Diocese of Bristol

Almost £100k has just been given to churches using easyfundraising over the last 3 months alone. All courtesy of retailers giving donations when kind supporters shop online.💸
Your church can be part of the next funding pay out in August by setting up a free easyfundraising page.

Simply register your church as a good cause with easyfundraising and ask your church community to choose you as the cause they want to support. Then, each time they shop online with over 8,000 well known retailers like Tesco, trainline, M&S, Sainsbury’s, booking.com, ebay and many more, they’ll activate a cashback donation for your church courtesy of the retailer they shopped with – at no extra cost to anyone. 🙌

Find out more about easyfundraising here: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/diocese-of-bristol

✨ Spotlight on creative storytelling in schools: Saltmine brings Bible stories to life ✨
Saltmine Theatre Company delighted pupils at Fishponds CE Primary School and Cathedral Primary School with vibrant and interactive performances exploring Bible stories. From Daniel in the lion’s den to the resurrection of Jesus, the shows took children on a journey through Scripture, full of humour, music and imagination.

Pupils shared how much they enjoyed the experience, with many discovering new Bible stories and engaging deeply with familiar ones in a fresh way. The performances created space for joy, curiosity and reflection, and gave pupils the opportunity to experience live theatre in their school setting.

Schools and churches are invited to find out more about hosting a performance for their own community.

👉 Read the full story: https://ow.ly/kfS450Zb1xO

Over the past couple of weeks, Bishop Neil has been spending time with our diocesan Licensed Lay Ministers in Swindon and Bristol 💛

Gathering at Pattern Church and Central Church, it was a chance to listen to stories, give thanks, and celebrate the many ways LLMs serve across our diocese.
From chaplaincy in care homes and schools, to teaching the faith, supporting clergy in preaching and leadership, and enabling mission beyond the church, their ministries are wonderfully varied.

Thank you to all our LLMs for the faith, care and commitment you bring. You are such a blessing 🙏

🌍💚 It’s Great Big Green Week! 💚🌍
Across the country, people are coming together to care for creation and take action for a greener future 🌿✨
The national Church has some brilliant webinars lined up to inspire and equip you, whether you’re just starting out or already running eco projects in your church 🙌
🎥 Find out more and sign up here: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/churches-count-nature

We’d love to hear what YOU are doing! 💬
Are you hosting a litter pick? Planting flowers for pollinators? Running climate conversations?
👇 Tell us in the comments and let’s inspire each other!

A brilliant start to our Diocesan Support Services Roadshow this week 🙌

It was so good to gather with churches, share conversations, and offer support across buildings, environment, fundraising, volunteering, inclusion and racial justice.

Didn’t make it to the first one? There’s still time to join us.
Come along for informal conversations, tailored advice for your church, and the chance to connect with others navigating similar challenges.
🗓 10 June - St Andrews, Chippenham
🗓 17 June - Christchurch, Swindon

No booked slots, just drop in during the session.
👉 Register: https://ow.ly/ZkHL50Z7ZtE

✨ Spotlight on empowering local leaders: Urban Missioners commissioned at Malmesbury Abbey ✨

This week, the Diocese of Bristol gathered at Malmesbury Abbey to celebrate 19 individuals who have completed training in urban mission through the PREPARED programme. During the service, 15 were commissioned as Urban Missioners and are now stepping into leadership roles within their communities.

Urban Missioners are lay leaders equipped to respond to the challenges of urban contexts, including poverty, inequality and social justice. Participants shared how the course has strengthened their faith, deepened their confidence and helped them find new ways to serve others and share the gospel.

From community gardening to pastoral care and local outreach, each individual is committed to building relationships and bringing hope where it is needed most.

👉 Find the link to the full story in the first comment 👇