Three members of our congregation, Judith, Alison and Margaret, recently travelled to the Diocese of Western Tanganyika (DWT), which is one of Gloucester Diocese’s global partners. They were accompanied by Judith’s colleague, Kate, Head Teacher at Clearwater Church of England Primary Academy, and Carla and Richard, from Woodchester Church. This was Judith’s first trip to DWT, which she described as a ‘life-changing’ experience. Judith kindly agreed to answer some questions about the trip so that we could learn more about the purpose of the visit and her personal experiences. What made you decide to go on the DWT mission trip? The overall purpose of the visit was to strengthen relationships between DWT and the Diocese of Gloucester, but for Judith and Kate, it specifically provided them with an opportunity to spend time with the pupils and staff at Clearwater Church of England Primary Academy’s partnership schools in DWT. The partnership was set up to enable the children to learn about each other’s culture. The children enjoy exchanging letters to share news and foster meaningful connections. What were your specific goals for the trip and what were your expectations? · To observe classroom environments and learning conditions. · To understand differences between public and private education settings. · To interact with students and teachers and learn about their experiences. · To assess potential areas of collaboration and support. Judith and Kate visited two schools: Kasulu Primary School (a state-run institution with classes of approximately 142 children and lessons delivered in Swahili) and St. Andrew’s Academy (a private school operated by the Diocese, with classes of 25–30 children and offering education in English). There is a significant difference between the facilities offered by the two schools, but despite the limited resources and infrastructure at Kasulu Primary School, the teachers show great dedication. St Andrew’s Academy is well-resourced compared to Kasulu Primary School, but there is still an ongoing need for updated learning materials and teacher development. How would you summarise your experiences during the mission trip? Judith - One of the most unforgettable aspects of our visit was the warm welcome we received at St. Andrew’s Academy. The students greeted us with songs, dances, and even gifts—a beautiful display of their hospitality and joy. This moment was not only heart warming, but also a testament to the strong sense of community and the importance placed on education. The children’s eagerness and the teachers’ dedication were clearly visible in every interaction. Kate - Visiting Kasulu was a profoundly moving experience that left us with wonderful memories of joyful, hardworking children who are eager to learn, even in the face of significant challenges. At both Kasulu Primary School and St. Andrew’s Academy, we witnessed a spirit of resilience and optimism that speaks volumes about the value placed on education in this community. What are your prayer requests related to the trip? Judith and Kate ask that we pray with them for God’s continued blessing over the students and staff at St. Andrew’s Academy and Kasulu Primary School. · Giving thanks for the partnership with these schools, and for the opportunity for visits to Tanzania, to learn, and to witness the dedication and hope alive in the schools. · For the students to grow in wisdom, courage, and compassion. · For strength for the teachers and staff who serve with such faithfulness. Granting them patience, creativity, and joy in their calling. · For the guidance of the Holy Spirit in every step of the partnership so that it may bear fruit that honours God and blesses many.
On May 31st, 2025, seven people from St Philip and St James, Hucclecote and Hillview Evangelical Church walked either all or part of the way to the cathedral, stopping to pray together at various points en-route, and culminating in a wonderful service of prayer and praise at 11:30am with representatives from many churches across ourcity of Gloucester.What inspired us to give ourselves aching muscles on the hour and three quarters walk? And what was our purpose?The Dean of Gloucester explains: (words adapted from Gloucester Cathedral website)"In the days between Ascension Day and Pentecost, we are powerfully reminded of the fire of God’s love that is poured into our hearts to fulfil the special calling that he has given to each and every one of us. With this in mind, …. Christian communities from across the city of Gloucester {were invited} to join in a prayer walk from their churches to the Cathedral for worship and prayer together at 11.30am. This …. {was} a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and give thanks for the prayer-walking initiative which was launched during this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and, in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, to pray for our city and to discern where God may be calling us to make His Kingdom come." Significant memorable moments for the Hucclecote walkers:“The white pigeon that flew along beside us at one point, spoke powerfully to me of the presence of the Holy Spirit (the dove is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit’s anointing and filling in the Bible).”“The route opened up areas of Gloucester I had never even realised were there! And as a long-term resident who has never really liked living in Gloucester, I felt more connected to my surroundings as we walked.” “It was inspiring to see the Cathedral so full of people with the same purpose - there was a genuine feeling of unity.” “Singing and praying together with so many people from different churches was a joyous experience. The Holy Spirit was there!”“The music provided by the Salvation Army Band was glorious and raised the roof!” “There was an inspiring testimony from a member of St Catherine’s church, who shared how she and a friend are unable to prayer-walk physically. Instead, they ‘walked’ down streets on Google maps with their fingers praying over places they could see highlighted there.” “It was awe-inspiring to see so many representatives of different ethnic backgrounds, age groups and churches actively playing their part in leading the service. For more information about how to pray for Gloucester with an app, click on the link below. https://www.pray4gloucester.uk/Or use the attached resources: 'Thirty Days of Prayer for Gloucester' and the service booklet for the May 31st Cathedral service.
The Easter holiday is a great opportunity to spend time with family and friends enjoying the wonders of new growth and life that the spring season brings. Many of us celebrate by giving and receiving chocolate eggs and eating a special holiday meal. Gardens are filled with bright splashes of colour and the days are warmer and longer, symbolising renewal after the cold and darkness of winter. However, for Christians Easter is so much more than this - it is the most important festival in the Christian calendar. As Easter approaches members of our congregation have shared what it means to them: Josie enjoys the spring season when we are surrounded by reminders of God’s promise – new life starting to bud and bloom after winter. It is a time of renewal and hope. She describes Easter as being ‘purer’ than Christmas, while Christmas is important it has become more secularised and commercialised. When Josie was a child, she attended church in Oxenhall near Newent. She remembers how when she saw the crucifix in the churchyard it made her feel very sad. As she has got older this sadness has been transformed into joy. She now knows that Jesus’ death was a sacrificial act of love and that He took the punishment for us so that our sins can be forgiven. On Good Friday we remember and reflect on the pain and suffering that Jesus endured for us when he was put to death on a wooden cross. Through His subsequent resurrection we can receive the gift of a new life, offering hope beyond death. Easter Sunday is a joyous time when we commemorate this, we celebrate God’s goodness and remember that we are called to live a transformed life that reflects God’s will. Dianne and Chris B remember how Easter became real for them whilst on holiday in Jerusalem. They visited the Garden Tomb where they saw an ancient wine press, which supports the idea that the area had been a garden vineyard. When they climbed to the boundary of the garden, they saw a rocky hill which bears the resemblance of a skull – Skull Hill. The way in which these sights reflect the place of Jesus’ crucifixion, as described in the Bible, was very poignant to them. Looking down they saw a bus station and an ancient throughfare which were a stark reminder that it is likely that Jesus was crucified by the road as a public shaming. This was more powerful and sombre than any other depiction of Jesus’ crucifixion in hymns or paintings. Outside the city walls of Jerusalem, Dianne and Chris walked along the Via Dolorosa or ‘Way of Sorrow’ believed to be the path Jesus took to His crucifixion and they imagined the harrowing image of Jesus carrying the cross whilst people went about their normal businesses as if it were just another day. Chris D also shared her memories of Jerusalem. She found it different to any other city that she has been to - vibrant and full of life. It was so noisy she even felt that the paving stones were speaking! (Imagine the amazing stories that they could share!) Easter reminds us that amid all the struggles we face in our broken world God offers us the hope of a world made new where all things are healed and pain and sorrow cease. This is the Good News of Easter and is certainly something that we need to celebrate!
The Story behind Mothering Sunday:During the 16th century, people in the UK used to return on the 4th Sunday in Lent for a service to their ‘mother church’ - the main church or cathedral of the area. This was either the church where you were baptised, or the local parish church or more often the nearest cathedral. Anyone who did this was commonly said to have gone "a-mothering", although whether this term preceded the observance of Mothering Sunday is unclear.In later times, ‘Mothering Sunday’ became a day when domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother church, usually with their own mothers and other family members. It was often the only time that whole families could gather together, since on other days they were prevented by conflicting working hours, and servants were not given free days on other occasions.Children and young people who were given this day off so they could visit their families, would pick wild flowers along the way to place in the church or give to their mothers. Eventually, the religious tradition evolved into the Mothering Sunday secular tradition of giving gifts to mothers. (fromyoutome.com)
