National News
National News from the Church of England
God's world is a gift on trust: Theme for Education Sunday 2009 announced
Churches are being encouraged to 'save the date' for next year's Education Sunday – which will highlight the role of schools and colleges in helping young people lead lives that recognise the vital importance of caring for God’s creation.
CofE welcomes Chief Schools Adjudicator's survey into compliance with the Schools Admissions Code
The Church of England's Board of Education has today responded to the publication of the results of the recent survey of school admissions policies by Sir Philip Hunter, the Chief Schools Adjudicator.
Nation's children reveal most heroic job in run-up-to Halloween
The nation's most heroic role is that of a parent, according to a national poll of children run by the Church of England and The Children's Society.
Online portal supports 'Partners in World Development' across the Church of England
A new website launched today (24th) will help link up the Church of England's extensive national network of local campaigners on world development issues to help amplify the Church's voice on crucial global topics.
Statistics show increased ordinations, vocations and giving
New Church of England statistics have been published today alongside confirmation of attendance figures released earlier this year.
Next Bishop of Sheffield announced
No.10 Downing Street announces today the appointment of the Revd Dr Steven John Lindsey Croft, currently Archbishops' Missioner and Leader of the Fresh Expressions team, as the next Bishop of Sheffield.
Expert advice for churches employing a youth or children’s worker
A practical guide for parishes considering employing someone to work with children or young people has been released by Church House Publishing.
Thousands turn to online prayer and advice as financial situation worsens
Web users looking for support during the current financial situation have boosted traffic to a Church of England website section focusing on debt advice by over 70 per cent, and increased visitor numbers to the Church’s online prayer page by more than a quarter.
Bishop of Leicester's tips help vicars welcome brides-to-be as the Church takes a stand at the National Wedding Show
A team of vicars led by the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, is set to welcome thousands of brides-to-be this weekend at the National Wedding Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
New term brings new team joining Church’s education specialists
The appointment of three senior members of the staff of the Board of Education, the body responsible for developing education policy for the national Church, have been announced today.
Bishops north and south herald new dawn for church weddings – more marriages ahead for Church of England as new law launches today
The Bishop of Reading, Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, is holding a special wedding breakfast today with a gospel choir singing wedding favourites and brides- and grooms-to-be at St Laurence’s Church, Reading, to celebrate the launch of the Church of England Marriage Measure, and showcase the accompanying wedding planning resource www.yourchurchwedding.org, while the Bishop of Bradford, Rt Revd David James, is talking about why marriage is good for you in an advertising feature in the Yorkshire Post Newspaper.
New prayer for current financial situation published on CofE website
A new prayer published on the Church of England website aims to help people caught up in the current difficult financial situation.
Thousands accept invite back to church - as bishops do some underground research into churchgoing
More than 30,000 ‘VIPs’ are set to grace the ‘red carpet’ leading to 3,000 local churches this Sunday (28th September) following a mass co-ordinated effort led by the Church of England to encourage churches to offer an extra-special welcome to newcomers and ‘returners’.
Church launches children’s national hero hunt
The Bishop of Middleton, the Rt Revd Mark Davies, is launching the first ever poll to find the UK's 'most heroic job' as part of the Church's Halloween Choice campaign.
Worshipping the God of the Gospel: Liturgical Commission stages inaugural Evangelical Worship Consultation
The Church of England yesterday (Monday 15th September) hosted the first in a series of consultation events with worship leaders from leading evangelical Anglican churches.
Church of England marks Darwin’s contribution to science as bicentenary approaches
The Church of England has developed a new section of its website to mark the approaching bicentenary of Charles Darwin’s birth in 1809, and the 150th anniversary of the publication of 'On the Origin of Species' in 1859. As media interest grows in the bicentenary, the pages analyse Darwin’s faith and his relationship with the Church of England. A new essay by the Revd Dr Malcolm Brown, Director of Mission and Public Affairs, gives a personal view of Darwin’s contribution to science, whilst warning of social misapplications of his theories.
New Bishop of Aston announced
The new Bishop of Aston, announced today by Downing Street, will be theRevd Andrew Watson. He will succeed the Rt Revd John Austin who died in 2007 following his retirement as Bishop of Aston in 2005.
Church advertises prayer for ‘Moody Monday’ as survey speaks weight of September burdens
The Church of England has taken the unprecedented step of taking out advertising space in a major newspaper to soothe commuters travelling into work this morning – as schools and workplaces get back to the daily grind after the summer holiday season.
‘For richer for poorer’ most wanted by brides and grooms to be - Church trials ‘wedding workshop’ approach to new marriage mobility
Couples preparing for their wedding day want the vows be at the heart of their planning more than anything else – according to new research by the Archbishops’ Council’s Weddings Project. Extensive research among newly weds – published in this week’s Church Times – also reveals 9 out of 10 rated their church wedding experience as good to excellent.