News

Diocesan involvement in COP26 and the fight for climate justice

New General Synod members have been elected to represent the Diocese of Bristol

Revd Tricia Roberts writes about HMP Bristol, and makes suggestions on how to pray for the prison. Resources for Prisons Week are also included.

Read more about the stories of those being licensed in 2021

The school marked the birthday with an official opening of its new learning hub, which was blessed by the Bishop of Swindon

Bishop Viv confirmed three people during a service on 3 October

On Homeless Sunday, churches and individuals take time to reflect upon homelessness and the issues surrounding homelessness in the UK.

The BBC-broadcasted service included a sermon from Revd Dr Martin Gainsborough and worship led by the church choir

Lydia will be working part time in the parishes and part time as a Japanese and Chinese teacher

Almost 200 people came to the open day celebration of the Grade I-listed medieval church

The new plant from Pattern Church, Swindon, welcomed over 150 people to its first service on Sunday 12 September

Anti-Slavery Day provides a national opportunity to raise awareness of the dangers and consequences of modern slavery, human trafficking and exploitation.

Bishop Viv confirmed seven young people during a service at Holy Trinity church in Horfield

"Memories were shared, old friends remembered and community renewed as we had fun together in ways that have not been possible for so long" – Revd Beverley Charles

Jonathan Bryan is a disability activist and the author of highly-acclaimed book, ‘Eye Can Write’, which tells his powerful story of communicating through his eyes

‘At the heart of Christmas’ is the Church of England's theme for 2021, and a range of digital and print content has now been released.

The Revd Jonnie Parkin was installed as Canon Missioner at Bristol Cathedral on Sunday 22 August 2021 at 3.30pm by the Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull

Mental health first aid courses will be available this autumn across Bristol Diocese

The Well will hold its first service in a local school this September

Nominations have opened for General Synod, the Church of England's decision-making and governance body, for its next five-year term 2021-2026.

As the temperature’s been rising this month, so has environmental action across the Diocese. This round up shares the latest news.

Volunteer guides are needed for the Museum of the Moon this summer

Anglican clergy across Uganda are facing food shortages as a result of ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns

Following the lifting of the majority of legal Covid-19 restrictions on 19 July, the Church of England has updated and streamlined its guidance and documentation.

A commemorative service in All Saint's churchyard saw Archdeacon Neil Warwick deliver a homily and the congregation come together in worship.

The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, is pleased to announce that three new canons have been appointed for the College of Canons in the Diocese of Bristol.

The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, is pleased to announce that Revd Sam Sheppard has been appointed as Priest in Charge of the parishes of Christ Church Hengrove and St Augustine's Whitchurch.

The Diocese of Bristol invites parishes and groups to begin preparation for LLF courses in the autumn

The Bishop of Bristol, Vivienne Faull, and the Bishop of Ramsbury, Andrew Rumsey, will jointly take over the role.

The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, ordained 22 candidates as priests and deacons during four services at Bristol Cathedral last weekend.

The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol, will ordain 22 candidates as priests and deacons during four services over the coming weekend.

To launch the Cathedrals Cycle Route, a cycle relay is taking place this summer between each of the 42 Church of England cathedrals.

A collaboration between Pattern Church and Crosslight Advice, Crosslight Swindon has a vision to restore dignity and renew hope to those in need by alleviating poverty and improving financial capability.

The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, addresses the Diocesan Synod in June 2021.

The group will begin meeting in July via Zoom

Following a meeting with Gloria Daniel, the Bishop of Bristol and the Dean of Bristol committed to exploring ways of commemorating the lives of those enslaved by Thomas Daniel in those buildings where there are memorials to him.

More than 400 people have signed up so far to walk or cycle the Youth Christian Climate Network relay due to travel the UK this summer.

Wild Church enables people to worship and engage with God in a fresh way through creation.

The Teahouse aims to amplify minority voices within the Church of England and provide community

The nation’s first ever national Thank You Day is happening on Sunday 4 July, to say thank you to all those in our communities who’ve helped us through the pandemic.

The Trust is aiming to raise an extra £1,000 for each of its 40 years, including Ride+Stride in September, and is publishing Simon Jenkins’ 'Favourite Churches of Gloucestershire and Bristol.'

We are looking for both clergy and lay members; for interested, engaged people from all different backgrounds and with varied experiences, who want to help us become a better diocese.

This June, churches around the world will mark the 200th anniversary of the Ellacombe Chimes, invented at St Mary's Church in Bitton

On Monday 17 May in the House of Lords, the Lord Bishop of Bristol, Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, made a speech in response to the Queen's speech.

Hazelnut Community Farm awarded £2,000 grant to create mobile art exhibition which reflects theologically on the climate crisis

The guidance for parishes and cathedrals addresses concerns over memorials with links to slavery and other ‘contested heritage’.

Findings released from national research into non-traditional church gatherings

The Diocese of Bristol is hosting two online conferences in May to begin its collective engagement with LLF. 

A huge thank you to everyone in the region who has helped us shape our vision and priorities for the coming years.

The Bristol Diocesan Board of Finance is divesting from fossil fuel companies, and commits to its investments remaining free of holdings in coal, oil and gas in future.

Three parishes in the diocese have been awarded grants as part of the second round of the Culture Recovery Fund.

St Sampson Church, Cricklade, is to share in a funding payout from the National Churches Trust to fund repairs.

The Diocese of Bristol welcomes the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce’s report and supports call for urgent change. 

The Bishop of Bristol's statement regarding the BBC Panorama programme Is the Church Racist? aired on 19 April 2021.

Bristol Diocese is part of a multi-faith group that has released a faith manifesto in the lead-up to the Bristol mayoral election this May.

The Bishop of Bristol has appointed Lee Coley as the next Diocesan Registrar and legal advisor to the Bishop and Diocese of Bristol.

A message from the Bishop of Bristol on the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip

This sermon was given by Bishop Viv on Sunday 4 April 2021 at Bristol Cathedral.

The Bishop of Bristol, the Rt Rev'd Vivienne Faull, nominated John Bishop and Jean James from the Diocese of Bristol to receive Maundy money at this year's service.

Holy Week this year takes us from loss to a new dawn.

The centre is offering telephone appointments until Covid restrictions ease.

Environmental news from parishes in the diocese

Parish Giving Scheme (PGS) launches a new online giving platform for churches.

A message from Foodbank Manager Emma Murray.

An update on 'Transforming Church. Together', our open conversation with the region which ends on 16 April 2021.

One year since England went into a national lockdown, Bristol takes a moment to remember and reflect, with a new film and shared reflection.

Summary of steps to take to set up online giving through the Parish Giving Scheme

The Right Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol delivers an address about vaccination at the Diocese of Bristol Synod, 13 March 2021.

The diocese is running open workshops during March and April as part of 'Transforming Church. Together'.

The diocese invites everyone to share their stories of women in the diocese who have inspired them

The Bishop of Bristol is delighted to announce that the Revd Canon Debbie Dewes will be the next priest-in-charge of the Upper Thames Benefice.

Revd Mark Nam reflects on radical Christian hospitality

Environmental news from parishes in the diocese

The goods provided will include craft and cooking activities for children, household items and food

A number of churches across the diocese are distributing ‘Lent in a bag’ as a way for people to journey through Lent at home.

A homily for Ash Wednesday delivered by Revd Simon Taylor

The Revd Canon Dr Martin Gainsborough, Chaplain to the Bishop of Bristol, delivered delivers a sermon on Racial Justice Day 2021

The Church of England in the region invites everyone to join a conversation about their future.

The book provides a comprehensive study of how this historic place of worship ties into the growth and development of Swindon itself.

Since the most recent lockdown was announced, some churches have made the difficult decision to close their buildings and offer digital services only until restrictions ease

#LiveLent 2021: God’s Story, Our Story

The Bishop of Bristol is pleased to announce the appointment of Rev’d Steve Wilkinson as the new Area Dean of North Wiltshire Deanery.  

This 'Practical Path to Net Zero checklist' helps you to create a clear and simple action plan to reduce the carbon footprint of your building.

At the start of 2021, here are some ideas to give your parish finances a boost!

This year, the Parish Giving Scheme is making exciting strides in developing the new online giving service that will enable donors to set up regular giving via their website.

We are delighted to announce that the Bishop’s Christmas Appeal for Uganda in 2020 raised £33,326 for the Archbishop of Uganda’s Emergency Fund.

Rev’d Dr Janet Anderson-MacKenzie ran the overall distance of a marathon to raise money for the Lidbrook Group of Churches in Wiltshire, of which she is the Priest in Charge.

The role of the Adviser for Lay Ministry is to encourage and develop good practice in all kinds of lay ministry in the Diocese of Bristol.

The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Rev’d Vivienne Faull, is pleased to announce that Rev’d Melanie Otto will be the new Priest in Charge of the churches of St Agnes and St Anne’s.

The second round of the government’s Cultural Recovery Fund for Heritage launches on 7 January 2021.

Please note the workshop ‘Show Up. Speak Out. Stand Against!’ has been postponed.

An accessible advent service created by Deaf and disabled people and their families, friends and carers from around the Diocese of Bristol is now available to watch online.

The Bishop of Swindon, the Rt Rev'd Dr Lee Rayfield, is pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev'd Mark Nam as the Minority Ethnic Vocations Champion for the Diocese of Bristol.

In December 2020, Pattern Church, one of the Diocese of Bristol's Resourcing Churches, celebrated their second birthday.

The Bishop of Bristol, Rt Rev’d Vivienne Faull, is pleased to announce that Rev’d Lizzie Kesteven and Rev’d David Stephenson will be the Interim Co-Area Deans for the Bristol City Deanery.

An eco-stable has been built in the church yard at the front of Christ Church Swindon, made with wood from discarded fencing panels and local rubbish sites.

A city-wide online Carol service made by and for the city of Bristol, premiering on Friday 11 December at 7pm.

A Christmas appeal from the Together 4 Fromeside churches has raised over £11,500 to support vulnerable families in eight local primary schools. 

The Bishop of Bristol is pleased to announce that Revd Trudie Wigley has been appointed Area Dean of Swindon.

Diocesan Synod met on 14 November 2020 to review the impact of Creating connections, approve the 2021 budget and prepare for the future.