Focus on Deanery Prayer Diary Despite its proximity to Coventry, Nuneaton Deanery feels like somewhere on the edge. It’s the largest deanery in the January 2014 Diocese, with a population of 144,000, 26 parishes and 16 beneficed clergy, all spread over a wide area. The largest urban area is Nuneaton itself, with the smaller towns of A new year beckons to the north and to the south. Former pit villages and rural communities make up the rest. There An ordinary day in Bethlehem. An ordinary looking family – father, mother and young are areas of deprivation but pockets of affluence too. The child - minding their own business when the unexpected and extraordinary broke in. churches come from a wide range of churchmanship. Magi from the East came calling bringing seemingly wildly inappropriate gifts for the carpenter’s son. Sparking memories, with their words, of events before and during the This diversity presents us with many challenges. We are time of his birth. Words of promise fulfilled, trust honoured, courageous decisions working hard, however, to build more of a sense of vindicated. Before Jesus was born, Elizabeth said this to Mary – Blessed is she who has togetherness. A clergy cell group meets every three or Richard Hare believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished. (Luke 2 v45) four weeks to study the Bible and pray together. Area Dean of Nuneaton

We are all blessed by the ministry of Canon Edward What dominates our thinking as we enter the New Year? Our problems? The Church’s Pogmore, who has written an article on page 8, and who is shortly to retire after problems? They are real enough. But do we see them in the context of relationship with the God who loves us, who knows what we face, who is there for us, who longs to share many years as Lead Chaplain at George Eliot Hospital. A recent Chapter meal had the both our pain and our joy? And how are our expectation levels? Are we ready for God to biggest attendance for many years. And Bishop John’s mission to Nuneaton last year break in with the unexpected, the extraordinary as he did that day in Bethlehem? saw three town centre parishes sharing several events and initiatives.

Part of the character of both Mary and Joseph was not to ignore or brush away what God And there are many good things going on here: three Food Banks, Messy Church and was saying to them however much courage it would take to obey his commands. Kidzone, Street Pastors and StreetCare, lively worship, youth groups, and buildings Reputational damage and refugee status awaited them and yet they remained faithful. creatively shared with the community. Furthermore, Archdeacon Morris is helping us make daring plans for future deployment, to respond to prospective housing As we reflect at the start of the year, it is good to remind ourselves of what has the Lord development and imminent clergy retirements. has said will be accomplished in our lives, in the life of our parishes, in the life of our communities, in the life of our Diocese. So do pray with us as we struggle to build God’s kingdom here. It’s hard work, but Has everything promised happened yet? Or is there a step that we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else! needs to be taken, a risk to be accepted, a change to be made which will require great courage? Prayer Diary 2014

Knowing about what God has said will be accomplished is not the During 2014 the Prayer Diary will focus on a different deanery each month. same as believing that He will do it. It was not for her knowledge Alongside a reflective piece written by either Bishop Christopher, Bishop John or a of God that Elizabeth called Mary blessed but because of her member of the Bishop’s Core Staff, the Area Deans will contribute as well as a belief. Are we knowers or believers? number of others representing news and stories from around that deanery. If you have a story about your project, parish or benefice, please contact your Happy New Year! Simon Lloyd, Diocesan Secretary Area Dean to find out about contributing to the Prayer Diary this year. Page 1 Page 2 Wed 8 We pray for the collation of Patrick Taylor as Vicar of Stratford-Upon-Avon, Cycle of Prayer - January 2014 Luddington and Clifford Chambers and for Bishop Christopher and With a focus on parishes and schools in Nuneaton Deanery Archdeacon John as they lead the service. We pray for the Diocesan Business Committee which meets this morning.

Attleborough. Clergy: Clive Jones. We give thanks for a church building newly Atherstone. Readers: John Stock, Susan Smith. St. Mary's congregation praise Wed 1 redecorated, for the Nuneaton Foodbank which is now up and running and Thu 9 God for the wonderfully generous help from neighbouring clergy and Readers Naming and the cooperation among 14 churches in Nuneaton which keep this going, for taking services in our vacancy. We pray for God's continued blessings on our the work of our distribution centre- open twice each week. We pray for the Circumcision of faithful family of Christians as we walk into a New Year and a new phase in Jesus work in the parish and in six schools. our church's life with the Rev. Don Jones and his wife, Chris. We pray for those who will return to work today after a Christmas break. We Exhall. Clergy: Andrew Gandon. Readers: Hilary Cryer, John Owen, Jane Smith,

Thu 2 ask for God's protection for all those who commute, for safety in travel. Fri 10 Christine Wilson. We give thanks for funding to re-start a Youth Club which *Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishops, Teachers of the Faith we hope will be ready to launch in January. Give thanks for Rick White joining *Seraphim, Monk of Sarov, Spiritual Guide, 1833 the ministry team. Please pray for our search for a new PCC treasurer. *Vedanayagam Samuel Azariah, Bishop in South India, Evangelist, 1945 *William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1645 Chilvers Coton with Astley. Clergy: Frank Seldon, Jonathan Fryer. Reader:

Fri 3 Rupert Allen. We thank God for opportunities to reach out to our Sat 11 We thank God for our farming communities. We pray for Bishop John as he communities through the Nuneaton Foodbank, Winter Night Shelter, Tea and leads, and all those who will attend the Plough service at Coventry Cathedral today. Chat, a variety of services, and Open the Book. Please pray for our Children's worker, Paul Campbell, and for grant funding for repairs at Astley. *Mary Slessor, Missionary in West Africa, 1915

Fillongley and Corley. Clergy: Ian Kennedy. Readers: Liz Jones, Wendy O'Brien. Primary School. Headteacher: Richard Moore.

Sat 4 We thank God for the work with the young people in Youth Groups, Sunday Sun 12 St Paul's Primary School. Headteacher: Chris Plant. We pray for God's Schools and After-School Club. We pray for their leaders, especially the new blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and communities. Second Sunday Sunday School Leaders and fund raising for the new Sunday School Room at *Aelred of Hexham, Abbot of Rievaulx, 1167 Corley, and we pray for our outreach into our community. of Epiphany *Benedict Biscop, Abbot of Wearmouth, Scholar, 689 Nuneaton St Nicolas, Weddington and Caldecote. Clergy: Don Jones. Readers: We pray for encouragement for all those who work in the cathedral and

Sun 5 John Hitchcock, Christine Jones, Sally Hince, Marie Paterson, Terry Lenton. Mon 13 diocesan offices, and give thanks for all their work and ministry. Give thanks for Messy Church, Godly Play, Cafe Church and community- *Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, Teacher of the Faith, 367 First Sunday of building opportunities. Please pray for the churches as they move into a *Kentigern (Mungo), Missionary Bishop in Strathclyde and Cumbria, 603 Epiphany vacancy and as they seek to appoint the right successor to Don. *George Fox, Founder of the Society of Friends (the Quakers), 1691 Wolvey with Burton Hastings, Copston Magna and Withybrook. Clergy: We pray for all children, teachers and staff who will be returning to school Mon 6 Tue 14 Terence Colling. Readers: David Hopkins, Ken Sleeman. We give thanks for the this week after the Christmas break. We pray that this epiphany season farming community here, remembering those tending livestock during the would be a time when new things of God are revealed to all who work and winter. Please pray for greater understanding of rural churches and The Epiphany learn in schools. communities from our brothers and sisters in Christ in towns and cities.

Stockingford. Clergy: Mick Vincent, John Law. Reader: Colin Udall. We give Tue 7 Wed 15 Mancetter. Clergy: Anthony Tooby. Reader: Brenda Moss. We pray for God's thanks for all the hard work and commitment of so many members of the blessing upon the church members and the local community. congregation ensuring that we reach out with God's love into our local We pray for Bishop Christopher attending the residential Leadership community. We ask for your prayers as the Church prepares for a time of Development conference in Sheffield. vacancy as Mick prepares to retire. Page 4 Ansley and Arley. Clergy: Peter Allan. Readers: Gwyneth Hickman, Donald St James' Junior School. Headteacher: Paul Ison. Thu 16 Parr, Mandy Watts. We thank God for the adults recently confirmed, for the Fri 24 Canon Maggs Junior School. Headteacher: Michaela Fallon. strength and enthusiasm of Arley Messy Church, our monthly healing service Canon Evans Infant School. Headteacher: Felicity Hey. We pray for God's and our church plant in Ansley Common. Please pray that our four long- blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and communities.

established congregations may know blessing, encouragement and growth. *Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, Teacher of the Faith, 1622 Bulkington. Clergy: Paul Messam. We thank God for a successful Cider and Camp Hill. Clergy: vacancy. We pray for God's blessing upon the church Fri 17 Sat 25 Beer Festival held at a local hotel when the church hosted around 1000 visitors members and the local community. while at the same time raising funds for this year's chosen charity 'Farming *Antony of Egypt, Hermit, Abbot, 356 The Conversion Community Network'. Please pray for us as we continue to live out our pledge *Charles Gore, Bishop, Founder of the Community of the Resurrection, 1932 of Paul to 'be a Church of the community, for the community'.

Sat 18 We give thanks for all those who serve as Lay Readers across the diocese. We Sun 26 St Michael's Primary School. Headteacher: Chris Errington. pray for all those attending and involved in the service of Celebration of Read- St Nicolas Primary School. Headteacher: Tracey McGevver. We pray for er ministry, for those being re-licensed, and for Bishop John as he leads. Fourth Sunday God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and community.

*Week of Prayer for Christian Unity of Epiphany *Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul

We pray for the unity of the church. We pray for the service of Choral Nuneaton St Mary. Clergy: Mark Liddell. Readers: Helen Allred. We pray for Sun 19 Evensong being held in the Cathedral at 4pm today at which the Roman Mon 27 God's blessing upon the church members and the local community. Catholic Archbishop of Birmingham, Bernard Longley, will speak and Bishop We pray for the meeting of the College of Bishops and for the discussions that Third Sunday of Christopher will officiate. will happen regarding the Pilling Report on Human Sexuality. Epiphany *Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, 1095 Bedworth. Clergy: Richard Hare, Martin Hammond, Celia Hare, Pamela We pray for all schools and academies, and the clergy and chaplains who work Mon 20 Hamilton. Readers: Kath Farmer, Geoff Popejoy. We thank God for 'Watch Tue 28 in them. We pray for those who will meet today to explore how the this Space', a monthly evening service aimed at and largely led by 15-29 year- celebration of the Eucharist may impact the worshipping life of a school. olds. Please pray as we seek good new governors for our church schools. *Thomas Aquinas, Priest, Philosopher, Teacher of the Faith, 1274 *Richard Rolle of Hampole, Spiritual Writer, 1349

Tue 21 Horeston Grange LEP. Clergy: David Poulton. We pray for God's blessing Wed 29 Hartshill and Galley Common. Clergy: Heather Barnes. Readers: Nicholas Miles, upon the church members and the local community. Sally Young, Hilary Cryer. We pray for God's blessing upon the church We pray for the Glebe Committee which meets this afternoon. members and the local community. *Agnes, Child Martyr at Rome, 304 We pray for the Diocesan Mission Fund Committee which meets today.

All Saints Primary School and Nursery. Headteacher: Sally Kaminski-Gaze. We thank God for the George Eliot Hospital and the Mary Ann Evans Hospice.

Wed 22 All Saints Infant School and Nursery. Headteacher: Tina Keeling. Thu 30 We pray for all staff and volunteers, and especially the Chaplains: Edward Abbey Infants School. Headteacher: Sharon Thorpe. We pray for God's Pogmore, Alison Thorp, Simon Moult and Gill Hancock. blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and communities. We pray for the Bishop's Core and Extended Staff teams which meet today. *Vincent of Saragossa, Deacon, first Martyr of Spain, 304 *Charles, King and Martyr, 1649 Bournebrook Primary School. Headteacher: Carol Weller. We pray for God's Queen's Junior School. Headteacher: Mark Walsh. We pray for God's blessing Thu 23 blessing upon all the whole school community. We pray for Susan Rowland, a Fri 31 upon the whole school community as it joins the Multi-Academy Trust. We key member of the office staff, who is currently on leave whilst receiving pray for God's guidance for Mitch Moore, the new Executive Head. treatment for cancer. *John Bosco, Priest, Founder of the Salesian Teaching Order, 1888 We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC). Page 5 Page 36 Night Shelter George Eliot Hospital Chaplaincy

Just when some of the general public had written off the Church of as an old “Enough for all, enough for each, enough for evermore..”. So speaks the other bard of -fashioned middle-class enclave, the God of surprises, surprised again. God moved , George Eliot, in the words of Dinah the preacher in her novel Adam Bede, among the congregations and the response to feeding the hungry and providing set in Chilvers Coton and the Parish Church of All Saints where George Eliot was baptised shelter for the homeless was overwhelming. We seem, in recent times to have lost and more recently our new Archbishop Justin was cradled as a Curate. In this parish the the vision of the Church being the community and the community being the Church. George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust sits on top of “Hill Top”. We are beginning to put this right by being involved in the lives of people that make up our community. Without that involvement, we know we have misunderstood the I arrived to be a Hospital Chaplain 25 years ago – the role has morphed into expressions of Hospice Chaplain, Chaplaincy Coordinator, NHS Chaplaincy Adviser, Health Care word. We are re-discovering our mission of supporting the community and serving it Chaplain and Chaplaincy Manager as well as serving until recently as Chairman of the to the best of our ability including giving time and money. As Christians, we are again Mary Ann Evans Hospice. During these years I have witnessed the development of becoming easily identifiable in the surrounding community by our behaviour. Hospital Management through to Trust status and to the ever-changing responses to Community Care. The core of the work stands within the inheritance of the Christian practice of developing the whole care of people of all backgrounds. This was originally expressed locally with the founding of Nuneaton Abbey in 1180 and its Infirmary.

My day begins with prayer at 8.30am for all who want to link in with the chain of prayer for health care wherever and however delivered. Perhaps you can join in praying with and for us at this time of day? Our work is varied and rich and involves many different strands including: collaborative work and multidisciplinary work with all parts of the 1500-strong organisation giving staff support and debrief; coordinating the response of Major Disaster Planning among all our faith communities; working with all those experiencing trauma of many sorts from A&E to sitting with a dying loved one; seeing I have been a regular worshipper at St. Nicolas Parish Church in Nuneaton for forty people through the process of surgery and investigations and the uncertainty of waiting years. During those four decades, I have witnessed many changes. Sadly, in common for results. Alongside all this, we seek to give support to families and friends of patients with the majority of other churches across the country St Nicolas has seen the size of including liaising with local clergy to give support on the return to the home community. its congregation shrink. I hope that that trend will be reversed with the changing We also promote the arts and green spaces and places of reflection and peace in a very public perception of the churches. busy health care facility – spaces for privacy and dignity. We train, develop and support a 30-strong St Nicolas congregation is not standing on the side-lines but is fully engaged in the Lay Visiting Team of all faiths and are part of staff training in the Hospital and at provision of night shelters being made available to help those less fortunate in a time Medical School. At the centre of of economic crises. Along with the other churches, St Nicolas is anxious to do its part all this, we minister the sacraments, and has offered to provide night shelter each Wednesday during the months of offering to God reality for transformation – December to February. A list for volunteers posted at the back of the church was this is one of the greatest privileges of this filled with lightning speed by enthusiastic members of the congregation with those work as we walk with people at all stages unable to contribute in this way determined to help by providing bed linen and other of their lives. “Enough for all, enough for essentials. The achievement of opening a night shelter for the homeless in the town each, enough for evermore…..” has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Pat Bidmead Edward Pogmore, Hospital Chaplain Page 7 Page 8