News & events

Baptisms moving outdoors in Thornbury and Oldbury

The Revd Joy Ludlow, Priest-in-charge, United Benefice of Thornbury and Oldbury with Shepperdine blogs about how the pandemic has changed their approach to baptism. “Like many of our communities, inContinue reading

COP in, not COP out!

If you care about the future of our planet, join us at a community gathering outside Gloucester Cathedral on Saturday 6 November at 3 pm. Come as an individual orContinue reading

How can we all make a difference?

As the world looks towards Glasgow for COP26, how can we all personally make a difference?

A comic strip pointed me to my true calling

Exhausted primary school teacher Joanne Wykes was spending her life pushing herself to excel at work and also had tried to give everything to her previous church. But when lockdownContinue reading

GHCT celebrates 40th anniversary success at Gloucester Cathedral

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust had a hugely successful evening celebrating their 40th anniversary at Gloucester Cathedral and was able to announce a marvellous £37,000 fundraised so far in their anniversaryContinue reading

Message from Bishop Rachel, 19 October 2021

In the aftermath of the shocking murder of Sir David Amess, I was struck by some words I heard on the radio spoken by Bishop James Jones (Bishop of Liverpool prior to his retirement). He spoke about the way we treat one another and speak of those with whom we disagree, not least those who serve and lead publicly. He spoke of a society that so often lacks mercy.

Ringing out a warning on the climate emergency

Churches are being encouraged to ring their church bells at 6 pm for half an hour on 30 October, the day before the COP26 conference begins. Churches in Stroud areContinue reading

A space to remember babies loved and lost

Bishop Robert visited Christ Church, Cheltenham to bless a special remembrance area in the church garden for Baby Loss Week. People from the local community who had been affected byContinue reading

Sylvanus Lysons grants: supporting school visits

Sylvanus Lysons grant making charity are enabling secondary school students from All Saints Academy, Cheltenham to visit our partner Diocese of Western Tanganyika. Sylvanus Lysons have contributed to trips inContinue reading

Supporting the Children & Families work in Hempsted

Our Sylvanus Lysons grant-making charity has been supporting the employment of Rachel Laughton as the Children and Families worker in Hempsted. Rachel works across the Hempsted community to encourage childrenContinue reading

Hope for the generations, #OneDiocese blog

A #OneDiocese blog by the Revd Tim Hastie-Smith, Vicar of Bibury with Winson and Barnsley and Diocesan Missioner for New Worshipping Communities. “On Wednesday last week, my family and IContinue reading

Still Waters bring deep friendships

Everyday faith on the canal for Reader Charles Garven and his wife Pat. Pat and Charles live on a 65-foot long narrowboat, which they had purpose-built to be a homeContinue reading

Church to research flood mitigation measures

St Michael and All Angels’ Church is Tirley is a grade 1 listed building that is coming under increasing pressure from climate change-related flooding. The Parochial Church Council (PCC), supportedContinue reading

Pioneer Ministry Blog: And God grew something new – The Explore Creation journey

How God uses our incompetence, frustration and weaknesses to shape something new I remember it vividly, even though it was some ten years ago. The volunteer children’s leader at ourContinue reading

Announcement – General Synod Elections Results

    Following the recent election, the count for both Clergy and Lay elections has been conducted by Civica, and we can now announce that there are four new membersContinue reading

Bishop Rachel pushes for change to women’s justice system

The Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Rachel Treweek, hosted an event in the House of Lords to highlight the need to divert women from the criminal justice system and abolish short term prison sentencing for women with non-violent crimes.

Living in Love and Faith update

There is still plenty of time to get involved in the Living in Love and Faith engagement programme now that it has been extended to the end of April 2022. Continue reading

Message from Bishop Robert, 12 October 2021

Being a disciple of Jesus is an adventure – it can unsettle, challenge, disturb us but always leads to life.

You will read elsewhere in today’s Bulletin of the continuing invitation to be engaged with ‘Living in Love and Faith’ the teaching document which as Bishops we have prepared about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.

Harriet’s hair is a lifeline for the rainforest

A seven-year-old from Barnwood is on a mission to save the rainforest and she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to make a difference.

You can’t love like God without loving his creation, blog by Abby Button                              

The most encouraging posts I read about living sustainably are the ones that say you don’t have to do it perfectly or change everything about your lifestyle, but to do something little is better than nothing. Thankfully we don’t have to fix this problem by ourselves, but in partnership with God, whose power is greatest in our weakness.

Teen’s talent makes waves in village churchyard

A Cheltenham teenager with a passion for ecology is challenging his church community to make greater efforts for the environment. A quiet time spent reflecting in the churchyard at StContinue reading

Jade’s dual calling to nursing and priesthood

Are there people in your parishes who you can see might have a calling to self-supporting ministry? Do you have a sense that God might be calling you to serve inContinue reading

Call for Evidence: Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households

The Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households is launching its public engagement phase, and this is your opportunity to have your say about how the Church and society can supportContinue reading

Bishop Rachel’s Ministry Gathering Sermon

Ministry Gathering Wednesday 6 OctoberBishop Rachel’s Sermon First Reading Exodus 3.1-6 Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond theContinue reading

School and church come together to celebrate St Matthew’s Day

To celebrate the feast of St Matthew on 21 September, members of the congregation of the church in Cainscross ran a whole day with their church school. St Matthew’s CofEContinue reading

Message from Bishop Rachel, 5 October 2021

I have recently found myself in conversations about people’s concerns and disappointments that so much of the resolve to learn from the experience of pandemic and lockdown and to live differently, seems to be dissipating.

Ken uses locust sandwiches and tennis to bring faith to life

40 years after he came to faith in Jesus, Ken Spensley tells us about how his calling to a life of ministry has played out, and his hunger to doContinue reading

‘Gloomy’ churchyard set to become bright and welcoming space

Over the past months, the Gloucester Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC), who are a group of expert advisers on all church and churchyard- related matters, have been involved in conversations withContinue reading

A road trip in a clapped-out Subaru changed my life forever

Oliver Smith was a typical 21-year-old student, immersing himself in all that student life had to offer. But under the surface things were not as they seemed.

Exploring Faith and Spirituality Courses

Every Thursday evening from September 2021 – July 2022 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm £5 – £30 This series of short courses offer the opportunity to explore our faith moreContinue reading

How craft supplies have helped St Andrew’s school go net zero

St Andrew’s School in Chedworth has become a net-zero carbon school and the children are excited to show others how to do the same. The transformation from being a standard,Continue reading

Recognition for long service to the Church

Bishop Rachel has presented long service awards to people who have served the life of the Church in and around Gloucestershire. The ten people chosen for special recognition today haveContinue reading

Sylvanus Lysons Charity

Sylvanus Lysons Charity would be delighted to receive your applications for grants – our objectives are to support projects and initiatives that bring hope and healing to our communities. TheContinue reading

Message from Bishop Robert, 28 September 2021

“If we did not already know that we were living in anxious times, it took only the news last Thursday that some 20 garages across the country had run out of fuel, to there being queues on Friday and by Sunday over half of garages closed.  Most of us know, in our heads at least, that provided we all act wisely and don’t panic, there won’t be a problem…

Video and photos from the Readers’ Day 2021

Sunny skies, big smiles and a recommitment to ministry at the annual Readers’ Day celebration at Gloucester Cathedral. You can see some of the photos of this special day of fellowship

Environmental resources for small groups

Three quick suggestions to try for those looking for resources for small groups. Tenants of the King This is an excellent resource that has been developed by the Christian environmentalContinue reading