God of All the World

God of All the World, taking place on Saturday 26 September 2026, will celebrate the many ways people across the Diocese engage with mission, ministry and humanitarian work around the globe.

The event is being organised by Graham Buttanshaw alongside the Dean of Chester Cathedral, Tim Stratford, and Canon Missioner Anthony Lees-Smith.

The afternoon event will feature a keynote address from Bishop Anthony Poggo, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, together with exhibitions, workshops and interactive displays exploring the Church's global relationships and mission partnerships.

A central feature of the day will be a large display mapping the international links held by parishes and schools across the Diocese of Chester. Organisers are keen to ensure that as many connections as possible are represented, from longstanding overseas partnerships to smaller acts of support and engagement.

Graham Buttanshaw is encouraging churches and schools to share details of any global links they may have, including support for mission agencies and charities, overseas projects, international visitors, prayer partnerships, environmental initiatives, child sponsorship schemes and humanitarian work.

He said that even connections that may seem small are worth celebrating, as they demonstrate the breadth of the Diocese's engagement with God's mission across the world.

The event programme will include a Hall of Displays featuring organisations such as Christian Aid, USPG, Wycliffe Bible Translators, MAF, Tearfund and representatives of the Anglican Communion. There will also be displays highlighting diocesan links with ABC (Congo) and Melanesia, alongside workshops on world music and Bible translation. Visitors will be able to explore an exhibition of images from The Christ We Share and view short films from participating organisations.

The celebration aims not only to showcase existing partnerships but also to inspire new conversations about mission, global friendship and Christian service.

Does your parish or school have a connection with another part of the world?

Whether you support a mission agency, host international visitors, sponsor a child, take part in Christian Aid Week, pray regularly for a global partner, or have another overseas connection, the organisers would love to hear from you.

They are particularly interested in examples of projects or partnerships that have captured the imagination of congregations and helped people engage more deeply with God's mission around the world.

To share information about your parish, school or organisation's global links, please contact:

Rev Graham Buttanshaw Tel: 07922 280728