Author Archives: Diocese of Worcester - Prayer diary

In 2011, the House of Bishops produced the
‘Responding Well’ report, which highlighted how
sexual abuse can affect adult survivors. It asked
each diocese to provide support and guidance,
saying: “It is vital that our churches are safe
places for people to tell their stories of abuse,
and where people listen and respond well.”
Time for Action 

In response to this, our diocese has set up
an Authorised Listening Service, which is now
available to anyone who has been affected
in this way. The listening service offers the
opportunity to talk about sensitive issues with a
trustworthy stranger.

A team of listeners has been recruited and authorised by Bishop John. All have
experience and skills in counselling or similar and are able to provide specialist support
and manage confidential information. A Listener will usually provide a series of face to
face sessions, and will offer support for any next steps that are considered necessary. 

The service can be requested in confidence via Parish Safeguarding Officers, clergy,
or direct via the Diocesan Safeguarding team. There will be leaflets available in every
parish. 

Please help us spread the word across the Diocese to enable us to reach anyone in
need of support.

Pray for all those involved in the set-up of this new service, in particular for our
volunteer listeners, and for those in need who we wish to reach out to, to offer the
support and love of a healing church. 

Pershore Deanery – Rural Dean: Susan Renshaw; Lay Chair: Sue Perry 

Diocese of Ruvuma (Tanzania): Bishop Maternus Kapinga 

Diocese of Sambalpur (North India): Bishop Pinuel Dip 

Diocese of Espoo (Finland): Bishop Tapio Luoma 

Diocese of Edinburgh (Scotland): Bishop John Armes

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Pray for all those who serve the church as Licensed Lay Ministers and give thanks for
their ministry. 
Diocese of Port Sudan (Sudan): Bishop Abdu Elnur Kodi Continue Reading

Pray for all those in positions of power across the world. Give them wisdom to make
decisions which benefit all. 
Diocese of Port Elizabeth (Southern Africa): Bishop Nceba Nopece Continue Reading

St Oswald’s Church in Broadwaters, Kidderminster has started a coffee morning which
has been recognised by the ‘Places of Welcome’ scheme. To be a Place of Welcome,
as well as offering a place to come and enjoy a cuppa completely free of charge,
members of the team also need to be a listening ear for people, able to signpost to
other areas of help. 

The coffee morning was the idea of Churchwarden, Brian Murkett and his wife Sue.
Brian said: “In Broadwaters there are a lot of retired people and those living on their own
and as the church is the only hall in the area, there is nowhere else for them to meet.” 

Having spoken to the DCC, Brian set up a meeting and invited people from Broadwaters’
Methodist Church and the Friends of Broadwaters, a community group which looks after
the local park. “I was overwhelmed at the support we received,” he said. “We’ve been able
to set up five different groups of volunteers who take turns each week to be responsible
for the running of the morning and supplying the tea, coffee, squash and biscuits.” 

Nigel Taylor, Vicar in the Kidderminster Ismere team said: “I’d spoken about Places of
Welcome when I first arrived the parish – I’d had some experience of them in Lichfield
Diocese and they seemed very successful in building community. Brian’s coffee morning
was built on the same principles so we decided to apply for it to be part of the scheme.
We’ve now got access to logos and banners to help with publicity and we appear on the
Places of Welcome website. It’s a great opportunity to be part of a bigger network and
learn from others, and I’d definitely encourage other parishes to look at applying.”

Please pray for all those involved
in running the coffee morning at St
Oswald’s Church in Broadwaters and
for other parishes exploring becoming
a Place of Welcome. 

Evesham Deanery: Rural Dean: Richard
Thorniley; Lay Chair: Liz Booth

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Lithuania: Bishop Mindaugas Sabutis 

Diocese of Derry and Raphoe (Ireland): Bishop Kenneth Good 

Diocese of Pennsylvania (USA): Bishop Clifton Daniel 

Diocese of Pittsburgh (USA): Bishop Dorsey McConnell

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Pray for all those who are living in places of war or conflict. Help to keep them safe and
bring your peace to the world. 

Diocese of Peru: Bishop Jorge Aguilar with Bishops Alejandro Mesco & Juan Carlos Revilla

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