Happy birthday to Stoke-on-Trent!
Published: 26th June 2025After marking 100 years of a city and 900 years of a village church, Bishop Matthew asks whether anniversaries and commemorations also asks questions too about the present and the future.
News
Making Memories
Published: 17th June 2025As we enjoy a week of sunshine, Revd Jeremy Oakley muses on Making Memories in this month's Chad Blog - specifically those made on youth camps at the diocesan outward bound/retreat centre at Dovedale
Next Steps: Living in Love and Faith
Published: 8th June 2025Following a discussion at May’s Bishop’s Council, this statement provides an update about the informal discussions in July’s Diocesan Synod requested by the National LLF team and the appointment of a new LLF Champion to offer support to parishes. The discussions will not go ahead in July and their form or whether they are scheduled for November’s Synod will be considered with input from the new LLF Champion.
Appreciating the present moment at Rushall Memory Café
Published: 4th June 2025Community connections and cake – “not just for people with dementia”
The Revd Phillip Johnson to be new DAC Chair
Published: 3rd June 2025The vicar of Eccleshall brings a broad palette of skills and experience to the 'planning permission' part of caring for church buildings.
Clergy pensions: proposals for enhancement
Published: 22nd May 2025Church of England Pensions Board Investments has made known proposals for significant improvements to the Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme (CEPFS). If implemented, they will represent a significant step forward.
House of Bishops statement on Gaza
Published: 22nd May 2025This morning, the House of Bishops agreed and published the following statement about the situation in Gaza:
“Enjoy every minute of them, with what you’ve got”
Published: 19th May 2025Our Dementia Action Week prayer, affirming presence, thankfulness & love
Pop goes the atmosphere
Published: 12th May 2025Reader and diocesan environmental officer, Dr Jan Firth listens to ice, celebrates the Eco Church Awards received in the diocese in this month's Chad Blog
The Revd Preb John Baines RIP
Published: 12th May 2025Bishop Michael was sorry to learn of the sudden and unexpected death in service of the Revd Preb John Baines and has written a brief tribute.
Are You a Participant or An Observer?
Published: 1st May 2025In this month's Chad Blog, Bishop Tim digs lessons from the farmyard and the late pope.
Key appointment moves Church’s Stoke Revitalisation into next phase
Published: 28th April 2025An experienced youth worker, now trained and ordained, is to take up the second of two key roles in Lichfield Diocese’s £5.9m project to start a new chapter in the church’s story in Stoke on Trent. The Revd Alan Gault, currently Planting Curate at St Luke’s, Blackburn will become Stoke’s Resource Church Leader based at All Saints Joiners Square.
Stop to move forward
Published: 23rd April 2025The world is a busy place. And Our lives at church can be no different and it can be hard to find the time, or the energy to stop and think about anything, let alone our ‘calling’. We all have one. Even serving coffee is one. Helen Scheven from our Vocations team writes on slowing down and taking stock during Easter week in our latest Chad Blog.
Pope Francis RIP
Published: 21st April 2025On learning of the death of Pope Francis, the Rt Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield, has made a statement.
Assistant Archdeacons of Lichfield Appointed
Published: 25th March 2025Bishop Michael has appointed two Assistant Archdeacons of Lichfield. They will take up these temporary roles from Wednesday 26th March.
'Book of Prayers' through dementia
Published: 20th March 2025Sharing the story, ordering your copies
On the way to paradise
Published: 18th March 2025Manchester to Lichfield... it's a start for Revd Canon Nick Smeeton, our newish Strategy Programme Director, as he contributes his first Chad Blog
Seeking the Kingdom - on foot
Published: 25th March 2025From 3 - 12 April, as part of his Lenten Observance, Bishop Michael will be walking though all four archdeaconries of Lichfield Diocese. On each of these ten days he will stop in the evening to join a parish for prayer and Bible study. He will take as his subject one of the ten goals in the Diocesan Strategy, ‘Seeking the Kingdom’ on each day.
Three clergy elected, filling General Synod vacancies
Published: 10th March 2025Elections concluded last week for mid-term vacancies in this diocese's General Synod clergy representatives.
1700+ Church: One Holy Catholic and Apostolic
Published: 5th March 2025Lichfield Cathedral's Lent Course is available online, week, starting on Ash Wednesday with Bishop Michael.
Silver Eco Award for Lichfield Diocese’s Offices
Published: 5th March 2025Following an exhaustive process, including an assessment of direct and indirect emissions, St Mary’s House, Lichfield Diocese's offices in The Close, Lichfield has been awarded environmental charity ARocha’s Silver Eco Award.
Spirit of St of Chad lives on in medal recipients
Published: 5th March 2025The significant contributions that seven people have made to their communities and the diocese were recognised on Sunday at a special service of Evensong in the cathedral where Bishop Michael presented them with the St Chad Medal.
Appointments and Departures 26 February 2025
Published: 3rd March 202526 February 2025
Dust that is loved by God
Published: 1st March 2025Bishop Sarah is thinking beyond Syrup Tuesday (other pancake toppings are available) to Ash Wednesday in this month's Chad Blog.
Conclusion of the Makin Review Four-Step Process
Published: 25th February 2025The Church of England's National Safeguarding Team has today announced the conclusion of the work to review all clergy under the authority or oversight of the Church of England who are criticised in the Makin review, published in November
Burton churches turn to B.E.E.R.
Published: 24th February 2025The newly united parishes of St Aidan & St Paul in Burton and St John the Divine in Horninglow are adopting a ‘Rule of Life’, with the memorable acronym B.E.E.R, standing for Believe, Explore, Engage Respond.
Interim Directors appointed
Published: 24th February 2025The West Midlands Racial Justice initiative has announced the appointment of The Revd. Canon Douglas Machiridza and The Revd. Dr. Sarah Hayes as its new interim Co-Directors, following the departure of The Revd. Dr. Evie Vernon at the end of last year.
A brewing sense of purpose
Published: 24th February 2025A pint-sized reflection brings joy to Revd Preb Jeanette Hartwell
Staffordshire Parish's Heritage Lottery project seeks tenders
Published: 11th February 2025Acton 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.
Diocese’s new CEO is ‘inspired appointment’, bringing banking and church wisdom
Published: 11th February 2025The 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.
