God’s Minions Prayer Diary In October of last year the South 7 Benefice started a youth group. Young people aged 11-18 across the benefice who were attending any of the 7 churches in the benefice were invited to meet together and create an Identity for November 2014 themselves with in the church community. As a result ‘God's Minions’ was born. The name was chosen by the young people and refers to them being God's servants. They also designed a logo that they had printed on t-shirts and hoodies, as seen in Ruined and Rebuilt the pictures. November is the month when we remember the fires that destroyed the heart of Coventry in 1940 – and, of course, when Due to the rural location of this benefice the group started with 6 isolated young we have ‘bonfire night’. Fire is enticing – attractive and terrible, people who attend 5 different schools and up to 4 different churches. They now with the capacity to safeguard life or to destroy it. Fire is also have somewhere to meet weekly as a group, with two informal services twice a one of the principal images of the presence of God, and of the month, cafe church, a home youth bible study and also do outreach events to spread Holy Spirit. the good news to friends and peers. Their numbers have now grown to 9 committed members. The Holy Spirit comes to break down, and break apart, as well as to bring together, and rebuild. To invite the Holy Spirit into our God's Minions have been able to meet up with other Christian youth groups and feel lives, and the life of our churches, may well be to do something part of a bigger Christian community for talks, quizzes, games, fun and to see as extraordinary as inviting the enemy bombers to wreak havoc Christian bands. Several of them went on week long Christian camps this year and with our well-ordered lives, in order to clear the way for God to more want to now go next year. They are keen to expand on their bible knowledge, do something remarkable and new, just like the new cathedral. as well as attending several ‘passion for life’ events in the spring. They have been to As we are praying our way through this month, beginning to think towards the a youth apologetics conference in Advent Hope, may I suggest that we pray daily for the Holy Spirit to be coming . amongst us to lead us into something new – and to be really, radically open to what that might be? It’s only when we fall through the holes in our safe lives into the As part of their outreach they have hands of God that we are going to discover his possibilities, and not ours. invited friends to come to the theatre, Last month, a few of us shuffled our way off the roof of the cathedral and abseiled swimming and bowling attracting up to eighty feet down the wall to the right of the Baptistery window, to raise money for 20 young people. The group are now Christian Aid. It was a lot of fun, in the end – but it’s an object lesson in trust. If you empowered to stand firm in their faith, don’t trust the rope, and lean right out from the wall, you lose control, spin with a fresh enthusiasm to commit to uncontrollably, and have to be rescued. Jesus and serve their churches and I’m far from the first to suggest that trusting in God is just like that – leaning back into communities and spread the vibe of his love, committing everything to him, and discovering just how different life is in Gods amazing grace. God’s hands, rather than ours. God may not have to push you to the point of having to trust in him – but wherever you find yourself, be ready for the rebuilding that comes when lives, churches, worlds are handed radically over to him, and his love. Kim Petty John Witcombe - Dean of Coventry Page 8 Page 1 Shipston Deanery The Poppy Cross

On average Shipston Deanery has one church for every 535 of the population: if you During Warwickshire Open Studies in July, a take the town of Shipston out of the equation, there is one church per 370 of the group of local artists held an exhibition in population. So a great many people spend a great deal of time and effort looking Shipston. As part of their time together, they after walls, roofs and churchyards– the boundaries of the church space. wanted to collaborate on a piece of art to which the public could contribute. Indeed, a lot of rural life is spent worrying about boundaries. But for many of our congregations ‘breaking boundaries’ has become really important, as they explore On a suitably large board, artist Grenville ways of setting aside barriers of one sort or another – and it is not always one way – Moore painted a simple, large cross: Lisa Man, to take the Gospel into people’s lives and homes. a textile artist created huge embroidered poppy petals; Paul Hitchman, a glass artist The Poppy Cross, described in the following pages, began life in an artist’s workshop created stamens out of glass and metal, and and is a community arts project which has found a profound significance and a home Penny Varley, ceramic artist, added small in one of our churches. ‘Chat in Church’ uses the church in ceramic hearts to the centre of the poppy. (population 229) as a venue for an evening out – now 40-50 folk will be found there Finally Heather Bailey, a conceptual artist once a month talking and socialising. Their recent Harvest Festival had 46 attending – added more fine detail. And so the Poppy one fifth of the village. In the SW7 Churches, grouped around Long Compton, the Cross: Field of Memories was born. Café Church takes a monthly service into a private home, and God’s Minions, also reported in the following pages, describes how a small group of young people, As they watched it grow members of the public wrote in their comments and scattered across the seven have come together to form a youth group. In memories, which in themselves form part of the art. Although Grenville and Paul’s Oxhill, Lunch Break invites people to a lunch at which God’s love for us is explored. initial concept of the poppy cross was for memories of WW1, many people added much more recent memories of loved ones. Very recently the Mayor of Shipston invited the churches to have a Food Bank Stall at Shipston’s Food It was designed to be a piece which not only looked back but also looked forward. Festival, primarily to raise awareness of it in the town, This remembrance allows us to say thank you, to pledge ourselves to walk alongside and it gave them a brilliant opportunity to do just that each other, and allows us to relive the events of the past in a way that shapes our – and of course many of the churches massively future. The Poppy Cross meant that people from across the community pooled supported this and the Fosse Food Bank at their recent together their skills and their time to allow remembering of the past to re-shape our Harvest Festivals. future in this way.

Jesus commissioned us to trust him and go, and was The Poppy Cross came to St. Lawrence’ Church, Oxhill, for their WW1 not afraid to break the boundaries himself to go to the Commemoration Service, where it was joined by candles, music, poetry and people who needed him. In both our lives and our memories from across the villages. The involvement of so many talents and gifts churches we are slowly learning to do the same. gave everyone a very special ownership of this remembrance. It will go to St. Edmund’s. Shipston for Remembrance Day, and eventually it is hoped that it will find a permanent home back in Oxhill.

Jill Tucker—Area Dean Jill Tucker & Grenville Moore Page 2 Page 7 Shipston on Stour with , Honington and . Clergy: Andrew Mon 24 Coleby, Jill Tucker, Mike Harris. Readers: Alison Tomkinson, Helen Winnifrith. Cycle of Prayer - November 2014 We thank God for the opportunities we have to reach out to children and young people through local schools and special events. Please pray for us to With a focus on parishes and schools in Shipston Deanery

find a new ecumenical youth-worker to help us with this ministry. , Sutton-u-Brailes, Tysoe, Oxhill, . Clergy:Nicholas Morgan, We thank God for Graeme Pringle, Director of Communications for the Tue 25 Sat 1 Martin Leaton, Bill Rolfe, George Warner, Tom Moffatt. Reader: David Fenton. diocese and ask for God's blessing on him and his work. We thank God for the completion of much restoration and improvement *Catherine of Alexandria, Martyr, 4th century works at Oxhill and Tysoe. We pray that our buildings will be welcoming *Isaac Watts, Hymn Writer, 1748 All Saints’ Day beacons of Christian hope and love, and have valued community use. Stourdene Benefice. Clergy: Catherine Vickers, John Horton, Ali Massey. We

Wed 26 Brailes Primary School. Headteacher: Sarah Plaskitt. We thank God for this Sun 2 pray for the parishes of , Butler's Marston, , Halford, school community and pray for God's blessing on the pupils, teachers, staff Newbold and the Pillertons; for the Schools of Ettington and Newbold and and governors. 4th Sunday Tredington and for a new and fresh vision of accessibility and outreach. We pray for the Diocesan Finance Group which meets this morning. before Advent *Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day)

We give thanks for the 40th Anniversary of Knightlow's Primary School. We Ettington Primary School. Headteacher: Jo Jennings. We thank God for this

Thu 27 pray for Bishop Christopher and the school community as he officially opens Mon 3 school community and pray for God's blessing on the pupils, teachers, staff the new and refurbished buildings, and blesses a new stained glass window. and governors. We pray for the Celebrating Wisdom ministry course beginning We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches today. *Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600 (DAC). *Martin of Porres, Friar, 1639

Fri 28 We pray for Bishop John leading a retreat on the theme of 'Waiting and Tue 4 We thank God for all those who serve as clergy in the diocese. We pray for Watching' for the supporters of Embrace the Middle East (formerly strength and energy, especially during this busy term. We remember those Biblelands). We continue to pray for peace and reconciliation in the Middle who are struggling in ministry and ask for God's blessing on them.

East and in troubled parts of the world. We pray for the Bishop's Study Day which takes place today.

Tysoe Primary School. Headteacher: David Bell. We thank God for this school

Sat 29 We pray for the candidates who will be confirmed by Bishop Christopher at Wed 5 community and pray for God's blessing on the pupils, teachers, staff and the Cathedral today. We pray for the candidates who will spend the day on a governors. Diocesan Panel in their continued exploration of calling and ministry. We pray for God's protection for all those who will be enjoying bonfires and

*Day of Intercession and Thanksgiving for the Missionary Work of the Church fireworks this evening. We thank God for the ministry of Readers in the diocese. We pray for Bishop

Sun 30 As Advent begins we pray: Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay; give new courage Thu 6 John and for Heidi Cartledge, the Warden of Readers, as they meet together to your people, who trust in your love. By your coming, raise us to share in today. Andrew the the joy of your kingdom on earth as in heaven, where you live and reign with *Leonard, Hermit, 6th century

Apostle the Father and the Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. *William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1944

Fri 7 We pray for the Cathedral community as they establish their 'Families First' initiative seeking to become a community where children are truly welcomed and included. *Willibrord of York, Bishop, Apostle of Frisia, 739

Page 6 Page 3 , Tredington and neighbouring parishes. Clergy: Chris Goble, Sarah We pray for candidates from Deanery who will be confirmed at St. Sat 8 Edmonds. Readers: Malcolm Davies, Anthony Nicholl, Roz Wakefield. We Sun 16 Nicholas, Alcester by Bishop John today. thank God for good relationships among Churchwardens, and the staff of our *Margaret, Queen of Scotland, Philanthropist, Reformer of the Church, 1093 schools. Please pray for the autumn course, a development of a deep and 2nd Sunday *Edmund Rich of Abingdon, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1240 active faith. *The Saints and Martyrs of before Advent

We pray for churches and communities who will today gather to remember Sun 9 Mon 17 We thank God for the lay and clergy representatives on General Synod. We those who have fought in war. We remember the work of the armed services pray for the meeting of General Synod that begins today. and pray for protection for all those in active service. We thank God for the We pray for the Investment Sub-Committee which meets this morning. 3rd Sunday work of peace-makers around the world. *Hugh, Bishop of Lincoln, 1200 before Advent *Margery Kempe, Mystic, c.1440

We pray for Bishop Christopher on duty at the House of Lords this week. We We pray for the working party from Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull who Tue 18 Mon 10 pray for Bishops John and Christopher who will be attending the Ecumenical will meet today to consider the syllabus revision for RE in schools. We pray for Bishops’ Meeting at Lambeth Palace to coordinate, review and plan the ecu- those leading and participating in the Developing Ministry Course starting today. menical work of the with Archbishop Justin and the Council for Christian Unity. *Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461 *Elizabeth of Hungary, Princess of Thuringia, Philanthropist, 1231

Tue 11 We pray for the Diocesan Board of Education who are holding a day on Wed 19 We pray for Bishop John visiting Rugby today as part of an Interfaith week Exploring Christian Theological Concepts today at Stratford Manor. being held across the town. We pray for the Glebe Committee which meets this afternoon. *Hilda, Abbess of Whitby, 680

*Martin, Bishop of Tours, c.397 *Mechtild, Béguine of Magdeburg, Mystic, 1280

Wed 12 We thank God for Offa House, and for the rhythm of prayer that has been Thu 20 We pray for the Warwickshire Youth Council for Religious Education meeting established there in recent months. We pray for Bishop John who will be today at Lawrence Sheriff School in Rugby to debate current religious topics. leading in prayer at Offa today. We pray for all those who will gather in the *Edmund, King of the East Angles, Martyr, 870 open, prayerful space that has been created Monday to Thursdays all day. *Priscilla Lydia Sellon, a Restorer of the Religious Life, 1876

Ilmington Primary School. Headteacher: Carol Ryninks. We thank God for this South Warwickshire Seven. Clergy: Stuart Allen, Andrew Dow, Jill Evans, Hugh

Thu 13 school community and pray for God's blessing on the pupils, teachers, staff Fri 21 Williams. Readers: Lesley Gubbins, Clare Wells, Sarah Parton, Elaine Hobday. and governors. We thank God for a growing Benefice youth group ('God's Minions') started We pray for the Bishop's Core and Extended Staff teams which meet today. last Autumn. Please pray for our outreach evenings on Joseph at a local golf *Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836 club, and our monthly men's breakfasts on Luke's Gospel. We thank God for those who serve on committees and working groups in We pray for the Coventry International Prize for Peace and Reconciliation Fri 14 Sat 22 parishes, deaneries and in the diocese. We ask for God's blessing on the time ceremony to be held this evening. We give thanks for all the finalists and for and effort that is given by many to serve in this way. the vital work they are doing. We pray for Diocesan Synod which meets today. *Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 *Cecilia, Martyr at Rome, c.230 We pray for Jon Taylor as he is collated as the Vicar of Binley and for Bishop Newbold and Tredington Primary School. Headteacher: Sam Welsby. We Sat 15 Sun 23 Christopher, Archdeacon John and Area Dean, Clive Hogger as they lead. We thank God for this school community and pray for God's blessing on the pu- pray for Naomi Nixon and the curates who are in Berlin this week visiting CCN pils, teachers, staff and governors. We pray for those who are participating parishes and learning more about reconciliation in local contexts. and leading on the Developing Women Leaders course this weekend. Christ the King *Clement, Bishop of Rome, Martyr, c.100 Page 4 Page 5