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“I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the full.”
The Diocese of Gloucester is a regional part of the Church of England and covers most of Gloucestershire, as well as parts of neighbouring counties.
The Cathedral, as mother church of the Diocese of Gloucester, serves the County of Gloucestershire and part of South Gloucestershire. The Diocese has a rich mix of urban and rural, with areas of affluence and of deprivation. There are 297 parishes (with 381 churches) divided into 91 benefices, together with a mix of chaplaincies, fresh expressions and pioneer ministry, and over 100 church schools. Gloucester itself is a diverse city. The ward in which the Cathedral sits is amongst the most socially and economically challenged in the county.
The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek, former Archdeacon of Hackney, was announced as the Bishop of Gloucester in 2015 and was the first female diocesan bishop in the Church of England. The Bishop of Tewkesbury, the Rt Revd Robert Springett was welcomed to the Diocese in 2017.
The Diocesan LIFE vision is rooted in Jesus’ words in John 10.10: ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ Its four key themes are:
• Leadership – committed to transformation
• Imagination – opening new paths to faith
• Faith – living as adventurous followers of Jesus Christ
• Engagement – living out Christ’s love and hope
This vision was discerned in 2016 and refreshed in 2021. The spotlight of the Holy Spirit is now shining more strongly on these five specific LIFE commitments:
• Being advocates for flourishing through initiatives which combat injustice, environmental destruction, exclusion and isolation
• Encouraging new and courageous ways of worshipping in different places which connect with more people
• Nurturing everyday disciples
• Investing in people and programmes which excite young people to explore and grow in faith
• Developing diverse lay and ordained leaders
These have emerged from listening to stories from across the diocese and noticing what is being lived, not least as we have continued to emerge from the months of a viral pandemic and the process of shaping and implementing Deanery Strategic Plans.
As a Diocese, we are committed to the wellbeing of all who minister here. We are small enough to know each other well, to care across our traditions and rejoice in each other’s gifts. We are large enough to be well resourced. The Bishops place a high value on being known by church and community leaders and engaging across the diocese to build positive networks of relationship.
Click on the button below to visit the Diocese's website, where you will be able to find further information.
Diocese of Gloucester)
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