St James’ Church, Quedgeley held a hot chocolate and bat watch event on Friday (17 October), attracting over 60 people to the churchyard. The event was part of the church’sContinue reading
Category: Latest news
Meysey Hampton: aspirational, welcoming, and enriching
Meysey Hampton has been voted by the Telegraph newspaper as the best primary school in the country, based on national assessments that measured factors like academic performance and class sizes.Continue reading
New accessibility icons help churches welcome all
A Church Near You has launched a new set of accessibility icons designed to help churches share clear information about their facilities. These easy-to-recognise symbols allow visitors to quickly seeContinue reading
Message from Dean Andrew, 21 October 2025
Many readers will know that the Diocese of Gloucester is part of the West Midlands Regional Racial Justice Initiative – a bold collaboration between the Dioceses of Birmingham, Coventry, Hereford,Continue reading
Bishop Rachel scarecrow welcomes hundreds to Longhope
Visitors to this year’s Longhope Scarecrow Festival were greeted by a very special figure – a life-sized scarecrow of Bishop Rachel, welcoming guests through the church gates. The festival, organisedContinue reading
Anti-Slavery Day: How churches can respond
Anti-Slavery Day, observed every year on 18 October, provides an opportunity to raise awareness of human trafficking and modern slavery and encourages individuals, churches, charities, companies, and local authorities toContinue reading
Nightstop: Apple crumble and second chances
There are many reasons that a young person might find themselves homeless, such as family breakdown or losing a job. Without a stable address, they can quickly fall through theContinue reading
Putting welcome into practice with the Welcome Directory
The Welcome Directory is a nationwide list of faith or belief communities ready to welcome and support people leaving prison. It helps those transitioning from prison to find a welcoming,Continue reading
Lisa on justice and compassion in the prison system
This week is Prisons Week, with the theme that ‘God’s word is not chained’ (2 Timothy 2:29). We talk to Lisa Ustok, a member of the worshipping community at TrinityContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 14 October
Have you ever paused to consider how many statistics appear in the Bible? From the censuses in Numbers and Ezra, to the count of 153 fish in John, numbers are woven throughout Scripture. Some are symbolic, others practical—but all contribute to the rich tapestry of our faith story.
Bishops pray Gaza ceasefire deal brings immediate relief and comfort
A group of bishops with a close interest in the Holy Land have welcomed the Gaza peace deal, praying that it will “bring immediate relief and comfort”. The Bishop ofContinue reading
Prison dairy worker scheme supports rehabilitation for prisoners
Next week, Prisons Week (12–18 October) invites churches and communities across the country to pray for and support those affected by crime and imprisonment. As Christians, we believe no oneContinue reading
Nature corridors event on path to Gold Award
Two Cheltenham churches are promoting nature corridors as they make the push towards their Gold Eco Church Awards. St Peter’s Church, Leckhampton and St St Philip and St James’ Church,Continue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 7 October 2025
Last Friday I was glad to visit members of the Hebrew Synagogue in Cheltenham following the shocking attack on the synagogue in Manchester. Antisemitism is abhorrent and is leading toContinue reading
Initial Lottery support for Blockley Church improvements
Blockley Church has received initial support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its Building on Blockley’s History Project. Made possible thanks to National Lottery players, the project aims toContinue reading
New General Synod representatives for the Diocese of Gloucester
We can share that one new member of the House of Clergy and one new member of the House of Laity have been elected to represent the Diocese of GloucesterContinue reading
Bishop Rachel welcomes the announcement of the next Archbishop of Canterbury
As Bishop Sarah Mullally is announced as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Rachel welcomes her appointment. Bishop Rachel said, “On this historic day, I warmly welcome Bishop Sarah’sContinue reading
The Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally DBE to become 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
His Majesty The King has approved the nomination of the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, as the next Archbishop of Canterbury, Downing StreetContinue reading
Local carpenter builds his own pool for baptism
A carpenter from Lower Quinton has been baptised in a pool that he constructed himself. Harry Malin, who runs H.M Carpentry, was baptised by the Revd Jay Niblett during theContinue reading
Faith and mystery under the Moon at Tewkesbury Abbey
“A beautiful building brings beauty to everything that inhabits it. With the Moon hanging here, it’s a chance for people of all ages to pause, look up, and experience somethingContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 30 September 2025
Creation is the setting for our salvation.
Historic chapel revived as ‘The Shepherd’s Hut’ in Little Sodbury
An abandoned chapel in Little Sodbury has been restored and reopened as ‘The Shepherd’s Hut’, offering traditional Book of Common Prayer (BCP) Holy Communion services and new outreach initiatives. InContinue reading
Awe, light and cheer at Festival of Wonder 2025
Anticipation is building for Stroud’s annual Festival of Wonder, held in St Laurence Church: a celebration designed to help recapture a sense of awe and wonder of God’s creation, bringingContinue reading
Bishop Rachel to join The Missing Peace book launch
Bishop Rachel will join author Chris Whittington at Pip and Jim’s in Cheltenham on Thursday 20 November to mark the publication of his new book, The Missing Peace: Meditation asContinue reading
