News - Diocese of Bristol

What's in an age?

First published 7th October 2015

I have done almost five weeks in this role, and I have already lost count of the number of rooms I've walked into where people have been barely able to contain their surprise that I am Bristol's new DDO (diocesan director of ordinands).

Called to Licensed Lay Ministry?

First published 6th October 2015

Following the wonderful licensing service at Bristol Cathedral on Saturday 26 September, we now have over 200 licensed lay ministers in the Diocese of Bristol.

Life to the Max - Joel's story

First published 6th October 2015

For Joel, growing up in a vicarage is very different to the home life his peers experience.

In solidarity with asylum seekers

First published 5th October 2015

I was destitute, really destitute. And the Bristol Hospitality Network was the only organisation that gave me shelter at that time.

Germans thrive at Soul Survivor

First published 5th October 2015

During August, a group of young people from Augsburg in Germany visited to develop links and relationships between the Diocese of Bristol and the Lutheran Church in Bavaria.

Faith in social action

First published 30th September 2015

It is very humbling to be amongst so many people doing outstanding work in our city.

Holy fire at Soul Survivor

First published 21st September 2015

Taking a group of young people to Soul Survivor can be an amazing experience.

Is this plan radical enough?

First published 19th September 2015

Watch here Here is Bishop Mike's inaugural address given at the first meeting of the new Diocesan Synod on Saturday 19 September.

Climate change and mission: an opportunity

First published 16th September 2015

At the July meeting of the General Synod there wasa discussion on combatting climate change and a motion was passed committing us to various work in support of the pursuit of a low carbon future.

Supporting refugees

First published 16th September 2015

Christians and churches across our diocese are keen to support those affected by the escalating refugee crisis.

Helping young people grow in faith

First published 16th September 2015

The vast majority of Christians say they made their first commitment to Christ under the age of 21.

Strengthening our church-school links

First published 16th September 2015

As thousands of children and young people across the Diocese begin a new academic year.

Connecting children to God

First published 15th September 2015

Becky Fisher has been the Rural Schools and Churches Worker for the eight parishes in the Gauzebrook Group in North Wiltshire since 2011.

All this beauty is of God

First published 15th September 2015

Theres a sense in which, if you spend time struggling with something, you then hold onto it and its worthwhile. There are steps in our faith journey which are probably like that.The rural church is very important to me. My role as a Rural Schools and

Three ways to encourage new vocations

First published 9th September 2015

When Justin Welby was elected the 105thArchbishop of Canterbury in February 2013, everyone was commenting on his meteoric rise, since he had been consecrated as a bishop only 16 months earlier.

The F word: stories of forgiveness

First published 2nd September 2015

Visitors to Bristol's St Mary Redcliffe Church on Doors Open Day on Saturday 12 September will see more than a masterpiece of Gothic Architecture and unique examples of the city's history.

Passionate about God's Church?

First published 1st September 2015

The Church, more than any other social network, employment facility or club, should be leading the way in helping 20-30s find their feet and their faith.Dr Krish Kandiah, President of London School of Theology.

Bishop's Letter: Zero Tolerance

First published 28th August 2015

Bishop Mike asks whether our churches are doing all they can to make sure the vulnerable are safe in our midst?

Bishop Lee backs Brighter Futures radiotherapy appeal

First published 20th August 2015

Bishop Lee is encouraging cyclists to saddle up for bike rides through Wiltshire in aid of Brighter Futures' 2.9m Radiotherapy Appeal.

Pray and fast for climate justice

First published 18th August 2015

One of the key actions from a motion passed at the last General Synod was to support an initiative encouraging Christians to pray and fast for climate justice on the first day of each month.

Children's Society launches Seriously Awkward campaign

First published 17th August 2015

The Children's Society is calling for changes to the law to protect 16 and 17 year old's from harm, abuse and neglect.

Assisted Suicide? - put the whole thing to death

First published 14th August 2015

There maybe some good reasons for changing the law to allow physician assisted suicide (PAS), but truthfully, none of them are good enough to make me think it would be a good idea to permit this change in the law.

How to create a reflective area

First published 13th August 2015

RE Coordinator Samantha Fletcher shows how an infant school in Oldham transformed a corner of a room into a reflective are and transformed the quality of children's reflection as well.

Similarity and Difference Triads

First published 13th August 2015

A skill-tool for thoughtful analysis of ideas, beliefs, concepts, practices and other stuff in primary and secondary RE.

FS/KS1 How and why do others celebrate?

First published 13th August 2015

Mantle of the expert script to use with Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 children on the subject of 'How and why do others celebrate?'

KS1 Caring for Myself, Caring for Others

First published 13th August 2015

A lesson plan to support the teaching of the KS1 AMV unit 'Caring for Myself, Caring for Others'.

Bye Buy Childhood

First published 22nd July 2015

Bishop Mike Hill, together with Archbishop Justin Welby, Bishop Stephen Cottrell and Bishop Paul Butler, was amongst those who came to hear and give support to the Mother's Union debate at the General Synod.

Prayers for Tunisia

First published 15th July 2015

Earlier this month there wasa quiet service of remembrance for all of the victims of the Tunisian terrorist attack at St Nicholas Church in Biddestone, including the two local victims, Eileen Swannack and John Welch.

Picnic and praise in Stratton

First published 15th July 2015

On Sunday 4 July, Stratton Team Ministry held their annual Picnic & Praise event, an amazing act of witness and worship in the community.Curate Helen Baber explains how this has grown year on year and helped to strengthen local relationships.

Disability is not inability

First published 14th July 2015

Lay Minister Janet Leckie reflects on Disability Sunday, which churches across the Diocese celebrated on 5 July 2015.

The health of our banks and the health of our souls

First published 14th July 2015

It may be over seven years since the global economy was rocked by the banking crisis but the aftershocks continue to raise questions around the financial industry.

Combatting extremism

First published 10th July 2015

Following the highly successful conference 'From fear to belonging' run by Bristol and South Gloucestershire SACREs, resources are now available for you to use in school.

C in the Park

First published 6th July 2015

A fine mid-summers day was just what the doctor ordered for this years C in the Park event last month, organised by members of churches in Downend and the surrounding area.

Planning a holiday club?

First published 1st July 2015

Youth & Children's Adviser, Dan Jones writes, I have had the privilege of organising, leading, helping and visiting a wide variety of holiday clubs and what have I learned?

Godventure is worth a lookâ€¦

First published 1st July 2015

I stumbled upon this website www.godventure.co.ukyesterday when asked to recommend good sites for inspiration.

Free 'app' that helps young people cope with stress

First published 1st July 2015

Stressheads a clever new mobile app has been launched by YouthNet to help 16-25 year olds to cope with stress.

Remembering victims of Tunisian terrorist attack

First published 30th June 2015

It has been confirmed that a Wiltshire couple, Eileen Swannack and John Welch, missing following the Tunisian beach attack are among the dead.

Bishop's Letter: Cost Analysis

First published 28th June 2015

Bishop Mike asks whether as Christians we should try emulate and be part of the society around us, or should we take pride in our distinctiveness?

If you go down to Kingswood today...

First published 10th June 2015

Holy Trinity Church in Kingswood played host to a Teddy Bear Wedding in May courtesy of their playgroup CafeTots, and their end of term celebrations.

Come and hear Revd Prabhudas from Mission India

First published 10th June 2015

Revd Prabhudas from Mission India will be in the UK in July and his visit will include a number of public events in North Wiltshire.

Mayday Mayday

First published 9th June 2015

I would have described myself as a Christian, the type of good God fearing chap who worked hard, rarely went to Church other than Christmas and the odd Sunday. I had a firm belief in there being a God but very much intended to put off meeting him as

Listening to children and young people

First published 9th June 2015

Don't assume you know what's best for us without our opinions. You don't.

Petertide Ordinations 2015: prayers and reflections

First published 9th June 2015

Petertide is almost upon us and with it the ordination season.

Milestones and fuelling stations

First published 9th June 2015

Vocation in any form is costly in all sorts of ways and does involve leaving things behind. Be prepared to be surprised if you genuinely open yourself up to following God's call wherever it leads.

Chris Beaumont: God's calling

First published 9th June 2015

I don't think I was prepared for how life changing it could be. There's a sense where I have been through a process of disorientation to become re-orientated in the direction that God planned.Chris Beaumont will be ordained as deaconon Saturday 5 Jul

Reverend Mum

First published 9th June 2015

I've always wanted to be a mum. That's all I've ever wanted to be. And all my life, the way I've been led has been about caring for people, being with people, journeying with people. I thought, I can do that. I can bring these two callings together.

Archdeacon Christine's Visitation Charge 2015

First published 9th June 2015

As Christians we have a compelling vision of the world as a different place, where peace and justice reigns, where creation is redeemed and restored, where God is sovereign and where interdependence is the mark of the community.

What's it like to be on General Synod?

First published 8th June 2015

At the last meeting of Diocesan Synod in May, Diocesan Secretary Oliver Home talked about the forthcoming General Synod elections in September, encouraging people to think about standing.

Peace and unity in Swindon's Parks community

First published 4th June 2015

Residents of Swindon's Parks area have been showing their support for Peace and Unity in the Parks Community, following the death of Alison Connolly, by wearing special ribbons with blue for unity and white to represent peace.

Bishop's Letter: Awe and Wonder

First published 28th May 2015

As the Church calendar moves to the season known as ordinary time Bishop Lee invites us to make it an opportunity for awe and wonder rather than the mundane.

Building community links on the Cheswick estate

First published 18th May 2015

Rachel Hepburn is the community link worker at St Michaels, Stoke Gifford in the Diocese of Bristol Diocese, and is funded by a grant from the Church Commissioners for mission in new housing and other development areas.

Bishop Mike's Synod Address - May 2015

First published 16th May 2015

There's a wonderful story I like to tell of an elderly couple who had been married for years.

A tribute to Margaret Greening

First published 12th May 2015

Brian Pelly pays tribute to Margaret Greening, licensed lay minister in the Bybrook Benefice, who died in March.

Join the Churches' Mutual Credit Union

First published 12th May 2015

The Churches Mutual Credit Union is up and running and you are invited to join.As a credit union, our members have a 'Common Bond'.

Parties in the park

First published 11th May 2015

In the last couple of years,Churches Together in Greater Bristol (CTGB) have helped set up three city-wide gatherings in the open air, under the banner of Together for Bristol.

Bishop Mike licenses new church centre

First published 11th May 2015

At a special celebration service on Sunday 10 May, Bishop Mike dedicated and licensed a new church centre in Stoke Gifford for public worship, marriages, baptisms and funerals.

Yate away day for people with learning disabilities

First published 11th May 2015

On Saturday 9 May at St Nicholas Family Centre in Yate, Prospects ministry groups from across the west came together to celebrate Jesus resurrection with a day of workshops and celebrations.

Ecumenical prayer of disabled people

First published 11th May 2015

Thanks to Auriol Britton for supplying this ecumenical prayer of disabled people.

Disability Sunday 2015

First published 11th May 2015

Disability Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight issues around disability and to encourage what it means to be a truly welcoming Church.

Podcast: interview with Bishop Mike

First published 11th May 2015

There is an issue with the morality of all pornography but while there is pornography for so-called consenting adults, don't be fooled into thinking that children will not access it online.

My Wild Crafty Cathedral

First published 5th May 2015

On Wednesday 27 May, Bristol Cathedral will host Crafty Cathedral a fun day for children and families to get arty and creative during the half term holiday.

Bristol church raises over £8,000 to help feed hungry children

First published 29th April 2015

More than 8,000 has been raised by a Bristol church to help feed hungry children in its parish.

Bishop's Letter: Protecting our children: the dark arts of negative influenceâ€¦

First published 28th April 2015

My heart skipped a beat when I heard on the radio earlier today that 10% of 12-13 year old children fear that they may have an addiction to pornography and a similar proportion have actually taken part in a sexually explicit video clip.

Discerning your vocation: God's calling

First published 24th April 2015

Sunday 26 April 2015 is Vocations Sunday. Revd Nicola Stanley reflects on how we might discern a call to ministry, and importantly how we can might help others recognise their own gifts.