Margaret Sheather, one of the Diocese of Gloucester’s representatives at General Synod, shares her reflections from last week’s gathering. Worship is an integral part of Synod, with Morning and EveningContinue reading
Tag: General Synod
General Synod backs action to tackle biodiversity crisis
General Synod has been told that the UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world and has pledged to tackle the biodiversity crisis.
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.
Message from Bishop Rachel, 10 October 2023
In the midst of all the different strands of my ministry at present, I continue to reflect on a world in which oversimplistic binary views are so prevalent and so easily shape the way people view the world, yet the truth is that stories and lives are far messier than that.
Report to Deaneries on General Synod July 2023
A report from the July 2023 General Synod
Message from Bishop Rachel, 11 July 2023
Last week, it was a privilege to host a reception in the House of Lords the day before the Online Safety Bill returned for debate. At the event, a number of young people from Gloucestershire addressed MPs, peers and leaders of charities and organisations regarding social media and the impact it has had on them and some of the issues they would like the Government to address in the bill.
Bishop Rachel speaks in General Synod, on sentencing and rehabilitation
Speaking as Anglican Bishop for Prisons, Bishop Rachel spoke in General Synod on GS2294A; a motion from Worcester, on the Contribution of faith to the Rehabilitation of Offenders. Read theContinue reading
Divestment in fossil fuels – questions asked at General Synod
While General Synod has mostly been in the news for the LLF discussions, it was not the only item of business. Questions about divestment in fossil fuels, arising from ourContinue reading
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
Prayers for God’s blessing for same-sex couples take step forward after Synod debate
The Church of England’s General Synod has welcomed proposals that would enable same-sex couples to come to church after a civil marriage or civil partnership to give thanks, dedicate theirContinue reading
A message from Bishop Rachel
I know that many of you will have been following discussions at General Synod over these last few days, and in many ways, there has been a profound sense of dislocation as we have discussed important issues regarding the Church of England while being so deeply aware of the unfolding devastation in Turkey and Syria…
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
Celebrate Disability Awareness Sunday – resources for churches
Join charity Through the Roof and celebrate Disability Awareness on Sunday 18 September (or a day of your choice).
How Village Churches Thrive – a practical guide
The General Synod, on 8 July, saw the official launch of a new book, How Village Churches Thrive, aimed at encouraging and increasing the confidence of all those who work or worship in a village church.
Message from Bishop Rachel, 5 July 2022
This Friday, hundreds of people from across the country will gather in York for the four-day summer meeting of the General Synod of the Church of England. From this diocese, this will include me, three elected clergy members and four elected lay members.
Nomination forms for General Synod
Nomination forms for General Synod Nomination Form GS Laity casual vacancy 2019 Nomination Form GS Proctor casual vacancy 2019
