Christians throughout the Diocese and its partner churches around the world are offering prayers and support for the people of Manchester following Monday's terrorist attack.
Churches have been hosting or taking part in vigils at various places. These included St Andrew's in Sneyd Green, Stoke-on-Trent, who were involved in a vigil outside Hanley Town Hall, where the Bishop of Stafford, the Right Revd Geoff Annas spoke, on Wednesday, 24 May.
Meanwhile, numerous churches - including St Mary and St Chads in Stafford - are inviting people to pray and mark the national minute's silence at 11am on Thursday, 25 May, in their buildings.
The Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, who is also the national Chair of the Council of Christians and Jews, said: We stand alongside the people of Manchester and continue to pray for calm and healing.
We are more determined than ever to building bridges across religious communities in our own diverse diocese as grassroots relationships between local churches and mosques and the Near Neighbours initiatives show. Now is not a time to build barriers but to redouble our efforts to work together for peace as we trust in God.
Messages have also been sent from the Diocese's missionary partners abroad.
Bishop Stephen Diseko, from the Diocese of Matlosane in South Africa, said: "May you, together with your people be assured of our prayers. Your pain is our pain, and your tears our tears, our sincere condolences.
"We are indeed horrified, but at the same time we pray that God may heal those who have been injured, comfort those who have lost their loved ones, and may the souls of all those who have died Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory."
The Revd Christa Hunzinger, from the Nordkirche Lutheran Church in Germany, said: "With deep sorrow and with horror we have heard about the terrorist attack in Manchester which caused so many victims. This morning in our staff meeting we held a prayer for the victims and their families. We pray for all who mourn over the loss of a beloved one, for all who are desperately still looking for a member of their family or a friend, for all who are in hospital.
"May the injured ones soon recover again and may they experience much solidarity and love....May God bless all who are affected by this attack. May it strengthen solidarity and kindness in your country and not violence and feelings of retaliation."
People have also been invited to pray and light a candle at Lichfield Cathedral for the victims.