Please find all the latest news from the Diocese of Bristol
News
Bristol youth workers share faith in Germany
First published 23rd September 2013Four youth workers from the Diocese of Bristol travelled to Northern Italy to broaden the link with the Lutheran Church in Bavaria over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Bishop Mike's Diocesan Synod address - Sept 2013
First published 21st September 2013In his address to Diocesan Synod on 7th December, Bishop Mike urged support for Foodbanks and spoke on measures to improve the operation of the Welfare System.Foodbanks are a symptom of a society that is far from well.Bishop MikeThe City Deanery moti
Bishop Lee blessed by the good doctors Mayo and Kermode
First published 20th September 2013Checkout today's BBC R5 Live Movie Review
Rebels
First published 20th September 2013Are rebels good or bad? The answer to this question will depend on your point of view.
Response to the death of Daniel Pelka
First published 18th September 2013Jeanette Plumb, Diocesan Safeguarding Officer, writes: "Daniel is another child who will take his place in the text books on safeguarding alongside Victoria Climbie, Peter Connelly and others.
17th September: Update from Bishop Lee
First published 17th September 2013I am now 14 days into my first course of chemotherapy and it has been something of a roller-coaster.
Lift for Hope Challenge raises £1500
First published 13th September 2013Bristol Diocesan Strategy and Mission Officer and member of Emmanuel Church, Ashley Down, Janey Hiller, took part in a solo strength challenge in support of Rock of Ages a project in Uganda assisting orphans and widows in Kampala.
The pile driver
First published 10th September 2013Sitting on the balcony, most of the time I find it very easy to filter out the sounds of the motorway and the construction of the new housing.
Update from Bishop Lee
First published 6th September 2013I confess I wasnt looking forward to my first doses of chemotherapy but the session went very well.
Café culture; reaching out, inviting in
First published 5th September 2013Hospitality has always been at the heart of Christian community and is a mark of a healthy church.
Bishop Lee: Health, paradox and gift
First published 2nd September 2013On return from his holiday Bishop Lee received the news that he has Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system.
Bishop Lee diagnosed with cancer
First published 2nd September 2013Rt Revd Dr Lee Rayfield, the Bishop of Swindon, has been diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system and will receive treatment in the months ahead.
Update from Bristol West Deanery Link
First published 27th August 2013Latest news from Janani Luwum CollegeEvery December we send a financial gift to Janani Luwum College, St. Philips Gulu and the Diocese of Northern Uganda and we are delighted to hear that it is being well spent.
New Bishop's Consecration announced
First published 27th August 2013The Diocese of Kigezi Electoral College and House of Bishops, through the normal and official procedure, have elected Rev. Canon George Bagamuhunda to be the next Bishop.
North Wiltshire Deanery visits the Kigezi Diocese Water Programme
First published 16th August 2013Kigezi Diocese Water and Sanitation Programme (KDWSP) is a Faith BasedMixing cement (mainly the women!).
Letter from Kigezi
First published 10th August 2013Following a recent trip to Uganda Shirley Danby received good news from Kigezi Diocese.
Michelle Martin Interview
First published 9th August 2013Bristol Ordinand, Michelle Martin, recently spent 5 weeks in Mbale Diocese in Uganda.She was privileged to be able to do one of her long church placements with the Archdeacon of Mbale Cathedral as part of her training.
Special Ugandan Service in Bitton
First published 8th August 2013Each month at St Marys Bitton we have a Fourth Sunday Special. In July we decided to have Morning Worship Uganda Style.
North Wilts team visit Kigezi Diocese
First published 6th August 2013What an amazing time we all had!
Thrive - 6 'free' Bible studies for teens
First published 6th August 2013Are you looking for a practical, fun and easy-to-use resource to learn about the Christian faith with your youth group? "Thrive" may be the answer: six sessions which explore key aspects of the Christian faith.
Learning together in Uganda
First published 30th July 2013A group of young people from Christ Church, Downend and Holy Trinity, Bradley Stoke are currently in Uganda on a visit to one of our link dioceses, Ankole.
Seven Days, Seven Ascents!
First published 30th July 2013Jeanette Plumb our diocesan Safeguarding officer writes:If anyone hasnt got sponsorship overload & would like to donate to one of the Uganda projects supported by the Diocese.
Community and church development in Uganda
First published 30th July 2013Later this year Andrew Doarks and a small team from Bristol South Deanery will be visiting Mbale and North Mbale.
Bishop's Letter; Who are we?
First published 24th July 2013Should the Church support liberal social and ethical reforms?
Best practice for developing young leaders
First published 17th July 2013A recent article in the Church Times highlighted some of the realities and challenges faced by church interns.
Bring faith to life in schools
First published 15th July 2013Its not always easy to know how to make the Christian faith known and real to children and young people in their school context.
A little story of growing numbers: building Messy Church
First published 9th July 2013Following our article of events and initiatives in the Diocese that promote welcome, hospitality, inclusivity or partnership, Alison Paginton tells us of a little story of growth from St Christophers Brislington.
The Filling Station - what's it about?
First published 8th July 2013As it gathers momentum, we speak to Revd Nick Crawley to find out more about this growing [largely rural] ministry and what's been driving it.
Schools central to Church's mission, says Archbishop
First published 5th July 2013Archbishop Justin Welby asserted the centrality of schools to the Church's mission to the nation as he hosted a seminar called Church of England: Education and our Future.
Queen honours work of church members
First published 1st July 2013The work of two members of Bristol diocese has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.
Bishop's Letter; ‘Them', ‘Us', and what it means to be the Local Church
First published 1st July 2013This month Bishop Lee reflects on the Church of England's understanding of what it means to be the local Church.
Thank you
First published 26th June 2013I was so grateful to everyone that came to the service on Saturday evening at Bristol Cathedral to mark the 10th anniversary of my time as Bishop of Bristol.
How enabling is your church?
First published 25th June 2013The Church needs to learn from the experience, insight and gifts of disabled people, writes Revd Canon Gill Behenna, Chaplain with the Deaf Community in Bristol and National Adviser for Deaf Ministry.
The Syria Conundrum
First published 14th June 2013News coming in overnight is that the American administration now confirms, what we have had circumstantial evidence of for a while, that the Syrian Government has used chemical weapons on its own people.
When aid works and why - link to an article by our new Archbishop
First published 11th June 2013In April 2013 Archbishop Justin Welby wrote an interesting reflection on Aid .
Report from Kirchentag 2013
First published 10th June 2013The Diocese of Bristol's links with the Lutheran Church in Bavaria gives an opportunity for Christians to join in one of the world great Christian gatherings, the German Kirchentag.
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.
Ways into prayer
First published 7th June 2013As Bishop Lee has written, prayer is fundamental to Christian discipleship but the ways Christians actually engage with God in prayer may be as varied as the people themselves.
North Wiltshire Team visiting Kigezi Diocese
First published 4th June 2013On Tuesday 4th June 6 members of North Wiltshire Deanery depart for Uganda for a two week visit to the Diocese of Kigezi.
Canon Gill Behenna appointed National Adviser for Deaf Ministry
First published 29th May 2013The Revd Canon Gill Behenna has been appointed as part-time National Adviser for Deaf Ministry. Canon Behenna is Chaplain with the Deaf Community in the Diocese of Bristol and will continue in this role alongside her national responsibilities.As Nat
What happens when six tough parishes get together?
First published 29th May 2013This fourth report from the 'Northern Ark' mission initiative in north Bristol outlines the developments over the last year and begins to see a way forward.
Bishop's Letter; Discovering our true worth
First published 28th May 2013In this months letter, Bishop Mike argues the way the world around us measures our value is actually devaluing and reminds us of where our true value comes from and lies.
Fleshandblood: Blood donation and the Church of England...
First published 28th May 2013The Church of England is involved with flesh and blood, a national campaign, to mobilise the Church to increase the number of blood and organ donors in the UK.
Woolwich. Jesus Christ stood for unity and love. So do we.
First published 25th May 2013Bishop Mike HillWe wish to express our deep condolences to the family of Drummer Lee Rigby.
‘This, then, is how you should pray…'
First published 21st May 2013Prayer draws us more closely into relationship with God, has an impact on the world and energises our Christian lives.
Floods in South Rwenzori
First published 15th May 2013Please pray for the Diocese of South Rwenzori.
Lesson plans: What does it mean to belong to a religion? ISLAM
First published 14th May 2013This unit explores aspects of festivals, celebrations, practices and communities and the beliefs to which they relate.
Lesson plans: What does it mean to belong to a religion? HINDUISM
First published 14th May 2013This unit explores aspects of festivals, celebrations, practices and communities and the beliefs to which they relate.
Lesson plans: What do people believe about life?
First published 14th May 2013This unit explores ideas about the natural world and our place in it, and relates them to religious and other beliefs.
Lesson plans: How do people express their beliefs and identity?
First published 14th May 2013This unit explores how religions and beliefs employ signs, symbols and the arts to express aspects of human nature.
Christian Aid Week - video of the 'Bishops on Bikes' tour
First published 14th May 2013Bishop Ed Condry (Bishop of Ramsbury) and Bishop Lee Rayfield (Bishop of Swindon) cycled a gruelling 180 miles around Wiltshire in 2 days in April 2013, stopping off in 16 Christian Aid groups along the way.
Lesson plans: Why do religious books and teachings matter? THE BIBLE
First published 14th May 2013This unit explores how the Christian religion and beliefs express values and commitments in written form and how value is attached to the writings.
Lesson plans: What does it mean to belong to a religion? SIKHISM
First published 14th May 2013This unit explores aspects of Sikh festivals, celebrations, practices and communities and the beliefs to which they relate.
Faith, Hope and ...Foodbanks?
First published 14th May 2013With the number of foodbanks rising to cope with growing demand, we take a step back to ask what the root causes might be, and what is the role of the church in its ministry to stand alongside those in poverty.
New Agricultural Project in Northern Uganda
First published 13th May 2013Bristol Diocese has links with three diocese in North West Uganda through the Bristol West Deanery.
Sowing seeds: church/school links
First published 13th May 2013The Department for Children and Young People is refreshing its initiative to encourage congregations across the Diocese to take the fruitful but sometimes neglected opportunity of engaging with schools in their communities.
New book from the Archbishop of Uganda
First published 13th May 2013More than one wife.
Lesson plans: What can we learn from the life and teaching of Jesus
First published 10th May 2013This unit explores aspects of the person, life and teaching of Jesus and how they relate to Christian life, practices, celebrations and the pattern of Christian festivals.
Lesson plans: How should we live and who can inspire us?
First published 10th May 2013This unit explores positive examples of how to live, values and commitments of faith founders, how actions of people of faith have changed the world.
Lesson plans: How do we make moral choices?
First published 10th May 2013This unit explores how religious beliefs affect approaches to moral issues. This series of 9 or 10 lessons is intended to provide a set of learning activities for a Year 4 class (and may be adapted for a Y3 class).
Lesson plans: What is important to me?
First published 10th May 2013This unit explores ideas of what it is to be human and relates them to religious and other beliefs.
Exploring Christian leadership - Voyage 3
First published 28th April 2013Leadership is a major focus for Bristol Diocese, not just encouraging the leaders of our churches to hone their leadership skills, but also helping all those in positions of leadership to reflect on how their faith affects, maybe even drives their leadership.
Bishop's Letter; Finding Home
First published 23rd April 2013This month Bishop Lee reminds us of the thousands of children who have little experience of a loving home and asks how the gospel can help us engage with such a challenge.
Being stretched too thin?
First published 18th April 2013The last 3 or 4 months have been exceptionally busy. As well as doing my own job, I have also been helping to cover the job of a colleague who was away for nearly 3 months on paternity leave.
Insurance for Churches Together groups
First published 14th April 2013PCCs should be aware under what circumstances Churches Together group events are covered by their insurance policies.
Ministers come together
First published 14th April 2013The first round of Clergy Day Conferences and the Chrism Eucharist brought licensed ministers together to be equipped for leading in mission in March 2013.The Chrism Eucharist is the annual opportunity for both lay and ordained licensed ministers to
Student Faith Crawl
First published 12th April 2013In March, the University of Bristol Chaplaincy organised a "Faith Crawl", enabling students from different faith backgrounds to engage with the city's different faith communities.
Welfare support handbook now available
First published 12th April 2013Welfare support - If you do a lot of community work or have several people on benefits you may want to ask the PCC to invest (45) in this to help you guide people through the changes: Welfare Benefits & Tax Credits Handbook.
PCC Guide to Accounting
First published 12th April 2013In our December newsletter we gave details of the new Guide.Many parishes ordered copies and we have sent those out.
Speaking about God in society
First published 12th April 2013Clergy came together at two day conferences in March to explore how to speak about God in today's society.80 per cent of clergy questioned in a recent survey said they no longer had confidence in speaking about God in public.
Ministering in the public gaze
First published 8th April 2013Ordained and lay ministers from across the Diocese once again gathered on Maundy Thursday at Bristol Cathedral for the Chrism Eucharist and to renew their commitment to ministry.
Sharing the Easter Experience
First published 7th April 2013As churches celebrated the heart of the Christian message this Easter, a number of churches have been finding innovative ways to share the story with children and adults alike through interactive Easter events.
The Diagnostic Trap
First published 29th March 2013This past week in the media, I think following a press release from NICE, ( the National Institute of Clinical Excellence), the term conduct disorder has found its way into the public space.
Fear of death
First published 26th March 2013I remember looking down at my blood-soaked trainers and thinking Well.
St Matthew's Church Passion
First published 25th March 2013In an exciting project for Good Friday, St Matthews Kingsdown will be performing a passion play.
Bishop's Letter; It's Friday, but Sunday's a'comin'
First published 22nd March 2013Recently I have heard a number of preachers refer to those periods of Jewish history outlined in the Old Testament and referred to as exile.
Pope Francis I
First published 14th March 2013I am delighted to hear of the election of Pope Francis I.
Millenium Youth Choir goes west
First published 8th March 2013Members of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Millennium Youth Choir will soon be heading to the west of England for a busy Easter course.
Sanctity of Life / What does it mean to be a human?
First published 6th March 2013These two fun exercises are useful starting points for many discussions about how we value different life-forms and how we decide which are better than others.
Persona dolls - Elizabeth the Christian and her Church
First published 6th March 2013Persona dolls are a great way to introduce young children to ideas like other religions.
Facing death without fear, David Stevens' story
First published 5th March 2013As part of our life stories series, we talked with with David Stevens about how his faith has enabled him to face death without fear following a diagnosis with cancer.
Spiritual gifts for Colerne
First published 4th March 2013A member of the congregation at Colerne parish church has put her artistic gifts to good use by creating a series of icons for the church's Lady Chapel.
Mar Thoma Bishop visits Bristol
First published 4th March 2013The Mar Thoma Bishop of North America and Europe, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, was in Bristol this weekend to visit members of the Mar Thoma parish of St Thomas, who share a building with St Anne's Anglican church, Eastville.
From suicide to salvation, Steve and Sue's story
First published 28th February 2013In local churches thoughout the Diocese of Bristol, people's lives are being changed by the power of God.
Christianity 365?
First published 26th February 2013Reading in the Times sports pages in the light of England's Rugby Union victory over the French side I saw that on the wall of the England team's training camp was the simple slogan, 'England 365'.
Bishops on bicycles
First published 20th February 2013Bishop Lee will cycle 172 milesin two days forChristian Aid on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April.
Growth: a good problem to have
First published 11th February 2013St Michaels Church in Stoke Gifford is launching a £5.8m project to build a new multi-purpose church and community centre in the parish, following sustained growth in the church over the last decade.
Retirement of Pope Benedict XVI
First published 11th February 2013Bishop Mike has issued the following statement following the announcement that Pope Benedict will retire at the end of February.
Cautious Progress
First published 8th February 2013The House of Bishops met yesterday for a day dedicated to trying to unlock the impasse created by November's vote on women bishops.
Home School Values
First published 7th February 2013A fantastic new resource, Home Schools Values helps schools communicate their Christian values to their parents or guardians and communities.
Soundwell lights up for Candlemas
First published 6th February 2013Over 500 people took part in a community lantern procession organised by members of St Stephen's Church in Soundwell to celebrate the feast of Candlemas on Saturday 2nd February.
The Venerable Kenneth James Clark 1922-2013
First published 5th February 2013The Venerable Kenneth James Clark MA DSC 1922-2013, Archdeacon of Swindon 1982-1992
Over 120 clergy and lay leaders attend Leadership Conferences in Uganda
First published 1st February 2013A team from Bristol Diocese visited Uganda in January 2013 to lead two conferences reflecting on Christian leadership.
Message from The Dean
First published 29th January 2013There are different ways of measuring what it is like to live in a recession.
Swindon churches engage
First published 25th January 2013Bishop Lee has celebrated the results of a survey which demonstrates the extensive engagement of Christians in Swindon with children and young people.
Updates from Uganda
First published 14th January 2013A team from Bristol has just returned from Uganda following the second Christ Centred Leadership Conference for Ugandan Bishops and their leadership teams, which is organised by the Diocese of Bristol in partnership with the Church of Uganda.
Expert solutions for heating churches
First published 14th January 2013Keeping an historic church warm for community use while conserving its heritage features and minimising the environmental impact is a real challenge, especially at a time of rising energy prices.
Last day in Gulu. Tomorrow we are off to...
First published 12th January 2013Last day in Gulu. Tomorrow we are off to visit one of the legacies of the days of war in N. Uganda the huge displacement camp at Amuru.
I think it would be fair to say that many of us look across ...
First published 8th January 2013I think it would be fair to say that many of us look across the Atlantic with a measure of disbelief when we think about their Constitution and their valued 2nd Amendment which hands citizens the right to bear arms.
Bishop Mike becomes Chair of Wycliffe Hall
First published 8th December 2012Rt Revd Mike Hill has accepted the invitation of the Council of the Oxford theological college, Wycliffe Hall, to become its Chair.
