O God, you show your wonder in the lives of your saints and you have made this day
holy by the death of Saint Oswald, your confessor and bishop. Grant that his example
of holiness may lead us to follow in his footsteps. Diocese of Manchester… Continue Reading
Please pray for Robert Higham, Diocesan Secretary, with his overall responsibilities for
the Diocesan Office. In particular pray for Robert in one of his roles as Secretary of the
Diocesan Synod when it meets on Saturday 4 March. Please pray that in the Synod’s
discussions there will be an openness to where God would lead us as his Kingdom
People in the service of our communities. Pray also for Robert’s PA, Judith Nex.
Diocese of Malindi (Kenya): Bishop Lawrence Dena
Today is Church Action on Poverty Sunday. On Transfiguration Sunday, Church Action on Poverty is asking; if our churches are to be communities that put the poorest first, how must we change? What must we let go of? What sacrifies are we called to make? How can we allow God to transford us into what Pope Francis has called a “poor Church for the poor”?
The Church Action on Poverty Sunday prayer:
You call us, God
You call us out of a harsh land and into freedom
You call us out of despair and apathy
You call us into a vision of another way of living.
You call us, Jesus
You call us into hope and friendship
You call us to build your kingdom
You call us to break bread with you and with the hungry
You call us, Holy Spirit
You call us to transformation
You call us to shine into the darkness
You call us into the world to change it
Give us strength to follow where you call.
Amen. (Marie Pattison, Katherine House)
Church Action on Poverty Sunday takes place each year on the last Sunday before Lent. It was part of Poverty & Homelessness Action Week until 2014.
Please pray for all in poverty in our communties and for the churches considering how they can best reach out to them.
Kingswinford Deanery – Rural Dean: David Hoskin; Lay Chair: Helen Jones
Diocese of Malek (Sudan): Bishop Peter Mayom
Diocese of Peterborough: Bishop Donald Allister with Bishop John Holbrook (Brixworth)
Diocese of Meath and Kildare (Ireland): Bishop Pat Storey
Pray for all those who share God’s love in other countries. Particularly for those who are
working as Christians in difficult situations, for example where there is extreme poverty,
war or where a Christian presence is not welcome.
Diocese of Malakal (Sudan) Bishop Hilary Deng with Bishops Peter Kunen,
John Gettek (Bentiu Area) and David Mayath (Pariang Area)
Pray for those who are unwell at this current time, whether in body, mind or spirit. May
they know God’s healing touch. Pray also for all those who care for the sick and the dying.
Diocese of Malaita (Melanesia): Bishop Samuel Sahu with Assistant Bishop Alfred Hou
Please pray for all those who give up their time to help others. Our churches couldn’t
exist without volunteers, we thank God for each and every one of them.
Diocese of Makueni (Kenya): Bishop Joseph Kanuku
For businesses and other bodies affected as we seek a way forward on the negotiations
about ‘Brexit’. Workers and others worried by uncertainty about whether they can stay
in the UK, those worried about future EU financial grants and support and changes that
may occur after the UK leaves the EU. Those trying to make investment decisions and
all whose jobs and livelihood will be affected.
Archbishop Martin Nyaboho Archbishop of Burundi & Bishop of Makamba
Pray for the Archdeacon of Worcester, Robert Jones and the Archdeacon of Dudley,
Nikki Groarke along with their secretary Kathy Jones. Give thanks for all that they do
and give in the life of our diocese.
Diocese of Maine (USA): Bishop Stephen … Continue Reading
Pray for all of those who serve our country in the armed forces. Keep them safe from
harm and give them courage to face all perils.
Diocese of Maiduguri (Nigeria): Bishop Emmanuel Mani Diocese of Makurdi (Nigeria): Bishop Nathan Inyom Continue Reading
The Revd Alison Maddocks has just
started as the new Stewardship Officer
for the Diocese. Alison will work with
parishes to help them think about their
financial giving as part of their Christian
discipleship.
Alison comes to Worcester from the
Diocese of Derby where for the past
five years she has been a Leadership
Development Officer in the diocesan
office and vicar of Breadsall, a village two miles outside of Derby city centre. Prior
to this Alison was a workplace chaplain in Nottingham and Birmingham and before
ordination had 18 years’ experience working in the head office of Boots in Marketing
and Personnel.
Alison said: “I’m really excited about this new post and further exploring the theology
behind good stewardship. Discipleship in the everyday has been a strong part of my
ministry to date and I’m looking forward to building on this. The Church has been slow
to realise the changing nature of the world and the need to re-engage with the material
as part of our worship. I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting people, finding
out where they are and hearing their stories.”
Stewardship is an important part of the Kingdom People vision. Christian discipleship
entails not only commitment to the life of prayer, to study of the scriptures and to
receiving the sacrament in public worship, it also shapes what we do with our time,
talents and money.
Alison moved to the Diocese in January with her two relatively grown-up daughters,
husband and aged dog! The family love messing about in boats, as well as walking and
are looking forward to having a whole new area to explore.
Please pray for Alison and her family as she starts this new role.
Martley & Worcester West Deanery – Rural Dean: David Sherwin; Lay Chair: John Chidlow
Diocese of Mahajanga (Indian Ocean): Bishop Jean Claude Andrianjafimanana
