St Michael and All Angels with St Mark, Preston

Parish Update is our fortnightly ebulletin to all Clergy (including PTO and Retired), LLMs, ALMs Churchwardens, PCC Secretaries, PCC Treasurers, Vision Champions and Diocesan Staff as well as to anyone who has chosen to join the Update mailing list.

Welcome to Parish Update - information, advice and resources from your teams at the Diocesan Offices. It's sent to all clergy, LLMs, ALMs and parish officers but it's available for anyone, so please forward this email to everyone you know and ask them to subscribe. They can sign up here. The year 2026 is our Diocesan (and Cathedral) centenary. Please be praying; our centenary prayer is here. Latest centenary news is here. Next edition: December 10.
Ronnie Semley, Diocesan Communications Manager

Stay in touch. Latest news/info: Diocesan website. Social media: FOLLOW @cofelancs on X or Bluesky @blackburndiocese.bsky.social; LIKE the Diocesan Facebook page; WATCH and SUBSCRIBE to the Diocesan YouTube channel and VIEW pictures on our flickr feed. Share what's happening locally in your parish - tag us and tell us when you post on your own socials #tagusandtellus

Any communications feedback? Email communicate@blackburn.anglican.org 

Want to reach out to a member of the senior clergy? Contact numbers for offices of the Bishops and Archdeacons are here alongside details for the Bishop's Vision and Strategy Team.

Exciting times to come for Jane! 

The Venerable Jane Atkinson is ‘anticipating exciting times ahead’ as the new Archdeacon of Blackburn following a special service at Blackburn Cathedral at the weekend.
The Collation Service for Archdeacon Jane took place on Sunday as part of the Choral Evensong. You can watch a livestream recording of the whole service here.
Bishop Philip conducted the collation ceremony while the Interim Dean of Blackburn, Rev. Andrew Horsfall, installed Archdeacon Jane as an Archidiaconal Canon of the Cathedral during the same service.
Other key senior clergy attending the service included the Bishop Jill, Bishop Joe and Archdeacon David. Also present to witness the Collation were the Area Deans of Blackburn Archdeaconry.
Jane was supported by members of her family including her husband Mel, her two sons Matt, 35 and Josh, 24 and her sister Gill; as well as several close friends and clergy and parishioners from across Lancashire; most notably around 100 people who attended from St John’s Little Thornton where she was Vicar prior to taking up her new role.
Videos introducing Jane in her new role have also been appearing on the Diocesan social media channels across the past few days; as well as videos and pictures from the service itself. See them here on Facebook; also available on Instagram and Twitter/X @cofelancs or Blackburn Diocese.
There has also been great coverage in local media which you may have seen.
We are also preparing an album of many more pictures from Sunday's service to appear on the Diocesan Flickr page ... keep checking back here to see those soon. 
Read a full report of the joyous weekend celebration to mark Jane's appointment. 

Centenary launch - what are you doing? 

Not long now until 'All for Jesus' - our centenary year - begins! How are you planning to mark the launch in your parish and school? We want you to tell us!
As previously outlined, we are planning to kick off our celebrations on January 4, the Feast of the Epiphany and across the week following that Sunday.
We want every part of the Diocese to mark this important moment. Post what you are planning locally to your own social channels and tag the Diocesan channels (listed above) for reposts using the hashtag #allforjesus
And on January 4 itself and the days after we want you to post on social media what's happening so we can create a real buzz as we begin our important centenary year.
So that the centenary can be launched locally in every parish and school the following now are being provided to help you get ready for the big moment. 

• Liturgical resources and a liturgy of commitment for those who will be celebrating the Eucharist on January 4 (the readings are, of course, those for Epiphany). Download that here in Word or PDF format. 
• An Epiphany-themed all-age service that can be easily adapted for Sunday worship or for use with new congregations. Download that here in Word or PDF format. 
• Resources for collective worship in our schools here.
• A homily from Bishop Philip. This will be available on the Diocesan YouTube channel this week and the Fruitful app next week. We will also link to the video on the Centenary webpage alongside a text version to download.

There are so many events happening across 2026 as well including our Big Day Out in Blackpool in May; Diocesan Conference in July and mission weekend involving all parishes in September.
We featured many of them in a special edition of Parish Update two weeks ago and there will be more details to come. In the meantime, keep checking our Centenary page for updates.

Diocese data collection forms – due soon 

Thank you to all those parishes that have already sent in their October Diocese data collection form, it is very much appreciated. This data is vital in ensuring we can provide appropriate support to parishes; it also allows us to report on what has been delivered through the national funding we have received, as well as ensuring we can apply for further grants in future. 
Please note that if your parish has not yet submitted your data, the deadline for submission is Monday 1 December. Further information on the annual returns and when they are due can be found here. If you have any queries when completing your returns, please contact Chrissie Oakley (chrissie.oakley@blackburn.anglican.org). 

Lancashire parish in tax exemption campaign 

One of our parishes has featured in a new national Church of England campaign fronted by the Archbishop of York who has called on the Chancellor to safeguard a tax exemption for repairs to listed religious buildings, saying it delivers ‘significant social value’ for a ‘relatively small investment’.
For two decades, churches, synagogues and mosques have relied on the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme to reclaim VAT on repair bills. But its future currently hangs in the balance.
Stories in the national media over the weekend included comment from a number of churches including from Canon Neil Kelley, Rector of St Laurence Church.
St Laurence Church in Chorley has been forced to postpone the completion of roof repairs.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Fr Kelley said cuts to VAT relief mean they cannot afford to repair its roof in one go, the cost of which has risen by £125,000.
He added: “We have to do the project in two parts, and that unfortunately means paying for two lots of scaffolding, which costs an absolute fortune.”
Fr Kelley said the delay, and the potential that the scheme could be axed, has ‘made it even more difficult’ for the church to run its community work.
The Telegraph story is behind a paywall but you can read more about the wider background to this on the Church of England website here and specifically about St Laurence’s here. 

Help build picture of online connectivity 

Can you take five minutes to help us build a national picture of internet connectivity in churches?
The Church of England's Digital team is gathering data on how many churches don't yet have an internet connection. When delivering Digital Labs training, as well as through feedback surveys we send out, we often hear that not having an internet connection in church is a barrier to many doing more with digital. We've heard that some churches feel they could grow their ministry and engage more effectively with their communities if they were connected, and we'd like to find out more about this.
This short survey, which we'd love as many churches as possible to fill in, asks some questions about whether your church, or churches you come into contact with through your job, has an internet connection, what impact this has and whether you or churches you can think of would be interested in taking part in a project aimed at getting more churches connected.
Your feedback is essential to help us understand how internet connectivity affects churches. Click here to give your thoughts.

Young people! Get ready for more fun!

Bishop Philip is leading another holiday for young people next year, from 25 to 28 May 2026. These annual holidays (picture shows fun from 2025's) have a huge impact on the growth of our young people as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Every year, with an experienced team, we have a three night holiday in Borwick Hall which combines worship, teaching, outdoor activities and lots of fun and friendship.
It is aimed at young people in school year 6 and above and is ideal for youth groups and for young people who have recently been or are soon to be confirmed.
The price is £100 per young person with a small discount for young leaders. For more information and booking, please click here. Questions? Email Esther Tregilgas on operations@bishopofblackburn.org.uk 

Celebrate Christmas at the Abbey

A trip to Whalley Abbey, our Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer, for one of a selection of upcoming events will be certain to get you in the Christmas mood.

• Starting with Christmas Wreath Making, Thursday 27 Nov 1-5pm £36 inc afternoon tea
  Christmas Wreath-Making Afternoon — Whalley Abbey
• Christmas Afternoon Teas with the Red Rose Singers and Carols 5 December at 1pm and 18 December at 3pm £22.50 email bookings@whalleyabbey.org to book
• Christmas in Whalley, A Community Celebration with lantern making and crafts 14 December at 1pm and Lantern Procession to village and carols at 3:40pm. All welcome
• Carol Singing Evening with mulled wine and mince pies. 17 December at 7pm. All welcome.

More information can be found on the Whalley Abbey events page.

Tackling loneliness together

With over 700 settings across Lancashire, the faith sector makes a huge contribution to meeting acute needs and addressing wider issues of loneliness and isolation. 
A Summit is being held on Tuesday 20 January 2026 for faith leaders, public sector and civic partners to share provision already offered, explore opportunities for collaboration and offer guidance and support in working for change.
The day includes an initial keynote from Dr Andy Knox (Medical Director for Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS); workshops; case studies of partnership working and the role of faith leaders.
For details and to reserve a place, click here. The event is supported by Churches Together in Lancashire; the Gather Movement and the Lancashire Forum of Faiths. 

Hope Explored: An Invitation to join in

Hope Explored is an informal and relaxed three-week course. It’s for anyone who wants to find hope, peace and purpose in life. Sarah O’Donoghue, Diocesan Renewal Officer, and Joy Rushton, Being Witnesses Manager, will be running this course, online, on Thursdays 5, 12 and 19 February 2026 from 7.30pm to 9pm. If you would like to join us and/or bring a friend along, you are more than welcome. Please email: joy.rushton@blackburn.anglican.org for information and a zoom link.

More news/updates, reminders and resources

Grow deeper in faith at next 'Man Alive' - Join us for the latest Man Alive event a powerful evening of worship, testimony, and teaching for men across the Blackburn Diocese. Man Alive is taking place this time at St Luke’s Blackburn on Thursday, November 27, at 7.30pm. The theme, 'Stepping Up: Fan Into Flame the Gift of God', calls men to grow deeper in faith and boldness. With worship led by John Hunter and inspiring teaching from Steve Haskett and others, it promises to be a night of encouragement and renewal.
Admission is free, refreshments are free on arrival, but booking on Eventbrite here helps us to plan. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, worship and be equipped to live out your faith with courage.

St Michael's Festival of Lights runs from Thursday 27 November, which kicks off with the lights switch on and entertainment to Sunday 7 December with Songs of Praise. There are a variety of events during the festival from the annual Christmas fair which is being opened by St Michael's school, talks, and music. Full details are on the attached leaflets. Free admission, donations are welcome. More information can be found here.

This year’s Advent Devotional, Near and Hastening Fast, is led by Rev Dr Andy Meeson, newly appointed Bishop’s Chaplain. Together we will be exploring the Twelve Minor Prophets and their call to prepare for Christ’s return. Booklets are available via parish incumbents, and digital versions—read, audio, and video—can be accessed on the Fruitful Discipleship App and the website: Seasonal Resources | The Diocese of Blackburn

Abide North is coming soon ... from 7-9pm on Friday December 5 at St Thomas’ Church, Lancaster. It's a youth event run by our Diocesan Board of Education for young people aged 11-18. There will be sung worship; a talk from Rachel Gardner and a chance to pray, connect and get to know other young people. Find out more and register your youth group.

Nominations are open for the Ecclesiastical Heritage Heroes Awards 2025, celebrating outstanding volunteers in our churches. As a Heritage Alliance member, through the Church of England membership, you are eligible to nominate your volunteers for these prestigious awards through two categories: Heritage Heroes 2025 Award and the Heritage Heroes Young Person Award. Nominations close on 30 November. More information here.

Church Buildings Team's conference

More than 40 architects and surveyors from across the north gathered at Whalley Abbey recently as our Diocese held its much-anticipated biennial architects and surveyors conference.
The conference, open to Inspecting Architects and Surveyors, was held in the beautiful setting of our Centre for Christian Discipleship and Prayer at the Abbey.
Our own Diocesan Church Buildings Team, hosted the day which was attended by representatives from other Dioceses, including Carlisle, Leeds and Liverpool.
Jen Read, Senior Church Buildings Officer at the diocese, said: “It was great to be able to meet together to network hear some great talks.
"We had a fantastic line-up of speakers to hear from ... supporting many architects and surveyors and, in turn, our parishes as we continue to work with them."
Read the full story. 

And finally ... transported to Narnia! 

A Lancashire parish is transporting people to the land of Narnia via a series of handmade tableaus - including more than 1000 local schoolchildren!
The tableaus have been specially created for an amazing new outreach mission by St Bartholomew’s Church in Colne - using the famous Christian allegories of the Narnia stories to introduce people to Jesus.
'Finding Jesus in Narnia' is open to all ages and is free. People are visiting from across the community, local schools and more.
Finding Jesus in Narnia has been pulled together by the Vicar, Rev. Alex Oehring, working with Caz Pinder and her artistic team from the church.
The event began last weekend with a grand 'Narnia Sunday' opening, attended by Bishop Jill (pictured with Caz Pinder) and it runs until Saturday, 6 December, 11am to 3pm; after then St Bartholomew's plans to make the whole event available to other parishes in the Diocese for their own missions.
Read a story here and watch our Diocesan social media channels for more coverage soon.