News - Diocese of Lichfield

Racial Justice and Bishop Selwyn… what we can learn from history!

Last Updated: 9th December 2024

Bishop Michael recently hosted the first Selwyn Lecture since before the Covid 19 pandemic, based around three perspectives on racial justice. The final one, offered by the Bishop of Lichfield, drew on his recent brief sabbatical in New Zealand which afforded him the opportunity to study the ministry of the Rt Revd George Selwyn, first Bishop of New Zealand, and the 90th Bishop of Lichfield, after whom these lectures are named.

A village remembers the day the dump went up

Last Updated: 28th November 2024

Staffordshire communities were at the heart of the largest explosion in the UK. And a link via a vicar's trainset.

Teacher’s mission in Stoke via China and Sri Lanka

Last Updated: 26th November 2024

Alex Wolvers, who currently works within the Education Team at Lichfield Diocese, will lead the work of ‘Encounter,’ the first of two key appointments planned in the seven-year programme to revitalise the Christian presence in Stoke on Trent funded by up to £5.9m by the Church of England.

Safeguarding every Sunday

Last Updated: 14th November 2024

The resignation of Archbishop Justin this week is a stark reminder of just how important our safeguarding practice and policy is in all our churches. The Lessons Learnt Review into the horrific abuse by the late John Smyth is a reminder of the lifelong effects on victims and survivors, and we pray for them.

Resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Last Updated: 12th November 2024

The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, has received the news of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation this afternoon with sorrow, acknowledging that the Archbishop has acted honourably in resigning.

New cash can fuel Stoke churches' new chapter

Last Updated: 11th November 2024

Newly announced funding of up to £5.9 million (£5.1 million is conditional) from the Church of England will be spent by the Diocese of Lichfield on revitalising the Christian presence in Stoke on Trent, largely among younger communities across the city.

Independent review into Church’s handling of Smyth case published

Last Updated: 8th November 2024

To the best of our knowledge none of John Smyth’s victims has come forward from within this diocese, but anyone at all who is affected by this news is encouraged to use the support services offered (click for contacts and the report).

200 Places of Welcome offer friendship, chat and free refreshments

Last Updated: 11th November 2024

Over two-hundred Places of Welcome are now supported by the Diocese of Lichfield across the Black Country, Staffordshire, Stoke-On-Trent and northern Shropshire - that’s one in four of the Places of Welcome within the national network created by Church Urban Fund and Near Neighbours across England and Wales.

A new lease for life

Last Updated: 7th November 2024

The village of Ellastone in the Staffordshire Moorlands is celebrating this week as a partnership between the Diocese of Lichfield, local residents and businesses brings major benefits for the community with improvements to the village playing field.

Assisted Suicide

Last Updated: 5th November 2024

The bishops of the diocese have written to clergy and Readers about the Terminally Ill (End of Life) Bill, now before Parliament, unequivocally expressing their concerns about the Bill and setting out an alternative:

We're greener than you might think!

Last Updated: 5th November 2024

A new report from A Rocha shows aha a third of churches in the diocese are taking steps towards various Eco Church awards.

Fifth Bishop of Wolverhampton welcomed in Walsall’s Church on the Hill

Last Updated: 23rd October 2024

The Rt Revd Dr Timothy Livingstone Wambunya may be only the fifth Bishop of Wolverhampton since the first in 1979, but the welcome given to him as he took up office and began his ministry was historic.

Bishop Tim and Gertrude welcomed at St Matthew's Walsall 15/10/24

From The Rt Revd Dr Tim Wambunya

Last Updated: 14th October 2024

Bishop Tim has sent this letter widely in the Wolverhampton Episcopal Area.

Let’s rediscover mystery and hope and wonder and enchantment and yes, faith

Last Updated: 29th September 2024

The installation of the new Dean of Lichfield on Saturday 21st September was a sensory feast – in some surprising as well as expected ways.

A new resource for the Diocese of Lichfield

Last Updated: 28th September 2024

News of another new cathedral appointment comes even while the sounds of drum fanfares, young voices joining choral singing and messages of hope and love still echo from the installation of Lichfield Cathedral’s first female Dean, The Rt Revd Jan Mcfarlane.

Diocesan Secretary Canon Julie Jones announces retirement date

Last Updated: 16th September 2024

Canon Julie Jones has announced that she will retire at the end of 2024.

New Assistant Bishop from next-door diocese

Last Updated: 10th September 2024

The Bishop of Lichfield will commission the Rt Revd Anne Hollinghurst as an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield on 20th September as she leaves her post as Suffragan Bishop of Aston in Birmingham Diocese after nine years.

Six new Readers licensed and two dozen long-serving celebrated

Last Updated: 12th September 2024

Blue scarves abounded in Lichfield Cathedral

Three ready to hear your call

Last Updated: 4th September 2024

Clergy appointed to help those considering serving the Church

Downing Street announces next area bishop of Wolverhampton

Last Updated: 30th August 2024

10 Downing Street has today announced the name of the fifth Bishop of Wolverhampton.

Hanley church packed for prayer

Last Updated: 15th August 2024

Christians from many churches around the Stoke area packed into a Hanley church to pray for peace after the previous day's riots.

Statement on Current Issues across the Country

Last Updated: 8th August 2024

From the Bishop of Shrewsbury

Fully Known

Last Updated: 24th July 2024

Knowing and welcoming individuals - in Rocester

Drovers routing for Staffordshire/African charity

Last Updated: 15th July 2024

A Heath Hayes man is planning to walk on a cattle drovers' route across the Scottish highlands to raise money for Malakota, a rural community in Zambia through Staffordshire charity, Hands at Work in Africa.

Revd Ann Bucknall

Last Updated: 12th July 2024

The funeral of an ardent supporter of the St Chad Volunteer programme and teacher and missionary in Malaysia takes place in Lichfield in August.

Nana’s Washday

Last Updated: 3rd July 2024

Turning a church into a laundry, complete with thunder and lightning is perfectly normal for Julie and Louise as they support adults with complex needs and people affected by dementia.

New Director of Comms named

Last Updated: 10th October 2024

Arun Kataria is to be the diocese’s Director of Communications, the second of two appointments in a month for roles key to delivering the diocese’s new strategic framework.

Joint statement by West Midlands church leaders ahead of the General Election

Last Updated: 7th June 2024

Church leaders in the West Midlands have issued a joint statement ahead of the General Election.

First female Dean of Lichfield appointed

Last Updated: 6th June 2024

His Majesty the King has approved the nomination of The Right Reverend Janet Elizabeth McFarlane, Interim Dean of Lichfield and an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Lichfield, for appointment as Dean of Lichfield.

Church of England holds first West Midlands Racial Justice Board Meeting

Last Updated: 31st May 2024

The Church of England in the West Midlands has marked a milestone with the inaugural meeting of its Racial Justice Board earlier this month. This pivotal gathering united representatives from Birmingham, Coventry, Gloucester, Hereford, Lichfield, and Worcester to address racism and champion racial justice within the Church, society, and our communities.