Sportily is a Gloucestershire-wide network of sports and Christian faith groups, working in partnership with the diocese to help children, young people and families grow in confidence, community and faith
Author: Natalie Sansom
Congregation makes parish-wide Bible delivery
The congregation at St Andrew’s and St Bartholomew’s Churchdown has given a Bible to every home in the parish alongside their Christmas card delivery this year, after a fundraising appeal
Christmas services and events across the diocese
With Christmas just around the corner, churches across our diocese are welcoming congregations and communities to festive services and events. Here is a snapshot of some of the events taking
End of magazine marks 200 issues for David and 137 years for St Peter’s
A quiet but significant moment took place last week at St Peter’s Leckhampton, as the final edition of its church magazine, in its current form, was published. The reason was
Bishop Rachel to attend inclusive Join Together Christmas service
Bishop Rachel will be at this weekend’s Join Together Christmas service at St Lawrence, Barnwood, on Sunday 14 December at 4pm, to which everyone is warmly invited. This is a
Christmas cheer at canal-side service
Waterways Chaplaincy and the Stroudwater team of Churches are inviting everyone to the unique canal-side Christmas service on 13 December, 6pm at Saul Junction on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
Exhibition shows climate crisis through the eyes of a child
St Peter’s Leckhampton is offering a window into the realities faced by children on the front line of the climate and nature crisis with ‘Letters from the Global South’, running
Grandparents and grandchildren exploring faith together
Faithful Generations will return next year in Saint John Baptist Church, Cirencester. After the positive feedback from this year’s gathering in Gloucester Cathedral, the upcoming event will keep the same
Message from Archdeacon Hilary, 2 December 2025
What kind of a New Year’s Eve person are you? Parties, fireworks and staying up late? Hitting the night spots of Gloucester and dancing the night away? Or an early night with a good book.
A service of thanks and farewell to Church House
On Thursday (27 November), staff gathered for a heartfelt leaving service to mark our farewell to Church House and to give thanks for the many years of ministry, work and
DWT welcomes over a thousand children to Christian camp
Our partner Diocese of Western Tanganyika brought together more than a thousand children for a five-day Christian camp that blended learning, worship and fellowship. Initially planned for 900 participants, the
Listening well to those who have experienced abuse
The Diocese of Gloucester, in partnership with the National Safeguarding Team, hosted a Safeguarding Good Practice Participation Forum in October. Here we share some of the key learning from that
Clips, cribs, and community: Advent at Sodbury Vale
This year, Sodbury Vale Benefice is spreading seasonal cheer online with their digital Advent calendar – inviting everyone to share in the hopes, memories, and joy of Christmas as seen
A greener and warmer winter for St Mary’s
St Mary’s Church, Lower Slaughter is looking forward to a greener and warmer winter thanks to the installation of a new electric heating system, funded through a combination of a
Message from Bishop Robert, 25 November 2025
Today, Tuesday 25 November, marks White Ribbon Day. It is followed by a call to 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, part of a powerful call to end violence
Clearwater teachers visit our Tanzanian partners
Clearwater C of E Primary Academy teacher Judith Manns and headteacher Kate Moss have visited two primary schools in our link Diocese of Western Tanganyika in Tanzania. Judith shared her
Message from Bishop Rachel, 18 November 2025
In recent days I have again been in a variety of settings with different people, including: meetings and conversations with diocesan colleagues and other bishops; time with clergy; a debate
Faith and finance – a financial wellbeing conference
‘Faith and finance’ will be taking place in the first half of 2026. It’s a new diocesan event designed to help us think more clearly, confidently, and faithfully about money,
‘The hymn books have sung again’
When St Mary’s Tetbury realised their 350 retired hymn books were not suitable for donation and could not be sold, the church sought a more imaginative solution than just sending
This Sunday is Safeguarding Sunday
Safeguarding Sunday is on 16 November and this year’s theme, ‘action speaks louder’, encourages people to move beyond talking about safeguarding and take meaningful steps towards creating safer spaces. Bishop
Grace Network launches ethical Christmas hamper
The Grace Network, based in The Old Department Store in Cirencester, is offering a thoughtful way to give back this Christmas with a hamper that supports communities both locally and
‘Ageing Gracefully’ available in new online format
When Dr Ian Donald first launched ‘Ageing Gracefully’ in 2023, his aim was to help people confront the realities of ageing through both medical understanding and Christian faith. Drawing on
Engaging with COP30, 10 to 21 November
From 10 to 21 November, world leaders will gather in Belém, Brazil, for COP30, the 30th annual UN climate conference. As the date draws near, there are lots of opportunities
St Laurence gains lottery support for building restoration work
Support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund brings new hope for saving Stroud’s historic St Laurence Church. Up to £225,636 in development funding has been awarded to St Laurence’s project,
