We are now firmly in these days that are Christmas and yet, of course, not quite Christmas yet. In church, there are still two more candles to light on the Advent crown, while already we welcome so many to sing carols and hear again the message of the angels.
Tag: Advent
‘Follow the Star: Join the Song’ Advent and Christmas resources for churches to engage with all ages
The Church of England has produced a range of fun resources – in print and online – to help everyone, from tiny tots to older people, ‘Follow the Star: JoinContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 21 November 2023
A Song of the Wilderness, with words from Isaiah 35, will be used in the coming days and weeks as we move into Advent, and will be part of my prayer as I spend three days at the end of this week on retreat, staying in a hermitage in the grounds of a religious community. It will be my time of ‘going into the desert’ to be with God. I delight in solitude and silence to pray, reflect and dwell in scripture, and I am expectant for God to water those places within me which have become parched.
Bishop Rachel’s Christmas Day sermon 2022: Gloucester Cathedral
Time is a fascinating subject and it’s something of which we are all very aware: The time it takes to cook a turkey; the countdown of days on the advent calendar; the length of time it takes for an ambulance to arrive; or perhaps the counting of years with the celebration of a significant birthday or anniversary.
Bishop Rachel’s Christmas message to all
There are so many messages of crisis: climate crisis, fuel crisis, cost of living, NHS, and crises across our world, including in Ukraine. And that crisis-messaging can make people anxious – even despairing … although crises are nothing new.
A message from Bishop Rachel to the Diocese of Gloucester this Christmas
This Christmas many people will come to church buildings, halls and schools to engage with the Christmas story through various services, nativity plays and events. I hope we will capture all those numbers, but then what?
Message from Bishop Robert, 22 November 2022
I am delighted to report that, like the first cuckoo of spring, I have seen my first house decorated for Christmas. At one level I know I should hold the line — it’s not even Advent and as a child Christmas lights were never allowed before Christmas Eve (or just possibly the weekend before that).
Advent bags to help people Flourish
The Flourish Team in the Thameshead Benefice has put together Advent bags to help local families engage with the message of Advent. The bags, suggested by The London Institute forContinue reading
At the Heart of Christmas
This year’s national Church of England Christmas campaign is called At the Heart of Christmas. It comes with a bank of resources that local churches can personalise
Sharing our stories; the ‘Digital Advent’ project
We’re hearing different voices in the congregation, giving more people an opportunity to share their faith in a fairly safe way, and we’re also giving the wider congregation an opportunityContinue reading
From Your Cathedral To You
Gloucester Cathedral will bring Comfort and Joy to all, wherever you may be this Christmas Gloucester Cathedral’s From Your Cathedral To You Christmas campaign aims to give people across theContinue reading
Godly Play Advent videos 2020
The Revd Jo Wetherall shares videos to take us through Advent using the Godly Play materials. Feel the anticipation as Christmas comes closer and the special day that changes everythingContinue reading
Christmas trails round up
Churches across the diocese are planning Christmas trails to spread some comfort and joy in their local communities.
A call to prayer for the nation
Join us and pray for the nation over the next month of lockdown in England. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are …
Follow the Star – Advent 2019 starts here!
‘Twas the week before Advent, and all through the … anyway, you get the idea. Last year, the national #FollowTheStar campaign had a social media reach of 8 million people…
Follow the Star – guest blog from Nick Davies
Nick Davies, Team Rector in South Cheltenham writes … Last year, our church used the #FollowTheStar materials in social media, posters, Church decorations and branding to try to get messagesContinue reading
I̶t̶’̶s̶ ̶C̶h̶r̶i̶s̶t̶m̶a̶s̶!̶ Get ready …
OK, it may not be Christmas quite yet, but here are some key things for worshipping communities to think about ahead of the season
ADVENTure Calendar in Newnham
ADVENTure Calendar takes to the streets in Newnham The idea of the traditional advent calendar is being transformed along Newnham High Street, where neighbours are converting their home windows toContinue reading
Run away success for Tetbury’s Advent group
Tetbury Church has founded an Advent group for runners, which met for the first time this week. Thirteen members of the town’s running club gathered at St Mary’s Church forContinue reading
Advent resources 2017
#GodWithUs The 2017 national Christmas campaign for the Church of England. Find out how to get involved here. Prayer cards The worship, prayer and spirituality groupContinue reading
