural setting. Following much prayer and planning, a Filling Station has now been running in the north-west corner of Shropshire for four months.

Will you walk the Two Saints Way?

Published: 13th July 2015

Churches, councils, walkers, pilgrims, all came together to see the new Two Saints Way handbook and plot the future of the pilgrimage route which runs right through the Diocese to Lichfield Cathedral. David Pott created the Two Saints Way. "We are now in a golden age of pilgrimage. There has been a great revival in pilgrimage with many new routes throughout the country in recent years. You can pre-order the Two Saints Way guide, 144 pages packed with pictures, facts and maps to make the route easy and informative, by emailing twosaintsway@gmail.com or calling 01770 830317 or 07932 790525.

Elections to the CNC

Published: 10th July 2015

Here are the results of the July 9th elections to the Crown Nominations Commission.

Changing patterns – finding the life now

Published: 9th July 2015

At our Forget-me-not tea this month, we looked at the cutout pictures by the world-famous artist Matisse.

Ordination of Deacons and Priests

Published: 8th July 2015

Please pray for the deacons and priests recently ordained at Lichfield Cathedral.

Dementia Awareness Week – our local response

Published: 30th June 2015

Dementia Awareness Week ran from 17-23 May 2015. Various things went on in and around Shifnal.

Great Diocesan Bake Off for local schools

Published: 29th June 2015

You don't need to be a finalist in the Great British Bake Off to bless people with a bowl of flour and a hot oven. Flashy ingredients can hide mediocrity, and the best ideas are often the simplest. Here is one that every congregation can use in to love their local school.

South East Asian partner dioceses

Published: 25th June 2015

Lichfield Diocese played host to a distinguished group from the Province of South East Asia last week. The group, led by Archbishop Bolly Lapok, were in England to mark the closure of two missionary organisations that had pioneered the gospel in the far east and to renew links with the Diocese including a whistle-stop tour of a few pioneering church projects as well as a traditional service of Evensong in the cathedral.

Neighbouring Course

Published: 14th May 2015

What would it mean if we took seriously 'loving our neighbours?

Safeguarding seminars success

Published: 14th May 2015

A new series of seminars for Safeguarding Coordinators has begun around the diocese with the first, held yesterday afternoon in Stafford, full to capacity.

"Without Christ, you've got nothing."

Published: 5th May 2015

It's my first time back at Neil Baldwin's place since our interview the week that Marvellous was released. There are plenty of new mementos on show in his Newcastle flat. The birds' cages have been spruced up beautifully, and the budgies look and sound magnificent.

New support for young adults, Fresh Expressions and pioneer ministry

Published: 16th April 2015

The Revd David Cundill was welcomed to the Diocese this week as the new Deputy Director of Mission. He will work with parishes and pioneer ministers with a particular focus on supporting work under the Diocese's Reaching New Generations theme, particularly with reaching the 19-35 age group and Fresh Expressions.

Fradley roof repairs enables dry Easter celebration

Published: 6th April 2015

It was a Happy Easter all round as the congregation at St. Stephen's Church celebrated not only the Risen Lord but the completion of the restoration of the 155 year old church roof. Revd Elizabeth Wall officiated at the service which was attended by over 40 people including members of Fradley Community Choir who sang the anthem. After the service the congregation was joined by Brandy the Shetland Pony in his Easter bonnet for refreshments. The Easter Garden which was built by Messy Church was also much admired.

Holy Week meditations

Published: 27th March 2015

A pioneering church community in Wolverhampton has recorded the St Chad's Community's special daily prayer material for Easter and Holy Week for its own congregation of young adults.

Deaf Church congregations grow

Published: 25th March 2015

Sunday 22nd March was a very important day in the life of Lichfield Diocese Church among Deaf People. For the first time in many years Confirmation was celebrated with a Deaf congregation. The Rt Revd Geoff Annas, Bishop of Stafford, came to celebrate Holy Communion and to Confirm three members of Deaf Church at their regular monthly service at St Michael & All Angels, Penkridge.