Please find all the latest news from the Diocese of Bristol
News
Shiny, happy people
First published 18th February 2015The first time I went to church... It was full of young people and they were kind of shiny and I felt very threatened indeed. They were clapping and happy and I wasnt happy and didnt want to clap.If I ever came across a Christian, Id be as unpleasant
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Punchline preachers stand up for Jesus
First published 12th February 2015Clergy from across the South West took part in a special, one-day comedy workshop at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Exeter.
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What is mission shaped ministry?
First published 5th February 2015The Diocese of Bristol in partnership with other local organisations is planning a new mission shaped ministry course to start locally in the autumn.
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Roofbreakers
First published 5th February 2015Last month the Christian disability charity Through the Roof launched its new Roofbreakers scheme.
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How accessible is your church?
First published 5th February 2015Our Diocesan Disability Adviser, Revd Alice Kemp, is here to help all churches in the Diocese assess and improve their accessibility, particularly for people with disabilities.
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Youth ministry in Uganda
First published 4th February 2015Diane Paddon, a youth worker from Christ Church Downend, reports on her recent trip to Uganda where she got first hand experience of youth ministry in action.
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Supporting church leaders in Uganda
First published 3rd February 2015Bishop Mike led a small team from the Diocese of Bristol to deliver a four-day conference on Christian leadership for delegates from the Church of Uganda in January 2015.
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Bishop's Letter: Addressing the deficit
First published 28th January 2015With Lent in view, this month Bishop Lee turns the spotlight on our vocation to discipleship.A year ago I heard Paula Gooder speak on the subject of discipleship.
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Seeking perfection?
First published 24th January 2015My current favourite joke: A chicken farmer is dismayed to see that his favourite chicken has stopped laying eggs. He tries everything he knows to fix the problem but no success.
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God has taken care of the past and the future
First published 16th January 2015On the day I was baptised, I was in the privacy of my room, speaking aloud to myself saying How do I really know I am forgiven?Suddenly I heard a voice speaking with authority.Do you forgive your father?I come from a broken troubled family with a vio
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Diocesan Synod Report - Dec 2014
First published 14th January 2015The Diocesan Synod met on 6 December 2014 at Holy Trinity Bradley Stoke and was challenged by Bishop Mike to bridge the gap between what we do in our churches and those living and working in our wider communities.
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A tribute to Carol Stone
First published 6th January 2015She was both loved and valued by her ordained colleagues, but equally was loved by the people she served within and beyond the Church.
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Revd Carol Stone 1954-2014
First published 5th January 2015It was with great sadness that people in the Diocese learned of the death of Revd Carol Stone on Saturday 27 December, following a short battle against pancreatic cancer.
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The challenge of being humble
First published 5th January 2015One of the phrases that comes up reasonably regularly in the bible is The Word of the Lord came to... followed by the name of a person.
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Stephen Parsons awarded MBE for service to education
First published 1st January 2015Stephen Parsons, a Director of Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust, has been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Years Honours in recognition of his services to education and the community.
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MBE for first female lay minister
First published 1st January 2015Margaret Williams, who became the Diocese of Bristol's first ever female lay minister 40 years ago, has been awarded an MBE in the Queens New Year Honours for 2015.
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Dean's Letter: Epiphany 2015
First published 1st January 2015The Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Bristol Cathedral, writes to the Diocese at the beginning of the new year.Just by the Roman Forum there is a marble arch, nearly 2,000 years old.
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#ChristmasMeans 2014: Expect the unexpected!
First published 21st December 2014The Ven Christine Froude, Archdeacon of Malmesbury, brings us our final #ChristmasMeans reflection. Don't forget toshare your thoughts on Twitter on 24 and 25 December using the #ChristmasMeans hashtag!He was born as a babyTo an ordinary teenage girl
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : God in human form
First published 20th December 2014Our #ChristmasMeans seriescontinues today with this reflection by Matthew Rushton from Chippenham. It is loosely based onIsaiah 7, particularly verses 11-14.The world is a complicated place. Some days, it shows off with breathtaking beauty a perfect
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : Ssekukkulu… Amazaalibwa…
First published 19th December 2014During December, different people arereflecting on what Christmas means to them. Here,Martha Nakiranda tells us about Christmas in Uganda.I would like to say that everything I do at Christmas is centred on celebrating Christs birth. My mother tongue
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Letter from Uganda
First published 19th December 2014Richard Rukundo with Dan Jones, Bristol Diocesan Youth Adviser, in the Bristol Diocesan office in 2014.
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A quiet but historic day
First published 19th December 2014The announcement earlier this week of the appointment of Rev'd Libby Lane as Bishop of Stockport is wonderful news for the Church of England and for our wider society.
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : Giving Â
First published 18th December 2014Throughout December, we are sharing different people's reflections on what Christmas means to them. Today youth worker Ysica Savage shares her thoughts.I remember as a child getting so excited about birthday parties. (Didnt we all?) Especially when i
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Rome wasn't built in a day
First published 18th December 2014God loves you the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way. (Quote from an ordination service)I fell in love with Jesus at the age of ten, and I have always had a strong awareness of His presence in my life.Approximately 20 years
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Revd Austin Thomas 1923-2014
First published 18th December 2014People across the Diocese have learned of the sad death of Revd Austin Thomas
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : Happy birthday Jesus!
First published 17th December 2014Our #ChristmasMeans series of reflections continues with this piece written by Steve Jones, aLay Assistant at Holy Trinity Church in Westbury on Trym.For me the season really starts with the fresh Christmas tree being collected and then spending the
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : Enjoying life at its simplest
First published 16th December 2014Throughout Decemberdifferent people are reflecting on what Advent and Christmas mean to them. Here, Patience Busingye tells us aboutChristmas celebrations inUganda,with whom the Diocese of Bristol enjoys strong partnership links.When I think of Chris
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : In the bleak midwinter
First published 15th December 2014This month we are asking people across the Diocese to reflection what Advent and Christmas mean to them. Here, Dan Jones, Diocesan Youth & Children's Adviser, tells us about his favourite Christmas carol.
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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.
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : All I want for Christmas…
First published 8th December 2014This month we are askingpeople across the Diocese to reflecton what Advent and Christmas mean to them. Here, Chris Priddy, Director of Swindon Youth for Christ asks us to think about and pray for those whoseChristmas will not be a time oflove and joy
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Bishop's Letter: Closed doors, open doors...
First published 5th December 2014She laid him in a manger because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:7 (NIV) I think this is my 38th Christmas as an ordained person!
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Rowan Williams at Bristol climate change conference
First published 5th December 2014Climate change conference challenges churches to change Dr Rowan Williams invites Christians across the region to an important conference on climate change and faith to see how our lifestyles impact on people and planet.
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : Christmas lights
First published 4th December 2014During December, people across the Diocese arereflecting on what Advent and Christmas mean to them. Here, Rev Mat Ineson, Vicar of St Mary Magdalene in Stoke Bishop, reflects on the meaning of light for the Christian faith.Im constantly amazed at the
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : Advent reflection: following threads
First published 2nd December 2014During December, different people across the Diocese of Bristol arereflecting on what Advent and Christmas mean to them. Here, Rev Nicola Such, a curate inWroughton, considers how four women'sstories in the Gospel of Matthew set the scene for the sto
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#ChristmasMeans 2014 : It will all be over by Christmas
First published 1st December 2014During December, different people across the Diocese of Bristol will reflect on what Advent and Christmas mean to them. Here, Rev Dan Tyndall, Vicar of St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol, shares his thoughts.The expectation that It will all be over by Chri
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#ChristmasMeans 2014
First published 1st December 2014The Church's successful twitter campaign,#ChristmasMeans will be running again this yeargiving congregations and individuals across thecountry a chance to show what Christmas meansto them, with image, videos and 140 characterreflections.To get the bal
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Helping people deal with debt
First published 27th November 2014A rising number of Church of England parishes are providing help to people with problem debt, a new survey has found.
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Buckets in the rain?
First published 26th November 2014It was very recently reported that cathedral congregations are on the up and that mid-week services have doubled in a decade.
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Bristol vicar goes over the top
First published 19th November 2014Bristol vicar, Rev Canon Nick Hay proved his dedication to tackling poverty when he not only abseiled 100ft down the Avon Gorge on Saturday 15 November, but also sang the nursery rhyme The Wheels on the Bus as he went down.
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One Ministry
First published 17th November 2014The mix between stipendiary, self-supporting and other forms of ordained ministry is changing, as the Church responds to fresh challenges and an evolving world.
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The changing patterns of ministry
First published 17th November 2014Earlier this year, the Diocese of Bristol appointed Rev Charles Sutton as Bishops Adviser for Self-Supporting Ministry.
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Bible for Life
First published 16th November 2014When the main messages are clear, then the application of scripture - what we should do and how we should live - is a good deal easier to understand.
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Disciples on the front line
First published 16th November 2014Your Kingdom come, on this bit of earth at this point in time...Revd Jo Vickery reports on a recent event for church leaders in Bristol, exploring how we can be disciples in the 'whole of life'.
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Mentoring is not a one-way street
First published 13th November 2014Paul has helped me a lot. If it weren't for him, Id be back in prison now.
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MentorMe: helping rebuild lives
First published 13th November 2014MentorMe is a Christian organisation based in Bristol, supporting ex-offenders.
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Yes, I have cancer
First published 13th November 2014This is a video ofDoreen Bull from Shirehampton, recorded from her hospital bed for her friends at St Mary's Church. Doreen has suggested we include it here to allowher message to reach a wider audience.Yes, I have cancer. So what? I've said it. It d
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Giving something back
First published 13th November 2014Its easy to make assumptions but until you meet someone whos been inside, its unlikely you have any real understanding of just how difficult it is to get your life together when youre released from prison.As part of ourPrisons Weekfocus, we spoke tot
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Edward Colston, slavery and moral ambiguities
First published 11th November 2014On Monday I spoke at the annual Charter Day service in Bristol Cathedral to a gathering of young aspiring people.
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Christian Concepts Unpacked
First published 11th November 2014The Christian Concepts Unpacked resources have been developed to support the teaching of Christianity in schools under three main themes: 'Prophecy', 'Salvation' and 'Trinity'.
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'Reconciliation in action' - Archbishop of Canterbury on church schools
First published 10th November 2014Archbishop Justin Welby recently addressed a conference of church school leaders and Chairs of governing bodies in the Diocese of Birmingham.
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To be continued…
First published 3rd November 2014With my track record if I make another 12 years Ill have done well. It annoys me I wanted to do a parachute jump on my 80th birthday. There is a song by Rumer that starts, Is there a place where all I have lost will be returned to me? I get that. I w
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KS2 RE - Christianity in Action
First published 3rd November 2014This award winning resource is a creative, innovative way of opening up and applying Christian belief and teaching. The entry follows fictional 18-year-old Jim on his gap-year journey to Uganda.
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Prioritising God in my life
First published 28th October 2014Around the time I was 18 or 19 I became very sick with anorexia and depression. At my lowest moments I felt very angry with God. My memory is quite hazy of this time, but I do remember searching out churches trying to find answersI think I have alway
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What we reap, we will sow…
First published 21st October 2014The Bishop of Blackburn, Julian Henderson, a contemporary of mine at Ridley Hall, made the national news recently by seeking to define some reality for his diocese.
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Young people celebrate faith in Christ
First published 20th October 2014On Thursday 27 November young people from across the Diocese of Bristol are invited to say YES and celebrate their faith in Jesus Christ.
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The challenge to go ‘One Step Beyond'
First published 16th October 2014On Saturday 11 October two hundred leaders and volunteers gathered to be nurtured and challenged at 'One Step Beyond - the triennial Youth and Children's Work conference hosted by the dioceses of Bristol and Bath & Wells.
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Ugandan visit strengthens Swindon link
First published 15th October 2014Read the latest news of the Luwero Diocesan team in Swindon.
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Bishop's Address - 20th September 2014
First published 15th October 2014Anyone who was involved in any way with the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury over the past weekend, cannot but help to have been encouraged and inspired by his energy.
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New lay ministers: catalysts for hope & transformation
First published 15th October 2014We may find we have opportunities to share the good news of Christ which come out of the blue.
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Bishop Lee backs Swindon's calls for climate justice
First published 15th October 2014Swindoncampaigners are taking part in Christian Aids nationwideHunger For Justice action this month as they urge local MPs to act against the injustice of climate change.
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Seeing God at work: looking back on Justin's visit
First published 15th October 2014I will take from this weekend a huge amount of encouragement because I am seeing God at work. People learning to love and follow Jesus Christ.
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Archbishop Justin in Swindon
First published 15th October 2014During his tour of the Diocese of Bristol, the Archbishop spent the first half of Saturday in Swindon.
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Fellowship and humility: reflections on Justin's visit to our prayer room
First published 15th October 2014On the Friday night,Archbishop Justin was visibly moved by his visit to our Prayer Room at Hope Chapel, which was open for the duration of his tour of our diocese.
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Conversations with sixth-formers
First published 15th October 2014The Archbishop of Canterbury began his three-day visit to the Diocese of Bristol with a Q&A session with sixth-form students at St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School in Bristol.
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Ripples from the Archbishop's visit
First published 10th October 2014The West Swindon and Lydiard Tregoze Church Partnership played host to the Archbishop of Canterbury on the morning of Saturday 13 September.
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Church at the centre of the community in Pinehurst
First published 10th October 2014Justin's visit has left a real buzz with those he met and it has increased people's awareness of the local church being active and a force for good in our neighbourhood.
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Will Aid - an act of Christian stewardship
First published 10th October 2014Could you help your family - and families across the world by making a will this November? Will Aid is a scheme supported by hundreds of solicitors across the South West which allows members of the public to make a will in exchange for a donation.
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Reflections on the Malmesbury baptisms
First published 10th October 2014I was proud to proclaim "This is my faith" in front of my wife, my friends from the Abbey, our baptismal group and ministers, the Archbishop and God!
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Ian's reflections on reaffirmation and confirmation
First published 10th October 2014Ian Dony was one of the candidates reaffirmed and confirmed by the Archbishop of Canterbury at the wonderful baptism celebrations outside Malmesbury Abbey on 13 September 2014.Here are his reflections.Ians Re-affirmation and ConfirmationWhere do I st
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Affirming ordinands in their callings
First published 9th October 2014If there's one thing that is essential in ministry its knowing that you are in the hands of, and that you belong to, God Himself.
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Prayers from a friend
First published 9th October 2014I had been a Christian for over 25 years so I trusted God to stay with me, even if healing wasn't to be the plan for me.
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Swindon examples - How do Christians care for others?
First published 8th October 2014This unit of local RE asks the questions 'How do Christians care for others?' and examines the case studies of Swindon Foodbank and the Gateway Furniture project.
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David John Banfield 1933-2014
First published 7th October 2014David Banfield started life in the south-west and his life ended there following a distinguished career in the Church of England in a variety of different contexts.
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A story about a nice bloke
First published 1st October 2014To my horror, my wife had started going to church and had decided to become a Christian. I refused to talk to her about church or her faith because I thought she had been taken in by the "cult"I was raised a Catholic in a Roman Catholic family.
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Seeds of faith
First published 29th September 2014Prayer for me is simply talking to God, and because of that it can happen anytime, anywhere and with anyoneI was just as surprised as my family and loved ones when I came to faith earlier this year. Yet looking back over my life I can see how the see
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Clergy kids weekend
First published 26th September 2014Over the weekend of 19-21 September, 30 young people from clergy families in the dioceses of Bristol and Bath & Wells travelled to the Devon coast for the 12th Life to the Max.
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Standing Room Only: videos available for download
First published 13th September 2014We invited 1,000 people to join us in Bristol Cathedral for an event unlike any other.Setup with very subtle neon pink and blue lighting, Bristol Cathedral proved to be the perfect venue for this exceptional evening.
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Our prayer for the Archbishop
First published 11th September 2014Please join us in prayer for the Archbishop of Canterbury's visit to the Diocese of Bristol this weekend, Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September 2014.
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Body Prayer Movements
First published 10th September 2014A great way to engage a class at the same time as stilling the pupils.
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Bishop Lee in the hot seat
First published 4th September 2014Bishop Lee will chair his first Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) meeting at the start of October, leading on the Dioceses work in schools and with young people in churches.
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A spotlight on faith in our communities
First published 3rd September 2014People across Bristol, Swindon and the West country are looking forward to the weekend of Friday 12 to Sunday 14 September.
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Videos from the Archbishop's Visit
First published 3rd September 2014To help all churches join in and build on the excitement surrounding the Archbishop of Canterbury's visit to our diocese, video footage will be available shortly after his time with us.
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An 'audacious' community project
First published 3rd September 2014Members of St Michael's Church, Stoke Gifford have been taking a look at their new church and community centre ahead of its dedication next month.
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Thanksgiving for Frenchay Hospital
First published 3rd September 2014There was a special service of Thanksgiving for Frenchay Hospital at St John the Baptist in Frenchay in July.
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Cross Tree Centre, Wraxall
First published 3rd September 2014Situated in a beautiful location overlooking the valley, the Cross Tree Centre at All Saints Church Wraxall is available for hire and is an attractive and ideal venue for a parish away day, quiet day or meeting.
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Foundation Governor: case study
First published 1st September 2014Sally Sibley has been a Foundation Governor at St. Barnabas Church of England Primary School near Bristol for two years and explains the positive impact she makes to the development of the school and the education of its children.
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Second chances
First published 28th August 2014There seemed to be scepticism about God everywhere and when I went to university I decided that my beliefs where largely inherited and decided to drop church, prayers and Bible reading.God has been a major part of my life since childhood.Sometimes he
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A lifelong adventure
First published 18th August 2014I didnt know what was happening. I shed tears of joy; I did not know if I was coming or goingThe progress of my faith in Christ has been a gradual journey over many years.The seeds were sown when I was a small lad of about eight or nine years old. I
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One step at a time
First published 12th August 2014Hospital became my second home and I began to question if my trust in God was one I could justifyI was brought up in a Christian family but did not myself go to church or want want to have anything to do with Christianity. That was until I went to ch
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Take delight in the Lord
First published 10th August 2014Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heartI am amazed at what God has done in my life since I took the verse from Psalm 37:4 literally.I began to practice it by spending a day just doing what it says, delighting myself wi
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Restore to me the joy
First published 6th August 2014...knew I was forgiven and felt a wave of peace flow through me.I had just left my secondhusband and thinking how I could ever feel good about myself again.A friend loaned me a bible and I read Psalm 51 and knew I was forgiven and felt a wave of peac
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Called to service
First published 5th August 2014It felt amazing that I could do something, not for myself, but in the service of ChristWell, I believe that I have always had faith in God but it really became apparent when I was 13 and felt that I wanted to turn to Christ as Lord and have a relatio
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Bishop's Letter: Into the looking glass
First published 31st July 2014Bishop Mike asks if we apply the ways we learn best, to the ways we could seek to spread the Gospel message.
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Teaching the Trinity
First published 29th July 2014A collection of thirty ideas for teaching at Key Stages 1 and 2 about the distinctive Christian understanding of God.
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Excellent Christianity lesson plans
First published 25th July 2014These lesson plans for KS1 and KS2 are from Christian Concepts Unpacked' which has been developed by Sailsbury Diocese.
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Trying to be good
First published 24th July 2014I could not believe in a vengeful God and it was only gradually that I came to know Jesus as a real person and friend.Death is something we all face. As an 8 year old, I faced my mother's death knocked off her bicycle by a car. We attended a modern
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Bishop Lee arrives in Land's End
First published 21st July 2014The Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Revd Dr Lee Rayfield successfully completed his epic bike ride from John O'Groats to Land's End.
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Le Tour de Lee - Day 13 Truro to Land's End (43 miles)
First published 19th July 2014At around 2pm Mike and I arrived at Land's End to a rapturous applause.
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Le Tour de Lee - Day 12 Okehampton to Truro (72 miles)
First published 18th July 2014Today as I followed the signage from Bodmin to St Austell I recalled my father-in-law's words about 'Cornish miles'.
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Le Tour de Lee - Day 11 Glastonbury to Okehampton (84 miles)
First published 17th July 2014Today's central character unfortunately has no name but was our rescuer when the signposting, the map and the Garmin SatNav conspired to confuse.
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