Julian Atkins, currently the Countywide Climate Change Coordinator for the public sector partnership, Climate Leadership Gloucestershire, has been appointed Net Zero Programme Director for the Church of England. Having workedContinue reading
Author: Kelly Owen
Message from Bishop Robert, 24 January 2023
I was privileged last year to lead one of the first pilgrimages to the Holy Land after Israel reopened its boarders following the global pandemic. In contrast to previous pilgrimages, the Holy Sites were generally quiet – ours was the only group present in the chapel in Bethlehem where Jesus is traditionally thought to have been born. That quiet extended to another of our visits, like the vast majority of pilgrimages, to the Holocaust Memorial, Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem.
Message from Bishop Rachel, 17 January 2023
Yesterday, I had the privilege of being present at the official opening of The Nelson Trust’s Women’s Centre in Wales. Similar to the Women’s Centre in Gloucester, this provides transforming support for women who have been involved with the criminal justice system. Staff and volunteers work with women in a holistic way, listening to each person’s story and valuing them as a unique individual as they engage with the whole person, including the building and re-shaping of healthy relationships, often including a woman’s children.
“Being an Eco Church has become a part of life” at Pip and Jim’s Leckhampton
In August 2022, St Philp and St James Church Leckhampton was awarded a Bronze Eco Church Award by A Rocha and is now working towards Silver. Helen Wolfson, a memberContinue reading
“Keeping the stories alive” – Holocaust Memorial Day 2023
‘Ordinary People’ is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January 2023. This year, Bob Copeland, who has organised Holocaust Memorial Day events in the community for the pastContinue reading
Bishop Rachel: ONE Women’s Centre is ‘good news’ for women prisoners
At the end of last year, the Nelson Trust opened a Women’s Centre in HMP Eastwood Park, an innovative new pilot funded by the Ministry of Justice ‘Local Leadership andContinue reading
Pay-as-you-can café welcomes community in St Andrew’s, Churcham
In 2019, the Revd Lara Bloom and members of St Andrew’s, Churcham got together to pray about ways to build community in the village. After a couple of trial runsContinue reading
Sportily brings community together at Christmas event
Christmas is a time for community, and this was really felt in the Forest of Dean as Sportily hosted a rustic, family-focused campfire and carols event with lots of marshmallowsContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 10 January 2023
A number of us from across the diocese were pleased to be able to gather on Friday in the Cathedral to express our thanks to Canon Andrew Braddock for 14 years of ministry in this diocese.
Warm spaces in the Diocese this winter
Many churches and community buildings are opening up during the week to offer warm spaces this winter. People looking to get out of the cold can drop in to anyContinue reading
Statistics for Mission for 2022
The Statistics for Mission 2022 return is now available for completion on the parish returns website. The deadline for completing this return is 31 January 2023. The Statistics for MissionContinue reading
Knife Angel monument coming to Gloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral is to host the thought-provoking ‘Knife Angel’ monument as part of the National Youth Anti-Violence Tour, highlighting the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour while also beingContinue reading
A New Year’s message from Bishop Rachel
I know that journeying can be an overused metaphor when we talk about faith, but it seems a good one as we begin a new year and recall the visit of the Magi and the unfolding of the season of Epiphany.
An ‘angelic’ welcome in Slimbridge this Christmas
St John the Evangelist Church in Slimbridge has welcomed the arrival of a new art installation, especially for Christmas. Local artist Jackie Lantelli created the angel sculpture to welcome visitorsContinue reading
New stained-glass window dedicated to Ralph Vaughan Williams
On Sunday 11 December 2022, Bishop Rachel led the dedication service for a new stained-glass window at All Saints’ Church, Down Ampney. The colourful window had been specially commissioned toContinue reading
Comedians and Carols come to Minchinhampton Parish Church
Friday 16 December will see festive cheer at Minchinhampton Parish Church in a one-off seasonal show, Comedians and Carols. This popular show is an adaptation of the traditional Nine LessonsContinue reading
Ways to help in your community this winter
This winter, many people will be facing difficulties with the cost of living and the energy crisis. Linking with organisations that operate across the diocese, here are some positive waysContinue reading
Delivering light and hope to residents in Cranham
The snow this weekend meant many worshipping communities couldn’t meet in the usual way. In Cranham, St James The Great Church‘s Christingle service was one of many affected. However, undeterredContinue reading
Sally’s story: “God got me out of bed to paint”
Sally Snape, who worships at St Michael and All Angels in Bishop’s Cleeve, didn’t think she could paint, but God had a different opinion. Here she shares how her faithContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 6 December 2022
A week ago, Cate Williams wrote on the deep reality of the nature crisis that is wounding the biodiversity of our world and how, as disciples of Christ, we might begin to respond. As we begin our Christmas celebrations, we are given, should we need it, another reminder of why it is so important that we respond.
Tips to invite a friend to church this Christmas
Who doesn’t love an invitation? Just knowing that someone has gone out of their way to invite us makes us feel cared for, whether we can accept or not, andContinue reading
Kelly’s faith through childloss and grief
Today marks the start of National Grief Awareness Week. Kelly Owen shares how she found comfort in Jesus following the death of her eldest child, Abigail and how her faith gave her the courage to live and grieve.
COP15 – how can we respond to the nature crisis?
Ahead of the COP15 conference on biodiversity, Cate Williams, Environmental Engagement Officer shares how worshipping communities can help to protect wildlife and habitats where they are. COP15 is the fifteenthContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 29 November 2022
We live in a world in which we are acutely aware that ‘nation lifts up sword against nation’ and there is mess and pain and injustice. Whether it’s the narrative around immigration, or a fuel crisis, or the damage inflicted on our planet, or indeed the price of eggs, there is talk of justice in the public square.
Thankfully, in our vision of LIFE Together we have committed to be ‘advocates for flourishing through initiatives which combat injustice…’ yet I am under no illusion that acting with justice is easy or straightforward, and of course mercy and love must also be brought to the table.
