‘Hey! Christmas has come early for you!’ It was an understandable conclusion for someone to make as my arms were filled with branches of pinecones and a tin of spicedContinue reading
Month: November 2023
Worshipping community ‘join the song’ and create new Christmas carols
This year, the Church of England’s Christmas campaign is ‘Follow the Star: Join the Song’. St Catharine’s Church in Gloucester has invited everyone to get involved in not only singingContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 28 November 2023
Last week, in my role as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Gloucestershire, I had the joy of presenting Nick Gazzard with an Honorary Fellowship. It has been a privilege to get to know Nick over the years, and many of you will be aware of his inspirational work with the Hollie Gazzard Trust.
The Diocese of Gloucester’s 2023 visit to Dornakal, India
In October this year Archdeacon Phil Andrew, the Revd Gary Grady, the Revd David Bowers and Penny Fayter left the UK for a partnership visit to two of our InternationalContinue reading
COP28: How Christians in the Diocese of Gloucester can get involved
COP28 is the 28th meeting of the Conference of Parties on climate change, which starts on 30 November and runs for 12 days. This year, the United Nations climate changeContinue reading
Mothers’ Union on 16 days of activism against gender-based violence
The Mothers’ Union is taking part in the 16 days against gender-based violence with its ‘No More 1 in 3’ campaign against domestic abuse and gender-based violence. The organisation hasContinue reading
Community Hot Lunch brings fresh hope in Cheltenham
On 13 November, a community café in Cheltenham began a new venture, opening once a week to offer hot food and a warm, welcoming space to the vulnerable and lonely.Continue reading
Bishop Emmanuel shares stories of Tanzania with Clearwater Academy pupils
Bishop Emmanuel Bwatta, from the Diocese of Western Tanganyika, Tanzania, visited Clearwater Academy to find out about the school and meet the children and staff. Clearwater Academy is linked withContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 21 November 2023
A Song of the Wilderness, with words from Isaiah 35, will be used in the coming days and weeks as we move into Advent, and will be part of my prayer as I spend three days at the end of this week on retreat, staying in a hermitage in the grounds of a religious community. It will be my time of ‘going into the desert’ to be with God. I delight in solitude and silence to pray, reflect and dwell in scripture, and I am expectant for God to water those places within me which have become parched.
Indoor fireworks display delights visitors at St Barnabas, Gloucester
A silent fireworks display brought over 400 people to St Barnabas Church in Gloucester on Fireworks Night. The event – a computer-generated projection show – was organised by husband andContinue reading
New trees planted at Gloucester Cathedral to mark King’s Coronation
On Tuesday 14 November – the 75th birthday of His Majesty King Charles III – members of the Gloucestershire Lieutenancy and representatives from Gloucester Cathedral gathered on Cathedral Green toContinue reading
St Michael and All Angels Bishop’s Cleeve celebrates double award achievement
St Michael and All Angels in Bishop’s Cleeve is celebrating after achieving two awards in the space of a month, relating to the care of their Grade I listed churchContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 14 November 2023
Sabbatical has been a blessing: the grace of living at a different pace; the grace of time to connect with friends and family; the grace of having more time to reflect and read; the grace of rest and renewal of faith and calling. I am deeply grateful for the gift of this time and want to express my thanks to you, to Bishop Rachel and colleagues on the Bishops’ Staff Team and all who have made it possible.
iNEQE safeguarding audit – take the survey
The Diocese of Gloucester is one of the first few dioceses and cathedrals working with the new national safeguarding audit process with the iNEQE. As part of this audit theContinue reading
Village memorial restored to mark Remembrance Sunday
Children from Deerhurst and Apperley Church of England Primary School gathered on Friday within hearing of their much-loved memorial village clock, which was restored in time to mark Remembrance Sunday.Continue reading
Bishop Rachel speaking in the House of Lords this week
Bishop Rachel has spoken in the House of Lords twice today; in response to the King’s speech on Tuesday, and asking a question on the “Humanitarian Situation in the OccupiedContinue reading
Stroud charity celebrates impact youth workers have on young people
National Youth Work Week 2023 takes place from Monday 6 to Sunday 12 November. The theme this year is youth work in every place and space. The Door, a Stroud-basedContinue reading
Children delight in making bat boxes at St James’ Quedgeley
As part of St James’ Quedgeley’s month family service, children enjoyed making their very own bat boxes to help care for the protected species while reflecting on the beauty ofContinue reading
Rugby project will bring hope to Kenyan schoolchildren
Children in Kenya will be playing fun, faith-led games thanks to the support of members of the worshipping community in Bisley. All Saints’ Bisley has partnered with Project Touchline andContinue reading
Message from Rachel Howie, 7 November 2023
This time of year is an important time for remembering. We have made space and time in our churches on All Souls’ Day to remember all those that we have loved who have died, we have marked All Saints’ Day, honouring those who are remembered as saints having experienced an extraordinary outworking of the Holy Spirit, and we are almost at Remembrance Sunday.
Massage, healing prayer and support at Wotton church’s ‘Being Well Day’
For five hours on Saturday 28 October, St Mary’s Wotton under Edge opened its doors for something a little bit different. The ‘Being Well Day’ offered an array of opportunitiesContinue reading
Lechlade pumpkin trail brings ‘light on a dark night’
St Lawrence’s Church in Lechlade has turned Halloween into a joyful annual event, engaging people of all ages with the Christian message of hope and building relationships with the widerContinue reading
A statement from 44 Bishops on LLF
Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert have both added their signatures to this public statement made on Wednesday 1 November. A statement from 44 Bishops on LLF We write to reaffirmContinue reading
