News - Diocese of Lichfield

Vocations Officer appointed – for lay and ordained callings

The Revd Jules Walker, Team Vicar in the Uttoxeter Team Ministry, has been appointed as Vocations Officer. This reconfigured post embraces the work of a Director of Ordinands but also leads the work of encouraging vocations across the diocese, from all traditions and from among the great diversity of people living and worshipping in the diocese, to lay and ordained ministry and to the call of every person to service of God and others in the church.

Cannock Chase Landscape Partnership funds benches and more

St John the Baptist, Tixall, is one of the churches in the Cannock Chase area which has benefitted

New Prebendaries and Canons to be installed

Eight new Prebendaries, an Ecumenical Canon and a Lay Canon are to be installed in Lichfield Cathedral, Bishop Michael has announced. Seven of the total of ten will be installed at the Ascension Day Service on 14th May at 5:30pm.

Church promotes all kinds of growth on Easter Day

New life and new green award

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Waiting for Good News

Speculation, expectation and controversy: Bishop Michael's blog for April - and Easter

Good Friday Appeal for the Diocese of Jerusalem

Bishop Sarah is inviting parishes and individuals to support this year’s Good Friday Offering for the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East, which in 2026 is dedicated to the work of Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza

Bishop Michael to retire in September 2026

“I know that I have been blessed over the last ten years to work in one of the friendliest, most down to earth and least pretentious parts of the Church of England; thank you from my heart.”

More blossom in Shropshire

A special apple tree, re-discovered in the grounds of Much Wenlock Priory, home of Shropshire's patron saint, was planted this week at the Bishop of Shrewsbury's house.

Marking Shropshire Day on foot and in prayer and worship

Shropshire Day, commemorating St Milburga, falls on 23 February. The Bishop of Lichfield, he Bishop of Hereford, the Bishop of Shrewsbury and others marked it together in three locations in the presence of Anna Turner, HIs Majesty's Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire.

Stoke Churches’ Revitalisation Takes a Major Step Forward

The Church of England has confirmed the remaining £3.7 million towards a £5.9 million investment to strengthen Christian presence across Stoke‑upon‑Trent through its churches, schools, and community partnerships. Funding runs until 2032 and builds on work already making a real difference locally.

Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations in Shropshire and London

Shropshire Council commemorated HMD 2026 at Whitchurch CE Federation's junior school while Bishop Sarah attended the national commemoration in Westminster having preached on Holocaust and other genocides at the weekend.

'Be Yourself' - Sarah Mullally confirmed as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury

'Be Yourself' was the phrase at the heart of the enigmatic personal message in the Charge given to the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury on her Confirmation of Election at St Paul's Cathedral. "Don't be yourself; but all we can do is to be ourselves."

Director of Ordinands receives her own new call

The Revd Preb Romita Shrisunder, Bishop’s Director of Ordinands, has been appointed Canon for Community Outreach and Social Justice at Derby Cathedral.

Change, resolutions and church

Bishop Michael took up an invitation to write a New Year Message for local media, reproduced here.

Goodwill is for life, not just for Christmas

The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield

Christmas Surprises

Terror and Joy are on the Christmas watchlist of Rt Revd Matthew Parker, Bishop of Stafford

The Best Christmas Gift Isn’t Wrapped – It’s Waiting in Your Community

A Christmas Message from The Rt Revd Tim Wambunya, Bishop of Wolverhampton

Student church turns sixty

There have been celebrations this month as Keele University Chapel reaches 60

Wednesbury church’s grit and heavenward gaze bring new life

Wednesbury's iconic church has seen new life grow through the congregations faithful determination and the help of Canon Missioner, Revd Preb Ben Whitmore, Interim Minister.

Neighbours in mission draw community

Two parishes in Newcastle-under-Lyme have been celebrating this autumn as they complete contrasting projects that both aim to strengthen faith and engage with their communities.

Archbishop Longley's Homily: Lichfield Cathedral

On the third anniversary, 7th November, of the reinstatement of the Shrine of St Chad in Lichfield Cathedral, Archbishop Bernard Longley, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, gave this warm and fraternal homily in Lichfield Cathedral.

Melanesian Bishops Visit Lichfield Diocese

Bishop Stephen Koete, Bishop of Central Solomons, and Bishop Othnielson Gamutu, Assistant Bp of Central Melanesia, explore links.

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Selwyn Lecture 2025: A broad sweep and a deep dive

‘Where is truth, trust and transparency today?’

Remembrance 2025

This year’s season of Remembrance takes place against a backdrop of unfamiliar forces at work in our communities and world. This reflection, commended by the bishops, is offered to aid thinking prayer at this time.

Three and One

Bishop Michael's Presidential Address to the November meeting of Diocesan Synod

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Selwyn Lecture 2025

This year's Selwyn Lecture, 'Where is Truth, Trust and Transparency Today?' will take place on 6 November in Lichfield Cathedral.

Bishop of Lichfield responds to HM the King's Vatican visit

The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield has responded to the historic visit of HM King Charles III and HM Queen Camilla to The Vatican at which the King and Pope Leo XIII prayed together,

Supporting parishes through vacancy

Lichfield Diocese is helping churchwardens, PCCs and congregations alike through the sometimes daunting time of vacancy, helping more of them to discover that it can also be a time of growth, opportunity and renewed confidence. Vacancy is a season in the life of every parish and Lichfield Diocese is working to make every season better.

Churchyard Awards celebrate together

Judges and the judged met last Saturday to celebrate the Churchyard Awards' 2025 crop of care for community and creation.

Revd Joe /Can/ write a musical!

The life of St Paul and themes of redemption are the focus of a prison-inspired musical by Uttoxeter vicar, Revd Joe Cant that receives its world premier in the Staffordshire Moorlands this weekend.