If you have ever been asked, you will know what a great honour it is to be a godparent. Many of us are similarly thankful for our own godparents andContinue reading
Tag: Peace
Message from Bishop Rachel, 23 January 2024
This Saturday is Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD), held each year on 27 January which marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Every year, HMD is not only a day to remember the millions of Jews and ‘others’ murdered in the Holocaust, but also the acts of genocide which have happened elsewhere in the world in the years that followed. HMD is an invitation to pause and reflect alongside people of different faiths, views and backgrounds regarding how easily people are ‘othered’. We are invited to pay attention to the dark path that othering takes us down, whether it be about groups and neighbours in our local contexts, or about peoples and groups in distant parts of the world.
‘Together for Humanity’ peace vigil
Together for Humanity is a coalition of charities, community organisations and faith groups who have come together to give a voice to the majority of the public who stand againstContinue reading
Bishop Rachel’s invitation to stand ‘Together for Humanity’ at peace vigil
As we continue to watch the events in the Middle East, we mourn the loss of all those who have been killed in Israel and Palestine, and we long forContinue reading
Message from Bishop Rachel, 9 January 2024
In these early days of 2024 I have enjoyed the beauty of creation whilst also being aware of the devastation of wind and earthquake, and storm and flood, not least within our diocese. Indeed, I’m sure that each of us has begun this year acutely aware of the pain and turbulence in our world, whether that be locally and in our own lives, or whether it is the horror of what is going on in Gaza and across Israel and Palestine, or in Ukraine and elsewhere.
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 Archdeacon Phil, 17 October 2023
One of the questions we sometimes ask candidates being interviewed for clergy posts in the Diocese runs along the lines of ‘What, for you, is the heart of the good news of the Gospel, and is there a Bible verse that is central to this?’ … I am always struck by the range of responses and find myself reflecting on what my answer would be.
New film released for Black History Month
October is Black History Month, a time to recognise and celebrate the contributions black people have made throughout our country’s history and culture. This year, a new film offers aContinue reading
The Difference course – being a reconciling presence in the midst of conflict
Do you know what real difference you could make to the people you encounter in your day-to-day life? The Difference course, developed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, explores what itContinue reading
Christian Aid praying for Ukraine
Christian Aid is inviting churches across Britain and Ireland to join together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine on Sunday 3 April, for an endContinue reading
Podcast Episode 10: Rest. Archdeacon Hilary and Bishop Robert.
Leadership: Committed to transformation. Aaaaand … rest. It’s harder than it sounds, isn’t it? Put .. the alb … down. In this episode, Bishop Robert talks with Archdeacon Hilary DawsonContinue reading
Podcast Episode 9: Lockdown for young people. Bishop Rachel with Malindi, Emily, Libby, Barrie, Dan and Daniel
Engagement: Living out Christ’s love and hope. How are young people dealing with change and uncertainty during lockdown? Bishop Rachel talks to five teenagers from our worshipping communities, along withContinue reading
Podcast Episode 8: Living on a rollercoaster. Archdeacons Hilary and Phil
Leadership: Committed to transformation. How are we doing?! No, really. How are we doing. In this episode, The Ven Hilary Dawson talks with The Ven Phil Andrew about managing, orContinue reading
The Ven Hilary Dawson’s sermon for June 21
Jesus said he came not to bring peace, but a sword … what does it mean to live courageously in a broken world? The Ven Hilary Dawson shares her sermonContinue reading
Podcast Episode 7: Black Lives Matter. Bishop Rachel in conversation with Rumbi, Ade, Simi and Suki
Black Lives Matter. Listen now to Bishop Rachel’s podcast In conversation with … Rumbi, Ade, Simi and Suki In this episode Bishop Rachel enters into conversation with four Christians whoContinue reading
Podcast Episode 6: ‘Lockdown’ for women in prison. Bishop Rachel in conversation with the Governor of HMP Eastwood Park
Engagement: Living out Christ’s love and hope. Lockdown for those inside the prison service. With the impact of Covid-19 prisons across the country are facing many different challenges, so whatContinue reading
Podcast Episode 5: Visiting without visiting – Bishop Robert with Dean Stephen
In this episode, Bishop Robert Springett is joined by Dean Stephen Lake, to discuss being present and visiting people in a time when we can neither be present … norContinue reading
Podcast Episode 4: In the face of devastation – Bishop Rachel in conversation with The Nelson Trust about domestic abuse
Engagement: Living out Christ’s love and hope. As those who have experienced the love of God in Jesus Christ we are called to join in with the work of theContinue reading
Podcast Episode 3: Faith in troubled times – Archdeacon Phil and Bishop Rachel
In this third podcast episode, Archdeacon Phil talks with Bishop Rachel, about how our faith can be affected by troubled times. The two discuss life, hope and struggles, detailing theContinue reading
Light and Dark – stories from VE Day 1945. Podcast Episode 2
Bishop Rachel invited some of the members of St Kyneburga to join her for a virtual tea party over Zoom to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day. Over tea,Continue reading
May the shadow of the moon fall on a world at peace
Following the broadcast of the total solar eclipse seen by Americans in 1979 news anchor Frank Reynolds said: ‘Not until 21 August 2017 will another eclipse be visible from North America.Continue reading
