Diocese of Chelmsford NOTES: Where parochial links are known to exist the names of overseas workers are placed immediately after the appropriate parish. Further information concerning overseas Cycle of Prayer dioceses, including the names of bishops, is contained in the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, for daily use in available on their website http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acp/main.cfm To contact the Diocese of Chelmsford about the Cycle of Prayer in The Month or online, February and March 2017 Now on Twitter @chelmsdio please email internal/[email protected] ABBREVIATIONS: Prayer is the sum of our relationship with God. We are what we pray. (Carlo Carretto) A Assistant Clergy; AAD Assistant Area Dean; AC Associate Priest/Minister; AD Area Dean; AM Assistant Minister, AR Associate Rector; AV Associate Vicar; AYO Area Youth Officer, Brigid, Abbess of Kildare, c.525 Wed 1 BMO Bishop’s Mission Order; BP Bishop; CA Church Army; CIC Curate in Charge; CHP The Deanery of Epping Forest & Ongar continued… Chaplain; EVN Evangelist; HT Head Teacher; LLM Licensed Lay Minister; MCD Minister of Fyfield (St Nicholas), Moreton (St Mary Vn) w Bobbingworth Conventional District; MIC Minister in Charge; PEV Provincial Episcopal Visitor; PIC Priest in (St Germain) & Willingale (St Christopher) w Shellow and Berners Charge; PP Public Preacher; R Rector; RD Rural Dean; Rdes Rector designate; RDR Reader; PTO Permission to Officiate; RES Residentiary Canon; Sr Sister, TM Team Ministry; TR Roding Team Rector; TV Team Vicar; V Vicar; Vdes Vicar designate; WDN Warden. Clergy: Christine Hawkins (PIC), Sam Brazier‐Gibbs (OPM). Reader: Pam Watson Hon. Editor: Mrs Jenny Robinson, 71 Powers Hall End, Witham, Essex CM8 1NH, 01376 Dr Walker’s CE Primary School: Wendy Myers (HT) 516727 (e‐mail: [email protected]), who would be glad to receive comments Moreton CE Primary School: Karen Wallace (HT) and corrections and also any items for prayer and praise to be considered for inclusion The Diocese of Litoral Ecuador from the parishes. (Province XI, The Episcopal Church)

Thu 2 The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas) Greensted juxta Ongar (St Andrew) w Stanford Rivers (St Margaret) and Stapleford Tawney (St Mary Vn) w Theydon Mount (St Michael) Clergy: Vacancy (PIC). Licensed Lay Minister: Martyn Lockwood. The Diocese of Liverpool (York, England)

Fri 3 Anskar, Archbishop of Hamburg, Missionary, 865 High Laver (All Saints) w Magdalen Laver (St Mary Magdalene) w Little Laver (St Mary Vn) and Matching (St Mary Vn) w Matching Green (St Edmund) Clergy: Gill Anderson (PIC). Matching Green CE Primary School: Amy Wareham (HT) The Most Revd Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of and ), and the Diocese of Llandaff

12 1 Gilbert of Sempringham, Founder of the Gilbertine Order, 1189 THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (MOTHERING SUNDAY) Sat 4 Sun 26 Gilbert of Sempringham, in the calendar today, was what we would call a Pray for mothers everywhere, give thanks for their love and devotion, “pioneer minister”. He lived 800 years ago and felt that the church in and pray, too, for the work of the MU and WI. England needed some fresh expressions – so being a practical person, he started one. At a time when even in parish churches there was strict The Diocese of Mexico (Mexico) segregation by gender, Gilbert founded a monastic community in Lincolnshire for both men and women. He was the only Englishman in Mon 27 East Ham (St Paul) history until the 19th century to found a religious order, and his “new Clergy: Merrin Playle (V), Elis Matthews (A). monastic” community thrived, founding over 20 missions. Reader: Philip Burgess. The Dioceses of Milwaukee (Province V, The Episcopal Church) The Diocese of Lokoja (Lokoja, Nigeria) and Minnesota (Province VI, The Episcopal Church)

THE FOURTH SUNDAY BEFORE LENT Sun 5 Tue 28 Forest Gate (All Saints & St Edmund) National Marriage week begins on Tuesday: Lord of life and love, we Clergy: Jeremy Fraser (PIC), David Hoyte (A), Marionette Macauley (A) pray for all who are preparing for marriage; for those who are already married and for those who find their marriages difficult. Be with them The Diocese of Minna (Lokoja, Nigeria) all; in their joy and sadness, their hope and their expectations, and above all, help them to understand that you hold them in love each moment of Wed 29 Forest Gate (Emmanuel w St Peter Upton Cross) their lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Clergy: Chigor Chike (V), Barnabas Matloob (CP). The Diocese of Lomega (Loryko, Sudan), The Rt Revd Paul Yugusuk The Diocese of Mishamikoweesh (Rupert’s Land, Canada)

Forest Gate (St Mark) Mon 6 The Martyrs of Japan, 1597 Thu 30 Accession of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952 Clergy: Peter Stow (V). High Ongar (St Mary) w Norton Mandeville (All Saints) Forest Gate (St Saviour and St James) Clergy: Malcolm Peters (PIC), Graham Fairbairn (AC). Clergy: Cornelius Henry (R) The Diocese of London (Canterbury, England) The Missionary District of Oeste‐Brasil (Brazil) and the Diocese of Pelotas (Brazil) Tue 7 North Weald (St Andrew) Clergy: James Rodley (PIC) Fri 31 John Donne, Priest, Poet, 1631 St Andrew’s CE Primary School: Julie Lorkins (HT) Little Ilford (St Barnabas) The Dioceses of Long Island (Province II, The Episcopal Church) Clergy: James Ramsay (V). and Los Angeles (Province VIII, The Episcopal Church) Manor Park [Little Ilford] (St Michael and All Angels, St Mary the Virgin) Clergy: Brian Lewis (R), Patrick Morrow (AC). Wed 8 The retired clergy, Readers, and lay ministers who live and work The Diocese of Mississippi (Province IV, The Episcopal Church) in the Deanery of Epping Forest and Ongar. The Dioceses of Louisiana (Province IV, The Episcopal Church) and Western Louisiana (Province VII, The Episcopal Church)

Thu 9 The Deanery of Harlow Area Dean: Martin Harris. Lay Chair: John Winterbotham. Assistant Area Dean: Brian Surtees. Chaplain: Christian Okeke (Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust) The Diocese of Luapula (Central Africa)

2 11 EMBER DAY Wed 22 The Deanery of Newham Fri 10 Area Dean: Jeremy Fraser. Lay Chair: Shirley Biro. Assistant Area Deans: Great Hallingbury (St Giles) & Little Hallingbury (St Mary Vn) Dave Chesney, Cornelius Henry, Merrin Playle. Clergy: Janice Green (PIC). Licensed Lay Minister: Caroline Harding. Chaplains: Christopher Oladuji, Tristan Alexander‐Watts (Barts Little Hallingbury CE Primary School: Sonia Strickland (HT) Healthcare NHS Trust), Stephen Chandler (East London NHS Foundation The Diocese of Lucknow (North India) Trust); Vacancy (University of East London); Vacancy (London City Airport) Sat 11 EMBER DAY The Diocese of Mbhashe (Southern Africa) Mark 8: 1‐10: today’s Gospel is the feeding of the 4,000. Mark has already recounted the feeding of the 5,000 in Chapter 6. It is a hugely important miracle – and the only one found in all four Gospels. The Thu 23 Plaistow and North Canning Town The Divine Compassion Team Ministry: (St Philip & St James) (St Martin) (St Mary) (St Matthias) evangelists want us to know about the character of the God we meet in Clergy: Vacancy (TR), Christopher Oladuji (AC), Faith Wakeling (AC) Jesus: he is a God who feeds hungry people in desert places; he is a God of compassion and love; above all he is a God of extraordinary The work of St Andrew’s Centre, Mansfield House and The House of the abundance whose grace is like having seven baskets full of crumbs left Divine Compassion over. The Diocese of Medak (South India) The Diocese of Lui (Central, Sudan)

Walter Hilton of Thurgarton, Augustinian Canon, Mystic, 1396 Fri 24 Sun 12 THE THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT Oscar Romero, Archbishop of San Salvador, Martyr, 1980 Racial Justice Sunday: Today is an opportunity to reflect on the East Ham Holy Trinity Team Ministry (St Mary, St Bartholomew, St importance of racial justice, to give thanks for human diversity, and Alban Upton Park, St Edmund) pray for an end to misunderstanding, racism and injustice, Pray too for Clergy: Susan Lucas (TR), Quintin Peppiatt (TV), Ann Easter (AC). the work of the Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns Group East Ham (St George and St Ethelbert) The Diocese of Lusaka (Central Africa), The Rt Revd David Njovu Clergy: David Haokip (V), Gabriel Anan (AC) The Most Revd Dr Philip Leslie Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne Mon 13 Harlow (St Mary & St Hugh w St John the Baptist) & Primate of Australia, and the Diocese of Melbourne (Victoria, Clergy: Dave Welch (V) Australia) Harlow Churchgate CE Primary School: Jonathan Tye (HT) David and Marlene Fry – Austria Sat 25 THE ANNUNCIATION OF OUR LORD TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY The Diocese of Luwero (Uganda) Today is a very special day – the visit of the angel to Mary, and the first “date” to make it into the Christian calendar. The early Christians chose Tue 14 Cyril & Methodius, Missionaries to the Slavs, 869 and 885 this date for very special reasons: 25 March is our calendar’s version of Valentine, Martyr at Rome, c.269 the date for the Jewish Passover, the celebration of release from Harlow (St Mary Magdalene) captivity in Egypt to freedom in the promised land – therefore also the Clergy: James Rodley (PIC), Garry Neave (AC). day Jesus died. So when Christians began to reflect on the birth of Jesus William and Sarah Babumba, Geneva they chose the same date, this day of new beginnings, for his Paul Williams , Mongolia conception. Which is why we celebrate on 25 December – because of the date of Easter! The Diocese of Lweru (Tanzania)

Our Link Diocese of Meru (Kenya), Wed 15 Sigfrid, Bishop, Apostle of Sweden, 1045 The Rt Revd Charles Mwendwa (Bishop) Thomas Bray, Priest, Founder of SPCK and SPG , 1730 Harlow Town Centre (St Paul w St Mary), Little Parndon TM Clergy: Martin Harris (AD, TR), Vacancy (TV), Brian Surtees (AC), Barbara Aylett (A), Dominic Turner (A). Reader: Peter Smith The Diocese of Machakos (Kenya) 10 3 Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Patron of Ireland, c. 460 Great Parndon (St Mary) Fri 17 Thu 16 Romford (St Alban) Clergy: Sharon Guest (AC). Clergy: Roderick Hingley (V) St James’ CE Primary School: Gina Bailey (HT) The Diocese of Madhya Kerala (South India) Romford (St Augustine of Canterbury) Clergy: Martin Howse (V) Fri 17 Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, Martyr, 1977 The Diocese of Meath & Kildare (Dublin, Ireland) Tye Green (St Stephen) w Netteswell (St Andrew) Clergy: Ernie Guest (PIC), Christian Okeke (AC), Richard Attew (A). Sat 18 Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, Teacher of the Faith, 386 William Martin CE Infant & Nursery School: Janet Matthews (HT) Cyril was a Palestinian church leader in the 4th century. He was a great William Martin CE Junior School: Janet Matthews (HT) theologian and his teaching course for new Christians is still read today. The Diocese of Madurai‐Ramnad (Southern India) He also encouraged Christians to live all the time in expectation of Christ’s second coming. But perhaps the most interesting thing about his life – and the thing that makes him really worth celebrating – is that he Sat 18 Today’s reading is Mark’s account of the Transfiguration of Jesus (Mark 9: 2‐13). We will be reading Matthew’s account a week on Sunday, just was deposed as bishop because he had sold church property in order to before Lent begins. And that is the point: Jesus is transfigured and seen help the poor and feed the starving. As a Christian, that’s something in glory by his three closest disciples as a sign and a promise. He has worth being sacked for. begun to tell his disciples that following him means giving up The Diocese of Mbaise (Nigeria) everything, and that he himself faces suffering and death. But here, bang in the middle of the Gospel, he discloses divine glory, a promise. Sun 19 THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT They do not understand, of course, and we find it hard to grasp, but it Please pray for those from our Diocese who represent us on both the points forward to the glory of Christ’s atoning sacrifice for the sins of Diocesan Synod and the General Synod, and give thanks for their the whole world (1 Jn 2.2). dedication and hard work on our behalf. The Diocese of Madi & West Nile (Uganda) The Diocese of Mbale (Uganda)

Sun 19 THE SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT Mon 20 JOSEPH OF NAZARETH Please pray for the Workplace Chaplaincy (formerly Essex Churches Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne Missionary, 687 Council for Industry and Commerce), its Principal Officer, the Ven. Romford (St Andrew) Martin Webster, and its Chaplains. Clergy: Lara Dose (R) (also Romford Town Centre Chaplain) The Diocese of Mahajanga (Indian Ocean) Romford(St Edward the Confessor) Clergy: Mike Power (V), Roger Clarke (A). Mon 20 Latton (St Mary) St Edward’s CE School & VI Form College: Andrew Kilpatrick (HT) Clergy: Lynn Hurry (V), Trevor Sharp (A) St Edward’s CE Primary School: Andrew Kilpatrick (HT) The Dioceses of Maiduguri (Jos, Nigeria) and The Diocese of Mbamili (Niger, Nigeria) Makurdi (Abuja, Nigeria)

Tue 21 Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, Reformation Martyr, 1556 Tue 21 Hatfield Broad Oak (St Mary Vn) w Bush End (St John the Evangelist) The Deeper Network (BMO) Clergy: Naomi Wormell (V). Clergy: Andy Poultney (Minister in Charge) St Mary’s CE Primary School: Sonia Strickland (HT) Upminster (St Laurence) The Diocese of Maine (Province I, The Episcopal Church) Clergy: Susannah Brasier (R) The retired clergy, Readers and lay ministers who live and work in the Deanery of Havering Our Link Diocese of Mbeere (Kenya), The Rt Revd Moses Masamba Nthukah, Bishop

4 9 The Sermon on the Mount is the first part of Jesus’ training for Sat 11 Wed 22 Hatfield Heath (Holy Trinity) w Sheering (St Mary Vn)) disciples. In today’s passage (Matthew 5.43‐end) he is giving them (and Clergy: Dawn Jewson (PIC) therefore us) the simplest and most challenging of teachings: “Love Sheering CE Primary School: Lorna Brittaine (HT) your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may Staple Tye (St James) be children of your Father in heaven”. Like the rest of Jesus’ teaching, Clergy: Vacancy (V) these are not optional extras but essential parts of what it means to follow Jesus – and something our world really needs from us today. The Most Revd Martin Nyaboho, Archbishop of Burundi and Bishop of Makamba, and the Diocese of Makamba The Diocese of Masindi‐Kitara (Uganda)

Thu 23 Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna, Martyr, c 155 Sun 12 THE SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT Nazeing (All Saints w St Giles) Thank God for the diocesan links with other parts of the world. Pray for Clergy: Helen Gheorghiu Gould (PIC) understanding and love between all people of faith. Royden (St Peter) The Dioceses of Maseno South and Maseno West (Kenya) Clergy: Vacancy (PIC)

The Diocese of Makueni (Kenya) Mon 13 Rainham (St Helen & St Giles) w Wennington (St Mary & St Peter) Clergy: Henry Pradella (V), David Stainer (AC), Kingsley Akwasi‐Yeboah (A) Fri 24 Church Langley Clergy: Ann Kosla (V), Charlie Kosla (AC). The Diocese of Massachusetts (Province I, The Episcopal Licensed Lay Minister: Lis Scott Church) The Diocese of Malaita (Melanesia)

Tue 14 South Hornchurch (St John & St Matthew) Clergy: Vacancy (V) Sat 25 Today’s Gospel (Mark 10: 13‐16) gives us a remarkable picture of the welcome Jesus offers to all. People are bringing children to Jesus, but Collier Row (The Ascension) the disciples rebuke them and seek to stop them. They are doing Clergy: Bernadette Hull (PIC), Suzanne Mayes (AC) exactly what they think is right, protecting the dignity of their teacher. The Diocese of Masvingo (Central Africa) Jesus is furious and uses very strong language to the disciples, even saying “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child Wed 15 Collier Row (The Good Shepherd) will never enter it.” It is a good text for us to think about – who do we Clergy: David Hague (AD, V), Keith Turner (AC), Dave Scott (A) exclude from our fellowship because we are trying to protect Jesus, Licensed Lay Ministers: Kerry Shipley, Marcus Giddy (LPM) rather than seeking to share his gifts? Readers: Hosten Garraway, Rob Williams. The Diocese of Malakal (Upper Nile, Sudan) Janet Dolder de Mena ‐ Chile Guy and Sally Hall and their children Joshua and Anna ‐ Senegal Sun 26 THE SUNDAY NEXT BEFORE LENT The Diocese of Matabeleland (Central Africa) Church Action on Poverty Sunday Please pray for people who experience poverty and those who make Thu 16 Collier Row (St James) w Havering‐atte‐ Bower (St John) decisions that affect the lives of those in our poorest communities. Clergy: David Anderton (V), Simon Lewis (A). Lord Jesus Christ, you became poor so that we might receive the riches Dame Tipping School: Kathryn Waters (HT) of eternal life. Kindle in our hearts a flame of love for our neighbour The Diocese of Matlosane [formerly Klerksdorp] (Southern Africa) that will give light to our whole community. The Diocese of Malek (Upper Nile, Sudan)

8 5 George Herbert, Priest, Poet, 1633 HE IRST UNDAY OF ENT Mon 27 Sun 5 T F S L Fairtrade Fortnight begins Please pray for the success of the Bishop’s Lent Appeal this year, that The retired clergy, Readers and lay ministers who live and work people may be moved to give generously. in the Deanery of Harlow. The Diocese of Marathwada (North India) The Diocese of Malindi (Kenya) Mon 6 Harold Hill (St George) and Noak Hill (St Thomas) Tue 28 The Deanery of Havering Clergy: Shaun Moore (V), Christopher Cozier (A). Reader: Kim Dunk Area Dean: David Hague. Lay Chair: Lynne Bennett Harold Hill (St Paul) and Noak Hill (St Thomas) Assistant Area Deans: David Banting, Shaun Moore Clergy: Russell Moul (V). Chaplains: Tim Coleman, Philip Wright (Barking, Havering & Redbridge The Diocese of Maridi (Minye, Sudan) Hospitals NHS Trust); Lara Dose (Romford Town Centre)

The Diocese of Manchester (York, England) Tue 7 Perpetua, Felicity and their Companions, Martyrs at Carthage, 203 Harold Wood (St Peter) ARCH M Clergy: David Banting (V), Robert Hudson (AC), Jonnie Deja (A) Ash Wednesday Reader: Chris Knowles. David, Bishop of Menevia, Patron of Wales, c.601 Wed 1 Our Link Diocese of Marsabit (Kenya), Cranham (All Saints) Rt Revd Robert Martin, Bishop. Clergy: Vacancy (PIC), Marion Williams (A) (also CHP St Clare Hospice)

The Diocese of Mandalay (Myanmar) Wed 8 Edward King, Bishop of Lincoln, 1910 Felix, Bishop, Apostle to the East Angles, 647 Thu 2 Chad, Bishop of Lichfield, Missionary, 672 Geoffrey Studdert Kennedy, Priest, Poet, 1929 Cranham Park (St Luke) Hornchurch (St Andrew) Clergy: Michael Vickers (V), Kevin Browning (AC), Jenny Heinink (A), Clergy: Barry Hobson (V), Sonia Groombridge (AC), Ken Wylie (A) Philip Wright (A). Reader: Carole Sherratt The Diocese of Manicaland, (Central Africa) The Diocese of Maryland (Province III, The Episcopal Church)

Today is Women’s World Day of Prayer Fri 3 Thu 9 Hornchurch (Holy Cross) Gidea Park (St Michael) Clergy: David Pearson (PIC) Clergy: Philip Weston (V). Hornchurch (St Nicholas) [Elm Park] The Most Revd William Brown Turei, Pihopa o Aotearora, Clergy: Amanda Keighley (V), Tom Keighley (AC). Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia The Diocese of Masasi (Tanzania)

Lent proper begins tomorrow – different calculations of the 40 days Fri 10 Squirrels Heath (All Saints) [Ardleigh Green] Sat 4 mean a few days were added on at the beginning in the western Clergy: Chris Wragg (V) tradition (therefore Ash Wednesday), and different again in the North Ockenden (St Mary Magdalene) eastern tradition, where Lent begins on “Clean Monday”. The heart of Clergy: Michael Sparrow (PIC) this season is really clear: the disciplines of prayer, fasting and The Diocese of Maseno North (Kenya) almsgiving. Of course these are things Christians are called to do as part and parcel of being a follower of Jesus, but Lent is an invitation to renew our practice. The Diocese of Mara (Tanzania)

6 7