‘An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, ‘Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.’ (Luke 9: 46-48)
This week I want to build on what I wrote in January of this year, regarding a renewed focus on placing the child at the centre as we discern the next season of inhabiting our vision of LIFE Together Message from Bishop Rachel, 13 January 2026 – Diocese of Gloucester
I begin by briefly mentioning a mapping project in Gloucestershire, led by the Gather Movement which has been initiated in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council Family Hubs and the YMCA. Many of you will already be aware of this following this email sent to clergy on 22 May 2026.
The purpose of the mapping is to create a clearer picture of the valuable work being undertaken by churches and Christian organisations of different denominations throughout Gloucestershire across four areas of social provision, one of which is children and families (the others are mental health; food poverty; and housing and homelessness). The hope is that the findings will contribute to wider partnership initiatives, and provide a shared resource to strengthen collaboration between faith, civic, health, and community organisations.
I am aware that this might seem like just one more thing for us to engage with, but I do think it is significant that the Council are wanting to map the social action provision of Christian places of worship, and I hope leaders will be able and willing to engage with the phone surveys. We will of course need to think carefully about how we access and use the feedback, which will hopefully include opportunities for local civic leaders and church leaders to meet and reflect together in a desire to improve outcomes for the flourishing of local communities, not least children and families.
In my January letter, I wrote about the desire for reflection and conversation across different local contexts and within deaneries and beyond, on how our spotlight commitment of ‘investing in people and programmes which excite young people to explore and grow in faith’ connects across all the 5 spotlight areas of our vision of LIFE Together, and takes a central place in our commitment to share the transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that people may know life in all its fullness.
I asked how we might better interweave all that currently exists and all that is emerging, such that we offer continuing pathways of relationship with the Church, full of possibility of encounter with Jesus Christ and continual discovery for every child and family, from birth through to adulthood. I wrote “…Not every worshipping community and initiative can offer everything, so the challenge and excitement is how together we might live greater and clearer partnerships across deaneries and wider diocesan initiatives.”
It might be interesting to map not only what is being offered and led by local churches, but also how we are being church and how people are living out their discipleship among children, young people and families in the wider community (eg noting those who work or volunteer with children and young people in schools, uniformed organisations and various interest groups including sport, music and arts etc). How are adults being supported and enabled to live out their faith in those spaces; and how are children and young people being nurtured as ‘everyday disciples’ among other children and young people?
And this seems a good point to do a shout out for all those involved in ministry with children, young people, and their families, and to remind people that this coming Sunday there is a national focus on encouraging churches to thank and recognise these amazing people RECOGNISE | The Church of England .
Last week, Diocesan Synod began with worship led by the young people’s band from St Mary’s Newent, before we had some time in groups around tables, including specially-invited parents, teachers and young people. The aim was to think about what our five spotlight areas in our vision of LIFE Together might look like ‘on the ground’ if looked at through the lens of the child, young person and family.
None of this is an easy cultural shift as the temptation is simply to focus on organising more activity and projects, or wishing we had the capacity to do so. Whilst some of that might indeed be good and right, the challenge is to ask how we take a fresh look at all we already are and do through this lens, and then go deeper.
Last but not least, I want to mention the most important thing we can all do, which is pray. In my Epiphany letter in January, I wrote that “it would be foolish and dangerous for us to think that any of us are the ones who make encounter with Christ happen — that is the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit.”
Month by month we continue to see children and young people simply just turning up at local churches and events, because of the work of the Holy Spirit amid their life stories.
The one thing we could all do in the coming weeks, is to put times of prayer in place, individually or together as PCCs, worshipping communities, chaplaincies etc, to be intentional about how we pray together for children and young people, and to have expectant hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit.
Do share the stories, small and large.
I finish this letter as I did in January: “As we pray for children, young people, families and carers, to be caught up in the mysterious love of God and encounter with Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, may those of us who are adults be expectant for our faith to grow as we learn from the child and young person”:
‘ ..Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ (Luke 18: 16-17)
With my thanks and prayers as ever,
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