Honouring Black History, Renewing Our Common Life
Our bishops write to mark the start of Black History Month and affirm our Black lay and clergy in the diocese.
News
The End of a Glorious and Gracious Era in Lichfield Diocese
Bishop Tim Wambunya of Wolverhampton reflects with gratitude on Bishop Michael Ipgrave's ministry following his retirement.
Mirth and tears as Bishop Michael leaves diocese
Sunday 27 September saw the last acts for the 99th Bishop of Lichfield.
Lay Ministry celebrated
On Saturday, four Reader received certificates acknowledging 25 and 40 years of service during the cathedral eucharist. Later, many took part in the Renewal of Commitment to Ministry before seven new Readers were admitted to their ranks.
Portraits of retiring bishop
Two significant events took place yesterday, Wednesday 16 September, in the approach to Bishop Michael's retirement as diocesan bishop on 27 September.
Farewell Speech to the House of Lords
Bishop Michael made his farewell speech on Monday during a debate on the Representation of the People Bill.
Knight and Deigh honoured as part of cathedral installation
In the last round of appointments before retiring, Bishop Michael installed three honoured clergy, a new ecumenical canon and commissioned an assistant bishop in Lichfield Cathedral.
New Bishop of Warwick is Stoke-on-Trent lad
The new Bishop of Warwick in the neighbouring Diocese of Coventry will be the Revd Canon Dr Tim Lomax, Downing Street has announced today, after his nomination was approved by HM the King. He was ordained in Lichfield Cathedral, a curate in Wolverhampton and vicar in Shrewsbury before moving to St Albans diocese in 2016.
Churches’ distinctive connections, through dementia
Church family, music and buildings
The Rt Revd Barry Rogerson RIP
We have learnt with great sadness of the death of the Rt Revd Barry Rogerson, first Bishop of Wolverhampton and subsequently Bishop of Bristol.
Festival of Creation in Christ
The New Festival of Creation in Christ is an addition to the Church's calendar agreed in July 2026's General Synod, along with a commemoration of the 21 Martyrs of Libya, a group of Christian men martyred in 2015, to fall in the Spring. Bishop Michael, as the outgoing Chair of the Liturgical Commission was instrumental in bringing this to fruit.
Walsall's drought-friendly bucket baptism
It also featured a church-inspired football shirt.
Bishop Michael's contributions at final Synod
Bishop Michael introduced an important piece of liturgical committee business: the provision of a Festival of Christ in Creation and the addition to the Calendar of a Commemoration of the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya. Bishop Michael also spoke in the Palestinian Christian debate and on other occasions in the final meeting of General Synod before new elections. Both speeches are reproduced here.
Stones inspired
A stone from one of Lichfield Cathedral's spires was dedicated in an Essex chapel this weekend.
Manchester - Atlanta - Heaven...
Bishop Sarah has paused from watching the football long enough to hydrate her soul with some tactics on who to cheer for - in a Chad Blog for the start of July.
Bishop Michael's final Presidential Address
Bishop Michael gave a Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod on 30 June 2026.
Former archdeacon of Salop and Lichfield has died
The Ven George Frost, who served a long and faithful ministry in this diocese died peacefully on Tuesday 16 June.
Bishops’ apology for historical adoption practices
The bishops of Lichfield Diocese have responded to the announcement made by the Church of England today apologising for instances of hurt and trauma caused in care homes in which it was historically involved. *UPDATE 02/07: The Prime Minister has today issued an apology for historic adoption practices. See main text*
Opportunity
David Wright, chair of the Lichfield Diocesan Board of Finance continues our series exploring attitudes to and uses for money in our series Gratitude, Hope and Opportunity
Biggest footprint in Chad Foundations
There was a sense of joy and celebration at Shallowford House on Saturday as the biggest group yet were presented with certificates on completing the Chad Foundations course
The Winds of Change
"Change is what we are about" is not a statement expected in popular commentary about the Church of England. Yet 'Ordinary time' in the Church's year signals the extraordinary according to Bishop Ann in her Chad Blog for June, the season following Pentecost and the arrival of God’s Spirit - "a presence that signals freshness, energy, transformation, new creation".
Walsall Church's grant for enriching science and faith
St Matthew's Church Walsall has received a Scientists in Congregations grant of £9850 for 'Embodied Faith: How Does God Meet Us in Body?' The project explores how Christian worship and prayer are experienced through the body.
Six plus one of the best
After nomination by Bishop Michael and agreement from Chapter, new prebendaries and a lay canon were installed in Lichfield Cathedral last week
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.
Acting Bishop for September onwards
Bishop Michael has written widely across the diocese giving details of arrangements following his retirement in September 2026. He has also shared a downloadable prayer for the 100th Bishop of Lichfield.
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
Hidden away, not disappeared
Dementia Action Week (18–24 May 2026) invites us to challenge stigma, deepen understanding and walk more compassionately with people living with dementia. This year’s Diocese of Lichfield prayer, written by Jeremy Stretton from Ellesmere, supports us all in doing just this.
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.
Waiting Without Withdrawing
How do we live faithfully in anxious times? Bishop Tim has some answers in his pastoral letter for the start of May.
Information concerning the late Revd Kesh Govan
Lichfield Diocese is aware that an independent investigation commissioned by the Anglican Church in Southern Queensland, Australia has shared serious safeguarding disclosures relating to the late Revd Kesh Govan, who previously served here.