prayerdiary Summer/Autumn 2013
“ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.� Proverbs 11: 30
Welcome
Welcome from the Chief Executive
I
’m very pleased to welcome you to this latest edition of Prayer Diary and with summer holidays soon in full swing, I hope it encourages you in your own evangelism and spiritual life. On pages 6 – 7, we spend some time giving thanks and praying for the many different outreach opportunities that summer brings across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Please do join us, and why not spend some time praying for things happening in your local area? In this edition you can read more about our Inside Out campaign and how the gospel is transforming neighbourhoods across the country and bringing people together. On pages 8 – 9, Evangelist Andrew Chadwick at our Thanet Centre of Mission in Kent explains how he and a team of Christian volunteers are creating community for older people in care homes. While on pages 18 – 19 we pay a visit to our Craigavon Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland where Evangelist Myrtle Morrison and her team work with people on a number of housing estates. Finally, on page 22, we feature the Grafted project in the Scottish Borders which was set up eight years ago to work with people with chaotic lifestyles through outdoor activities. The project has since formed the Refresh Community Church and its ministries include: children’s and youth work, community drop-ins and outreach to the elderly. So I hope you enjoy using Prayer Diary over the coming months as you partner with us in our gospel work. I’d like to thank you most sincerely for your continued support, both prayerfully and financially. It is gratefully received and very much appreciated. Yours in Christ,
Canon Mark Russell, Chief Executive
To order more copies of Prayer Diary for your friends, church or group, please telephone 0300 123 2113 or email comms@churcharmy.org.uk
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The new Prayer Diary Supplement is now available to download on our website at www.churcharmy. org.uk/prayer The supplement will be updated with each edition of Prayer Diary so that all Church Army Evangelists and staff are prayed for throughout the year. We hope you find it useful.
As well as Prayer Diary being available on the Church Army website, you can now join us in prayer by email. Once a week we will email you with the prayer focus for the week ahead. To sign up for this, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/eprayer
8 4 Community outreach Beyond the walls of church 5 Commissioning evangelists From our Mission-Based Training Course 6 Summer evangelism Outreach across the United Kingdom and Ireland 7 Church Army International Praying for our societies overseas 8 Inside Out – mission in community Thanet Centre of Mission 10 Shareit! magazine Bringing you all the latest news
Summer/Autumn 2013
14 11 Our supporters and volunteers Giving thanks for those who partner with us 12 Bradford Centre of Mission Sorted youth churches 13 Bearing gospel fruit Evangelists sharing their faith 14 Wilson Carlile Centre The national home of Church Army 15 Outreach to schools As a new academic year begins 16 Rural evangelism Prayer as Harvest approaches
21 18 Inside Out – mission in community Craigavon Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland 20 The isolated and vulnerable Evangelists bringing hope 21 Loving and serving Through faith, words and action 22 The Grafted Project Sharing the Good News in the Scottish Borders 23 Leading Church Army Prayer for our Senior Leadership Team and Board
17 Serving others in retirement Prayer and thanksgiving
Our website at www.churcharmy.org.uk features short films on the work of many of the evangelists featured in this Prayer Diary. Where you see the * symbol against a prayer, this evangelist or project has a film available for you to watch on the website. Front cover image: ©iStockphoto.com/CienpiesDesign
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Contents
prayerdiary
June 30 – July 6
Community outreach This week we pray for a variety of our evangelists who are working across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
June 30
July 4
Pray for Nic Sheppard and those stewarding the Church on Show display at the Great Yorkshire Show which takes place between July 9 – 11.
Stephen Plumb* in North Sittingbourne, Kent, gives thanks for the contacts he has made with children and young families in the village of Iwade through the weekly Kingsquad club and through a new weekly all-age service. Pray also for a new cell group which has formed as a result of outreach earlier in the year.
July 1 Paul Warren* at our Warwick Gates Centre of Mission gives thanks for the community film nights which attract around 50 people from the nearby housing estate into the church.
July 2 Pray for Susan Bloomfield as she prepares to speak at the Deaf Perspectives Conference on July 13 in Wolverhampton. She will be leading a session entitled: Reflections on empowerment by an evangelist in the deaf community.
July 3
Gill Martin
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Gill Martin* at St Francis Church in Strood, Rochester, would like prayer for a new Kidz Church which she has set up to reach out to young people.
July 5 Pray for Trevor Clarke who works at our Southampton Centre of Mission on the Weston Housing Estate. May God bless him with fruitful conversations as he helps with various groups including Dad’s Space, Cuppa and the Store House clothes bank.
July 6 Graham Bibby at St Richard’s Church in Crowborough, Sussex, would like to praise God for the good relationships the church has built with people on the Alderbrook estate through the Community Association. Pray for Graham as he helps form a new evangelism coordination group at the church.
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God…” 1 John 5:1
This is an exciting week for us as we are commissioning four of our evangelists-in-training who have completed our Mission-Based Training Course.
July 7
July 11
Pray for Gordon Lamb as he leaves our Willowfield Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland and begins his first job as a Pioneer Community Evangelist at Trinity Churches in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
Pray for Church Army’s Training Team, Jane Truman, Claire Dalpra* and Steve Hollinghurst*, as they develop new forms of training and lead our Mission-Based Training Course. www.churcharmy.org.uk/mbt
July 8 Pray for Dawn Hudson as she leaves our Warwick Gates Centre of Mission and moves to Sheffield to work as a Pioneer Evangelist among those with mental health problems.
July 9 Pray for Nicholas Lebey, his wife Evelyn and their baby Joshua as they leave our Bradford Centre of Mission and settle into a new community. At the time of going to press, Nicholas was exploring a potential role in the Thamesmead area of South London working with young people. Final details are yet to be confirmed.
July 12 Give thanks for those taking part in the Diocese of Sheffield’s School of Ministry which our training team helps to teach and support. Pray for them as they study to become lay readers, pastoral workers, parish evangelists, children’s ministers or worship leaders.
July 13 Spend some time praying for people you know considering full-time Christian ministry. May God clearly guide them.
July 10 Pray for Karen Webb who will be continuing her children’s work at the Lisburn Centre of Mission in schools, churches and at Lisburn Cathedral. Pray also for the new community coffee shop which has opened at Lisburn Cathedral and from which Karen will be coordinating outreach.
L to R: Gordon Lamb, Karen Webb, Dawn Hudson, Nicholas Lebey
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:16
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July 7 – 13
Commissioning evangelists
July 14 – 20
Summer evangelism As the summer holidays begin, we pray for the many evangelism opportunities and Christian events which will be taking place across the country.
July 14 Give thanks for the thousands of children and young people who will be attending Christian summer camps over the next few weeks. Pray for our evangelists and volunteers who are helping to organise and lead them, may they be blessed with great energy and enthusiasm. Pray also for safety and that much fun would be had.
July 15 Remember all those leading and attending Holiday at Home events. These holiday clubs for the elderly can include days out, craft, games, good food and live entertainment. Pray the gospel will be clearly explained and demonstrated.
July 18
July 16
July 19
Pray for all those attending Christian festivals this summer, particularly for those who have yet to put their trust in Jesus Christ. Pray for our evangelists who are taking groups to these events.
Praise God for the many holidaymakers who are reached through beach missions each year. Pray the Good News of Jesus Christ will be presented faithfully and engagingly.
July 17
July 20
Pray for our evangelists involved with Christian outreach at community fairs and fêtes. May they build good relationships with those they meet and make connections with other local organisations.
Pray for Christians and churches in your area as they look to reach out to the local community this summer.
Remember all those who will be running church tents or stalls at agricultural shows across the country this summer. Pray their conversations will be fruitful.
“There is no-one like you, O Lord, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” 1 Chronicles 17:20
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Join us this week as we pray for Church Army’s international societies across the world.
July 21
July 25
Pray for Church Army Australia as the team continues to roll out a new set of training modules, Equipping Units. May they benefit many people in the years to come and enable them in evangelism. Visit www.churcharmy.com.au
Pray for Church Army USA’s year-long drug and alcohol recovery programme in Branson, Missouri. May those taking part in it come to know Jesus Christ and find true freedom in the gospel.
July 22 Pray for Church Army Denmark which has shelters providing accommodation, meals, hot baths and clean clothes to those dealing with poverty, loneliness, homelessness, substance abuse, mental health problems and prostitution.
July 23 Pray for Church Army New Zealand’s upcoming national conference, Taking Hope to the Streets, which will take place in Christchurch. May all the preparations go smoothly and God’s word be taught faithfully. Visit www.ca-nz.org.
July 24 Praise God for the launch of Threshold Ministries’ (formerly Church Army Canada) newest project – Street Hope Whitehorse – which will be sharing the gospel with those in the downtown area of the city. Pray for the project’s leader Terry Buckle. Visit www.thresholdministries.ca
July 26 Give thanks for Church Army Africa’s medical centre which was opened last year in Nairobi, Kenya, and serves the local community. Pray it will grow strong and become a missionary centre where God’s love will be shared. Visit www.churcharmyafrica.net
July 27 Pray for Church Army Jamaica and Church Army Barbados as they work with those outside the church.
Phyllis Thomas from Church Army Jamaica
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
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July 21 – 27
Church Army International
As part of our Inside Out campaign, find out how our Thanet Centre of Mission is creating community in care homes Living in a care home can at times be a very lonely experience for many people. But in Kent, Evangelist, Andrew Chadwick, and Prayer Care Co-ordinator, Margaret Hawkins, have worked with the local churches to form a Prayer Care team who regularly visit care homes in the area where they befriend residents and share their faith.
T o watch a film about Inside Out, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/ insideout or scan the code with your mobile phone. T o discover more about the Thanet Centre of Mission, visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/thanetcom
The team was originally formed back in 2007 and it now has 25 volunteers who visit seven different care homes. Their vision is to bless the care home’s staff, residents and their families, while demonstrating God’s love to them. Andrew said: “When I first started work here in Thanet, part of my job was to get alongside the local churches and help them engage in mission. The area has a high percentage of retired people, so Prayer Care is really meeting a need. “During our visits we spend time chatting with people, as well as trying to share the Good News about Jesus Christ through craft, songs and games. We also put on special events throughout the year such as pancake parties, and Evangelist-in-Training, Stuart Budden, has joined team training events and carol singing.”
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Margaret Hawkins (right)
July 28
August 1
Spend some time praying for the care home residents that the Prayer Care team meet each week. Give thanks for the friendships that have grown and for the gospel conversations that arise. Pray for those residents who struggle with loneliness, bereavement and ill-health.
Praise God for the many churches in Thanet who are already involved with Prayer Care. Pray for Andrew as he establishes links with new churches and Christian organisations in the area.
July 29
Pray for the Prayer Care team as they plan activities and teaching for the coming term. May God inspire them with creative and interactive ways to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Praise God for the Prayer Care volunteers and for their willingness to bless others. Pray they will feel increasingly confident in sharing their faith and that as a team they will encourage each other in evangelism.
July 30 Pray for Andrew Chadwick as he leads Prayer Care and organises training for the volunteers.
August 2
August 3 Pray for the future development of Prayer Care, that it will continue to grow and bear fruit so that many others can be told of the hope that we have in the gospel.
July 31 Give thanks for the staff who work at the care homes in the Thanet area and for their commitment. Pray that Prayer Care’s work will have an impact on them and encourage them to find out more about the Christian faith. Andrew Chadwick (left)
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14
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July 28 – August 3
Join us in praying for the Prayer Care project
August 4 – 10
Shareit! magazine – keeping you updated The latest edition of our Shareit! magazine is full of inspirational stories about our work. This week we pray for those who are featured in it. Shareit! is available online at www.churcharmy.org.uk/shareit or to order print copies telephone 0300 123 2113.
August 4
August 7
Give thanks for the Tolladine Mission project which Rick Tett* leads in Worcester and for the good relationships the team has built with the primary schools and secondary Rick Tett school through assemblies, special events and the weekly garden project.
Pray for our 11 gap year students who recently graduated from our Xplore programme, which saw them take part in mission in Romania, the United Kingdom and Ireland. May they continue to be mission-minded as they look to the future.
August 8 Give thanks for Theologian, Graham Tomlin’s, reflection in Shareit! on the theme of spiritual fitness. May those who read it be challenged and encouraged.
August 9
August 5 Praise God for Peter Graystone’s reflection in Shareit! – “Small is beautiful” which looks at the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13. May those who read it be motivated in their evangelism.
Church Army Residential Services in Cardiff provides accommodation for 16 to 21-year-olds who are experiencing homelessness. Pray for the young people as they work towards independent living.
August 10
August 6 Retired Evangelist, Nanette Sanderson, at St Thomas’ Brampton in Chesterfield runs the monthly Rendezvous group for older people where they enjoy lunch, activities and a gospel reflection together. Pray the Rendezvous planning group will continue to be blessed with fresh ideas and give thanks for all the volunteers.
Remember Church Army’s Marketing Team as they plan and write future editions of Shareit!
“…his kingdom endures from generation to generation.” Daniel 4:34
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Join us this week as we pray for our parish representatives, volunteers and supporters.
August 11
August 15
Give thanks for our dedicated team of Parish Representatives across the country who promote our work in their churches. Pray for them as they distribute our literature, organise fundraising events and encourage prayer and financial support.
Pray for all those churches who will be welcoming a Church Army speaker over the coming months. May they be encouraged by our work and be spurred on in their own evangelism.
August 12
August 16
Spend some time praising God for the hundreds of Church Army volunteers who work alongside our evangelists. Pray they will be encouraged as they share their faith through words and action.
Pray for Mission Support Officers, Becca Jeavons and Beth Burras, as they work to raise our profile in churches through recruiting new parish representatives, sending out literature and arranging for Church Army speakers to visit.
August 13
August 17
Remember our Vocations and Volunteering Officer, Sean Andrews, as he looks to recruit more volunteers.
Give thanks for the thousands of people who continue to support our work both in prayer and finance. Praise God for their partnership and faithfulness.
August 14
August 11 – 17
Our supporters and volunteers
Pray for our new fundraising initiative, Menu for Change, which offers people the chance to get together and host a meal on our behalf. It could be a coffee morning, pizza party, Harvest Supper, picnic or any other food-related event you can think of! You can read more in the latest edition of Shareit! magazine on pages 22-23. Resources such as posters, invites and placemats are available at www.churcharmy.org.uk/menuforchange
“For we are God’s fellow-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:9
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August 18 – 24
Bradford Centre of Mission: Sorted project Sorted is a Church Army project in Bradford that seeks to develop fresh ways of doing church for young people – particularly for those with little experience of the Christian faith. It consists of two youth churches which include a weekly service, Bible study groups, activity nights and outreach to the local schools. For more information visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/bradfordcom
August 18
August 23
Pray for all those who attend the Sorted 1 and Sorted 2 youth churches and for the young people and young adults who help lead them. May people come to know Jesus Christ for themselves and may their faith grow and strengthen.
Pray for the Sorted leadership team, Andy Milne*, Tracy Milne, James Hawksworth and Damien Hine*, as they consider how to develop the project. May Jesus Christ be at the centre of all they do.
August 19 Spend some time praying for the young adults group which Sorted has set up. Give thanks for the good connections the team has made with people through the local pubs.
August 20 Praise God for the young people at Sorted who have recently been baptised.
Andy Milne
August 24 Pray for the young people Sorted works with who are struggling with depression, bullying, self-harm and loneliness.
August 21 Give thanks for the regular outreach groups the team runs in the local secondary schools and for the good links they have with the teaching staff. Pray this work will continue to flourish as the new term begins in September.
August 22 Pray for the 30 young people that the Sorted team took to Soul Survivor this summer – a Christian festival in Staffordshire.
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“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.” Psalm 139:17-18
This week we pray for a variety of our evangelists and celebrate the fruit of their work.
August 25
August 29
Paul Ward works for Hope Nottingham and would like to give thanks for the various projects that exist throughout the city to help relieve people from poverty, build community and bring them into a relationship with Jesus. These include: food banks, a café, Alpha courses and a clothing and furniture recycling project.
Nick Russell leads our Greenwich Centre of Mission in South London. Please pray for the Superkidz project which works with deprived children, young people and parents. Pray for Nick and the Superkidz team as they expand the programme to a new housing estate in partnership with the local church.
August 26
August 30
Roger Horsley* who leads our Warwick Centre of Mission would like to give thanks for the opportunities he’s had to share the gospel as chaplain at the Jaguar Land Rover Engineering Centre in Whitley where many people in the community work.
Pray for Keith Blinston at Meadowhead Christian Fellowship in Sheffield as he leads the Focus services for adults with learning disabilities and Keith Blinston from September starts a new daytime club for them.
August 27 Anne Williams* in Sunderland is responsible for the parish of St Mary’s South Hilton – a small colliery village. Please pray for Anne as she builds links with the community to encourage church growth.
August 28 Phil Baul* would like to praise God for the new bus ministry which he’s established on the Manadon housing estate in Plymouth. The bus has been fitted out as a mobile community centre, including a kitchenette.
August 25 – 31
Bearing gospel fruit
August 31 Remember Adrian Prescott* who is the Children’s and Families Minister in the Staffordshire villages of Yarnfield, Tittensor, Cotes Heath, Standon and Swynnerton. Pray for the Rock Solid youth group which meets every Tuesday and for the various after school clubs he leads.
“…I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” John 15:16
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September 1 – 7
Wilson Carlile Centre – the home of Church Army Church Army’s office staff are based at the Wilson Carlile Centre (WCC) Sheffield and spend 10 per cent of their working time each week volunteering in projects across the city. For more information visit www.wilsoncarlilecentre.org.uk
September 1
September 4
Give thanks for the lunchtime singing group David Arundale and Claire Dalpra lead at Springfield Primary School.
Pray for Mark Lavender as he volunteers at the Thursday contact group at St Bart’s Church in the Netherthorpe area. Pray for those who, due to social isolation, mental health difficulties or loneliness, attend the group.
September 2
September 5
Denise Cartledge and Faye Popham
Pray for Denise Cartledge, Jo Spinks and Faye Popham who volunteer at St Stephen’s breakfast café in the Netherthorpe area of Sheffield. May they connect well with those from the community including: students, builders, families and those experiencing homelessness.
September 3 Mike Ackroyd and Paula Barker volunteer at Messy Church each month held at Emmaus Catholic and Church of England Primary School and run by Evangelist Clynt French. They would like to give thanks for the growing number of people attending – nearly 100 each session.
Remember Paul Hasenfuss, Darren Heathcote, Debbie Barker and Mike Ackroyd as they lead a coffee morning at Victoria Court which is a project providing accommodation for people experiencing homelessness. Pray residents will show interest in how faith could help them live life to the full.
September 6 Jon Pape helps lead Krash Kidz, a group for 8 – 11-year-olds, and Regeneration, for 11 – 14-year-olds, at Kirkheaton Parish Church in Huddersfield each Friday evening. Pray for the young people as the groups meet for the first time after the summer holidays.
September 7 Pray for Michelle West as she volunteers at St Luke’s Hospice alongside Evangelist, Mike Reeder*.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
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As a new school terms begins, we give thanks for the many opportunities our evangelists have to share the gospel in schools. Join us in praying for them.
September 8
September 12
Graham Nunn* and Hannah Seal in Kent would like to give thanks for the many school assemblies they will be leading over the coming terms. Pray they will clearly explain the gospel to the pupils through magic, songs and storytelling.
Sandra Doore is the Newcastle Diocesan Development Officer for children’s work. Pray for her as she encourages churches to find ways to make links with the children in their communities.
September 9 Pray for John Marrow* in Guildford as he leads the Kids Alive 325 after school services over the coming term where the gospel is explained through games, drama and song. Pray also for the school assemblies he leads each week.
September 10 Spend some time praying for our Christian children and young people as they live out their faith and share the gospel with their friends.
September 8 – 14
Outreach to schools
September 13 Pray for David Waters who is the Youth Officer for the Ely Diocese and during the coming term will be helping secondary school pupils explore faith through an interactive resource called Breathe which consists of 12 activities based on themes such as journey, life and values.
September 14 Spend some time praying for schools in your area and those Christians who share the gospel in them.
September 11 Dorothy Needham works in the Bolton and Salford area. She would like prayer for the Monday Club at St Paul’s Peel Primary School where a group of Year Five and Year Six pupils meet to explore Christianity. Pray too for the new Junior Church she has established at St Paul’s Peel Church which is aimed at non-churched families.
“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew…” Deuteronomy 32:2
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September 15 – 21
Rural evangelism As Harvest is celebrated over the next few weeks, we take the opportunity to pray for our evangelists working in rural areas.
September 15 Andrew Payne in Haverhill, Suffolk, runs a children’s service twice a month on a Sunday called Elevenses. Pray for Elevenses today as they are having a pet service designed to attract new young families based on the theme, God of all creation.
September 16 Jon Price works in the village of Churchstoke on the Wales/Shropshire border where he is the chaplain at the Farming Crisis Network. Pray for the farmers who Jon meets who are struggling with poor harvests due to bad weather, depression, suicide and loneliness.
September 17 Pray for all our evangelists who are leading Harvest outreach events over the coming few weeks or who are speaking at church services.
September 18 Pray for Gordon Banks* as he prepares to attend a Churches Together Harvest Village Fair in Pulborough, West Sussex, on September 28 where he will be engaging with people through his Church Army caravan and displays.
September 19 Pray for Paul McDonough in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and for his chaplaincy at the town’s further education college and sixth form college. May God open up many gospel conversations.
September 20 Richard and Mandy Priestley have recently moved to Somerset where Richard is Associate Vicar and Mission Enabler for Shepton Mallet Local Ministry group and priest in charge of three rural parishes in the Mendip Hills. Pray for this ministry as they seek to find new ways of being church and growing disciples in the countryside.
September 21 Spend some time praying for any Harvest events and outreach taking place in your community over the next few weeks.
“You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest…” Isaiah 9:3
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This week we pray for our retired evangelists.
September 22
September 25
Spend some time praying for Eric Atkinson as he launches a new over 50’s group, New Horizons, at St John the Baptist in West Byfleet in Surrey. Pray people will Eric Atkinson enjoy fellowship together and encourage each other in their faith.
Diane Giles at St John’s Felbridge in East Grinstead, West Sussex, would like prayer for a Church Army Weekend she is planning in November to encourage the congregation in their support of our work. Give thanks for her willingness to fundraise and pray for Church Army.
September 23 Ray Mills, who is part of the ministry team at St Stephen’s in Chatham, Kent, would like prayer for the church as they reach out to those living on new housing developments. Pray for him also as he helps to plan the parish conference.
September 24 Remember Joan Horby, at St Mark’s in Cleveland, as she attends the parish retreat this week on the Holy Island in Northumbria. Pray also for the church’s monthly Messy Church event for young families.
September 22 – 28
Serving others in retirement
September 26 Tony Maidment who lives in Stourbridge in the West Midlands would like to praise God for the many school assemblies he will be leading this term where he will use magic tricks and illusions to explain the gospel. Pray he will be blessed with energy and good health.
September 27 Pray for Carole Reeve at Ruxley Church in Epsom, Surrey, as they reach out to the community through a food bank and regular coffee morning where refreshments are freely available.
September 28 Remember those retired evangelists who are experiencing ill-health, loneliness or bereavement. May God comfort them and give them peace.
“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart…” 1 Samuel 12:24
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September 29 – October 5
As our Inside Out campaign continues, we find out more about our Craigavon Centre of Mission in Northern Ireland Craigavon in Northern Ireland is often known as “the forgotten city” – an urban development that failed to work, leaving vast areas of housing estates, a high degree of social deprivation and sectarianism. The majority of people living there have little or no contact with church. Yet, Evangelists Myrtle Morrison and Matt Rowley, are working hard at our Centre of Mission at St Saviour’s Church to bring the gospel to people in practical ways. Through outreach to schools and families, hospital chaplaincy, children’s clubs, a men’s breakfast group and community events, the team are seeing people come to an understanding of faith in Jesus Christ. Myrtle said: “People say that Craigavon is the city that never happened, but as a team we have a heartbeat for outreach which is very much alive. We want to bring people hope in practical ways while at the same time helping
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them to discover a new purpose for living thanks to Jesus Christ.” The former Archbishop of Armagh, Alan Harper, has described what the team does as: “working where the spiritual and social are hardest to unite, quietly working small miracles through the grace of God.” T o watch a film about Inside Out, please visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/ insideout T o discover more about the Craigavon Centre of Mission, visit www.churcharmy.org.uk/ craigavoncom
Myrtle Morrison (left) at Craigavon Area Hospital
Join us in praying for the Craigavon Centre of Mission September 29 Spend some time giving thanks for all those who attend the men’s breakfast group each month at St Saviour’s where they enjoy food, testimonies and worship. Pray many more men would come along and engage with the gospel.
September 30 Give thanks for the weekly First Steps parent and toddler group which attracts many young families. Pray for Matt as he leads the story time and craft activities at the group.
October 1 Pray for the Craigavon Centre of Mission as they organise special events for families who have had previous contact with St Saviour’s church but are not attendees. These events consist of games, food and worship, and are based on themes such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and summer holidays.
October 2 Pray for the Open House luncheon club which takes place each Wednesday and is open to the whole community. Myrtle said: “Many people appreciate the club and some have said it is the only time they get to sit down with others to enjoy a meal as they live on their own.”
May they be able to speak words of comfort and hope to the patients, family and staff.
October 4 Give thanks for the good links Matt Rowley has established with Drumgor Matt Rowley Primary School where he leads assemblies every other Friday and for the classes he’s taught where they’ve been going through the Bible.
October 5 Pray for the team as they look ahead to next year’s Xpression event which they help to organise in Craigavon. Xpression is an interchurch initiative which sees more than 400 young people join together for a week during the summer holidays to reach out to communities with the gospel through activities such as gardening and leading kids clubs.
“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14
October 3 Remember the team in their role as chaplains at the Craigavon Area Hospital.
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October 6 – 12
The isolated and vulnerable Many of our evangelists and projects work with some of the most vulnerable people in society. Join us in praying for them and those they meet.
October 6
October 10
Alan Park* leads the Church on the Bus project in Derbyshire which supports homeless and vulnerable people. Please pray for the new arts and crafts group Alan and the team are setting up on the bus which will help people explore “God as a creator”.
Praise God for the Valentia Suite at The Marylebone Project which provides support and accommodation for homeless women diagnosed The Marylebone Project with mental health issues. www.maryleboneproject.org.uk
October 7 Pray for the The Amber Project in Cardiff which supports young people experiencing self-harm, providing them with counselling and activity-based workshops such as craft, cookery and drama. www.amberproject.org.uk
October 8
October 11
Pray for Kathy Green* who is a chaplain at Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital, that God may give her words of hope, sensitivity and comfort as she supports the patients and their families.
Remember “Hannah” who leads a project in the north of England which works with vulnerable women and those involved in street prostitution. Pray for the project’s house where women can visit for practical support and to enjoy being in community in a safe environment.
October 9
October 12
Give thanks for the bus project Rob Barker* and Colin Harris lead as part of our Chester Centre of Mission. Pray for all the young people who visit the bus, particularly those from chaotic backgrounds.
Pray for those who are isolated and vulnerable in your local area, may the church find ways to meet their needs practically, emotionally and spiritually.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Galatians 5:22-23a
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This week we pray for our evangelists as they share their faith through words and action.
October 13
October 17
Ian Maher is the Anglican Chaplain and Multifaith Chaplaincy Coordinator at Sheffield Hallam University. He said: “Please pray for the new students settling into the demands of student life – particularly those struggling financially or who are homesick.”
Clynt French works on the Wybourn housing estate in Sheffield. Please pray for Clynt’s work in schools, the monthly Messy Church he leads and for the church plant that meets once a month on a Saturday tea time.
October 14 David Coleman at our Greenwich Centre of Mission gives thanks for his work with the CHAOS playgroup which has seen the development of a faith library, trips to the local theatre, monthly film and popcorn sessions and enquiries around faith and baptism. Please pray for the development of church@CHAOS which is due to start this autumn.
October 15 Pray for Elizabeth Shearcroft at Immanuel and St Andrew’s Church in Streatham, London, and for the Love Streatham outreach project which she is involved with along with other local churches.
October 16 Remember Simon Mason who is a Pioneer Evangelist to the Meole housing estate in Shrewsbury. Pray for the Bible and Bingo group which Simon leads for senior citizens and for Debt Advice Centre he set up at Trinity Churches.
October 13 – 19
Loving and serving
October 18 Kevin Metcalfe* is the Children’s and Outreach Coordinator at St John’s Wimborne in Dorset. Give thanks for the parish mission which took place at the end of September and for all those the church made contact with.
October 19 Pray for Pam Costin who is Community Chaplain in Donington on Bain, Lincolnshire. Give thanks for the monthly Messy Church Pam leads Pam Costin which attracts around 60 children and parents.
“…do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Galatians 5:13
prayer diary 21
October 20 – 26
Scottish Borders Centre of Mission: Grafted project The Grafted Project, based in Newcastleton, was set up eight years ago to work with people with chaotic lifestyles through outdoor activities. The project has since grown and formed Refresh Community Church which ministries include: children’s and youth work, community drop-ins and outreach to the elderly.
October 20
October 24
Pray for all those who visit the Windows of Time drop-ins in Hawick, Galashiels and Jedburgh where people struggling with issues such as loneliness and alcohol and substance abuse can access support. Pray for the development of a new drop-in in Newcastleton.
Pray for all the children and young people the Grafted project’s staff and volunteers work with through the local schools and various clubs and groups.
October 21 Praise God for the volunteers from the local churches who cook and help in the kitchen at the Windows of Time dropins. Pray that more volunteers will come forward to serve in this way.
October 22 Give thanks for the new Grafted minibus, which travels around towns and villages in the area offering refreshments and the chance for people to hear the gospel and take away Christian literature and DVDs.
October 23 Spend some time praying for Evangelist, Mick McTighe, as he leads and develops the Grafted project.
October 25 Pray for Evangelist-inTraining, Paul Smith, as he leads walking and cycling excursions for people with chaotic lifestyles. May God bless his Paul Smith conversations and provide him with abundant opportunities to share the gospel.
October 26 Pray for the Refresh Community Church – a fresh expression of Christian community. May all those involved grow increasingly Christ-like and live each day with Jesus at the centre.
“The Mighty One, God, The Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.” Psalm 50:1
22 prayer diary
This week we are praying for those involved in leading Church Army.
October 27 Pray for Chief Executive, Mark Russell*, as he prepares to be the keynote speaker at the Aberdeen and Orkney Diocesan conference which takes place from November 7 – 11. May he inspire and equip those who attend in evangelism and encourage them to make it a priority in their local contexts.
October 28 Remember Deputy Chief Executive, Des Scott, as he continues to implement the DARE strategy throughout Church Army – doing Des Scott evangelism, advocating evangelism, resourcing evangelism and enabling evangelism. Pray this strategy will be effective so that Church Army can reach even more people on the margins of society.
Community with her team; Andrew Smith, Debbie Orriss and Sean Andrews. Pray also as she visits individuals from Church Army and networks nationally with other mission communities. Visit www.camissioncommunity.org.uk
October 30 Praise God for our Chair of the Board and Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, and for his commitment to evangelism. May he continue to encourage, guide and challenge Church Army as the board considers future plans and direction.
October 27 – November 2
Leading Church Army
October 31 Pray for our Board Members: Bonnie Appleton, Peter Ridge, Rob Barker*, John Applegate, Sarah James, Dorothy Needham, Graham Nunn*, Steve Eccleston, Wendy Saunders and Joanna Cox.
November 1 Pray for Operations Manager, Neville Willerton*, and National Development Officer, Peter Graystone*, who have responsibility for managing our Centres of Mission and evangelists.
October 29
November 2
Pray for our Dean of Community, Vanessa Kirby, as she develops the life of Mission
Spend some time praying today for your local Christian leaders.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
prayer diary 23
The purpose of Prayer Diary is to enable and encourage you to pray for Church Army: our varied work, our evangelists and our staff. We believe prayer is important and we want to pour out our hearts to God to see this nation changed. Please take this opportunity to pray for our people and the work they are doing on the cutting edge, knowing that in doing so our prayers are in accordance with God’s will.
The paper used is from sustainable forests and can be recycled. Printed by Newman Thomson who have 14001 accreditation.
info@churcharmy.org.uk www.churcharmy.org.uk
Registered Charity Nos. 226226 & SC040457 ISSN 1751–3979
Thank you for your commitment to our evangelists as they continue to work with the seven out of 10 people who have little or no meaningful contact with church. Your prayerful and financial support really is vital and we greatly value your partnership in the gospel. Through faith, words and action lives are being changed and people are finding hope thanks to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Please be assured of our continuing prayers for you. As it says in Philippians 1:3-5, “I thank my God every time I remember you... because of your partnership in the gospel.”
Every year, Church Army needs to raise over £2 million in voluntary income to enable our innovative projects throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland to flourish and develop. Please pray that God will open doors for us to raise this money. To support us financially you can now donate online at www.churcharmy.org.uk/giving or telephone us on 0300 123 2113. You can also send donations by post. If you are interested in receiving more information about the work of Church Army or would like more copies of Prayer Diary, please contact us. We are more than happy to help.
CA/Comms/June/2013
Church Army Wilson Carlile Centre 50 Cavendish Street Sheffield S3 7RZ Tel: 0300 123 2113
Thank you