Focus on Deanery Prayer Diary As a rural deanery, farming metaphors about growing the kingdom of God may be easily understood but creating a growth environment in a changing culture presents a demanding task where church congregations are often small. Our most pressing need is July 2014 to understand what makes churches grow in the soil of our modern world. They don’t just do this by themselves no matter how passionately people want to see their churches I have two graphic images before me – one of violence, and one of service. full, nor can we simply look at a church model that has been successful and replicate it.

The first is the horrendous image of two teenage girls in India gang raped and then Every rural parish in our deanery is unique and yet each church has the opportunity to be hanged from a tree. Among the many disturbing faces to this not the least, surely, is that a blessing to its community. Many of our churches this year have looked at how growing they had simply gone into the fields to go to the toilet. churches can be affected by turning areas of weakness into strength using the 8 Essential Qualities. Much prayer is needed to encourage churches to participate. Indoor plumbing, clean running water and toilets are something we take for granted, yet for millions they are unheard of, so putting their health and safety at terrible risk. Yet the Despite the tranquil image of the countryside, hard work is going on in Alcester Deanery. solutions are inexpensive and readily available. Similarly the need to collect firewood is The old adage ‘from little acorns, oak trees grow’ is perhaps a healthy reminder that our draining and dangerous, yet low-tech, low cost cookers exist which would drastically mission initiatives begin small, but each has the potential to grow with God blessing our reduce the need for firewood. Illiteracy is a major issue, especially for women in many efforts. Some areas showing signs of growth are seeker services – Café Church, Good parts of the world, impacting on access to health care and child care. One could go on… News@Ten, Breakfast Church, Messy Church with others initiatives sensitively seeking to foster growth amongst small interest groups or groups with special needs, including The second image is that of the wonderful ordination service of those called to be Cycle Prayer Rides, Curry meets and the MIX. deacons in the Church of God. Their calling is ‘to proclaim the gospel in word and deed... to serve the community in which they are set… to search out the poor and weak, the sick The challenge of ministry, mission and transforming rural communities continues to and lonely, the oppressed and the powerless, reaching into the forgotten corners of the stimulate new ideas and enterprise and as Area Dean I hope and pray that we will see world, that the love of God may be made visible.’ more new ideas as well as the seeds that have been sown grow and flourish. We have been blessed with a small number of people discerning their vocations and the number We are all deacons, called to proclaim, serve and reach out into the forgotten corners of of self-supporting ministers continues to grow- we have much to give thanks for. the world. In particular, as deacons, we are called to serve those who are in such need. The apostle James makes it quite clear that words alone do not As a deanery we all continue to try and find ways of make the love of God visible: ‘If one of you says to someone who working together with our communities but we cannot is without clothes and daily food “Go, I wish you well: keep warm expect to see sustained growth without faithfulness, prayer and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what and action. In the Book of Revelation, the angel says to one good is that?’ (James 2: 15-16). When we see those without church, ‘I know your deeds, you are neither hot nor cold… toilets, clean water and basic literacy and we do nothing about it, you are lukewarm!’ This could certainly not be said of the what good is that? Desperate need is met by service. efforts to grow church in Alcester Deanery, our churches may be small but they are devoted to the work of the Lord. The challenge to myself, and to each one of us, is to find a way this summer of serving those in the forgotten corners of the Please give thanks for all that is happening and pray then, world, that the love of God may be made known. ‘that the Lord will add to their numbers those being saved.’ Jill Tucker Dean of self-supporting ministry Terry Mason—Area Dean Page 1 Page 2 We pray for the meeting of the Addington Fund, of which Bishop John is a Cycle of Prayer - July 2014 Tue 8 trustee, as they seek to support farmers in crisis and times of trouble. We thank God for the recent fundraising efforts for the charity in Wootton With a focus on parishes and schools in Alcester Deanery Wawen, and Alcester Minster parishes.

We pray for the Diocesan Board of Education which meets this evening. Studley St Mary’s Junior School. Headteacher: Sue Lambert. We pray for the We pray for Bishop Christopher and Bishop John as they conduct interviews Tue 1 school as they become part of the Diocesan Multi Academy Trust today. In Wed 9 with the 2nd year curates today and for all the curates in the diocese during addition, the newly created Peace Garden is to be dedicated today. their different stages of training. We thank God for Naomi Nixon, Diocesan We pray for the Glebe Committee which meets this afternoon. Learning Adviser, and for all involved in training curates. *Henry, John, and Henry Venn the younger, Priests, Evangelical Divines Primary School. Headteacher: Sue Ogden. We pray for God's We pray for the staff and children of St Nicholas Academy in Alcester, who Wed 2 blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider school Thu 10 today will be exploring the mystery of the Holy Trinity with Lizzie McWhirter. community. We thank God for all who serve as Area Deans in this diocese. We pray for the sponsored candidates' interview day at Bishop's House - a We pray for the Bishop's Core and Extended Staff teams which meet today. gathering of ordination candidates currently training at theological colleges. Henley-in-Arden Primary School. Headteacher: Pam Hayes. We thank God We pray for the SACRE (Standing Advisory Council on Religious

Thu 3 for all the amazing staff, children, parents and governors at this school. We Fri 11 Education) hosting an event at Lawrence Sheriff School when 60-70 year 6 thank God for the support and encouragement received by the new and 7 pupils from different schools will be forming debate teams. principal. We pray for God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, We pray for General Synod and for the session of meetings which start today. governors and the wider school community. *Benedict of Nursia, Father of Western Monasticism, c.550 The Alcester Minister Parishes. Clergy: Adrian Guthrie. Readers: Julie Lindsay, Alcester St Nicholas’ Primary School. Headteacher: Sally Staley. We pray for

Fri 4 John Berry, Patricia Newbold. We thank God for opportunities to worship Sat 12 God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider together, for new links with schools and a Workcare chaplaincy scheme school community. reaching local businesses. Please pray that we will be open to the Holy Spirit’s We pray for Bishop Christopher at the dedication of the new Rainsbrook guidance as we seek to identify opportunities for outreach. Crematorium today. During this month there will be many Leavers’ Services taking place in parish We thank God for the opportunity that Bishop John has to preach and preside

Sat 5 churches and in schools. Pray for all those making the transition from primary Sun 13 at St John the Baptist, Coventry today. We pray for him, and for the to secondary schools and for all who will be moving to new classes in congregation, as they meet to worship. We pray for this church, and the Fourth Sunday September, both pupils and teachers alike. May they give thanks for the past others in this diocese, which are currently in vacancy, and ask for God's blessings and trust God for all that is to come. after Trinity wisdom and guidance as they seek to recruit new vicars. We pray for Bishop John and Clare Hopkinson who is the High Sheriff of Sun 6 Primary School. Headteacher: Sarah Hendry. We pray for Mon 14 God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider Warwickshire this year, as they meet together today. We pray for teachers and all staff working in schools as they begin the end of Third Sunday school community. term week. We pray for strength and joy for them this week. after Trinity *Thomas More and John Fisher, Reformation Martyrs, 1535 *John Keble, Priest, Tractarian, Poet, 1866 Today marks the start of National Transplant Week. Current statistics suggest We give thanks for the link now established between Ven. Tanko Ato and

Mon 7 that only 31% of us in the UK have joined the organ donor register. We pray Tue 15 parishioners in St. Christopher’s Kaduna and St. Peter’s in . We pray for all the efforts that will go in to raising awareness and improving that that this link will grow in strength and spirit. registration this week. We ask God to help each of us make a wise decision *Swithun, Bishop of Winchester, c.862 about organ donation. We pray for those who are waiting for a transplant. *Bonaventure, Friar, Bishop, Teacher of the Faith, 1274 Page 3 Page 4 We thank God for the provision of the Mission Fund and for the support it has Beaudesert with Henley-in-Arden St Nicholas and St Mary the Virgin. Wed 16 offered to many churches and deaneries in their projects and efforts in Thu 24 Clergy: John Ganjavi. Readers: Rogers, Brian Jackson and Malcolm mission. We pray for continued access to support, and enthusiasm for making Aldridge. Please pray for God's blessing on these parishes and the wider new disciples in all areas of this diocese. We pray for the Mission Fund communities in which they are situated. Committee which meets today. *Osmund, Bishop of Salisbury, 1099 We pray for Bishop Christopher on House of Lords' duty for the next three , Preston Bagot and . Clergy: Terry Mason, Phil

Thu 17 days. We thank God for our Bishops and for their willingness to serve this Fri 25 Hanson. Readers: James Holden, Norrie Moore. Please pray for God's blessing diocese and the church nationally. We pray for God's strength for both on these parishes and the wider communities in which they are situated. Bishops Christopher and John. We pray today for Roger Morris, previously of this diocese, who is to be We pray for the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC). consecrated Area Bishop of Colchester at St Paul’s Cathedral today. As many schools finish for the summer holiday, we pray for all families with Dunnington Primary School. Headteacher: Paul Johnson. We pray for God's Fri 18 school-age children. We thank God for the rest and fun that many children Sat 26 blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider school will enjoy this summer. We pray for families for whom the extended holiday community. can bring extra tension, conflict or hardship. *Anne and Joachim, Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary *Elizabeth Ferard, first Deaconess of the Church of 1883

Sat 19 Salford Primary School. Headteacher: Janette Satchwell. We pray for Sun 27 Coughton Primary School. Headteacher: Adam Walsh. We pray for God's God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider school school community. Sixth Sunday community.

*Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, c.394 and c.379 after Trinity *Brooke Foss Westcott, Bishop of Durham, Teacher of the Faith, 1901

Wootton Wawen Primary School. Headteacher: Marion Jones. We pray for We thank God for Kathryn Fleming, Canon Pastor at Coventry Cathedral, and

Sun 20 God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider Mon 28 we pray for her as she settles in to her new role. We pray for good school community. relationships to be formed and for a flourishing of her ministry. We pray for Fifth Sunday *Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th century the wider ministry of the Cathedral, and pray for God's guidance and wisdom after Trinity *Bartolomé de las Casas, Apostle to the Indies, 1566 for all who lead there. Wolverton with Norton Lindsey and Langley, and , Aston The Heart of England Parishes. Clergy: Peter Walker, Ruth Walker, Sue

Mon 21 Cantlow and Wilmcote with Billesley. Clergy: Richard Livingston, Roy Brown. Tue 29 Henwood, Kevin Grumball and David Benskin. Reader: Judith Meehan. We Readers: David Westcott, Alan Gardner, Yvonne Warren, Joan Wilkinson. We pray for God's blessing on the parishes of Bidford on Avon, , Exhall with thank God for the growth among young people and the new cafe church, and , Temple Grafton and . ask for prayers for the working of the newly formed benefice. *Mary, Martha and Lazarus, Companions of Our Lord Arden Marches Group of Churches. Clergy: David Silvester, Andy Shearn, Tue 22 Wed 30 We give thanks for the successful completion of the water wells in the villages Judith Stote, Ben Green. Readers: Susan Ludlow, Karen Collett, Pat Wheeler, in Pago - Issah and Azara - in Kaduna diocese. We pray that these wells will Joy Holland, Philip Saleh, Joan Lock. Please pray for us as we work through reduce the sickness from water borne diseases. the plans to open a coffeehouse in the heart of Studley, that God would help *William Wilberforce, Social Reformer, 1833 us work well with the Parish and County Councils to find a suitable building.

Wed 23 Mappleborough Green Primary School. Headteacher: Erica Hayton. We pray Thu 31 Bidford on Avon Primary School. Headteacher: Andy Simms. We pray for for God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the God's blessing upon all the children, teachers, staff, governors and the wider wider school community. school community. *Bridget of Sweden, Abbess of Vadstena, 1373 *Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Society of Jesus, 1556

Page 5 Page 6 Good News @ Ten Alcester Minster

David Westcott, Lay Reader, writes from Rev’d Adrian Guthrie, Rector of the Alcester Minster Church about how the need Group joined Alcester deanery just to Christmas. to reach families in their village has come Reflecting on his move, he writes: to fruition. Being Middlesex born and bred, moving to rural The idea of a new informal service aimed Warwickshire could have been more major. That’s partly at younger families was sown more than a because my previous parish (Ickenham, in the year ago when parents of young children Diocese) was still in touch with its village heritage and in the village asked us to consider starting adjoined farmland, but mainly because it had a high level a Sunday school. of population stability and family rootedness spanning several generations, which is the hallmark of life here It germinated as discussions were held also. In the communities that constitute the Alcester with a number of interested parties. Various formats were considered including a Minster Benefice there is a very positive attitude towards Monday school and Messy church. community and a myriad of excellent community events across the benefice. A small working group was established comprising two PCC members (one in her Adrian Guthrie final year of ordination training) and two parents of young children. Following visits However, unlike Ickenham, Alcester Minster serves a Rector—Alcester Minster to other churches they recommended a monthly service to be called Good housing estate with higher levels of deprivation, creating News@Ten and conducted in the church despite its inflexibility (victorian pews, no both challenges and opportunities for ministry. water, inadequate heating). Six have now been held and have been well attended. Alcester Minster as a way of grouping the five parishes of Alcester, Arrow with Refreshments are served at tables purchased with a grant from the Diocesan Mission Weethley, Coughton with , with , and Haselor was Fund. Refreshments are followed by singing and prayers and a child-centred talk formed over 7 years ago, and is continuing to evolve as a way of working together. which precedes or follows a scripture reading. The most recent one featured the So the biggest difference for me has been moving from Rector of one parish with Tabernacle and involved all the children becoming little Bezalels and constructing a one church, to five parishes with 8 churches in total. Just over 6 months into the smaller version of the original, complete with pretend goatskin covers, an ark role, my priorities are to regularly minister in each church, continue to build up overshadowed by wings minus the cherubim, a table with shewbread and much else leadership structures and lay involvement. Please pray for this group of parishes besides. The adults present were as engaged as the children. that our vision for the future becomes clear.

It has been a good start for which we thank God. Now we need to nurture the early growth, ever open to innovation and always praying for an abundant harvest. Keeping up to date with the eBulletin

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