8 February – The Second Sunday before Lent, Matthew 6.25–34 Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or
Month: January 2026
First Net Zero demonstrator home
A clergy house in a conservation area, with a previously low EPC rating, has been transformed into a demonstrator eco‑home, enabling the Diocese of Gloucester to research practical, cost‑effective ways
Bishops’ collections charities 2026
Every year, Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert select three charities, both local and international, to benefit from the funds raised through collections at the services they lead. Pictured: A church
Message from Bishop Robert, 27 January
Telling a better story of Britain. Last week, at a meeting of the College of Bishops, we were challenged by Professor Luke Bretherton, Director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Life at the University of Oxford …
LPWGS scrapped
On 22 January 2026, the UK Government confirmed the end of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. They have instead announced a new funding package for arts and culture, including
Open The Gospel – 1 February – The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, John 2.1–11
1 February – The Fourth Sunday of Epiphany, John 2.1–11 On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. 2Jesus
Helen’s decade of service as a Link Officer
The Revd Helen Sammon, Diocesan Link Officer for our Western Tanganyika (DWT) partnership, has stepped down from her role after 10 years of dedicated service. She tells us about some
The life of a Waterways Chaplain
Charles Garven is a Waterways Chaplain and a Reader. He shares the everyday reality of his vocation as he lives, works and prays alongside the canal community. “The work of
A busy week in the House of Lords: Bishop Rachel’s challenges to government
Last week, Bishop Rachel was the bishop on duty in the House of Lords, and spoke on six occasions on various topics. Full details are below: Grok and Twitter/X:
Generations seeking stillness
Space, connection and silence were the focus for people at the latest Thriving Church event. 90 representatives from deaneries across the diocese gathered to consider the latest research into generational
Message from Bishop Rachel
Following this week’s meeting of the House of Bishops (referred to as HoB) and the issuing of a detailed statement ahead of the meeting of General Synod (referred to as GS) in February, I wanted to write something on behalf of myself and Bishop Robert to add something of our own perspective.
Team Vicar in the South Cotswold Team Ministry – a House for Duty role rooted in The Ampneys and surrounding villages
to build our ministry in the villages to work in collaboration with Team colleagues to reach out to our communities The Bishop of Gloucester seeks to appoint a Team Vicar
Open The Gospel – 25 January – The Third Sunday of Epiphany, Matthew 4.12–23
25 January – The Third Sunday of Epiphany, Matthew 4.12–23 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. 13He left Nazareth and made his home
Ofcom investigates Grok – but is that enough? Bishop Rachel asks a question in the House of Lords
Bishop Rachel has released a statement on the Times Crime and Justice Commission report on the state of the criminal justice system
Contacting Iran: Bishop Rachel asks Government about support for those struggling to contact loved ones
Bishop Rachel has released a statement on the Times Crime and Justice Commission report on the state of the criminal justice system
Rattvik Youth Conference
On a very cold, wet early morning on 2 January, a group of young adults alongside Joshua Robertson (the Children, Youth and Families Minister from St Mary’s Church, Newent) travelled
Record your church’s energy use
The Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) is now open for 2026 (to submit energy data from 2025). Completing the EFT is part of our shared journey to Net Zero Carbon —
Message from Bishop Rachel, 13 January 2026
Tomorrow I have a question in my name in the House of Lords, asking His Majesty’s Government ‘what assessment they have made of the impact of investment in early years
Sportily looks back on 2025
As we step into 2026, Sportily is looking forward in hopeful anticipation and looking back to celebrate all that was good in the previous year. Sportily is creating a network
Sharing faith this Lent
The most important thing is to be open and to be sharing the stories of Jesus at work in our lives with the people around us.
Clergy on the digital frontline
As the landscape of social media changes, the question of how the Church could best use social media is an increasingly important one. If platforms like Tiktok, Facebook, LinkedIn and
Open The Gospel – 18 January – The Second Sunday of Epiphany, John 1.29-42
18 January – The Second Sunday of Epiphany, John 1.29-42 The next day he saw Jesus coming towards him and declared, ‘Here is the Lamb of God who takes away
Chorister voice trials applications open
If you know a child who would jump at the opportunity to sing in the Gloucester Cathedral choir, chorister voice trials taking place in March could be a gateway to
Book club sparks confidence
St Catharine’s Church in Gloucester has started a book club to support and encourage those learning English who are part of the church community.
