News - Diocese of Lichfield

Diocese’s new CEO is ‘inspired appointment’, bringing banking and church wisdom

Published: 11th February 2025

The next Chief Executive Officer of Lichfield Diocese is to be Mrs Sam Rushton, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, has announced. After a career in retail banking and most recently, in the leadership team of the Diocese of York, she brings to Lichfield the skills that will help maintain and develop the culture of teamworking and collaboration among diocesan staff and structures.

Staffordshire Parish's Heritage Lottery project seeks tenders

Published: 11th February 2025

Acton Trussell with Bednall Parochial Church Council has been awarded a £236,995 grant from The Natonal Lottery Heritage Fund to create a community hub within the existing building to develop connections between people and place by providing social activities targeted at isolated groups. The PCC is now in a position to invite interest from suitably experienced contractors.

Appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury: Public Consultation

Published: 10th February 2025

The process for the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury is underway and, a key part of this is the extensive consultation exercise that will close on 31 March. Wherever you are based, your views matter.

Dementia-Friendly Physical Environment for Schools

Published: 5th February 2025

In our school buildings, what’s helpful for someone with dementia?

Safeguarding reminder

Published: 1st February 2025

We take all reports and allegations seriously. If you or anyone you are in contact with, want to talk to someone independently, you can call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or email safespaces@victimsupport.org.uk. There are other support services available.

Treachery and betrayal

Published: 31st January 2025

Bishop Matthew's been watching telly and had some thoughts...

An afternoon of appointments honouring service and dedication

Published: 27th January 2025

Bishop Michael recognised ten people for their contribution to the life of Lichfield Diocese during Evensong at Lichfield Cathedral on Sunday, 26 January. Bishop Matthew gave the award of the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism, awarded by the Archbishop of Canterbury to Robert Mountford, Ecumenical Officer for Birmingham, the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Evensong 26.1.25 PrebendariesCanonsLambethCross.jpg

Celebrating 200 Places of Welcome in Shropshire

Published: 27th January 2025

Christ Church, Wellington welcomed Strengthening Communities to its early morning Place of Welcome to join in celebrating, with tea, toast and yes, a celebration cake, the 200 Places of Welcome supported by Lichfield Diocese.

New Archdeacons for Walsall and Salop appointed from Oxford and Manchester

Published: 15th January 2025

The Revd Canon Elizabeth Jackson is to be the next Archdeacon of Walsall and that the Revd Nick Watson is to be the next Archdeacon of Salop

Wednesbury welcomes Canon Ben

Published: 14th January 2025

Cathedral appointment supports Wednesbury parishes.

Weirdly Christian

Published: 13th January 2025

Some elements of the Christian story are easily described as weird. We’ve not long heard the age-old story of Christmas and gone again in our hearts and minds to that hillside in Bethlehem. It’s so traditional that we maybe no longer hear the weirdness of it. But a horde of angels appearing to shepherds is not part of a communications strategy Arun Kataria has ever written...

Safeguarding & Dementia

Published: 8th January 2025

Neil and Peter from our Safeguarding team shared some great wisdom and best practice in conversation with Dementia-freindly Churches/Schools enabler, Sarah Thorpe.

Faith without walls

Published: 1st January 2025

Bishop Tim on 'sporting' people, connecting with the media and identity without locations.

Babies don’t wait for us to be ready

Published: 24th December 2024

Christmas is coming, ready or not, as is a Christmas Eve thought from our newly-arrived Bishop of Wolverhampton, Revd Dr TIm Wambunya.

Caring Community Carols

Published: 23rd December 2024

St Mary’s Church in Uttoxeter was one of just fifteen locations around the country chosen to host a royal carol service earlier this month. The services, supported by The Royal Foundation, complement The Princess of Wales’s ‘Together at Christmas’ service at Westminster Abbey, celebrating love, empathy and community spirt.

Light shines in the darkness

Published: 23rd December 2024

Rt Revd Matthew Parker, Bishop of Stafford prays for Syria today after reading the news; and compares to news in Palestine two millennia ago.

Peace and Goodwill

Published: 22nd December 2024

The Rt Revd Sarah Bullock, Bishop of Shrewsbury's Christmas message 2024

Have a calm, bright and joyful Christmas

Published: 21st December 2024

Christmas Message 2024 from the Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield

Appointments and Departures December 2024

Published: 20th December 2024

19th December 2024

A Gospel of Songs

Published: 15th December 2024

Christmas and New Year are on the horizon – but for the church, a new year has just started. The next twelve months at church will be full of readings from Luke’s Gospel.

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

Published: 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.

£2million church repairs on knife edge

Published: 9th December 2024

Uncertainty over a government grant scheme that has run for over twenty years and could end in weeks is threatening completion of more than £2m of repairs to a Hanley church.

Love is enough

Published: 1st December 2024

Young carers, a politician and a little fund-raising put a song in Bishop Sarah's heart at the start of Advent.

A village remembers the day the dump went up

Published: 28th November 2024

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

Food for the ears

Published: 26th November 2024

The Lichfield Diocesan Digest Sound Magazine passes its thirty-five year anniversary this autumn. Founded in 1989 under the leadership of Dean of Lichfield, John Lang, former Head of Religious Broadcasting at the BBC, it is an audio publication dedicated to serving the Lichfield Diocese.

Teacher’s mission in Stoke via China and Sri Lanka

Published: 25th 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.

Dementia-friendly physical environment for churches

Published: 25th November 2024

In our buildings, what’s helpful or unhelpful for someone with dementia?

Safeguarding every Sunday

Published: 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

Published: 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

Published: 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.