A reflection and prayer for the changing season from Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive

A warm welcome back to everyone returning from summer holidays. I hope you’ve had an opportunity for rest and recreation, including getting outdoors to enjoy God’s beautiful creation.

Over the summer, I’ve enjoyed getting to know some of Cheshire’s attractions. I’m keen on outdoor swimming so I particularly enjoyed a visit to Pickmere Lake and walks by the canal and the sea. I’ve also begun visiting parishes in Chester diocese. Without question, this is one of the my favourite parts of this role, meeting leaders and learning about your communities. I love to celebrate with you what’s already going well and am returning to Church House with some helpful insights into how we can serve and support you in the months ahead.

Thanks to everyone who has already invited me to visit your parish or Deanery Synod. If you haven’t already done so, please do feel free to invite me over if you’d like to share what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

As we look ahead to the autumn, it will be a busy time for everyone. Preparations are well underway for the Safeguarding audit in November. A big thank you to everyone who completed the Safeguarding Survey. We have had a good number of responses which will help the audit team to understand our diocese. The closing date is Wednesday 10 September, so do spread the word and encourage others to have their say, here.

We are working on preparing the budget for 2026. This will include working with you on Parish Share commitments. Formal Parish Share requests will be shared with you early in November but I hope we will be able to give you a rough indication of the likely amounts in October. I am committed to communicating with you clearly and honestly as early as possible.

We will also be thinking carefully about future strategy over the autumn and look forward to sharing exciting news about our priorities soon.

As we look ahead to all the challenges and opportunities that we face, I invite you to join me in using the prayer below.

Father God,

As summer draws to a close and the new church year begins,

we thank you for the season just past:

for rest and recreation,

for sunshine and sabbath,

for the gifts of friendship, family, and time away.

We give thanks for your faithfulness in every season,

and for bringing us safely to this new chapter.

Bless all who are beginning something new this month:

children starting school, students beginning new courses,

and all facing fresh challenges or opportunities.

September brings new books, new shoes, new routines.

And across our parishes, it brings new groups, new rotas and renewed responsibilities.

Help us to see this time not simply as a return to church,but as a moment of renewal —a chance to grow deeper in faith, in prayer, and in community.

Guard us against rushing headlong into activity.

Teach us instead to walk at your pace.

so that we don’t get lost in the busyness of church business

and to focus our hearts on the 1.5 million who have yet to hear the gospel, one life at a time.

Give us wisdom to know what to take up and what to lay down.

Strengthen those who lead and serve across our diocese,

especially in times of limited resources or stretched ministries.

In this new season, may we be attentive to your Spirit’s leading —faithful in discipleship, joyful in service, and rooted in love.

Let this not simply be a return to routine,

but a reawakening of our purpose as your people.

Be present in our meetings and ministries,

in our conversations and our silences,

in every welcome offered, and in every whispered “Amen.”

As we rededicate ourselves to you in this new season,

lead us forward in hope and trust,

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Jane Pleace is Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive for Chester Diocese. Email: jane.pleace@chester.anglican.org