Advent appeal in Bristol as Anna Chaplains are commissioned - plus news of seasonal resources

debbiethrower0
15 minutes ago
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New Anna Chaplains are commissioned by the The Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol and Bishop of Swindon (Photo credit: Diocese of Bristol)

Diocese of Bristol launches Advent calendar with an appeal

The Diocese of Bristol has launched its first ever Advent Appeal, combined with an interactive Advent calendar sharing daily stories of “licensed lay ministers”, who offer a wide range of work but are not ordained as priests. They are trained and licensed by the bishop to lead certain services and preach, and to offer pastoral care for example in care homes, youth work, in community action projects or as chaplains.

Last month, Debra Chaffey, Jen Cave-Ayland, Helen Willcox and the Revd Dawn Beresford were commissioned by the Rt Revd Neil Warwick, Acting Bishop of Bristol and Bishop of Swindon, to serve as Anna Chaplains.

https://www.bristol.anglican.org/news/diocese-commissions-first-anna-chaplains-on-un-day-of-older-people.php

Ministry Lead Debbie Ducille was also there for the commissioning, and took part in the service at which the Bishop Neil asked that God would empower those being commissioned, praying: “May their hands be ready to do your work. May their eyes be open to recognise those in need. May their ears hear soft-spoken words of pain and sorrow. May their voice speak of healing and peace. May their feet walk the extra mile with those who falter”.

Debbie Ducille, Bishop Neil and candidates during the service (Photo credit: Bristol Diocese)

The Bristol diocese currently has more than 150 LLMs and in the past five years, the number has grown by 15 per cent. The appeal is for funds to help pay for their training and support.

Meanwhile, the Methodist Church has produced a suite of resources under the title “Gifted”, for services and small groups for the whole Advent and Christmas season. And the Association of English Cathedrals is running the “Divine Light” campaign, featuring stained glass windows in daily posts across social media during the season. Advent, the period leading up to Christmas, starts this Sunday.

We are grateful for this round up of Advent resources featured on the Religion Media Centre website https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/ See also their Advent Factsheet.

If you'd like to receive the centre's regular compilations of the world's top faith and religion headlines contact info@religionmediacentre.org.uk and ask to be added to their mailing list.