Pray for God to bless the ongoing work of Foodbank, CAP (debt support) & Home for
Good (fostering and adoption support), and to fill all we are with His presence and good
culture. Clergy: Rich Johnson, Owen Gallacher
Diocese of Nebraska (USA): The Revd Scott Barker
Diocese of Nevada (USA): Bishop Dan Edwards
Pray for God’s guidance and enabling during our vacancy: especially for the wardens,
PCC and ALMs; for our work with families; and our plans to develop the church as a
community hub. Readers: Margaret Mandrell, Abigail Penfold; Supporting Clergy: David
Morphy, Jan Webb, Stephen Malkinson, Sheila Nall; Curate: Andy Todd
Diocese of Nebbi (Uganda): Bishop Alphonse Watho-kudi
Archdeacon Nikki has established a group of those leading Fresh Expressions of Church
across the Diocese, who meet termly to encourage each other and share good practice.
At each meeting, one person will give a case history of their Fresh Expression, explaining
how it started, the challenges they have encountered and overcome and what they are
learning. This is followed by an opportunity for the rest of the group to ask questions and
engage in discussion. In the second half of the meeting, people bring a growth issue that
they’re struggling with and these are discussed in small groups using an ‘action learning’
model to help identify possible solutions.
Archdeacon Nikki says: “It’s great to bring together people from across the Diocese who
are exploring different ideas for engaging with those unreached by traditional forms of
church. Both lay and ordained leaders are involved and we are all learning from each
other to help our Fresh Expressions to thrive and grow.”
Once a year, Nikki is organising a Saturday morning gathering for the whole teams
involved in Fresh Expressions. An outside speaker will be invited in to look at the wider
issues and to motivate and help us grow. On 18 November there will be a session on
discipleship and how to ensure this is kept as the main focus of Fresh Expressions. Lucy
Moore, the national leader of Messy Church, will be our speaker.
“Another session is being planned focussing particularly on Fresh Expressions in rural
contexts and on estates, recognising that the needs and issues are often different here
than in city centres,” says Nikki. Dates for this are yet to be confirmed.
Please pray for all those running Fresh Expressions of Church across our diocese and
for those who are part of these new congregations.
Worcester East Deanery – Rural Dean: Charles Thomas; Lay Chair: Michael Bunclark
Diocese of Ndokwa (Nigeria): Bishop David Obiosa
Diocese of Southwark: Bishop Christopher Chessun with
Bishops Richard Cheetham (Kingston) & Jonathan Clark (Croydon)
Diocese of Björgvin (Norway): Bishop Halvor Nordhaug
Pray for us to discern God’s vision. For Kingdom Arts, Noah’s Ark and our ministry with
those in long term B&B accommodation. For our joint ministry team (listed above) and
our wardens. For St George’s CE School, Head: Louise Norris, the Open the Book Team
and for our new curate Paula Honniball, coming to us after ordination.
Navajoland Area Mission (USA): Bishop David Bailey
Pray for us to discern God’s vision in our community, and for our Church buildings. For our
Joint Ministry Team: Jo Musson, Jennie Hayward, Peter Davies, David New, Judy Morris,
Jean Smallwood, Jan Kear, John Butterworth and our wardens. For Claines CE Primary,
Head: Simon Gent, the Open the Book team and for Paula Honniball about to become
our curate.
National Indigenous Bishop Ontario (Canada): Bishop Mark MacDonald
Two long term clergy members moved on last year. Pray for them, for the right people
to be called to fill their positions and for those who minister during the vacancy. Pray for
those within the deanery, who work to support refugees. Rural Dean: Char… Continue Reading
Pray for the projects in the Pamplona Alta region of Lima: for the Shalom Project,
working with children with disabilities and their families, and for Pat Blanchard as she
runs the centre. Pray also for the ladies who work on the arpillera sewing project.
Diocese of Nassau & The Bahamas (West Indies): Bishop Laish Boyd
Please pray for all those who look after the finances of their parish or deanery. Diocese of Natal (Southern Africa): Bishop Dino Gabriel with Bishops
Tsietse Seleoane and Hummingfield Ndwandwe Continue Reading
We ask God’s blessing on the retired clergy who live and worship in Kidderminster Deanery,
giving thanks for their ministry and asking that this might be a time of refreshment and
renewal. Give thanks for the continuing ministry many offer in our parishes.
Diocese of Nasik (India): Bishop Pradip Kamble
During May, the Archdeacons will meet with churchwardens from each of our parishes,
to find out how things are going in their parish, hear encouraging stories about local
mission and ministry and identify areas where more support might be needed.
Archdeacon of Worcester, Robert Jones said: “In each deanery, we go to a central
venue and spend time talking to the churchwardens from each of the churches. There’s
an element of accountability to the meeting, and the wardens should have discussed
some of the questions with their PCC beforehand, but it also gives us a chance to show
our care and appreciation of the work they do. Churchwardens do an amazing and often
unsung job – the visitations give us the chance to understand what’s going on at ground
level and to ask ‘how are you?’”
Whenever possible, the Rural Dean and Lay Chair of the deanery are also present at
the venue, welcoming churchwardens and having their own conversations. This helps to
build a network across the deanery and promote a sense of togetherness.
Nikki Groarke, Archdeacon of Dudley, said: “Visitations are a great opportunity to
spend time with our wonderful churchwardens and find out what’s happening in their
churches. I love hearing their hopes and aspirations and helping them to connect
into the Kingdom People vision. These days really help to build stronger relationships
between us.”
Once all the visitations have been completed, there is a special service in each
Archdeaconry, where the Churchwardens are admitted for the year.
Please pray for the Archdeacons
during the visitation period and for
all of our churchwardens.
Worcester East Deanery –
Rural Dean: Charles Thomas;
Lay Chair: Michael Bunclark
Diocese of Nandyal (India):
Bishop Eggoni Pushpalalitha
Diocese of Gothenburg (Sweden):
Bishop Per Eckerdal
Diocese of Glasgow & Galloway
(Scotland): Bishop Gregor Duncan
