Prayer Diary - Winter/Spring 2018

WINTER – SPRING 2018

PRAYER DIARY

LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. MARK 12:30

SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CPAS THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER.

WE DO NOT MAKE REQUESTS OF YOU BECAUSE WE ARE RIGHTEOUS, BUT BECAUSE OF YOUR GREAT MERCY.

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.

DANIEL 9:18

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: 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.

HAVE MERCY LORD aniel chapter 9 contains one of the most inspiring prayers recorded for us in the Bible. But it is not only inspiring – it is instructive. I believe it offers us a profound insight into the nature of prayer and gives us a pattern or template for how we are to pray.

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Daniel begins with confession in sackcloth and ashes (v3-4). He is aware of how God’s people have ignored the prophets and ‘transgressed’ the law (v11). And even when things have gone badly wrong for his people, they have still not turned to him (v13).

As you join us in praying through this diary, there may be times when it is appropriate to confess to God how we – his Church in the UK and Republic of Ireland – have failed and sinned in various ways. This is not morbid self-obsession; this is an attitude of heart that Jesus himself considered blessed (cf Matthew 5:4).

As the prayer develops, Daniel focuses on God’s nature as covenant keeping and steadfast (v4). This is profoundly important in that our prayers are to be informed by what we know of God from Scripture. As you use this diary, it would be good to have your Bible open in front of you with a verse or passage that tells you something of the nature of God. Use the words to prompt and direct your intercession.

It is important to note that Daniel’s prayer is for mercy (v16, 18). He has no bargaining chips to offer God – simply the conviction that God is merciful. I have found over the years that to ask God for mercy is a powerful prayer. Let’s use this Prayer Diary to intercede for God’s mercy on the churches, leaders, schools and communities mentioned.

In verse 23 we read that Daniel’s cry for mercy evoked a heavenly response – a reassurance of God’s love and the beginnings of restoration (v24 onwards). David knew this wonderful reality (Psalm 51:1); Habakkuk was convinced of it (Habakkuk 3:2); and Paul wrote that God is ‘rich in mercy’ (Ephesians 2:4).

As you join us in praying, let’s be encouraged by this knowledge of God and let’s plead together for a fresh work of his grace in our time.

Thank you for praying with us.

John Dunnett General Director

www.cpas.org.uk info@cpas.org.uk

0300 123 0780

21-27 JANUARY

LEADERSHIP Bristol Diocese

SET YOUR MINDS ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON EARTHLY THINGS. COLOSSIANS 3:2

e’re pleased to be working in partnership with Bristol diocese to develop leaders for mission through several programmes and initiatives.

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Growing Leaders: This Wednesday evening, I’m leading a session with lay leaders from across the diocese. We’ll be exploring leadership and Christ-like character.

Diocesan leadership course: Now running for the fourth time, with a fifth cohort scheduled to begin in September. This week, I’ll be speaking to clergy about sustaining ourselves and resilience.

Curates’ weekend: Taking place this weekend. This is part of an ongoing threeyear cycle of curate leadership training where we explore key themes of leadership, both theological and practical.

PCC Tonight: We’re running two evenings for the diocese later on in 2018 where we hope to equip many PCCs to lead their churches forward in mission.

Translating vision into action: Two CMD (Continuing Ministerial Development) days for clergy are also happening later this year.

Charles Burgess, Leadership Specialist

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For your prayers: Sun 21: Bristol diocese: Praise God for the strong partnership between CPAS and the diocese which has led to many opportunities to develop leaders at different levels.

Mon 22: Bristol diocese: The next ‘Vision to action’ day is taking place next Thursday. Pray for Charles at this busy time of preparation and delivery of training.

Tue 23: Patronage: Interviews for the new vicar of Highbury (London) are taking place today. Pray for a good appointment and God’s blessing on the church in a new season.

Wed 24: Bristol diocese: Charles as he delivers training at the diocesan leadership course today and the Growing Leaders course this evening.

Thu 25: Bristol diocese: Ian Parkinson (Leadership Specialist) is also in Bristol today teaching ordinands as part of a ‘School of Leadership’ at Trinity College.

Fri 26: Bristol diocese: Following Bishop Mike Hill’s retirement, the diocese are awaiting a new bishop. The Crown Nominations Commission meets next week to shortlist.

Sat 27: Bristol diocese: The curates’ weekend taking place. The themes are theological foundations for leadership and enabling a church to work well together.

PATRONAGE

28 JANUARY3 FEBRUARY

John Coyne

e’re delighted that John Coyne

has recently joined CPAS as our W Patronage Leadership Specialist.

This new role has been created in response to two needs: The growing number of vacancies due to a shortage of clergy.

Our vision to better support and equip our 450+ patronage incumbents.

For your prayers: Sun 28: John Coyne: For John as he seeks to build a stronger community of CPAS patronage incumbents and support and bless them in their ministry.

Mon 29: Patronage: Plans for the EPCC (Evangelical Patrons Consultative Council) gathering in the autumn, which CPAS is hosting at St Michael’s Chester Square in London.

John will be visiting vacant parishes at various stages in the appointment process, offering advice to parish reps and PCCs and interviewing candidates. He will also be developing new training resources for parish reps and a vocational tool for clergy, as well as delivering training events for patronage vicars.

Tue 30: Patronage: Safety in travel for John Coyne, John Fisher (Patronage Secretary), the patronage trustees and other staff as they travel many miles on winter roads.

John has been rector of Aldridge Parish Church since 2012. Before this, he held a previous role at CPAS as the Director of Local and Regional Delivery.

Thu 1: Patronage: The trustees meet today to shortlist for vacant posts. Pray for vacant churches which have failed to appoint so far, that the right leader will be found.

Wed 31: Patronage: Pathways (a tool for recruitment in the Church of England) was recently rolled out nationally. Pray this will make the recruitment process more efficient.

Fri 2: John Coyne: Creativity as John develops much-needed materials for clergy in post, clergy moving roles and parish reps.

Sat 3: Ventures: Activity co-ordinators for this summer’s holidays are meeting today for training in Warwickshire.

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. PHILEMON 25

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4-10 FEBRUARY

VOCATIONS Responding to God’s Call

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e can be tempted to think that having a calling or a vocation to something is only for the chosen few. However, the biblical understanding of calling makes it clear that we are all called to be children of God.

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‘Once we have responded to that call, we are then invited to shape our lives according to the particular purpose that God has for us, according to the gifts, skills and talents he has given each of us.

‘Our work in the area of vocations – including Talk Calling and our You and Ministry weekends – helps people of all ages explore what part they are called to play in the body of Christ, and how they are being shaped by kingdom values so that others may come to know that they too are called by God.’ Emma Sykes, Leadership Specialist

I URGE YOU TO LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE CALLING YOU HAVE RECEIVED. EPHESIANS 4:1

For your prayers: Sun 4: Local churches: James Lawrence preaches at Water Orton in Warwickshire today. Pray that his faithful teaching of Scripture will speak into people’s lives.

Mon 5: Vocations: Praise God for the gifts, skills and talents he gives us all to use in building up the body of Christ.

Tue 6: Ireland: Ian Parkinson (CPAS Leadership Specialist) is speaking at the New Wine Leaders’ Conference in Sligo, which takes place from today until Thursday.

Wed 7: Vocations: The teenagers using our Talk Calling material in group sessions or in one-toone conversations with youth leaders.

Thu 8: Vocations: Give thanks for the leaders who have made a difference in your own Christian journey.

Fri 9: Vocations: Our latest You and Ministry weekend starts in Woking today, with men and women gathering to explore a call to ordained ministry.

Sat 10: Growing Leaders: For the material on call, character and competency to inspire hundreds of lay leaders to step up in leadership at church and in their wider communities.

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DISCIPLESHIP

11-17 FEBRUARY

DiscipleKit

WITHOUT DELAY HE CALLED THEM, AND THEY LEFT THEIR FATHER ZEBEDEE IN THE BOAT WITH THE HIRED MEN AND FOLLOWED HIM. MARK 1:20

For your prayers: Sun 11: Scotland: The dioceses of Brechin and St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, currently in the process of electing new bishops.

t seems to me that following Jesus is as life-changing now as it was for those first disciples. Growing as a disciple can be challenging, wherever we are on this extraordinary journey. So anything that helps us is great.

Mon 12: DiscipleKit: For the site to be publicised effectively and be well-received by churches.

Pray for Amy Poduval (Marketing Officer) as she gets the word out.

‘That’s why I think I have the best job at CPAS – overseeing our DiscipleKit website, where hundreds of resources are reviewed and rated. I get to explore some of the best resources out there for the discipleship journey.

Wed 14: DiscipleKit: There are plans to include more theme-based resources. Please pray for good priorities in choosing which themes to focus on.

‘

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‘Many creative and thoughtful people are putting inspiring stuff together to help us on our way, and it is a privilege for me and my fellow reviewers to discover them on behalf of local churches. As a DiscipleKit fan said recently, “Whenever I am looking for resources I always go to your website as the good stop, as it’s really useful having things in one place.”’

Di Archer, Leadership Project Co-ordinator

Tue 13: DiscipleKit: For churches and small groups using Lent resources in the coming weeks.

Thu 15: Ireland: The Centres of Mission being developed in Belfast and Ballina. Centres of Mission are a Church Army initiative which enable and empower the local church and individuals in their own evangelism and outreach.

Fri 16: DiscipleKit: The many Christian publishers in the UK as they grapple with competitive selling options and a smaller market. Pray DiscipleKit leads people to buy helpful resources.

Sat 17: DiscipleKit: Di Archer, Amy Mitchell and Andy Castle as they do the reviewing and Kirstin Macdonald who uploads the reviews.

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18-24 FEBRUARY

PATRONAGE CHURCHES Broxted with Chickney, Tilty, Great Easton and Little Easton (Chelmsford)

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ocated near Stansted Airport, this rural parish has a small number of school-aged children with their parents and many older people, some retired, some working. As a rural parish, the focus of ministry is often around the agricultural year, with events for Plough Monday, Harvest, etc.

There is increasing motivation for outreach and engagement with young families, with a discipleship course that began in the New Year running until Easter.

Being situated near an airport naturally presents challenges and can mean a great deal of change for local people. For the community of Broxted, many of the properties are rented from Stansted Airport.

The airport is now seeking to sell the houses, evicting many tenants and creating sudden population changes and unhappy locals.

Please join us in praying for God’s blessing on the church’s ministry in this context.

AND THIS IS LOVE: THAT WE WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO HIS COMMANDS. 2 JOHN 6

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For your prayers: Sun 18: Scotland: Clergy leading at a time of significant uncertainty with Brexit, the possibility of a second independence referendum and ongoing debates about human sexuality.

Mon 19: CPAS: On this day 182 years ago, CPAS was formed in a room at Church Missionary House in London. Give thanks for all that God has done through CPAS and pray for the years to come.

Tue 20: Broxted: Janet Parker (non-stipendiary minister) who was ordained in September. As she settles into the parish team, pray for fresh vision and strength.

Wed 21: Broxted: With the challenges presented

by Stansted Airport, pray for the local community facing eviction and for swift resolutions.

Thu 22: Ireland: Continued Ministerial Education (CME) training for curates taking place today.

Fri 23: Broxted: As the parish seeks to focus more on outreach and engagement with young families, pray that their efforts would bear much fruit.

Sat 24: Broxted: This historically agricultural parish is facing rapid and sudden change. Pray for Tim Goodbody (Priest-in-Charge) and his colleagues as they lead congregations through this time of both challenge and opportunity.

VENTURES AND FALCONS Falcons Conference

25 FEBRUARY – 3 MARCH

SURELY YOUR GOODNESS AND LOVE WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE. PSALM 23:6

For your prayers: Sun 25: Local churches: Today John Dunnett is preaching at Christ Church in Guildford. Pray for a warm welcome and for the Holy Spirit to speak through John.

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he annual Falcons Conference takes place this Friday. This gives leaders the opportunity to gather to encourage one another, swap experiences and ideas and enjoy a time of training, worship and prayer for the year ahead. This year, they will focus on practical ways to build relationships with the young people to ensure they feel safe and welcome.

Mon 26: Falcons: As overall leaders recruit their teams and plan programmes, pray for a good mix of experienced and new people.

Tue 27: Leadership: Charles Burgess is leading the sixth session of the Exeter leadership course on the topic of understanding and managing the expectations of others and ourselves.

Wed 28: Ventures and Falcons: As children and young people become increasingly busy during their school breaks, pray families would prioritise a Venture or Falcon holiday.

Please also join us in thanking God for the blossoming relationships we have with an increasing number of other charities and organisations serving young people.

Thu 1: Falcons: Praise God for the many partnerships between Falcons and other youth charities and organisations. Pray this will lead to many more 8-18s coming on Falcons.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) debt and refugee centres, MakeLunch (a charity tackling school holiday hunger), TLG (an education charity) and Spurgeons (who work with young carers) have all sent children to Falcons. Our hope is that developing these links will lead to even more young people being offered a much-needed Falcon holiday.

Fri 2: Falcons: For the leaders at the Falcons conference to have a great time and leave with practical and creative ideas to impact the young people that they oversee.

Sat 3: Arrow: Today is the participants’ preparation day for the new Arrow Leadership Programme. Pray that excitement fills the room as they meet one another and get started.

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4-10 MARCH

LEADERSHIP Arrow Programme 15

MAY THE FAVOUR OF THE LORD OUR GOD REST ON US; ESTABLISH THE WORK OF OUR HANDS. PSALM 90:17

his week, please join us in praying for the 24 Christian leaders who have just started the Arrow Leadership Programme. Following Saturday’s preparation day, the participants will be:

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Identifying an intercessor, who will pray for them throughout the 18-month programme.

Undertaking preparatory reading in readiness for residential 1, including ‘In the Name of Jesus’ by Henri Nouwen.

Completing self-assessments including an ‘Arrow 360 Review’ which involves asking for honest feedback from people around them, in order to obtain useful insights and develop self-awareness.

The purpose of Arrow is to help leaders aged 25-40 to ‘be led more by Jesus, lead more like Jesus and lead more to Jesus’, growing in their competence in leadership and evangelism and drawing closer to God. Sally Taylor, Arrow Programme Manager

For your prayers: Sun 4: Local churches: St Margaret’s Uxbridge, where John Dunnett is preaching this morning.

Praise God for this church’s generous and prayerful support for CPAS’ ministry.

Mon 5: Arrow: For each participant to be led more by Jesus, knowing him better and understanding his will and calling.

Tue 6: Arrow: The teaching is reviewed for each new programme as the demands of leadership shift in our ever-changing culture. Pray that the new material on resilience, wellbeing and evangelism models is relevant and helpful.

Wed 7: Arrow: For the participants to lead more like Jesus, working well with others to enable his people to be a missional community.

Thu 8: Arrow: Honesty and insight in the 360 review (the participants ask various people to give honest feedback on their leadership including a colleague, someone they lead and a family member).

Fri 9: Arrow: Intercessors and mentors. Ask God to bring about the right partnerships to facilitate deep personal and spiritual growth over the next 18 months.

Sat 10: Arrow: For the programme to ultimately help many, many people of all ages come to Jesus through the participants’ faithful and effective leadership.

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LEADERSHIP

11-17 MARCH

Ministry Assistants

LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE BEFORE OTHERS, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN. MATTHEW 5:16

Left to right: Mary Smalley, Jo Cox, Izy Wilkinson

For your prayers: Sun 11: Ministry assistants: Jo as she works with the Ventures and Falcons team. She is involved in the development of the new School Ventures.

Mon 12: Ministry assistants: Izy as she gets involved with the work of the Communications and Fundraising team.

hree ministry assistants joined CPAS in September. They are now approaching the middle of their internship year and are beginning to think further about their futures. The ministry interns support senior members of staff as well as carrying out research and assisting at CPAS events. The year provides them with an opportunity to learn more about CPAS and develop leadership and professional skills that will provide a strong basis for all that God calls them to in the future.

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‘We are all thoroughly enjoying our year with CPAS. We have been to many events and learnt a lot about the varied work that CPAS does. It has been both challenging and rewarding and we are looking forward to seeing what the second half of the year has in store for us.’

Mary, Jo and Izy

Tue 13: Leadership: Ian Parkinson is teaching at St Mellitus College, South West in Plymouth for the first time today. Praise God for this new opportunity.

Wed 14: Ireland: The open seminar series at the Church of Ireland Theological Institute. Today, there is a seminar on ‘Intentional discipleship in the local parish’.

Thu 15: Ministry assistants: Mary, who is working with John Dunnett. Mary’s role includes lots of research tasks and developing a new website.

Fri 16: Ministry assistants: For a fruitful year, full of new experiences and learning opportunities, that develops them personally and professionally as well as supporting the work of CPAS. Sat 17: Ministry assistants: Wisdom and discernment in working out God’s future for their lives. Pray that they take away an abundance of happy memories and skills from CPAS as they begin to prepare for the next stage of their lives.

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18-24 MARCH

PCCS Leeds Diocese

HE REPLIED, ‘BLESSED RATHER ARE THOSE WHO HEAR THE WORD OF GOD AND OBEY IT.’ LUKE 11:28

For your prayers: Sun 18: Local churches: Graham Archer is speaking at St Peter’s Farnborough. Praise God for this church’s generous support for CPAS over many, many years.

Mon 19: PCCs: Those struggling for members.

Pray God prompts people with vision, energy, time and enthusiasm to put themselves forward to be on their PCC. Tue 20: PCCs: Everyone at the event in Bradford this evening. Pray for God to reveal areas for fruitful change and development to each PCC.

e’d love to invite you to pray with us for PCCs in Leeds diocese. There are approximately 460 parishes in Leeds diocese. Their PCCs are invited to attend one of three training events over the next couple of months in Bradford (20 March), Leeds (23 May) and Bedale (24 May).

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This Tuesday’s event in Bradford will be the 25th PCC Tonight training evening since the resource was launched in 2015. The PCCs will look at purpose, identity, group dynamics, organisation, communication and follow through. The training is designed to be fun and informative, helping PCCs lead their churches forward.

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Wed 21: PCCs: Praise God that so many PCCs have attended the training evenings. Pray that each of the 2,000+ attendees will keep listening to God and serving him.

Thu 22: CPAS staff: James Lawrence (Leadership Principal) is delivering training in Norwich diocese and Charles Burgess (Leadership Specialist) is leading ‘Servants and Stewards’ for clergy in Exeter diocese.

Fri 23: PCCs: For bookings for the two May events in Leeds and Bedale. Pray for both events to be fully booked and for a sense of excitement as the evenings approach.

Sat 24: PCCs: For God’s blessing on every PCC in Leeds diocese. Pray for barriers to mission and growth to be revealed and removed so that many can come to know Christ.

HOLY WEEK

25-31 MARCH

Your Local Church This Holy Week, we are praying through the Easter story for the mission of local churches. Please use these prayers to pray for your own church, or another church or Christian ministry you feel led to pray for.

Sunday

Tuesday

Thursday

The Triumphal Entry

The Cock Crows

Thieves and Paradise

Remembering the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, we pray for all those considering faith to willingly accept Jesus into their lives.

Pray that all in our churches would have the courage and boldness to be open about their faith in Jesus in workplaces, schools, colleges and communities.

We remember today the example of the repentant thief who was welcomed into paradise. Pray for humble hearts, open to receiving Christ this Easter.

Monday

Wednesday

Crucifixion

The Last Supper Today, we pray for all those who have drifted from faith and church. We ask that during this period they would remember what Jesus has done for them and come back to him.

Crown of Thorns Ask God to remove the many barriers people have to acknowledging Jesus as their Lord and King. Pray for the Holy Spirit to search their hearts and point them to God.

Friday Pray Christians in your church will serve Christ and share the gospel in the clear knowledge that we are saved by Christ’s work on the cross, and not by our own efforts.

Saturday

Empty Tomb We celebrate and rejoice in the freedom and forgiveness Christ won on the cross, praying that even more would come to know him as their Saviour.

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VENTURES AND FALCONS

1-7 APRIL

We’re thrilled to have four Easter holidays taking place this week. Please join us in praying for each one as they happen.

Sun 1:

Mon 2:

Tue 3:

Wed 4:

Excitement on board!

Hearing from God

Teamwork when sailing

Fantastic weather

Broads Cruise VENTURE (12-16s) 31 March – 7 April Mon 2:

Tue 3:

Wed 4:

Bible workshops

A hunger for God

Exam revision slots

Easter Haslemere VENTURE (14-18s) 2-7 April Tue 3:

Wed 4:

Making new friends

Knowing God’s love

XLP Falcon (11-18s) 3-6 April

Ski Venture (13-19s) 6-15 April 14

‘Please do continue to pray next week – for good conversations about God, great evening meetings, safety and fun on the slopes and for young people to get to know God better.’

Ski Venture leaders

Thu 5:

Fri 6:

Learning about Jesus

Deep discipleship

Lasting friendships

Thu 5:

Fri 6:

Sat 7:

Fresh encounter with God

Cooks in the kitchen

Going home inspired

Thu 5:

Fri 6:

Sat 7:

The leadership team

Growing in faith

Blessings back at home

Fri 6:

Sat 7:

Safe travel and skiing

Great relationships

Sat 7:

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8-14 APRIL

WALES Missional Leadership

For your prayers:

THEN THE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT YOU SENT ME AND HAVE LOVED THEM EVEN AS YOU HAVE LOVED ME. JOHN 17:23

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t was a privilege to teach at the St Padarn’s Institute (Cardiff ) summer school for ordinands and others training for accredited ministry last year. At the time of writing I am looking forward to delivering training to Welsh curates on growing and developing effective teams. Please pray for our partnership to grow, providing further opportunities to train ordinands, evangelists and other lay ministers in a range of leadership skills.’

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Ian Parkinson, CPAS Leadership Specialist

‘In a couple of generations, Wales has gone from being a very “religious” to being a very “secular” culture, with the lowest church attendance of any part of the UK*. Please pray for the challenges and opportunities this situation offers Christians in Wales.’

Will Strange, Archdeacon of Cardigan and member of the CPAS Council of Reference

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Sun 8: Wales: Growth in CPAS’ relationship with St Padarn’s. Pray that investing in more leadersin-training will lead to the exponential spread of the gospel.

Mon 9: Wales: Praise God that the Church in Wales recently affirmed a new commitment to evangelism, which is being matched with a substantial funding commitment.

Tue 10: Wales: The Rev Dr Jeremy Duff, Principal of St Padarn’s, who has responsibility for all training of ministers in Wales and the shaping of future policy. Pray for wisdom, grace, courage and resources.

Wed 11: Wales: The Church in Wales Governing Body is meeting in Llandudno today and tomorrow. Pray for wise insights and a continued commitment to evangelism.

Thu 12: Wales: James Lawrence is in Bala, Gwynedd today speaking at a leadership training day for the Presbyterian Church of Wales.

Fri 13: Wales: For clarity and faithfulness for Bishops and all decision-makers regarding matters such as marriage and sexuality.

Sat 14: Wales: Preparations for the Evangelical Fellowship of the Church in Wales annual conference on 28 April. The Rt Rev Keith Sinclair, Bishop of Birkenhead (and chair of the CPAS Council of Reference) is speaking.

*Churchgoing in the UK, Jacinta Ashworth, Research Matters and Ian Farthing, Tearfund, April 2007.

‘I can’t remember a holiday in recent years where there have been so many exciting conversations.’

SPACES LEFT ON VENTURES AND FALCONS! If you know any 8-18 year olds who would enjoy a holiday where they will learn, grow and develop in themselves and their faith, why not tell them about Ventures and Falcons?

Every year CPAS runs 100 residential holidays for thousands of young people, giving them a chance to enjoy a fun-packed holiday, make great friendships and explore life with Jesus. Our holidays are all run by committed Christian leaders who are passionate about sharing the gospel with young people.

We offer a wide range of holidays for those who like exploring outdoors, being creative or playing sports.

Do you know someone who would love a Venture or Falcon holiday this year?

Head to www.ventures.org.uk now to find out more.

15-21 APRIL

LOCAL CHURCHES Churches in Vacancy MAY THE GOD WHO GIVES ENDURANCE AND ENCOURAGEMENT GIVE YOU THE SAME ATTITUDE OF MIND TOWARD EACH OTHER THAT CHRIST JESUS HAD. ROMANS 15:5

For your prayers:

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ach year the number of churches in vacancy increases. CPAS’ Growing Through a Vacancy resource is designed to help churches thrive and grow while they go through the process of appointing a new vicar.

This week, please join us in praying for these churches, not only that they will be blessed with a new incumbent, but that in this time of vacancy they will rely on God and see increased unity and growth.

‘Just think what it would be like in a vacancy if the church grew instead of shrank, if people gained in confidence instead of morale slipping away. Above all, a vacancy is a time when faith can grow because you are outside of your comfort zone and having to rely on God.’ Bob Jackson in Growing Through a Vacancy handbook

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Sun 15: Church vacancies: Sunday services during the vacancies. Pray these will be an opportunity for more people to get involved and that no-one will carry too heavy a burden.

Mon 16: Church vacancies: For swift appointments, as research shows the longer a vacancy is, the more likely it is that congregation sizes will decrease.

Tue 17: Church vacancies: For an increase in the number of clergy so that vacancies can be more easily filled in the future.

Wed 18: Growing Leaders: The lay leaders attending Growing Leaders in Bristol this evening, led by Charles Burgess.

Thu 19: Church vacancies: For newcomers and those on the outskirts of church communities.

Pray they will not be forgotten during the time without a vicar.

Fri 20: School Ventures: The Wirral School Venture begins today. Pray this is a blessing to the children and richly rewarding for the leaders, teachers and schools.

Sat 21: Church vacancies: For congregations to focus on God and commit everything to him in prayer in the midst of many distractions and tasks to cover.

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.

‘I discovered more about how to lead a community, being disciples of Christ together.’ Sarah Yetman, The Buck Stops Here participant

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 using the details below.

www.cpas.org.uk /donate

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 must-have book for anyone who wants to deepen their relationship with Christ and become a healthier leader.’ Emma Sykes

Buy your copy today at: www.cpas.org.uk/leadonbook