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Message from Bishop Rachel, 9 June 2026

Tuesday 09 June

If you ever travel to London from this part of the world, you will arrive at Paddington station, and like me you may enjoy watching children and adults alike sitting next to the statue of Paddington Bear as they pose for a photograph.

Ordinations 2026

Tuesday 02 June

At the end of June, family, friends, clergy and congregations from across the diocese will gather at Gloucester Cathedral to watch and celebrate the ordinations of 18 candidates. Seven will

Sea Sunday 2026

Tuesday 02 June

Churches across the UK and around the world are being invited to take part in Sea Sunday 2026, a global day of prayer, reflection and action for the 1.9 million

Jennie Johnson on racial justice

Tuesday 02 June

Jennie Johnson started as Director of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI) at the start of 2026.

Message from Bishop Robert, 2 June 2026

Tuesday 02 June

Having observed the great seasons of Lent and Easter, we now enter what the Church calls ‘Ordinary Time’.

Reflections from Bishop Rachel: Oranges and lemons

Monday 01 June

Reflections on the necessity of ‘both-and’ in standing against the actions of the government of Israel in relation to the people of Palestine, whilst also standing against antisemitism in the UK

Gloucester Cathedral awarded best cultural venue of the year

Friday 29 May

Gloucester Cathedral is celebrating after being named best cultural venue of the year at the prestigious SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle and Community Awards 2026. The award recognises the Cathedral’s outstanding contribution

New Chaplaincy School Connector for Cotswold School

Tuesday 26 May

After two years of partnership development and relationship building across the churches in the North Cotswolds, led by Deanery Youth Connector Amy Todd, The Cotswold School is delighted to welcome

Peace pilgrimage welcomes walkers

Tuesday 26 May

In August, all are warmly invited to take part in a special peace pilgrimage marking 800 years since the death of St Francis of Assisi. Whether you would like to

Sportily blog: Encounter spaces

Tuesday 26 May

Sportily is a Christian sports and physical activity organisation based in Gloucestershire, creating fun and welcoming spaces where people of all ages can get active, build friendships and explore faith

National month of prayer for toddler groups – June 2026

Tuesday 26 May

‘Send a Sheep!’ June is the national month of prayer for toddler group ministries. Organised by 1277 Make Them Count – a Network of church-based Toddler Group leaders – the

Video and slides from safeguarding conference

Tuesday 26 May

Our recent diocesan safeguarding conference brought together clergy, parish safeguarding officers, pastoral visitors, youth and children’s workers, and volunteers from across the diocese for a day of learning, reflection and

Places of Worship Renewal Fund now open

Wednesday 20 May

The Places of Worship Renewal Fund established in place of the Listed Places of Worship VAT scheme is now open for applications. The announcement is on the DCMS website. We

Churches Count on Nature 2026

Tuesday 19 May

Churches across England and Wales are being encouraged to take part in Churches Count on Nature 2026, which will take place from Saturday 6 June to Sunday 14 June as

Shifting gears: How to nourish ourselves

Tuesday 19 May

The Net Zero Carbon Project Manager for the Diocese of Gloucester, Erica Siddall, reflects on the hope she has found through the Laudato Si’ Movement, which connects faith, hope, and

Sanctuary Sunday

Tuesday 19 May

Every year on 20 June, the UNHCR marks World Refugee Day. This was established in 2001 on the 50thAnniversary of the Geneva Convention of the Rights of Refugees. The Convention

Climate leadership survey for Oxford University research

Tuesday 19 May

Church leaders, Divinity students or those in ministerial training, and congregation members are invited to take part in a research project exploring climate leadership within the Church, being undertaken through

Record retention schedule: New best practice guide on record and information management

Tuesday 19 May

A new document sets out best practice on what paper and digital records your church should keep, for how long, and which can be disposed of or archived. It’s called

Message from John Wittaker, Archdeacon of Gloucester Designate, 19 May 2026

Tuesday 19 May

John Wittaker has just started transitioning into his new role as Archdeacon of Gloucester, with a formal start in September. He shares this message for the week, as he starts

Message from Bishop Rachel, 12 May 2026

Tuesday 12 May

On Thursday 14 May we will celebrate Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter Day. Following his resurrection, Jesus spoke with his disciples about continuing to live and share his teachings;

News from The Diocese of Dornakal

Tuesday 12 May

The Diocese of Gloucester is in partnership with the Diocese of Dornakal in India. These links across cultures allow friendships to develop, helping people to understand one another better while

St Cyr’s Church set for major revamp

Tuesday 12 May

New plans unveiled to revitalise St Cyr’s Church, are designed to secure its future and enhance its role at the heart of Stonehouse. The proposed improvements include the creation of

Ideas for parishes to take action for racial justice

Tuesday 05 May

The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI) has shared a new resource: Creativity for Belonging: 10 Parish Actions for Racial Justice It offers a range of simple and practical ideas

Grants for church wildlife gardens

Tuesday 05 May

To help churches care for their churchyards as spaces of welcome, wellbeing and biodiversity, grants of up to £250 are available to support simple, practical environmental projects.

Creation Care: Recommended reads from Craig Bishop

Tuesday 05 May

The Revd Canon Craig Bishop, Rector of St James’ Church, Chipping Campden, shares a selection of books that have informed his thinking on Creation Care. In the reflections that follow,

Message from Bishop Rachel, 5 May 2026

Tuesday 05 May

Our financial giving should never be about our left-over change, but it is always about transformational change…

Message from Bishop Robert, 28 April 2026

Tuesday 28 April

There is nothing quite like coming home. Coming home at the end of a long day working, or from a trip away, or even a short break or holiday. The activities we were engaged in may have been joyful or challenging, uplifting or discouraging, but coming home promises a space to relax, to be oneself, and to recuperate, recalibrate, and rest.

Saying ‘yes’ to God

Tuesday 28 April

When the Revd Jo Pestell steps forward later this month to make a public vow of celibacy, she’ll be doing something rare, counter‑cultural and deeply personal. For the 54‑year‑old Gloucester

Wild Worship at Tewkesbury Abbey

Tuesday 28 April

Connecting with God’s creation is key to Wild Worship sessions happening in the grounds of Tewkesbury Abbey.

GDBF supports affordable housing at Innsworth

Tuesday 28 April

The Diocese of Gloucester is proud to have supported the official opening of the Church Housing Association’s first housing scheme at Innsworth.

Statement in response to the rise of antisemitism in Britain

Tuesday 21 April

Bishop Rachel and the Bishops of Chelmsford, Norwich and Southwark have issued a joint statement condemning antisemitism.

82‑year‑old lifts weights to fund church heating

Tuesday 21 April

An 82‑year‑old former prison chaplain is proving you’re never too old to do some heavy lifting – by taking on a powerlifting challenge to raise money for his church.

Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, 1926-2022

Tuesday 21 April

Today we hold before God the life and legacy of the late Queen, marking the centenary of her birth with gratitude and prayer.

Message from Bishop Rachel, 21 April 2026

Tuesday 21 April

As we live this season of Easter looking towards Ascension Day, followed ten days later by the Feast of Pentecost, I want to encourage us to consider how we might set aside those ‘in-between days’ to focus on prayer.

Thy Kingdom Come 2026

Tuesday 14 April

Commit to daily prayer for five people you know, asking that they might experience the life-changing love of God.

Ducks raise funds for accessible path

Tuesday 14 April

A much‑loved Longhope tradition returned to the village on Saturday 11 April, as the Friends of Longhope Church (FOLC) held their first Duck Race in more than 28 years. The