The Mustard Tree are having a week of Summer Fun Lunches at St John’s School in Coleford.  If you would like to book then please call the Parish Office.

 Welcome

‘Friend and stranger, young and old, all are welcome here.

As followers of Jesus, our journey of faith is one of love, compassion and justice for all.’

Services in the parish this month:

There is only one service in the Parish this week at St Peter’s, Clearwell @ 10.30am.  This is our United Parish Service where congregations from across the parish meet to worship together.

Everyone is welcome!

The Parish office at the Church on the Street is a collection point for the Forest Foodbank.  If you would like to donate please pop your items down to the office.  These are the items that the foodbank is short of at the moment.  Many thanks.

A couple of photographs from our Flower Festival!  More on our Galleries page!

A message from Bishop Rachel

‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..’ 1 Peter 1:3

It is with great sadness that I am writing to inform you that Bishop Michael died peacefully at home on Monday evening, April 17, following a special Easter weekend with all the family.

I last saw Bishop Michael on Tuesday 11 April during Holy Week.  Not only was it good to share together in the Eucharist on that occasion but also to preside at the Chrism Eucharist on Maundy Thursday knowing that the Dean would then be taking Bishop Michael bread and wine from our service in Gloucester Cathedral with the love and prayers of the Diocese.

Amidst our pain and grief I am thankful that Bishop Michael died in this season of Eastertide when we celebrate Christ’s power over death, and rejoice in the hope of resurrection and life everlasting. In his recent and final book ‘The Way of Christ-likeness’, Bishop Michael wrote “The Christian who goes with Christ into the darkest places of Holy Week can also embrace a new life beyond imagining.” This is true now for Bishop Michael who is with Jesus Christ.

I will always be grateful for Bishop Michael’s wisdom, insight and friendship which I first experienced as a member of General Synod. It is an immense privilege to have followed in Bishop Michael’s footsteps as Bishop of Gloucester and I am deeply aware of the significant impact of his ministry on the lives of individuals and worshipping communities across this diocese. Of course, his gifts and ministry have enabled and influenced so much beyond the borders of this diocese, not least in the prayers and liturgies of the Church of England. More recently Bishop Michael has also been an Honorary Assistant Bishop in the dioceses of Bath and Wells, Carlisle, Portsmouth and Salisbury.

As we give thanks for Bishop Michael we are also deeply thankful for Alison, and we pray for her and the family that they will know the everlasting arms of God beneath them and around them.

Bishop Michael’s funeral will be in Gloucester Cathedral. The date and details will be made available once they are finalised.

This comes with my thanks and prayers as ever

+Rachel

There is only one service in the Parish this Sunday 9th April.

It is at All Saint’s Church, Newland, where we will be celebrating Palm Sunday.  The service will also include the licensing of our new Reader and the commissioning of our Local Ministers.

Everyone is very welcome.

The Annual Parish Meeting will follow immediately after the service.