Pray for St Philip & St James, Whittington, for our links in the community and for areas
of new housing. For Whittington CE School, Head: Gary Richards. Clergy: Andrew Stand,
Bishop Christopher Mayfield, David Rogers; Reader: Mike Bunclark; ALM: David Chestney
Diocese of Newcastle: Bishop Christine Hardman with Bishop Mark Tanner (Berwick)
Pray for the community of St Martin, London Road. For all those who have supported
us during our vacancy, for visiting clergy for taking services, for the wardens and PCC for
keeping the church running. Clergy: David Rogers; Reader: Mike Bunclark&nbs… Continue Reading
Please pray for the final preparations of the Kirchentag on the Way (25 to 28 May),
celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Pray that it will be a festival of
Christ – of reconciliation, remembrance and renewal, a testimony to our faith and our
hope for a better world!
Diocese of Newala (Tanzania): Bishop Oscar Mnung’a
Give thanks for our Kingdom Kids outreach and for the relationships being built with
local families. Pray for us as we review our Local Ecumenical Partnership and working
together. Clergy: Diane Cooksey, Helen Caine (Methodist), Andrew Mann-Ray (URC)… Continue Reading
Pray for those exploring faith attending the new monthly ‘Family Praise’ informal service;
for those who serve at, and attend, Thursday Friends Café, a ministry to the poor and
lonely. Clergy: Charles Thomas; Reader: Phillip Howell
Diocese of New Westminster (Canada): Bishop Melissa Skelton
Diocese of Niagara – (Canada): Bishop Michael Bird
500 years ago Martin Luther wrote one of the
most explosive academic works ever published.
He posted his 95 theses on forgiveness on the
door of the castle church in his university town of
Wittenberg. The eventual result was the massive split
in the medieval church into Catholic and Protestant,
political convulsions that reshaped Europe, and
religious and philosophical changes that led to the
modern world.
The commemoration of this event is very important
for our partner church in Central Germany, our EKM
/ Magdeburg link. All the significant sites of Luther’s
life and the birth of the Reformation are part of their
church area. The biggest focus of attention will be the
Church Celebration (Kirchentag) which happens every two years, drawing roughly between
100,000 and 200,000 Christians. In 2003 this became a fully ecumenical celebration.
Groups from Worcester parishes will spending time with their partner parishes in
Magdeburg and a group of individuals is travelling to Berlin for the central Kirchentag
celebration. Bishop John will be helping the EKM kick off their celebrations on Ascension
Day in Magdeburg, as he preaches at an open air service outside the cathedral. He and
Archdeacon Robert Jones will also be helping lead a service of Evensong the following
night in Magdeburg cathedral.
Please pray for our German partners, especially Bishop Ilse Junkermann, and her regional
bishops, Propst Christoph Hackbeil (our primary partner in Stendal-Magdeburg) and
his colleagues Johann Schneider (Halle-Wittenberg), Christian Stawenow (EisenachErfurt), Diethard Kamm (Gera-Weimar), Kristina Kühnbaum-Schmidt (Meiningen-Suhl).
Pray also for our parish partnerships and all those travelling.
Worcester East Deanery – Rural Dean: Charles Thomas; Lay Chair: Michael Bunclark
Diocese of New Jersey (USA)L Bishop William Stokes
Diocese of Gloucester: Bishop Rachel Treweek with Bishop Robert Springett (Tewkesbury)
Diocese of Västerås (Sweden): Bishop Mikael Mogren
Pray for Communications Officer, Sam Setchell and Digital Media Adviser, James Atkinson,
as they seek to communicate effectively with people within and outside the Diocese.
Diocese of New Hampshire (USA): Bishop Robert Hirschfeld Continue Reading
Pray for our children’s groups, bible studies, coffee and chat, and as we continue to
make our church buildings and worship services meaningful for everyone. For Messy
Church and Tea at Tolly. Give thanks for the development of the Tolladine Mission and
our music leader. For our churchwardens and ALM in training Mark. Lay Missioner: Sue
Martyr; Clergy: Julieann Watson, Kalantha Brewis
Diocese of the New Guinea Islands (Papua New Guinea): Bishop Allan Migi
Pray for a priest to apply for our ‘house for duty’ vacancy and for our development
project. Give thanks for the help of retired priests Paul Tongue, Graham Lyall and
Graham Oakes, Associate Priest Tim Clark and diocesan priests helping maintain our
weekly service pattern.
Diocese of New Busa (Nigeria): Bishop Israel Amoo
Give thanks for the Tushikamane Maternal Health project in Tunguli, which aims to
reduce maternal mortality and early child death by bringing women together to learn
more about the challenges of pregnancy and childbirth. Diocese of Nelson (New Z… Continue Reading
