Please find all the latest news from the Diocese of Bristol
News
Kampala and Luwero, a tale of two contrasting cities.
First published 29th March 2017The Adventures of the Magnificent Seven.
Martin Luther & the 500th Anniversary of the Start of the Reformation
First published 29th March 2017Martin Luther & the 500th Anniversary of the Start of the Reformation Bristol Anglo-German Society is pleased to invite you to hear the Right Revd Dr Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington.
Religious extremism and the shadow it casts
First published 29th March 2017In our culture it has become axiomatic to assert that religion has been the cause of wars throughout the ages.
Foundation Governor case study: Christ Church Infants School, Downend
First published 23rd March 2017In my working life as a primary school teacher I had never expected or wanted to be a governor.
Foundation Governor case study: Bristol
First published 23rd March 2017Being a Foundation Governor at St Michael on the Mount Primary is, first of all, enjoyable and stimulating, above all through meeting and getting to know the staff and some of the pupils.
Foundation Governor case study: Stoke Bishop CE Primary
First published 23rd March 2017I became a Foundation Governor for the first time when I became Vicar of St Mary's in Stoke Bishop.
Foundation Governor case study: St Michael's-on-the-Mount
First published 23rd March 2017I had little idea that people became foundation governors outside their own parishes until a colleague asked me to replace him at St Michael's-on-the-Mount as he was moving away.
Aggy Palairet : God's calling
First published 21st March 2017Hello Im Aggy; I am a mum of 2, currently a member in the Lee Abbey Knowle West small missional community and working part time for the NHS as a Clinical Data Team Co-ordinator.
HOPE at Easter
First published 20th March 2017HOPE is helping churches to make Jesus known this Easter with a new book, a short video and an explorers course.
Diocesan Synod Report, March 2017
First published 17th March 2017The Diocesan Synod met on 4 March 2017 at Freshbrook Church Swindon.
Obituary: John Lloyd
First published 17th March 2017John Lloyd who was the Bishop of Bristols Press Officer until 2010, as well as the Diocesan Communications Officer for a number of years, died earlier today after a long battle with illness.
Lucy Nagel: God's calling
First published 16th March 2017Who are you, where are you and what do you do?Hi! Im Lucy, I am currently the curate at Redland Parish Church in Bristol.Being a curate means lots of different things primarily, I am training to be a vicar, but that happens in lots of different ways
Trev Meardon: God's calling
First published 16th March 2017My name is Trev Meardon and Im currently serving my curacy in Southmead at St Stephens church. Its a great community with a variety of things going on in the church and wider community. As the curate Im trying to get involved in as much as I can to g
Sam Sheppard : God's calling
First published 16th March 2017My name is Sam Im 22 years old and in my third year of training for ordination at Ripon College Cuddesdon. Ive come from Kingswood where Id been working with the churches in Kingswood Team Ministry, mostly with the Church plant All Souls Southey Park.
Michelle Martin : God's calling
First published 16th March 2017My name is Michelle and I am 33 years old. I am currently the assistant curate in the East Bristol Partnership a role which I started in 2014. I work in a benefice of three different churches, joining in with the ministry and mission happening in t
Thy Kingdom Come - Take Part
First published 15th March 2017Thy Kingdom Come 25 May to 4 June 2017Join the global wave of prayer: Praying as churches, families and individuals that people come to know Jesus Christ.
Starting with the end in mind
First published 9th March 2017Bishop Lee asks whether we can make Lent a season to create habits which help us form a more Christ-like character.
Obituary: The Revd Barry Trotter
First published 6th March 2017Many of you who have been in the Diocese for many years will be sad to hear that the Revd Barry Trotter died on 24 February 2017, aged 83.
Diocese of Bristol Peer Review
First published 1st March 2017The Diocese of Bristol participated in a peer review process in November 2016.
Women's World Day of Prayer
First published 1st March 2017This Thursday (2 March) marks the annual Women's World Day of Prayer when more than 5,000 services will be held across the country on the theme of Am I Being Unfair to You?
Statement from the Bishop of Bristol and Dean of Bristol
First published 21st February 2017A statement from the Rt Revd Mike Hill, Bishop of Bristol, and the Very Revd David Hoyle, Dean of Bristol, in response to the debate at General Synod on the Bishops' report following the shared conversations.
Could your church building raise more income for your ministry?
First published 20th February 2017According to a new report from the Centre for Theology and Community (CTC), churches across the UK may be missing out on millions of pounds of potential income because church buildings are being left empty for most of the week.
Bristol Diocese to join Parish Giving Scheme
First published 20th February 2017In September, Bristol Diocese is joining this nationwide scheme to support church giving.
Fight of the century - Global v National?
First published 13th February 2017As somebody once quipped: The future ain't what it used to be!To state the obvious, 2017 has certainly started with some glaring uncertainties.
Whole Life Discipleship Workshops
First published 10th February 2017Whole-Life Discipleship for Churches New Programme of Workshops for Churches launching in September.Prioritising Making disciples.
Engaging with Younger Generations Training Opportunities
First published 10th February 2017As part of the 'Creating connections' vision we have prioritised afresh Engaging with younger generations.
Thy Kingdom Come resources launched
First published 10th February 2017Thy Kingdom Come - 25 May to 4 June 2017 Join the global wave of prayer: Praying that people come to know Jesus Christ.
Creating connections...where next?
First published 10th February 2017How is your parish Making disciples, Growing leaders and Engaging with younger generations?
Let's Talk About … Dementia
First published 8th February 2017There are some subjects we try not to talk about one is dementia.
Messy Baptism
First published 7th February 2017Four children made the pledge in front of friends and family at St Barnabas Church in Gorse Hill, Swindon as they committed to following Jesus as part of a Messy Baptism service.Messy Church has been running at the church for the last four years.
Sunday Sessions @ The Hare - St Paul's, Bristol
First published 7th February 2017Once a month, a south Bristol pub opens its doors to the church.
Knitted Crib Pilgrimage - St Andrew's, Chippenham
First published 7th February 2017Woolly mementos of the Nativity found their way into homes across Chippenham last Christmas.
All Creatures Great and Small
First published 7th February 2017The Revd Ness Whiffin, curate at the Marshfield Benefice, has recently introduced a pet service at the church.
Special Offer at St Luke's, Bristol
First published 7th February 2017People living close to St Luke's Church have been given a special offer by the congregation.
Update on St Michael on the Mount without
First published 3rd February 2017Representatives from the Diocese of Bristol, the Church Commissioners, Historic England and Bristol City Council met again at the end of January to progress work and plans on St Michael on the Mount without following the fire in October 2016.
Join the Sanctuary Tent at Glastonbury
First published 1st February 2017Glastonbury Festival is one of the iconic summer gatherings known across the world.
Bishop of Bristol announces retirement
First published 24th January 2017The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Mike Hill, has announced his retirement with effect from 30 September 2017.
Safeguarding news January 2017
First published 20th January 2017Safer Recruitment guidance National guidance in respect of safer recruitment has changed from July 2016. It is available on the C of E website.
Llamas stop traffic as they make their way to church service
First published 20th January 2017Llamas carrying wise men took part in a special service at All Saints Church, Bristol. The animals were part of the Epiphany celebrations at the Clifton church.
Engaging younger generations - challenges facing the Church
First published 20th January 2017At September 2016 Diocesan Synod, Dan Jones (Youth and Children's Adviser) presented to members the challenges facing the Church of England in relation to engaging with younger generations.
New Warden of Readers appointed
First published 20th January 2017The Revd Becky Waring has been appointed as the new Warden of Readers for the Diocese of Bristol.Becky will replace the Revd Helen Collins in the role.
A new year, and it's time to think big!
First published 20th January 2017As January rolls around again, many of us put our mind to planning for the year ahead dreaming of all that wed like to achieve, and how were going to make it happen.
Responding to Creating Connections
First published 20th January 2017The Diocesan Synod has endorsed a strategic plan focused on activity at diocesan level to support our Creating connections vision and priorities.
Mission Areas receive national funding
First published 20th January 2017The Diocese of Bristol has been successful in its application to the Church of England's Strategic Development Fund for 950,000 in support of its Mission Areas programme.
Mobilising our Front-Line
First published 12th January 2017In his address to Diocesan Synod in December, Matthew Frost asked us what one thing we might do as a diocese to best equip Christians to be disciples in every sphere of life, not just in church life.
Bishops' Visitations 2017
First published 6th January 2017Churchwardens from across the diocese gathered at three Visitations services during May to celebrate and affirm their ministry and formally take up their offices for another year.
Thousands of Bristol children given Christmas story
First published 5th January 2017The Mothers Union has helped share the Christmas story with thousands of children in Bristol.
Humility and Hope for 2017
First published 5th January 2017Bishop Lee reflects on why taking the risk of mending a broken relationship can be a sign of hope for the future.
Heart & Soul for Ministry: Sheldon Retreats in 2017
First published 5th January 2017As you look ahead into the new year, have you thought about planning a retreat into your diary?
Yarn-bombed Christmas tree doubles as blankets for homeless
First published 21st December 2016Knitters from a church in Bristol have not only created their own Christmas tree from yarn but when the decorations come down they're recycling it into blankets for local homeless charities.
Week of prayer and fasting for social action
First published 21st December 2016During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Together4Bristol and Christian Action Bristol have called for a week of prayer and fasting to prepare for transformation of our city through engaging in social action.
Bishop Mike's Christmas Message
First published 20th December 2016Unforgiveness and Bitterness. As I write, the Pope has just pulled down the curtain on his year of mercy.
Telling the right story
First published 16th December 2016If you go to church over Christmas, you will almost certainly hear a history lesson.You will almost certainly hear St Luke say something like: In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus. Luke reminds us of a history full of terrible kings
Bishops donate to charity instead of sending cards
First published 16th December 2016The Bishop of Bristol has opted to give money to charity rather than sending Christmas cards to clergy this year.
Funding boost for St Andrew, Castle Combe
First published 14th December 2016St Andrew, Castle Combe is set to benefit from a 596,000 rescue funding package from the National Churches Trust, the UKs church repair and support charity.
City Deanery visit to Uganda, May 2017
First published 8th December 2016Would you like a chance to visit the Dioceses of Central and West Buganda, to makenew friends, experience a different pace and style of life, discover vibrant worship and a warm welcome, explore the beauties of the natural world and meet God afresh?
Latest newsletter from Richard Rukundo
First published 7th December 2016The Diocese of Bristol has been delighted to welcome the Provincial Children's Worker, Richard Rukundo, who visited the diocese earlier this year in partnership with the Church Mission Society.
The joys of hospitality and a little miracle
First published 7th December 2016Rev Jennifer Luwum from Kitgum with the Rev Charles Okello from Northern Uganda in the background.
Ordinations at Christ Church Clifton 2016
First published 2nd December 2016Jill Garfitt and Richard Pendlebury were both ordained as OLM at Christ Church Clifton by Bishop Mike.
Experience the joy of Christmas
First published 1st December 2016The Church of England has launched its #JoyToTheWorld Christmas campaign with www.AChristmasNearYou.org and four special videos.
Statement regarding St Mary Redcliffe Primary School
First published 29th November 2016It is clear from this Ofsted report that there are areas of weakness at St Mary Redcliffe Primary School.
Rehabilitation Marketplace
First published 24th November 2016Sixty-One is coordinating an event showcasing the work of 10 local charities who work with offenders, a number of local prisons and probation.
Competition to find innovative community projects in churches
First published 18th November 2016The National Churches Trust and the Marsh Christian Trust are inviting entries for the Marsh Awards for Innovative Church Projects.
Bring #JoyToTheWorld with www.AChristmasNearYou.org
First published 18th November 2016This Christmas the Church of England is launching a new website inviting people across the country to attend local parish services at Christmas.
The Advent Journey
First published 18th November 2016Advent is a season of expectation and preparation, as the Church prepares to celebrate the coming of Christ.
The Bristol DAC Awards Scheme
First published 16th November 2016The Diocesan Advisory Committee forms a key part of the process by which parishes develop proposals for their buildings and obtain consent to carry out work.
Shrouds of the Somme tribute to fallen
First published 14th November 2016An iconic installation commemorating soldiers who fell on the first day of the Battle of the Somme has come to Bristol.
A Kingdom where nobody should be forgotten
First published 10th November 2016A house divided against itself cannot stand. These were words which came to mind as I woke up to the news that we had voted to leave the EU on Thursday 23 June 2016.
Sharing the Word of the Lord
First published 10th November 2016Bristol South Deanery are providing bibles for Confirmation candidates in Ugandan Confirmation Candidates hold their bibles in the air to show to the bishop.
Bacon, Eggs and Bishop Mike
First published 7th November 2016Q: What do you get if you cross a bishop, a golf club and a full English?A: The perfect recipe for the Christ Church Downend Mens breakfast. A group of 37 men of all ages gathered at the Kendleshire Golf Club to enjoy food.
Growing leaders
First published 3rd November 2016The Revd Becky Waring, who became vicar of St Martins Knowle earlier this year, said that she owed a lot to her first church for their willingness to take risks in giving her opportunities as she took the step towards ordained ministry.
Advent Sleepout Challenge
First published 2nd November 2016Will you give up a night of comfort so that someone else doesn't have to?
Bishop to lead Remembrance in Clifton
First published 2nd November 2016The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Mike Hill, will lead this months Whiteladies Road Annual Act of Remembrance at the St Johns war memorial on the junction of Apsley Road and Whiteladies Road in the Clifton area of Bristol on Armistice Day.
Foodbank calls for help to repair its warehouse
First published 31st October 2016Bristol North West Foodbank is calling for help from the community to repair one of their warehouses following serious water damage.
Lecture: Is Stephen Hawkings closer to God than he thinks?
First published 31st October 2016Professor Keith Ward will be taking the latest lecture for Christians in Science as he considers whether Stephen Hawkings theories put him nearer to God than he thinks.
Service replaces heavenly choirs with heavy metal
First published 25th October 2016A unique service of Holy Communion is happening in Bristol the night before Halloween with Bristol's first ever Metal Mass.
"As a family it says to us that our children are valued"
First published 24th October 2016As a diocese, encouraging and equipping ordained clergyin their ministries is paramount in fulfilling the diocesan values and priorities.
Area Dean reflects on a recent visit to Uganda
First published 21st October 2016Rod Symmons, Area Dean of the City Deanery in Bristol, recently visited Uganda to attend the consecration of the new Bishop of West Buganda, Henry Katumba-Tamale.
Fire at St Michael on the Mount Without
First published 18th October 2016Many will have heard about the fire that devastated St Michael on the Mount Without in Bristol on Sunday 16th October and be concerned about how this tragic event happened.
A visit to Uganda
First published 18th October 2016Rod Symmons, Area Dean of the City Deanery, reflects on a visit that included the Consecration of Henry Katumba-Tamale as Bishop of West Buganda. 24 - 31 August 2016.
Remembrance Sunday 2016
First published 14th October 2016Churches around the Diocese will be marking Remembrance Sunday on 13 November 2016.
Prisons Week Visit to HMP Bristol
First published 13th October 2016On Monday October 11th 2016,Sixty-One, with the help of the prisons Coordinating Chaplain Muhammed Foulds, took 10 church leaders around HMP Bristol as part of its ongoing work to help offenders live lives free from crime.
Creative Ideas for Wild Church
First published 12th October 2016This innovative and imaginative resource offers learning and worship activities and whole service outlines to help churchesand schools engage with the outside world and increase connectedness with the communities where they are placed.
Church leaders urge Christians to help refugees
First published 11th October 2016The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Mike Hill, has joined eight church leaders from across the city to renew their efforts to help refugees.
Sour Grapes and my need to blame
First published 10th October 2016The season of Advent is almost upon us again.I have to say that the older I get, the more I have come to value the Church's penitential seasons.
New social justice seminars at Bristol Cathedral
First published 6th October 2016This autumn, Bristol Cathedral launches a new evening seminar programme called undivided: stories and social justice.
Practice makes disciples
First published 4th October 2016If practice makes perfect, then it takes a lot of hard work and commitment to become a better follower of Jesus and we sometimes need a little help from others along the way.
Growing future leaders
First published 4th October 2016The Revd Becky Waring, who became vicar of St Martins Knowle earlier this year, said that she owed a lot to her first church for their willingness to take risks in giving her opportunities as she took the step towards ordained ministry.
Reflections on a Greek pilgrimage
First published 30th September 2016During September, a group of 30 pilgrims travelled to Greece to follow in the footsteps of St Paul.
Tea party for retired clergy
First published 27th September 2016Retired clergy in the Diocese of Bristol celebrated with a special tea party. Paul Denyer, who attended the event, looks back on it.
Diocesan Synod Report - Sept 2016
First published 27th September 2016The Diocesan Synod met on 24 September 2016 at Holy Trinity Bradley Stoke.
Bishop of Swindon's address to Synod
First published 25th September 2016This morning I would love to take you through the history of the Church of Englands involvement with education since 1811 and how it is that 20% of all schools and over 850 000 children attend schools with a Church of England foundation.
Discounted 'Light' materials for churches
First published 15th September 2016Scripture Union is a name known forproducinga wealth of resourcesthat support churches in their ministry and mission with children and young people.
A Season of Invitation begins
First published 15th September 2016This month sees the start of A Season of Invitation, with people being encouraged to invite friends and families to special services at their church.
Thy Kingdom Come 2017
First published 14th September 2016The Archbishops of Canterbury and York are inviting every parish, fresh expression of Church, school, chaplaincy, retreat house, and praying community to join in ten days of prayer for evangelism and witness in the run up to Pentecost 2017.
We need to talk about money
First published 13th September 2016The Rt Revd Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, writes about our approach to handling our finances.
Chores done for struggling Bristol residents
First published 12th September 2016Christians in Bristol have been carrying out chores in the homes of people struggling with their housework. Members of St Peters Church, Lawrence Weston, have formed a cleaning team and are offering their skills to anyone who is having difficulty.
Chaplain to the deaf wins Funeral Award
First published 6th September 2016The Revd Canon Gill Behenna, Chaplain with the Deaf Community, has been named Minister of the Year at the Good Funeral Awards. Gill won the honour at the annual awards ceremony in Porchester Hall, Bayswater, on Thursday (8 September).
Supporting students in their faith
First published 5th September 2016A new term has begun and thousands of young people will be heading off to university for the first time.
The vital role of chaplains in education
First published 1st September 2016Are you an existing chaplain who needs to reflect on your role? Are you someone who might consider this an area of voluntary work which you could fulfil?
