AUTUMN – WINTER 2017
PRAYER DIARY
BUT AS FOR YOU, CONTINUE IN WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED AND HAVE BECOME CONVINCED OF. 2 TIMOTHY 3:14
SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CPAS THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER.
ONCE AGAIN I WILL YIELD TO ISRAEL’S PLEA AND DO THIS FOR THEM.
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.
EZEKIEL 36:37
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
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Editor: Hazel Lancefield Design: Catherine Jackson All Bible quotations taken from the New International Version. Copyright CPAS 2017. 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 your app store.
BEING PREPARED
zekiel chapter 36 is a well known and often quoted passage of Scripture (for example, verse 26: ‘I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you’). What is not always understood is the fuller context of this and other verses – namely a promise of God’s revival of his people and restoration of the land for the sake of his name.
In the Old Testament, this principle is often visible in God’s promises around livestock and harvest (e.g. Deuteronomy 11:13-15), where obedience leads to blessing. In Mark’s Gospel we read that Jesus could not do any ‘mighty work’ (Mark 6:5, KJV) in Nazareth because of the people’s unbelief (they were not prepared).
Ezekiel must have rejoiced at God’s promise: a cleansing from sins (v33), a desolate land being cultivated again (v34) and ruined places rebuilt (v35). What is interesting to note is that this will come about because of two things: the sovereignty of God and the petitions of God’s people.
Our country needs church leaders who are teaching and encouraging God’s people to be prepared. Prepared in how they live – and prepared in their praying. If ever we needed an outpouring of God’s enlivening, convicting and transforming grace it is now. And this will only happen as leaders are convicted by this biblical principle and as they teach and build churches that are prepared.
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In verse 37, God says to Ezekiel: ‘Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them’. Clearly, the agent of revival and restoration is God himself – but it is also clear that God’s plan for how this will come about includes the petitions of his people (‘I will yield to Israel’s plea’). In his book In the Day of Thy Power, Arthur Wallis refers to what he calls the ‘two foundation stones of every revival – the sovereignty of God and the preparedness of man’ (for ‘man’ read ‘men and women’ – first published 1956). The timing of the ‘day of God’s power’ is determined by him alone – but Scripture also teaches that his people need to be hungry, obedient and in prayer for his blessing.
Thank you for praying for CPAS. As you use this diary to pray for us and those we serve, can I invite you to focus on asking God to stir the hearts of all those mentioned? Please join us in praying for clergy and lay leaders alike as they lead their people in petitioning God for a new ‘day’ of our preparedness and his power.
John Dunnett General Director
www.cpas.org.uk info@cpas.org.uk
0300 123 0780
22-28 OCTOBER
VENTURES AND FALCONS Half-term Holidays
THE FIRST THING ANDREW DID WAS TO FIND HIS BROTHER SIMON AND TELL HIM, ‘WE HAVE FOUND THE MESSIAH’. AND HE BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS. JOHN 1:41-42
Autumn Falcon (21-25 October) Age group: 11-18s Overall leader: Katie Delamere
Bridgwater 1
(21-24 October) Age group: 10-13s Overall leaders: Paul and Debbie Evans, Helen Pattinson and David White
Haslemere @ Danehill
(23-26 October) Age group: 10-13s Overall leaders: Paul Peterson, Helen Baker and Polly Davis
Bridgwater 2
(24-28 October) Age group: 14-18s Overall leaders: Paul and Debbie Evans, Helen Pattinson and David White 04
For your prayers: Sun 22: Autumn Falcon: For the 11-18s and their leaders, many of whom have come together from Tollington Parish in North London. Mon 23: Bridgwater 1: The teaching theme is ‘Unexpected Heroes’ of the Bible. Pray for good discussions to be sparked in the small groups. Tue 24: Haslemere @ Danehill: God’s guidance over the talk scheme. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak as our leaders open-up his Word. Wed 25: Haslemere @ Danehill: The development of young leaders. They bring a lot of energy and fun to the holiday as they interact with the 10-13s. Thu 26: Bridgwater 2: The teenagers are going through ‘The Big Story’, an overview of the whole Bible. Pray this is fun, informative and helps them know God better. Fri 27: Scotland: For the appointment of bishops in a number of vacant dioceses: Aberdeen and Orkney; Brechin; St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane. Sat 28: Half-term holidays: As the Bridgwater 2 group head home today, young people from all the holidays are getting ready to go back to school. Pray for a renewed passion to follow God and share their faith.
IRELAND
29 OCTOBER4 NOVEMBER
Mission and Ministry AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS. PHILIPPIANS 4:7
St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast
For your prayers: Brexit: Almighty God, we lift up Ireland SUN 29 – one island with two countries. We pray for the Brexit negotiations as they affect communities in Northern Ireland and the Republic. We pray your special blessing on Bishop Ferran Glenfield as he leads Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, a diocese in both the North and the South. Local Ordained Ministry: Following MON 30 General Synod in May, local ordained ministry is being pioneered in the Church of Ireland. Lord, we ask that you would call many people to explore this. Please provide Bishop Patrick Rooke, who is initiating this, with all he needs spiritually and practically. Youth and Children’s Ministry: Today, we TUE 31 lift up the work of the Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) and all those leading ministries for under 18s. Lord God, we praise you for the success of Messy Church and ask that you will use this and other initiatives to bring many young people to faith in Christ. Mission Partnerships: Lord, we thank you WED 1 for all the fruitful mission partnerships between churches in Ireland and those overseas. As churches are both encouraged and challenged by the witness of those overseas, we pray you would inspire them in their own ministry in Ireland.
Local Church Outreach: Father, we thank you for churches which are seeking to bring the love of Jesus to new areas and people groups. We lift up Canon James Carson as he leads a team reaching out in the Lower Shankhill area of Belfast and other leaders who are stepping out in faith elsewhere. THU 2
Cathedral Congregations: Holy Spirit, be at work in the many cathedrals in Ireland, which are often situated in the heart of towns and cities with strategic opportunities to reach out. We pray particularly for the appointment of a new Dean at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast for the next chapter of mission and ministry. FRI 3
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Dioceses: Father God, as many diocesan synods take place this autumn, we pray for each diocese by name:
Province of Armagh: Armagh; Clogher; Connor; Derry and Raphoe; Down and Dromore; Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh; Tuam, Killala and Achonry. Province of Dublin: Dublin and Glendalough; Cashel and Ossory; Cork, Cloyne and Ross; Limerick and Killaloe; Meath and Kildare. 05
5-11 NOVEMBER
LEADERSHIP Clergy Starting New Roles MAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF AND GOD OUR FATHER … ENCOURAGE YOUR HEARTS AND STRENGTHEN YOU IN EVERY GOOD DEED AND WORD. 2 THESSALONIANS 2:16-17
Graham Archer, CPAS Director of Ministry
rom Monday to Wednesday (6-8 November), Graham Archer will be leading a group of clergy who are within the first few months of a new role at the New Chapters conference. This follows last week’s The Buck Stops Here conference where 20 first-time incumbents gathered to learn, pray, reflect and seek God’s will in the transition from curacy to a position of more responsibility.
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Graham said, ‘Discerning what God is doing and how he wants to use us is essential in any new leadership role, as well as putting good systems and structures in place for healthy, long-term, fruitful leadership.’ CPAS is also running Moving On later this month, a forum-style event for clergy considering a move, recognising that this is a pivotal time of change both for the leader and the churches they lead. 06
For your prayers: Sun 5: Clergy starting new roles: Those starting roles in local churches, especially those taking up a position of overall responsibility for the very first time. Mon 6: Clergy starting new roles: As clergy arrive at the conference centre in Malvern for New Chapters, pray they will sense God is with them and calling them to important work. Tue 7: Clergy starting new roles: For the teaching at New Chapters to be relevant and stimulating and for everyone to feel excited about the challenge which lies ahead of them. Wed 8: Clergy starting new roles: The 20 clergy who came to The Buck Stops Here last week. Ask God to use them to bring many, many people to him over the coming years. Thu 9: Clergy starting new roles: The interviews for the new incumbent of North Farnborough Team Ministry take place today. Pray the right person is selected, and those who are not soon find the role God is calling them to. Fri 10: School Venture: The first School Venture for Hereford diocese starts today, led by Graeme and Hannah McClelland. Sat 11: School Venture: For the junior school children as they learn about ‘The Case of the Empty Tomb’, exploring evidence from Luke’s Gospel in an exciting and interactive way.
‘Leading a Venture is almost as much fun as being on one!’
Volunteer for
Ventures and Falcons A CPAS Venture or Falcon holiday offers a fantastic opportunity to serve young people and be part of something amazing. Every year, Ventures and Falcons give thousands of young people across the UK a fantastic week away, full of fun and friendship and the opportunity to explore life with Jesus. Whether your gifts are planning and administration, leading activities and Bible studies or cooking and washing up, we’d love to hear from you! Leaders come from all walks of life, from students to retirees. Age and physical ability need not be a barrier – we’re always looking for treasurers and bookings contacts to do the hard work beforehand as well as cooks and leaders for the holiday itself.
Get in touch with the office team on 0300 123 0780 (option 2) or ventures@cpas.org.uk for more details of how you can get involved.
12-18 NOVEMBER
LEADERSHIP Arrow Leadership Programme
MANY, LORD MY GOD, ARE THE WONDERS YOU HAVE DONE, THE THINGS YOU PLANNED FOR US. PSALM 40:5
t’s a busy time for the Arrow team as one programme ends and applications for the next programme come in.
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The Arrow 14 participants have their final day together this Saturday after four residentials, practical projects on key leadership topics and numerous meetings with mentors and small groups. It’s a time of celebration, looking back on 18 months of focused leadership development and looking forward to what God has in store for their ministries in the years to come. Applications for the next programme have been open since September and will close in early December. The discernment process will then begin to select the 24 younger leaders who will take part in Arrow 15.
For your prayers: Sun 12: Arrow: For leaders who would benefit from Arrow to hear about it and be prompted to apply for the next programme. Mon 13: Arrow: All those who serve on the Arrow 14 team: Jeremy Allcock, Cathy Blair, James Lawrence, Eils Osgood, Sally Taylor, Richard Trethewey, Becky Widdows and David Widdows. Tue 14: Scotland: Wisdom for clergy and lay people unsure about their place in the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) following the re-defining of marriage in the change to Canon XXXI. Wed 15: CPAS: The Council of Reference meets in London today. Pray for inspired insights about what God wants to do through CPAS’ ministry now and in the future. Thu 16: Scotland: The Right Rev Mark Strange, the new Primus of the SEC. Bishop Mark is also Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness. Fri 17: Arrow: Preparations for tomorrow’s gathering. Pray for smooth practical arrangements and a sense of God’s presence and blessing in every part of the day. Sat 18: Arrow: Today is the participants’ final day together. Pray for them as they move on from Arrow that they will remember all that God has taught them and put it into practice.
The Arrow 14 participants
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LEADERSHIP
19-25 NOVEMBER
Thrive Multi-Parish Benefices THE HEART OF THE DISCERNING ACQUIRES KNOWLEDGE, FOR THE EARS OF THE WISE SEEK IT OUT. PROVERBS 18:15
For your prayers: Sun 19: Local churches: Today, Graham Archer is speaking at St Matthew’s Rugby, which is in vacancy. Pray God speaks through his message. Mon 20: PCC Tonight: The training event happening tonight in Durham. Pray for all the PCCs as they gather to learn and grow together.
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n response to the growing needs of multi-parish benefices, CPAS, in partnership with the Arthur Rank Centre and Lead Academy, have developed Thrive Communities. A Thrive Community is a committed gathering of influential lay church members and clergy, working and learning together how to co-operate more effectively with God’s mission in the world. It combines exploring the experiences and wisdom of everyone in the community with fresh insights from facilitators and guest speakers. This week sees CPAS Leadership Specialist Pam Macnaughton operating in Lichfield diocese, launching one Thrive learning community and finishing off another. Please join us in praying for energy, wisdom, enthusiasm and vision for Pam, the facilitators and the attendees.
Tue 21: Leadership: Charles Burgess is leading training for Gloucester diocese on self-leadership. Pray this helps the attendees to nurture their self-awareness and invest in their strengths to become better leaders. Wed 22: Thrive: The Thrive multi-parish benefice learning community in Stafford, for their last meeting and to continue planning and working for mission in the future. Thu 23: Leadership: Today, John Fisher leads a Moving On event in Coventry for clergy considering a move. Pray that all who attend may leave with a sense of excitement for the future. Fri 24: Thrive: As one Thrive learning community finishes, another begins. Pray for the new learning community in Shrewsbury, meeting for the first time today. Sat 25: Ventures: The Ventures conference takes place today, with holiday leaders coming together to learn and share ideas. The theme is ‘Creative and faithful teaching programmes’. 09 07
26 NOVEMBER2 DECEMBER
LEADERSHIP Diocesan Training
‘COME, FOLLOW ME,’ JESUS SAID, ‘AND I WILL SEND YOU OUT TO FISH FOR PEOPLE.’
For your prayers:
MATTHEW 4:19 Charles Burgess, Leadership Specialist
Worcester Mission Enabler Training Worcester diocese has recruited several church leaders to become ‘Mission Enablers’ to facilitate work with children and young people in local churches. CPAS staff are delivering several training sessions to equip them in this new role, including one this Wednesday led by Charles Burgess. Peterborough Leadership Course Sixteen incumbents have been taking part in a year-long CPAS leadership course which ends this Wednesday. Pam Macnaughton is leading the final day, after which participants will see their mentor to reflect on and discuss what they have learned. Bristol Growing Leaders Course Lay leaders in Bristol diocese are meeting next week for the third session of a diocesewide Growing Leaders course, led by Charles Burgess from CPAS and Derek Chedzey from Bristol diocese. They will look at calling and discerning priorities in Christian leadership. 10
Sun 26: Local churches: Holy Trinity Claygate, where Graham Archer is preaching this morning. Pray God’s blessing on this large and lively church. Mon 27: Theological colleges: Ian Parkinson is at St Mellitus NW in Liverpool today leading the final session of an MA module entitled ‘Contemporary Christian Leadership’. Tue 28: Diocesan training: For the participants on the Peterborough Leadership Course to be blessed by the training and helped to become significantly more effective in mission. Wed 29: Diocesan training: Pam Macnaughton leading the final day of the Peterborough diocese leadership course and Charles Burgess leading Worcester Mission Enabler training. Thu 30: CPAS: The annual trustee residential is taking place. Pray for God’s ‘good hand’ to be upon them (Nehemiah 2:8) as they engage in important and wide-ranging discussions. Fri 1: Diocesan training: The ‘Mission Enablers’ in Worcester diocese as they reflect on the training so far on shaping culture, developing strategies and resourcing oneself. Sat 2: Diocesan training: The lay leaders taking part in Growing Leaders in Bristol diocese. Pray they will grow in competence and confidence as leaders and move forward in their own discipleship.
PATRONAGE CHURCHES
3-9 DECEMBER
St Ippolyts with Great and Little Wymondley (St Albans)
THIS WILL BE A SIGN TO YOU: YOU WILL FIND A BABY WRAPPED IN CLOTHS AND LYING IN A MANGER. LUKE 2:12
etween Hitchin, Stevenage and Letchworth Garden City lie three semi-rural parishes with a strong feeling of community and a desire to work together to be as welcoming as possible. St Ippolyts in particular is known locally for its beauty, attracting others from surrounding communities for baptisms, Christmas activities and a monthly community lunch.
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The three congregations are hoping to attract more younger people by building on their current children’s work, relaunching a nonEucharistic service with breakfast served afterwards. They are also developing their ministry among older people in three local care homes. Beyond this, the main focus at this time is on Christmas activities. This includes carol singing, the ever popular Nativity Crib Festival at St Ippolyts and Little Wymondley’s Nativity procession which marches through the church and finishes at the pub for carols and a short message.
For your prayers: Sun 3: St Ippolyts: Continued unity across the three parishes. Pray also for more young families to be attracted by the non-Eucharistic service and ongoing activities. Mon 4: St Ippolyts: For the Crib Festival, Nativity procession and Christmas services. Pray that both long-standing members and newcomers will be blessed over the season. Tue 5: CPAS: Today, John Fisher (Patronage Secretary) is leading a Moving On day for the Diocese of Bristol. Please pray for all those considering moving positions. Wed 6: Leadership: Charles Burgess is running Growing Leaders today in Bristol. Praise God for this investment in lay leadership and ask that it will bear much fruit. Thu 7: Leadership: Emma Sykes is leading a session on vulnerability at Trinity College Bristol. Pray this has a really positive impact on the ordinands’ future leadership. Fri 8: St Ippolyts: Thank God for the new opportunities St Ippolyts has in the three local care homes. Pray that the 70 residents will feel the love of Christ, particularly the ill or lonely. Sat 9: St Ippolyts: These churches are blessed with beautiful buildings and a rich history. Pray this prompts people to get involved and ultimately come to know Christ personally. 11
10-16 DECEMBER
VENTURES AND FALCONS School Ventures
THE SPIRIT HIMSELF TESTIFIES WITH OUR SPIRIT THAT WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN. ROMANS 8:16
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he ministry of School Ventures is growing each year, with five holidays taking place this academic year for 9-11 year olds and one for secondary school age.
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‘The children have a fantastic time exploring the Christian faith in a fun and engaging way. There’s “The Case of the Empty Tomb”, where we look at Luke’s Gospel and do all sorts of detective-themed activities like making ID badges and playing “Hunt-the-leader”. There’s also “321 Blastoff”, a space-themed holiday which is about the Trinity and how we can be part of God’s family, along with lots of rocket-building etc. and a good dose of wide games, water games and outdoor activities. ‘Thank you so much for praying for us as we develop this ministry. Please pray for wisdom as we think about how to expand at the right pace and in the right way.’ Tim Friend, Ventures and Falcons Principal
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For your prayers: Sun 10: Patronage churches: Christ Church Highbury, which is in vacancy at the moment. Pray that the right leader is found and for the churchwardens to be well supported. Mon 11: School Ventures: The children who took part in the Wirral and Hereford School Ventures in September and November. Pray for ongoing discipleship through local churches. Tue 12: School Ventures: CPAS ministry assistant Jo Cox who is helping Tim and the Ventures and Falcons team develop the ministry faster. Wed 13: Ministry assistants: CPAS’ other two ministry assistants, Mary Smalley and Izy Wilkinson, who are supporting different areas of our work this year. Thu 14: School Ventures: Praise God for the success of School Ventures and all the opportunities to expand – and for wisdom to know how best to do this! Fri 15: School Ventures: Plans for the upcoming holidays in 2018 for children from Wirral (March), Leicester (April) and Nottingham (May). Sat 16: School Ventures: The first School Venture for secondary school age. Please pray particularly as we plan appropriate teaching material and build our leadership team.
YOUNG VOCATIONS
17-23 DECEMBER
Talk Calling
alk Calling is a new resource to help young people explore how God might be calling them to follow him. Four sets of cards have been created for leaders to use with teenagers as a conversation starter, helping them discover how they can use their gifts, skills and talents to live out God’s kingdom purposes. The picture-based resource includes a guide for facilitators, with the aim of opening up discussions for young people with different learning styles.
For your prayers:
Emma Sykes, CPAS Leadership Specialist with a focus on young vocations, said: ‘Young people are asking “what does God want me to do with my life?” and Talk Calling will help start the conversations that help them listen and have the courage to follow what they’re called to do.’
Wed 20: Young vocations: Young vocations champions across all dioceses. Pray they would be encouraged in supporting and raising up young leaders in the Church.
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Sun 17: Local churches: Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Pray for your local church as we prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth. Mon 18: Talk Calling: For church leaders both lay and ordained to use Talk Calling to enable young people to discover the God possibilities in their lives. Tue 19: Talk Calling: The young people who use the resource, that it will help them to look afresh at how God is calling them.
Thu 21: Talk Calling: For this new resource to be a catalyst for young people to grow in relationship with Jesus and serve his kingdom purposes in their lives. Fri 22: Talk Calling: Ask God to provide fruitful opportunities for leaders to use Talk Calling during Venture and Falcon holidays in 2018.
IF YOU CALL OUT FOR INSIGHT … AND IF YOU LOOK FOR IT AS FOR SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT AS FOR HIDDEN TREASURE THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. PROVERBS 2:3-5
Sat 23: Advent: Many local churches will be hosting carol services today. Please pray for people of all ages to respond to this great evangelistic opportunity.
Talk Calling 07 13
24-30 DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS
Christmas Eve Today, we pray for clergy and others leading many Christmas services, including Midnight Mass tonight for some. Ask God to fill them with joy as they serve.
Christmas Day ‘A Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’ (Luke 2:11). Pray that the words spoken and the carols sung at your church point everyone towards Christ their saviour.
27 December Boxing Day Ask God to provide friendship and community for those struggling with loneliness at Christmas and throughout the year. Pray for open, welcoming churches across our nations.
Pray for God’s healing for families where there is estrangement and conflict. Ask the Holy Spirit to be at work in these difficult situations where forgiveness and patience are needed.
28 December Lift up those struggling with financial hardship. Praise God for CPAS Falcon holidays and the many other Christian charities and churches which support people.
29 December Those who went to church this Christmas just because they enjoy the tradition. Pray that what they have heard sticks in their minds and prompts them to go back and find out more in the New Year.
30 December Pray for people you know who have wandered away from church. Ask that this time of rest and focusing on Christ’s birth will prompt them to come back to God.
31 DECEMBER6 JANUARY
VENTURES AND FALCONS Praising God for 2017
THEREFORE, MY DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, STAND FIRM. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELVES FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LABOUR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58
ver 2017, around 90 Venture and Falcon holidays have impacted thousands of young people and by extension their families and communities alike. The last holiday of the year is currently taking place with 40 teenagers having a fantastic time of reunion at Haslemere New Year from 28 December to 1 January.
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Ventures Principal Tim Friend said: ‘We thank God for all he has done this year in the lives of young people, as a result of the teaching, relationship-building and activities on Ventures and Falcons. ‘We are also thankful for the army of volunteer leaders and we’re praying that even more people will feel the call to volunteer in this life-changing work in 2018.’ 16
For your prayers: Sun 31: Haslemere New Year: The teaching series on the life of Moses. Pray everyone is inspired and challenged. Mon 1: Haslemere New Year: As the holiday comes to a close, please pray for good memories, safe travels and a sense of God’s presence going with everyone to their homes, schools, colleges and workplaces. Tue 2: Haslemere New Year: For the leaders as normal life resumes. Pray they continue to grow in faith and confidence. Wed 3: Wales: God’s strength and blessing for the new Archbishop of Wales, John Davies, who was appointed in September. Thu 4: Ventures and Falcons: The hard-working team of staff and volunteers working yearround to ensure the holidays are well run and continue to grow both in size and impact. Fri 5: Leadership: Today, Leadership Specialist Ian Parkinson leads a session at Trinity College Bristol on ‘Leading Others: Leadership and Power’. Sat 6: Ventures and Falcons: For lots of new bookings for holidays running in 2018. Also for continued inspiration and vision for the leaders as they plan and prepare.
PATRONAGE CHURCHES
7-13 JANUARY
St Matthew’s West Ham (Chelmsford)
s a church, we would love you to pray for us as we think about our vision and what God is encouraging us to do in our parish. We are in a very multicultural residential area and we want to reach people of all backgrounds with the love of Christ. We want to grow to know the Lord more as a whole church and make Jesus known more in the community around us.
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‘We are blessed with a good mix of ages and a growing group of children, which we would like to see grow further. We have Girls’ and Boys’ Brigades and a toddler group which are good links between us and the community. ‘Please pray for God to give us the right direction and vision and for his blessing on all we do through the church and also at Westfield shopping centre where I am chaplain.’ Christiana Asinugo, Priest-in-Charge
THEREFORE GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS. MATTHEW 28:19
For your prayers: Sun 7: St Matthew’s: As the congregation gather together to worship today, pray God inspires people to join in with new things he wants to do in the parish. Mon 8: Patronage churches: Elmsett with Aldham, Hintlesham, Chattisham and Kersey in St Edmundsbury and Ipswich diocese which is in vacancy at the moment. Tue 9: St Matthew’s: Praise God for a good spread of ages and backgrounds within the church. Ask that this might lead to people of many different cultures and life stages coming to know Christ. Wed 10: St Matthew’s: The chaplaincy team at Westfield. Pray staff and shoppers see the light of Christ in Christiana and the other Christians and want to know more. Thu 11: Leadership: Moving On is taking place in Coventry today. This is a forum for clergy considering a change of role, led by John Fisher, CPAS Patronage Secretary. Fri 12: St Matthew’s: God’s calling for the church to be clear in the children’s and youth ministries and also in other mission fields and new areas of opportunity. Sat 13: Falcons: For new leaders to be recruited for the 2018 holidays from a mix of backgrounds, including teenagers and young adults who have been on Falcons themselves.
You can read more about St Matthew’s in the current edition of Catalyst, the free CPAS magazine. 17
14-20 JANUARY
DISCIPLESHIP Mentoring Matters, Liverpool
AFTER THIS THE LORD APPOINTED SEVENTYTWO OTHERS AND SENT THEM TWO BY TWO AHEAD OF HIM TO EVERY TOWN AND PLACE WHERE HE WAS ABOUT TO GO. LUKE 10:1
ince its launch in 2011, Mentoring Matters has been helping local churches deepen discipleship through setting up a church-based mentoring network.
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Through identifying, equipping and resourcing mentors, churches are able to facilitate mentoring church-wide to help Christians grow in their faith and follow God’s call for them in the Church and beyond. This Saturday, James Lawrence will be leading a training day at Emmanuel Church in Liverpool for leaders who are considering mentoring as a way to help their churches move forward. Please join us in praying that this will lead to big, bold steps of faith and obedience in the lives of many Christians.
For your prayers: Sun 14: Local churches: Today, James Lawrence is preaching at Heath Town Holy Trinity in Wolverhampton. Pray that God speaks through him and that his message is well received. Mon 15: Mentoring Matters: In the lead up to Saturday’s training, pray that God prepares the participants spiritually for an inspirational, impactful event. Tue 16: Arrow Leadership Programme: Today, the Arrow team are gathering for a time of discernment over who to offer places to for programme 15. Pray for Spirit-led decisions. Wed 17: Mentoring Matters: For Christians across our nations who would benefit from a mentor. Pray this resource and other initiatives will help bring mentors and mentees together. Thu 18: Mentoring Matters: Those who God is calling to be mentors who are held back by a lack of confidence. Pray they will be encouraged and excited at the impact they could have. Fri 19: Mentoring Matters: For churches which struggle to lead people into a closer relationship with Christ. Ask God to change any unhelpful attitudes and priorities. Sat 20: Mentoring Matters: James Lawrence as he leads the Mentoring Matters training at Emmanuel Church in Liverpool today.
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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 using the details below to make a donation over the phone or request a Standing Order form.
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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 using the details below.
www.cpas.org.uk /donate
‘Lead On is SUCH a helpful and encouraging email – thank you so much!’ Jenny Ingram, Assistant Curate in Wootton
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
ON SALE NOW! Discover more at cpas.org.uk/talkcalling
Talk Calling ‘An innovative and versatile resource to help teenagers explore God’s call.’ Paul Peterson, Vicar and Venture Holiday Leader
Want to help young people discover what God wants for their lives?
Like to open up a conversation with a teenager about how to follow where God leads?
Talk Calling will help you get started by enabling young people to explore their calling through through a series of creative cards: Pictures About Me Questions Bible Verses Blockages
Who knows what they will discover?
HELPING 14 TO 18 YEAR OLDS EXPLORE THE GOD POSSIBILITIES FOR THEIR LIVES