Prayer Diary
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Prayer Diary September to November 2021 Sunday 29 AUGUST Trinity 13 Growing as Kingdom People Our diocesan vision is to grow as Kingdom People, sharing the good news of Jesus’ love across Worcestershire and Dudley as we live out our values of love, compassion, justice and freedom. This vision was formed through two rounds of ‘Open Conversations’ and as a Foreword from Bishop John diocese we are committed to worshipping God creatively, making disciples, sharing This edition of the prayer diary begins hope and transforming our communities. with a focus upon our diocesan vision Our vision is all about hope and growth – ensuring as many of our churches as to grow as Kingdom People, with prayers possible are healthy, sustainable and fit for the future. We pray clergy and laity will Diocesan Leader for throughout September around the feel inspired and equipped as they have local discussions about mission and ministry Transformation and Change: Archdeacon Nikki Groarke themes of making disciples, transforming in their areas, working collaboratively to enable our churches to flourish and grow. Over the next few Sundays, we will be praying for the different elements of our communities, worshipping God creatively York: Archbishop Stephen Cottrell and sharing hope. vision as we trust in God to show us the way forward for our diocese. w Bishops Paul Ferguson (Whitby), John Thomson (Selby), Alison White The Book of Proverbs warns us that Gracious God, who pours out the life-giving Holy Spirit on your kingdom people, (Hull), Glyn Webster (Beverly) ‘where there is no vision the people Fill our hearts with love to worship you creatively, The Episcopal Church of perish.’ (Proverbs 29.18) Equip us to make disciples, inspire us to share hope South Sudan: And anoint us to transform our communities, The role of our faith is to give us – and all humanity – a glorious a Archbishop Justin Badi Arama Through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen Turku (Finland): vision to live for. Through prayer we invite God to root that vision Archbishop Mari Leppänen, deep within our hearts so that we shall be given grace through the w Bishop Kaarlo Kalliala Mon 30 St Michael, Stourport & All Saints Wilden Holy Spirit to live it out. For our congregations as we grow stronger bonds as a benefice in worship When the reign of God comes, that vision will become a reality: and council; becoming an eco-Benefice and closer followers of Christ. For our priest Ekiti Kwara (Nigeria): M ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no Carey while her family is away. Clergy: Carey Saleh; Readers: Sandra Baty, Richard Bishop Andrew O A Ajayi more, mourning and crying and pain will be no more.’ (Revelation Standing, Phil Saleh T 21.4) Ekiti Oke (Nigeria): Tue 31 Shrawley & the Witleys Bishop Isaac Olatunde Olubowale It’s worth holding on tight to that vision as we continue to face Give thanks for technology that has enabled greater participation and welcomed new the ravages of Covid. As we do, through prayer and the action of people. Pray for those seeking baptism, wedding couples and for those God is calling Ekiti West (Nigeria): W the Holy Spirit, we can give encouragement to others who feel to join our confirmation course. For growth in discipleship, new ways of worship and Bishop Rufus Victor Ajileye Adepoju weighed down. daily Zoom prayers. For the dedication of staff in our local church schools. Clergy: Th Ted Whittaker, Robin Walter; Readers: Marjorie Workman, Christine Clarke Eldoret (Kenya): Bishop Jackson Ole Sapit Wed 1 SEPTEMBER Diocese of Peru F The Diocesan Synod of the Anglican Church of Peru took place during August. Port Elizabeth (South Africa): Pray for those charged with helping to deliver its outcomes, and for all those newly Bishop Edward Ronald Daniels elected to leadership positions. Ely: S Thur 2 Abberley Bishop Stephen Conway We give thanks for the ministry of Vikki Day and ask for blessings upon her in her w Bishop Dagmar Winter curacy in Lichfield. Also thanking God for the strengthening of the PCC and new church (Huntington) We try to pray for those with a licence from the Bishop by name, officers. For discernment in the management and future of our church buildings. Clergy: Ted Whittaker, Robin Walter; Readers: Marjorie Workman, Christine Clarke but please do remember all who minister and witness with them in each parish. Fri 3 New school term Pray for all those children returning to school shortly and for those starting in nursery and reception. Pray also for their parents and guardians as they ensure everything is ready for the new school year. Sat 4 Growing as Kingdom People Pray for all the leaders in our churches, both lay and ordained. Pray that they On Sundays we are offering a monthly prayer for you to pray for your baptism families and we also will feel supported in their role as they work to develop the discipleship of their continue to pray for dioceses around the world through the Poorvoo prayer calendar (Sundays) and congregations and welcome new Christians. the Anglican Cycle of Prayer. These are all placed in a column, on the side edge of each page. Trinity 14 Sunday 5 SEPTEMBER Sunday 12 SEPTEMBER Trinity 15 Give thanks for everything Making disciples: Education Sunday Transforming communities: Pray that we may all be parishes do to reach out to their inspired as individuals There are 100 Church of England schools in the Diocese of Worcester, educating Climate Sunday local schools and bless all the and churches to work to approximately 22,000 children and young people. Archbishop Justin has written: schools across our diocese, so transform our communities by that both staff and pupils might Over the last two decades, Church schools have been reaffirmed as being at the “It becomes ever clearer that climate combatting climate change together. Give thanks for all grow in the knowledge of your heart of the Church’s service to the nation. They provide a unique opportunity for change is the greatest challenge that we and future generations face. It’s our clergy and educationalists to work together with a shared focus on the flourishing that is already being done in truth, love, wisdom and peace. sacred duty to protect the natural world we’ve so generously been given.” of individual children and their families. Inspired by the words of John in his Gospel, It is all of our responsibilities to make changes to our lives to help save the planet for our parishes. Church schools are places in which every child is helped to ‘live life in all its fullness.’ future generations. At the March 2021 meeting of Diocesan Synod, it was agreed Diocesan Board of Education - There are lots of ways in which parishes can support their schools. If restrictions allow, that our diocese should aim to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 at the Chair of the Diocesan Climate Chair: Bryan Allbut parishes could take part in the pray, bake, read initiative (praying intentionally for your latest, committing to develop an action plan and resources for sustainable living. Crisis Group: Hugh Burton Vice Chair: Archdeacon Robert Jones Eco Church lead: Sue Adeney local school, baking a cake for staff each half term and offering to read with a student). The diocesan Climate Crisis Group is taking the lead on this work and is encouraging Or help with worship through Open the Book, assemblies, or confirmation preparation. Praying for our baptism families all parishes to get involved by signing up to become an Eco Church. You might find Perhaps even support the staff and pupils pastorally, or the school strategically, by you have already achieved much of the criteria for the bronze award and could Jesus, we thank you for the encouraging congregation members to take example set for us in the story of make some simple changes to work towards silver. Bath & Wells: up Foundation Governor positions in school. the Good Samaritan. We pray for In Kidderminster, St Cassian, Chaddesley Corbett have installed LED lighting, which Bishop Peter Hancock For help and advice on working more closely w Bishop Ruth Worsley (Taunton) protection for all baptism families will significantly reduce their electricity bills and thereby, their carbon footprint. with your local school, contact the Diocesan Tuam, Killala & Achonry (Ireland): as parents show their children how This and other changes have helped them achieve a silver Eco Church Award. to step out and love others. Amen Education team: Bishop Patrick Rooke [email protected] What changes could your church make to become more environmentally- The Anglican Church of Tanzania: Salisbury: 01905 732 825 | @CofEWorcEduTeam friendly? Archbishop Maimbo Mndolwa Bishop Nicholas Holtam w Bishops Andrew Rumsey (Ramsbury), Mon 6 Teme Valley North Mon 13 Bewdley, Ribbesford, Wribbenhall & Button Oak Karen Gorham (Sherborne) The Convocation of Episcopal M St Asaph (Wales): Give thanks for the beautiful environment that has eased our pain through the Covid Give thanks for opportunities to share the Gospel and be a beacon of light & hope in Churches in Europe: Bishop Gregory Cameron crisis. Pray for those less fortunate, whose personal crises have not been adequately and around Bewdley. Pray for our toddler group and Messy Church. Praise God for the Bishop Mark D. W. Edington The Episcopal Church of Sudan: recognised. Help us to be better listeners and pray for greater generosity and kindness beauty of our churchyard at St Leonard’s and ask that God will bless those who care Archbishop Ezekiel Kumir Kondo in all aspects of public life; local, national and international.