Encouraging young vocations

Prayer Diary The vocations team at Coventry Diocese have been led and inspired by the national Church of England campaign to encourage ordained vocations amongst September 2018 those in their teens, twenties and thirties. Over the last five years, the team has developed a Young Vocations Team known as ‘Nudge’ that have engaged Good News of Great Joy with young people from across the diocese and beyond. September 2018 sees the birth of St Gabriel’s CofE Academy in Houlton, Rugby. A great deal of prayer, planning and preparation has led to the joyous occasion when the doors The name Nudge comes from the idea that calling to ministry often begins with a feeling that open to welcome children and families for the first time. Named after the Archangel God may be nudging someone towards a particular route, and the fact that we all sometimes Gabriel, God’s messenger, the academy will embrace the heritage of the site as a leader need a nudge from one another to take the first or next steps to exploring our vocation. Led in communications and will seek to transmit God’s love. by the Revd Ellie Clack, DDO and Vocations Adviser, the Nudge team have run evenings at the pub to encourage younger people to gather in an informal setting to talk about ministry with At St Gabriel’s CofE Academy, our vision is to: ‘Communicate love those who are already ordained. and inspire our community to flourish’. Everything we do will be underpinned by our loving, distinctive and inclusive Christian ethos. Since the beginning of Nudge, the vocations team have seen the number of young people We want the best for our children and will have love as our core enter the discernment process rise. Currently over 40% of candidates in the formal value and primary motivation. We recognise each child is gifted discernment and selection processes are under the age of 40 and over half of the ordinands with unique skills, talents and interests and we will place an equal starting training this September are also under 40. emphasis on developing the whole child in every way. Relationships are being built on love and forgiveness; we learn and live in community with each other, serving one The Revd Lizzy Holland, curate at St John Baptist, Berkswell and a member of the Nudge team, another generously; we humbly treat everyone with equal respect; we courageously is currently the youngest priest in the diocese at 27. She offers this advice to young people exploring their vocation: strive to grow in every way with hope for our future; we maintain our integrity, building trust through honesty. “Surround yourself with people who will challenge and encourage you in love.

Be prepared to be transformed as Christ works in you, but hold onto who you are and what As community at Houlton begins to form around the church and the school partnership, the Reverend Steve makes you beautifully unique. Gold and Headteacher Andrew Taylor share the vision as Hold onto everything that encourages you! I keep a scrapbook of encouraging cards, letters expressed in Luke’s gospel, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the and everything else that inspires me to keep going when things feel tough. presence of God and I was sent to speak to you and to Be brave and start talking to people about it. See if there are people around who will give you bring you this good news.’ opportunities to expand your experiences of ministry and make space to chat to those closest

to you to see what their thoughts are. As the Diocese of Coventry celebrates its centenary it seems so fitting that the birth of a new academy and Look out for the young vocations team at events in the diocese and for dates for Nudge at the church will provide a legacy to proclaim God’s message. pub, which is an informal space to have vocation conversations!” Archbishop Justin meets one Contact [email protected] or [email protected] for vocations enquiries. Canon Linda Wainscot of our first pupils at St Diocesan Director of Education Gabriel’s CofE Academy

Page 1 Page 2 Today is UNESCO's International Literacy Day, a day to raise awareness globally Cycle of Prayer - September 2018 Sat 8 on the issues surrounding adult and child literacy. 775 million adults lack minimum literacy skills, with two thirds being women. We pray this day With a focus on parishes and schools in Coventry North Deanery highlights the importance of literacy and promotes change.

*The Birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Childhood cancer is

Sat 1 devastating to sufferers and their friends and families. This annual Sun 9 We pray for the ministry and mission of the Cathedral: for new connections international awareness month aims to raise support and funding for children with university students as they arrive in Coventry and for the new interns as Fifteenth with cancer. We pray for children diagnosed with cancer. they begin their life and work in the Cathedral community. Sunday after *Charles Fuge Lowder, Priest, 1880 *Giles of Provence, Hermit, c.710 Trinity We give thanks to God for all those who serve the Church of England and the Sun 2 Holbrooks St Luke. Clergy: Fr Simon Oakes CMP. We thank God for the Mon 10 success of our recent Summer Club for children. We pray for God's blessing wider Anglican Communion as bishops. We pray for Bishops Christopher and Fourteenth and peace on the members of St Luke's, and the community of Holbrooks. John, for their ministry, positions of responsibility, their times of rest and their Sunday after *The Martyrs of Papua New Guinea, 1901 and 1942 families. We pray for them both as they attend the College of Bishops' meeting Trinity this week. At the start of a new academic year, we pray for all those going back to

Mon 3 school or starting at new schools. We pray for pupils, teachers, headteachers, Tue 11 Foleshill St Laurence. Clergy: Gareth Irvine. We pray for God's blessing upon governors and clergy that they all may know Christ’s presence with them, the church members and the local community. ahead of them and alongside them in their new surroundings. We pray for the Diocesan Finance Group which meets this morning. *Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 604 Coventry St George. Clergy: Jennifer Wickham. Reader: Shirley Trafford. We Coventry Holy Trinity. Clergy: Graeme Anderson, Bill Walton. Readers: Sue Tue 4 Wed 12 thank God for the way people used their gifts during the interregnum, for our Shepherd, Geoff Wilcox. We pray for God's blessing upon the church new Vicar, Jennifer, and a seamless transition. We pray that each of us will members and the local community. grow as disciples of Jesus who know how to make disciples, especially among *Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester (Oxon), Apostle of Wessex, 650 the youth, so more people come to know Jesus' love. Allesley. Clergy: Miles Baker, Elizabeth Kerr. Readers: Fey and Colin Holtum. Foleshill St Paul. Clergy: Ali Hogger Gadsby. We thank God for the growth in

Wed 5 We thank God for the completion of our Growth Action Plan (GAP) and Thu 13 confidence amongst us over the interregnum, and we pray that with our new stewardship campaign that have revitalised the church’s ministry focus. vicar we can seek God's will for us as we serve the people of Foleshill. Please pray for the formation of our new governance structure which We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC). includes new RAG groups that are designed to deliver our GAP goals. *John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople, Teacher of the Faith, 407

Thu 6 Today we pray for Bishop John who is representing the Archbishop of Fri 14 We pray for Linda Wainscot and all those who work with her at the Diocesan Canterbury at the 26th International Ecumenical Conference on Orthodox Board of Education. We give thanks to God for all that they do supporting, Spirituality at Bose Monastery. managing, caring for and inspiring schools in the diocese. We pray for the *Allen Gardiner, Founder of the South American Mission Society Holy Cross Day Headteachers' briefing taking place today.

Longford, Ansty & Shilton. Clergy: Andrew Coleman. We thank God for all the September is World Alzheimer's Month. We pray for all those affected by

Fri 7 good things and blessings which he has done and given for all the people who Sat 15 Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. We give thanks for the live in these parishes. Please pray for all the people who are newly worshiping progress made in treatments and care, and we pray for greater understanding at the churches of these parishes, especially for those who have not been of the disease. accustomed to being in church. *Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, Martyr, 258 Page 3 Page 4 We thank God for all healthcare staff who work in our local communities, our Keresley. Clergy: Mark Norris. We thank God that plans for our Garden of Sun 16 GP and dental surgeries and clinics, our community hospitals and those who Mon 24 Remembrance are moving forward, and for new people who have joined our work in the field of mental healthcare. congregations in the past year. Please pray for fresh vision as we explore Sixteenth "Leading Your Church Into Growth" over the coming year and seek to serve *Ninian, Bishop of Galloway, Apostle of the Picts, c.432 Sunday after our local community better. Trinity *Edward Bouverie Pusey, Priest, Tractarian, 1882 We pray for our link diocese of Kaduna in Nigeria after many towns and

Mon 17 Today we pray for Greg Bartlem who is being instituted by Bishop John as Tue 25 villages have recently come under attack from armed gunmen. We pray for Vicar of Wellesbourne with Walton d'Eivile. peace and safety for the people of Kaduna. We pray for the Diocesan Business Committee which meets this morning. *Lancelot Andrewes, Bishop of Winchester, Spiritual Writer, 1626

*Hildegard, Abbess of Bingen,Visionary, 1179 *Sergei of Radonezh, Russian Monastic Reformer, Teacher of the Faith, 1392

This morning the DBE are hosting a morning for RE subject leaders with a Creator God we give you thanks for all of our farmers as they harvest the Wed 26 Tue 18 focus on 'What price peace?' a special RE day based on key events of the First crops that feed us. We thank you for the skills of those who will be bringing World War. In the afternoon they are focusing on biblical drama. We pray the harvest in, and we ask that the weather be favourable. We pray that the harvest is bountiful enough to share with all those who are in need. that this day is inspiring for all involved. We pray for the Diocesan Mission Fund Committee which meets today. *Wilson Carlile, Founder of the Church Army, 1942 During British Food Fortnight, we give thanks for the growers and producers

Wed 19 We pray for Bishop Christopher who is currently chairing the residential Thu 27 of food in this country. We thank God for the care that goes in to making food meeting of the Church of England's Faith and Order Commission. safe for us to eat. We remember those around the world who do not have We pray for the Parsonages Committee which meets this afternoon. enough food.

*Theodore of Tarsus, Archbishop of Canterbury, 690 *Vincent de Paul, Founder of the Congregation of the Mission, 1660

We pray for clergy and church leaders who are unwell. We remember Radford. Clergy: Liz Jackson. We thank God for the many blessing he pours

Thu 20 especially those who cannot work and minister while they recover or receive Fri 28 down on us - the people who come our way, the enthusiasm they have for treatment. We pray for sensitivity and understanding in churches and God and His community and the encouragement He gives us. Please pray for us as we move forward with a challenging building and people in such congregations, and for unity in working together. *John Coleridge Patteson and his Companions, Martyrs, 1871 desperate need. Today marks the International Day of Peace - an annual event designed to Coventry St John Baptist. Clergy: Fr Dexter Bracey. We give thanks for the

Fri 21 bring peace to every individual across the globe. It is also designed to be a Sat 29 appointment of our rector, who has now completed his first year with us. We day of ceasefire. We pray for God's help in our own lives to cease fighting, pray for wisdom as we seek to develop our worship and our lives of prayer Matthew, Michael and All stop arguing and make peace with others. We pray for God's dynamic that we might draws others into the life of the Church through a deep and Apostle and Angels Evangelist intervention of peace into the most troubled places of conflict. authentic catholic spirituality. We pray that God may guide and encourage both the Readers being admitted

Sat 22 and licensed today (Jonathan Broom, Margaret Bull, Amanda di Giovanni, Sun 30 Today we pray for St Barbara's, Earlsdon as Bishop John leads their annual Charon Hall, Karen Hatch, Nigel Stallard, Claire Russell) and those Readers Eighteenth dedication service. *Jerome, Translator of the Scriptures, Teacher of the Faith, 420 having their Licences or Permissions to Officiate renewed. We pray for Bishop Sunday after John and Jo King (Warden of Readers) as they conduct this service. Trinity St Laurence's Primary School, Coventry. Headteacher: Michelle Cuskelly. We

Sun 23 pray for God's blessing on pupils, teachers, staff and governors in this school

Seventeenth community. Sunday after We thank God for our Archdeacons and pray for God's blessing on them, their Trinity work and ministry, and their families. Page 5 Page 6 My Small Group has a job to do! An update on our Companion Links

Small Groups in churches include far more than Companion Links is the commitment made in 2001 just Bible Study or Prayer groups. The PCC, by the Syrian Orthodox Diocese of Jerusalem, groups that plan the children’s work together, Jordan and the Holy Lands; the Anglican Diocese of the toddler group team, a group who meet to Kaduna, Nigeria and the Diocese of Coventry, do the gardening or the cleaning are all great England, to enter into a spiritual partnership. examples of small groups. Seventeen years on, this partnership is still strong.

A holistic small group thinks of the whole On the 8th January 2001, Bishop Colin Bennetts person and their journey with God. They are interested in the spiritual, emotional and (previous Bishop of Coventry), Bishop Josiah Idowu- practical lives of each individual. As a group they care for one another, seek to connect with Fearon (Bishop of Kaduna) and Metropolitan Mar Sewerios Malki Murad (Jerusalem, Jordan God and to draw others in. and the Holy Lands) met in Jerusalem to sign an agreement “to trust one another, to be honest with one another, to share with one another, and to be ready to learn from one This can seem like a big ask and time commitment to add, especially if your group has a another, and to encourage our diocese to do likewise”. Soon after the agreement was specific task to do. But, there are small simple things we can do to transform these groups to signed, various projects were set up in the different dioceses. be more holistic without taking more time and energy. It only takes one or two people in the group to be proactive in seeking a more holistic approach. Three major projects have been undertaken in Kaduna - teaching and the establishment of a computer classroom in an Anglican College; supplying 10,000 plus primary age children with Every group will have conversations at some level. The question is how can we deepen those books and the current project of the Kaduna Water Wells. The need for water wells in this into strong relationships? A big part of it is extending the conversation beyond ‘How are region is high with infant mortality rates still close to 25%. Each year Kaduna Diocese plants a you?’ It’s being interested in what people have to say and being willing to share back. It is church in rural areas of the diocese. This usually results in a church/ school being built and an also about following up on things that have been mentioned in the past mean people know evangelist being appointed. The Diocese of Coventry attempts to put a water well in each that they are valued and the conversation can be developed and grown as needed over time. new village. By the end of 2017 54 wells has been built and a further 3 are being dug in 2018. It sounds ridiculously simple, but the reality is that as trust is built so is depth. In order to maintain the link between Kaduna and Coventry, a number of exchanges have occurred over the years. Ann and Jim Saxton have visited many times and have met with Adding a faith aspect can seem a little more daunting if there currently isn’t any element of it priests and teachers to train them in I.T skills, as well as meeting the Well Committee. within the group. It can be as simple as adding a short prayer time, a relevant Bible reading

or a short personal reflection. A very gentle approach is to offer to pray when something In the Syrian Orthodox Diocese of Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Lands, the main project set comes up in conversation, either immediately or a promise to pray during the week. up was the Syrian Orthodox Christian School. For many years the Syrian Orthodox Christian community in Bethlehem dreamed of a school of their own where their traditions and You can use a gentle approach to deepen relationships and discuss spirituality. Prepare a especially the Aramaic language - the language Jesus spoke - could be taught. In 2000, a question to share with the group that opens up our thinking. For example, ‘What are your group of pilgrims from the Diocese of Coventry visited the community in Bethlehem and gifts?’, ‘What are you thankful for?’, ‘Who or what influences your decisions?’. They do not witnessed the plight of the children. Soon after the link with the Syrian Orthodox Diocese of require a faith answer but open opportunities for you to share honestly and for others to Jerusalem, Jordan and the Holy Lands was established a support group was set up to raise explore what is central to their lives. funds to help realise the community’s dream. In 2003 the school opened. Today the school has 640 students enrolled from kindergarten to grade twelve. Many individuals and churches There are many simple ways to build fellowship and discuss our faith based on the from the Diocese of Coventry support the school financially which enables students from low relationships that already exist. These small habits can transform a group to love each other incomes to attend. more, to share about their beliefs and result in more passion for the task they do together.

Anna Naish To find out more about our companion links and how you can get involved see the Learning Mentor for Loving Relationships and Holistic Small Groups Companion Links section of the website. Page 7 Page 8