Ministry on the Shop Floor Prayer Diary For Richard Moore, a curate at St Nicholas Church in , a major part of his ministry lies outside the church. Alongside working at the church, Richard works full-time January 2020 in his family’s menswear store in the centre of Kenilworth. Richard wears a dog collar when working in the shop which allows for 2020 Vision conversations and questions about faith to naturally come up. For the past two decades, the year 2020 has featured in many organisations’ vision statements. Maybe this was In 1903 Richard’s great grandparents moved to Kenilworth and opened J.A. Moore because 20 years ago organisations felt that 2020 was far menswear on Road. The shop passed down the generations and is now run by enough away to be a year by which the things they want to Richard and his brother William. From a young age Richard helped out at the shop on achieve would be achievable. From a marketing perspective, Saturdays and during school summer holidays. After a brief spell away from Kenilworth the date 2020 is also a useful metaphor for the right or after leaving school, Richard returned aged 21 to work full-time in the shop. perfect vision for the organisation – 20/20 vision being the measurement of perfect sight or visual acuity . 2020 was A call to ministry started developing in his mid forties and got stronger as the years went therefore seen as an eye-catching phrase that indicated that the organisation was on the right path and could see clearly where it was heading. on. Richard describes this as a ‘restlessness’ that he discerned was from God. This lead to training part-time at The Queen’s Foundation in Birmingham alongside working full- As we embark on the year 2020 we might ask ourselves if this year in front of us is going to time in the shop. Whilst it was challenging to balance training for ministry, a full-time job be the perfect year, has all the planning and preparation we have made in our workplaces, and family life, Richard really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Christian for our families or personally in our lives paid off? faith by studying theology. Our tendency to want to make New Year resolutions suggests that our preparations are not Richard was ordained a deacon at Coventry Cathedral on the 30th June this year and always perfect and that as we go into a new year there is more we want to achieve or afterwards started his curacy at St Nicholas Church. He decided early on in his training improve. Being honest about what we could do better and setting new goals is a positive and that he would continue to work full-time after ordination and also wear a dog collar in hopeful thing to do. We see the New Year as an opportunity to put the past behinds us and the shop. This allows for a unique area of ministry. Richard spends most of his days make a new start. For some of us this might feel very important; perhaps it has been difficult talking to customers and more often than not God comes up in the conversation. He has in recent months to see eye to eye with family, friends, colleagues or others in wider society noticed that since being ordained not only have most customers been overwhelmingly about the right direction to go in. As we consider our plans for 2020 over the next few weeks, positive they also have been more open about talking about tragedies, illnesses and whether in our workplaces or our homes, let us reflect on the words of the prophet Isaiah, bereavements in their lives and he has been able to give them support. Also, people ask and put our hope and trust in the Lord to help us see clearly what we are called to do. Richard about his work with the church and he is able to share his love for Christ with them. “I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you,

I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are Working full-time whilst being a curate does make life incredibly busy for Richard and blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. occasionally he has to miss curate training days because he has to work. Yet, he believes I am the Lord, that is my name, my glory I give to no other nor my praise to idols. See, the the benefits far outweigh the costs. Working in a shop in the centre of Kenilworth allows former things have come to pass and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them..” Ruth Marlow him to connect with people in a way that is not usually open to members of the clergy. Isaiah 42:6-9 Diocesan Secretary Page 8 Page 1 Saints, Church as a concert venue

Leaders from churches from different This past year St Mary’s have denominations in Nuneaton have begun to host music concerts and gathered together to push forward tribute acts. The town of Atherstone has innovative plans for one of a rich relationship with music talent over Nuneaton's most magnificent the years. buildings with the aim to unite the community and help tackle some of Every year we host the St Mary the town's problems. Athertsone Music awards where we acknowledge and achievements of the Frank Seldon, vicar of All Saints, musicians in the town. Coton says; "There is a group of church leaders that meet every Wednesday morning and it was about five years ago We also host a variety of tribute acts when we had this vision from God that we would get a building in Nuneaton town which have included Elvis, The Beatles, The Sykko Dolls- Winners of the St Mary Atherstone centre." Abba. These events are well attended Music Awards and allow us to show hospitality and Revd Michael Brandsma Jet Jones from Together for Change has been leading the project having identified the welcome to the community. Vicar of St Mary’s Atherstone building (the former Conservative Club and Saints bar in Newdegate Street) in 2018. There have been real signs of God’s intervention and many acts of generosity - with local businesses offering materials to carry out some of the works. Retirement of Linda Wainscot

The downstairs area will be split into three zones - a training zone, an enterprise zone Announced as well as a cafe and children's play area. It will also provide a space for outreach and Christian courses. Bishop Christopher has announced that Canon Linda Wainscot will be retiring as the Diocesan Director of Works to the former Saints bar area Education (DDE) at the end of this academic year. will be finished by December, with the view of being open to the Linda will have overseen and served our 75 church schools community in the New Year. We will and academies for nearly twenty years. These schools are have a big launch in January. With currently educating 18,000 children and young people. the new year will be a new 2020 vision for the town centre. Linda will be retiring in August 2020. In the meantime, she

will continue to do her best to lead the DBE in its desire to “empower others to be Please pray that many people will courageous, equipping them to deliver excellent Christian education so that all will come to know the love of Jesus as flourish to achieve their full human potential”. we work together in Nuneaton. Revd Alison Evans

Vicar of Holy Trinity Attleborough

Page 2 Page 7 Fri 24 St Michael's CofE Primary School. Headteacher: Chris Errington. St Nicolas CofE Academy. Headteacher: S Thorpe. We pray for God's blessing Cycle of Prayer - January 2020 upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors. With a focus on parishes and schools in Nuneaton Deanery *Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622

Nuneaton, Weddington & Caldecote. Clergy: Kelly Betteridge, Martin Butt. On the first day of 2020 we ask for God's blessing on the year ahead. We give Sat 25 Readers: John Hitchcock, Sally Hince, Terry Lenton. Other staff: Mark Wed 1 thanks for the Lord's faithfulness over the last year, for the disciples gathered Seabourne, Sally-Ann Veasey. We thank God for the appointment of an Naming and The Conversion and the communities transformed by reconciling love. We pray that we will be associate minister and for the numerical and spiritual growth we've seen. Circumcision of of Paul filled afresh with the Holy Spirit this year. Please pray for wisdom and the development of new leaders & ministries. Jesus Holy Trinity Attleborough. Vicar: Alison Evans. Curate: Ann Poultney. Reader: Horeston Grange LEP. Clergy: Interregnum. We pray for God's blessing upon

Sun 26 Eddie Brown. We thank God for the recent Alpha course. Please pray for those Thu 2 the church members and the local community. who have become Christians, or have begun to understand who Jesus is, that *Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith Third Sunday of they may grow in their faith and become part of the family of the church. *Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833 Epiphany *Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul *Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945 Today is Holocaust Memorial Day. A day to remember the millions of people Team. Clergy: David Poultney. Readers: Ruth Ison, Maggi Savin-

Mon 27 killed in the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and in subsequent genocides in Fri 3 Baden, Geoffrey Popejoy, Kathleen Farmer. It has been a busy year following Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. We pray for God to defend and protect the appointment of our new Rector. We have been prayerfully discerning a all those who fall victim to the forces of evil and to give us the courage to new vision and direction and are thankful to be receiving funding for several stand against hatred and oppression. lay posts. Please pray for the successful appointment of the new team. Hartshill & Galley Common. Clergy: Heather Barnes, Sharon Crofts. Readers: We thank God for the George Eliot Hospital and the Mary Ann Evans Hospice. Tue 28 Sat 4 Nick Miles, Sally Young. We thank God for our church members old and new We pray for all staff and volunteers, and especially the Chaplains: Ricarda who are discerning and using their gifts in the benefice and for the wider Witcombe and Martin Hammond and their teams. community. Please pray for us as we continue to find ways in which we can *Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1274 bless our communities and engage with people of all ages. St Laurence with St John’s Ansley and St Wilfrid’s with St Michael’s Arley. Atherstone. Clergy: Michael Brandsma. Reader: John Stock. We thank God for

Wed 29 Clergy: John Langlands. We give thanks for the steady growth of discipleship Sun 5 the opportunities to witness through a successful year of mission. A highlight across the benefice last year. We pray for the twenty three folk attending the of the year has been the four music events we have hosted and have been First Sunday of Christianity Explored Course across all four churches, ten of which are attended by over six hundred people. Please pray for continued open doors to prospective confirmation candidates. Christmas serve the community. Today is Young Carers Awareness Day. The purpose of the day is to raise public Nuneaton, St Mary. Clergy: Tom Wintle, Brian Regan. Reader: Helen Allred. We Thu 30 awareness of the challenges faced by young carers. We pray for young people Mon 6 thank God for blessing our work in our two church schools. Please pray for who are carers and the people they care for. those suffering through addiction and homelessness in our parish and town. We pray for the Diocesan Mission Fund Committee which meets today. The Epiphany We pray for all the staff and pupils returning to school today for the new term. *Charles, King and Martyr, 1649 Camp Hill. Clergy: Interregnum. We pray for God's blessing upon the church St. Paul's, Stockingford. Clergy: Kate Massey, Jo Joyce. Readers: Emma

Fri 31 members and the local community. Tue 7 Kennedy. We thank God for growing and good relationships with our CofE Primary School. Headteacher: Sharon Tunnicliffe. We pray for community, especially in our schools and on the Grove Farm estate. We pray God's blessing upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. for our "200 by 200" project, especially our Table Talk and Alpha groups *John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888 running this term. Page 6 Page 3 Chilvers Coton with Astley. Clergy: Frank Seldon, Jonathan Fryer, Rupert We thank God for the Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) and pray today for Wed 8 Allen. Reader: Peter Wrigley. We thank God for our vibrant Messy Church & Thu 16 the Headteacher briefing taking place. Morning Celebration services at Coton and the Open the Book project in two We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches local schools. Please pray for our Winter Night Shelter, our finances and grant (DAC). funding for urgent repairs at Astley. Mancetter. Clergy: Linda Mudd. We thank God for our churchwardens, Bournebrook CofE Primary School. Headteacher: Alison Patchett.

Thu 9 Caroline and Jane, as well as members of the PCC and laity for their Fri 17 Queen's CofE Academy. Headteacher: Hannah Carvell. We pray for God's faithfulness during the interregnum. We give thanks for the many blessing upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. opportunities for outreach initiatives to all ages. Please pray for discernment *Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356 as we enter this new stage of ministry in our church. *Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932 All Saints CofE Primary School and Nursery. Headteacher: Sally Kaminski- This month Bishop Christopher is focusing on the ‘Living in Love & Faith’ Fri 10 Gaze. Sat 18 project, which he is chairing on behalf of the Church of . We pray for Abbey CofE Infants School. Headteacher: R Horton. We pray for God's God to give wisdom and discernment to all involved with the project. blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff and governors. *Week of Prayer for Christian Unity *William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645 Bulkington. Clergy: Charles Higgins. Reader: Ken Sleeman. We pray for God's Wolvey with Copston Magna and Withybrook. Clergy: Jonny Vaughan.

Sat 11 blessing upon the church members and the local community. Sun 19 Readers: David Hopkins, Yvonne Pitt, Ken Sleeman. We thank God for a St Paul's CofE Primary School. Headteacher: Carl Thornton. We pray for God's renewed all-age service bringing in some new families. Please pray for many Second Sunday blessing upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. to be saved in all our villages. *Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915 of Epiphany *Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095 Today Bishop John will be leading a confirmation service for the Edgehill From the 20th to the 29th January Bishop John and the Revd Shelia Bridge are

Sun 12 Group of parishes. We pray for the candidates being confirmed. We pray that Mon 20 leading a diocesan pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We pray for all those taking their faith will be broadened as they go out in the Spirit. part in this pilgrimage; may it enhance their faith and draw them closer to First Sunday of *Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167 God. Epiphany *Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth, Scholar, 689 *Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349 We pray for Saints Nuneaton, a new community enterprise led by Together

Mon 13 We pray for the Diocesan Business Committee which meets this morning. Tue 21 for Change. Based in Nuneaton centre, Saints aims to tackle unemployment *Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367 and lack of education, enhance physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, *Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603 and to inspire and connect people through the creative arts. *George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691 *Agnes, Child Martyr at Rome, 304

Exhall. Clergy: Gail Phillip, Stephen Carter. Readers: Hilary Cryer, John Owen, Tue 14 Wed 22 St James' CofE Academy. Headteacher: Jane Cook. Chris Wilson. We give thanks for growing links with the six schools in our The Canons CofE Primary School. Headteacher: Michaela Fallon. We pray for parish. Please pray for weekly lunch clubs we'll be launching at Ash Green God's blessing upon all the children, parents, teachers, staff and governors. School, and for Jen Watson our Children and Families Worker and her team. *Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304 Please also pray for growth in and through all our Sunday Services. Corley & Fillongley. Clergy: Interregnum. We thank God for all clergy who in Wed 15 Thu 23 This week is Cervical Cancer Prevention Week. Every day in the UK nine our long vacancy have helped us maintain our pattern of services and enrich women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, yet 75% of cervical cancers will be our faith. In particular all retired clergy and especially for the Revd Liz Jones prevented by cervical screening. We pray that this week more women can and the Revd Jane Braund. Please pray for our two churches that God will learn about how they can reduce the risk of cervical cancer. find a new Rector for us early next year. Page 4 Page 5