St George’s Church in Nailsworth, Gloucester, has installed a new stained glass window depicting the Madonna and child, reinforcing the church’s reputation for nurturing modern craftsmanship. The church is alreadyContinue reading
Tag: Bishop Robert
Message from Bishop Robert, 1 August 2023
In this, my last contribution before I begin my sabbatical on Friday, I want to express my particular thanks to our retired clergy.
Message from Bishop Robert, 18 July 2023
Some 40 years ago, I was a student volunteer with the Missions to Seafarers in Fremantle, Western Australia. It was there, as in my mind I thought of what I might do when I returned home after this gap year experience, that the chaplain challenged me to take seriously the call to ordination. I still studied Business on my return to the UK, but that swiftly led to theological college, ordination and for the last 34 years the most fulfilling ministry as deacon, priest and bishop.
Message from Bishop Robert, 4 July 2023
The 75th Anniversary of the foundation of the National Health Service, which we celebrate tomorrow, is rightly a cause for thanksgiving, reflection and renewal.
Message from Bishop Robert, 27 June 2023
It’s one of my jobs at home to put out the recycling – paper and cardboard, glass, tins and, of course, plastic. Like so many, I can say I am doing my bit, but of course, I know that, as the climate crisis deepens and we need to care for creation, for the world that God has made and all that is in it, there is more to do. Wouldn’t it be even better if there was less in my general waste and less in my recycling too? Plastic Free July® is an invitation to take this challenge, to be part of the solution and reduce or even eliminate our use of plastic.
Message from Bishop Robert, 30 May 2023
One of the delights on my ministry is to be the ‘Sponsoring Bishop’ for the Diocese. Working with Ann Sargent, our Diocesan Director of Ordinands, I have the privilege of meeting with those who are exploring God’s calling on their lives asking if this might take them into training for ordination.
Message from Bishop Robert, 23 May 2023
These days, we are living between the feast of the Ascension, which we celebrated last Thursday, and Pentecost, which we will celebrate this coming Sunday, and they have a very particular feel to them.
Message from Bishop Robert, Tuesday 9 May
One of the few things I was known for by my headmaster at school was my ability to avoid the ball when it came to football. My school sporting careerContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 2 May 2023
Last week, Bishop Robert shared some reflections on the Coronation and the truth that ‘the formation of our society needs the participation of us all’. Now that the details of the Coronation have been made public, we can see that this is fully reflected in the liturgy and events of this weekend.
Message from Bishop Robert, 25 April 2023
What is it that makes this country? There are of course a number of answers to that question, and none of them are mutually exclusive. Our history and our geography play a large part. Those features have been in part responsible for shaping our institutions of government nationally and locally
Message from Bishop Robert, 18 April 2023
This coming Sunday at 3pm we will be welcoming Canon Andrew Zihni as the 39th Dean of Gloucester. The eagle-eyed will notice that he comes as the Dean of Gloucester – his ministry while rooted in the life of the Cathedral is not restricted to it! As the Dean, he is the senior priest of the Diocese and shares with Bishop Rachel, with me and her whole staff in the leadership and care we together seek to offer to the whole Diocese.
Message from Bishop Robert, 28 March 2023
One of the questions asked of the candidates at an interview I was chairing recently was what were they passionate about? It was a great question, passion is that strong, motivating force that drives a person’s life. It might be about sport, or a hobby. If we are lucky, it might be our work, and it will be something that we want to share with others, that they might become as passionate about it as we are.
Message from Bishop Robert, 14 March 2023
Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: ‘In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength … (Isaiah 30:15)
I have found myself returning often to these words from the prophet Isaiah over the last few years as a reminder in busy, sometimes anxious, sometimes challenging times that it is in God we are to place our trust and from God our hope and our confidence for all that will be.
Message from Bishop Robert, 7 March 2023
Last week, in Jerusalem, the Patriarch with the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem consecrated the Chrism oil that will be used in the Coronation of King Charles III.
Diocese of Gloucester celebrates first licensed funeral ministers
On 9 February, Bishop Robert licensed six new Funeral Ministers, marking an exciting step for the Church of England and the Diocese. Diocese of Gloucester Funerals is a new serviceContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 20 February 2023
This coming Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten journey. Many of us will mark this by being present in church where we will receive the imposition of ashes, the sign of the cross marked on our foreheads with the words ‘Remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ’ before we are fed with the bread and wine of communion to sustain us on our journey.
Living in Love and Faith: Message from Bishop Rachel, 14 February 2023
The most recent message regarding Living in Love and Faith, first posted on 14 February 2023
Message from Bishop Robert, 7 February 2023
I have just returned from a fabulous mission weekend with the Thameshead Benefice, a group of six parishes and nine churches located between Cirencester and Tetbury – a mix of larger villages such as Kemble and smaller communities that together create a lively church community reaching out to all who live in the area.
Message from Bishop Robert, 24 January 2023
I was privileged last year to lead one of the first pilgrimages to the Holy Land after Israel reopened its boarders following the global pandemic. In contrast to previous pilgrimages, the Holy Sites were generally quiet – ours was the only group present in the chapel in Bethlehem where Jesus is traditionally thought to have been born. That quiet extended to another of our visits, like the vast majority of pilgrimages, to the Holocaust Memorial, Yad Vashem, in Jerusalem.
A message from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert
Firstly, we want to reiterate our shame and sadness regarding the way those who identify as LGBTQI+ have too often experienced hostility and judgement within the Church rather than being cherished as members of the body of Christ with names and stories.
Bishop Rachel: Interim Dean arrangements
A message from Bishop Rachel about the departure of our current Interim Dean Andrew Braddock for Norwich, and Bishop Robert’s role for the coming months.
Living in Love and Faith – a message from Bishop Rachel and Bishop Robert
To our sisters and brothers in the Diocese of Gloucester … This week, we have spent a further three days with the Bishops of the Church of England in aContinue reading
Message from Bishop Robert, 6 December 2022
A week ago, Cate Williams wrote on the deep reality of the nature crisis that is wounding the biodiversity of our world and how, as disciples of Christ, we might begin to respond. As we begin our Christmas celebrations, we are given, should we need it, another reminder of why it is so important that we respond.
Eco projects at care home help residents connect with faith
Bishop Robert visited Badgeworth Court in Cheltenham to find out more about the environmental projects they use to benefit both their care home and their residents. Joana Matias, Activities Coordinator,Continue reading
