december '07 february '08 - scripture union€¦ · december '07– february...

T H E S C R I P T U R E U N I O N P R AY E R D I A RY

www.scriptureunion.org.uk

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendour of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. Psalm 145: 4-6

DECEMBER '07– FEBRUARY '08

GOING ONLINE WITH GOD

Welcome to Prayer Life, Scripture Union’s prayer guide, for December to February. It will come as no surprise to you when I say that the Bible and prayer play an important part in Scripture Union’s mission. It’s what we’re known for! We long that more people of every age should discover the importance and benefi t of reading God’s Word regularly in a thoughtful and prayerful way to further their personal

relationship with God. Our society is driven by technology. A large percentage of Britain’s population has access to the internet and uses it regularly. Reaching new generations of internet-savvy Christians, as well as those who may be searching for God, is the challenge Scripture Union is aiming to meet with the launch of WordLive on January 1, 2008. WordLive is a website that enables

people of all ages to use the Bible prayerfully online in a variety of creative and interactive ways. The aim is to reach many more people with the Bible and with resources to help them engage with it regularly according to their preference – ‘study’, ‘refl ective’ or ‘practical’ approaches through text, audio and visual presentations. This is a major ministry initiative for Scripture Union (see Getting close to

God on the internet, week beginning December 30). Please join us in praying for the launch and continuing development of WordLive, for those who will make it a regular feature of their devotional lives, and for those who will discover the life-changing benefi ts of experiencing God speaking to them through his Word – online.

PRAYER LIFE – DECEMBER 2007 to FEBRUARY 2008

More prayer resources Prayer Focus is Scripture Union’s quarterly audio prayer programme on CD, featuring interviews with those on the front line of ministry. It complements The Life and Prayer Life. You can subscribe free through our website www.scriptureunion.org.uk or by telephoning our Supporter Care team on 01908 856052.

USING THIS PRAYER DIARYThere’s a page to every week and each week has a specific focus, which is accompanied by a useful piece of background information to help you pray more effectively.

Every Sunday, you’re invited to take an overview of the week’s focus and use the information to pray on that day and throughout the week, if you wish. This information forms an at-a-glance feature on the back cover for those who prefer not to use the guide daily.

From Monday to Friday, we’ve provided five key prayer points drawn from the week’s focus. They’re not intended to tell you how to pray but we hope you’ll find the information helpful as you ask the Holy Spirit to prompt and guide you in prayer.

Every Saturday, you’re invited to take a wider view by praying for Scripture Union internationally. We’ve focused on a number of countries in regions around the world where Scripture Union is working, using our international prayer directory as a guide.

RICHARD WELLS Editor, Prayer Life

THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTMAS

WEEK BEGINNING DECEMBER 2PRAYER LIFE

Today most children and young people know little if anything about who Jesus is. They’ll be among the estimated eight million under 15s who have never encountered the gospel. So the approach to Christmas is a good opportunity for Scripture Union workers to be active in sharing the story of Jesus in schools and communities around the country.

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEvents with a Christmas focus have already started in earnest. Scripture Union workers are making the most of every opportunity to tell the true Christmas story in a way that is relevant for today’s generation. SU

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The Christmas Journey will still be fresh in the minds of children in Frodsham, Cheshire. The interactive guided tour through the events of the fi rst Christmas is organised for schools as part of the town’s festival – which has just fi nished – by Scripture Union Affi liates Gill Morgan and Moira Curry. Having toured the schools they then invited the public to the experience.M

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Alison Withers

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Children aged 5-11 in the Malmesbury, Wiltshire, area have the opportunity to experience the Christmas story every Saturday morning during December at an Advent Club, led by Affi liate Alison Withers. Alison also visits primary schools on Mondays during Advent to unwrap the story in Christmas Cracker sessions involving interactive Bible stories, quizzes and games.

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Today sees the start of Christmas Unwrapped, an interactive workshop in Bath run by Scripture Union Affi liate Chris Hammersley with a group called 2by2, which does schools work locally. About 280 children and 25 adults from fi ve junior schools will visit Widcombe Baptist Church in the next three days to experience the Bible Christmas.

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Affi liate Alleyn Wilson is preparing for party time at Romford Evangelical Church, Essex, on Friday December 14 for children from two clubs she runs: Suttons Primary School Bible Club, which meets on Thursdays, with the help of Christian teacher Amanda Louw, and the God Squad, which meets at the church on Friday evenings. Children will have fun – and hear the true Christmas story.TH

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GIVE THANKS for openings into many schools for Scripture Union workers to lead assemblies and take RE lessons, particularly at this time of the year when there are opportunities for the message of the true Christmas story to rise above the commercial noise.

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International focusSudan: Scripture Union, now back operating in Sudan after a period in a Uganda refugee camp, prays for a change of heart for all players in the long standing confl ict between government and rebels. The aim is to extend effective ministry from Juba in the south to all parts of the country.SA

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SUMMER MAY BE A DISTANT MEMORY, BUT...


The experiences of Scripture Union’s summer events will seem a distant memory, yet the encounter with Jesus that children and young people had on our missions and holidays then will have a lasting effect. Group leaders do their best to keep in touch with young people, and encouraging news emerges. Let’s celebrate some of that news this week.

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKThe term that is coming to an end will have challenged the faith of those who encountered Jesus on one of Scripture Union’s summer events four months ago. Our prayer support will sustain them and the volunteers and staff who encourage them on their spiritual journey.

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The young people had a fantastic time at LLanM holiday. The worship and prayer times were inspiring. The activities were great fun, and there was a good mixture of organised sessions and free time. The discussion groups gave them space to talk about their views and to sort out some of life’s issues, and the leaders had time to talk and pray with them individually. In fact the balance of 'fun stuff' and 'God stuff' was just right. God was at work, particularly with Jonathan who seemed to have the impression that he needed to reach a certain standard before he could be confi rmed. Meeting with God at LLanM helped him to understand that it is more about commitment to a journey and inviting Jesus into his life, rather than waiting until he was 'good enough'. This term he was confi rmed.

CONFIRMATION DECISION

Parents’ delight: Both children came home after the Scripture Union mission and told their mum they’d realised they wanted and needed to accept Christ in a more ‘real’ way than the general ‘Christianness’ they had previously expressed. ‘This is wonderful news to us,’ says mum. ‘Words can’t express my joy.’

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Memories of summer

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Investment dividends: Ruth Wills has worked with Scripture Union Croatia’s summer camps from small beginnings in 2000. This year Ruth learned that one boy who made a commitment in her second year was leading a teenage camp and going through leadership training. At least three other s also helped lead camps this year. TU

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Firm friends: Scripture Union holidays help cement friendships, which can turn out to be life-long. This year’s Footlights was Joe’s third holiday. He met Callum three years ago and their friendship has grown despite the miles between London and Dorset. Now they choose their SU holidays together. W

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Step of faith: Jess had a great time on Fusion holiday. And it has played a big part in her spiritual journey, for following the last holiday, she decided to be baptised. Her main Christian aims are to continue her walk with God and to return on another Scripture Union holiday.TH

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Faith in action: ‘I found mission a massive encouragement in my own faith. The mission gave me the chance to put my faith in action, and to have fellowship with other Christians who are close to my age. I feel I’ve really grown this fortnight, and have taken a big step forward in my walk with God.’ – Team member

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International focusRepublic of Ireland: The new Scripture Union bookshop, which opened earlier in the autumn under the management of Padraig and Evanne, can expect a lot of interest as it approaches its fi rst Christmas. They’ve been looking for volunteer support.SATU

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APPROACHING CHRISTMAS

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKMany thousands of young people, children and their families were reached in 2007 through Scripture Union workers and their ministry. Our prayer is that the advent of Christmas will remind them of the message they heard earlier in the year.SU

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Making a connection: Christian volunteers and churches are making good use of Scripture Union resources to run after-school clubs, reaching into the community to connect with children and young people who would otherwise have no connection with the good news about Jesus.

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Reaching all ages

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Sowing seeds: The fi rst and only time a child encounters the good news of Jesus Christ may be at a holiday club run by Scripture Union workers or by a church using SU resources. During the past four years more than 160,000 copies of SU holiday club take-home booklets have been distributed, getting portions of scripture into homes.TU

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Strong and courageous: Christian pupils step out in faith when they invite their non-Christian friends to their school Christian group. But they will have opened the door to the love of God and the truth of the Bible. Scripture Union workers support staff and pupils running these groups in schools across the country.

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Building faith: Children will have encountered God in the special surroundings of events like Spring Harvest, Keswick Convention and the Baptist Assembly, through work run by Scripture Union teams. These are important steps in their discipleship journey and experiences they’ll long remember.

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Looking forward: Holidays run by Scripture Union will encourage young people to encounter God over New Year: Countdown Midlands, led by Matt and Becki Stevens, Countdown Winchester, led by David and Katherine Stickland, Resolution at Lancashire, led by Paul North, and Breakthrough in Yorkshire, led by John Stephenson and Liz Green.FR

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International focusCzech Republic: A new team recently restarted Coze, Scripture Union’s monthly evangelistic English club for high-school pupils. They work hard to maintain contact with those who join, and see the club as one way to help break down the atheistic hold on the country.

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The festive pace quickens, retailers ratchet up the sales pressure, families fi nd life busier – and suddenly it’s the end of the school term. During this week we’d encourage you to spend some time praying with thanksgiving for groups of children and young people who have encountered God through Scripture Union’s ministry. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to highlight the truth about Jesus to these young people as the true Christmas message is declared.

ACTION ABROAD - THE MISSION CHALLENGE

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKIn a week when we celebrate the life-changing gift of Jesus, a group of young people are preparing for their life-changing experience with Scripture Union in another country, and most will be leaving in the New Year. Some are already on their placements.SU

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South Africa: Peter Nuttall (London), Lauren Dryden (Sunderland), Bridget Hepburn (Edinburgh), Kayleigh Reynolds (Leamington Spa), Ella Glass (Cambridge), Charli Clear (Rayleigh, Essex), Meghan Goddard (Poole, Dorset), Laura Christy and Rachel Pope (Bangor, Northern Ireland), will be involved in teaching Scripture Union’s lifeskills programme, helping with offi ce work, with a camps programme and visiting schools.

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Hands across the world

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Peru, France, Swaziland: Away from their families on this special day are Rachel Payling, from London, in Peru working with streetchildren and on camps; Phil Hayward, from Swindon, in France developing Scripture Union’s website and publicity; Tim Conry, from Camberley, Surrey, in Swaziland developing and promoting a lifeskills programme to make young people aware of HIV/AIDS.C

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Western Australia: Daniel Keylock, from Romford, Essex, Katy Lacey, from Strathaven, Scotland, and Paul Dadd, from Deal, Kent, will be involved in either an outdoor activity programme at the Warriuka School Adventure Camp, or with the SUPA Club after-schools programme.

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New Zealand: Timothy Rocks and Ruth Boyd, from Ballymena, Northern Ireland, will be involved with the small Scripture Union movement, based at various locations working with schools, camps and churches.

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Isle of Man: Still part of the British Isles, but nonetheless ‘overseas’, this is the location for Michael Richardson, from Havering, Essex, who is working with Scripture Union’s Associate trust in schools, leading Christian clubs, assemblies, youth events, and encouraging churches in their work with children and young people.FR

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International focusBangladesh: Shopon Kumar Das works hard to promote Bible reading material in Bengali. The fi rst quarter of 2008 has been released. Now Scripture Union is seeking a children’s worker to develop special programmes for younger age groups.

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Every year young people fi nd out what it’s like to have a life-changing experience with Scripture Union. They join the Action Abroad scheme on a cross-cultural mission project with an SU movement overseas. Their placements, mostly for six months, involve activities like leading children’s camps, working with schools, teaching life skills, and even organising football for streetchildren.

GETTING CLOSE TO GOD ON THE INTERNET

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKPeople pray and read the Bible in many different ways. We have a great opportunity to reach a new generation of people through WordLive, which launches this week. Our desire is that God would use this ministry in dramatic and lasting ways.SU

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WordLive is free of charge. We want this Scripture Union ministry to be widely available, and for cost not to be a barrier for anyone. There is a signifi cant fund-raising campaign around the launch and future life of WordLive, and people’s fi nancial gifts are vital to its success. We want people to see the potential of this ministry and feel called to support it.

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Bible on your iPod

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The media are very interested in internet developments, and the social networking website, Facebook, has fi gured prominently in the news. The media have expressed great interest in Scripture Union’s PrayLive facility on Facebook, and our desire is that the campaigns around WordLive will similarly generate positive interest so that the message continues to spread.

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Scripture Union’s commissioning editors are working hard on providing a wide variety of resources to populate WordLive. Our aim is to make each day creative, varied and interesting, but ultimately leading people towards a close, personal and meaningful relationship with God.

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Editors at Scripture Union are already thinking through the next stages of development for the online ministries and how best to keep them current, topical and exciting. We expect users will give us plenty of ideas about developments they would like to see, and it is a challenge to assess which will expand the impact of our ministry most effectively.

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The team feel an exciting sense of privilege about WordLive. We have received encouragement and support from the network of Scripture Union supporters, trustees and members of SU Council. We pray that every person who uses WordLive will be uplifted and encouraged on their journey of faith.FR

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International focusNiger: (Pop. 13.5m, 1% Christian): Scripture Union work has been limited to distributing a few Bible reading notes. Attempts to develop the ministry by appointing staff foundered when the successful candidate later declined. They are still asking God to provide committed staff with a clear vision for the ministry.SA

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Scripture Union has been working hard on developing several online projects. The fi rst two of these are PrayLive and WordLive. PrayLive launched in August as part of www.facebook.com, the social networking site, and encourages people to interact with each other as they pray. WordLive www.wordlive.org launches this week and aims to help you develop your relationship with God through an array of ways to interact with and experience the Bible.

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKA major part of Scripture Union’s schools work is carried out by volunteer workers, which is just as well because in England and Wales there are more than 27,000 schools. Their work is complemented by SU’s staff and Associate workers.SU

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Scripture Union workers can be special people for many children, as Margaret Lilley is being constantly reminded. After an end-of-term assembly she and the team had taken, two children approached her wanting to talk. A small girl told Margaret how her grandmother had died on the fi rst day of her school year and ‘how it still hurts but it’s getting better’. She described in detail how she was feeling. A boy of nine wanted to talk about how his parents had broken up. Dad had lived with the boy’s grandmother for three months but now they were back together, had moved house and family life was good. He spent time telling Margaret how he felt then and now. She said: ‘I’m privileged that these children felt they could share something very personal with me and I could remember them in my prayers.’

THAT SPECIAL PERSON...

Training for Christians wanting to work with schools is vitally important, because standards and expectations in schools are high. But training isn’t just about courses; Scripture Union staff work alongside and support all kinds of people, offering formal training as well as mentoring and through example.

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RE lessons in progress

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Teachers and other staff in schools carry great responsibility, and they deserve every support. Scripture Union works with organisations like the Stapleford Centre, the Association of Christian Teachers (ACT), and The Independent Schools Christian Alliance (TISCA) to provide support, but many Christians are not aware of what is available.

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SUPA Clubs are just that – super! Scripture Union Primary Age clubs (SUPA) can be run by teachers, parents or church workers, at lunchtime or after school, and the opportunities are great. Resources are freely available from our website, and we’re working to grow the number of clubs.W

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The re:source website helps students and teachers to run secondary school Christian groups. Young people can appreciate that following Jesus is not just a Sunday thing. Groups are great places of discipleship, allowing others to engage with the Bible. We’d love Christians in schools to catch a vision for running a group.TH

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GIVE THANKS for the churches who work with the schools in their community: their partnership is welcomed. The week-in-week-out support their important ministry provides is valued by Christian staff and pupils. Education Sunday, on January 20, is a good opportunity to highlight their work and offer prayer support.

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International focusHonduras: Scripture Union’s national director, Rolando Japes, is leading plans to mentor the development of schools and Bible club ministries with the movement in neighbouring Guatemala, and to explore opportunities with SU El Salvador. SATU

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DEVELOPING SCHOOLS WORK

WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 6PRAYER LIFE

Young people are probably closer to the good news about Jesus Christ when they’re at school than at any other time in life. Scripture Union shares a vision and offers support so that the gospel will be heard and seen in the lives of Christian pupils, school staff, parents, governors, schools workers and other school visitors – a true partnership.

FOCUS ON THE HEARTOF ENGLAND

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKContrasting inner-city, urban and rural communities create different challenges for Scripture Union’s staff, Affi liates, Associate trusts and local action group. They need physical and spiritual stamina to meet these challenges, as they encourage Christians of all ages in mission.

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Colin Stephenson: bus ministry

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International focusKyrgyzstan: Five workers are now serving with Scripture Union. Key ministries involve producing CDs on the Bible for people in the remote areas, Bible ministry in prisons and developing a publications ministry. Latest recruit is Nasikat Medetkan Kyzy, children’s ministry staff worker.SA

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9WEEK BEGINNING JANUARY 13PRAYER LIFE

The Heart is an area of contrasts: from the diverse urban and inner-city communities of Birmingham to the world-famous pottery towns of Staffordshire; from the picturesque Cotswolds villages, home of the source of the Thames, to the historic grandeur of Gloucester city and the banks of the River Severn, which last year succumbed to the results of an inordinately heavy rainfall.

Steve Hutchinson and his wife, Judy, based in Gloucestershire, are sending out forms for summer Lagger camps for 8-11s. The children are likely to have met Steve through a mission or holiday club in their area during the past year. Planning and preparation will be done shortly, along with the recruitment of team.

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Colin Stephenson works closely with the Kerygma bus project in Staffordshire. Through this the team meet around 3,000 school children each year, as well as many families, young people and children when the bus is at craft or agricultural fairs, or in use as a mobile youth club.

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GIVE THANKS for the work done by Kerstin Friend and the Associate schools trust in Painswick and Stroud. Kerstin has moved to Nottinghamshire and the trust is seeking a successor. A new associate trust in Worcester is developing links with schools in the city, and is expecting to have appointed its fi rst schools worker.

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Helen Franklin aims to unite Christians and churches in the Black Country to pray for and support local schools. Andrew Smith leads Youth Encounter, helping Christian young people live their faith among Muslims, and Christians and Muslims to build friendships and explore their faiths together. This month a group will meet to build links between young people in the West Midlands.TH

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GIVE THANKS for the enthusiasm and commitment of local action volunteers in Gloucestershire: Michael and June Hews, Malcolm and Pam Britton, Gordon and Grace Gilbert, Peter and Pat Godfrey, Donald and Sally Harvey, David Shoesmith and Janet White. Among other tasks, they organise training events, and have manned exhibition stands at two key summer events.

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FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKA unifi ed approach is important to make the most of local ministry. Our area teams, which include Affi liates, Associates, other volunteer workers, and staff, enthusiastically seek opportunities in their communities, and strive to work in joined-up ways.SU

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Local associate bodies have appointed around 20 new workers in the past year, pushing the total number of Associates over 70. GIVE THANKS for this growth, and for three new trusts formed in that time: Ashbourne, whose worker is Linda Rose; Festive in north Wales, with Steph Bushell, and Worcester, which has yet to appoint a worker.

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Bex Jignasu: supporting trusts

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New Associate workers in the past year: Rachel Foster, Bedford; Sam Lloyd, Harrow; Alex Newens, Havering; Amanda and Alex Brown, and Becky Wright, Isle of Man; Alex Drew, Letchworth; John Settatree, Lleyn; Rosie Harriott, Milton Keynes; Hayley Kendall-Ball, Newbury; Laura Jones, Southport; Andrew Phillips, Stockport; Hannah Musa, Stort Valley; Jonathan Price, Andy Barthow and Alasdair Elmes, York.TU

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New Affi liates who joined in the past year include: Richard Gardiner, Nuneaton, a technology specialist who trains leaders and runs workshops for young people; Sue Greene, Cambridgeshire, an under-fi ves specialist; schools workers Chenda Nuttall, north London, and Jenny Vass, Shefford; and 13th Floor, a performing arts ministry in Romford.

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A number of Scripture Union associate trusts have been advertising for schools workers, either to succeed staff who have moved on or to expand their work. SU national offi ce is available to advise but the recruitment process happens locally, and much prayer is invested in each appointment.

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Scripture Union’s Associates and Affi liates Scheme Manager, Bex Jignasu, spends much time travelling to support the needs of local trusts and workers. Working with her is Tasha Constant as Field Development Worker.

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International focusQueensland, Australia: The challenge is for Scripture Union to fund the infrastructure to nearly double the number of state school chaplains, now that schools receive direct government funding. Among the fund-raising initiatives was a dinner for 2,000 community infl uencers.SATU

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Scripture Union Associates and Affi liates are an integral part of the team, enriching the life and work of the movement, and enabling them to multiply effectively. Associate workers are normally attached to a local trust or body representing local church groups. Affi liates are long-term volunteers who commit generous amounts of time to develop ministry locally.

MULTIPYING MINISTRY

AROUND THE WORLD

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKIt’s 140 years since the fi rst Scripture Union beach mission in Llandudno, north Wales. From small beginnings a worldwide movement has grown. GIVE THANKS for the millions of lives changed since 1868 through SU’s international ministry.SU

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Kids' Games fun


Scripture Union is a truly global movement. SU England and Wales is one of more than 130 movements whose mission is to share the good news about Jesus Christ with children, young people and families, and to encourage them to develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer. Internationally, SU leads some life-changing initiatives, and here are some.

Three years on from the Boxing Day tsunami, long-term work on the Indian coast with children who were victims has opened doors for SU India into communities not normally reached. Daily after-school activities for almost 100 children in four centres provide a hot meal, introduce them to Bible stories, and help them advance their studies. In one area tsunami children won seven out of 27 school prizes.

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Freedom from the strict Soviet regime has created a big alcohol problem among families in St Petersburg. Consequently children are left on the streets. SU Russia, set up in 1995, quickly realised this was a major challenge. So they have developed a Christian camps programme for them, and support those who take in street children. There are now two centres for these children. TU

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An AIDS pilot scheme launched in Honduras by SU’s Americas region two years ago has provided emotional and practical support to people whose lives have been devastated through losing family members. Through this people have been introduced to Jesus. SU Honduras produces training and education material to raise awareness among children and young people, so they can pass the message to their families.W

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Putting children and games together in 1999 was a powerful mix, giving birth to Kids’ Games, which SU has grown internationally. Kids’ Games, uses the Bible to answer children’s issues raised through the games they play, with follow-up through the associated Max7 programme. This year in Calcutta the largest ever games are expecting 140,000 children, and involvement by more than 1,000 churches and agencies. TH

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The small SU International staff team of Pauline Hoggarth, Wendy Strachan, Clayton Fergie, and Ross Henshaw, led by International Director Janet Morgan, is supported by a council executive of Joel Yego, David McCracken, Peter Hoppler, Lloyd Carter and Jerip Susil, chaired by Colin Sinclair.FR

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International focusCameroun: Work has been growing at an appreciable rate. Two new Scripture Union staff, appointed to develop the ministry in the English speaking area and in the north, help sustain the growth rate. Emmanuel Todjo leads the work.

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COUNT ME IN THIS YEAR

WEEK BEGINNING FEBRUARY 3PRAYER LIFE

Scripture Union is about volunteers involved in ministry. Whether they’re running a holiday club, visiting a school to take an assembly, supporting in prayer, or making a fi nancial gift, they have said ‘count me in’ for the mission and their ministry is invaluable. These are people motivated by God’s heart for children and young people.

Plans for Scripture Union’s activities this year are already well advanced. Easter events are only two months away and summer activities are being formulated. Without the commitment of some 3,500 volunteers, most of the work just wouldn’t happen. Recruitment has started in earnest!SU

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Having had links with Scripture Union in my youth – holidays, Bible notes, etc – it was an obvious place to look when I began thinking about year out schemes. Action Now! seemed to best fi t my criteria. I’ve been going into schools, taking assemblies, lessons and being a part of the extra-curricular lives of many of the local children – Christians and non-Christians. Outside term-time I’ve taken a large part in the planning and running of residentials for local children, and in running training events for youth workers and young people seeking to further their leadership skills. Working with SU has given me an interesting insight into how SU works, with opportunities not otherwise available. Now I’ve gone on to train as an outdoor instructor, though I may still come back to more direct youth work. Adam Smith

UNIQUE INSIGHT

Count Me In website generates enthusiasm about volunteer opportunities and helps team members recruit new volunteers. Communications Manager Adam Petrie has been working with Simon Barker, Volunteer Events Manager, to revamp the website with new detail about more than 100 events for 2008, and new features.

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Adam Petrie: Website revamp

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GIVE THANKS for more than 200 Scripture Union mission and holiday leaders whose preparation throughout the year ensures successful programmes for young people and children. The vast majority of these leaders are volunteers. They, too, work hard to recruit volunteers for their teams.

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FrontLine opportunities are being arranged for volunteer teams from England and Wales to work with young people in ministry programmes – mostly Bible clubs and camps – in Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Peru, and Ukraine. These are now being publicised.W

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Often, gap year students want to serve in this country. Scripture Union’s Action Now! scheme tailors development programmes of between three and 12 months for volunteers, who can start at any time. We recently said farewell to Adam Smith, who worked in the north-east. His story appears on this page.TH

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DAY

5

A group of 18 young people, who made a one-year Count Me In commitment to Scripture Union’s Action Abroad overseas programme, are part way through their placements. Arrangements are now being made with movements around the world for the 2009 programme and recruitment starts soon.

FRID

AY 8

MO

ND

AY 5

International focusTanzania: The movement has undergone serious challenges leading to the departure of the national director. GIVE THANKS for the creditable way the national committee handled the crisis. Emmaus, as acting national director, has been trying to rebuild the movement and search for a substantive national director.

SATU

RDAY

9

FOCUS ON WALES


Croeso I Gymru! Wales is a bilingual nation with a population of around three million, 60% of whom live in the south east. Cardiff, the capital, has a population of 300,000, while Swansea, is190,000-strong. About a quarter of the population speak Welsh, the strongest survivor of the Celtic languages. Known for its choirs, castles, mountains, valleys, mines, rain and rugby, Wales is fascinating geographically and traditionally.

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKContrasts between north and south Wales make mission challenging. The M4 corridor in south Wales hosts a range of faith groups and a variety of churches, while the north west is sprinkled with traditional chapels that are sometimes diffi cult to reach.SU

ND

AY 1

0

Vicki Blyth: work in Wales

Vicki Blyth, based near Pontypridd, works with churches, volunteers and other organisations across Wales. Her focus is on how Scripture Union initiatives like Lifepath, an experience for schools, and X:site, a regular cross-community event for 8-11s, could be used. She’ll be looking for the best locations and then building a team to run them.

MO

ND

AY 1

1M

ON

DAY

5

Matt Lewis, who is seconded to Scripture Union from the Christian Council for the Schools of Wales, has built good relationships with staff and schools. GIVE THANKS for opportunities to share the Christian message. As Matt continues his work he’ll be working with other schools workers to train students for short term mission schools work.

TUES

DAY

12

MO

ND

AY 5

On the Lleyn Peninsula in north Wales Scripture Union Associate Rachel Settatree and husband John are continuing to develop the work she has been doing with the support of the Trobwynt Trust. In this area Criccieth Family Church is going strong and continuing to make Jesus known to holidaymakers and residents.

WED

NES

DAY

13

MO

ND

AY 5

The launch of Y Cam Nesa! – the Welsh language version of It’s Your Move! – early last year has gone down well. Schools have been pleased to receive it and Welsh language churches are excited about having a Scripture Union resource in Welsh. We’ll be considering which other resources are suitable for translation.

THU

RSD

AY 1

4M

ON

DAY

5

Cilcoed Christian Centre, in Carmarthen, run by Scripture Union Affi liate Row Robinson, is benefi ting from the addition of a new wing. Last year a group of visiting children were able to follow the Easter story through multimedia activity, drama, song, and a prayer room. As well as running an events programme at Cilcoed, Row is involved in schools work locally.FR

IDAY

15

MO

ND

AY 5

International focusRussia: SU leader Vera Zhuravleva is developing active links in St Petersburg with groups who look after and offer stable futures to streetchildren. Many have attended camps, and many more could! The number of streetchildren is growing in the city.

SATU

RDAY

16

PUBLISHING MINISTRY CENTRES ON THE BIBLE


Planning is vital for the publishing ministry team, and they take an 18-month view ahead in their scheduling. With more than 50 titles published annually, and a growing internet presence, they regularly and prayerfully review where best to invest their resources.

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKTop of the Scripture Union publishing agenda are Bible-based resources, and the team consider carefully how these fi t into their plan, seeking God’s wisdom and inspiration for the future.

SUN

DAY

17

GIVE THANKS for the schools who are using Into the Bible as an RE curriculum resource to introduce key sections of the Bible into the classroom with a teacher’s guide. School budget setting time approaches and teachers face diffi cult decisions about buying RE resources with limited fi nances.

MO

ND

AY 1

8

Lin Ball

MO

ND

AY 5

The Must Know Stories, by Robert Harrison, communicates the importance of Bible story to our culture, language, literature and history. Biblical illiteracy means that the sense of phrases like ‘a David and Goliath battle’ or ‘the wisdom of Solomon’ are lost to our communities. This series, for all age groups, aims to pass these Bible stories on to the next generation.

TUES

DAY

19

MO

ND

AY 5

Editor Nina Marcel has started work on a long-term project to update and succeed Snapshots, to help the 8–10s engage enthusiastically with the Bible. Nina and her team are still at the ideas phase and prayerfully seek inspiration for a resource that will hit the spot with this age group.

WED

NES

DAY

20

MO

ND

AY 5

A fi ction project led by editor Alex Taylor aims to inspire children by what they read to know God better through getting into the Bible. Jack and the Wardrobe, by Nicki Jemphrey, about a boy in Belfast whose school project on the life of C S Lewis helps him come to terms with a messy home life, and to learn about God through his research, is due out in May.

THU

RSD

AY 2

1M

ON

DAY

5

Two per cent of the population have learning diffi culties, and editor Lin Ball’s Bible Prospects project opens up Bible reading and prayer to this readership for which there is little provision. Eight titles are already in print and Lin is preparing a new series in partnership with Causeway Prospects, the leading Christian charity working with this group.FR

IDAY

22

MO

ND

AY 5

International focusLatvia: With four successful camps under their belts last summer, Scripture Union workers would like to start winter camps, or Bible holiday clubs. They’ve already visited Wales to help with a club in Cardiff. Now they’re seeking a location in Latvia, and people to help.

SATU

RDAY

23

TOWARDS EASTER

Pupils Easter journey


Preparations for Easter are well under way among Scripture Union workers, who will take every opportunity to introduce Jesus at a time when many people will be receptive.

FOCUS FOR TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKScripture Union has a strong position of trust among schools, churches and national Christian organisations. GIVE THANKS for the many doors this opens for ministry, especially in the approach to Easter when SU teams will be activeSU

ND

AY 2

4

The Scripture Union volunteer team in Keighley, Yorkshire, will be preparing Rewind to Easter to explain to around 500 Year 5 pupils why Easter is an important festival for Christians.. These fast-moving presentations, over three days from March 11 to13, will involve individual work packs, a graphic telling of the Easter story, and a practical activity based on the Easter theme.

MO

ND

AY 2

5M

ON

DAY

5

Fifteen schools with 360 Year 5 pupils are expected to follow the Easter Journey, planned next month by Scripture Union Affi liates Gill Morgan and Moira Curry in Frodsham, Cheshire. They base it in a church and the journey through the various Easter events involves a multi-sensory presentation, including drama, storytelling, and music.

TUES

DAY

26

MO

ND

AY 5

In Slough, Berkshire, churches will put on half-day events between March 3 and 7 to lead 1,100 primary school pupils through the Easter story. These events, popular with schools, were started many years ago by Scripture Union worker Wayne Dixon and Baptist minister Jem Sewell, and many churches further afi eld have picked up the idea.

WED

NES

DAY

27

MO

ND

AY 5

GIVE THANKS for the thousands of children, many with no church connection, who will have attended a holiday club during last week’s half-term holiday. They, and many others, will have the opportunity to experience the gospel truth again around Easter though Champions Challenge, Scripture Union’s new holiday club programme.

THU

RSD

AY 2

8M

ON

DAY

5

Scripture Union has a major input into Spring Harvest at the Minehead centre during the two-week Christian festival at Easter. Margaret Lilley is coordinating the 4-7s age group, and Lianne Smith and Clare Luxton are organising X:site @ Spring Harvest for the 8-11s.

FRID

AY 2

9M

ON

DAY

5

International focusAfrica region: Staff have been praying for three mission personnel to serve in Namibia(English), Chad (French) and Mozambique (Portuguese). They report positive developmentin Mozambique.

SATU

RDAY

1

PRAYER DIARY AT A GLANCEYour prayer diary in brief. Use one topic for each week.

Scripture Union 207–209 Queensway, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2EBTel: 01908 856000 Fax: 01908 856111 email: [email protected] www.scriptureunion.org.uk Registered charity 213422, limited company 39828. Registered in England and Wales

The real truth about Christmas Events with a Christmas focus have already started in earnest. Scripture Union workers are making the most of every opportunity to tell the true Christmas story in a way that is relevant for today’s generation. D

ECEM

BER

2

Multiplying ministry A unifi ed approach is important to make the most of local ministry. Our area teams, which include Affi liates, Associates, other volunteer workers, and staff, enthusiastically seek opportunities in their communities, and strive to work in joined-up ways.

JAN

UA

RY 2

0

Summer may be a distant memory, but . . . The term that is coming to an end will have challenged the faith of those who encountered Jesus on one of Scripture Union’s summer events four months ago. Our prayer support will sustain them and the volunteers and staff who encourage them on their spiritual journey.

DEC

EMB

ER 9

Around the worldIt’s 140 years since the fi rst Scripture Union beach mission in Llandudno, north Wales. From small beginnings a worldwide movement has grown. GIVE THANKS for the millions of lives changed since 1868 through SU’s international ministry.

JAN

UA

RY 2

7Approaching Christmas Many thousands of young people, children and their families were reached in 2007 through Scripture Union workers and their ministry. Our prayer is that the advent of Christmas will remind them of the message they heard earlier in the year.D

ECEM

BER

16 Count me in this year Plans for Scripture Union’s

activities this year are already well advanced. Easter events are only two months away and summer activities are being formulated. Without the commitment of some 3,500 volunteers, most of the work just wouldn’t happen. Recruitment has started in earnest!

FEB

RU

ARY

3

Action Abroad – the mission challenge In a week when we celebrate the life-changing gift of Jesus, a group of young people are preparing for their life-changing experience with Scripture Union in another country, and most will be leaving in the New Year. Some are already on their placements.D

ECEM

BER

23 Focus on Wales Contrasts between north and

south Wales make mission challenging. The M4 corridor in south Wales hosts a range of faith groups and a variety of churches, while the north west is sprinkled with traditional chapels that are sometimes diffi cult to reach.FE

BR

UA

RY 1

0

Getting close to God on the internetPeople pray and read the Bible in many different ways. We have a great opportunity to reach a new generation of people through WordLive, which launches this week. Our desire is that God would use this ministry in dramatic and lasting ways.D

ECEM

BER

30 Publishing ministry centres on the Bible

Top of the Scripture Union publishing agenda are Bible-based resources, and the team consider carefully how these fi t into their plan, seeking God’s wisdom and inspiration for the future.

FEB

RU

ARY

17

Developing schools work A major part of Scripture Union’s schools work is carried out by volunteer workers, which is just as well because in England and Wales there are more than 27,000 schools. Their work is complemented by SU’s staff and Associate workers.

JAN

UA

RY 6

Towards Easter Scripture Union has a strong position of trust among schools, churches and national Christian organisations. GIVE THANKS for the many doors this opens for ministry, especially in the approach to Easter when SU teams will be active.FE

BR

UA

RY 2

4

Focus on the Heart of England Contrasting inner-city, urban and rural communities create different challenges for Scripture Union’s staff, Affi liates, Associate trusts and local action group. They need physical and spiritual stamina to meet these challenges, as they encourage Christians of all ages in mission.

JAN

UA

RY 1

3

december '07 february '08 - scripture union€¦ · december '07– february...

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