Here you can find all the latest news from the Diocese of Bristol.
News and updates
Even more tea, vicar?
First published 17th April 2018A Wiltshire vicar is taking her tea drinking to a new level during her 13 week sabbatical this Spring - and she cant stop talking about it.
Revd Canon Michael Johnson appointed Acting Archdeacon of Bristol
First published 6th April 2018Revd Canon Michael Johnson has been appointed as the Acting Archdeacon of Bristol.
What makes your heart sing? - Revd Trudie Wigley
First published 4th April 2018Revd Trudie Wigley, Priest-in-Charge of Dorcan Swindon, considers the outrageous love of our God.The buzzer goes. The chair spins round.
Detectives wanted to solve murder mystery in Swindon church
First published 4th April 2018'Thou shall not kill' may be one of the Ten Commandments, but a church in Swindon will find itself breaking that command when it hosts a murder mystery evening later this year.
The Church and the Environment: Getting Real about Creation Care
First published 29th March 2018On Saturday April 14, the Bristol Diocese Environment Group in conjunction with the Diocese Social Justice Network hosted a day conference on the environment.
Bidding for Success: securing funding for your church project
First published 26th March 2018Are you planning a major repair project?
Pastoral letter from the Archbishops following the IICSA hearings
First published 26th March 2018The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) concluded its first hearing into the Anglican Church in England and Wales on Friday 23 March.
Experiencing the first Easter - Revd Christopher Bryan
First published 23rd March 2018Revd Christopher Bryan, Rector of Gauzebrook and Area Dean for North Wiltshire, reflects on is an event which has changed the world.
Safeguarding News - March 2018
First published 9th March 2018Welcome to the latest news from the Safeguarding team. Here you will find all the news, resources and training from Adam Bond and the team.
GDPR forum - dispelling the myths
First published 22nd March 2018Many of you will be aware of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which comes into force at the end of May.
Bishop Lee: A message for Holy Week and Easter
First published 21st March 2018A message from Bishop Lee for Holy Week and EasterI am never quite comfortable preparing messages for Holy Week midway through Lent; it seems to shortcut the journey. Keeping some distance between Good Friday and Easter Day seems even more important
Changes for parishes to Data Protection rules (GDPR)
First published 16th January 2018Data Protection: Parishes and the GDPR.
A Marathon effort to raise money
First published 23rd March 2018On Sunday 22 April 2018, Chris Priddy, Head of Parish and External Relations, will be putting on his trainers to run the London Marathon as he raises funds to support mission and transformation in the Avonside and Yate & Fromeside Mission Areas.
Revd Beth Brown
First published 7th March 2018It is with deep sadness we announce the death of the Revd Beth Brown. Beth died peacefully on 28 February in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.
Youth trip to Uganda
First published 14th February 2018A group of 15 young people and youth leaders from across the Diocese of Bristol are travelling to Uganda this July in order to meet and work with other young people in Uganda.
Engaging younger generations - Revd Adam Beaumont
First published 5th March 2018Revd Adam Beaumont, team vicar of Greater Corsham and Lacock and Deanery Missioner for Schools, Children and Families, asks why we put such a focus on young people.
What can we bring? - Clare Fussell
First published 22nd February 2018Clare Fussell, Giving and Resources Adviser, asks how much do we consider what we are bringing to God for His mission and work?In many cultures its a custom to bring a gift when visiting someones home.
HOPE magazine at Easter
First published 22nd February 2018HOPE is encouraging people to build on their contact with their community this Easter by giving away a special magazine.
Martin Hancock, Hengrove and Whitchurch
First published 18th October 2012Revd Martin Hancock was licensed as Priest-in-Charge of Christ Church Hengrove and of St Nicholas Whitchurch on 14 and 15 October 2012.
Little Max - the fun day out for clergy kids
First published 12th February 2018Building on the success of Life to the Max, the weekend away for clergy children (aged 11-18yrs) Little Max is a brand new, fun event for primary aged clergy children 7 to11 years (KS2).
Crossing boundaries - Canon Prof Martin Gainsborough
First published 9th February 2018Canon Prof Martin Gainsborough, Canon Theologian at Bristol Cathedral, considers what makes for strong communities in our latest blog.
Revd Chris North appointed Adviser for Ministerial Vocation
First published 24th January 2018Revd Chris North has started as the diocesan Adviser for Ministerial Vocation (DDO).Chris is an experienced parish priest who has previously been ministering in the Diocese of Bath & Wells where he was also a Rural Dean and member of Bishops Coun
Revd Jill Garfitt
First published 30th April 2018It is with deep sadness that we bring the news that Revd Jill Garfitt passed away on Friday 27 April. A service of Thanksgiving will be held in Christ Church at 11 am on Friday 8 June. Light refreshments will be served following the se
Remembrance 100
First published 25th May 2018100 years
Sitting at Jesus' feet - Revd Mat Ineson
First published 24th January 2018Revd Mat Ineson, Vicar at St Mary's Stoke Bishop, explores what it means to stop being busy in church.I am an activist.
Rukunjiri Rondavels - Out in Africa with Emily Feltham
First published 29th October 2008Emily Feltham has just left St Mary's Redcliffe School, and has started a gap year before going on to study at Mansfield College, Oxford in 2009.
A life changing experience on the streets of Kampala ...
First published 25th September 2008Will Churchill talks to Chris DobsonWill is just starting a gap year before going on to university. During the year he hopes to volunteer abroad somewhere.
Celebrating Epiphany with Llamas at All Saints, Clifton
First published 18th January 2018Yes, a donkey at Christmas or Palm Sunday, but llamas for Epiphany?
Sign up to Thy Kingdom Come 2018
First published 9th February 2018Thy Kingdom Come, the annual global, ecumenical prayer movement, is running from 10 to 20 May 2018.
Countdown to Thy Kingdom Come
First published 21st March 2018As this years Thy Kingdom Come fast approaches, we are keen as many churches and individuals as possible involved.
Messy Church toolkit launched
First published 22nd March 2018A new toolkit has been created by the Diocese of Bristol, working in partnership with Messy Church, to help Messy Church teams review their journey so far.
Church reopens after six decades to work with young people
First published 15th January 2018A church in the centre of Bristol, which closed 65 years ago, is to reopen later this year with the aim of engaging young people and those who don't currently go to church in the city.
Training Pastors for Northern Uganda
First published 29th October 200814 years of support for Theological Education in Uganda.
The purpose of Icons - Revd Canon Nicola Stanley
First published 12th January 2018Revd Canon Nicola Stanley, Precentor of Bristol Cathedral, considers the purpose of Icons.My favourite Christmas present?
Statement of Needs published
First published 11th January 2018We have now published our Statement of Needs, which sets out the desired profile of our new bishop, informed by our own consultation across the Diocese.
Bristol Diocese and Masindi Kitara form new Link ...
First published 29th June 2010June 2010 marked the first exchanges in our new link with the Diocese of Masindi Kitara when Jackie Waters-Dewhurst hosted Bishop Stanley Ntagali at All Saints Centre.
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.
Bristol Uganda link marks 50 years of friendship with celebration
First published 15th August 2019This year is the 50th anniversary of the link between the Church of Uganda and the Diocese of Bristol.
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.
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.
Iconic railway works building to become new church for Swindon
First published 14th May 2018The former Pattern Store in Swindon is to be turned into a new church for the town.It is part of a plan by the Diocese of Bristol to support the regeneration of the area, while also connecting with people across Swindon who are not part of a church.
New Horizons
First published 9th May 2014A team of 12 people from St John's, Haydon Wick visited Uganda in 2013. This is their story.
New ways of thinking about partnership
First published 9th May 2014Brian Mulinzi is visiting Bristol in June 2014.
Canon Mary gets Woman Achiever Award
First published 20th May 2014Uganda's New Vision newspaper recently ran an article about Edidah Mary Mujinya one of our long term friends through the Uganda Link.
Ugandan visit strengthens Swindon link
First published 15th October 2014Read the latest news of the Luwero Diocesan team in Swindon.
City Deanery Pilgrimage to Uganda
First published 11th December 2014Bristol City Deanery are organising an exciting visit to our Link Partners in the two dioceses of West and Central Buganda.
Theological College reborn
First published 8th May 2014The Janani Luwum Theological College was the brainchild of the well known Archbishop of Uganda and was once a centre for theological education in Northern Uganda.
Bringing in the bacon
First published 3rd March 2015Retired priest, John Ware, recounts how a link visit in 1985 was the start of a 30 year friendship with a final twist in the tail.
Easter update on the Children's Ministry in the Church of Uganda
First published 1st April 2015Richard Rukundo, Provincial Children's Worker from the Church of Uganda, visited Bristol in 2014.
All these things will be given to you
First published 29th March 2016Rev Tina Goede, the German Lutheran Minister in charge of St Annes, Eastville visited Uganda in 2015 with the City Deanery.
Learning to be human
First published 29th March 2016Diane Simms visited the Diocese of Central Uganda in 2015 as part of the City Deanery Uganda Link.
Creating connections in Uganda
First published 30th March 2016Bishop Mike Hill has made a number of visits to Uganda over the last 12 months aimed at strengthening our connections with our link dioceses and the province.
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.
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.
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.
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?
Kampala and Luwero, a tale of two contrasting cities.
First published 29th March 2017The Adventures of the Magnificent Seven.
Letter from Uganda
First published 19th December 2014Richard Rukundo with Dan Jones, Bristol Diocesan Youth Adviser, in the Bristol Diocesan office in 2014.
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.
Holy Habits Missional Discipleship Resource
First published 10th May 2018Missional discipleship resources for churches.
Revd Dr Emma Ineson announced as Bishop of Penrith
First published 9th May 2018Revd Dr Emma Ineson, principal of Trinity College, has been announced as the Bishop of Penrith in the Diocese of Carlisle.
Breakfast Church
First published 4th May 2018Lots of families struggle to attend church because Sunday mornings become filled with taking children to sporting activities, going shopping and other regular activities.
'Apprentice': New CPAS resource
First published 3rd May 2018Apprentice is a daily discipleship resource for individuals and groups helping them to explore the life of Jesus more fully.Day by day, week by week, you will explore four spiritual rhythms.
A Season of Invitation
First published 23rd March 2016Sometimes all it takes is a simple act of invitation to change somebody's life.
Do we really believe in prayer?
First published 27th January 2016On Wednesday 23rd December, I had scheduled into my diary a day of prayer for the work of vocations across the diocese of Bristol.
Learning to live the Whole of Life together
First published 15th June 2016I wasnt blown away by an array of new ideas I have come away thinking, Wow, this is awesome, and I really think we can achieve this!Anita Dobson, from Christ Church Downend, looks back at the first day of the Bristol Learning Hub.
Six ways to get involved in Thy Kingdom Come
First published 23rd April 2018Six ways your church can get involved with Thy Kingdom Come: Initiate a prayer station (see Bright ideas for your church for examples).
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.
Grant support available for Swindon and Wiltshire churches
First published 4th January 2018If your church is working on community outreach projects in 2018, you may be eligible to receive support from the Wiltshire Community Foundations Main Grants (up to 15k over 3 years: deadline 22 Feb 2018) or Small Grants (up to 4k over 2 years).
Scientists speak at church during month of science and faith
First published 4th January 2018Science and faith will converge across the four Sundays in January at All Saints Lydiard Millicent this January.
Hope Bristol 2018 - the journey so far
First published 19th December 2017Dan Jones, diocesan youth and childrens adviser for the Diocese of Bristol, reflects on Hope Bristol 2018.To say that things are beginning to hot up at Hope Bristol central is an understatement! With only four months until the five-day event begins,
Welcome retreats and quiet days - Canon David Froude
First published 19th December 2017Canon David Froude, Chair of the House of Laity, Bristol Diocesan Synod, reflects on spending time with God.
Ugandan Christmas - 2017 Schools Activity
First published 20th December 2017At the beginning of December, a group from West Swindon Church Partnership visited several of West Swindon primary schools.
Early Christmas presents for two Bristol churches
First published 20th December 2017Two Bristol churches have been given a funding boost in time for Christmas from the National Churches Trust.
Happy Christmas from the Diocese of Bristol
First published 19th December 2017Happy Christmas from the Diocesan Support Services team!
25 parishes now offering the Parish Giving Scheme
First published 19th December 2017Since its launch in September, 25 parishes across the Diocese are now offering the Parish Giving Scheme as an option for congregational giving.
Nativity characters mingle with shoppers in Yate
First published 19th December 2017Children from the Yate area are learning more about the Christmas story by bumping into various characters from the Nativity as they shop for presents or visit Santa in the Yate Shopping Centre.
Disarmed by the unbelievable truth - Rt Revd Lee Rayfield
First published 11th December 2017As Advent moves to the celebration of Christmas, Bishop Lee reflects on its life transforming nature.Can I understand why so many people find the tenets of the Christian faith impossible to believe? Of course I can. Accepting that there is a Creator
Mission in a changing world
First published 9th May 2018Mission in a changing world.
New book tells colourful history of All Saints Church
First published 18th June 2018A new book tracing the history of All Saints Church, Clifton - once dubbed the Anglo-Catholic cathedral of the South West - has just been published.
Cathedral completes restoration of Victorian Rose Window
First published 4th December 2017Bristol Cathedral has unveiled its Victorian Rose Window, which has been newly restored and repaired after gift given by a donor wishing to remain anonymous.
Lectio Musica: Songs from scripture
First published 25th May 2018A new song, written especially for Lectio Musica by Matthew David is featured.
Saying 'yes' to God - Rev Dr Emma Ineson
First published 29th November 2017In our latest blog, Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Principal of Trinity College Bristol, reflects on stepping out in faith when God calls us.
Viv Faull: a pioneer who will be a bishop for everybody
First published 18th May 2018On the day of her announcement as the next Bishop of Bristol, we learn more about Viv Faulls ministry and why she was appointed to the Diocese.
Avonside Mission Area churches sign covenant
First published 3rd October 2017Members of churches in the Avonside Mission Area have gathered to celebrate the signing of their covenant.
A thank you from Bishop Mike
First published 27th September 2017Bishop Mike and Anthea Hill have written the following thanks following the farewell service at Bristol Cathedral.
Connections: Spending a Penny on Poverty
First published 21st September 2017Toilets across Marshfield have been twinned with loos in Uganda through the efforts of church members at St Marys.Organisers of the annual Lenten Lunches had initially wanted to twin the church's two new toilets with ones in the Link Diocese. Donation
Church members rally in London to end global hunger
First published 7th June 2013Christian Aid supporters and church members will be among those heading to London in support of the Enough Food For Everyone IF campaign which is calling on the G8 leaders meeting in the UK June 17-18 to take decisive action to end hunger.
Strengthening our church-school links
First published 16th September 2015As thousands of children and young people across the Diocese begin a new academic year.
Diocesan Synod Report - Sept 2013
First published 23rd September 2013The Diocesan Synod met on 21 September 2013 at Stoke Gifford and was encouraged in evangelism by Bishop Mike and passed a motion for the whole diocese to Carbon Fast in Lent 2014.
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.
Synod approves next steps for Women Bishops
First published 20th November 2013The General Synod has approved a package of measures as the next steps to enable women to become bishops in the Church of England.
Diocese and parishes strengthen links with Uganda
First published 4th December 2012As Bishop Mike prepares for his next trip to Uganda to attend the enthronement of Bishop Stanley Ntagali as Archbishop of the Province on 16 December 2012.
Diocesan Synod Report - Oct 2015
First published 16th October 2015The Diocesan Synod met on 19 September 2015.
Parish Share and Encouraging Generosity seminars
First published 22nd August 2017Meeting your Parish Share commitment can be a challenge. You may have questions about how your church can encourage generosity and resource its ministry and mission.
Diocesan Synod Report - May 2016
First published 20th June 2016The Diocesan Synod met on 7 May 2016.
Diocesan Synod Report - Sept 2016
First published 27th September 2016The Diocesan Synod met on 24 September 2016 at Holy Trinity Bradley Stoke.
Share a meal with World Vision
First published 14th September 2017This autumn bring people together with food.
Connections: Nook Pods
First published 21st September 2017Members of All Saints Church in Crudwell have found a novel way to create more usable space within the building.The church has started using a Nook Pod a specially built modular space on wheels which can be used for childrens activities, private con
Connections: Christians Against Poverty
First published 21st September 2017Churches in Bristol have been helping people struggling with financial worries through the work of Christians Against Poverty (CAP).
