Diocese of Leicester news feed http://leicester.anglican.org Wed, 22 May 2013 10:09:44 +0000 At the start of his first week in the job, the newly installed Dean of Leicester visited Fareshare Leicester. During his visit the Very Revd. David Monteith announced that the Diocese of Leicester will be making a major increase in its funding support. Watch a video of his visit here. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-dean-of-leicester-visits-fareshare-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-dean-of-leicester-visits-fareshare-leicester Wed, 22 May 2013 09:05:11 +0000 What does it mean to be a healthy church today? This Autumn we are delighted to welcome Robert Warren, who has led one of the fastest growing churches in the Church of England as well as authored courses and books on the topic, to lead a diocesan day on just this. Open to all and provided without charge, ‘Finding the Way’ aims to serve worshipping communities in being ever more effective in their calling. Continue reading to find out more. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/robert-warren-in-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/robert-warren-in-leicester Wed, 22 May 2013 08:24:17 +0000 Canon Anne Horton writes "During the Spring and Summer terms at St Paul’s School, our Wednesday morning ministers’ assemblies focussed on various aspects of Holy Week, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost. During the Spring term, each class prepared a special part of the Easter Story, sharing these at assembly with some great pieces of art work they’d created"... http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/rogation-at-st-pauls-school-woodhouse-eaves http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/rogation-at-st-pauls-school-woodhouse-eaves Mon, 20 May 2013 09:25:14 +0000 The Very Revd David Monteith was installed as Dean of Leicester at a service of installation and celebration at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/the-very-revd-david-monteith-installed-as-dean http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/the-very-revd-david-monteith-installed-as-dean Mon, 20 May 2013 08:38:48 +0000 The Growth Fund is pleased to announce that the full committee met last week and agreed to make grants in excess of £225,000. Several applications were considered, and a broad range of projects have now been approved. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/growth-fund-awards-its-first-grants http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/growth-fund-awards-its-first-grants Fri, 17 May 2013 07:39:38 +0000 On Saturday 18th May at 3.30 pm in Leicester Cathedral the Very Reverend David Monteith will take up office as Dean of Leicester during a service of installation and celebration. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/leicester-cathedral-celebrates-arrival-of-the-new-dean http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/leicester-cathedral-celebrates-arrival-of-the-new-dean Mon, 13 May 2013 09:19:25 +0000 Saturday (11th May) saw the commissioning of the new Two Rivers Mission Partnership by Bishop Tim. Around two hundred people gathered from across the new partnership for the inauguration, which was preceded by people walking in pilgrimage from each of the ten member churches. Their name reflects the geographical location across the valleys of the rivers Soar and Wreake, a theme picked up both in the service and the new partnerships vision to "flood the communities we serve with the Good News of Jesus Christ." http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-mission-partnership-launched http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-mission-partnership-launched Mon, 29 Apr 2013 10:06:13 +0000 Leicester Cathedral is excited to be making preparation for the re-interment of King Richard III. Shortly after his installation the new Dean, the Very Revd. David Monteith invites you to come and hear from the University of Leicester Team behind his discovery. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/deans-discussions http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/deans-discussions Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:41:44 +0000 The Church of England has published a prayer for farming communities recovering from weather conditions that have led to thousands of sheep and cattle being lost and crops being sown weeks late or ruined. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-prayer-for-farmers http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-prayer-for-farmers Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:59:21 +0000 Dave Whittington, completed the London Marathon on Sunday in 6 hours 45 minutes and 04 seconds and Katie Bradley, raising money for FareShare Leicester completed the marathon in in 4 hours 49 minutes and 26 seconds. Congratulations to both! Continue Reading for details of how you can still sponsor them. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/dave-runs-as-richard-for-kiteto http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/dave-runs-as-richard-for-kiteto Mon, 15 Apr 2013 11:45:47 +0000 The Church of the Nativity is a friendly Anglican/Methodist Local Ecumenical Partnership. Between April 2013 and April 2014 we shall be celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the ‘birth’ of the Nativity by the organisation of special Church services and social events http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/church-of-the-nativity-25th-anniversary-celebrations http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/church-of-the-nativity-25th-anniversary-celebrations Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:07:30 +0000 We are pleased to announce two new appointments at St Martins House and Leicester Cathedral http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-appointments-for-st-martins-house-and-cathedral http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-appointments-for-st-martins-house-and-cathedral Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:31:30 +0000 Some Christians, the police, the ‘KGB’, students from De Montfort University, local residents and a day of building community and deepening relationships through Yarn-Bombing! Ann Murphy writes up what happened on this intriguing day! http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/yarn-bombing http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/yarn-bombing Sun, 07 Apr 2013 10:36:00 +0000 The most important day in the Christian year was especially memorable for seven people this year, after they were baptised outside Leicester Cathedral. Now updated with a video of the service and Baptisms http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-life-in-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-life-in-leicester Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:56:37 +0000 Risen, the overnight Easter event at St Martins House, was kicked off with the Messy Vigil, a Messy Church style event with a whole range of fun and thought provoking activities http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/messy-vigil-at-risen http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/messy-vigil-at-risen Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:06:53 +0000 Cynthia Hebden tells us of a fantastic week of Mission at St Botolphs. "A truly wonderful week and I am sure that we will be reaping rewards from it for a long time to come" http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/the-real-thing-mission-in-holy-week http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/the-real-thing-mission-in-holy-week Tue, 02 Apr 2013 08:29:14 +0000 Crowds of thousands braved Good Friday’s cold weather to witness Leicester’s Christ in the Centre event, and were rewarded with a passionate retelling of the Easter story. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/crowds-brave-cold-for-christ-in-the-centre http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/crowds-brave-cold-for-christ-in-the-centre Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:31:08 +0000 Leicester Cathedral will be open for prayer all night from Holy Saturday into Easter Sunday. Everyone is invited to come to the Cathedral and join the many who are planning to be there. You can come for a short time, or the whole night. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-prayer-awaiting-the-dawn http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-prayer-awaiting-the-dawn Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:35:15 +0000 Holy Week leading to Easter Day is celebrated by Christians around the world to commemorate the most important events in Christianity: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During the week the Archdeacon of Loughborough, David Newman, who has memorised the entirety of Mark’s Gospel, will be reciting it nine times around Leicestershire. Click to see a video him talk about why? http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/easter http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/easter Tue, 19 Mar 2013 09:01:37 +0000 The Bishop of Leicester, The Rt Revd Tim Stevens is pleased to announce that the next Dean of Leicester will be The Revd Canon David Monteith. David is currently the Canon Chancellor of Leicester Cathedral. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-dean-of-leicester-announced http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-dean-of-leicester-announced Wed, 13 Mar 2013 12:08:48 +0000 Today, Wednesday 13th March, Leicester Cathedral publish the Design Brief that has been given to the architects who have been selected to provide a scheme to reinter King Richard lll. It follows a meeting on 12th March at which the Cathedral Chapter finalised the details of the brief including the recommendations of the Fabric Advisory Committee which met recently. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/leicester-cathedral-design-briefing http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/leicester-cathedral-design-briefing Thu, 07 Mar 2013 12:27:25 +0000 Over seventy people gathered on Saturday at St Martins House to consider what God might be calling them to life and work. . Bishop Tim gave a keynote address describing his own journey in faith to the ordained ministry. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/listen-to-bishop-tims-vocations-day-address http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/listen-to-bishop-tims-vocations-day-address Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:50:46 +0000 The National Churches Trust has confirmed funding of £159,500 to 48 Christian places of worship in England and Scotland to help pay for urgent repairs to roofs, stonework, windows and other essential works. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/48-historic-churches-receive-funding-for-urgent-repairs http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/48-historic-churches-receive-funding-for-urgent-repairs Mon, 04 Mar 2013 11:04:56 +0000 A new app from Shrinking the Footprint, the national environmental campaign of the Church of England, offers smartphone users the opportunity to measure and reduce their carbon footprint. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/carbon-calculator-to-mark-climate-week http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/carbon-calculator-to-mark-climate-week Mon, 18 Feb 2013 09:44:20 +0000 Annual Vocations Day is on Saturday 2nd March at St Martins House. A day to explore your call and your gifts. This day is open to anybody who is interested in discerning their gifts and place within the ministry of the church. With guest speaker Bishop Tim http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/annual-vocations-day http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/annual-vocations-day Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:25:33 +0000 Could you sing for the King? Leicester Cathedral Choir will be singing at the ceremonies to be held in the Cathedral surrounding the re-interment of King Richard lll in Spring 2014. We need committed and enthusiastic boys and girls to join the choir, which is already very successful and singing regularly at major events. We will be holding auditions for boys and girls aged seven and above on Saturday 9th March. To book your place on for an audition on 9th March and for more information about the choir and what will be involved contact Chris Johns on 0116 2615374 or 07982 444087 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)/*= 0){out += unescape(l[i].replace(/^\s\s*/, '&#'));}while (--j >= 0){/**/if (el[j].getAttribute('data-eeEncEmail_goWxbRZvPt')){el[j].innerHTML = out;}}/*]]>*/ http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/sing-for-the-king http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/sing-for-the-king Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:49:54 +0000 Leicester Cathedral is starting preparation for the interment of King Richard III. The cathedral has been working hard on initial plans and we are now announcing the first major step in the process. A date has been set - 12th March - when the Architects brief will be agreed by the Cathedral Chapter, with whom the decision about a final memorial legally lies. This brief will then be made public. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-announces-first-step-in-interment-process http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-announces-first-step-in-interment-process Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:06:25 +0000 Bishop Tim has spoken in the House of Lords to criticise Government over effects of Welfare Up-rating Bill on child poverty and a substantial erosion in the real value of benefits for the poorest. He urged the Government, to think again about the Welfare Up-rating Bill that will restrict increases in welfare benefits to 1 per cent. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-speaks-out-on-welfare-up-rating-bill http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-speaks-out-on-welfare-up-rating-bill Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:44:16 +0000 To mark the discovery of the burial place of Richard III, Leicester Cathedral has launched a competition in association with Coles Nurseries to find the Loveliest Leicestershire White Rose. Richard III died at the Battle of Bosworth on August 22, 1485, the final battle of what was called the War of the Roses. The emblem of his family, the House of York, was a white rose. Every year on the anniversary of his death white roses are placed on his memorial stone in Leicester Cathedral. The competition is open to rose growers living in Leicestershire and to gardeners amateur or professional in the city and county. Entries do not have to be new strains of white roses, as the judges will be looking for the most perfect specimen. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/the-loveliest-leicestershire-white-rose http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/the-loveliest-leicestershire-white-rose Mon, 11 Feb 2013 11:35:33 +0000 In 2012 we embarked on a new journey of companionship with the Tanzanian Dioceses of Mount Kilimanjaro (DMK) and Kiteto (DK), with fresh direction provided by their newly installed bishops, Bishop Stanley Hotay and Bishop Isaiah Chambala. In August 2012, Bishop Tim travelled to DMK and DK to see at first hand the challenges these Dioceses face. It became apparent how hard it is for these Dioceses to realise their visions for Christian education and the training of pastors and evangelists when faced by failing harvests and near drought conditions. However, despite this both Bishop Isaiah and Bishop Stanley remained passionately committed to the fundamental needs of education and training and so the decision was taken to do a follow-up Bishop’s Lent Appeal in 2013. You can find out more about the aims and targets by visiting the Lent Appeal page http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/lent-appeal-2013 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/lent-appeal-2013 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:28:54 +0000 Friday (8th February) saw the opening of the 'White Rose Cafe' at St Martins House to coincide with the opening of the Richard III exhibition at the Guildhall Visitors Centre. Working closely with the City Council, the team at St Martins House worked round the clock to get everything ready for the big day and visitors began arriving almost as soon as the doors of the exhibition opened. The opening days of the exhibition itself have been a great success with people queuing to get in right from the off. Visitors have also been streaming into the Cathedral to visit the memorial stone and the Richard III displays. It looks set to continue this week and for many weeks to come. The exhibition and the cafe are open for the next six months. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/white-rose-cafe-open-at-st-martins-house http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/white-rose-cafe-open-at-st-martins-house Mon, 04 Feb 2013 18:02:08 +0000 On Monday 4th February at Leicester University, in front of 150 journalists and 50 TV cameras from around the world, the results of the tests on human remains found ’over the road’ from the Cathedral were revealed to be those of King Richard lll. A wealth of scientific investigation has taken place since August 2012 included radiocarbon dating, radiological evidence, bone and archaeological analysis, and DNA testing has confirmed the bones to be those of the last Plantagenet king. The DNA was particularly clear, an almost perfect match being found with two proven living descendants. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/king-richard-lll-found-in-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/king-richard-lll-found-in-leicester Wed, 30 Jan 2013 10:57:17 +0000 Congregations, schools and individuals are being asked to support the Real Easter Egg 2013 campaign and help change a life. Eggs are available in the Christian Resources shop in St Martins House http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/get-the-egg-with-added-easter http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/get-the-egg-with-added-easter Fri, 25 Jan 2013 10:17:08 +0000 Friday 25th January saw the Leicester regional launch of the ‘Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign. The Bishop of Leicester was joined by Councillor Manjula Sood and representatives from Christian Aid, Tearfund and Oxfam at the event at Leicester Cathedral. The campaign aims to highlight that hunger and malnutrition in childhood will trap almost a billion young people in poverty by 2025 and challenges the Prime Minister to tackle 4 big IFs to help there be enough food for everyone. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/enough-food-for-everyone http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/enough-food-for-everyone Tue, 22 Jan 2013 09:33:31 +0000 Churches across the country will be using 2013 Education Sunday (January 27) to pray and work towards new ways of reaching out to those who are easily overlooked in the education world. The Rev Jan Ainsworth, the CofE's Chief Education Officer, said this theme should challenge education successes, whether flourishing schools or highly achieving pupils, to support those who are struggling. A Prayer for Education Sunday calls for "equality rather than privilege" calling for the whole task of education to "be devoted to justice rather than self- seeking," http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/include-outsiders-challenges-the-cofes-education-chief http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/include-outsiders-challenges-the-cofes-education-chief Mon, 21 Jan 2013 10:24:41 +0000 This January a major joint agency campaign on food and hunger will be launching, with over 100 organisations involved. We are coming together because, despite there being enough food in the world to feed everyone, nearly one billion people go to bed hungry every night and over two million children die from malnutrition annually. Join us in Leicester on Friday for the regional launch event http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/food-and-hunger-campaign-launches-this-week http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/food-and-hunger-campaign-launches-this-week Sun, 20 Jan 2013 10:20:55 +0000 The House of Laity, meeting in Church House, Westminster on Friday, rejected a motion of no confidence in its Chair, Dr Philip Giddings, with 47 voting for the motion and 80 voting against. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/house-of-laity-rejects-vote-of-no-confidence http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/house-of-laity-rejects-vote-of-no-confidence Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:32:12 +0000 Love Life Live Lent – interactive launch in Parliament for new Lent resource. The impressive role played by volunteers throughout 2012 including during the Olympics and Paralympics is inspiring the launch of the Love Life Live Lent – Be the Change! booklets, which takes place at a special reception at the Houses of Parliament at 10am today (Thursday 17th January). http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/love-life-live-lent http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/love-life-live-lent Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:47:08 +0000 David Shreeve, the Church of England's national environmental adviser, said: "Today's news* that half of the world's food ends up being thrown away is a wake up call for us all. The Church of England, through its Shrinking the Footprint campaign, is committed to working on issues of food waste. The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Richard Chartres, chair of Shrinking the Footprint, has taken a lead, working closely with the Feeding the 5000 campaign in highlighting the importance of cutting food waste. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/church-speaks-out-on-waste-food http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/church-speaks-out-on-waste-food Sun, 30 Dec 2012 19:22:02 +0000 Riaz Ravat (picture right) from the St Philips Centre has been awarded a BEM for services to interfaith understanding in the city. The 35-year-old from Evington, Leicester, is deputy director of faith-based charity the St Philip's Centre. In the past 10 years, he has helped 10,000 people become involved with the Evington-based centre, which works to improve faith relations. "I could not have got this without the help of my family and the dedication of the faith community – I am indebted to them." http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/riaz-ravat-in-new-years-honours-list http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/riaz-ravat-in-new-years-honours-list Sat, 29 Dec 2012 14:45:56 +0000 At 2pm at Leicester Cathedral on Sunday 30th December there will be a vigil to remember 'Amanat' (Urdu word for treasure) and to gather in solidarity for women across the world who continue to experience sexual violence http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/vigil-at-leicester-cathedral-for-amanat http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/vigil-at-leicester-cathedral-for-amanat Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:48:22 +0000 One of the striking things about the Christmas stories we shall read in our carol services this year is the way in which most of it seems to have passed most people by. Yes there were shepherds on a hillside and wise men travelling, but for the vast majority of people in first century Palestine life went on much as before. There was a pretty cruel and harsh regime which enforced law and order relentlessly. For the poor (which was most people) human existence was remorselessly challenging... http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tims-christmas-message2 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tims-christmas-message2 Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:23:15 +0000 Diocese of Leicester launches major fund to support growth plus job opportunity! The 2020 Growth Fund, which was approved by the Diocesan Synod in September, was launched last week when the Committee which will administer the Fund met for the first time. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/shaped-by-god-for-growth http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/shaped-by-god-for-growth Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:32:48 +0000 The House of Bishops of the Church of England met yesterday and today at Lambeth Palace and considered the implications of the General Synod's recent rejection of legislation to enable women to become bishops. The House had the benefit of participation in its discussion of the Very Rev Viv Faull, the Venerable Christine Hardman, Dr Paula Gooder, and Mrs Margaret Swinson, who had all previously served on the Steering Committee or Revision Committee for the legislation. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/house-of-bishops-on-women-bishops-legislation http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/house-of-bishops-on-women-bishops-legislation Wed, 12 Dec 2012 08:17:41 +0000 The Bishop of Leicester’s response to the Government in the House of Lords: http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-on-equal-marriage http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-on-equal-marriage Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:50:42 +0000 Leicester Cathedral is delighted to announce it has received the first hand-carved oak figures of our new crib or nativity scene. This a major new art commission for our city and county made by Charles Gurrey from York. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-stunning-new-crib-for-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-stunning-new-crib-for-leicester Mon, 10 Dec 2012 09:42:32 +0000 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu (@johnsentamu) and Archbishop Designate Justin Welby (@bishopofdurham) will all be tweeting their Christmas Day sermons for the first time ever this year. They will be joined by congregations and clergy from across the Church of England (@c_of_e) in a Christmas Tweet campaign on #ChristmasStartsWithChrist. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/oh-come-all-ye-tweeters http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/oh-come-all-ye-tweeters Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:30:14 +0000 On Saturday 1st December The Very Revd Viv Faull was installed as the new Dean of York. Before she left Viv sent this farewell message http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-farewell-message-from-the-dean http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-farewell-message-from-the-dean Sun, 02 Dec 2012 10:53:55 +0000 Sing Christmas is on Monday 17th December at 7.00pm. For those venues already registered. Visit the Downloads page to get posters, song books, powerpoint of song words and notes. If you haven't registered your venue visit the Sing Christmas website http://www.singchristmas.org.uk http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/sing-christmas-register-venue-now http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/sing-christmas-register-venue-now Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:47:12 +0000 The Bishop of Leicester is calling on congregations, schools and individuals to support the Real Easter Egg 2013 campaign and help change a life. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/change-a-life-the-real-easter-egg-campaign http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/change-a-life-the-real-easter-egg-campaign Sun, 02 Dec 2012 09:35:39 +0000 Through the night leading into Easter Sunday, an all night vigil of prayer, praise, fun, film, small groups and food with Bishop Tim, followed by a service of baptism (by full immersion), confirmation and renewal of baptism vows at 6am outside the Cathedral and then bacon sandwiches! 7:30pm on Saturday 30th March through to 8am on Sunday 31st March. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/easter-baptism-event-in-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/easter-baptism-event-in-leicester Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:47:43 +0000 The Christmas Starts with Christ advertising campaign has one simple objective: to put Christian faith on the conversational agenda at Christmas time. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/christmas-starts-with-christ http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/christmas-starts-with-christ Mon, 26 Nov 2012 10:35:47 +0000 Organisers of Christ in the Centre are inviting anyone who wants to take part in the 2013 event to attend one of the two casting workshops being held during December. And while the event will re-tell the true Easter story, it will do it in a different way to previous years, with the 2013 event featuring an entirely new drama and more music. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/join-the-cast-for-christ-in-the-centre http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/join-the-cast-for-christ-in-the-centre Sun, 25 Nov 2012 10:05:29 +0000 St Peter’s Church Highfields, Leicester is one of the first groups in the UK to receive a £9,600 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) All Our Stories grant, it was announced last week. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/telling-our-story-st-peters-project http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/telling-our-story-st-peters-project Wed, 21 Nov 2012 13:14:38 +0000 Following the vote of General Synod yesterday, Bishop Tim has issued the following pastoral letter to his clergy. In it invites those people of the diocese who wish to come to the Cathedral this Friday 23 November at 7.30pm, to reflect on the Synod’s decision, to consider the next steps and to pray for the Church. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-on-general-synod-vote1 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-on-general-synod-vote1 Tue, 20 Nov 2012 19:18:01 +0000 Under the requirements of the Synod the legislation required a two–thirds majority in each of the three voting houses for final draft approval. Whilst more than two thirds voted for the legislation in both the House of Bishops (44-03) and the House of Clergy (148-45), the vote in favour of the legislation in the House of Laity was less than two-thirds (132-74). The vote in the House of Laity fell short of approval by 4 votes. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/general-synod-rejects-draft-legislation-on-women-bishops http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/general-synod-rejects-draft-legislation-on-women-bishops Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:24:42 +0000 General Synod: Summary of business conducted on Monday 19 November 2012 - PM. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/general-synod-report-monday http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/general-synod-report-monday Tue, 20 Nov 2012 11:22:57 +0000 How are we to contribute towards the common good as Christians? How can we use our financial influence as individuals, churches and as the Church of England to influence the economy for the well-being of all? What kind of equality should we be striving for? These were just some of the fascinating questions explored at the Bishop’s Lay Congress on Saturday 17th November at the Samworth Academy. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/lay-congress-2012 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/lay-congress-2012 Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:01:45 +0000 How far is our market economy becoming a market society? Can everything be reduced to a price and economic value? How does the Church speak into this situation with adifferent story and a different set of values rooted in the gospel? http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/clergy-study-day1 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/clergy-study-day1 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 11:43:15 +0000 Bishop Tim is pleased to announce that he will be leading a diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land in the autumn of 2013, from 29 October to 7 November inclusive. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land-2013 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/pilgrimage-to-the-holy-land-2013 Mon, 12 Nov 2012 10:06:17 +0000 Bishop Tim has written to the diocese about the forthcoming General Synod vote on Women Bishops. He said 'As you will all know, the final approval stage of the Measure providing for women to be ordained as Bishops will be debated in the General Synod on 20th November. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-on-general-synod-vote http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-on-general-synod-vote Fri, 09 Nov 2012 11:07:26 +0000 The Queen has approved the nomination of the Right Reverend Justin Welby for election as the 105th Archbishop of Canterbury. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/105-archbishop-of-canterbury http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/105-archbishop-of-canterbury Thu, 08 Nov 2012 09:08:40 +0000 The Nativity Factor: Can you re-tell the world’s favourite story in a new and creative way? Excited to reach an audience of thousands? Want to win £5,000? If so, then the Nativity Factor is the competition for you! http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/one-story-thousands-of-storytellers http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/one-story-thousands-of-storytellers Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:21:40 +0000 Bishop Tim spoke on four occasions in the Lords last week on Development Aid, Homosexuals in the Developing World, Glenfield Hospital and Looked After Children. You can read his questions on the Bishops pages http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-busy-week-in-the-lords http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-busy-week-in-the-lords Mon, 29 Oct 2012 11:20:13 +0000 Reproduced from the BBC. The government has confirmed a skeleton that could be that of Richard III will be interred in Leicester if it is confirmed as the 15th Century king. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/watch-bishop-tim-on-richard-iii-burial http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/watch-bishop-tim-on-richard-iii-burial Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:36:54 +0000 All the people of Leicester and Leicestershire are warmly invited to the service and farewell to Vivienne Faull on Sunday 28 October at 4.00pm in Leicester Cathedral. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/farewell-to-leicesters-dean http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/farewell-to-leicesters-dean Tue, 16 Oct 2012 13:53:57 +0000 Over the past six months, the Sheffield Centre has been helping us understand more of what God is doing through Fresh Expressions of Church in Leicestershire. As their research is published there is much to give thanks for! Three quarters of the two thousand people who are part of these new forms of church were not previously part of a church; the majority of Fresh Expressions are being led by people other than clergy and are present in most different contexts across the county and city. Continue reading for more information. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/fifty-new-churches-in-leicestershire http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/fifty-new-churches-in-leicestershire Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:49:11 +0000 A packed cathedral saw all our lay ministries represented at the annual service to commission authorise and admit lay ministers on Sat 13th October. Among those being licensed were 10 Readers (and a further two “free transfers”(!) from other dioceses), 8 Pastoral Assistants, 3 Pioneer Ministers, 3 Evangelists, a Children and Families Officer and 3 Youth Workers. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/lay-ministries-service-2012 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/lay-ministries-service-2012 Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:54:44 +0000 Google Street view is now moving inside churches and heritage buildings! Leicester Cathedral, St Martins House and Launde Abbey are some of the very first to receive the virtual visit treatment, thanks to local photographer Chris Jones who has been trained and licensed by Google to take the pictures needed. You can see the film on Google Thanks to Google Inside you can now go on amazing virtual tours of Leicester Cathedral, Launde Abbey and St Martins House http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/google-inside-the-cathedral http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/google-inside-the-cathedral Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:57:28 +0000 Did you know that asylum seekers coming to this country have to exist on 70% of the minimum for everybody else? That however skilled and willing they are, they’re not allowed to work to support themselves? That they have to live where they’re put, and can be moved at a day’s notice to the other end of the country? http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/helping-those-in-need http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/helping-those-in-need Tue, 02 Oct 2012 18:16:59 +0000 On Saturday 29th September at a packed Leicester Cathedral, hundreds of his Liverpudlian family and friends and well wishers and representatives from the Diocese, city and county, came to witness the Collation and Installation of Revd Dr Tim Stratford as the new Archdeacon of Leicester. Some photos from the service can be seen on our Flickr pages http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-archdeacon-of-leicester-installed http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-archdeacon-of-leicester-installed Mon, 01 Oct 2012 09:25:02 +0000 Meaningful Chocolate Tree Decorations are now available and are an opportunity for parents, grandparents and Godparents to buy a gift that allows the sharing of the Christmas story while making the family Christmas tree a bit more Meaningful. Each box contains a new limited edition Christmas story booklet, a nativity character sticker set and five hand-wrapped blank chocolate discs. Get yours from Christian Resources at St Martins House http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/20-million-more-meaningful-christmas-trees http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/20-million-more-meaningful-christmas-trees Sat, 29 Sep 2012 17:35:47 +0000 This Saturday a new course started in Harborough to train and equip people for starting new churches. Over 50 participants took part in the Mission Shaped Ministry Course, which aims to help people grow and mature Fresh Expressions of Church. It’s not too late to join the eighteen month, nine session course. Continue reading to find out more. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-church-training-course-starts http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-church-training-course-starts Mon, 24 Sep 2012 12:29:49 +0000 On Saturday 22 September, the Tax Justice Bus pulled into Leicester on day 30 of its 53-day tour of the UK and Ireland, highlighting how global tax dodging is hurting the poor in the UK and beyond. The Lord Mayor of Leicester, Bishop of Leicester, Dean of Leicester, Mayor of Leicester and Chairman of the Leicestershire County Council were just a few of the people who welcomed Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty’s red double-decker as it stopped at St Martins House, outside Leicester Cathedral, between 9.30am-1.00pm. Throughout the beautiful sunny morning, people got on board the bus to learn how they can make a difference in the fight for tax justice. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/tax-justice-bus-pulls-up-at-st-martins-house http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/tax-justice-bus-pulls-up-at-st-martins-house Wed, 19 Sep 2012 09:28:28 +0000 Do you want to know what your deanery will look like in 8 years time? If so, then come to discuss with Bishop Tim at a 2020:Shaping the Vision road show http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/how-will-your-deanery-look-in-8-years http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/how-will-your-deanery-look-in-8-years Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:43:51 +0000 The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, has spoken out concerning the Rohingya Muslims in Burma. Bishop Tim said, “The killing of hundreds and making homeless thousands of Rohingya Muslims in Burma is a travesty against humanity. Those of us who are called to a life of religious discipline are also called to a discipline of speaking out against the horrors of such slaughter. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/rohingya-muslims-in-burma http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/rohingya-muslims-in-burma Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:26:03 +0000 Exciting plans for new Gardens at the heart of Leicester are being unveiled this week. For the first time The Cathedral Gardens will provide Leicester’s Cathedral with a beautiful and tranquil setting, creating a stunning new space for the enjoyment of everyone visiting or living in the city. It will also be a venue for outdoor events, liturgy and performances for up to 800 people. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-gardens-unveiled http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-gardens-unveiled Mon, 17 Sep 2012 07:20:49 +0000 On Monday 17th September what is thought to be Leicester’s largest ever QR code was unveiled on the side of Leicester Cathedral at a special event with the Bishop of Leicester and the Dean of Leicester. The giant QR code, which are increasingly popular and can be scanned by most smart phones, heralded the announcement of a day of special church services being held across Leicestershire and Leicester on Sunday 30th September. The services are specially designed for people who haven’t been to church for a while or who want to try something new. Continue reading to discover more. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/largest-qr-code-in-leicester-launches-big-invitation http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/largest-qr-code-in-leicester-launches-big-invitation Thu, 13 Sep 2012 09:15:07 +0000 In light of the discovery of human remains at the archaeological site of a Leicester Church opposite the Cathedral The Very Revd Vivienne Faull, Dean of Leicester, says: "The news from the excavation is very exciting and I congratulate Philippa Langley of the Richard III Society for her persistence and Richard Buckley and his team of archaeologists for their painstaking work. Leicester Cathedral, along with Leicester City Council, and the University of Leicester, has worked closely with the Richard III Society for many months on the current search. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-delight-at-excavation-find http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/cathedral-delight-at-excavation-find Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:21:15 +0000 The House of Bishops has today by an overwhelming majority settled the text of the legislation to enable women to become bishops in the Church of England. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/women-bishops-draft-legislation http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/women-bishops-draft-legislation Thu, 06 Sep 2012 20:45:38 +0000 We are pleased to announce that this evening’s Diocesan Synod has unanimously endorsed a major new mission fund to assist Parishes, Mission Partnership’s and Deaneries in seeing church growth realised. Funded through the sale of clergy houses which will no longer be required due to decreasing clergy numbers caused by a high number of retirements over the next eight years, and supplemented by the special mission monies provided by the Church of England nationally, the fund is likely to reach around £3 million over the next seven years. Continued reading to see more detail. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-3m-growth-fund http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/new-3m-growth-fund Wed, 05 Sep 2012 18:47:20 +0000 Certificates were presented to those who had completed a Lay Ministry or Training development course at a Celebration evening held at St Martins House on Tuesday evening. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/students-celebrate http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/students-celebrate Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:14:17 +0000 Have you got a… Local bowls club? Village Rugby Club? Junior Football Team? Health Club? Ten pin bowling league? Town Cricket Club? On Tuesday 18th September, the diocese is hosting and evening to explore mission and your local sports club in conjunction with Sports Chaplaincy UK and led by former Leicester City chaplain, Richard Gamble. Continue reading to discover more and book your free place. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/mission-and-your-local-sports-club http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/mission-and-your-local-sports-club Tue, 04 Sep 2012 21:44:13 +0000 You are kindly invited to join with us to celebrate the end of the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 at our Festival of Light event at Launde Abbey. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/festival-of-light http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/festival-of-light Tue, 04 Sep 2012 13:40:26 +0000 Read on for all the updates from Bishop Tim's visit to Tanzania and to listen to his final reflections http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-visits-link-dioceses http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-visits-link-dioceses Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:33:20 +0000 The University of Leicester archaeological team is digging in a car park near Leicester Cathedral in a bid to find the remains of King Richard III, more than 500 years after his death at the Battle of Bosworth. If the remains are found the intention is for them to be intered at Leicester Cathedral. A TV programme on the dig and the story of Richard III will be on Channel 4 at some time in the future and crews from BBC and ITV also came to cover the event. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/dig-for-richard-iii-begins http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/dig-for-richard-iii-begins Tue, 21 Aug 2012 08:01:36 +0000 8,000 of some of England’s most beautiful churches are getting ready to showcase their history and architecture to visitors on Ride+Stride Saturday, 8 September 2012, an annual Open Day which raises money to repair historic churches. Ride+Stride was started in 1983 and since then over £29 million has been raised throughout England to support the repair of churches, with thousands of people enjoying a day out whilst raising funds to help preserve their local heritage. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/ridestride-around-our-beautiful-churches http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/ridestride-around-our-beautiful-churches Mon, 20 Aug 2012 09:59:57 +0000 On Saturday the Muslim community on Thurnby Lodge, led by Maulana Mohammed Lockhat, distributed food parcels sharing Eid celebrations with their surrounding community. Accompanying them were the church wardens from Christchurch, Thurnby Lodge, Peter Buckby, and his wife Mig, John with his wife, the Revd Liz Rawlings from Hamilton, the Revd Mandy Ford, Area Dean of Leicester, Don Smith, church warden from Oadby parish, the Revd Bonnie Evans-Hills, Acting Interfaith Adviser to the Bishop of Leicester, an officer from Leicester Constabulary, and last but certainly not least, 'Jim', a local resident who took us to the most needy in his part of the estate. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/thurnby-lodge-muslims-and-christians-together http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/thurnby-lodge-muslims-and-christians-together Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:35:57 +0000 Olympic mission grant from the diocese helps Run the Race Café Coalville: Wow! What can I say? More than two weeks hard work by more than a hundred volunteers from approximately 10 churches in the Coalville area, plus loads more cake-makers, but what a witness to the community! http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/run-the-race-cafe http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/run-the-race-cafe Mon, 13 Aug 2012 08:08:13 +0000 There will be a farewell service for Vivienne Faull on Sunday 28 October at 4.00 pm and there will be refreshments afterwards for everyone in the Cathedral. This is an opportunity for the Diocese, the City and the County to show our gratitude to the Dean for twelve years of leadership and service and for all that has been achieved at Leicester Cathedral during that time. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/farewell-service-for-the-dean-of-leicester http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/farewell-service-for-the-dean-of-leicester Tue, 07 Aug 2012 07:28:36 +0000 Responding to the announcement from the Deputy Prime Minister that the Government would not be proceeding with its House of Lords Reform Bill, Rt Rev Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester and Convenor of the Lords Spiritual, said: “The House of Lords still needs a measure of reform, not least to formalize its disciplinary procedures and to resolve the problem of its ever-increasing size – as the Deputy Prime Minister himself acknowledged today. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-responds-to-lords-reform-statement http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/bishop-tim-responds-to-lords-reform-statement Mon, 30 Jul 2012 07:43:36 +0000 On Saturday 21 July Hugglescote Churches Together celebrated the London Olympics at "A Taste of the World" International Evening Cafe style evening. Delicious food from around the world. World Continents Quiz. Interview with local Olympic Torchbearer Ted Collins. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-taste-of-the-world http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/a-taste-of-the-world Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:06:48 +0000 As the 2012 Games gets underway, churches across the UK are about to set their own record – for the highest ever level of involvement in the Olympics. To find out what is going on in Leicestershire, visit http://www.morethangold.org.uk/map and zoom in to find events near you http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/record-response-to-the-2012-games http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/record-response-to-the-2012-games Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:22:49 +0000 FareShare Leicester, Hotel Maiyango and St Martins House are amongst food producers in Leicester who have signed up to a new charter that lists the city's ambitions for a thriving local food economy. The Leicester Food and Drink Charter aims to promote healthy, safe and nutritious food that is produced in ways that reduce the impact on the environment and support the local food economy. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/citys-food-ambitions-served-up-in-new-charter http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/citys-food-ambitions-served-up-in-new-charter Sun, 15 Jul 2012 10:37:53 +0000 The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens is pleased to announce that the next Archdeacon of Leicester will be the Revd Dr Tim Stratford. Tim is currently the Team Rector of Kirkby in the Diocese of Liverpool. and that the next Warden of Launde Abbey will be the Revd Alison Christian. Alison is currently the Rector of St John the Evangelist, Stanmore, Middlesex in the Diocese of London. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/diocese-announces-key-appointments http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/diocese-announces-key-appointments Mon, 09 Jul 2012 09:54:00 +0000 As St Mary’s Church bells rang out in Wymeswold, and the community lined the main streets throughout the village, Ted Collins from St John’s Church, Hugglescote took part in the Olympic torch relay. Hundreds of school children gathered outside the church shouting ‘We want the torch!’, while the large crowd of several thousand cheered and waved flags and banners. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/hugglescotes-own-torch-bearer http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/hugglescotes-own-torch-bearer Thu, 05 Jul 2012 07:32:04 +0000 The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens is delighted hear the news from 10 Downing Street this morning (Thursday 5th July) that the next Dean of York is to be the Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, currently Dean of Leicester. This is one of the most senior and prestigious Deaneries in the Church of England. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/dean-of-leicester-named-dean-of-york http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/dean-of-leicester-named-dean-of-york Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:48:56 +0000 Over 1000 people attended Cathderal services during the weekend (30 June & 1 July) as we welcomed seven priests and eight deacons on their ordination by the Bishop of Leicester – for the first time in several years including a married couple. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/ordinations-2012 http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/ordinations-2012 Fri, 29 Jun 2012 10:20:53 +0000 Queniborough Church of England Primary School from Leicestershire have been picked from a pool of 10 regional winners, to be recognised for the significant difference they have made to local and global communities, as one of the National winners of the second Church School Awards. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/queniborough-celebrating-church-school-awards-success http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/queniborough-celebrating-church-school-awards-success Fri, 29 Jun 2012 08:51:25 +0000 Tuesday 26th June saw a day conference exploring the distinctiveness of the Christian upper schools in Leicestershire, hosted by Lutterworth College. The day included an address by the Bishop of Leicester. http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/schools-conference-a-great-success http://www.leicester.anglican.org/news/details/schools-conference-a-great-success