Chester Cathedral holds ‘God of All the World’ event, celebrating international mission and partnerships

Posted on: September 28, 2026 9:29 AM

Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion with choral composer Geoff Weaver at the 'God of All the World' event at Chester Cathedral

Related Categories: Anglican Health and Community Network, Chester Cathedral, Diocese of Chester, Secretary General

Chester Cathedral in the Church of England hosted an event titled ‘God of All the World: A Celebration of Worldwide Mission’ on 26 September. The event showcased international partnerships involving the Diocese of Chester and aimed to inspire new conversations about mission, global friendship and Christian service.

The event was organised by the Revd Graham Buttanshaw (a member of the Partners in World Mission Committee for the diocese), alongside the Very Revd Dr Tim Stratford (Cathedral Dean) and Canon Dr Anthony Lees-Smith (Canon Missioner at Chester Cathedral).

The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, was a special guest. On Saturday, he shared stories of hope from around the Anglican Communion at the ‘God of All the World’ event and on Sunday, September 27, he gave the sermon during the Cathedral’s Sunday morning service.

As he spoke about mission and the theme of ‘God of All the World’, Bishop Anthony referenced the significance of the Five Marks of Mission in the life of the Anglican Communion. He updated event attendees on the church-planting initiative Vision 36, a proposal from the Anglican Communion Commission for Evangelism and Discipleship (ACCED) to commence, plant or restore a million new churches in the next decade. A resolution was recently passed at ACC-19, backing the project and funding is being sought.

The vital work and ministry of Anglican churches in promoting health and community wellness was also a major focus. Malachi St Jean, Advocacy and UN Team Assistant at the Anglican Communion Office and Member of the Anglican Health and Community Network, gave a short talk about the Church’s response to the outbreak of Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Bishop Anthony And Malachi St Jean

Bishop Anthony Poggo, the Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, with Malachi St Jean at the 'God of All the World' event at Chester Cathedral.

The Diocese of Chester has a strong diocesan link with the dioceses of Aru and Boga in the Anglican Church in DRC, and the Diocese has been a source of advocacy and support throughout outbreaks of Ebola and conflict. Because of those diocesan links, there were also displays highlighting the relationship with the Anglican Church of DRC and Melanesia.

A number of Christian partners and organisations were represented at Chester’s ‘God of All the World’ event. A ‘Hall of Displays’ featured Christian Aid, USPG, Church Mission Society, Mission Aviation Fellowship, Mothers' Union Worldwide and Wycliffe Bible Translators.

A central feature of the day was a display mapping the international links held by parishes and schools across the Diocese of Chester.

The event also included workshops on Bible translation, world music by choral composer Geoff Weaver and a visual exhibition of representations of Jesus from around the world.

Speaking about the event, Dean of Chester Cathedral, Tim Stratford, shared that: ‘The Anglican Communion is a gift that enriches our appreciation of God’s love, wider than the oceans. Chester Cathedral’s doors are opening to celebrate the ways we are enriched by each other across the continents. In increasingly nationalistic days, this is a timely reminder that we have our origins and destination in one who is God of all the World.’

The Revd Graham Buttenshaw, one of the key organisers, hoped the event would ‘not only showcase and encourage the existing links which churches and schools have across the world, but also help many more to discover the enriching potential of meaningful relationships with people whose way of life is very different from our own. We have so much to learn from each other. And when we pray "Our Father..." it is so enriched because it necessarily includes all God's children from every tribe and nation.’

The Secretary General, the Rt Revd Anthony Poggo, said, ‘It was good to be with sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Chester and share stories of hope and collaboration from around the Anglican Communion. It was also a pleasure to preach at the Sunday Eucharist at the Cathedral’s Harvest Festival. Chester Cathedral works year-round to care for the world God made as one of the few paperless Cathedrals, meaning they do not have physical service sheets to save paper. This is wonderful to see during the Season of Creation and the time of year when we celebrate the food harvest.

‘It was a delight to see the Diocese of Chester celebrate its diocesan links and relationships. It is these international connections that help churches work together in sharing the Gospel around the globe. I thank God for the commitment to mission the Diocese shows and I pray for those international relationships and bonds of affection to strengthen and grow.’