2026 is the centenary of The Church of England in Lancashire (Blackburn Diocese)
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All for Jesus: Centenary of Blackburn Diocese in 2026
Centenary Build Up: Parish Mission Preparations
Confirmed: Rooted in Faith, Growing in Christ; all video and leaders' resources
2026 Diocesan Conference
Diocesan Conferences: Livestream recordings and other resources for ongoing use
Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day 2025
God's creation and the environment; news, info, resources to help you engage
Public notices; also information about listed buildings and burial grounds
Weekly Reflection
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Black History Resources for parishes and schools
Racial Justice including 'From Lament to Action'; information page
Protocols for publicity of events
How some parishes are supporting their communities
Vision 2026
Vision Refresh
Vision Refresh
History, background and Vision Update 2021-24
What is Vision 2026?
Vision Update and Implementation Plan 2021-24
A short history and background of Vision 2026
Vision 2026 Key themes
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Being Witnesses to Jesus Christ
Growing Leaders for Jesus Christ
Inspiring Children and Young People
Our Vision Prayer
Vision 2026 Parish Toolkit
Vision Champions Resources
Healthy church assessment tool
Parish Vision Fund
Church growth factors
Generosity Gift and Grace - 5 sessions for use within services
Generosity Gift and Grace Course Materials
Vision 2026 and our focus on discipleship
Strategic Development Funded Projects
Lighting up New Generations
Outer estates ministry
Preston Resourcing Parish
Investment Programme
Background - Initial story of the major new funding award to Diocese
Diocesan Investment Programme
Information on new missional roles in the Diocese
A church that reflects the communities it serves
A parish system revitalised for mission
A transformed leadership pipeline including clergy wellbeing
Fundraising support available
Who can I contact if I have queries in relation to the Diocesan Investment Programme
What we do
Share the Christian faith
Support individuals' faith journeys
Baptisms, weddings and funerals
Transforming Communities - social justice
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Summary of chaplaincy support across the Diocese
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Interfaith presence and engagement
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Giving
Joyful Generous Stewards
Stewardship and Generosity
Building a Generous Church
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Regular Giving - Parish Giving Scheme
Generosity Week
Cornerstone - an online generosity tool
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Programmes, Resources and Downloadable Files
Life Calling
Growing Leaders
The Growing Leaders Team
Vision 2026: Growing Leaders
Opportunities to Explore
What is God's plan for you?
UKME Vocations
Lay Majority Ministry
Lay Majority Ministry Framework
Licensed Lay Ministry
Anna Chaplaincy
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M:Power (Lay) leadership training in urban contexts
Church Army
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Whole life discipleship
What is whole life discipleship?
Ordination
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Women in Ministry: Statement from our new Bishop of Blackburn
Women in Ministry Strategy
Clergy Menopause Policy
Clergy Maternity Leave Policy
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Making Disciples Team
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Our deaneries - Blackburn Archdeaconry
Blackburn Archdeaconry Boundary Map
Accrington
Blackburn with Darwen
Burnley
Chorley
Leyland
Pendle
Whalley
Our deaneries - Lancaster Archdeaconry
Lancaster Archdeaconry Boundary Map
Blackpool
Garstang
Kirkham
Lancaster and Morecambe
Poulton
Preston
Tunstall
Our diocesan finances
Parish Share: How it works and what it pays for
Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) budget and accounts; key information
Our wider church family
Whalley Abbey
Link Dioceses - Information and updates
Diocesan Board of Education
Blackburn Cathedral
Cidari Multi-Academy Trust
Churches Together in Lancashire
Blackburn Diocese Mothers' Union
Hope Together
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Deanery synods
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Privacy Notice Relating to Clergy Personal Files
Blackburn Diocesan Board of Finance/Education Data Privacy Notice and Policies
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PCR2 Safeguarding Privacy Notice
Our facts and figures
Registry including profile of our Registrar Lisa Moncur
The Church of England
Our history
Resources
Human Resources
Human Resources Toolkit
Liturgy and church services
Confirmation service
Common Worship service templates
Institution/licensing service templates
New website resource: Sunday Scriptures for Reading Aloud
Baptism Preparation materials
Admission of Sidesmen/women
Creation Care and Net Zero Roadmap
Creation Care Resources
Church buildings and help with reaching Net Zero Carbon
Energy Footprint Tool
Eco Church - recognising your church's care for creation
Creation Care and the Environment
Climate resilience, carbon net zero and energy saving help for parish leaders
For lay ministry
Lay Ministers
Senior clergy talks, articles and sermons
Bishop Philip North
Bishop Jill Duff
Bishop Joe Kennedy
Archdeacon David Picken
Archdeacon Jane Atkinson
For clergy
Neuro Diversity Resources
Resources to support young peoples' confirmation
Office holder documents
'Say Jesus': Communicating the Gospel Effectively - Curates' training
Important information for clergy
Clergy wellbeing
Ad clerum
Ministerial Development Review (MDR)
CME and sabbaticals
Vicarage grants
Curate training
Self-supporting ministry (SSM)
Marriage law
Retired Clergy
Permission to Officiate (PTO)
Communications resources
Communications resource area - welcome!
Importance of using a communications strategy
Digital Communications resources
Important information about our e-bulletins
Using articles from Parish Update and the Diocesan website in parish communications
Communicating with people not online; includes use of pictures
Using the 'A Church Near You' website
Get your church noticed
Effective digital communications including social media
Filming and photography including asking for consent
Advice on taking good pictures
Copyright guidance for images, music and text
Writing press releases: Guidance and template releases
Simple guide to promoting a church event
Downloadable logos: Diocesan logo; Centenary logo and national CofE logo
Filming and requests to film in churches - general advice
Discipleship, prayer and worship
Knowing Jesus: Bishop Philip's Lent course for 2026
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ: Overview
Bible study
Blackburn Prayers; Answers to Prayer; Pathways to Prayer and other prayer resources
Retreats
Spiritual Direction
Music and worship
Discipleship App
Seasonal Resources
Parish Finance
Parochial Fees 2026
Parochial Fees 2025
Easy Fundraising
Treasurers' advice
0% interest Eco-loan
Parish Fundraising
Stewardship Sermons and Liturgy
Legacies and Wills
Gift Aid
Parish administration and governance
Archdeacons' Annual (Deanery) Visitations
General Data Protection Regulation 2018 (GDPR)
PCC secretary or administrator
Parochial Church Council
Glossary of church terms
National Parish resources website
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Church of England portal
Churchwardens' briefings
Welcomers (Sidesmen/women)
Pastoral reorganisation
Vacancy process
Archdeacons' Parish Visitations
Community transformation
Rural Ministry
Cinnamon Network
Acts 435
Street Pastors
Christians Against Poverty
Credit unions
Church Action on Poverty
Emergency response and planning
Being witnesses (parish mission resources)
Being Witnesses
Diocesan Parish Mission Team
Enquirers' courses
New Local Congregations and Fresh expressions (FxC)
Choir Church
Mission to new housing developments
Community Football Outreach
The Equality Act and Disability Access Audit
Disability inclusiveness
Hearing Loss
Physical Disabilities and Wheelchair Access
Sight Loss
Hidden Disabilities
'Lighting the Beacons'; Bishop Jill's book is great resource for parishes
Jesus Shaped People (JSP)
Open Churches toolkit
Bishop's Harvest Appeal 2026
Church buildings, land and legal matters
Listed buildings and burial grounds; Public Notices
Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC)
Faculties and other Permissions for Works to Churches
Advice for Bells, Clocks and Organs
Churchyard regulations (including application form)
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Community Use of Church Buildings
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Flags, military colours; advice for parishes
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Large Church Reorderings: Help and Advice
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Metal and Stone Theft
Quinquennial Inspections and Inspecting Architects and Surveyors
Telecommunications Infrastructure
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Financial Assistance Group (Parish Vision Fund)
Children, Young People and Schools
Safeguarding
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INEQE Safeguarding Audit
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Safeguarding Matters newsletter
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Barry, The Revd Alistair
3 Dimples Court,
GARSTANG,
Lancashire,
PR3 1SG
Email address: alistair@stthomasgarstang.church
Roles
GARSTANG St Thomas
- Curate