News


Spirit of St of Chad lives on in medal recipients

The 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.

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Dust that is loved by God

Bishop Sarah is thinking beyond Syrup Tuesday (other pancake toppings are available) to Ash Wednesday in this month's Chad Blog.

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Conclusion of the Makin Review Four-Step Process

The 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.

The 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

The 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.

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A brewing sense of purpose

A pint-sized reflection brings joy to Revd Preb Jeanette Hartwell

Revd Preb Jeanette Hartwell

Staffordshire Parish's Heritage Lottery project seeks tenders

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.


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

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.

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Appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury: Public Consultation

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. 

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Dementia-Friendly Physical Environment for Schools

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

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Safeguarding reminder

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.

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Celebrating 200 Places of Welcome in Shropshire

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.

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An afternoon of appointments honouring service and dedication

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.

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Treachery and betrayal

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

Bishop Matthew Parker

New Archdeacons for Walsall and Salop appointed from Oxford and Manchester

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

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Wednesbury welcomes Canon Ben

Cathedral appointment supports Wednesbury parishes.

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Weirdly Christian

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...

Arun Kataria

Safeguarding & Dementia

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

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Babies don’t wait for us to be ready

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

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Peace and Goodwill

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

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Light shines in the darkness

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

Bishop Matthew Parker

Have a calm, bright and joyful Christmas

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

Bishop Michael Ipgrave


Caring Community Carols

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.

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Faith without walls

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

Bishop Rt Revd Tim Wambunya

£2million church repairs on knife edge

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.

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

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.

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Love is enough

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

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A village remembers the day the dump went up

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

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