Please find all the latest news from the Diocese of Bristol
News
Sarah Evans, By Brook
First published 9th September 2012Revd Sarah Evans was licensed as Team Vicar of the By Brook Benefice and Associate Minister of North Wraxall on 12 June 2012.
Bill McDougall, Bradley Stoke
First published 9th September 2012Revd Bill McDougall was licensed as Priest-in-Charge and Transition Minister of Holy Trinity, Bradley Stoke North on Wednesday 5 September.
New Diocese-sponsored Academy opens in Bristol
First published 6th September 2012On 2 September, the new Fishponds Church of England Academy in Bristol became the first Academy sponsored by the Diocese, opening its doors for the first year of its new status.
Christian Aid Tax Bus visits College Green
First published 6th September 2012On Monday 3rd September the Christian Aid Tax Bus stopped off in Bristol.
Apparently, I leak quite badly in meetings...
First published 5th September 2012Apparently, I leak quite badly in meetings. My new colleague, Becky Waring, is a great observer of human nature and revealed this fact to me after a recent meeting.
Visit to the Diocese of Northern Uganda Gulu
First published 4th September 2012Keren Lewis visited Gulu in June 2012 as part of the Bristol West Uganda link, she writes: I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit the Diocese of Northern Uganda for 3 days this June.
Bishop Mike supports tax justice campaign
First published 15th August 2012Bishop Mike joined Bristol's political leaders when they boarded the Tax Justice Bus on Monday 3rd September as it stopped in the city as part of a 53-day tour of the UK and Ireland.
Golden moment for Uganda
First published 13th August 2012Bristol Uganda Link congratulates Stephen Kiprotich on his outstanding achievement in gaining a Gold medal in the 2012 London Olympic Marathon.
Bishop's Letter: Olympic Dedication
First published 6th August 2012In this months letter, Bishop Mike reflects on what our Olympic team might have to say to how we approach our church life.
One of the recurring themes of these Oly...
First published 2nd August 2012One of the recurring themes of these Olympic weeks is the value of being part of a team, being part of a bigger thing than just 'me and my gold medal'.
Bishop's letter: Giving a voice to wonder
First published 28th July 2012This month Bishop Lee reflects on the significance of awe and wonder in our relationship with God and resisting being conformed by left brain ways of attending to the world.
Young people returning from Uganda with renewed faith
First published 27th July 2012July 2012 and a group of 13 young people and leaders from St Michael, Stoke Gifford travelled to Mbarara in Uganda as part of the Bristol Uganda Diocesan link.
Creative prayer - 'lectio divina'
First published 25th July 2012This article from the Youth Ministry and Spirituality Project looks at the practice of 'lectio divina' - a forever fresh way of reading scripture and praying.
New Church of Uganda University in West Ankole
First published 24th July 2012Plans for a new university which specialises in providing agricultural training are well underway under the leadership of Bishop Yona Katoneene.
Helping young people learn about business and the world
First published 23rd July 2012Here's a great idea to help young people learn some business skills, support emerging business in the developing world and raise some money for local projects.
Arms Trade Treaty offers hope for a better future in Northern Uganda
First published 19th July 2012International leaders are currently meeting in New York to try to agree a treaty to regulate the international flow of arms. Rev Willy Akena from Northern Uganda writes movingly of the suffering endured by his people.
Ex-violent gang member shares story of finding freedom. Lydiard Millicent.
First published 17th July 2012Rob Joy, a 33-year-old former South of England gang member whose violence, crime and drug addiction sent him to prison, will be telling his story and sharing how he found freedom at two free events in Lydiard Millicent this month.
Ugandan visitors light up Bristol West Deanery
First published 16th July 2012Bristol West Deanery hosted Bishop Johnson Gakumba and two other visitors from the Diocese of Northern Uganda for 18 days in May 2012.
New Micro-Finance initiative in Kitgum
First published 16th July 2012Five Talentsrecently started a new micro-finance project in Kitgum, North Uganda. Kitgum has been linked to Bristol West Deanery for many years and we have helped to support them through some of the traumas associated with the LRA.
Groups from Bristol visiting Uganda
First published 13th July 2012Jimmy Rocks, Curate at St Michael's Stoke Gifford, is currently leading a team of young people in Ankole Diocese. They are travelling across the diocese and sharing faith and life in different secondary schools.
Bristol schools competition winners 2012!
First published 28th June 2012BRISTOL SCHOOLS COMPETITION WINNERS CELEBRATE 350TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
Bishop's Letter: Ignorance of the law is no excuse….
First published 25th June 2012In this month's Bishop's Letter, Bishop Mike asks who should be teaching children right from wrong, what they should be teaching, and what part people of faith have to play.
Models of Partnership
First published 11th June 2012The attached document provides a brief overview of different ways of working in partnership with other schools to support, amongst other things, sustainability, school improvement and financial stability.
Bishop's letter: Growing the Church ~ From Peru with Love
First published 26th May 2012This month Bishop Lee describes how the Anglican Church in Peru has been growing and asks what we might learn from them here in the Diocese of Bristol.
Who watches the watchman?
First published 23rd May 2012Who watches the watchman? This is the motto written on the side of Commander Vimes' truncheon in the Discworld novels written by Terry Pratchett.
Glowing reviews of Uganda Fire 2012
First published 23rd May 2012The Uganda Fire Choir and Band has been touring the diocese for the last 12 days performing and sharing their faith in in schools and churches.
Persona dolls - Hassan the Muslim and his Mosque
First published 16th May 2012Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions.
Persona dolls - Malkit the Sikh and his Gurdwara
First published 16th May 2012Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions.
Persona dolls: Rita the Hindu and her Mandir
First published 16th May 2012Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions.
Persona dolls - Joe the Jewish boy and his Synagogue
First published 16th May 2012Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions.
Cafe church in Gloucestershire
First published 14th May 2012What's so inspiring?....
Outreach in east Bristol
First published 14th May 2012What's so inspiring? A heart for Jesus and proactive outreach to the local community is delivering growth in attendance, awareness and giving at St. Aidans in east Bristol.
Church and Primary Academy in Westbury-on-Trym
First published 14th May 2012In Westbury-on-Trym, the parish church and CofE primary school (the first in the diocese to convert to academy status) are working together to provide a distinctively Christian education and ethos for local families.
Yesterday evening I watched 'The Devil ...
First published 2nd May 2012Yesterday evening I watched 'The Devil wears Prada' - yes, I know I'm a long way behind the rest of the world but I didn't think it would be a film I would enjoy.
Early Years RE - Persona Dolls
First published 29th April 2012Many teachers speak of the power of having familiar persona dolls in the classroom and the imaginative way in which young children can exercise their curiosity about difference.
Alex Gregory, a year 11 Student from St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School reflects on valuable lesson
First published 27th April 2012Reflection by Alex Gregory, Year 11, who, along with Georgia Cooke, visited Ikoba February 2012.
Bishop's letter: Redemption and risk
First published 28th March 2012This month Bishop Lee offers some reflections following his recent accident.Ash Wednesday seems a long time ago.
Bristol Woman to spend 2 years in Mbarara
First published 26th March 2012Louise Talbot who left the UK for Uganda in March 2012 grew up in Bristol and attended St Alban's, Westbury Park with her parents.
Bishops thank parishes for "playing their part"
First published 26th March 2012Bishop Mike and Bishop Lee have written to each parish in the Diocese reflecting on what has been achieved for the Kingdom of God in the last year.
The Church School of the Future
First published 25th March 2012On Friday (23rd March) the Church of England called for church schools to robustly assert their Christian ethos and foundation.
Internet users warned of sex offending risks
First published 25th March 2012Avid internet users are being warned about the risks and dangers of online surfing in unknown areas.
Hinduism lesson plans for Key Stage 2
First published 23rd March 2012Download ten lesson plans to coverKS2 Unit 10:What does it mean to belong to a religion? HINDUISM for the Awareness, Mystery and Value agreed syllabus.
Olympics needn't be an Olympic task: advice and resources
First published 22nd March 2012With the London 2012 fast approaching in July and August, every community will be touched by the Games, and every church can play their part.
Psalm 22.1&7-8; Daily reflections for Lent, Mar 22
First published 22nd March 2012My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?
Key Stage 2 lesson plan: What can we learn from the life and teaching of Jesus?
First published 22nd March 2012Ten lesson plans to cover KS2 Unit 2: What can we learn from the life and teaching of Jesus? for the Awareness, Mystery and Value scheme of work.
Key Stage 2 lesson plan: How should we live and who can inspire us?
First published 22nd March 2012Six lesson plans to coverKS2 Unit 9:How should we live and who can inspire us?
Church of Uganda Responds to Kony 2012 Campaign
First published 21st March 2012Joseph Kony and the LRA left Uganda in 2006 at the beginning of the Juba peace talks and havent been in Uganda for more than five years. Since then, the people of Northern Uganda have been returning to their homes.
Anglican Communion News releases article on Kony Video
First published 16th March 2012A film detailing atrocities committed by the Northern Uganda rebel leader Joseph Kony has become an Internet sensation, but faith leaders in the region said they fear the production will cause further trauma.
Northern Uganda in the spotlight
First published 15th March 2012In 2012 Five Talents is investing over 90,000 in a project in Northern Uganda designed to help Ugandans work their way out of poverty through small loans and business advice.
I was chatting with Tim Harle recently, ...
First published 12th March 2012I was chatting with Tim Harle recently, one of the leaders of the Voyage Leadership Programme, and we were reflecting on how few female writers on leadership there are.
Lent talks address issue of Climate Change
First published 6th March 2012Rev Andrew Doarks from Bristol South Deanery visited Mbale Diocese in December 2011 and saw for himself the devastating effects of climatic changes on the lives of people in Uganda.
Spiritual Development - progression in spirituality
First published 28th February 2012Inspectors also evaluate how well the school promotes the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
Lay Ministers encouraged to preach a radical message
First published 20th February 2012Around 350 people joined Bishop Lee in the Bristol Cathedral on Saturday 18th February to witness the licensing of nine new lay ministers and the welcome of another new lay minister from Oxford Diocese.
Bishop's letter: Changing seasons through Lent
First published 6th February 2012This month Bishop Lee invites us to embrace Lent as a time for necessary endings so we can truly experience God's new beginnings.
Getting to grips with AT2 to raise attainment in RE
First published 6th February 2012A presentation on getting to grips with AT2 to raise attainment in RE from the 2012 SACRE conference by Dilwyn Hunt.
Assessment for Learning in RE (Key Stage 3 / Key Stage 4)
First published 6th February 2012Three presentations on Assessment for Learning in RE from the 2012 SACRE conference, by Esther Messinger, Julian Selman and Leah Osborne.
RE Through Games and Drama: the role of the RE Co-ordinator EYFS + KS1
First published 6th February 2012A presentation on RE through games and drama and the role of the RE-cordinator at EYFS and KS1 from the 2012 SACRE conference by Margaret James.
Teaching Christianity Well: The Key Ideas behind the Christian Story for Key Stage 2
First published 6th February 2012Ideas and resources for Key Stage 2 on explaining key themes in Christian belief and practice.
Raising the profile of RE in your school
First published 6th February 2012A presentation on raising the profile of RE in your school from the 2012 SACRE conference by Dilwyn Hunt.
RE and Reasoning Skills (Key Stage 3 / Key Stage 4)
First published 6th February 2012This presentation by RE specialist Dilywn Hunt explores reasons and reasoning, and how to help pupils marshal an argument.
Lent ideas provided by Jenny Foster, Bristol's Fair Trade Champion
First published 31st January 2012Global Aware Bulletin February 2012
New Sikhism lesson plans for Awareness, Mystery and Value (Bristol LA)
First published 30th January 20128 lesson plans to cover Key Stage 2 Unit 10
I am becoming more convinced that 'lead...
First published 24th January 2012I am becoming more convinced that 'leadership' is the combination of 3 things.
David Stevens, a life transformed, even until death
First published 17th January 2012Over the last year, David Stevens has shared how God transformed his life in a series of videos, right up to the point of his death this month.
David Morris from Christ Church Clifton looks back on a trip to Uganda in 2012
First published 10th January 2012June/July 2011 saw a team of ten head out to Uganda for three weeks of international mission.
Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi announces his retirement
First published 9th January 2012Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi has called for the election of the next Archbishop of the Church of Uganda.
Brilliant New Collective Worship Site
First published 9th December 2011From the National Society: http://www.worshipworkshop.org.uk/
Leadership Conferences in Uganda
First published 6th December 2011You challenged me to align my values so that my talk matches my walk .. the teaching was so good that we needed at least a full week.
A Christmas sketch
First published 6th December 2011So, what is the nativity?
The story of Mary and Joseph
First published 1st December 2011With Christmas approaching this story of transformation from TearFund from Janet May reminds us of the power of the Gospel to bring about social change.
The Diocese of Bristol - "a hopeful place indeed"
First published 9th November 2011Six months into her new role as an Archdeacon, Christine Froude reflects on what she has seen so far around the Diocese.
Who is my friend? A social networking lesson
First published 3rd November 2011What impact does social networking have on our self worth and relationships? How can social networks enhance our lives, and what boundaries need to be set to keep us safe and build healthy relationships?
Bristol West Dinner and Promises Auction raises over £2000 for Deanery Link
First published 20th October 2011Ricky Winn writes that the Bristol West Deanery Link had a wonderful evening and wants to thank all those who supported the event at All Saints, Clifton on Friday 14th November or gave auction promises.
This is not just about Jimmy Savile and his posthumous reputation
First published 19th October 2011I must say I have found it very difficult to understand those who call in on radio phone-ins to voice their displeasure at those who have come out and spoken of their abusive experiences in the Jimmy Savile scandal.
After the riots (6)... a time to act
First published 30th September 2011In the final article in our After the riots series, City Canon, Tim Higgins, issues a rallying cry to the local church.
After the riots (5)... what about wealth?
First published 26th September 2011In the penultimate article of our After the riots series, Simon Topping challenges us to step back and be challenged by the radical notions in the Gospel of justice.
After the riots (4)... love thy neighbour
First published 19th September 2011In the fourth of our "After the riots" series of articles, Simon Bale, one of the Diocese's Social Responsibility Officers who is part of the ISR team, argues for the role of the Church in healing our neighbourhoods.
Faith and worship at St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School
First published 14th September 2011St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School have launched anew website which includes a compelling summary and presentation about the role of faith and worship in their school life.
After the riots (3)... in the riot van
First published 12th September 2011In the third of our "After the riots" series, Andy Paget, the senior police chaplain to Avon & Somerset Police reflects on the role of a chaplain in the middle of the riots conflict.
After the riots (2)... what young people think
First published 4th September 2011In the second of our "After the riots" series, Jim Davis of the Children's Society reflects on the differing responses of young people... and adults.
After the riots (1)... the Church's response?
First published 2nd September 2011The riots in early August led people to ask fundamental questions about our society and culture. As a Church, how do we respond?
Introduction: After the riots...
First published 1st September 2011When rioting and looting ignited in London on 6 August and swept across England for almost four days, the nation and wider world stopped in shock to ask what was going on in our society.
Bristol NW Foodbank meets physical and spiritual needs
First published 31st August 2011With Harvest approaching, one woman's initiative in setting up a "foodbank" in north-west Bristol embodies God's spiritual and physical provision.
Martyrs' Day
First published 19th July 2011On visits to Uganda, I find that I can give as much energy as required if I can have a rest day now and again. Such a day was planned for June 3rd.
The incident of the mud in the night!
First published 19th July 2011Stuart Taylor recently returned from Uganda after a trip to the Diocese of Northern Ugandawith Kate Welham from Red Maid's School in Bristol.
Jimmy Rocks, an evangelist at heart
First published 13th July 2011Jimmy Rocks is an Ordained Pioneer Minister at St Michael's Stoke Gifford and is motivated by a desire that others may come to know Jesus Christ as he did.
Come to us, or go to them?
First published 12th July 2011Here's an excellent video for your youth group.
Creative play with the Scrapstore Playpod in Pucklechurch
First published 5th July 2011The Scrapstore Playpod has revolutionised play at Pucklechurch Primary School. It essentially allows them to use manufacturing offcuts such as tubes, nets and hoops in their creative play.
Spiritual leadership
First published 27th June 2011This presentation was given by Revd Canon David Hoyle at the Diocese's Headteachers' Conference on 6 May 2011.
Creative prayer ideas
First published 26th June 2011Are you in need of ideas for making prayer time during all-age services and children's work more engaging?
Review of Education Capital - Sebastian James Report
First published 15th May 2011This Review was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Education in 2010. It was led by Sebastian James, the Director of Operations for Dixons plc.
St. Chad's Patchway wins Church School Award
First published 15th May 2011We are extremely proud to announce that St. Chad's Patchway C. of E. Primary School in South Gloucestershire has been named as Wales and West Regional Winner of the Church School Awards 2011!"
The Lord's Prayer
First published 15th April 2011These two PowerPoints present the Lord's Prayer, one traditional and the other a modern take on Jesus's words in Luke 11:1-4.
Gospel reflection
First published 14th April 2011This reflective podcast for young people was recorded for Clifton Diocese in Lent 2011. It is based on John 5.
An all-age Easter talk
First published 13th April 2011An inclusive All-age Easter talk involving children and young people...Buy some plastic Easter Eggs - the kind that open so that you can put things inside.
10 ideas for rethinking Sunday School with youth
First published 29th March 2011This is a challenging article from the wonderful RETHINKING YOUTH MINISTRY.
RIP Rev Phoebe Mutabaazi
First published 21st March 2011Bristol Diocese extends its love and sympathy to the family of Rev Phoebe Mutabaazi after her sudden death on Friday 11th March 2011.Faithful to the end she was involved in work at the Cathedral offices when she was taken ill and sadly passed away be
Kingswood churches launch Bristol's first Street Pastors
First published 22nd February 2011Members of churches in Kingswood are preparing to train as Street Pastors in order to care for others, especially young people, who find themselves in need of help in the town centre late at night.
Bishop Mike explores Fairtrade in Uganda
First published 6th February 2011Bishop Mike visited a Ugandan tea plantation to discover what difference Fairtrade might make in developing countries.
Mission through partnership in East Bristol
First published 5th February 2011Revd Trevor Denley, an Ordained Local Minister in the East Bristol Partnership, gives an account of an Anglican and a Methodist Church working together in mission.