Calendar of Intercessions Michaelmas – Advent 2017
to this edition of the prayer diary, following the Feast St Michael and All Angels until the first Sunday of Advent. There are now two Rochester cycles of prayer – ‘parishes’ and ‘extra- Welcome parochial’. This is an attempt to be a little more even handed with the additional groups who are prayed for as the year turns, and to include our church schools in our prayers. As usual, it’s a sizable document but designed to be quick and clear to read, and also to leave space for your own notes. Of course, you do not have to print it all out at once, and you’re welcome to reformat it, if you wish (a Word version is available from my blog, see website below). Sunday entries are designed to look at some of the bigger pictures in our Diocese – sometimes geographical (deaneries, archdeaconries, link dioceses) sometimes issues or activities (Vocations Sunday). If there is an aspect of diocesan life that you’d like included on a Sunday, do let me know. These are followed through the week by daily prayers from all over the diocese, and across the Anglican Communion, including the calendar of saints and other worthy people. Finally, there is space in the daily entries for you to note any prayer requests that have been made to you or your parish, or any special interests you want to remember in your prayers. Please contact me with any comments or suggestions – [email protected] or 01634 814439. I will also be pleased to provide large print copies to any who would find that helpful. The calendar is published on the Diocesan website, and also on www.rochesterworship.wordpress.com where you can find the next quarter’s intercessions (hopefully) as this quarter starts to come to an end.
Cover photo: ‘4 seasons’ by SafinaIDA, by permission
Sunday Trinity 16 1 October Exodus 17.1-7
Psalm 78.1-4, 12-16 [or 78.1-7] Philippians 2.1-13 Matthew 21.23-32 (Proper 21)
Newly Ordained
Claire Allwood Christine Allen Simon Archer Jim Bennett Carol Avery Wendy Carr Adele Barker Jef Foulger Gary Best Nicola Harvey Tim Boniface Harriet Johnson Paul Davies Folake Makanjuola Mark Lavender Amanda Maskell Beth Lewis Edward Pritchett Danielle Pearson-Smith Matthew Taylor Sue Taylor Dennis Woodward
Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, by your Holy Spirit you have appointed various orders of ministry in the Church: look with mercy on your servants now called to be deacons and priests; maintain them in truth and renew them in holiness, that by word and good example they may faithfully serve you to the glory of your name and the benefit of your Church.
Rochester Diocese: For the newly ordained in our Diocese and their receiving parishes.
Anglican Communion: Southern Philippines - (Philippines) The Rt Rev Danilo Labacanacruz Bustamante
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 2 October Swanley, St Paul, and Hextable, St Peter
Priest-in-Charge: vacancy Extra Parochial: Southborough CE Primary School, Southborough Headteacher: Mrs Emma Savage
Anglican Communion: Southern Virginia - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Herman Hollerith
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 3 October Wilmington, St Michael and All Angels George Bell, Vicar: The Rev Richard Arding bishop, Extra parochial: ecumenist, For those new in post, meeting today. peacemaker,
1958 Anglican Communion: Southwark - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Christopher Chessun Southwark - Croydon - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Johnathan Clark Southwark - Kingston - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Richard Cheetham Southwark - Woolwich - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Karowei Dorgu
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 4 October Gillingham, Holy Trinity Francis of Assisi, Vicar: The Rev Ann Richardson friar, deacon, Extra Parochial: 1226 For all who tend our churchyards, memorial gardens and church grounds.
Anglican Communion: Southwell & Nottingham - (York, England) The Rt Rev Paul Gavin Williams Southwell & Nottingham - Sherwood - (York, England) The Rt Rev Anthony Porter
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 5 October Gillingham, St Augustine
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Canon Antony Lane Extra Parochial: Sea Cadets The Rev Clive Jones (Fr Clive) and The Rev Nigel Bourne
Anglican Communion: Southwest Florida - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Dabney Smith
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 6 October Gillingham, St Barnabas Wlliam Tyndale, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Ann Richardson translator, Extra Parochial: martyr, 1536 St. Matthew's High Brooms C.E. Primary School, Southborough Headteacher: Mrs Judith Holt
Anglican Communion: Southwestern Virginia - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Mark Allen Bourlakas
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 7 October Gillingham, St Luke
Priest-in-Charge: vacancy Extra Parochial: For our Honorary Assistant Bishops
Anglican Communion: Spokane - (VIII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Gretchen Rehberg Springfield - (V, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Daniel Martins
Prayer Requests:
Sunday Trinity 17 8 October Exodus 20.1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Psalm 19 [or 19.7-end] Philippians 3.4b-14 Matthew 21.33-end (Proper 22)
Tunbridge Wells deanery
Please give thanks for the new Families Worker (Jenny) at St James, Tunbridge Wells and for all the work done with families, children and young people. Pray for Jenny and for the developing pattern of her work, for those who work with her and support her ministry.
Please pray for the (ecumenical) joint service (St Paul's, the URC, All Saints with Speldhurst, Ashurst and Groombridge) on the 22nd of October at St Paul's.
Please give thanks, too, for the ecumenical initiatives in the deanery and the work done across the churches to care for the underprivileged in the area. Please pray for the development of a new Resource Centre for work with the homeless and others, to further support this ministry. We give thanks for the service of those who have supported the Winter Shelter year after year, praying for them, and for those staff who are new this year. Pray for those made vulnerable to the weather as it turns colder, and for all those whose poverty is often hidden by the town’s wealth.
Rochester Diocese: Tunbridge Wells Deanery Area Dean, The Rev Canon Jim Stewart; Lay Chair, Mr Graham Syms
Anglican Communion: St Albans - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Alan Smith St Albans - Bedford - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Richard Atkinson St Albans - Hertford - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Michael Beasley
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 9 October Gillingham, St Mark, and St Mary’s Island Denys, bishop, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Saju Muthalaly and Extra Parochial: companions, For Prisons Week, running this week. martyrs, c.250 Prison Hope co-ordinator: Danielle Fetuga-Joensuu Robert
Grosseteste, Anglican Communion: bishop, St Asaph - (Wales) The Rt Rev Gregory Cameron philosopher, scientist, 1253 Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 10 October Gillingham, St Mary Magdalene Paulinus, Priest-in-Charge: vacancy bishop, Extra parochial: missionary, 644 For Bishop’s Mission Orders (BMO); those in existence and those being Thomas developed Traherne, poet, spiritual writer, Anglican Communion: 1674 St Davids - (Wales) The Rt Rev Joanna Penberthy
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 11 October Rainham, St Margaret Ethelburga, Vicar: vacancy abbess, 675 Extra Parochial: James the Speldhurst CE Primary School, Speldhurst Deacon, Headteacher: Mrs Stephanie Hayward companion of
Paulinus, 7th Anglican Communion: cent. St Edmundsbury & Ipswich - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Martin Seeley St Edmundsbury & Ipswich - Dunwich - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Michael Harrison
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 12 October South Gillingham: Hempstead, All Saints; Wigmore, St Matthew; Wilfred, bishop, Bredhurst, St Peter; and Parkwood, St Paul missionary, 709 Team Rector: The Rev Canon Brian Senior Elizaeth Fry, Extra Parochial: prison reformer, Sisters and brothers in the family of independent Catholic Churches 1845
Edith Cavell, Anglican Communion: nurse, 1915 St Helena - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Richard Fenwick St Mark the Evangelist - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Martin Breytenbach
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 13 October Chalk, St Mary the Virgin Edward the Vicar: The Rev Nigel Bourne Confessor, king, Extra Parochial: 1066 Stone St. Mary's CE Primary School, Headteacher: Mrs Jane Rolfe
Anglican Communion: Sunyani - (Ghana, West Africa) The Rt Rev Festus Yeboah-Asuamah Tamale - (Ghana, West Africa) The Rt Rev Jacob Ayeebo
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 14 October Gravesend, Holy Family, with Ifield, St Margaret
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Richard Martin Extra Parochial: Diocesan Synod, meeting today Philip French, Lay Chair; The Rev Alyson Davie, House of Clergy Chair
Anglican Communion: The Most Rev John Davies Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Swansea & Brecon
Prayer Requests:
Sunday Trinity 18 15 October Exodus 32.1-14
Psalm 106.1-6, 19-23 [or 106.1-6] Philippians 4.1-9 Matthew 22.1-14 (Proper 23)
Beckenham deanery
Please pray for our engagement with the communities we serve: for the work being done exploring the best use of our buildings and other resources; for the ministries of witnesses and healing, giving thanks for the people coming to faith; for the Alpha courses that run in the deanery; for the work with schools, young people, children and infants; for those who care for the dying; for those who minister to and care for the underprivileged, especially at the CAP centre and the food banks.
Please pray for our growth together as communities: for St James Beckenham, St Michael w St Augustine, as they learn to work together; for the many volunteers across the deanery covering vacancies among the officers of the church; giving thanks for all who serve our churches and for those coming forward to help; for Simon, the new vicar at St Paul’s Beckenham; for the work being done to encourage our depth of prayer and service together; for our growing ecumenical links and work together.
Rochester Diocese: Beckenham Deanery Area Dean: Rev Rob Hinton; Lay Chair: Mrs Sarah Poole
Anglican Communion: Swaziland - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Ellinah Ntfombi Wamukoya
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 16 October Gravesend, St Aidan Nicholas Ridley Vicar: vacancy and Hugh Extra Parochial: Latimer, For those representing minority groups in our diocese. bishops, martyrs, 1555 Anglican Communion: Sydney - (New South Wales, Australia) The Most Rev Glenn Davies Sydney - Liverpool - (New South Wales, Australia) The Rt Rev Peter Tasker Sydney - North - (New South Wales, Australia) The Rt Rev Chris Edwards Sydney - South - (New South Wales, Australia) The Rt Rev Robert Forsyth Sydney - West - (New South Wales, Australia) The Rt Rev Ivan Lee Sydney - Wollongong - (New South Wales, Australia) The Rt Rev Al Stewart
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 17 October Gravesend, St George Ignatius, bishop, Rector: The Rev Canon Chris Stone martyr, c.107 Extra parochial: Kings School, Rochester Chaplain: The Rev Stephen Padfield
Anglican Communion: Tabora - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Elias Chakupewa
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 18 October Gravesend, St Mary Luke the Vicar: The Rev Trudi Oliver Evangelist Extra Parochial: St. Nicholas CE Infants School, Strood Headteacher: Mrs Gisele Johnson
Anglican Communion: Taita-Taveta - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Samson Mwaluda Coadjutor Bishop of Taita-Taveta - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Liverson Mng’onda
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 19 October Greenhithe, St Mary Henry Martyn, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Andrew Avery translator, Extra Parochial: missionary, For Deanery Synods 1812
Anglican Communion: Taiwan - (VIII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev David Lai
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 20 October Milton, Christ Church
Vicar: The Rev Sue Brewer Extra Parochial: Sundridge & Brasted CE Primary School, Sundridge Headteacher: Mr Anil Gaind (Acting HT)
Anglican Communion: Tanga - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Maimbo Mndolwa Tarime - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev R Mwita Akiri
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 21 October Milton, St Peter and St Paul
Rector: The Rev Graham Herbert Extra Parochial: St Michael's School, Otford Chaplain: The Rev Diane Rees
Anglican Communion: Tasmania - (Ex-P, Australia) The Rt Rev Richard Condie Assistant Bishop of Tasmania - (Ex-P, Australia) The Rt Rev Christopher Jones Assistant Bishop of Tasmania - (Ex-P, Australia) The Rt Rev Ross Nicholson
Prayer Requests:
Sunday Trinity 19 22 October Exodus 33.12-end
Psalm 99 I Thessalonians 1.1-10 Matthew 22.15-22 (Proper 24)
Bromley deanery
Bromley Deanery is working with an unofficial mission statement of ‘Doing together what we cannot do apart’. Please pray for us as we:
• form strong relationships between our churches
• extend our ambitions beyond what we cannot do as individual parishes
• are generous and share the strengths our parishes with others
Please give thanks for the imagination, initiative and energy that many people bring to the life of the deanery. In a time of change we ask for good communication and mutual understanding.
In particular we ask that we can discern people with ministries and provide the training and support they need. We are beginning to explore Anna Chaplaincy and relating in new ways to people with dementia. There are a lot of fruitful links with schools and these have gone through some change recently with academisation. Please pray that these thrive.
Rochester Diocese: Bromley Deanery The Rev Alan Keeler, Area Dean; Mrs Angela Scott, Lay Chair
Anglican Communion: Temotu - (Melanesia) The Rt Rev Leonard Dawea
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 23 October Northfleet, St Botolph, and Rosherville, St Mark
Team Rector: The Rev Lawrence Smith Extra Parochial: Sutton-at-Hone CE Primary School, Sutton-at-Hone Headteacher: Miss Leah Goulding
Anglican Communion: Terekeka - (Loryko, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Paul Modi
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 24 October Perry Street, All Saints
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Lawrence Smith Extra parochial: For our Brothers and sisters in the Pentecostal family of Churches
Anglican Communion: Texas - (VII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Andrew Doyle Suffragan Bishop of Texas - (VII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Jeff Fisher Suffragan Bishop of Texas - (VII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Dena Harrison West Texas - (VII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev David Reed West Texas - (VII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Jennifer Brooke- Davidson
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 25 October Shorne, St Peter and St Paul Crispin and Vicar: The Rev Ted Hurst Crispinian, Extra Parochial: martyrs, c.287 St. Mary's CE Primary School, Swanley Headteacher: Mrs Amanda McGarrigle
Anglican Communion: The Arctic - (Rupert's Land, Canada) The Rt Rev David Parsons Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of the Arctic - (Rupert's Land, Canada) The Rt Rev Darren McCartney
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 26 October Swanscombe, St Peter and St Paul Alfred, king, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Mark Hurley scholar, 899 Extra Parochial: Cedd, abbot, Tonbridge School bishop, 664 Chaplain: The Rev David Peters
Anglican Communion: The Episcopal Church in South Carolina - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Gladstone Adams
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 27 October Borstal, St Matthew
Vicar: The Rev Anne Bennett Extra Parochial: St Paul’s CE Primary School, Swanley Headteacher: Mr Ben Hulme
Anglican Communion: The Murray - (South Australia, Australia) The Rt Rev John Frank Ford
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 28 October Chatham, St Mary and St John Simon and Jude, Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Carol Morgan Apostles Extra Parochial: The Pilsdon at Malling Community Chaplain: The Rev Viv Ashworth
Anglican Communion: Thika - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Julius Njuguna Wanyoike
Prayer Requests:
Sunday Last After Trinity 29 October Deuteronomy 34.1-12
Psalm 90.1-6, 13-17 [or 90.1-6] I Thessalonians 2.1-8 Matthew 22.34-end (Proper 25)
Cobham deanery
We give thanks to God for all the wonderful events and activities happening across Cobham deanery at this time. We pray for our incumbents, ministry teams, PCC’s and all involved within our Church communities. We therefore pray for the towns and villages in which we serve. Particularly praying for Southfleet during their parish vacancy. For The Rev Canon Ruth Oates as she retires from Parish ministry and the new challenges that lie ahead for her, and for Ash and Ridley as they begin their parish vacancy. Pray for Rev Melanie Jemmett after her recent departure to take up her new position at Holy Redeemer, Lamborbey which begins on the 8th November. We look ahead to Bishop James’ visit to the deanery at the end of November and ask for your prayers. That it will be a fruitful time of learning, teaching and knowing God’s presence amongst us. As well as joining our communities together. And we pray for our Deanery Synod and give thanks for Norma Crowe’s time as Lay Chair which draws to an end soon.
Rochester Diocese: Cobham Deanery The Rev Jim Fletcher, Area Dean; Mrs Norma Crowe, Lay Chair.
Anglican Communion: Thoothukudi - Nazareth - (South India) The Rt Rev Samuel Devasahayam Ebenezer Clement Tirunelveli - (South India) The Rt Rev Jayaraj Christdoss
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 30 October Chatham, St Paul with All Saints
Vicar: The Rev Andrea Ward Extra Parochial: Trottiscliffe CE Primary School, West Malling Head of School: Mrs Lucy Henderson
Anglican Communion: Toamasina - (Indian Ocean) The Rt Rev Jean Paul Solo
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 31 October Chatham, St Philip and St James Martin Luther, Vicar: The Rev Martyn Saunders reformer, 1546 Extra parochial: For our Sisters and Brothers in the Lutheran family of Churches
Anglican Communion: Tohoku - (Japan) The Rt Rev John Hiromichi Kato
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 1 November Chatham, St Stephen All Saints’ Day Vicar: The Rev Barry Linney Extra Parochial: For the Deliverance team
Anglican Communion: Tokyo - (Japan) The Rt Rev Andrew Yoshimichi Ohata
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 2 November Luton, Christ Church Commemoration Vicar: The Rev Gary Colville of the Faithful Extra Parochial: Departed (All For those who mourn and those who care for them. Souls’ Day) For the funeral directors in our diocese.
Anglican Communion: Toliara - (Indian Ocean) The Rt Rev Todd McGregor
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 3 November Princes Park, Christ the King Richard Hooker, Rector: The Rev Derek D’Souza priest, teacher Extra Parochial: of the faith, St. Barnabas CE Primary School, Culverden Down 1600 Martin of Headteacher: Mrs Moira Duncombe Porres, friar,
1639 Anglican Communion: Rutana - (Burundi) The Rt Rev Pontien Ribakare Torit - (Loryko, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Bernard Oringa Balmoi Torit - Kapoeta Area - (Loryko, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Isaac Deu Chon Torit - Magwi Area - (Loryko, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Martin Abuni
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 4 November Rochester, St Justus
Vicar: The Rev Helen Burn Extra Parochial: For the Strategy & Implementation team, launching the new Diocesan Strategy today. Director: Mr Matthew Girt
Anglican Communion: Toronto - (Ontario, Canada) The Most Rev Colin Robert Johnson Suffragan bishop elect of Toronto - Trent Durham - (Ontario, Canada) The Rt Rev Vacant Toronto - Credit Valley - (Ontario, Canada) The Rt Rev Maurice Philip Poole Toronto - York - Scarborough - (Ontario, Canada) The Rt Rev Patrick Tin-Sik Yu Toronto - York - Simcoe - (Ontario, Canada) The Rt Rev Peter Fenty
Prayer Requests:
Sunday 4 Before Advent 5 November Micah 3.5-end
Psalm 43 [or 107.1-8] I Thessalonians 2.9-13 Matthew 24.1-14
Diocesan Strategy Launch
On Saturday 4 November Bishop James launched our new Diocesan vision, Called Together, at Rochester Cathedral.
Called Together sets out our focus for the next five years; we will be Growing Disciples, Enriching our Communities, and Resourcing our Mission and Ministry.
The themes and specific work within our vision came directly from Our Conversation; Our Future, prayerfully seeking God’s will for us. It is a response to the many remarkable things that are happening around us, and the need to shape our mission in a way that demonstrates the coming Kingdom of God. We seek to become more fully the church which we believe God is calling us to be.
Please Pray: That the ‘Called Together’ vision encourages, equips and inspires Christians throughout the Diocese For those entrusted to lead on specific work areas, that they are resourced and supported in this role For Bishop James and our Archdeacons Paul, Simon and Julie, that they continue to seek and give voice to God’s will as we begin this journey together
Rochester Diocese: For the new Diocesan Strategy vision; ‘Called Together’
Anglican Communion: Toungoo - (Myanmar) The Rt Rev Saw Wilme
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 6 November Rochester, St Peter with St Margaret Leonard, hermit, Vicar: The Rev Dr Joel Love 6th cent. Extra Parochial: William Temple, St. James' CE Infant School, Tunbridge Wells archbishop, Headteacher: Mrs Melanie Shackleton teacher of the faith, 1944 Anglican Communion: Trichy-Tanjore - (South India) The Rt Rev Gnanamuthu Paul Vasanthakumar
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 7 November South Chatham, St Alban, St David and St William Willibrord, Team Rector: The Rev Elaine Cramner bishop, 739 Team Vicar: The Rev David Kichenside Extra parochial: 359 Squadron (Bexleyheath) Air Training Corp Chaplain: The Rev Gareth Bowen
Anglican Communion: Trinidad & Tobago - (West Indies) The Rt Rev Claude Berkley
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 8 November Cliffe, St Helen, with Cooling, St James (redundant) Saints and Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Andy Hobbs Martyrs of Extra Parochial England; St. James' CE Junior School, Tunbridge Wells William of Hoo, Headteacher: Mr John Tutt Prior of
Rochester, Anglican Communion: appointed 1239 Peterborough - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Donald Spargo Allister Peterborough - Brixworth - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev John Holbrook Truro - St Germans - (Canterbury, England) The Rev Christopher David Goldsmith
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 9 November Cuxton, St Michael and All Angels, with Halling, St John the Baptist Margery Kempe, Rector: The Rev Roger Knight mystic, c.1440 Extra Parochial: EllenorLions Hospice Chaplain: vacancy
Anglican Communion: Tuam; Killala & Achonry - (Armagh, Ireland) The Rt Rev Patrick William Rooke
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 10 November Frindsbury, All Saints, with Upnor, St Philip and St James, and Leo the Great, Chattenden, Bishop Gundulph bishop, teacher Vicar: The Rev Nicholas Cooper of the faith, Extra Parochial: 461; St. John’s CE Primary School, Tunbridge Wells Justus, Headteacher: Mr Dan Turvey Bishop of
Rochester, c. Anglican Communion: 630 Twik East - (Upper Nile, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Ezekiel Diing
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 11 November Grain, St James, with Stoke, St Peter and St Paul Martin, bishop, Priest-in-Charge: Vacant c.397 Extra Parochial: Brompton Barracks Chaplain: The Rev Iori Price
Anglican Communion: Udi - (Enugu, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Chjioke Augustine Aneke
Prayer Requests:
Sunday 3 Before Advent 12 November Wisdom 6.12-16 or Amos 5.18-24 Remembrance Canticle: Wisdom 6.17-20 or Psalm 70 Sunday I Thessalonians 4.13-end Matthew 25.1-13
Remembrance Sunday
This day is a cause of great contention, year after year, and if we are not careful the day becomes, itself, a thing of strife. So please pray for those who find this day distressing, either because they object to the concept or because they are bereaved or traumatised by war. Pray for peace, that peace which the world cannot give. Pray for those whose lives have been torn apart by war. Pray for the peacemakers, and those who put their lives in danger for the sake of others.
Pray for our military chaplains, that they may hold for soldiers the light of the Prince of Peace.
Rochester Diocese: For military chaplains in this Diocese, and for those seeking to alleviate the needs of those fleeing war. Anglican Communion: Ughelli - (Bendel, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Cyril Odutemu
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 13 November High Halstow, St Margaret, with All Hallows, All Saints, and Hoo St Mary, Charles Simeon, St Mary (redundant) priest, Rector: The Rev Stephen Gwilt evangelical Extra Parochial: divine, 1836 St. Mark’s CE Primary School, Tunbridge Wells Headteacher: Mr Robin Dungate
Anglican Communion: Ukhahlamba - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Mazwi Tisani
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 14 November Higham, St John and St Mary, with Merston Samuel Seabury, Vicar: The Rev Canon James Southward bishop, 1796 Extra parochial: For all our Area Deans
Anglican Communion: Ukwa - (Aba, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Samuel Kelechi Eze Umuahia - (Aba, Nigeria) The Most Rev Ikechi Nwachukwu Nwosu
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 15 November Hoo St Werburgh
Priest-in-Charge: The Rev John Smith Extra Parochial: St. Peter’s CE Primary School, Tunbridge Wells Headteacher: Miss Lynn Goreham
Anglican Communion: Umzimvubu - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Mlibo Ngewu
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 16 November Strood, St Francis Margaret, Vicar: The Rev Sharon Copestake queen, Extra Parochial: philanthropist, Bromley & Sheppard’s Colleges 1093 Chaplain: The Rev Christopher Boulton Edmund Rich, archbishop, Anglican Communion: 1240 Upper Shire - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Brighton Vitta Malasa
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 17 November Strood, St Nicholas, with St Mary (redundant) Hugh, bishop, Vicar: The Rev David Green 1200 Extra Parochial: Wateringbury CE Primary School, Wateringbury Headteacher: Mrs Chasey Crawford-Usher
Anglican Communion: Uruguay - (South America) The Rt Rev Michael Pollesel Suffragan Bishop of Uruguay - (South America) The Rt Rev Gilberto Obdulio Porcal Martínez Paraguay - (South America) The Rt Rev Peter John Henry Bartlett Paraguay - (South America) The Rt Rev Andrés Rodríguez Erben
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 18 November Aylesford, St Peter and St Paul Elizabeth, Vicar: The Rev Jonathan Hall princess, Extra Parochial: philanthropist, For our Brothers and sisters in the Eastern Orthodox family of 1231 Churches
Anglican Communion: Upper South Carolina - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Andrew Waldo Utah - (VIII, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Scott Hayashi
Prayer Requests:
Sunday 2 Before Advent 19 November Zephaniah 1.7, 12-18
Psalm 90.1-8 [9-11]12 [or 90.1-8] I Thessalonians 5.1-11 Matthew 25.14-30
Dartford deanery
Give thanks for the ongoing growth of the church with new people coming forward to make a commitment to Jesus in baptism and confirmation. We pray for those recently baptised and confirmed this summer.
We pray for the work of the Dartford Churches Foodbank now that harvest tide is here, sharing with the poor and hungry; also for the Winter Shelter and those who will seek its services. Give thanks for the commencement of the new church room at Crockenhill and pray that this may be brought to a swift and successful conclusion. We pray for the congregation of St John’s Sutton at Hone as they endeavour to fix/replace their boiler.
We pray for the Revd Emma Young as she takes up ministry in the Darent Valley Benefice in November and for her family as they settle in Kent. We hold before God the parish of Swanley and Hextable and the parishes of Dartford St Alban and Dartford St Edmund (Temple Hill) as they wait for new clergy to join them.
Give thanks for the ordination of Carol Avery to the priesthood and her ministry at Stone and within the deanery.
Rochester Diocese: Dartford Deanery The Rev Kenneth Clark, Area Dean; Mr Jim Tuhey, Lay Chair.
Anglican Communion: Uyo - (Niger Delta, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Prince Asukwo Antai
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 20 November Barming, St Margaret and Longsole Mission Church Edmund, king, Rector: The Rev Wil North martyr, 870 Extra Parochial: Priscilla Lydia St Mary’s Abbey, West Malling Sellon, a Mother Abbess: Mtr Mary David restorer of the religious life in Anglican Communion: the Church of Vanuatu - (Melanesia) The Rt Rev James Ligo England, 1876
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 21 November Birling, All Saints, Addington, St Margaret, Ryarsh, St Martin of Tours,
and Trottiscliffe, St Peter and St Paul Rector: The Rev Linda Shuker Extra parochial: For our Sisters and brothers in the Baptist family of Churches
Anglican Communion: Vellore - (South India) The Rt Rev A Rajavelu
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 22 November Burham, St Mary the Virgin (redundant) and Wouldham, All Saints Cecilia, martyr, Vicar: The Rev Mike Hayes c.230 Extra Parochial: West Kingsdown CE Primary School, West Kingsdown Headteacher: Mrs Sonia Phillips
Anglican Communion: Venezuela - (XI, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Orlando Guerrero
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 23 November Coxheath, Holy Trinity, East Farleigh, Hunton, St Mary Linton, St Clement, bishop, Nicolas, and West Farleigh, All Saints martyr, c.100 Rector: The Rev Peter Callway Extra Parochial: Medway Maritime Hospital Chaplain: The Rev Steve Spencer
Anglican Communion: Vermont - (I, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Thomas Ely
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 24 November Ditton, St Peter ad Vincula
Rector: The Rev Ross Terranova Extra Parochial: West Malling CE Primary School, West Malling Headteacher: Mr Matthew Clark
Anglican Communion: Virgin Islands - (II, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Ambrose Gumbs
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 25 November East Malling, St James the Great, Wateringbury, St John the Baptist, Catherine, and Teston, St Peter and St Paul martyr, 4th cent. Vicar: The Rev Nick Williams Isaac Watts, Extra Parochial: hymn writer, For our lay ministers 1748 Warden of Lay Ministry: Karen Senior
Anglican Communion: Virginia - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Shannon Johnston Suffragan Bishop of Virginia - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Susan Ellyn Goff West Virginia - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Willam Michie Klusmeyer
Prayer Requests:
Sunday Sunday next before Advent 26 November Ezekial 34.11-16, 20-24 Christ the King Psalm 95.1-7 Ephesians 1.15-end Matthew 25.31-end
Bromley & Bexley Archdeaconry
A number of churches continue to engage with the local community in a variety of ways, for example in Penge there is a focus on engaging with those children from single-parent families. At the other end of the spectrum there is a faithful and quiet ministry of a good number of lay men and women visiting homes for the elderly and infirm, which I know is very much appreciated. In this more secular age it is still surprising how many institutions want to make effective use of pastoral care, which the local church can provide. With regards to the student population, which in the Sidcup area has steadily grown over the last decade, the local clergy are exploring providing some sort of chaplaincy to these colleges.
The number of vacant parishes has increased slightly over this last year, but thankfully a good number of talented men and women are applying for these posts. However, mindful of the challenges facing the Diocese, we are looking to be far more robust about where clergy can be placed and whether we have the resources to follow this through.
Rochester Diocese: Bromley and Bexley Archdeaconry The Venerable Dr Paul Wright, Archdeacon
Anglican Communion: Wad Medani - (Sudan) The Rt Rev Saman Farajalla Mahdi
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 27 November Larkfield, Holy Trinity
Vicar: The Rev David Walker Extra Parochial: Churchill CE Primary School, Westerham Headteacher: Mrs Lena Pennacchia
Anglican Communion: Waiapu - (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia) The Rt Rev Andrew Hedge Bishop of Taranaki - (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia) The Most Rev Philip Richardson Bishop of Waikato - (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia) The Rt Rev Helen-Ann Hartley
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 28 November Leybourne, St Peter and St Paul
Rector: The Rev Matthew Buchan Extra parochial: For our Brothers and Sisters in the Presbyterian family of Churches
Anglican Communion: Wangaratta - (Victoria, Australia) The Rt Rev John Parkes
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 29 November Mereworth, St Lawrence, with West Peckham, St Dunstan, Day of Priest-in-Charge: The Rev Pat Dickin Intercession and Extra Parochial: Thanksgiving for The Mission and Community Engagement team the Missionary Diocesan Community Engagement Advisor: Caroline Clark Work of the
Church Anglican Communion: Warri - (Bendel, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Christian Esezi Ideh
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 30 November Snodland, All Saints’, with Lower Birling, Christ Church, and St Andrew the Benedict’s (redundant) Apostle Rector: The Rev Hugh Broadbent Extra Parochial: All Saints CE Primary School, Wouldham Headteacher: Mr Carl Fitter
Anglican Communion: Washington - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Mariann Edgar Budde
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 1 December West Malling, St Mary’s with Offham, St Michael’s Charles de Priest-in-Charge: The Rev David Green Foucauld, Extra Parochial: hermit, 1916 St George's CE Primary School, Wrotham Headteacher: Mr David Jones
Anglican Communion: Wau - (Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Moses Deng Bol
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 2 December Brenchley, All Saints
Vicar: The Rev Campbell Paget Extra Parochial: South East Coast Ambulance Trust Chaplain: The Rev David Jones
Anglican Communion: Wellington - (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia) The Rt Rev Justin Duckworth Assistant Bishop of Wellington - (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia) The Rt Rev Eleanor Sanderson
Prayer Requests:
Advent 1 Sunday
3 December Isaiah 64.1-9
Psalm 80.1-8, 18-20 1 Corinthians 1.3-9 Mark 13.24-37
Erith deanery
Please pray for our curates ordained as Priests: Simon Archer (Christ Church Erith), Paul Davies (Christ Church Bexleyheath), Danielle Pearson-Smith (St John’s Welling) and as Deacon, James Bennett (Slade Green). Please pray for them as they minister among us, and especially for Simon as Christ Church is now in interregnum with Julie Conalty moving on to higher things.
Pray for me as the new Area Dean that I don’t drop anything important. For Fr Paul Prentice as he begins his ministry at St Paulinus Crayford.
Thank God for the increasing cooperation between parishes in the deanery, and for exciting projects like CAP and the Bexley Night Shelter with Christians from across Bexley working together as salt and light.
We face exciting times as the Erith waterfront area has a large forecast growth with new housing – already in Slade Green, and stretching to St John’s Erith.
Rochester Diocese: Erith Deanery The Rev Adam Foot, Area Dean; Mr Richard Percival, Lay Chair.
Anglican Communion: West Buganda - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Henry Katumba-Tamale
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 4 December East Peckham, Holy Trinity, with Nettlestead, St Mary the Virgin. John of Rector: The Rev Anthony Carr Damascus, Extra Parochial: Monk, Teacher St. Peter & St. Paul CE Primary School, Yalding of the Faith, Headteacher: Mrs Sarah Friend c.749
Nicholas Ferrar, Anglican Communion: Deacon, The Most Rev Ng Moon Hing Archbishop of South East Asia & Bishop of West Founder of the Malaysia Little Gidding Assistant Bishop of West Malaysia - (South East Asia) The Rt Rev Charles Community, Samuel 1637 Assistant Bishop of West Malaysia - (South East Asia) The Rt Rev Jayson Selvaraj
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 5 December Hadlow, St Mary, and Golden Green Mission Church
Vicar: The Rev Paul White Extra parochial: Dartford & Gravesham NHS Trust Chaplain: The Rev Martin Kelly
Anglican Communion: Leeds - (York, England) The Rt Rev Nicholas Baines Leeds - (York, England) The Rt Rev Toby Howarth Area Bishop of Huddersfield - (England) The Rt Rev Jonathan Gibbs Area Bishop of Richmond - (York, England) The Rt Rev Paul Slater Area Bishop of Ripon - (York, England) The Rt Rev James Bell Area Bishop of Wakefield - (York, England) The Rt Rev Anthony Robinson
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 6 December Horsmonden, St Margaret Nicholas, Bishop Rector: The Rev Tim ffrench of Myra, c.326 Associate Rector: The Rev Trish ffrench Extra Parochial: Bishop Justus School, Bromley Chaplain: The Rev Juliet Donnelly Headteacher: Mr Simon Murphy
Anglican Communion: Western Izon - (Bendel, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Edafe Emamezi
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 7 December Lamberhurst, St Mary and Matfield, St Luke. Ambrose, Bishop Vicar: The Rev Andrew Axon of Milan, Extra Parochial: Teacher of the For the Diocesan Department of Formation and Ministry Faith, 397 Diocesan Director of Formation and Ministry: The Rev Canon Chris Dench
Anglican Communion: Western Massachusetts - (I, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Douglas Fisher
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 8 December Paddock Wood, St Andrew The Conception Vicar: The Rev Canon Bryan Knapp of the Blessed Extra Parochial: Virgin Mary Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Chaplain: The Rev Rachel Knapp Headteacher: Mr Jon Sparke
Anglican Communion: Western Michigan - (V, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Whayne Hougland
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 9 December Pembury, St Peter and St Peter
Vicar: The Rev Douglas Robertson Extra Parochial: For our Brothers and sisters in the Roman Catholic Church
Anglican Communion: Western Newfoundland - (Canada, Canada) The Rt Rev Percy David Coffin
Prayer Requests:
Sunday Advent 2 10 December Isaiah 40.1-11 Psalm 85.1-2,8-13 2 Peter 3.8-15a Mark 1.1-8
Mpwapwa
For continued grace and wisdom for Archbishop Jacob, as he leads both the Province of Tanzania and Mpwapwa Diocese and pray for the ministry and mission of the church there.
For Rev Canon Captain Agripa Ndatila, Coordinator of our Diocesan Partnership and Principal of St Philip’s Theological College as he visits us from 28 September – 23 October and that all involved will be inspired and encouraged
Thank God for the fruitful friendships and partnerships between our Dioceses, and for the Reception, to be hosted by Bishop James, on Friday 13th October to celebrate the Diocesan partnership and the work of St Philip’s
Praise God that 3 laboratories (Chemistry, Physics and Biology) and a Hostel are being built at Queen Esther’s Secondary School Praise God that partners in Rochester Diocese have so generously enabled repairs to be made to the bore hole pump at St Philip’s and pray for a solution to their long-term water issues
Pray for 2 new wards needed for the patients at St Luke’s Health Centre
Pray for funding to enable Mpwapwa Diocese to repair their vehicles.
Rochester Diocese: Our Link Diocese, Mpwpwa: Bishop, The Most Rev Jacob Chimeledya, Archbishop of Tanzania
Anglican Communion: Western North Carolina - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev José Antonio McLoughlin
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 11 December Tudeley, All Saints, cum Capel, St Thomas à Becket, with Five Oak Green
United Reform Church. Vicar: The Rev Dr Jeremy Ive Extra Parochial: St. Peter's CE Primary School, Aylesford Headteacher: Mrs Nicola Craig
Anglican Communion: Wiawso - (Ghana, West Africa) The Rt Rev Abraham Ackah
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 12 December Yalding, St Mary, and St Peter and St Paul with Collier Street, St
Margaret Vicar: The Rev Paul Kish Extra parochial: Kent Workplace Mission Chaplain: The Rev Gary Colville
Anglican Communion: Willochra - (South Australia, Australia) The Rt Rev John Stead
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 13 December Brasted, St Martin Lucy, Martyr at Rector: The Rev Linda Green Syracuse, 304 Extra Parochial: Samuel Johnson, St Augustine's of Canterbury CE Primary School, Belvedere Moralist, 1784 Headteacher: Mr Mark Alexander-Smale
Ember Day Anglican Communion: Windward Islands - (West Indies) The Rt Rev Calvert Friday
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 14 December Chevening, St Botolph John of the Rector: The Rev Chris Smith Cross, Poet, Extra Parochial: Teacher of the For the Diocesan Department of Education Faith, 1591 Interim Director of Education: Mr John Constanti
Anglican Communion: Wondurba - (Loryko, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Matthew Taban Peter
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 15 December Kippington, St Mary
Vicar: The Rev Canon David Kitley Ember Day Extra Parochial: Trinity CE Secondary School, Belvedere Headteacher: Mr Simon Godden Chaplain: The Rev Alison Healy
Anglican Communion: Worcester - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev John Inge Worcester - Dudley - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Graham Usher Winchester - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Tim Dakin Winchester - Basingstoke - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev David Grant Williams Winchester - Southampton - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Jonathan Frost
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 16 December Knockholt, St Katherine with Halstead, St Margaret
Rector: The Rev Tim Edwards Ember Day Extra Parochial: Maidstone Hospital Chaplain: The Rev Nicola Mitra
Anglican Communion: Wusasa - (Kaduna, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Ali Buba Lamido
Prayer Requests:
Advent 3 Sunday
17 December Isaiah 61.1-4,8-11
Psalm 126 or Canticle: Magnificat 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24 John 1.6-8,19-28
Gillingham deanery
It’s a time of change and new challenges for many in Gillingham Deanery. Please pray for the parishes in Vacancy, St Luke’s, Gillingham, St Margaret’s, Rainham & St Mary Magdalene, Gillingham: for wisdom in discerning God’s will for what comes next and for perseverence in waiting. Please also pray for the plans for this year’s Winter Night Shelter, as we begin recruiting volunteers, finding venues and sourcing funds. Also for our “Reach @ Gillingham Pier” mission to new housing being built in the Deanery and for Terry Whittaker recently licensed as Lay Worker at St Mark’s with a view to heading up this project. We continue to pray for the Chaplaincy team at the Medway campus, headed up by Lynne Martin, and the Chaplaincy team at Medway hospital led by Linda Cooke.
Rochester Diocese: Gillingham Deanery The Rev Ann Richardson, Area Dean; Mrs Linda Bailey, Lay Chair.
Anglican Communion: Wyoming - (VI, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev John Smylie
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday Parish cycle: 18 December Riverhead, St Mary, with Dunton Green, St John the Divine (redundant)
Vicar: The Rev Martin Booth Extra Parochial: Old Bexley CE School, Bexley Headteacher: Mrs Karen Lindridge
Anglican Communion: Yambio - (Minye, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Peter Munde Yacoub
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday Parish cycle: 19 December Seal Chart, St Lawrence, and Underriver, St Margaret Vicar: The Rev Serena Willoughby Extra parochial: Burrswood Christian Hospital and Place of Healing Chaplain: The Rev Carol Morrison
Anglican Communion: The Most Rev Stephen Than Myint Oo Archbishop of Myanmar and Bishop of Yangon Assistant Bishop of Yangon - (Myanmar) The Rt Rev Samuel Htang Oak
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 20 December Seal, St Peter and St Paul Vicar: The Rev Anne Le Bas Extra Parochial: St. George's CE Primary School, Bickley Headteacher: Mrs Geraldine Shackleton
Anglican Communion: Yei - (Loryko, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Hilary Luate Adeba
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 21 December Sevenoaks, St John the Baptist
Vicar: The Rev Robin Jones Extra Parochial: HMP & YOI Rochester Chaplain: The Rev Beatrice Musindi & The Rev Geoffrey Burn
Anglican Communion: Yewa (form. Egbado) - (Lagos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Michael Adebayo Oluwarohunbi
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 22 December Sevenoaks, St Luke
Vicar: vacancy Extra Parochial: Bidborough CE Primary School, Bidborough Headteacher: Ms Julie Burton
Anglican Communion: Yirol - (Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan) The Rt Rev David Akau Yirol - Aluakluak Area - (Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Isaac Nyaryiel Aleth Yirol - Nyang Area - (Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan) The Rt Rev Paul Tokmach Lual
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 23 December Sevenoaks, St Nicholas Rector: The Rev Canon Angus MacLeay Extra Parochial: St Benedicts Centre Centre Manager: Tracey Jones
Anglican Communion: Yokohama - (Japan) The Rt Rev Laurence Yutaka Minabe
Prayer Requests:
Advent 4 Sunday
24 December 2 Samuel 7.1-11,16 Christmas Eve Canticle: Magnificat or Psalm 89.1-4,19-26 Romans 16.25-27 Luke 1.26-38
Christmas Eve
There are those who say Christmas is for children, that the Paschal mysteries are the grown-up’s fare. Christmas is lambs and babies and twinkling stars, they say, while Easter is death and pain and treachery. But birth is as difficult as death, and both bring life.
There are those who say Easter is for grown-ups, that Christmas is only a children’s token feast. Easter is the liberation of our souls, they say, while Christmas is simply a promise fulfilled. But birth is a wonderful as death, and both bring life.
Rochester Diocese: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel will come to thee, O Israel. John Mason Neale (1851)
Anglican Communion: Yola - (Jos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Markus Ibrahm
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Monday For maternity wards, midwives and expectant parents 25 December
Anglican Communion: Christmas Day York - (York, England) The Most Rev & Rt Hon Dr John Sentamu York - Beverley - (York, England) The Rt Rev Glyn Webster York - Hull - (York, England) The Rt Rev Alison White York - Selby - (York, England) The Rt Rev John Bromilow Thomson York - Whitby - (York, England) The Rt Rev Paul John Ferguson
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Tuesday For deacons, and those who feed the poor and visit the sick 26 December
Stephen, Anglican Communion: Deacon, First Ysabel - (Melanesia) The Rev Ellison Quity Martyr
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Wednesday Parish cycle: 27 December Sundridge, St Mary’s, with Ide Hill, St Mary’s, and Toys Hill John, Apostle Rector: The Rev Pam Davies and Evangelist Extra Parochial: Pilgrim CE Primary School, Borstal Headteacher: Mrs Jan Taylor
Anglican Communion: Yukon - (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada) The Rt Rev Larry David Robertson
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Thursday Parish cycle: 28 December Weald, St George’s The Holy Vicar: The Rev Mandy Carr Innocents Extra Parochial: Bredhurst CE Primary School, Bredhurst Headteacher: Mrs Michelle Cox
Anglican Communion: Zaki-Biam - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Benjamin Vager
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Friday Parish cycle: 29 December Westerham, St Mary the Virgin Thomas Becket, Vicar: The Rev Kevin Barnard Archbishop of Extra Parochial: Canterbury, Brenchley and Matfield CE Primary School, Brenchley Martyr, 1170 Executive Headteacher: Mrs Rachel Green
Anglican Communion: Zanzibar - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Michael Hafidh
Prayer Requests:
Rochester Diocese: Saturday Parish cycle: 30 December Borough Green, Church of the Good Shepherd Vicar: The Rev Chris Turner Extra Parochial: Parish CE Primary School, Bromley Headteacher: Mrs Rachel Coleman
Anglican Communion: Zaria - (Kaduna, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Cornelius Salifu Bello Zonkwa - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Jacob Kwashi
Prayer Requests: