Bishop Robert has been appointed a Deputy Lead Bishop for Safeguarding for the Church of England, with a focus on liaison with diocesan bishops on behalf of the National SafeguardingContinue reading
Month: January 2024
New network aims to bring creative Christians across the Diocese together
A social website has been created by a Gloucester-based Christian to bring together people who enjoy being creative and exploring ways that God speaks to us and reaches others throughContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 30 January 2024
My engagements with chaplaincy have been some of the most formative experiences of my ministry. In my first curacy, my vicar and I spent time ministering on shop floors and in offices each week. In my second curacy, I was part of the chaplaincy team for a large general hospital as well as to the local Air Training Corps and further education college.
Remembrance service to mark 10 years of the Hollie Gazzard Trust
February 2024 marks ten years since young hair stylist Hollie Gazzard was murdered by her ex-partner in her workplace – after suffering abuse in a violent relationship which she hadContinue reading
Outstanding Ofsted judgement for Christ Church C of E Primary School
Christ Church CofE Primary in Cheltenham is celebrating having been awarded an Outstanding rating in all five areas of effectiveness in an inspection last month. The glowing report states that,Continue reading
‘Together for Humanity’ vigil for peace outside Gloucester Cathedral
A group of people from different faith backgrounds joined in a ‘Together for Humanity’ prayer vigil for peace outside Gloucester Cathedral, hosted by the Bishop of Gloucester, the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek.
Children grow their own food at St John’s Academy gardening club
Pupils at St John’s Primary Academy in Coleford have been getting their hands dirty and growing plants and vegetables at a new after school gardening club. The club was setContinue reading
“Understanding people’s needs is key to offering a truly warm welcome.” Laine Lewis
Laine Lewis, from Gloucester, has 27 years’ experience in youth and children’s church and community work – helping to establish clubs and groups that provide acceptance and love to peopleContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 23 January 2024
This Saturday is Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), held each year on 27 January which marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Every year, HMD is not only a day to remember the millions of Jews and ‘others’ murdered in the Holocaust, but also the acts of genocide which have happened elsewhere in the world in the years that followed. HMD is an invitation to pause and reflect alongside people of different faiths, views and backgrounds regarding how easily people are ‘othered’. We are invited to pay attention to the dark path that othering takes us down, whether it be about groups and neighbours in our local contexts, or about peoples and groups in distant parts of the world.
Water dispensers at All Saints’ dramatically cut plastic waste
All Saints’ Academy in Cheltenham has prevented the use of 37,271 plastic bottles since September, by installing water bottle refilling stations around the school. From November, the academy stopped sellingContinue reading
New WhatsApp service for clergy and Readers
Clergy, Readers and licensed lay ministers in and around the Diocese of Gloucester can now receive key messages from the Diocese of Gloucester direct to their phones. The new serviceContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 16 January 2024
I love maps. On a day-to-day basis, GPS is great for getting me from point A to point B in the shortest time, but I love maps, especially if I am going somewhere new. With a map, I have to think about the journey – where I am beginning, how I want to travel, what I might see and learn along the way, as well as where I hope to arrive.
No faith in fossil fuels
Christian charities are asking people to join in with 10 days of prayer for climate justice at the beginning of Lent. Starting on Ash Wednesday (14 February) until 24 February,Continue reading
Experience Easter Outside: popular teaching resource relaunched
Rosie of Hartpury CofE Primary School has been using the Experience Easter Outside teaching resource; “It’s been so easy to setup, it’s all there, and the kids are getting soContinue reading
Bishop Rachel’s invitation to stand ‘Together for Humanity’ at peace vigil
As we continue to watch the events in the Middle East, we mourn the loss of all those who have been killed in Israel and Palestine, and we long forContinue reading
Top tips for a ‘greener’ new year
Cate Williams, Environmental Engagement Officer, shares some simple ways to care for Creation in 2024. Have you made ‘green’ New Year resolutions this year? There are so many things thatContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 9 January 2024
In these early days of 2024 I have enjoyed the beauty of creation whilst also being aware of the devastation of wind and earthquake, and storm and flood, not least within our diocese. Indeed, I’m sure that each of us has begun this year acutely aware of the pain and turbulence in our world, whether that be locally and in our own lives, or whether it is the horror of what is going on in Gaza and across Israel and Palestine, or in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Explore Gloucester Cathedral from anywhere in new virtual tour
Take a virtual tour of Gloucester Cathedral to explore the most-loved spaces and delve into the more hidden areas. Using modern technology, this new way of viewing the entire CathedralContinue reading
Unexpected youth club thriving in Gloucester
When Gloucester City deanery started a focus on finding new ways to engage with secondary aged young people, they had no idea that by the end of the year GodContinue reading
Stroud CoE primary school dedicates playground to memory of special man
St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School has officially opened its newly designed playground, thanks to a legacy left by Rob Woodward, a lifelong supporter of the school. Woody, Rob’sContinue reading
