PRAY WITH THE WORLD CHURCH
23 July – 15 October 2017
PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS FROM THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
For more information about USPG, visit www.uspg.org.uk
USPG, Harling House, 47-51 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BS 020 7921 2200 info@uspg.org.uk www.uspg.org.uk/pray ISSN 1742-4623 Registered charity number 234518 You are welcome to use this publication for public worship. Please note that the views expressed do not necessarily represent the official position of USPG.
PRAYING WITH THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION We hope this prayer diary – with reflections from different global voices, daily prayer intentions and Sunday collects – can help to inform the weekly prayers of intercession in our churches. We offer it to provide a focus to our common prayer for the mission of God in which we all share. We hope you will find it informative and inspiring and that it will give you a sense of connection with the Anglican Communion. USPG is deeply rooted in the Anglican tradition with long-established relationships throughout the Anglican Communion. We believe in the importance of the local church in every context; we are partner-led, mission-driven and people-centred. Our global partnership in the gospel has always been underpinned by the prayerful support of Anglicans around the world, including many faithful supporters in Britain and Ireland. We invite you to join with USPG in praying with and for the world church. Please pray for the enlivening of faith, the unlocking of potential and the promotion of justice so that churches and the communities they serve might be empowered to improve livelihoods, education, health and much more. The Revd Tim Harford, Director for Communications, USPG
SUNDAY 23 JULY 6TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM THE UNITED STATES Article and prayers by the Revd Canon Stephanie Spellers, The Episcopal Church, New York. On the morning of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 45th President of the US, I woke on the coast of Ghana. I was on pilgrimage with a group of fellow Episcopalians, visiting slave forts where Africans had been imprisoned, tortured and loaded onto ships bound for the Americas. These ships were blessed by the Church of England and welcomed by Anglicans in America. Since the inauguration, I have watched the Episcopal Church struggle to discern a faithful response to a government with little evident regard for people of colour, immigrants, refugees, the poor, women, children, non-Christians, the planet, and the truth. I wonder, what have we learned from our historic support of slavery? Why is it so hard for us to hear and heed our Lord? The precious gospel of Jesus Christ has been given to conservatives and liberals, Democrats and Republicans: Love God with all that is in you and love your neighbour as yourself. Jesus did not say ‘Love when it is convenient’ or ‘Love those who support your position’. He said love God and love everyone, especially the stranger, the wounded, the slave, the refugee, the Other. Pray that – through the power of the Spirit – we might learn from history and become that church.
Holy God, your very being is a community of love. Draw us into the circle of your eternal, self-giving love, healing and sending us to seek justice, cross barriers, and foster beloved community in the name of Jesus. Monday 24 Pray for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement: the ongoing community following Jesus into loving, liberating, life-giving relationship with God, each other and Creation. Tuesday 25 Pray for a spirit of healing, reconciliation and forgiveness as the Episcopal Church works to tell the truth and repair the deep wounds of racism. Wednesday 26 Give thanks for the witness of Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and others who call us all into deeper love of Jesus Christ. Thursday 27 Pray for refugees, immigrants and displaced peoples in the 17 countries where the Episcopal Church is present. Friday 28 Pray that the people of the United States might listen more deeply to one another across their deep divides and seek the presence of God in the Other. Saturday 29 Pray for both the courage and compassion of Christ to cover, transform and inspire the churches and the nations.
SUNDAY 30 JULY 7TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM FIJI Article by the Rt Revd Apimeleki Qiliho, Assistant Bishop, Diocese of Polynesia. Like every indigenous Fijian, I derive my identity and sense of belonging from the land. However, today, the land is in crisis; the source of my identity and belonging is being threatened by climate change. Recent decades have seen the erosion of the beach surrounding my village. The sand and fertile soil have been washed into the lagoon. In the early 1980s, the village leaders were so concerned they built a sea wall to try and slow down the rate of erosion. But the sea wall has largely collapsed and, during storms and high tides, the sea runs inland and ruins roads, gardens and homes. Meanwhile, the lagoon has become shallower and dirtier, and thick deposits of sand have destroyed the marine life we rely on for our livelihoods and daily sustenance. We are at a crucial juncture in history. Climate change is upon us and we can never go back. It is our task to stand in solidarity and speak to our political and cultural leaders. We are working towards safeguarding a future for our children.
Holy God, thank you for all that is good: for Creation and your care of all that you have made. Heal the earth, and transform us, your children, for you are our companion, our guide and our way. Monday 31 Pray for the people of Polynesia, and other low-lying countries and islands around the world. Pray for an end to rising sea levels so that homes and habitats might be saved. Tuesday 1 August Give thanks for the work of the Anglican Church in Polynesia as it seeks to support communities that are suffering due to rising sea levels. Wednesday 2 Pray for an end to global warming so weather patterns might stabilise, reducing the likelihood of drought, storms and famine. Thursday 3 Pray that churches in Britain and Ireland might be inspired to engage more deeply in campaigning for climate justice. Friday 4 Give thanks for all those around the world who are working to limit the causes and reduce the impact of climate change. Saturday 5 Give thanks for the USPG-supported Hope for the Future initiative which encourages UK churches to lobby their MPs on environmental issues.
SUNDAY 6 AUGUST 8TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY FOCUS ON THE INTERNAL PROVINCE OF WEST AFRICA Article by Davidson Solanki, USPG International Programmes Manager. The Internal Province of West Africa (IPWA), created in 2012, comprises Cameroon, The Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and two dioceses in Sierra Leone. In April, IPWA agreed on a long-term mission strategy with five key areas of focus: 1. Investment: The province wants to be self-sustainable, which means increasing income. As part of this process, an audit of assets and resources will be carried out. 2. Governance: To help the province run efficiently there are plans to appoint a provincial secretary, set up a provincial office, and provide training for personnel. 3. Communication: New and effective ways of communicating with staff and churches at all levels will be implemented. 4. Post-Ebola reconstruction: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone were badly affected by the Ebola virus. Aware the disease could return, churches continue with precautionary measures. Churches are also reviving health facilities. 5. Livelihoods: All five countries are struggling economically, due to conflict then Ebola. So the church is seeking to support communities through vocational
training, agricultural programmes and more. Turning this five-point strategy into a reality needs hard work and our prayers. Holy God, you transfigure our lives to reflect your glory, and our communities to reflect you kingdom. Help us to work together in your grace, that the world may be transfigured in your love. Monday 7: Transfiguration of our Lord Give thanks for the faith and commitment of the Internal Province of West Africa (IPWA). Pray for wisdom as it develops a provincial strategy for mission. Tuesday 8 Pray for communities in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone as they recover from the ravages of the Ebola virus. Pray especially for children who lost parents. Wednesday 9 Pray for IPWA as it seeks to develop initiatives to help communities to improve income and livelihoods. Thursday 10 Give thanks for the support USPG is offering to IPWA. Give thanks for this creative partnership in the gospel. Friday 11 Pray for effective governance, leadership and communications within IPWA as it seeks to grow its ministry amid many challenges. Saturday 12 Pray that God might give wisdom and empathy to governments in West Africa so they might seek the well-being of all.
SUNDAY 13 AUGUST 9TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION ON ISRAEL-PALESTINE Article by journalist and peace activist Johannes Zang, a former USPG mission companion. See www.jerusalam.info Whenever more of the Separation Barrier is erected inside the occupied territory of the West Bank, this is a violation of international law. And when the Israeli army prevents Palestinian farmers from accessing their land beyond the barrier, this is also illegal. In February 2017, the Israeli army restricted the criteria for issuing Palestinian farmers with entry permits. Many farmers have suffered as a result. For example, ‘R’, from Deir Al Ghusun in the West Bank, had his entry permit made invalid at the end of April. Since then, all his efforts to obtain a new permit to farm his land have been in vain. Israeli peace activist Amos Gvirtz, 70, seeks to inform his compatriots, the Israeli government, peace activists and journalists worldwide about the hardships facing 4.5 million Palestinians, which include unequal water distribution, land confiscation, revocation of residency rights and house demolitions. Gvirtz explains: ‘There are daily attacks on [Palestinian] civilians by the army or Jewish settlers. This is against international law and the ethics of the army.’
O God, we pray for the land called holy, that justice, peace and respect may prevail between Israeli and Palestinian; Jew, Muslim and Christian, and that your image may be recognised in all. Monday 14 In this, the 50th year of Israeli occupation in Palestine, pray for all people in the Holy Land. Pray that there might be an end to conflict. Tuesday 15: The Blessed Virgin Mary On this day, pray for all woman and children who have been physically or psychologically wounded during the conflict. Pray that they might know peace. Wednesday 16 Give thanks for all peace and human rights activists in Israel and Palestine. Pray that their struggle and commitment might be a ray of hope. Thursday 17 Pray that politicians and decision-makers – in the Holy Land and around the world – would work with empathy, wisdom and integrity to end 50 years of occupation. Friday 18 Pray that the church in the Holy Land and around the world might attempt new things in their attempts to obtain justice and security for all. Saturday 19 Pray for understanding, peace and co-operation among faith communities, in the Holy Land and around the world.
SUNDAY 20 AUGUST 10TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM SOUTH AFRICA Extracts from a sermon given by the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town and Primate of Southern Africa. It is time to take sides… Let us acknowledge that the old order, the economic system which makes us one of the most unequal societies on earth, must go. Let us challenge the narrative of the corrupt, who use that old order as a fig leaf behind which they hide their greed. As I have said before, we need to overcome the skewed racial ordering of our economy and the obscene inequality which it produces, not by indulging the rapacious greed of a few politically-connected individuals, but by building a new fairer society which distributes wealth more equitably for all. We are God’s engineers and everything of meaning and importance that we have accomplished in the past 24 years has been the result of refusing to be stopped by the walls that divide us [and an] ability to be exceptional bridge builders. Let the different interest groups and elements of our society which are committed to these ideals – whether rich or poor, whether black, white, coloured or Indian, whether Christian, Communist, Muslim, Hindu or Jew – let us all find one another in a powerful united coalition which puts first the interests of the poor and thereby the interests of all of us.
O God, the creator and lover of all we acknowledge the inequalities we make in your world. We pray for the disempowered and marginalised. Guide us towards your justice, equality and rule. Monday 21 Give thanks for the Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba and the Anglican Church in South Africa as they seek justice for all communities, especially the poor and marginalised. Tuesday 22 Give thanks for the courage of Christians in South Africa who have drawn on their faith in Christ to tackle injustice and speak truth to power. Wednesday 23 Pray for those in South Africa, and around the world, who struggle with unemployment, poverty, abuse and discrimination. Pray for truth, justice and equality. Thursday 24: Bartholomew the Apostle Pray that the government and political leaders in South Africa might shun corruption and seek to promote the well-being of the whole population. Friday 25 Pray that children in South Africa might grow up in a peaceful society in which everyone has access to healthcare, education and employment. Saturday 26 Give thanks for the USPG-supported development programme in the Diocese of Zululand which is helping communities to support each other in practical ways.
SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 11TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION ON BRITAIN AND IRELAND Article by USPG. This weekend we have a stall at the popular Greenbelt Festival. The theme of this year’s Greenbelt Festival is ‘The Common Good’, a term that resonates with USPG’s philosophy: we are inspired by the gospel to live out God’s mission so that all people and whole communities might experience a full life. At this year’s festival, USPG has a particular focus on the environment and climate change. In keeping with our passion to share the voices of our world church partners with a wider audience, we have invited to the festival the Most Revd Dr Winston Halapua, from Tonga. Archbishop Winston is longstanding friend of USPG. Last year we held an international consultation in Fiji, where the archbishop showed us evidence of rising sea levels, which are sinking islands and forcing communities to migrate. We want to raise awareness of the global impact of climate change. We consider it a tragedy that those countries that contribute the least to climate change experience its impact the most because they are not well equipped to deal with the impact of extreme weather. To this end, USPG is encouraging Anglicans in Britain and Ireland to increase their engagement with environmental issues.
Let us bless the earth maker, the pain bearer, the Life giver: let us praise and exult God above all for ever. May God’s name be praised beyond the furthest star, glorified and exulted above all for ever. From the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia Monday 28 Pray that USPG’s presence at Greenbelt Christian arts festival this weekend would inspire Christians in Britain and Ireland to engage more deeply with their brothers and sisters around the globe. Tuesday 29 Pray that churches in Britain and Ireland will be inspired to attempt new and bold things in mission. Wednesday 30 Give thanks for all USPG Volunteers who give their time and energy to promote the work of USPG and the world church. Thursday 31 Give thanks for churches and dioceses in Britain and Ireland whose support for USPG is helping to extend the ministry of the church in many countries. Friday 1 September Pray for an increase in financial support for USPG so we can maintain and increase our vital work with the world church. Saturday 2 Give thanks for diocesan mission departments throughout Britain and Ireland as they nurture relationships within the Anglican Communion.
SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 12TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FOR HARVEST By USPG Communications Manager Mike Brooks. At Harvest we give thanks. The practice of gratitude is a very simple one, but one that spiritual traditions throughout the centuries have commended. Scientist and Anglican Rupert Sheldrake says experiments have proved that gratitude makes people happy. He said: ‘We all know that people who see the glass as half-full are generally speaking happier than people who see it as halfempty. Some people feel grateful for what happens in their life a lot of the time, whereas others moan and complain. Count your blessings! Make lists about all the things you’re grateful for – your health, food, and so on – and all the people you’re grateful to.’ But what happens in countries where there is war or famine? Around 12 years ago I travelled to Ethiopia with USPG to interview Sudanese refugees who had fled civil war. I had expected them to be angry with God. Instead, I met people who had put their faith in God, for whom God was their only hope. A refugee called Mary told me: ‘I put my hope in God. If God takes care of me I will have a better life tomorrow.’ This Harvest, let us be grateful for what we have. And where we feel we are lacking, let us put our faith in God.
Lord of the harvest, thank you for all you give us. Help us to share our abundance with those who are lacking, and work together to protect your creation, that all may share in the provision of your harvest. Monday 4 Give thanks this Harvest! Give thanks for our health, food, housing, family, friends, peace, the oxygen we breathe, and all that we sometimes take for granted! Tuesday 5 Pray for people worldwide who face war, persecution and poverty. Pray that they might know God’s presence and give thanks. Wednesday 6 Pray that churches might be inspired by USPG’s Harvest resources which focus on Madagascar where extreme weather is destroying crops. Give thanks that churches are supporting communities. Thursday 7 Give thanks for the Bishop of St Albans’ Harvest Appeal, ‘Full of Beans’, which is raising funds for a USPGsupported agricultural programme in the Philippines. Friday 8 Give thanks for the Diocese of Carlisle’s Harvest Appeal, which is supporting a USPG-funded vegetable gardens initiative in Zululand, South Africa. Saturday 9 Pray for an end to hunger. Pray that governments worldwide would put the well-being of all citizens ahead of the privilege of the few.
PRAY WITH THE WORLD CHURCH
23 JULY – 15 OCTOBER 2017
Britain & Ireland: Pray that churches will attempt new things in mission.
Morocco: Pray for the mission of St John the Evangelist Church, Casablanca.
Brazil: Give thanks for the energy, faith and curiosity of young Anglicans. Internal Province of West Africa: Pray for plans of the church to develop the region.
Israel-Palestine: Pray for justice and an end to conflict.
Bangladesh: Pray for Bishop Shourabh Pholia and the new Barisal Diocese.
Myanmar: Give thanks for the church’s volunteer rural health workers.
Philippines: Pray for income generation initiatives in poor communities.
Fiji: Pray for communities where land is sinking under rising sea levels. South Africa: Give thanks for the church’s stand against corruption.
SUNDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 13TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM THE PHILIPPINES USPG is supporting the Episcopal Church in the Philippines’ Receivers to Givers programme, which provides communities with loans to support income generation initiatives. We interviewed Ellen Gano. My name is Ellen from Dagadag. I’m 34. I’m married with two young daughters. I’m the secretary of the Dagadag Gardeners’ Association. We joined the Receivers to Givers programme to help our community. We were invited to seminars where we had bible studies and got to know each other. The programme helped us by providing a loan at a low interest rate so we could buy rice – previously it was very difficult to buy rice because the interest rate was so high. This was great! It meant we could start trading in rice and making a profit. We have been able to support our farming, for example through being able to purchase chicken manure, insecticides and fertilizers. We have also been able to support our children in school, buying bags, books and other materials. And the community has pooled money to buy some chairs for us to use at festivals and weddings.
Lord, thank you for the wonder and beauty of Creation; for so many blessings to sustain us in body, mind and soul. Bless those whose lives are hard and who have little, so they may share in the abundance of your provision. Monday 11 Give thanks for the work of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines (ECP) in communities. Pray that Ellen, her family and neighbours (see article) would continue to benefit from ECP’s Receivers to Givers programme. Tuesday 12 Pray for an end to drug trafficking in the Philippines – and for an end to the indiscriminate killings of drug dealers and users from impoverished communities. Wednesday 13 Pray that the Philippine government might consider the needs of all the people, seeking social justice and abundant life for every community. Thursday 14: Holy Cross Day Pray for wisdom and protection for churches in the Philippines as they seek to be a channel of God’s grace in seeking justice for all. Friday 15 Pray for peace-makers in the Philippines who campaign alongside indigenous people for economic freedom and the right to self-determination. Saturday 16 Pray for legislation to ensure mining operations in the Philippines must protect the environment and avoid polluting the land and water sources.
SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 14TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM MYANMAR This report from the Anglican Church in Myanmar looks at the USPG-supported rural volunteer health workers programme. Kyin Taung, one of the health workers in Mandalay Diocese, received an emergency call on his walkie talkie about a child in distress. He responded immediately. He picked up his backpack and headed out to the village, which was a four-hour walk through the hills (those not used to such journeys would take twice as long). Arriving at the village, Kyin examined the 18-month-old girl, who had a high fever. Kyin suspected malaria. He took a blood test and the result was positive. He administered anti-malarial drugs and stayed with the girl for two days to make sure she got better. The girl’s 70-year-old grandfather said: ‘My granddaughter would have died if not for of Kyin Taung.’ When asked how he thanked Kyin, the grandfather said, with a shrug of his shoulders: ‘I provided him with a meal of chicken curry during his stay.’ It was as if the grandfather took Kyin act of kindness for granted, and most villagers hold this sort of attitude towards the health workers. Asked what motivated him to be a health worker with so little reward, Kyin said: ‘Because I am a Christian and I am serving my people.’
Lord, you call us to serve one another in your name. Thank you for those who give of themselves in your service. May we be inspired to act, witness and love, that through us your world may be transformed. Monday 18 Give thanks for Kyin Taung (see article) and all of the Church of Myanmar’s volunteer health workers as they visit rural communities. Tuesday 19 Give thanks for the Anglican Church in Myanmar’s dedication to the gospel. Pray for strength and wisdom for all church leaders. Wednesday 20 Pray for the people of Myanmar as they struggle to respond to flooding and natural disaster caused by climate change. Thursday 21: Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist Pray for peace in Myanmar, where there are still areas of conflict. Pray for wisdom for Myanmar’s government, under the leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Friday 22 Pray for Christians who are facing hardship or persecution, in Myanmar and around the world. Pray that they might know God’s peace. Saturday 23 Pray for USPG-supported church work in Myanmar, including health work and a programme that is providing communities with clean drinking water.
SUNDAY 24 SEPTEMBER 15TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM BANGLADESH Article by the Rt Revd Shourabh Pholia, who is the bishop of the new Barisal Diocese. The Church of Bangladesh is growing by the day and its people are in constant need of spiritual support. So we decided it was a timely decision to have a third diocese, which was inaugurated in April – the new Diocese of Barisal. However, there are some challenges, and we seek your prayers and support as we began this journey. Firstly, geographically, the new diocese is situated in a vulnerable and disaster-prone area. So most of the people are economically poor and down-hearted due to natural disasters, internal migration and poor health. Secondly, due to a lack of proper education and weak spiritual mentoring, people in the area of Barisal are becoming the victims of growing terrorism. As part of a Christian minority, the Church of Bangladesh is on the receiving end of religious fundamentalism and violence prompted by drug addiction. Thirdly, the Church of Bangladesh wants Barisal to be a sustainable diocese, but this is not easy in the context of Bangladesh. While we have the desire and hope to be selfsufficient, we face many financial challenges. But in the midst of these challenges, we have faith that we can move forward as Christ’s ambassadors to share God’s love.
Lord, we thank you for our connections and communion with your growing church around the world. Protect your church in places of danger and oppression, and inspire us all to build up your church. Monday 25 Pray for wisdom and encouragement for Bishop Shourabh as he seeks to lead the new Diocese of Barisal, in Bangladesh. Tuesday 26 Pray that the new Diocese of Barisal might be able to offer practical help and spiritual support to a vulnerable population. Wednesday 27 Pray for the Dioceses of Dhaka and Kushtia; pray for strength for all clergy, leaders and congregations as they seek to live out God’s mission. Thursday 28 Pray for all minority faith groups in Bangladesh, especially the Hindu community, which is often a target for political and religious violence. Friday 29: Michael and All Angels Pray that the Christian community might be able to contribute as salt and light in Bangladesh’s uneven political situation. Saturday 30 Give thanks for the support of USPG for the work of the Church of Bangladesh, including health outreach and nurse training schools in Bollobhpur, Rajshahi and Jobarpar.
SUNDAY 1 OCTOBER 16TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM BRAZIL Article by the Revd Tatiana Ribeiro, Youth Network National Co-ordinator with the Anglican Church in Brazil. I am excited that at our next synod, in June 2018, most of the dioceses in the Anglican Church of Brazil will be sending a delegation of young people for the first time. Our idea is that: ‘The youth aren’t the future; the youth are the present!’ We want young people to be actively involved in what the church is doing and how it is making decisions. Brazil is so huge and diverse that the experience of youth is very different across the country. So it’s really important to bring youth together at conferences and events – not only at synod – but also through our new online network and training programme. One big issue is sexuality. Through the new network, our youth are making friends with people who have different lifestyles and points of view. It means the topic of sexuality is no longer an abstract theological idea, but something that is about real people and relationships. All of this work started after USPG sponsored a national youth conference in 2015 – before that we hadn’t had a youth conference for ten years. This conference gave us a huge boost of energy to take things forward.
Lord, we praise you for young people in our churches; for the energy, faith and vision they bring. Help us to work together – across generations – so we may welcome all into the family of your Son. Monday 2 Give thanks that the Anglican Church in Brazil is to taking steps to involve youth at every level of church work and decision-making (see article). Tuesday 3 Pray that Brazil’s government and political leaders might promote justice and equality for all, rather than seek to benefit a rich minority. Wednesday 4 Pray for justice for Brazil’s indigenous populations as they struggle to hold onto their homes, culture and identity while avaricious corporations seek to take their land. Thursday 5 Give thanks for the USPG-supported leadership training course in the Diocese of the Amazon which is supporting marginalised indigenous communities. Friday 6 Pray for those in Brazil who suffer discrimination due to race, sexual orientation, religion or class. Pray that intolerant people might open their hearts. Saturday 7 Pray for an end to deforestation and exploitation of the Amazon rainforest, which is damaging both local communities and the eco-system.
SUNDAY 8 OCTOBER 17TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM MOROCCO Article by the Rt Revd David Hamid, Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese in Europe. The Church of St John the Evangelist is a thriving Englishspeaking church in the heart of downtown Casablanca. It is one of the few official places of Christian worship in the city. Half of the regular 200 attendees hail from Europe, Asia and the Americas. The other half come from sub-Saharan African countries, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia and Senegal. Many are refugees who escaped war or the ravages of Ebola. Some are simply trying to escape misery and poverty in their homelands, now exacerbated by the effects of global warming, with arable land and water resources becoming increasingly scarce. St John’s current facilities are inadequate to deal with the many needs of the refugees, who require medical attention, treatment for malnutrition, necessities such as blankets, and so on. Indeed, aside from the church building, our only facilities are a makeshift tent and an old shipping container. We therefore have an ambitious project to build a community centre, with classrooms for vocational training, counselling rooms, a meeting space, and other facilities. USPG is kindly helping to support this initiative.
Lord Jesus, as a child you were a refugee in Egypt, have compassion on all who are refugees today. Guide world leaders to act with integrity and justice, and your church to proclaim your mercy today. Monday 9 Give thanks for the work of the Anglican Church in helping to support migrants and refugees in Casablanca, Morocco (see article). Tuesday 10 Pray for the Church of St John the Evangelist, in Casablanca, as the church seeks to develop its facilities to reach out to the migrants and refugees. Wednesday 11 Pray that the population of Casablanca – and all in Morocco – might welcome the ‘strangers in their midst’, many of whom are fleeing war, poverty and persecution in their home countries.. Thursday 12 Pray that governments and authorities with the power to influence the lives of migrants and refugees might be filled with compassion. Friday 13 Pray for peace in the world. Pray for an end to situations that create refugees, including war, persecution and discrimination. Saturday 14 Give thanks for the support of USPG for the community centre initiative at St John the Evangelist, in Casablanca, Morocco.
SUNDAY 15 OCTOBER 18TH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY A REFLECTION FROM OUR JOURNEY WITH USPG PROGRAMME Lucy Gray, 23, a medical sciences graduate from Kendal, Cumbria, reports from her church placement with the Anglican Church in Vietnam. Moving from my relatively quiet life in Cumbria to the huge, bustling fume-filled city of Hanoi in Vietnam was not an easy transition. I was thrown in at the deep end. On the afternoon of my arrival I was asked to help teach a English class. Then, the following morning, I found myself in church being introduced to a sea of new people. I also had to contend with a changeable timetable, the language barrier, constant curious-staring, crazy traffic and hot weather – all of which was fairly exhausting. Indeed, in my first few weeks, I often wondered why I was here. But God has been faithful and made me realise that transformation only comes through him. I see God in the people who have taken me under their wings and in the times I’ve been able to share a short word with someone I’ve met. And, as time goes by, I’m having my eyes opened to the world around me and having doors opened to situations where I can encourage others. Every week is different and, now that I’ve settled in, I’m looking forward to new challenges and new people to meet.
Holy God, thank you for the diversity of your church. Guide and bless those who cross continents and cultures to share the gospel with partners in new places. May they be blessed by, and be a blessing to, your people. Monday 16 Pray for all Journey With Us placement volunteers as they return home: Lucy Gray from Vietnam (see article), Evie Russell-Cohen from Ghana, the Bailey family from Barbados, and, from South Africa, the Revd Ron and Credwyn Hart and Ruth Walker. Tuesday 17 Pray for Kate Winter, 33, a paediatric nurse from Norwich, who is based in the Anglican Diocese of Singapore Wednesday 18: Luke the Evangelist Pray for the Revd Rosemary Cox, a parish priest from Durham, who is on sabbatical in the Anglican Diocese of The Gambia, supporting the training of evangelists. Thursday 19 Pray for the Revd Judith Ware, a retired priest from Oldham, as she supports lay training in the West Indies. Friday 20 Pray for Fergus Butler-Gallie, an ordinand from Westcott House, Oxford, who is on placement at the College of Transfiguration, Grahamstown, South Africa. Saturday 21 Give thanks for all USPG’s partner churches who graciously host Journey With Us volunteers and offer them a taste of the life and mission of the world church.
USPG SERVING CHURCHES, STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES USPG is an Anglican mission agency supporting churches around the world in their mission to bring fullness of life to the communities they serve. Here are some practical ways you can join us in enabling churches within the Anglican Communion to act as the hands and feet of Christ – enlivening faith, unlocking potential and promoting justice so that churches and communities are empowered to improve livelihoods, education, health and much more. Pray for the world church You can receive this free prayer diary by post or read it online. www.uspg.org.uk/pray Be inspired by a USPG speaker We would love to visit your church to tell you more about God’s work around the world. To book a speaker, email Rebecca Woollgar at rebeccaw@uspg.org.uk or call 020 7921 2220.
Make use of our study courses We have published a number of short study courses which are free to order. With stories from the world church, topics covered include the Five Marks of Mission, migration and refugees, discipleship. www.uspg.org.uk/resources Visit the world church We have two placement programmes open to candidates from Britain and Ireland. Journey With Us provides placements of up to a year for people of all ages – no special skills necessary. Expanding Horizons supports short-term placements for clergy, ordinands and church workers. www.uspg.org.uk/travel Support development programmes Churches can become Partners in Mission by committing their prayer and financial support to a specific church programme. www.uspg.org.uk/pim
RETHINKING MISSION DAY CONFERENCE Living in a religiously diverse world
SATURDAY 17 MARCH 2018 Birmingham Cathedral
Speakers from Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East will reflect on their own contexts to help us explore our religious identity in a pluralistic age.
SAVE THE DATE! General bookings open in November 2017. Sign up for USPG’s email newsletter at www.uspg.org.uk and receive updates about the conference. Rethinking Mission is an initiative of USPG. We aim to stimulate new thinking about the theology of mission, enlightened by perspectives of Christians from around the world. Read our online journal at www.rethinkingmission.org
We are USPG. USPG is an Anglican mission agency supporting churches around the world in their mission to bring fullness of life to the communities they serve. Theologically, practically and financially, we encourage and enable churches within the Anglican Communion to act as the hands and feet of Christ. Together, we are working to improve health, tackle poverty, put children in school, challenge discrimination, nurture leaders, give a voice to women, and much more Founded 1701.