Bishop visits St Laurence
On Shrove Tuesday, Bishop Rachel visited the parish church of St. Laurence, Stroud. The evening began with welcome refreshments and background live music. Once seated, we were introduced to the Bishop and there followed a question and answer session, where members of the audience put forward their questions. The atmosphere was very relaxed and as […]
Carol reflects on bereavement support
I think my fear about helping people who had been recently bereaved when I started, was doubting my inability to say or do the right thing. I soon learned though, that provided I was natural, there is no need to rehearse what to say, the main thing is to be sincere and to be brief. […]
Readings and Questions for Sunday 2 January 2022
John 1 v 1-18 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the […]
Readings and Questions for Sunday 26 December 2021
Luke 2 v 1-20 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to […]
Living in faith and love
An opportunity for a good respectful conversation about human relationships and sexuality. The Stroud Deanery course, held at our own St Matthew’s Church Hall Cainscross, will be running on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm, from 10th to 31st January 2022, and with the final session on 14th February. Each session lasts about 1½ hours and […]
Discovering grace, the generosity of God
Jai’s life story – discovering grace, the generosity of God, becoming a treasurer, the history of money and an encouragement to ‘Cheerful Giving’ I’m here today appealing for funding across all of Stroud Parish Churches – wherever you are. We have had challenges in the past and your response was amazing. Part of the Treasurer’s […]
Readings and Questions for Sunday 19 Dec 2021
Luke 1:39-55 In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, […]
Weekly News on 2 December 2021
Welcome to our weekly communication this second week of Advent! Our Vision: to abide in Christ and bear fruit Making connections and everyday faith: In our priorities, we talk about Life-giving small groups A reminder at what can be a busy time: St Laurence’s is open for Silent Sitting this Tuesday and every Tuesday morning from […]
Readings and Questions for 5 December 2021
Philippians 1.3–11 I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring […]
Readings and questions for Sunday 14 November 2021
Hebrews 10 v 11-25 (NRSV) And every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, ‘he sat down at the right hand of God’, and since then has been […]