Focus on Shipston Deanery Prayer Diary We have a great deal to thank the Lord for in the southernmost deanery of the diocese. House groups are shooting up all over the deanery which is a sure sign that November 2013 the Spirit is moving here, a real answer to prayer. Ettington has just had a wonderful away day at the Chapel in Oxhill which was very encouraging and everyone went away with great hope for the future. In Butler's Marston a family focus group The Gift of Tears - Have we forgotten how to weep? produced exciting plans for altering the church to enable outreach work. Jesus said ‘Blessed are those who weep…’ Luke 6.21 In SW7 the men's and women's breakfasts go from strength to strength attracting up Tears are a gift of God and essential to spiritual health. Tears are a sign that we are alive to 45 people who meet in the local pub and golf club. As a direct result there has and that our hearts have not been hardened. Our hearts can be calloused by cynicism, been Christianity Explored courses as well as a series of mid-week evening talks led unforgiveness, bitterness or even by complacency and self-righteousness. Again and by Andrew Dow in Feldon Valley Golf Club. These evenings have taken the form of a again God warns us ‘harden not your hearts’ (Ps.95.8,Heb.3.8;4.7) So it is that St twenty minute talk, time for questions and answers, followed by supper. These have Irenaeus of Lyons wrote ‘Keep your hearts soft and tractable, lest they lose the imprint of been very popular and attracted up to 60 people and a third series is about to start God’s fingers.’ To be alive to God, to be alive in God is to have the gift of feeling. entitled ‘Real Christianity’. SW7 is also planning a Passion for Life week, to be held Jesus, as he journeys into Jerusalem for the last time, sees the city next Easter with other North Cotswold parishes. and weeps over it. Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus. The letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to consider Jesus who ‘offered up In Long Compton the GAP service is gathering momentum. This is an informal prayers with loud cries and tears.’ (Heb.5.7) Jesus commends the Sunday service held at 4pm to attract young families. There is teaching, prayer and woman who washes his feet with her tears. Paul writes to the singing accompanied by various instruments, followed by food. There is a crèche for Corinthians ‘with many tears’ (2 Cor.2.4) He tells the Ephesian the very young and separate activities for 4-11yrs in the back of the church. It is elders on leaving them how he served the Lord ‘with tears’. becoming a real family service as all ages attend and enjoy the social afterwards. There are natural tears that flow from human emotion. But there are After a visit last Harvest time from Gavin Kibble, chief also tears that flow from the Spirit of God at work in us. Such tears can flow when we organiser of the Coventry Foodbanks, the parishes of experience the love of God, often in the context of prayer ministry or worship. These Brailes and SW7 have committed themselves to sending tears are healing. The Holy Spirit softens our hearts, or to borrow from Ezekiel, takes food to the Coventry Foodbank and more and more away our hearts of stone and gives us hearts of flesh (Ezek.11.9). Sometimes tears are people are becoming aware of the problems and ‘given’ us which perhaps express something of the grief of God himself at what is donating generously. happening in His world, tears that help us to see our lives or the world as God sees them. But tears are not the end of the story. ‘Those who sow with tears will reap with In the midst of all this good news, we still have the songs of joy’. (Ps.126.5) God promises to wipe away the tears from our eyes. problem of many beautiful churches in need of high (Rev.7.17; 21.4) Tears of contrition and repentance are the doorway to joy. We maintenance, and small elderly congregations that are cannot of course simply ‘turn tears on’ but we can pray that God will soften the dwindling in places. We need prayer that young people hardness of hearts, that we can be sensitive and responsive to the working of Holy will join the church and that our energy is not sapped by Spirit and so to be in the world as He would have us be and to do in the world what the arduous job of keeping the buildings fit for purpose. Janet Owen He would have us do. Lay Chair of Shipston Page 1 Page 2 We pray for the ministry of BORCAS - Bishop's Officers for the Retired Clergy Cycle of Prayer - November 2013 Fri 8 and Spouses. We pray for members of the team including Bishop David and Dorothy Evans, Mary Crameri and Clive Harper as they seek to care for and With a focus on parishes and schools in Shipston Deanery keep in touch with 320 retired clergy and spouses across the diocese. *The Saints and Martyrs of England Brailes Primary School. Headteacher: Sarah Plaskitt. We pray for God's We pray for governing and decision-making bodies in the Church of England; Fri 1 blessing on all the children, teachers, staff and governors at this school. Sat 9 for General Synod, Church Commissioners, Archbishop's Council and the We remember all those people who have been influential in our faith journey many other committees and groups that serve the national Church. All Saints’ Day who have now died and we give thanks for them. We pray for all those who We pray for Diocesan Synod which meets today. grieve that they may know comfort, peace and hope. *Margery Kempe, Mystic, c.1440 We pray for the Mother's Union 'Lets Make Waves' day being held in We pray for all those who will come to church today for Remembrance Sat 2 Kenilworth today. We thank God for Di Sliwinki (MU President) and her Sun 10 Sunday. Pray that God would help us to welcome and care for those who recent visit to Madagascar and for all that will be shared and considered with remember and grieve today. We pray for all those who are involved in 3rd Sunday other members today. conflicts around the world. *Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) before Advent *Leo the Great, Bishop of Rome, Teacher of the Faith, 461 Tysoe Primary School. Headteacher: Sarah Slatter. We pray for God's We pray for the candidates due to be confirmed today by Bishop John at Sun 3 Mon 11 blessing on all the children, teachers, staff and governors at this school. St Paul's, Foleshill. We pray for the church at St Martin's, Finham as they celebrate their 75th *Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600 4th Sunday anniversary service today and for Bishop Christopher who will be preaching. *Martin of Porres, Friar, 1639 before Advent *Martin, Bishop of Tours, c.397 Newbold and Tredington Primary School. Headteacher: Carl Upton. We pray Brailes, Sutton-u-Brailes, Tysoe, Oxhill, Whatcote. Clergy: Nicholas Morgan, Mon 4 for God's blessing on all the children, teachers, staff and governors at this Tue 12 Martin Leaton, Bill Rolfe, George Warner, Tom Moffatt. Reader: David Fenton. school. We remember all facing long term illness, particularly those receiving We pray for Mike Eaman as he is licensed as Priest-in-Charge at Potters treatment for cancer. We pray for the recently bereaved - may they be Green today by Bishop John and Archdeacon John. surrounded by love both human and divine. Ilmington Primary School. Acting Head: Hilary Kemp. We pray for God's Ettington Primary School. Headteacher: Jo Jennings. We pray for God's Tue 5 blessing on all the children, teachers, staff and governors at this school. Wed 13 blessing on all the children, teachers, staff and governors at this school. We pray for the Fire Service at this very busy time of year. We ask for safety We pray for the candidates who are due to be confirmed by Bishop and protection for all those using fireworks or having bonfires tonight. Christopher at St Wilfred's, Arley today. We pray for the Bishop's Study Day which takes place today. *Charles Simeon, Priest, Evangelical Divine, 1836 We pray for Messy Church congregations across the diocese. Give thanks for Wed 6 We pray for Sheila Bridge as she is licensed as Minister-in-Charge for the Thu 14 Conventional District of St Peter and St John. this creative ministry with children and families. We pray for good ideas, *Leonard, Hermit, 6th century resources and training for all those involved and that many would come to *William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, Teacher of the Faith, 1944 know the love of God through these initiatives. *Samuel Seabury, first Anglican Bishop in North America, 1796 During this National Adoption Week we give thanks for the adoption services The South Warwickshire Seven. Clergy: Stuart Allen, Anthony Wells, Jill Evans, Thu 7 in this country. We pray for all those children who await families in which Fri 15 Hugh Williams. Readers: Lesley Gubbins, Clare Wells, Sarah Jones, Elaine they can belong permanently. Hobday. We pray for God's blessing on the parishes of Barcheston, Barton on We pray for the Bishop's Core and Extended Staff teams which meet today.