The Diocese of Gloucester has made a generous gift to our Diocese from funds raised locally there by the sale of glebe land.

The proceeds will go to fund ministry in Gloucester but their Bishop’s Council has also determined 10% of the sale should be tithed to support ministry beyond their own area.

That generous decision means Blackburn and also Chelmsford will receive long-term financial support for two new curacies; one in each Diocese.

Rt Rev. Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester and Rt Rev. Robert Springett, Bishop of Tewkesbury, issued a joint statement saying: “We are privileged in our Diocese to have higher amounts of glebe land and investments than many other Dioceses. Funds from these investments are well managed by our officers and our Trustees and used to invest in mission and ministry across our Diocese.

“Yet with the sale of a significant piece of land it is right that we financially contribute to the life of our wider Church. In this act, we recognise that all that we have been given belongs to God, and as we bless others we too are blessed as we invest in future ministry within God’s church.”

Responding to the news of the generous gift, Rt Rev. Philip North, Bishop of Blackburn, said today: “In the Diocese of Blackburn we are profoundly moved at this wonderful act of generosity shown by the Diocese of Gloucester which is such a vivid demonstration of our oneness in Christ and of our mutual love.

“We will use this precious gift to strengthen ministry in one of the most deprived communities in East Lancashire. We also look forward to building a closer friendship with the Diocese of Gloucester and seeking others ways to support each other in prayer and in ministry.”

‘Yours Lord is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty;
for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.
All things come from you and of your own do we give you.’

(A prayer at the preparation of the table based on 1 Chronicles 29:11