CPAS Prayer Diary, Autumn 2016

AUTUMN 2016

PRAYER DIARY

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO FIND WISDOM, THOSE WHO GAIN UNDERSTANDING. PROVERBS 3:13

SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CPAS THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER.

YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME WHEN YOU SEEK ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART.

We value your prayers and support greatly.

This diary is designed to guide your prayers across the breadth of our work, offering a weekly theme, prayer points and a Bible verse to aid daily or weekly prayer.

JEREMIAH 29:13

CPAS Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY CV4 7EZ A company limited by guarantee Registered in England no 2673220 Registered charity no 1007820 Registered office at address above

www.cpas.org.uk @cpasnews /cpasnews

Editor: Hazel Lancefield Design: Yeomans All Bible quotations taken from the New International Version.

Copyright CPAS 2016. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for the reproduction of text from this publication for CPAS promotional use only. For all other uses, please contact us.

This publication is printed on paper from farmed forests: for each tree felled, another is planted. The paper is chlorinefree and environmentally friendly.

Daily prayer points from CPAS are also available through the PrayerMate app on iOS and Android devices. Visit www.geero.net/prayermate or search in the App Store.

AN APPETITE FOR PRAYER

E

arlier this year, Archbishops Justin Welby and John Sentamu called the Church of England to pray for the evangelisation of our nations using Jesus’ words, ‘your kingdom come’. In a letter to parish clergy they wrote: ‘It is simple enough to be memorised by small children and yet profound enough to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer. When we pray it with sincerity and with joy, there is no imagining the new ways in which God can use us to his glory.’

In responding to the call of our Archbishops I found myself facing a challenge. If I’m being honest with myself, I know I don’t pray as Nehemiah who wept, mourned and fasted for days (Nehemiah 1:4); I rarely feel Hannah’s anguish (1 Samuel 1:10); I am more often like Jesus’ disciples whose appetite for sleep exceeded that for prayer (Luke 22:46).

The challenge I often face in prayer is the challenge of appetite.

In Jeremiah 29, the prophet conveys God’s word to his people in exile. It is a word that encourages them to embrace their context and to ‘seek the peace and prosperity of the city’ (v7). It is a word of promise (v11). But it is also a word that points to the need to have an appetite for the things of God and God

himself: ‘you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart’ (v13).

Why am I sharing this with you? The reason is that I believe we need to recover an appetite in our praying. Here in the UK and Republic of Ireland most of us are fortunate to have food, shelter and all the things we need in life (and much more), but as a consequence our spiritual appetites are often dulled.

The answer of course is not to generate guilt or to ‘beat ourselves up’. Rather it is to ask God to grant us his Spirit’s presence in our hearts and prayers. Jesus promised: ‘How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

(Luke 11:13).

We are grateful that you continue to pray for the ministry of CPAS and trust that this Prayer Diary will enable you to do so with insight and specificity. Each time you use it, can I ask you to seek God for his Spirit’s presence, that we might together have an ever deeper appetite for the things on God’s heart as we pray ‘your kingdom come’.

John Dunnett General Director www.cpas.org.uk info@cpas.org.uk

0300 123 0780

23-29 OCTOBER

VENTURES AND FALCONS

Young People STILL OTHER SEED FELL ON GOOD SOIL, WHERE IT PRODUCED A CROP – A HUNDRED, SIXTY OR THIRTY TIMES WHAT WAS SOWN. MATTHEW 13:8

For your prayers: Sun 23: Bridgwater: For the young people to get to know God more as they develop creative worship gifts through learning drama, dance, leadership, music and visual skills.

Mon 24: Autumn Falcon: Begins today. May all the young people discover how much more there is as they explore life with Jesus.

T

he young people who joined us on a Venture or Falcon holiday this summer got much more than a one-off week of fun, friendship and Christian teaching! Our holidays are about helping children and teenagers meet with God, and carry their faith back into their normal daily lives.

This week, we are praying for all those who took part in a Venture or Falcon this summer, and are now in their home, school and church environments. We pray that they would be like the ‘seed [which] fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown’ (Matthew 13:8).

This half-term week also sees our two autumn holidays – Bridgwater Venture in Somerset for 13-18s and Autumn Falcon in Northamptonshire for 11-18s.

Tue 25: Patronage: Interviews are taking place at St James’ Newchapel in Staffordshire today for the role of incumbent, with John Dunnett on the interview panel.

Wed 26: Young people: For the teaching they received on Ventures and Falcons this summer to help them make sense of the world around them.

Thu 27: Young people: Those who have few Christian peers. May they have people around them who will encourage them in their faith all year round.

Fri 28: Autumn Falcon: As the holiday ends today, pray for the 11-18s to go home buzzing about Jesus and excited to share the experiences they’ve had with others.

Sat 29: Young people: Those who are facing the choice of whether to stand out and be different for their faith or to fit in with the crowd, that they would have strength and courage.

Venture and Falcon logo tbs

04

LEADERSHIP

30 OCTOBER – 5 NOVEMBER

Ministry Assistants

L

izzie Hare and Pete Letson joined CPAS as ministry assistants this September. Building on the success of the initial ministry internship last year, CPAS will continue to grow and equip young leaders through these posts.

In their work shadowing, resourcing and researching for senior members of staff, they will gain key insights into the organisation, and also have the time and space to be shaped and formed for God’s future call on their lives.

For your prayers: Sun 30: Ministry assistants: God’s help and blessing in settling in quickly and making friends locally, and a good welcome into the family of local churches.

Mon 31: Ministry assistants: For their time with us to increase the energy and effectiveness of things CPAS is already doing.

Tue 1: Ministry assistants: For God to enable Lizzie and Pete to get the most out of the opportunities this year provides.

Wed 2: Lead On email: Going out to around 5,000 Christian leaders today. It includes an article on leading teams through stormy times.

Thu 3: Patronage trustees: Smooth travel and an effective time together in London today. They are due to shortlist for interviews at seven parishes.

Lizzie Hare

HE HAS SAVED US AND CALLED US TO A HOLY LIFE – NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE.

Fri 4: You and Ministry: The weekend begins this evening, led by James Lawrence and CPAS partner Nicola Moy. Pray for clarity of calling for everyone who attends.

Sat 5: Ministry assistants: That we at CPAS see clearly the gifts and abilities God has given them and enable them to grow during their time with us.

2 TIMOTHY 1:9

Pete Letson

05

6-12 NOVEMBER

PATRONAGE CHURCHES

St Luke’s Ramsgate (Canterbury)

T

hanks to the legacy of vibrant youth and children’s work at St Luke’s over many decades, people from as far back as the 1950s youth groups are still part of the church today!

Vicar Paul Worledge said: ‘Our work with young people today includes a Friday night youth group called Fusion which around 40 young people come to, many of whom have not grown up in church. We’d love you to join us in praising God for all he is doing through this, and to ask him to help us reach out to the next age group, young adults.

‘This autumn sees the start of three church courses, which we’d also appreciate prayer for: Growing Leaders, Life Explored and a course on the Old Testament joint with other local churches.’

CPAS general director John Dunnett is preaching this Sunday, which is the church’s 140th anniversary.

For your prayers: Sun 6: St Luke’s: Praise God for 140 years of ministry at St Luke’s as John Dunnett preaches at the celebration service today.

Mon 7: Wales: The Evangelical Fellowship in the Church in Wales conference, taking place today and tomorrow.

Tue 8: St Luke’s: All those taking part in discipleship and leadership courses this autumn.

Wed 9: Patronage: Looking Up, Looking Forward, a free training day for CPAS patronage incumbents, takes place today in Leeds with Graham Archer and Graham Cray leading.

Thu 10: St Luke’s: Vicar Paul Worledge and the other leaders as they seek to reach more people with the gospel, including young adults.

Fri 11: St Luke’s: The Fusion youth group, meeting tonight. Pray for the Holy Spirit to prompt the young people who don’t yet know Christ to follow him.

Sat 12: Vocations: ‘London Calling: Young Women’ taking place today. This is for women aged 15-30 interested in exploring their vocation in the Church of England.

GIVE PRAISE TO THE LORD, PROCLAIM HIS NAME; MAKE KNOWN AMONG THE NATIONS WHAT HE HAS DONE. 1 CHRONICLES 16:8

06

LEADERSHIP

13-19 NOVEMBER

Ministers in Training

For your prayers: THEN THE MASTER TOLD HIS SERVANT, ‘GO OUT TO THE ROADS AND COUNTRY LANES AND COMPEL THEM TO COME IN, SO THAT MY HOUSE WILL BE FULL.’ LUKE 14:23

T

his autumn the scope of our involvement in theological institutions has increased significantly. Over the course of this academic year we will be teaching ordinands in 10 different institutions around the country including, for the first time, several non-residential courses.

Ian Parkinson, who heads up this work for CPAS, is leading sessions this week at both Ridley Hall (Cambridge) and Trinity College (Bristol) and has just completed a series of weekly sessions at St Aidan’s (St Mellitus NW) in Liverpool.

Sun 13: Scotland: St Silas in Glasgow (a CPAS patronage church) and their senior pastor Martin Ayers who has been in post since January.

Mon 14: Ministers in training: Praise God for all those who are following his call into ordained leadership as they’re equipped to lead churches that point others to Christ.

Tue 15: Ministers in training: Ask God to open up more opportunities for us to provide missional leadership training for those at theological colleges.

Wed 16: Ventures: This weekend it’s the annual leaders’ conference. Dr Kate Middleton will be addressing mental health challenges for young people.

Thu 17: Ministers in training: Ian as he leads a session on facilitating communication at Trinity College Bristol.

Fri 18: Ministers in training: Today takes Ian to Ridley Hall where he teaches on both the Christian understanding of leadership and leading change.

Sat 19: Leadership: We’re running a session for groups of leaders from multi-parish benefices in Worcester diocese today, led by Pam Macnaughton and Jerry Marshall.

07

20-26 NOVEMBER

LEADERSHIP

Grove Leadership Series

THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM IS THIS: GET WISDOM … CHERISH HER, AND SHE WILL EXALT YOU; EMBRACE HER, AND SHE WILL HONOUR YOU. PROVERBS 4:7-8

For your prayers: Sun 20: Local churches: CPAS staff are preaching today at Slaugham (John Dunnett), Bristol St Matthew and St Nathaniel (Charles Burgess) and St John’s Knowle (Graham Archer).

T

here are now 25 titles in the Grove Leadership Series, which is a partnership between Grove Books and CPAS. CPAS leadership principal James Lawrence, who sits on the editorial board, says: ‘Grove Books are fast-moving explorations of Christian life and ministry. The aim of the leadership series is to offer fresh thinking and ideas to promote biblical, thoughtful and practical church leadership (lay and ordained).’

The most recent additions to the series have covered the challenges and opportunities of evangelical leadership, vulnerability in leadership and how to face disappointment well. Over the next year, new titles in the pipeline are Managing Change, The Power of Stories, Line Managing and Succession Planning.

08

Mon 21: Emmanuel Northwood (London): Interviews take place today for the role of incumbent. Ask God to clearly reveal his will to the panel, which includes John Dunnett.

Tue 22: Grove: Authors currently working on upcoming titles. Alison Myers (Managing Change), Vaughan Roberts (The Power of Stories), Sharon Prior (Line Managing) and Ian Parkinson (Succession Planning).

Wed 23: PCC Tonight: Everyone at the training evening in Woking tonight. May each PCC take a big step forward as they consider how they can become more effective.

Thu 24: Grove: The editorial team meet today in various locations over Skype. Ask God to inspire and guide them as they discuss new titles.

Fri 25: Grove: Leaders who are struggling with the expectations and responsibilities placed on them.

Ask God to use Grove Books to help them gain perspective and insights.

Sat 26: Growing Messy Leaders: Today, CPAS leadership specialist Pam Macnaughton is co-leading training for Messy Church leadership teams in Bristol.

PCC Tonight A GUIDE TO LEADING A PCC SIX SESSIONS FOR YOUR PCC TO USE INCLUDES OVER 30 DOWNLOADABLE RESOURCES

VISIT WWW.CPAS.ORG.UK /PCCTONIGHT TO DISCOVER MORE PRACTICAL IDEAS ON HOW TO CREATE A DYNAMIC, FUN AND FAITH-FILLED PCC.

27 NOVEMBER – 3 DECEMBER

PATRONAGE CHURCHES

Durham St Nicholas (Durham)

BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE. HONOUR ONE ANOTHER ABOVE YOURSELVES. ROMANS 12:10

For your prayers: Sun 27: St Nic’s: The church’s interns this year to not only receive great teaching, but also fantastic support and encouragement in developing their God-given gifts.

Mon 28: St Nic’s: For the church to see more people step into leadership to help the existing leaders as the vacancy goes on.

D

urham St Nicholas is one of our patronage churches currently in vacancy, with interviews being held this week. Known as ‘the church in the marketplace’, St Nic’s has a congregation of all ages and is well-placed for student and marketplace ministry in the city centre.

The church has an amazing ministry of welcome with a community coffee lounge open six mornings a week, created as a place where everyone is welcomed and accepted regardless of background, lifestyle or circumstances. Graham Archer (CPAS director of ministry) is helping with the interviews at St Nic’s, being held this Thursday.

10

Tue 29: St Nic’s: For the church to be able to grow during the time of vacancy before the new incumbent is appointed.

Wed 30: Leadership: James Lawrence is in Peterborough diocese today leading a day for leaders on building courage.

Thu 1: St Nic’s: Interviews for the new incumbent take place today. Pray that they find the right person for the job amongst the candidates coming today.

Fri 2: St Nic’s: International students. Pray the church is able to introduce them to the gospel so that they can take the good news back to their home countries.

Sat 3: St Nic’s: The Durham City Nativity event, which saw 400 people come into church last year.

VOCATIONS

4-10 DECEMBER

Younger Vocations

T

his week will see a new It’s Your Call event take place in Bristol, as an opportunity for teenagers and young adults to explore whether God is calling them to pioneer ministry, ordination, or some other form of church leadership.

It’s aimed at 16-30s and the day will include prayer, worship, workshops, stories and plenty of opportunities for the attendees to ask questions. Emma Sykes, CPAS leadership specialist with a focus on young vocations, will be leading the event in partnership with the Diocese of Bristol, Trinity College and New Wine.

For your prayers: Sun 4: Ireland: An encouraging number of parishes are involved in Messy Church. Pray for the development of this growing area of ministry.

Mon 5: Young vocations: Ask God to prepare the hearts of those attending It’s Your Call so they can be enthused, encouraged and have a clearer sense of God’s call in their lives.

Tue 6: Young vocations: Continuing development of resources both for the Ventures and Falcons community and for clergy to help encourage vocation in others.

Wed 7: Young vocations: Ask God to continue to raise up young leaders who are passionate about Jesus and the Church and who can inspire future generations to transforms lives in Jesus’ name.

Thu 8: Patronage: The patronage trustees as they meet today, which includes shortlisting for vacant incumbencies at several churches.

Fri 9: Young vocations: As they prepare for tomorrow’s event, please pray for the organisers of It’s Your Call – for wisdom, discernment and godly conversations.

SPEAK, FOR YOUR SERVANT IS LISTENING. 1 SAMUEL 3:10

Sat 10: Young vocations: Ask the Holy Spirit to envision and guide all young people at It’s Your Call today with how you want to use them as catalysts for kingdom growth.

11

11-17 DECEMBER

LEADERSHIP

Partnerships with Dioceses TO THOSE WHO THROUGH THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF OUR GOD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST HAVE RECEIVED A FAITH AS PRECIOUS AS OURS: GRACE AND PEACE. 2 PETER 1:1-2

P

For your prayers: Sun 11: Dioceses: Bristol, Exeter and Peterborough dioceses as they run leadership courses in partnership with CPAS. Mon 12: Partnership in World Mission: John Dunnett is meeting with the leaders of our nine sister Anglican mission agencies today to explore issues of shared concern.

artnering with dioceses is all about working together to provide their clergy with the best, most relevant training possible, whether that’s through in-depth leadership programmes, oneoff training events, learning communities or mentoring schemes. Every diocese is different, and the input we offer is developed with the diocese and tailored to meet their needs.

Tue 13: Dioceses: Learning communities for those working in multi-parish benefices. As this parish structure becomes more common, pray God will provide leaders with all they need.

For example, Carlisle diocese is currently focusing on missional communities, so we are providing a trainer to lead a short course on how to lead change in this context. Peterborough diocese is keen to invest in new incumbents, so we are running a leadership course with them, and Birmingham diocese has a ‘growing younger’ strategy, so we are facilitating a learning community to help their new children and families missioners explore this initiative with their churches.

Fri 16: Dioceses: IME and CME programmes for clergy. Praise God for the impact CPAS has had so far, and pray that more dioceses would make use of what we offer them.

12

Wed 14: Dioceses: Training for the clergy mentoring scheme in London diocese, now taking place for the fifth time. Pray for fruitful relationships.

Thu 15: Dioceses: James Lawrence is meeting with staff from Winchester diocese today to discuss their future plans for leadership development.

Sat 17: Local churches: Churches in vacancy.

Ask God to provide energy, enthusiasm and joy in serving him for all those leading Christmas activities where there is no incumbent.

PATRONAGE CHURCHES

St Matthew and St Nathaniel (Bristol)

S

t Matthew’s is a vibrant church, living for Jesus in Kingsdown, a suburb of Bristol. Vicar Marcus Nelson said ‘Our wonderful church family are a “city on a hill”, looking to Jesus the light of the world and reflecting his light all across the city. We are very committed to growing in our knowledge and love of Jesus through the Scriptures and going out to make him known, so that many others can experience the joy being forgiven and loved by him.

‘We have thriving children’s, youth and families groups, a growing ministry to Bristol University students and young adults as well as men’s and women’s groups. We also have close links with Trinity College and have seven students who during their training will immerse themselves in our church family life. We very much need your prayers, thank you for standing with us and for your partnership in the gospel.’

18-24 DECEMBER

For your prayers: Sun 18: St Matthews: Christmas services taking place this week to be a great opportunity to share the good news of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Mon 19: St Matthews: The church family of all ages to be able to particularly strengthen their ministry to students and young adults.

Tue 20: St Matthews: Genuine and radical discipleship as the church family grow in knowledge of Jesus Christ through Scripture.

Wed 21: St Matthews: Support for existing leaders and development of new leaders who love Jesus above all, particularly among the Trinity College ordinands at the church and those in the younger generations.

Thu 22: St Matthews: A clear focus on Jesus at the mid-week toddler groups, King’s Kids and Stay & Play, to draw families into the church.

Fri 23: St Matthews: The creative and effective development of new ministries to reach out in Jesus’ name into a very needy area.

Sat 24: Christmas Eve: Clergy preparing to lead services tonight (many of them at midnight) and again in the morning. Pray for energy and joy in serving, and time for rest and family.

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A TOWN BUILT ON A HILL CANNOT BE HIDDEN. MATTHEW 5:14

13

25-31 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS WEEK

Local Churches

Sun 25

SHE WILL GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND YOU ARE TO GIVE HIM THE NAME JESUS, BECAUSE HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS. MATTHEW 1:21 On this Christmas morning, we pray for those attending church services in the UK and Republic of Ireland who do not normally go to church. May they encounter Jesus their Saviour.

Mon 26

Tue 27

‘GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO THOSE ON WHOM HIS FAVOUR RESTS.’ LUKE 2:14 May local churches across our nations be full of people worshipping God whole-heartedly. We pray that everything we do will be for his glory.

THEY SPREAD THE WORD CONCERNING WHAT HAD BEEN TOLD THEM ABOUT THIS CHILD, AND ALL WHO HEARD IT WERE AMAZED AT WHAT THE SHEPHERDS SAID TO THEM.

LUKE 2:17-18

As people take part in very familiar Christmas traditions, we ask for the Holy Spirit to open their hearts and amaze them with the good news of Jesus and what it means for their lives.

Wed 28

14

BUT MARY TREASURED UP ALL THESE THINGS AND PONDERED THEM IN HER HEART. LUKE 2:19 Today we pray for our own Christian faith. We ask that we will know God better, treasure our relationship with Jesus, and joyfully follow him in whatever he asks of us.

Thu 29

WHEN JOSEPH WOKE UP, HE DID WHAT THE ANGEL OF THE LORD HAD COMMANDED HIM AND TOOK MARY HOME AS HIS WIFE. MATTHEW 1:24 We pray for faithfulness and courage for our churches, that we may continue to obey God and display his character in a culture which is increasingly hostile to Christianity.

Fri 30

THEN THEY OPENED THEIR TREASURES AND PRESENTED HIM WITH GIFTS OF GOLD, FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH.

MATTHEW 2:11

We pray for Christians across the British Isles to serve God with all the gifts he has given us, so we can see his kingdom come in our villages, towns and cities.

Sat 31

AND HE WILL GO ON BEFORE THE LORD, IN THE SPIRIT AND POWER OF ELIJAH … TO MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD. LUKE 1:17 As we seek to point the people around us towards Jesus, we ask that God would prepare their hearts, and make them ready to receive him as Lord of their lives.

HAVE A JOYFUL CHRISTMAS!

15

1-7 JANUARY

VENTURES AND FALCONS

Haslemere New Year Reunion

A

round 40 young people and 20 leaders from the Haslemere Ventures will be reunited over this New Year’s Eve weekend. The teaching series will be based on 1 Peter, hoping to equip young people to serve God in their everyday lives.

There will also be lots of fun including bowling and a New Year’s Eve Feast!

Overall Leader Paul shared: ‘We’re also passionate about growing young leaders and the New Year reunion is a time when we begin to prepare some of our younger leaders for service within the Haslemere Ventures for 2017.’

BUT JUST AS HE WHO CALLED YOU IS HOLY, SO BE HOLY IN ALL YOU DO. 1 PETER 1:15

For your prayers: Sun 1: Haslemere: At the turn of the year, pray that faith is renewed and young people are equipped for serving God in their daily lives.

Mon 2: Haslemere: Those speaking at Haslemere to foster real engagement with Scripture among the young people in the teaching today. Also, safety in travel as everyone heads home.

Tue 3: Haslemere: Those young people identified as leaders continue growing in character and faith between now and the summer holidays.

Wed 4: Haslemere: Thank God for the volunteers who gave their time to lead the reunion. Pray they will be refreshed and ready for the year ahead as they go back to work and studies.

Thu 5: Ventures and Falcons: All of those thinking of coming on CPAS holidays this summer to book their place and start looking forward to a wonderful week away.

Fri 6: Falcons: Ask God to provide Christian support for those children and teenagers who went on a Falcon last year and are not yet connected with a local church.

Sat 7: Haslemere: Praise God for an amazing 54 years of Haslemere holidays! Pray for this legacy to continue long into the future.

16

LEADERSHIP

Arrow Leadership Programme

8-14 JANUARY

OUR HOPE IS THAT, AS YOUR FAITH CONTINUES TO GROW, OUR SPHERE OF ACTIVITY AMONG YOU WILL GREATLY EXPAND, SO THAT WE CAN PREACH THE GOSPEL IN THE REGIONS BEYOND YOU. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:15-16

For your prayers: Sun 8: CPAS: Ask for refreshment for staff as they worship in their local churches today and prepare for a busy term ahead.

T

he start of the year gives those involved with Arrow an opportunity to do some forward planning, participants and leaders alike. With Arrow Reloaded (for those who have previously completed the programme) at the end of the month and the Arrow strategy group meeting to think ahead to future developments, there is plenty to keep Sally Taylor, Arrow’s programme manager, and the team busy.

In addition to that, next week the current Arrow Leadership Programme hits its halfway mark with a one-day gathering for the participants and their spouse or friend.

Mon 9: Arrow: Preparations for Arrow Reloaded at the end of the month, and in particular for those who are speaking as they finalise their talks.

Tue 10: Scotland: The Scottish Episcopal Church and the Church of Scotland as they struggle with issues around same-sex marriage and consequent threats of division and departures.

Wed 11: Arrow: As the Arrow strategy group meets today, please pray for wisdom as they seek to discern strategic developments for the future of the programme.

Thu 12: Arrow: Continue to pray for those who mentor Arrow participants, that God will give them all they need as they meet month by month.

Fri 13: Ireland: Ask God to give wisdom to John Dunnett as he works with people in leadership to discern the best way forward in clergy development.

Sat 14: Arrow: Take Two is an opportunity to review how things are going at the mid-point of Arrow.

Pray for safety in travel and God to be at work in the lives of all who gather this time next week.

17

15-21 JANUARY

LEADERSHIP

Peterborough Leadership Course

SING TO THE LORD, PRAISE HIS NAME; PROCLAIM HIS SALVATION DAY AFTER DAY. PSALM 96:2

For your prayers: Sun 15: Peterborough: Beverley and the 21 other clergy who took part in the last course. Pray they will continue to find what they learnt useful now and long into the future.

Mon 16: Peterborough: Ask God to develop the character of all those taking part in the new course over the next 12 months as they explore the inner life of the leader.

T

his week, a second cohort of clergy begin the Peterborough diocesan leadership course. The course runs throughout 2017 and focuses on reframing leadership for missional churches.

Beverley Hollins, vicar of the Living Brook Benefice in Northamptonshire, took part in the previous course, and is serving as a mentor this time. She said: ‘All my churches have grown over the last year, and the team I was seeding as the course began is now a year old and it is brilliant! Without doubt, you have contributed to our journey, and your work will continue to inspire and teach us. You have challenged us to grow as leaders and to grow more leaders.’

18

Tue 17: Peterborough: Ask God to use the gifts of each person for his glory as they consider the outer life of the leader, including how they lead well with others and grow new leaders.

Wed 18: Peterborough: The leadership course kicks off with a residential today and tomorrow. Pray the group gel well and get excited about all God is going to do.

Thu 19: Peterborough: The participants are exploring the theology of Christian leadership and establishing foundations for the rest of the course.

Fri 20: Leadership: Ian Parkinson is at Cranmer Hall today leading an ‘Explore’ teaching day for the whole college around leadership themes.

Sat 21: Arrow Leadership Programme: The participants and their spouses and friends are gathering today for Take Two.

GIVING TO CPAS Our ministry helping local churches share the gospel with the communities around them is only possible because of the generous gifts of churches and individuals like you.

Thank you for your support.

Ways to Give Personal donations

You can give one-off or regular gifts to CPAS in a variety of ways. Make a donation online, send a cheque through the post or contact our Finance team on the details below to make a donation over the phone or request a Standing Order form.

Church giving

Whether your local church serves a village, town or city, by supporting our ministry as a church you are contributing towards mission-enabling work across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Please visit our website or call us to find out more.

Legacies

Leaving a legacy to CPAS is a fantastic way to help us continue enabling churches to help every person hear and discover the good news of Jesus Christ. Find out more online or contact us on the details below.

www.cpas.org.uk /donate

‘A really well thought out and brilliantly presented evening. I feel excited and enthused as a new PCC member.’ Participant, PCC Tonight training evening

CPAS, Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY CV4 7EZ 0300 123 0780 supporter.relations@cpas.org.uk

A NEW RESOURCE TO EQUIP CHURCH LEADERS TO HANDLE CONFLICT WELL.

Changing how we handle conflict Alastair McKay

‘This is an excellent and accessible resource that can help transform the way tensions are handled within churches of every tradition.’

Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester

THE WAIT IS OVER. OUT NOW! GO TO WWW.CPAS.ORG.UK/ GROWINGBRIDGEBUILDERS TO ORDER TODAY.