Over 140 children from six local primary schools gathered at Down Ampney C of E Primary School on Ash Wednesday this year for ‘Experience Lent’. Pupils from Ampney Crucis, Hatherop,
Category: Latest news
Message from Bishop Rachel, 18 March 2025
Last Friday I was in the House of Lords participating in a Private Members’ bill requiring the Government to recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state.
Do you encounter God through music?
‘Do you encounter God through music?’ This is the question being posed by the Growing Faith Foundation, on our behalf, to children and young people across the country in the
Christ’s final hours to be reenacted on the streets of Gloucester for Good Friday
On Good Friday, the streets of Gloucester will once again transform into a stage for a powerful reenactment of Christ’s final hours in a play called ‘The Way of the
Thy Kingdom Come 2025
Let us pray! The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have invited parishes across England to join a great wave of prayer between Ascension and Pentecost
A homegrown calling for Jackie in Bibury
Jackie Colburn’s path to ministry has been deeply intertwined with the community that she’s called home for decades. She was born in Cheltenham, raised in Winchcombe, and has lived on
Message from Bishop Robert, 11 March 2025
I do hope you will take some time to read in the Bulletin today the stories from two of our locally selected Ordained Local Ministers, Jackie Colburn and Clare Negreira.
‘Online church live streams and Zoom got me through those difficult days’
The landscape of worship has changed a lot since the COVID-19 pandemic, with many churches continuing to offer online services to keep congregations connected. For Janet Bannister, a lifelong Christian
A calling close to home: Clare’s ministry at St Catharine’s
For some Christians, a calling to ministry means traveling far from home, but some are called to serve in the same place that they live. For Clare Negreira, it became
Are grandparents important?: A blog by Andy Palfreyman
Andy Palfreyman came along to our diocesan Faithful Generations events back in February. In this blog, he shares his key takeaways from the event, and reflects on why grandparents have
Message from Bishop Rachel, 4 March 2025
Last week, as I watched those extraordinary scenes of Trump, Vance and Zelensky in the Oval Office, I was struck by all the pointing. There was the physical pointing of
Explore how faith connects to your life with ‘Being With’
A course to help you explore faith through the lens of your own life experiences is being offered at St Catharine’s Church, Gloucester. Designed by Sam Wells and Sally Hitchiner
Appeal to restore St Mary’s, Syde
A fundraising effort is underway to conserve a fragile Royal Arms of Charles II wall painting in St Mary the Virgin church in Syde. St Mary’s is a grade I
West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative announces new Co-Directors
The West Midlands Regional Racial Justice Board has announced the appointment of the Revd Canon Douglas Machiridza and the Revd Dr Sarah Hayes as the new interim Co-Directors of the
Makin Safeguarding review
Following on from the National Safeguarding Team (NST) announcement on 25 February 2025 that they are seeking permission to bring disciplinary proceedings under the Clergy Discipline Measure against the Revd
Connect blog: “You can do Easter, Jo”.
Senior Children and Families Connector for the Diocese of Gloucester, the Revd Jo Wetherall, talks about sharing Holy Week with pre-schoolers. “You can do Easter, Jo.” I always knew I
Connect Blog: Moving from child to youth
This month, Senior Connector Barrie Voyce, is thinking about bridging the gap between Children and Youth Ministry. As someone who has worked with children and youth for most of my
Progress on the Racial Justice Microgrant scheme
The West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative has shared updates on the Racial Justice Microgrant Scheme which supports racial justice projects. Currently, the scheme is in its trial phase, running until
Watch the Church of England’s national online service from St Catharine’s
The Church of England’s national online service from St Catharine’s, Gloucester on Sunday has now been streamed, and you can watch it online. Led by the Revd Jo Pestell, with
Carrie’s virtual cycling challenge for Cancer Research UK
On Saturday 26 April, Carrie Thould, who is blind, will cycle 14.5 miles virtually from her home in Dursley to Gloucester Cathedral, to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Carrie
Learn large-scale flower arranging for your Eco Church journey
Cirencester and Stroud Deaneries are inviting churches to a ‘Pedestal and porches’ themed Sustainable Church Flowers workshop in May, teaching participants how to how to create large-scale floral arrangements without
Message from Bishop Robert, 25 February 2025
It is something of a truism to say that as a society our levels of anxiety are high, and it is often said, rightly, that we see it in our
Relaunching the Mission Grant Scheme
If you’re looking for a grant of up to £3,500 to help your worshipping community with local mission, the Diocese of Gloucester’s Mission Grant Scheme is something to explore. It
Message from Bishop Rachel, 18 February 2025
During the meeting of the General Synod last week there was much mention made of power and trust. For me, this all highlights the primary importance of paying attention to
