News

NOTE FOR THOSE IN DIOCESAN HOUSING

Please find below contact details for emergency external contractors for those in Diocesan housing.

Meldreth Messy Church

This was our theme for our first venture into the world of Messy Church. How did it go?

“Reformation” remembered and renewed with Storymobile for fifth Centenary

A mobile exhibition celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation is arriving in Cambridge on Thursday 23 February. Open from 10am on Parker’s Piece, the exhibition will be officially opened by civic and church leaders at 2pm. It will be accompanied by a morning seminar at St Edward’s King & Martyr and followed by a special service at King’s College Chapel.

Ecochurch Journey at Great St Mary's

Over nine different churches were represented at this evening at Michaelhouse in January. It was held to highlight A Rocha's Ecochurch programme, an online resource designed to help churches explore ways of greening their lives, as individuals and as a church community

Public back Government financial support for church buildings, new opinion poll shows

57% of British adults agree that the Government should provide financial support to churches in order to protect their heritage and history for future generations, according to a new ComRes opinion poll commissioned by the National Churches Trust, the UK’s church buildings support charity.

Vacancy: Secondary Schools Co-ordinator

The Diocese of Ely invites applications for this Full-Time post as part of the Department of Mission

Second wave of Scientists in Congregations grants unveiled

Outdoor walking 'Eco' services, a play based on nature imagery in the Book of Job and Evensong with science experiments are to take place in Church of England parishes across the country as part of a project to foster better understanding between science and faith.

Dr Bridget Nichols’s post as Lay Chaplain and Research Assistant

As part of the restructuring of the Bishop’s office, Dr Bridget Nichols’s post as Lay Chaplain and Research Assistant has become redundant. Her employment as a member of the Bishop’s staff ended on 3 February 2017.

Church of England Parochial Fees

Please find below a reminder around Parochial fees, including links to more information.

Huntingdon Deanery gather for Choral Evensong and the re-licensing of ALMs

Last Sunday (29th January) saw Huntingdon Deanery gather at St. Mary's Godmanchester for Choral Evensong and the re-licensing of ALMs.

RIP Rev David Bush

Details can be found in the RIP section for Retired Clergy.

Bishop’s New Year Letter, Epiphanytide 2017

Almighty God, In Christ you make all things new: transform the poverty of our nature by the riches of your grace and in the renewal of our lives make known your heavenly glory; through Jesus Christ Our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. Collect for Epiphany II

Bishop Stephen's Christmas Sermon - Midnight Mass, 2016, Ely Cathedral

Don't become a victim this Christmas - make sure your defences are defended

After the last candle is blown out on Christmas day, most churches will be looking forward to a quiet period when we stay inside and avoid the dark evenings in front of the fire. Not so the criminal fraternity, who will see this time as a time of opportunity.

Churches and Cathedrals Sustainability Review consultation

Sustainability is a much used (and abused) term these days. Often used to mean "perpetuate", or merely "survive"; in a church context we think it should mean much more. Sustaining should also mean growing and developing new ways of being a church, new ways of protecting and enhancing God's creation and the church's place in society, now and forever.

New chaplains join EEAST

On Monday night (12th December), seven new chaplains were commissioned by the Right Reverend Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford, to support ambulance staff, volunteers and their families.

Christmas funding boost for St Peter and St Paul, Steeple Morden

St Peter and St Paul, Steeple Morden is set to benefit from a £596,000 rescue funding package from the National Churches Trust, the UK’s church repair and support charity.

Working together to help young refugees

The refugee crisis is the humanitarian emergency of our times, which is why The Children’s Society has formed a partnership with the Guardian to help young refugees this Christmas. We want to be able to provide more refugee children with the one-to-one support and guidance they so desperately need.

£500,000 awarded to Ely Cathedral to support vital restoration works.

Ely Cathedral has been listed as one of only 24 Cathedrals to be awarded funding in the final round of the First World War Centenary Commemoration Fund. The £500,000 grant will enable the Cathedral to start work on essential repairs to the South Nave Aisle roof and high level masonry which is part of a continuing programme to restore and conserve the Cathedral’s historic building.

SANG – why not join us and Sing A New Song!

SANG stands for ‘Sing a New Song’ and is a Fresh Expression of Church based at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Arbury, North Cambridge. Aimed at parents, carers and their children aged up to 4 years, SANG uses music and song to help to build community and to explore Christian spirituality.

No One Should Spend Christmas on the Streets

A SHARED MEAL With encouragement from the Alabaré family (specialist staff, dedicated volunteers and other residents) people can put their lives back together, overcome their past, escape the streets and look forward to the future.

A Christmas Near You - A Church of England Initiative

This Christmas the Church of England is launching a new website, inviting people across the country to attend local parish services at Christmas.

Youthworkers, Teachers, Parents and Professionals gather for Seminar on ‘Depression & Loneliness amongst Young People’

As a repeat of the oversubscribed April Seminar, Ely Diocese hosted this important Seminar as part of their work with the Cambridge Youthwork Collective. Hosted by the Diocese, but led by Speaker Rosie Cunliffe from CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service) the free Seminar examined the current Stats and Youth ‘landscape’ and answered many questions around teen depression.

Carve a Heart proves huge success

We are thrilled to say that over 400 young people and youth leaders attended the recent Carve a Heart event, making the night a tremendous success.

Children's Society shops raise over £90,000 for the Charity

The Children’s Society has two shops in Sawston and one in Cherry Hinton. Between them, these three shops raised nearly £95,000 for the charity in the 2015-2016 financial year.

A Celebration of Readers from the Eastern Region

On the last Saturday of October, Ely Cathedral hosted a celebration of 150 years of Reader Ministry. The day celebrated Readers and their ministry with workshops, worship, the sharing of ideas and the giving of thanks.

Wisbech marks Interfaith Week

Wisbech Interfaith Forum and Thomas Clarkson Academy have teamed up together to mark this important event in the annual Faith calendar. Jo Geary from TCA and Bharat Khetani from the Forum state that this is a great chance for people to speak across the generations.

Cows for Christmas

This Christmas a cow is still the quickest ways to lift a struggling family out of poverty.

Secondary Schools Co-ordinator for Ely Diocese

We are delighted to announce that Jen Lyon starts working with schools & churches in the Huntingdon area on Nov 1st. Jen writes

Social Care Institute for Excellence - Ely Safeguarding Audit Report - Now published

In July 2016, the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) published their independent safeguarding audit on the Diocese of Ely. We are now pleased to publish the full report on our website.