Prayers

Sunday 11

Pray for the Schools’ Team of Northern Ireland as they meet with hundreds of children preparing to make the move from primary to post primary school. Pray that the pupils will understand that God is with them in the changes, choices and challenges they will face.

Monday 12

Local Mission Partner Matlock Area Schools Trust give thanks for the welcome into schools old and new, for new trustees, and for the enthusiasm and fresh ideas of their school visitors Chloe and Hannah. Please pray for more local churches to support them in prayer and financially.

Tuesday 13

Company Secretary Sue Winning gives thanks for the opportunities that Scripture Union England and Wales has to support other SU movements financially. Pray for wisdom and sensitivity as she oversees the grant making process.

Wednesday 14

Pray for our Faith Guide Learning Clusters, as Faith Guides continue to meet each month for masterclasses. Pray that they will be encouraged and equipped by the session topics and that we can facilitate a useful space for the Faith Guides to discuss and learn.

Thursday 15

Give thanks for our supporters; for those who have been a part of the SU family for many years and for those who are new. Let us also pray for those who are yet to join with us, asking that God will bless us with new supporters from younger generations.

Friday 16

The Youth Net is a Local Mission Partner based in Stafford. Pray for the team Alison, Cathy, Anji, Scott, Sam, Lottie and Jo and for the children and young people. This term the theme for the work in schools is ending well, transitioning and looking forward.

Saturday 17

Debbie Edge, Supporter Care Assistant, thanks God for all our supporters who subscribe to Daily Reading Guides, Encounter with God and Daily Bread, and asks us to pray that they continue to be blessed every day as they use this valuable resource to read the Bible.

Celebrating volunteers: Wendy’s story

It’s Volunteers Week from 1–7 June, and we are so grateful to all who give their time and talents in support of SU!

Wendy Asher tells us what it was like to volunteer on SU’s Bake

Off holiday last year, and why she’s returning this summer.

‘My sons used to go to an SU camp each year. Josh, my eldest, then became a young leader and I joined him on an SU camp as a cook. It was fun, but I wanted more contact with the children than serving at the hatch!

‘So last year, after I retired, I joined the team for Bake Off. I was still in the kitchen but this time the children were in there with me!

‘The organisation was superb. Beforehand, the team met up to prepare so they got to know each other. On the holiday, it was clear what our responsibilities were and the support and pastoral care was great. We were all able to have some free time.

‘It was fabulous to see the young people grow in faith. They came with a real thirst for learning and threw themselves into all the activities 100 per cent. They kept journals, they responded in the prayer times, they grew in confidence. Each day we chose a ‘Baker of the day’. As much as the quality of their baking, this was about how well the young person worked in the kitchen and looked after others.

‘Volunteering was tiring but great fun and very rewarding. It was good to be challenged on how to share your faith with children in ways they’ll understand. I learnt so much from the younger leaders who had done previous SU camps – they came up with some wonderful ideas!

‘I’m volunteering again this year. I want to be able to pass my faith on to children in a vibrant and exciting way so that they understand what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus.’

We are still seeking volunteers for this summer’s holidays. If you’d like to have as much fun as Wendy, visit su.org.uk/countmein