Please find all the latest news from the Diocese of Bristol
News
Uganda in Verse
First published 2nd November 201317 people travelled to Uganda with a group from Bristol West Deanery in October 2013.
Messy Cathedral celebrated
First published 24th October 2013On Saturday 19 October, Bristol Cathedral buzzed with the controlled mayhem of an up-scaled Messy Church event.
Prince one of many baptisms
First published 22nd October 2013As the Archbishop of Canterbury prepares to christen HRH Prince George today, he will do so in the company of priests across our diocese who are welcoming individuals, families, children and adults into their parish churches this week.
Transforming minds with distinctive values
First published 22nd October 2013What does Christian education look like and how is it better?
Bishop's Letter; Are we good news?
First published 19th October 2013Bishop Mike encourages us to build our confidence in sharing our faith.The only purpose of the Church is to go out to tell the world the good news about Jesus Christ.
If you want to Go fast, Go alone. If you want to go far, Go together.
First published 18th October 2013I continue to be staggered and overwhelmed by the messages, cards and letters that are coming our way.
Local RE - John Wesley and Bristol
First published 16th October 2013Awareness, Mystery and Value: Key Stage 2 Unit 9 How should we live and how can John Wesley inspire us? This series of approximately 7 lessons is intended to provide a set of learning activities in RE for a Year 5/6 class. It was written by Rev Dr Jack.
Coming to terms with bereavement
First published 14th October 2013This intense feeling of peace came up over me. It was quite extraordinary. I then came to terms with my bereavement.I was widowed very suddenly. I never lost my faith I had been confirmed for 50 years but you feel that youre being tested. It took m
A difference to everyday life
First published 13th October 2013My faith in God makes a very real difference to everyday life. The Alpha Course set my entire life on a new course and I wake up each morning and thank God.
Clergy kids live life to the max
First published 13th October 201330 young people from clergy families in the dioceses of Bristol and Bath & Wells had a fantastic weekend in North Devon last month, part of the whole life support we offer to clergy families.
Back to Church School Sunday
First published 9th October 2013A group of parishes in North Wiltshire developed their links with local schools by having a schools celebration service on Back to Church Sunday.
Finding a way to worship
First published 7th October 2013Normally we pencil in Monday and Tuesday in the week after chemotherapy as fragile days and avoid any diary commitments.
Ugandan Dean visits City Deanery
First published 2nd October 2013The Very Reverend Kezlon Semanda, the Dean of St John's Cathedral, Kasaka, Central Buganda is in the Diocese of Bristol for the first week of October, 2013.
Starting a journey
First published 1st October 2013I started a journey, of understanding who Jesus is, and who I am. Knowing Jesus has truly transformed my life.
Of sleep and kind truth
First published 1st October 2013As I have mentioned elsewhere, chemotherapy has had a massive impact on my sleep patterns. Knowing this was on the cards Liz decamped to the spare room the evening I had my first dose.
A peace that passes understanding
First published 1st October 2013This is what has been missing from my life, this is the way that I want to live my life.
Joy replaces pain
First published 30th September 2013I began to become aware of a joy and peace within that I never imagined. To my relief, depression, nightmares and unexplained illnesses in my body gradually faded.
Update from Bishop Lee
First published 26th September 2013I confess I wasn't looking forward to my first doses of chemotherapy but the session went very well.
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.
Equip Christians to share their faith
First published 23rd September 2013Bishop Mike encouraged churches to build their confidence in evangelism at Diocesan Synod and announced an Alpha initiative for 2014 when Archbishop Justin Welby visits the Diocese.
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.