Focus on Rugby Deanery Prayer Diary Someone once said to me that understanding a Parish is a bit like trying May 2019 to land a big slippery fish. Just when you think you have got your hands on it, it slips through your fingers and runs off in a different direction! God’s enfolding love for us

25 years ago this month, I had the enormous privilege and joy of I sometimes find that with the Deanery being ordained priest after 7 years of being a deacon. I was then too! Even though I have been Area Dean delighted to be able to preside at a service of Holy Communion for for nearly 2 ½ years, things keep popping the first time on Sunday 8 May 1994, the day on which we up and surprising me. I am still discovering commemorate St. Julian of Norwich, a woman whose most all the things I don’t know! That said, as famous words were ‘All shall be well, all shall be well and all time goes on I become more aware of all the great things that are going on in the manner of things shall be well.’ Deanery, and of course of the difficulties and struggles that some parishes are facing. But the good news is that we have a plan. In fact, we have had a plan for well over a The last century has seen the reemergence of the writings of year now and we would have told you all about it in the Prayer Diary last year but for several women mystics and Julian’s book ‘The Revelations of Divine Love’ is thought the fact that Rugby Deanery had to give away its slot because of a special visitor to have been the first book written by a woman which has survived. She lived in a being in the Diocese this time last year. cell in Norwich in the 14th and early 15th centuries and, on 8 May 1373, received a series of visions. She saw Jesus bleeding in front of her and, through that, received Actually, Rugby was the first Deanery to formulate a plan to help it meet some of the deeper insight into his sufferings and his love for us. challenges that it faces so that its churches can look to the future together and find ways of supporting one another and working more closely together. It’s not until you Julian lived a life of devoted prayer, offering spiritual counsel to many who probably start an undertaking like this that you begin to see just how much the churches of at the time were beset by poverty, but the message in her writings is one of hope our Deanery are doing in sharing the love of Christ with others and the huge number and trust in a God whose compassionate love is always there for us. She speaks of of church folk that are involved in ensuring that the ministry and outreach of the God enfolding us in love. church reaches out ever wider into our communities. In the other articles that focus on Rugby Deanery this month are just two examples of the ways in which we are In a very turbulent world with so much uncertainty, there is, more than ever, a need doing this; one from a rural context and one from an urban one. Please pray for for Christians to be prayerful, still and attentive, renewing our faith and trust in the these and the many other creative things that our churches are doing, that you’ll God who loves us more than we can ever imagine and who showed us that most read about each day. perfectly in the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is the hope that we can bring to others in what we say and in the way in which we live our lives.

‘May God's love wrap and enfold you, embrace and guide you, and bring you Tim Cockell comfort.’ (Julian of Norwich) Sue Field Area Dean of Rugby Archdeacon Pastor

Page 1 Page 2 The Revel Primary School, Rugby. Headteacher: Mr A Edwards. We pray for Cycle of Prayer - May 2019 Wed 8 God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school community. With a focus on parishes and schools in Rugby Deanery We pray for the Investment Sub-Committee which meets today.

*Julian of Norwich, Spiritual Writer, c.1417 Rugby St Peter and St John. Clergy: Sheila Bridge. We thank God for the Rugby St Andrew. Clergy: Imogen Nay, Barry Collins, Peter Privett, Pam Gould,

Wed 1 completion of Phase 1 of Project Welcome, also for the steady faithfulness of Thu 9 Graham Hardwick. Readers: Sue Goddard. We thank God for the growth of Philip and the congregation in spite of the sudden challenge of having no heating. We our community and for the new Junior Choristers. Please pray for St Andrew's James, would like prayer for sufficient funds to replace our boiler and for our Gardens ('A Space for Everyone' project) and for members of our Apostles midweek community groups to recover attendance. congregation who are getting older and moving into care homes. m2o Rugby. Clergy: Interregnum. Readers: Mervyn Hill, David Long, Mairi Today is World Lupus Day. Lupus is a global health problem that affects

Thu 2 Mowbray. We thank God for those who have taken on new responsibilities Fri 10 people of all nationalities, races, ethnicities, genders and ages. However many during our vacancy and for many encouragements we have seen. Please pray people have not heard of lupus and do not know its symptoms and the impact for the right person to become our vicar. it can have on the lives of sufferers. We pray that today will help raise *Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, Teacher of the Faith, 373 awareness of lupus. St Oswald's CofE Academy, Rugby. Headteacher: Hillary Lorimer. We pray for Newbold-on-Avon with . Clergy: Clergy: Paul Wilkinson, Diane

Fri 3 God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school Sat 11 Bussey. Clergy with PTO: Peter Beresford, Sara Bowie. Reader: Jonathan community. Broom. We thank God for the development of the Churchyard Cafe in Long Today we pray for Bishop John who will be preaching at the Founders and Lawford Church. Please pray that we may be ever more visionary in Benefactors' Service of King's High School for Girls at St Mary's, Warwick. embracing God's future for us. Wolston St Margaret's Primary School. Headteacher: Julia McLeod. We pray Hillmorton. Clergy: Steve Gold, Margaret Simmons. Reader: Paul Thomas. We

Sat 4 for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school. Sun 12 pray for God's blessing upon the church members and the local community. This month Bishop Christopher will be focusing on the work of the Living in Today Bishop John will be leading the confirmation service at St Peter's, Fourth Sunday Love & Faith Project. We pray for wisdom for the Bishop as he works on this. Alveston. We pray for the candidates being confirmed. We pray that their *English Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era of Easter faith will be broadened as they go out in the Spirit. Bilton. Clergy: Tim Cockell, Jonathan Smith. Reader: Glenn Lowde. We pray for Baginton, Bubbenhall and Ryton-on Dunsmore. Clergy: David Wintle. Reader:

Sun 5 God's blessing on this parish. We thank God for our Messy Church and our Mon 13 Rosemary King. We pray for God's blessing upon the church members and the Pilgrim home groups. Please pray for the appointment of a new Associate local community. Third Sunday of Minister who will focus on families & 20-30s and for a suitable house to be We pray for all those taking SATs (Standard Assessment Tests) in primary Easter found for them. Also pray for our desire to work more closely with schools. schools across the diocese this week. Dunchurch with Thurlaston. Clergy: Pat Townshend. We give thanks for the

Mon 6 Harris CofE Academy, Rugby. Headteacher: Michael Stoppard. We pray for Tue 14 links we have had with Pets As Therapy, Forage Aid, the Royal British Legion, God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school Eco Church, Dunchurch Band & Festival, Rugby Food Bank and the St Matthias the community. Petersburg Choir over recent months. We pray that these links continue. Apostle We pray for the Bishop's Council which meets today. Leam Valley Benefice. Clergy: Anne Hinks, Barbara Clutton. Readers: Alec Clifton-Upon-Dunsmore Primary School. Head of School: Lisa Bernard. We Tue 7 Parker, Karen Hatch. We thank God for our churchwardens and for all the new Wed 15 pray for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school services that are being developed across the churches. We ask for your community. prayers that we may respond well to the call to become healthier churches We pray for the Diocesan Board of Education which meets today. over the coming year by setting goals so our love will increase day by day. Page 3 Page 4 We thank God for all the headteachers who lead Church of schools Thu 16 The Revel Group. Clergy: Jonathan Fox. Readers: Charon Hall, George Lee. We Fri 24 across the diocese. We pray for the Headteacher Wellbeing Group who meet pray for God's blessing upon the church members and the local community. today. *Caroline Chisholm, Social Reformer, 1877 *John and Charles Wesley, Evangelists, Hymn Writers, 1791 and 1788

Clifton-on-Dunsmore, Newton and Brownsover. Clergy: Malcolm Garratt Provost Williams Primary School, Ryton-on-Dunsmore. Headteacher: Claire

Fri 17 (retired). Readers: Cath Hammond (PTO). We thank God for the ministry of Sat 25 Hall. We pray for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in Tim and pray for many blessings in his new role. Please pray for peace, this school community. stability, and hope; the reconciliation process at Christ Church and the on *The Venerable Bede, Monk at Jarrow, Scholar, Historian, 735 going interregnum in the benefice. *Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, 709 May the blessing of God be upon our farms and on all the cereal crops of our Knightlow Primary School. Headteacher: Jill Vavasour. We pray for God's

Sat 18 countryside. May they receive rain to swell the grain and sun to ripen it. We Sun 26 blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school community. pray that the harvest be safely gathered in and stored, and may we see *Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury, 605 Sixth Sunday of ourselves as harvesters for eternal life - "For look! The fields are already ripe *John Calvin, Reformer, 1564 for harvest". Amen. Easter *Philip Neri, Founder of the Oratorians, Spiritual Guide, 1595 Wolston and Church Lawford. Clergy: Kevin Flanagan, Paul Simmonds. Dunchurch Boughton Junior School. Headteacher: Ian Dewes. We pray for Sun 19 Mon 27 Readers: Isobel Wickens, Jayne Flanagan, David Gadsby. We give thanks for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school the permission received and funding raised to enable the long term refit of St community. Fifth Sunday of Margaret's. Please pray for next year as that will involve moving out of church *Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, Restorer of Monastic Life, 988 Easter to our local community centre.

St Matthew's Bloxam Primary School, Rugby. Headteacher: Anita Timson. We Mon 20 Bilton Junior School. Headteacher: Alex Norton. We pray for God's blessing on Tue 28 pray for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school community. community. *Alcuin of York, Deacon, Abbot of Tours, 804 *Lanfranc, Prior of Le Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury, Scholar, 1089

Leamington Hastings CofE Academy. Headteacher: Suzanne Marson. We pray Rugby St George. Clergy: Hilary Iredale. Readers: Carol Davies, Mike Iredale.

Tue 21 for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school Wed 29 We thank God for the many people who play an active part in St. George's community. mission and ministry. Please pray for us as we enter an interregnum in June - We pray for the Glebe Committee which meets this afternoon. that we will work well together towards making the vision for St. George's a *Helena, Protector of the Holy Places, 330 reality and for the right minister to be found to work with us. We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches Today Bishop John will be interviewing the sponsored candidates at Wed 22 Thu 30 (DAC). theological college, who are due to be ordained next year. We pray for these *Josephine Butler, Social Reformer, 1906 candidates as they continue with their studies and begin their preparations for *Joan of Arc, Visionary, 1431 ordination. Ascension Day *Apolo Kivebulaya, Priest, Evangelist in Central Africa, 1933 Draycote Benefice. Clergy: Ali Massey, David Shaw. We thank God for our St Andrew's Benn Primary School, Rugby. Headteacher: Abi Huggins. We pray

Thu 23 clergy, churchwardens and laity who all work so well together to serve our Fri 31 for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school community. Please pray for us as we discern God's will for this beautiful place, The Visit of community. give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to comprehend God's mission as Mary to We thank God for our brothers and sisters who serve and worship in other well as the energy to join in! Elizabeth Christian denominations. Page 5 Page 6 Flecknoe Breakfast Service St Andrew’s is an Eco Church At St Andrew’s Church in Rugby we have The parish of St Mark, Flecknoe, is one of the most an Eco-Church group and last year rural in the Diocese consisting mostly of (2018) we were proud to achieve the farms and small hamlets with about 140 living in the Silver Eco Church Award. main village, including children. In 2008 and 2009 we were concerned because the average congregation at In December we launched the first of our Sustainable Saturday events where local our twice monthly services had dwindled to 7. We businesses and groups come to sell plastic-free, eco-friendly and charitable goods. were all getting older and most of us had been members of the congregation for the last 20 years. These will be a regular, monthly event at St Andrew’s and will include free activities Due to Clergy time restrictions, all our services were held at 9.00am and all were Holy for families (e.g. storytelling) as well as different talks and demonstrations. The café Communion services. It was clear that if this continued there was no future for our will be open from 10am, and from midday it will serve a vegan lunch. Church. St Andrew’s also has a crowd-funding campaign to transform its grounds into a place We started to look round at what others were doing and in so doing attended a service for Peace, Performance and Play. Recently County Council and Rugby in Badby in the Peterborough Diocese where coffee was served in the middle of the Borough Council have pledged to support the project. We aim to, reduce and service. We decided that since our service had to be at 9.00am, we would experiment replenish current planting; make more space for community events and develop a with a new service with breakfast served in the middle of the service. We felt Holy flagship bee-friendly garden. We plan to do this whilst improving sight boundaries, Communion was too formal for most people and did not appeal to children so we with the aim of reducing anti-social behaviour in the centre of town. We will co- devised a very simple new service suitable for all ages. The service splits into three curate the space with users and install a water fountain, charging points and a story sections, each of roughly 20 minutes. In the first we have the Welcome, a Hymn, telling chair. Another aim of this project is to protect and enhance the current Confession, the Peruvian Gloria (sung without accompaniment), a Bible reading and a memorial garden by developing a community-driven arts commission with new Talk. We then break for breakfast which includes fruit juices, cereals, bacon, sausage seating, offering a safe refuge for reflection. By pledging a minimum of £150 you can and egg, roll or toast with jam or marmalade all washed down with proper coffee. All this have a loved one's name included and remembered in the memorial . is done with no plumbing in the church. The service concludes with a Hymn, Prayers, a simple creed, a third Hymn and the Grace. For more information on the transformation of St Andrew’s grounds please visit: https://www.spacehive.com/standrewsrugby The service is written in simple language so that even the smallest can follow. Having breakfast in the middle means nobody is rushing off and all have a good opportunity to catch up on local and family news and to make new friends. No charges are made, but we do have a collection which more than covers our costs. We are fortunate to have a skilled catering cook in our congregation so in this service we are leveraging the talents of our community.

The service has steadily grown since its introduction in October 2010 and we now have a regular congregation of 30 or more, swelled by visitors from other Parishes in our Benefice and some from even further. As a result of the families and children this service has drawn in, we now have several new younger members on our PCC and the future for our small Andrew Grant church looks much brighter. Churchwarden at Flecknoe

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