The Bishop of Chester writes:

I will be retiring as Bishop of Chester on the 30th September. I would have had to retire by next March, but with the Bishop of Stockport moving on, it has concentrated my mind. Although we began the process of identifying a new Bishop of Stockport, I found myself reluctant to select a Suffragan Bishop with whom my successor, but not I, would need to work. There was an added complication in that the Dioceses Commission has put us on notice that when the Bishop Sat. 13th July 11 am - 1 pm of Birkenhead retires, it intends to review the overall episcopal provision in the Diocese, with the possibility that we might move to Donations for the following stalls will be greatly appreciated. one Suffragan (which is an assistant Bishop) and one or more Please can you let the Stall-holders have your gifts well before additional Archdeacons, as some other dioceses have done. the day so that items can be priced up. Many thanks. This certainly merits discussion, but that must engage my successor Bottles containing anything! Ashley (MENSSA) and not me. To appoint a new Bishop of Stockport now, with a real possibility that the role might change significantly in the near future, £1 & £2 Stall + toys for the children Choir (Sylvia & Aly) didn’t seem right. The future shape of episcopal ministry in the Sweets & Chocolate Tombola Trisha Diocese needs to be settled before any new appointments are made. Plants Pauline & Linda At 69 I was beginning to feel ready to retire - with Elisabeth in strong agreement! We will move to our house in Scotland, which we have Summer Gifts Angela lovingly helped to build over the past decade or so, and which is ready Pre-loved handbags Lorraine, Abi & Margaret and waiting for us. It has been a huge privilege to serve in this Diocese and I am looking Cakes & Biscuits Cathy & Sue (MU) forward to my final months in post. The Diocese of Chester will always Raffle Pam, Rena & Karin remain in our hearts and in our prayers. Refreshments Glenys A farewell service of Holy Communion has been arranged in the Cathedral at 11 a.m. on Saturday 20th July, when Bishop Peter will Thanking you in anticipation of your much valued support. preside. It would be so nice if members of our congregation went to this in support of +Peter’s ministry. Please let me (vicar) know if you would like a ticket as soon as possible please. 30 Days 9th June: Day of Pentecost – Whit Sunday In one small room in Jerusalem, a small group of people who had Wild followed Jesus were praying. There was nothing else for them to do: Jesus had died, He had risen, and He had ascended, promising to send them ‘a Comforter’. They were left alone, to wait. And so they waited – on Him and for Him. They were not disappointed: On that morning there was suddenly the sound as of a mighty rushing wind. Tongues of flame flickered on their heads, and they began to praise Sarah God in many tongues to the astonishment of those who heard them. writes: That morning the Holy Spirit came to dwell in the disciples and followers of Jesus: and the Church was born. Those first Christians were suddenly full of life and power, utterly different from their former 30 Days Wild is the UK's month-long nature campaign run by The fearful selves. The change in them was permanent. Wildlife Trusts. Peter gave the first ever sermon of the Christian Church that morning: From little actions (like stopping to smell a flower on your way to the proclaiming Jesus was the Messiah. His boldness in the face of shops or taking a moment to watch squabbling sparrows in a hedge) possible death was in marked contrast to the man who had denied to big things (like giving up single-use plastics for a month or pledging Jesus 50 days before. And 3000 people responded, were converted, your support to a nature campaign), 30 Days Wild is all about and were baptised. How’s that for fast church growth! reconnecting with the natural world around you and doing a little bit of Power is experienced in two ways: it can be either unleashed or good for wildlife. harnessed. The energy in petrol can be released explosively by I shall be taking part and doing my bit to help wildlife. There will be a dropping a lighted match into it. However, in the engine of a car, it will display at the back of church with lots of ideas to inspire us. I am also transport people in a controlled way! The Holy Spirit works in a similar putting a wall chart up with the blank boxes labelled 1-30 on it. I will way. At Pentecost, he exploded onto the scene and 3000 people were start the ball rolling by filling a few in as I complete each day, but it added to the church, because of Peter’s preaching. He also equips us would be GREAT if other people could fill in a box for anything with His gifts to engage in the mission and ministry of the church. different that they have done in June to help wildlife. Did you know we However, the Spirit's power also enables us so to grow in our faith. He have a Wildlife Garden at St. Saviour’s? A haven for frogs, insects assures us of God’s love and acceptance in our lives, despite our (Buggingham Palace!), hedgehogs, foxes & even a badger! Have a fears, doubts or failures: ‘God's love has been poured out into our look one day after a service, it is really blooming at the moment! hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us’ (Romans Our MENSSA group is going for a country ramble on the 11th June, 5:5). The Holy Spirit is also committed to producing the character of starting in Etherow Park. They could do a spot of litter picking or Jesus in us, enabling us to try and live as Jesus would. The fruit of the identify wildflowers or birds….it is all part of enjoying the world that Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, God created. gentleness and self-control.’ (Galatians 5:22,23). It's not just wildlife that 30 Days Wild helps; you'll feel the benefits too! The Spirit gives us a new love for God, a longing to read the Bible and We're all a part of nature, and nature needs to be a part of our lives. pray, a desire to meet with other Christians and a readiness to share our faith. He will also challenge wrong habits, attitudes, words or www.wildlifetrusts.org/30DaysWild lifestyle in our lives. All in the month of JUNE It was: 175 years ago, on 6th June 1844 that the YMCA was founded. 125 years ago, on 30th June 1894 that Tower Bridge in London was officially opened. 100 years ago, on 28th June 1919 that the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Paris Peace Conference, marking the end of the war. 90 years ago, on 12th June 1929 that Anne Frank, German Jewish diarist and Holocaust victim, was born. Loneliness week – 17th to 21st June 80 years ago, on 7th June 1939 that King George VI became the first British monarch to visit the USA. Britain is in the midst of a loneliness epidemic. A survey by the Jo Cox Commission in 2017 revealed that nine million of us in the UK are 75 years ago, on 6th June 1944 that D-Day took place with the affected by it. Normandy landings. Over 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, at the start of the Battle of Normandy. So, no wonder that last year the Government even appointed the The battle ended on 25th August and was an Allied victory. world’s first loneliness minister, Tracey Crouch. And no wonder that the Marmalade Trust aims to raise awareness of isolation in the UK. 65 years ago, on 7th June 1954 that Alan Turing died. This British mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst and computer scientist was Loneliness hurts you physically as well as mentally. It has even been noted for his contributions to codebreaking during World War II. said that it can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can raise blood pressure, and cause diabetes and obesity. 50 years ago, on 22nd June 1969 that Judy Garland, American actress and singer, died. Best known for her role as Dorothy in the film Technology is a big factor: we send emails rather than talk, we have The Wizard of Oz. Mother of Liza Minnelli. Died of an accidental drug virtual team workspaces rather than speaking in person. We use overdose, aged 47. LinkedIn and Facebook to keep in touch. One health expert said, “We’re getting out of the habit of actual conversations.” 40 years ago, on 1st June 1979 that Rhodesia ended 90 years of white minority rule, established a black government and changed its People who work from home and who also live alone can go days name to Zimbabwe. without speaking to anyone. No wonder that the millennial generation, for whom technology accounts for an increasing percentage of their 30 years ago, on 5th June 1989 that the Unknown Rebel (‘Tank Man’) interaction, are reporting high levels of anxiety. of Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, made world headlines. He temporarily halted a column of tanks by standing in front of them on Experts advise that you simply try and make as many social the morning after the massacre. It became one of the most iconic connections as you can, however brief. Make tea for someone at images of the 20th century. (There are conflicting theories about what work, telephone a family member or chat to your neighbour. happened to him afterwards.) 10 years ago, on 25th June 2009 that Michael Jackson, ‘the King of Pop’, died from an anaesthetic overdose. Tony Horsfall considers the fire at Notre Dame God among the ruins The tragic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral shocked the whole world. Seeing such a magnificent building engulfed in flames saddened all who saw the devastation unfold. It was a monumental blow to the nation of France. It will take years to rebuild this famous place of Bishop urges schools to combat cosmetic surgery culture worship. Schools should teach children to look beyond the culture of cosmetic One striking image from the fire showed the interior of the church surgery, fast cars and designer labels, a bishop has told leading head scorched and ruined, its art treasures lost, its contents still teachers. smouldering. But high up in the background, unbowed by the flames, stands a golden cross, brightly shining in the darkness of the In a recent address to school leaders in London, the Bishop of surrounding debris. Chelmsford, the Rt. Revd Stephen Cottrell, said schools can be places where children learn to seek “fullness of life” rather than the Since the fire took place at Easter, it is hard not to see this picture as “illusion” that happiness can be found in possessions or outward a parable. One Anglican vicar made this comment: ‘Notice what is left appearances. inside, untouched, after the destruction of all sorts of ‘priceless’ works of art at Notre Dame Cathedral! The Cross. What an image for Holy “We Christians dare to believe that God holds in His heart an image of Week and what a picture to describe secular Western Europe.’ what each of us is capable of becoming - against the lies and illusions that the world peddles. As I pondered the picture it spoke to me of the abiding value of the Cross. The words of a hymn came to mind: “The world is always saying to us if you just buy that designer label pair of jeans, or if you wore that expensive perfume, or if you drove a In the cross of Christ I glory, tow’ring o’er the wrecks of time; fast car, or if you got that cosmetic surgery, oh well then you would be All the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. happy, then you would be fulfilled. The place of worship may be destroyed, but not the God we worship. “But none of it works. Or perhaps to be more accurate, it works just The message of the Cross, at the centre of our faith, remains a enough to get you addicted. Sometimes I think we have just become a timeless, undamaged truth. nation of junkies hooked on the idea that you can find fulfilment from The hymn continues: these things. When the woes of life o’ertake me, hopes deceive, and fears annoy, “Against all that, we assert that God does want to change us, but not never shall the cross forsake me, Lo! It glows with peace and joy. into someone else. God wants to change us into ourselves; into the person we are capable of becoming. A school can therefore be the Even among the ruins of our own lives the Cross stands tall, place where transformation happens." reminding us of the presence of God and His grip on our lives. Persecution of Christians is relentless. Please pray for those who are afraid of Christianity, a faith of love, hope and forgiveness.

Bishops welcome new online safety laws Sri Lanka Easter church bombings Church of England bishops have welcomed the recent More than 250 people were killed following Easter service bomb publication of a Government White Paper, including plans to attacks against churches in Sri Lanka. “The scale of the horror impose substantial fines against social media companies that takes our breath away,” says Release International. breach their duty of care towards the vulnerable. “But terrorism can never overcome the central truth of the Gospel The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, who in 2016 – Christ is risen. Please pray for our brothers and sisters in Sri launched a campaign (#liedentity) to encourage a safer online Lanka and wherever Christians face violence around the world.” environment, said: “The new plans are an encouraging sign that the online world will start to be regulated to protect people like Around 2 million Christians live in the Buddhist-majority nation Molly Russell, 14, who tragically took her own life. We know that where Christians from Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds face her family believe that social media was partly responsible for discrimination for their faith. their daughter’s death. The growth of Christianity in Sri Lanka since 1980 has met with “It’s about time that social media companies are held responsible violent opposition from Buddhist extremists. Persecution has for their content and are accountable for their actions. No other intensified since 2012, coinciding with a rise in Buddhist organisation in the ‘real’ world has that freedom. We manage to nationalism. regulate electricity, water companies, broadcasters, shops etc. Militants have burned churches and attacked Christians. In many through consumer bodies, yet for years social media companies cases, violent mobs have been led by Buddhist monks. have been allowed to self-regulate. These new clear standards, Christians say local government officials and police do little to backed up by enforcement powers will hopefully be the step prevent the attacks – and are sometimes complicit in them. change to start really protecting our children and young people online.” Anti-Christian violence has abated somewhat since 2015, when President Maithripala Sirisena came to power, pledging to uphold The White Paper, which includes plans to hold individual religious freedoms guaranteed in the constitution. executives personally liable for failings, follows the publication of a House of Lords Select Committee report on Communication.