One of the questions I often find myself being asked by people I meet is this: what is your favourite verse from the Bible? There are so many verses I could choose, but the themes in the scriptures that have always most inspired me are those that speak of light and hope.
Month: October 2023
Join us as we Pray Like Hannah; every day through November
Join us from 1 November, as we say a simple prayer once per day. During the ordinary things that are happening in our lives; washing up, sending a text, orContinue reading
“Leading a funeral service is a privilege.” Funeral Director and Funeral Minster, Jeremy Clutterbuck
In February, six people were licenced as Funeral Ministers as part of a new initiative at the Diocese of Gloucester. Jeremy Clutterbuck, a Funeral Director from Cam, shares why heContinue reading
“International Men’s Day helps men open up about mental health.” The Revd Nick Bromfield
Sunday 19 November is an opportunity for people in the UK to celebrate men and boys in all their diversity. The Revd Nick Bromfield, Team Rector of North Cheltenham, explainsContinue reading
Providing a warm welcome to people leaving prison
Bishop Rachel, in partnership with The Welcome Directory and the Community Chaplaincy Association, hosted an event at Gloucester Cathedral, highlighting the vital role faith communities hold in welcoming people comingContinue reading
The Music Works’ ‘Knife Angel Legacy’ programme achieves award nomination
The Music Works, a Gloucester-based charity, is celebrating being nominated for a Social Action Award for its involvement in the Knife Angel campaign earlier this year. The Knife Angel statueContinue reading
Worship in the Wood at Forest Church, Minchinhampton
The Revd Gerald South, from Minchinhampton, shares how Forest Church helps people in the worshipping community connect with God’s creation. “Forest Church is not an occasion to simply hold aContinue reading
Message from the Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, 24 October 2023
A colleague was telling me recently how she had spent a whole day convinced that it was Tuesday, only to be assured in the late evening that it really was Thursday after all. How often we use phrases like ‘the last week has gone so quickly’ or ‘it feels like years since the holiday’? Time, and how we measure it, is strange. But time and how we feel it can be even stranger.
“I work in the media and I welcome your prayers.” Chris Sandys
Sunday 29 October is National Day of Prayer for the Media, an initiative pioneered by the charity Christians in Media. Chris Sandys, a Gloucestershire-based journalist, shares some of his journeyContinue reading
Bishop Rachel responds to Lord Chancellor’s statement
Bishop Rachel Treweek has responded to a statement from the Lord Chancellor on the criminal justice system in England and Wales. Statement by the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of StateContinue reading
Israel-Palestine conflict: “We must not be silent.”
In our diocesan Bulletin I wrote of the danger of seeing the world through a simple binary lens, and I included the situation in Israel-Palestine. The details of the evilContinue reading
Message from Archdeacon Phil, 17 October 2023
One of the questions we sometimes ask candidates being interviewed for clergy posts in the Diocese runs along the lines of ‘What, for you, is the heart of the good news of the Gospel, and is there a Bible verse that is central to this?’ … I am always struck by the range of responses and find myself reflecting on what my answer would be.
Trinity Cheltenham celebrates Eco Church Silver Award
Congratulations to Trinity Cheltenham for obtaining their Eco Church Silver Award after a three-year-long ‘eco’ journey led by their Operations Manager, Marion David. Marion says, ‘Within our church environmental team, weContinue reading
Green Church Awards will showcase best of church eco projects
The 2024 Green Church Awards, launched by The Church Times, will recognise the urgent environmental crisis and the efforts being made by Christian organisations and communities, churches and church schoolsContinue reading
Pray Like Hannah: Praying through November
Learn more about the Diocese of Gloucester’s prayer campaign, launching this November. For the month of November, we’re encouraging Christians to Pray Like Hannah. Hannah was a woman in theContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 10 October 2023
In the midst of all the different strands of my ministry at present, I continue to reflect on a world in which oversimplistic binary views are so prevalent and so easily shape the way people view the world, yet the truth is that stories and lives are far messier than that.
Animals receive blessing in special service in Quedgeley
Forty people and their pets took part in a special service of blessing at Saint James’ in Quedgeley on Sunday 8 October. The blessing of animals service was conducted byContinue reading
DAC Secretary speaks on heritage and climate change at European summit
Adam Klups, Gloucester DAC Secretary, took part in a European heritage and climate action forum in Italy, sharing how the Church of England and the Diocese are working towards theContinue reading
The First Nowell – new carol for Christmas
A message from Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are writing with an invitation for you to be part of the premiereContinue reading
Prisons: Are we asking the right questions?
Following the recent escape of a prisoner from HMP Wandsworth there were immediate answers being demanded of questions about how the prison could possibly have allowed this to happen. The problem is that the questions we ask can lead to answers which don’t actually shine the light in the right places.
Violence in Israel and Gaza
A message from Bishop Rachel I urge people across the diocese to pray for peace amid the horror of the violence in Gaza and Israel, and I support the Archbishops’Continue reading
Bishop Rachel’s statement on HM Prisons
“Sending prisoners abroad is not the answer …” The Anglican Bishop for HM Prisons, The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek said, “I am dismayed at the news that the Government isContinue reading
Message from Archdeacon Hilary, 3 October 2023
I come from a family of teachers. Both my parents and my oldest brother were teachers. It felt inevitable and right that I would follow in their footsteps and I taught across a number of schools over 17 years prior to ordination. Thursday 5 October marks World Teachers’ Day. It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers.
What it’s like to go on a Mental Health First Aider training course
In September, Jo Sanders, from St Catharine’s, Gloucester, attended the Mental Health First Aider training course, run by the Diocese of Gloucester. Having completed Safeguarding training, led by Becca Faal,Continue reading
