A special choral evensong at Lichfield Cathedral today celebrated two groups of people on the eve of St Chad's Day.
Eleven St Chad Medals were presented to laypeople who have made a particularly valuable contribution to our Christian life together in the diocese. Shortly before his death, St Chad is said to have charged his followers that their lives were to be characterized by 'watching, prayer and good works' - or in the original Latin record, 'vigiliae, orations, opera bona', words imprinted on the medal. Two further medals have been awarded, preseented to their recipients on other occasions. Citations for each medal appear below. Today's recipients were supported by many previous recipients who also attended today's service. The medals were first presented in 2019.
In addition, the Community of St Chad took their annual membership vows with around ten members present. The community is an expression of modern-day monasticism. It has a geographically dispersed membership united by a common commitment to a spiritual lifestyle shaped by five Rhythms of Grace, and by participation in a Spiritual Companionship Group. The Community of Saint Chad welcomes any Christian who longs to grow in depth of discipleship and who is prepared to journey with others in a quest for a life-changing faith.
At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Michael drew attention to the links between long faithful service and enduring faith in past and current times by witness of the bishop's crozier (staff/crook) that he carried in recognition of the disturbing news coming from the Middle-East today. Bishop Michael recalled that it had been given to him by Bishop Hassan Dehqani-Tafti's family when Bishop Michael was 
consecrated as a bishop. Bishop Hassan was the anglican bishop in Iran from 1961-1990, the last decade of that spent in exile following an assasination attempt folwwoing the Iranian Revolution in which his son was murdered and wife injured. His daughter, Guli is the current Bishop of Chelmsford. Bishop Michael urged us to pray for the situation around the Gulf.
The Crozier itself was fashioned in Iran with significant meaning: the long black portion refers to the sorrows of the Iranian people while the top was fashioned from recycled metals.
Bishop Michael closed sharing this prayer for the people of Iran written by Bishop Guli.
Ever-loving God,
who hears us in our anguish and distress,
and longs for us to be free.
We pray for the people of Iran and the wider Middle East,
at this time of fear and uncertainty.
Be near to those who are anxious;
bring comfort to all who are suffering.
Guide those with the power to make decisions,
and lead them in the ways of wisdom, compassion and moderation:
that people of goodwill would seek harmony and reconciliation.
Join us with our Christian brothers and sisters in all places,
in praying for peace with justice,
through him who is the prince of peace,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Citations for St Chad's Medallists
Pauline Appleby
Mrs Pauline Appleby has served the people and parish of St Paul's Coven with devotion for a number of years in her capacity both as Churchwarden and Altar Server. During the recent and long interregnum at St Paul's, Pauline worked with patient resolve and tirelessness to ensure the continuity of the parish’s sacramental and pastoral life. In doing so, Pauline bore a considerable burden of responsibility, which although weighing upon her, she nevertheless bore out of love for the Lord Jesus and his holy Mother, Mary, Our Lady of Walsingham.
Sandra Birchill
Sandra who is the Lay Chair of Ellesmere Deanery, gives extraordinarily generously of her time, wisdom and energy in the life and mission of the Church. She serves with great care and attentiveness as Lay Chair, is a valued and thoughtful member of the Shrewsbury Episcopal Area Mission and Pastoral Committee and is a constant encourager of local church and community initiatives across the deanery. Her quiet leadership, deep commitment and pastoral sensitivity have strengthened many, and her service is deeply appreciated.
Sally Churchill
Brought up as an enthusiastic Methodist, Sally has for many years been a committed member of the Cathedral congregation, where she has variously read, stewarded, led children’s work, administered chalices and been involved in innumerable occasions and tasks which require a cheerful, reliable and efficient volunteer. After a career in teaching, Sally has latterly worked supporting diocesan staff at St Mary’s House, the Archdeacon of Lichfield, and now the Bishop of Lichfield; without her careful, kindly and prudent management of his diary, Bishop Michael’s ministry would rapidly disintegrate into chaos.
Simon Ferguson
Simon has been at the Cathedral since he was 18, joining as a verger apprentice in 1979. He has seen 4 Bishops, 5 Deans and 6 Head Vergers. He has climbed every step and walked every path; he knows the building inside out. There is not one person alive that knows the Cathedral better than Simon. He also quietly shows care in many ways that people don’t always see, he is humble and incredibly witty too. Simon is everything a Cathedral should be, he is kind, committed and thoughtful.
Danny Flynn
Danny has worked in the charity sector for more than 43 years, becoming the CEO of YMCA North Staffordshire in 2003. For 23 years, he has led the Stoke based charity from a hostel to a multi-service youth campus turning over £5.5 million annually that has supported thousands of young people. Danny is a great advocate for both young people and for Stoke-on-Trent. His leadership at the YMCA has been unapologetically Christian and it is his faith that has motivated him to stand up for the most vulnerable and overlooked people in society.
Carole French
Carole has faithfully served the Diocese of Lichfield for many years across several churches, including St Matthew’s, Wolverhampton, where she was a Pathfinder camp leader and helped to establish Youth Care. For the past 40 years, she has been a dedicated member of St Michael’s, Penkridge, serving on the PCC and undertaking such roles as Churchwarden and Administrator. She founded and led the successful outreach group, ‘Leisurely Ladies.’ Carole has served the church with warmth, enthusiasm, and faithfulness; gifts that have been deeply valued and appreciated by St Michael’s congregation.
Steve Harrison
Steve started attending Aldridge Parish Church in 1969, getting more involved after seeing a vision of Christ! He has served as a Reader for 42 years. In 1998, Steve was appointed to help lead Tynings Lane Church: he has been a reassuring figure through several vacancies, holding everything together and making much possible. Steve has also been Walsall Deanery Treasurer for 41 years, as part of a dedicated lay team. Walsall clergy describe Steve as ‘a huge support and encouragement’ and ‘one of the most humble, faithful people I’ve come across.
Desiree Lieuwo
Desiree came to UK as an Asylum Seeker fleeing persecution as a lesbian in Cameroon. She spent years waiting for her case to be heard and with the support of the church finally received her leave to remain in 2021 since then she has become a mainstay in the ministry of hospitality at St Chad's and St Mark's regularly cooking delicious Cameroonian food at our community meal on Sundays and this year with her friend Aliko cooked a Christmas Feast for 80 people on Christmas Day.
Richard Page
Richard is the Lay Chair of Telford Deanery and is also a valued member of the Shrewsbury Episcopal Area Mission and Pastoral Committee. He has served as Churchwarden and Church Administrator for One Parish (Christ Church, Wellington and Hadley) and has consistently supported the life and mission of the church across both parish and deanery. His faithful, dedicated service and his deep commitment to enabling the Church to flourish locally have been a great gift.
Lilas Rawling
Lilas, retired science teacher and magistrate, has served in churches around the diocese. She has been active at deanery, area and diocesan levels, including: Deanery Lay Chair; Chair of Wolverhampton AMPC; member of Bishop’s Council, Diocesan Synod and Standing Committee. Alongside these wider roles, she has been energetically committed to church life in the city of Lichfield, as chair of Churches Together, cathedral bellringer, and a key person in the parish of St Chad’s: welcoming all, supporting children’s work, safeguarding, leading bible studies, and many other activities, always ready to work alongside and encourage others with her unique blend of acuteness and kindness.
Sarah Slater
Sarah was the administrator of St Martin's Church in Stoneydelph, Tamworth, and St George's in Glascote. She gave willingly of her time as well as her talents including serving for several years as the Deanery Checker for Tamworth DBS forms. Her patience with this was legendary. Sarah was active in many community teams including the Make Lunch team and Warm Space. She set up a charity called Milk Fairies along with Aimi Iddon to support new mothers with breast feeding. She fulfilled all her roles despite treatment for breast cancer and profoundly lived out her faith even when facing her death. Sadly, Sarah died in January 2026.
Georgina Thomas
Georgina is a faithful member of the cathedral congregation, known for her enduring commitment to prayer and her interest in people. Sharing in ministry with her late husband David, during his long service as Rector of Armitage, she developed a lasting love for children’s ministry and prayer. A gifted artist, she has used her talents to create devotional books for children. Georgina attends worship whenever she is able, faithfully praying for the cathedral, wider community and our troubled world. Her kindness, thoughtful concern, and readiness to pray help to sustain the cathedral’s corporate life through her quietly steadfast presence.
Aliko Wilcox
Aliko first came to St Chad's and St Mark's 2017 seeking support with freeing herself from an abusive relationship. She has since become a centre of support for others particularly migrant families and has also taken on leading roles in the Church in liturgy and music and was a Church Warden for 3 years. She also regularly takes a lead in the ministry of hospitality cooking for the weekly community meal at St Chad's and St Mark's and was involved this year in cooking a Christmas Feast with her friend Desiree for over 80 people on Christmas Day.
Richard Page received his medal at an earlier occasion; Lilas Rawling will receive her medal during Holy Week and Sarah Slater’s medal is being given posthumously and was received by her mother.