Message from Bishop Rachel

Last Saturday, many people from across the Diocese gathered for the inspiring and informative event, ‘Under fives and flourishing’. When introducing the event, and particularly thanking so many wonderful volunteers, I stated that creating spaces for under fives and their parents and carers is one of the most significant things we offer as followers of Christ.

Essential information

Nominate a Coronation Champion
To mark the Coronation of King Charles III, 500 extraordinary people across the country will be chosen to celebrate those who have been contributing to their communities. Nominations can be made here by midnight on 2 April.

Statistics for Mission
If you've not managed to submit your Statistic for Mission returns, please can you do so by 31 March? This important information helps us to better understand the work of our churches. Thank you. Statistics for Mission for 2022

LIFE Together: Engagement

Sportily celebrates work with free family fun day

A woman in a Sportily jacket plays football with four children

Energy Footprint Tool – your questions answered

A woman holds an iPad with Energy Tool on the screen

What’s happening in and around the Diocese this Easter

Gloucester Cathedral choir and conductor

Children can ‘Have a Go’ this Easter at The Music Works

Four children make up a band on a stage with The Music Works banner behind

Easter 2023

Is your church doing something a bit different for Easter this year? Add your event to our list of special services and activities being held across the Diocese during Holy Week and the Easter holidays. Please send details to kowen@glosdioc.org.uk

Events near you: **click here to see the full list**

20 April: GCEJN – Climate Friendly Farming with Emma Hamer

Emma Hamer is the NFU County Adviser for Worcestershire who also has a small beef and arable farm. At this month's talk, she will explain more about the regenerative farming practices on her farm and how farmers are part of the solution to climate change.

22 April: Literature Day at St Philip and St James, Leckhampton

This day draws together an array of 10 talented contemporary Christian authors. There is something for everyone, from the tiniest toddler through to the most mature bibliophile. The line-up includes Gemma Hunt (CBeebies Star), the Rt Revd Rachel Treweek and Richard O’Neill (song-writer and story-teller).

Key training opportunity

This week's highlighted training opportunity:

2 May: Funeral Project networking evening
Funeral ministers and funeral directors are invited to network and consider the challenges around simple or direct cremations at this networking event hosted at Gloucester Cathedral by the Rt Revd Robert Springett, Bishop of Tewkesbury.

Speakers are the Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Director of Mission and Ministry at the Diocese of Gloucester, and Terry Tennens, Chief Executive of the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.

More training: Available for everyone ~ For Clergy & Readers

More upcoming events →

One thing to watch: What is Parish Share and how is it spent?

If you want to know more about Parish Share, this short video explains what it is and how we are funded. For more details, please visit www.gloucester.anglican.org/share

One thing to listen to

On Mothering Sunday, The Revd Dr Sandra Millar joined Jon Smith on Sunday Breakfast to reflect on the joys and sorrows of remembering and celebrating mothers and mother figures in our lives.

Also on the show, Joanne Hastie Smith from Bibury talks about her experience as a clergy spouse living in a rural parish and the findings from the Clergy Family Network's recent survey, which you can read here.

Listen from 2:13 for Joanne and 2.40 for Sandra.

The Messenger

The Messenger is a themed publication for parish and village magazines, which can be printed out, or the content copied into magazines or pew sheets. The Messenger is produced once per month and freely available to download: