Encountering the Spirit Prayer Diary I've been going to church my entire life, but just because I've been going, doesn't necessarily mean I've been listening! When our church, St Mary’s, Atherstone, decided to do an Alpha course, I didn't know what to expect but I went along and January 2015 enjoyed the fellowship of getting to know the congregation I'd been sitting with all these years. Week on week the course delved deeper and before we knew it, it was time for the away day with a focus of the Holy Spirit....Eeek! I wasn’t sure what to ‘Seek the Lord, while he may be found, think about that! But I went along with open eyes and hoped for the best. call upon him while he is near.’ Isaiah 55:6

After the first DVD we were invited to sit and talk in small groups and I said quite R.S.V.P. openly that I wasn't sure what the Holy Spirit was or what the Holy Spirit was all about. I'd never experienced the Spirit working in me before. As soon as I said this, I Both the shepherds and the Magi responded to God’s immediately felt compelled to cry and I felt a warm feeling growing over me. 'That’s invitation or their intimations of God’s call. They did it, he's showing you!' said one group member. Immediately, I didn't feel scared or something about it. The Magi persevered on their worried about what to expect from the rest of the day. journey following a star. They were seeking. The shepherds hurried from their fields – probably up that The day continued; more DVD talks, a lovely lunch and then time to worship. We steep hill in Bethlehem – to see what had happened. were invited to pray with those around us to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Chris, my Without their responding to the promptings of God they Alpha group leader, prayed with me and again I felt compelled to cry. My feet grew would never have encountered the glory of God in the hot and I felt a sensation of heat filling my entire body until I felt like I was glowing. I Christ child. Having done so, their lives would be was sure I would be burning red but I wasn't! I felt at peace, and yet also filled with a changed for ever; an altogether new dimension opened renewed energy. up to them. The Magi became, in the words of T.S Eliot, ‘no longer at ease in the old dispensation, with an alien The day finished and for about 4 days afterwards, I felt completely invincible. I felt I people, clutching their gods.’ The ending of one journey is the beginning of another. could take on the world! The feeling of hotness subsided but I am still left with the inner peace of knowing that the Holy Spirit left something behind in me that day and In a culture which encourages a largely passive consumerism, are we in danger of that gives me the strength I need to go forward in Christ. losing both our alertness to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and our responsiveness to them? As Christians, we are not called to stay as we are, or to be spiritual couch Life is tough with so much to potatoes. God invites us, beckons us into a continual seeking of Himself, or as St balance in the modern world, but Paul puts it ‘a reaching out for that which is ahead’. Philippians 3:13 with the support and love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy As we begin 2015, let us pray for a deeper and truer seeking and reaching out for Spirit, we are able to achieve God. ‘When the people seek me with their whole heart, then I will be found by them.’ anything. Jeremiah 29:13. And whenever we truly seek God, we know that it is God in us, God

who has already found us.

Libby Hall

Page 8 Page 1 Nuneaton Deanery Being an Apprentice Disciple

Nuneaton Deanery is blessed with a wide variety of parishes. 2009 was the year God entered my life – I didn’t realise it at the time but that is One thing which unites us is a commitment to transforming our definitely when it happened. communities. Not too long ago we spent a Deanery Synod covering a map of the area with coloured post-it notes listing all the projects My Godmother, who I was very close to, we were involved in – from food banks to toddler groups, street died suddenly with no illness or pre- pastoring to school assemblies. warning. The shock was immense and Here is the story of just one of them, told by Peter Allan, Vicar of several weeks later I still felt as though Ansley and Arley. there was something else about to happen Richard Hare—Area Dean – but couldn’t say what. The funeral came “Ten years ago St.Michael’s, the district church of the ex-mining village of New and went and the feeling was still there. Arley, had two excellent church groups – a parent and toddler group called Minimikes and a youth club, Megamikes, which included Christian teaching. I had two friends who were Christians and they always seemed to be able to comfort Minimikes inspired a visitor from the Big Lottery Fund to say “I find hope here” and me with words of kindness – even when I asked them how they could believe in God to urge the church to put in a bid to that fund for a community centre. This was when he takes away the good people, people like my Godmother. Both friends said opened by Bishop Christopher in 2009. Megamikes had a waiting list and welcomed that perhaps I should talk to someone to help with the grief and the questions it one new child at a time. For many local children going to something without their raised – and to cut a long story short that’s how I found St Nicolas Church Small mates, especially if it involved reading or writing, was a frightening prospect. Instead Group. they gathered outside, sometimes throwing stones through the windows during the sessions. That was the start of my Christian journey. After a phone conversation with Kelly Betteridge, the Vicar, we agreed to meet (it was Pancake Day so it’s easy to Church members remained committed to serving all our young people. When the remember!) and my husband Dave and I joined a START group to explore the open youth club lost its premises we invited the young people to hold their club Christian faith. The group were fun and open – there were emotions and tears at inside the church. Coventry Diocese gave a grant to help fund a full-time youth many sessions – but we worked through the pain and joy together. worker for Arley and adjoining parishes. It was not easy but we have stood by the young people and eight years later the club continues to meet in the community Following START there was other house groups and we are still part of a bi-weekly centre. small group and have just finished studying a Stephen Travis book – now we are moving onto Alpha, which I am helping to lead so that will be fun and exciting too I Through youth club and community centre, we have broken down the barriers am sure. It’s still an exciting journey for Dave and me – we are still hungry to know between church and community. The message we have sought to get across is: “All the story of Jesus and want to be better Christians every day . It’s hard but we work are welcome, all are valued.” Being respected for our commitment to all proved vital hard at it too – not everything comes naturally – especially for me after 40+ years! when we opened Messy Church in 2011. The programme includes a hot dinner, varied crafts and interactive worship. Numbers average 70. It is the best attended We are active in our Church and enjoy being part of a local and worldwide Christian regular event at the Centre. We reach across the social spectrum in a way no secular family with all the challenges that brings. My life is so much richer now that I am an agency can match. The worship is increasingly appreciated, but how can we offer the Apprentice Disciple and we are looking forward to a time when we can say we are depth of Christian teaching given by Megamikes, 10 years ago? Now that is our next definitely disciples... but I seem to think that constant learning is the way of challenge!” discipleship so that time may never come. Alison Handley Page 2 Page 7 All Saints Primary School and Nursery. Headteacher: Sally Kaminski-Gaze. Sat 24 All Saints Infant School and Nursery. Headteacher: Tina Keeling. Cycle of Prayer - January 2015 Abbey Infants School. Headteacher: Sharon Thorpe. We pray for God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and communities. With a focus on parishes and schools in Nuneaton Deanery

*Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622 Mancetter. Clergy: Anthony Tooby. Reader: Brenda Moss. We pray for God's Sun 25 Bedworth Team. Clergy: Richard Hare, Martin Hammond, Pamela Hamilton. Thu 1 Readers: Kath Farmer, Geoff Popejoy. Church Army: Celia Hare. Please pray blessing upon the church members and the local community. We ask that God will bless Matthew and his family as he takes his first steps in ministry. The Conversion for All Saints as it finds new ways to engage in evangelism, and St Andrew's as Naming and We pray for those in need in our community that the church may respond of Paul it sets up a weekly community cafe. Circumcision of Jesus positively with help and support. We pray for those who will return to work today after a Christmas break. We Mon 26 Horeston Grange LEP. Clergy: David Poulton. We pray for God's blessing Fri 2 upon the church members and the local community. ask for God's protection for all those who commute, for safety in travel. We pray for the College of Bishops' meeting today. *Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith *Seraphim, of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833 *Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul *Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945 Chilvers Coton with Astley. Clergy: Frank Seldon, Jonathan Fryer. Reader: Camp Hill. Clergy: vacancy. We pray for God's blessing upon the church Tue 27 Sat 3 Rupert Allen. We thank God for our vibrant and growing Messy Church, and members and the local community. the many links we have with our local communities. Please pray for growth in We pray for those gathering for the new year of the Developing Women our small groups, both spiritually and numerically, and for grant funding for Leaders course that begins today at Launde Abbey. repairs at Astley. Ansley and Arley. Clergy: Peter Allan. Readers: Gwyneth Hickman, Donald We thank God for the George Eliot Hospital and the Mary Ann Evans Hospice. Wed 28 Sun 4 Parr, Mandy Watts. We thank God for our six very different congregations We pray for all staff and volunteers, and especially the Chaplains: Ricarda increasingly rising to the challenge of supporting their communities as Witcombe, Gill Hancock and teams. Second Sunday government-funded activities diminish. Please pray that 2015 will be a year *Thomas Aquinas, , Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1274 of Christmas when healing brings wholeness and hope conquers fear. Atherstone. Clergy: Don Jones, Michael Brandsma. Readers: John Stock, Susan Attleborough. Clergy: Clive Jones. We pray for God's blessing upon the

Thu 29 Smith, Chris Jones. We praise God for growing good relationships across the Mon 5 church members and the local community. We pray for all children, teachers town. We pray for God's hand on our plans to repair and reorder the church and staff who will be returning to school this week after the Christmas break. building, and share the gospel more effectively across Atherstone and We pray that this epiphany season would be a time when new things of God beyond. are revealed to all who work and learn in schools. Fillongley and Corley. Clergy: Ian Kennedy. Reader: Wendy O'Brien. We thank We pray for all those who are exploring their vocation and for those who Fri 30 God for our completed new Sunday School Room at Corley, and our Tue 6 seek to accompany and guide them. We pray for the ordinands from the successful Christmas Tree Festival at Fillongley. We pray for our continued diocese who will meet with Bishop Christopher and Bishop John for supper outreach into our communities so that God's love will be known by all. The Epiphany tonight. *Charles, King and Martyr, 1649 St Michael's Primary School. Headteacher: Chris Errington. Bulkington. Clergy: Paul Messam. We pray for God's blessing upon the church

Sat 31 St Nicolas Primary School. Headteacher: Tracey McGevver. We pray for Wed 7 members and the local community. God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and We pray for the institution service of Josh Maynard as the new vicar of St community. James', Styvechale today; for Bishop Christopher and all those involved in *John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888 leading and welcoming Josh and his family. Page 6 Page 3 Thu 8 Exhall. Clergy: Andrew Gandon. Readers: Hilary Cryer, John Owen, Jane Smith, Fri 16 We thank God for the ministry of in this diocese. We pray for them as Christine Wilson. We pray for God's blessing upon the church members and they gather this weekend at Launde Abbey for the curates' conference. We the local community. pray for Naomi Nixon and her work in training and developing clergy in this We pray for the Bishop's Core and Extended Staff teams which meet today. diocese.

Hartshill & Galley Common. Clergy: Heather Barnes, Michael Brandsma. We thank God for the work and ministry of Fresh Expressions of church. We

Fri 9 Readers: Nick Miles, Sally Young, Hilary Cryer. We thank God for the growing Sat 17 pray for new and creative ways of meeting and worshipping God to be found relationships being built within and between the parishes here as well as our and formed. work with the local schools. Please pray for wisdom and creativity so we can *Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356 serve and engage with local community more effectively. *Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932 Bournebrook Primary School. Headteacher: Carol Weller. We pray for God's We pray for Bishop John and all those who will gather in worship at St Sat 10 Sun 18 blessing upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. Gregory's, Tredington today for the Farming Community Network plough Queen's Junior School. Headteacher: Mark Walsh. We pray for God's blessing service. Second Sunday upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. *William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645 of Epiphany *Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Creator God as we celebrate Plough Sunday today, we pray for farmers and Wolvey Primary School. Headteacher: Richard Moore.

Sun 11 all those who look after your creation. We particularly pray that the crops Mon 19 St Paul's Primary School. Headteacher: Chris Plant. We pray for God's blessing planted will yield a good harvest and provide enough food for all. We pray for upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. First Sunday of those being confirmed by Bishop Christopher at St Peter's, Kineton, today. We pray for Bishop Christopher on duty in the House of Lords this week. Epiphany *Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915 *Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095

Mon 12 We pray for encouragement for all those who work in the cathedral and Tue 20 We pray for the Diocesan Board of Education Humanities conference day diocesan offices, and give thanks for all their work and ministry. today and for all participants and speakers. *Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167 We pray for the Glebe Committee which meets this afternoon. *Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth, Scholar, 689 *Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349

St James' Junior School. Headteacher: Paul Ison. We pray for the Diocesan Mission Fund Committee which meets today. Tue 13 Wed 21 Canon Maggs Junior School. Headteacher: Michaela Fallon. *Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367 Canon Evans Infant School. Headteacher: Felicity Hey. We pray for God's *Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603 blessing upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. *George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691 *Agnes, Child Martyr at Rome, 304 Wolvey with Burton Hastings, Copston Magna and Withybrook. Readers: Nuneaton St Mary. Clergy: Mark Liddell. Readers: Helen Allred. We pray for Wed 14 David Hopkins, Yvonne Pitt, Ken Sleeman. We give thanks for all those who Thu 22 God's blessing upon the church members and the local community. have taken on extra responsibilities during the interregnum. Please pray for We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC). the whole benefice as it seeks to embrace the eight qualities of Healthy *Vincent of Saragossa, , first Martyr of Spain, 304 Growing Churches, to ensure that the right minister is appointed. Nuneaton, Weddington and Caldecote. Clergy: Kelly Betteridge, Martin Butt. St. Paul's, Stockingford. Clergy: Kate Massey (from end of January), John Law.

Thu 15 Readers: John Hitchcock, Sally Hince, Marie Paterson, Terry Lenton. We thank Fri 23 Reader: Colin Udall. We give thanks for all the hard work and commitment of God for Messy Church, new families, links with schools and community so many members of the congregation especially the churchwardens during partnerships. Please pray for focus on discipleship, small groups, work on our vacancy. Please pray for Kate and her family as they begin life in 8EQ, new opportunities with the housing developments nearby. Stockingford and for the future of all our outreach projects.

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