Reading: Luke 12.32-40 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for
Month: July 2025
Palestinian statehood
Bishop Rachel, together with the Archbishop of York, the Bishops of Southwark, Chelmsford and Norwich, respond to the Prime Minister’s announcement on the possibility of recognising a Palestinian state.
St Peter’s turns churchyard corner into wildlife garden
The Eco Church group at St Peter’s Church, Winchcombe has turned a once-neglected corner of their churchyard into a wildlife garden, using a diocesan Wildlife Garden Grant to support the
South Asian Heritage Month 2025
For South Asian Heritage Month (from 18 July to 17 August 2025), and in keeping with this year’s theme ‘Roots to Routes’, the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative shares a
Introducing CathedrALE at Gloucester Cathedral
The Dean of Gloucester, the Very Revd Andrew Zihni, has blessed CathedrALE, a new beer brewed in partnership between Gloucester Cathedral and Gloucester Brewery. CathedrALE is inspired by centuries of
Prime Time enjoys first group outing since Covid
Trinity Cheltenham used a grant from the Diocese of Gloucester Mission Grant scheme to take around 20 elderly members of its Prime Time group to the Batsford Arboretum for lunch
Bishop Rachel’s sermon: Tenth anniversary of consecration
22 July 2025, The Feast of Mary Magdalene Click here to watch the livestream of the service. Thank you for being here. Thank you to those across this diocese for
Archbishop of York’s statement on Gaza
Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert wholeheartedly welcome the statement made by the Archbishop of York regarding the ongoing situation in Gaza. This statement follows in full. “With each passing day
Open The Gospel – 3 August: Trinity 7, Luke 12.13-21
Reading: Luke 12.13-21 Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.’ But he said to him, ‘Friend, who set me
Bishop Rachel: 10 years of ministry
We’re celebrating 10 years since Bishop Rachel was consecrated as the Bishop of Gloucester and the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England. On 22 July 2015, she
EFT thanks – last chance to submit (via Erica)
A big thank you to all the churches in our diocese who have completed their Energy Footprint Tool (EFT) this year. We are pleased to announce that 41% of churches
Roosts of refuge: helping baby bat pups
Summer time is bat season and churches may notice more bat activity than usual – specifically, the presence of baby bats, known as ‘pups’. Hazel Tocock, member of the Bat
Message from Bishop Rachel, 22 July 2025
As I write this letter, I cannot quite believe that it is 10 years since my consecration in Canterbury Cathedral. As I give thanks today I do so with a grateful heart, and I am looking forward to the special Evensong at the cathedral this evening at 5.30pm.
Open The Gospel – 27 July: Trinity 6
Reading: Luke 11.1–13 He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught
Phishing email targeting churches – not affiliated with Goodbox
It has come to our attention that nationally churches and dioceses are being targeted by a phishing email. If you receive an email that matches the screenshot below, please delete
Ride and Stride is back for 2025
Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust (GHCT) is delighted to announce that Ride and Stride is back for 2025, taking place on 13 September. This annual event invites people across Gloucestershire and
“God isn’t finished with the Church in the villages”
Lucy Barbour has now been an ordained Pioneer Minister for two years, serving in Bishop’s Cleeve, Southam, Woolstone, Gotherington and Oxenton. “As a pioneer minister, you still do many of
Message from Bishop Robert, 15 July 2025
It’s always a delight to visit our church schools, especially in these last couple of weeks of the summer term, as the children and staff approach the end of the
Church flowers: “Easy win for net zero carbon by 2030”
As churches continue to work towards the Church of England’s 2030 net zero carbon target, and to honour the Church’s fifth mark of mission, ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity
‘Picking up the pieces’ for responsible, relational and restorative justice system
Bishop Rachel has joined with Christian leaders calling on the government to work in partnership with churches, communities, and faith-based organisations to tackle a failing criminal justice system.
Bishops call on government to take action over settler violence
Bishop Rachel has joined with the bishops of Norwich, Southwark and Chelmsford in writing an open letter to The Guardian over settler violence against Palestinian communities, particularly in Taybeh, the
Open The Gospel – 20 July: Trinity 5
Reading: Luke 10.38–end Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened
Rising Stars project builds confidence and well-being among students
The Rising Stars project at All Saints’ Academy is helping young people grow in confidence and improve physical and mental well-being. Run by Lives of Colour, the project offers after-school
Louise’s Vocation at The Nelson Trust
During an Alpha course, Louise Oldfield found out about a charity called The Nelson Trust and immediately felt an overwhelming calling and a sense that her past experience had been
