Prayer DiaryPrayer DiaryApril to July 2020

Church schools working in partnershipThree church schools, Cradley CE Primary, Halesowen CE Primary and St Margaret’s CE Primary in Hasbury, have been working closely together during the Coronavirus pandemic. Marcia Harris, headteacher of Cradley, explains: “Before Coronavirus, our three schools met informally and supported each other on planning, but over the past few weeks, we’ve really come together and are stronger as a result.”Marcia has been in regular contact with headteachers Lorna Knowles (Halesowen) and Sara Shepherd (St Margaret’s) throughout the pandemic, supporting each other with recruitment and holiday cover, sharing ideas for home learning packages and being a sounding board. “It’s been a great support to know that I can text or ring the others at any time. When we’ve needed each other, we’ve been there and that’s the really brilliant thing about our church school network,” said Marcia.

Sunday 28 JUNE

Mon 29 Evesham Community HospitalFor patients and staff at Evesham Community Hospital, The Stroke Support Team, MIU, Clinical Investigations and all support services, especially as they face the challenges presented by the Coronavirus. For Matron, Shirley Hodgetts; The Chaplaincy and Pastoral Support Team; Lead Chaplain, Andy Green; Revd Diane Hayward-Wright; and Tracey Vickerey.

Tue 30 Churches Together in EveshamPray for all the different denominations working together in Evesham to best serve their community.

Wed 1 JULY Economy and Daily Life32% of people who are employed work in micro-businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Many work alone and isolation, even before the lockdown, is a real issue. Particularly in today’s challenging times, pray for small businesses in your community, for all working alone or without support.

Thur 2 Retired Clergy in Evesham DeaneryToday the Psalmist (Psalm 78) urges the people to listen “That they might set their hope in God.” Thanks be to God for the faithful ministry of retired clergy in the Evesham deanery.

Fri 3 Diocesan Office ReceptionistsPray for those who work on reception at the Diocesan Office, who are usually there to deal with enquiries and provide a friendly face for those entering the building.

Sat 4 ReadersPray for all those who serve the church as Licensed Lay Ministers and give thanks for their ministry.

Mon 6 Kingswinford DeaneryGive thanks for all who have worked so faithfully over the years across the deanery. May we face the future with confidence in Christ and with the flexibility that enables transformation.

Tue 7 Brierley Hill Team Pray that the small congregation of St John, Brockmoor would know some encouragement following recent disappointments and for Tracey Skidmore having just completed her first year of Reader training. Clergy: David Hoskin, Beryl Pritchett; Reader: Keith Colley, Val Houghton

Wed 8 Diocese of PeruPray for Bishop Jorge and his wife Sandra. That the Bishop may be granted wisdom in all he does, and strength as he juggles different diocesan and family responsibilities.

Thur 9 Brierley Hill Team Give thanks for the bells, and the bell-ringers, which invite the community to join worship at St Michael, Brierley Hill and for the supportive fellowship that has been created. Clergy: David Hoskin, Beryl Pritchett; Readers: Keith Colley, Val Houghton

Fri 10 Brierley Hill Team At Christ Church, Quarry Bank, continue to pray for initiatives aiming to create a new church community, such as Café Church, and for laughter ordinarily shared at events such as Skittles Night. Clergy: David Hoskin, Beryl Pritchett; Readers: Keith Colley, Val Houghton.

Sat 11 Christ Church, CoseleyFor continued growth of our Messy Church, and a strengthening of the links with our Primary Schools through Open the Book, when both are able to re-commence. For our ALM. Clergy: Emma Stanford, Tim Westwood.

Trinity 3

North Dakota (USA): Bishop Michael Smith Athabasca (Canada): Bishop Fraser Lawton Juba (South Sudan):

Archbishop Justin Badi Arama

North East India: Bishop Michael Herenz

Atlanta (USA): Bishop Robert Wright Kabba (Nigeria):

Bishop Steven Akobe

Attooch (South Sudan): Bishop Moses Anur Ayom

North Eastern Caribbean & Aruba (W. Indies): Bishop L. Errol Brooks

North Karamoja (Uganda): Bishop James Nasak

Auckland (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia): Bishop Ross Bay

Magwi (South Sudan): Bishop Ogeno Charles Opoka

North Kigezi (Uganda): Bishop Benon Magezi Aweil (South Sudan):

Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial

North Mbale (Uganda): Bishop Samuel Gidudu Awerial (South Sudan):

Bishop David Akau Kuol Mayom Kadugli & Nuba Mountains

(Sudan): Bishop Andudu Adam Elnail

Evesham Deanery Rural Dean: Richard Thorniley

Lay Chair: Liz Booth

The United Church of North India: Archbishop Dr Prem Chand Singh

Lincoln: Bishop Christopher Lowson with Bishop David Court and

Bishop Nicholas Chamberlain Härnösand (Sweden):

Bishop Eva Nordung Byström Lappo (Finland): Bishop Simo Peura

Please pray for all teachers and school staff across our

Diocese who have worked together to support children and their families in school

and at home during these very challenging circumstances.

OrdinationsThis weekend, 13 people should have been ordained by Bishop John to serve in parishes across the Diocese. These have now been postponed until September with those due to be ordained Deacon being licensed instead as Lay Ministers in their parishes.To be ordained deacon:· Claire Billington to serve in Peopleton and White Ladies Aston w Churchill & Spetchley & Upton Snodsbury & Broughton Hackett· Lindsey Coulthard to serve at St Stephen’s Barbourne, Worcester· Foluso Enwerem to serve at Top Church, Dudley· Jon Evans to serve at Christ Church, Lye· Jess Fellows to serve at All Saints, Worcester· Chris Henson to serve at St John’s, Kidderminster· Rosie Moss to serve at St Nicholas, Warndon, Worcester· Kim Topham to serve in Clent and Hagley· Carol Weston to serve in Brierley Hill

To be ordained priest:· Sarah Bardell serving in the benefice of Dudley· Victoria Barlow serving in Astwood Bank, St Matthias & St George and Headless Cross, St Luke· Jonny Gordon serving at Great Malvern· Francis Moloney serving at Redditch, Holy Trinity

Trinity 4Sunday 5 JULY

North Queensland (Australia): Bishop Keith Ronald Joseph Awgu / Aninri (Nigeria): Bishop Emmaunuel Ugwu Kaduna (Nigeria): Bishop Timothy Yahaya

Awka (Nigeria): Bishop Alexander Ibezim Kafanchan (Nigeria): Bishop Marcus Dogo North West Australia (Australia): Bishop Gary Nelson

Northern Argentina (S. America): Bishop Nicholas James Quested Drayson Awori (Nigeria): Bishop J Akin Atere

Northern California (USA): Bishop Barry Beisner Badagry (Nigeria): Bishop Joseph Adeyemi Ballarat (Australia): Bishop Garry Weatherill

Bangor (Wales): Bishop Andrew John Northern Indiana (USA): Bishop Douglas Sparks

Northern Luzon (Philippines): Bishop Hilary Ayban Pasikan Banks & Torres (Melanesia): Bishop Alfred Patterson Worek Kagera (Tanzania): Bishop Darlington Bendankeha

Please pray for all those who will be ordained this year.

St Albans: Bishop Alan Smith with Bishop Richard Atkinson (Bedford) and Bishop Michael Beasley (Hertford) Linköping (Sweden): Bishop Martin Modéus

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

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St Cassian’s, Chaddesley Corbett: Silver Eco Church AwardRural St Cassian’s Church, Chaddesley Corbett, recently achieved the Silver Eco Church Award following the congregation’s effort to make environmentally friendly changes to church life. Clare Stockford is churchwarden in this farming community. Clare said, “We have always included creation-focussed hymns and prayers for the care of our world in our regular worship. However, as an old building we weren’t sure how easy it would be for us to be eco-friendly.”In addition to focusing on environmental themes during worship, St Cassian has arranged community litter picks, linking with the village school; increased their recycling; purchased eco-friendly cleaning products and toilet rolls; and invested in new hymnbooks to avoid excess photocopying. One major change has been the installation of a new lighting system which uses the same energy as boiling just one kettle!“God gave us something so precious: we’ve done this to our planet and now we need to fix it,” Clare continued. “It’s been fantastic to support other churches in their Eco Church journey. When you’re passionate about something, I definitely believe that God gives you the words to inspire others.”

Sunday 12 JULY

Mon 13 St Chad, CoseleyWe ask that during our vacancy, we may continue to grow in faith, love one another, care for those in need, reach out to others and welcome newcomers. We pray for all those priests that have ministered to us and will minister to us during this time and for our ALMs and churchwardens. Clergy: Vacant; Reader Emeritus: Denzil Smith

Tue 14 St James the Great, Lower GornalPlease pray that the congregation may be able to keep heart and give thanks for financial stability in difficult times. Clergy: Julian Mott

Wed 15 Diocese of MorogoroWe remember all those who are working at Sewing Academy microfinancing project in the precincts of Morogoro Cathedral and for all those who will benefit from learning how their sewing skills can be used to develop small businesses, which will improve weekly incomes.

Thur 16 Kingswinford & Wall HeathPlease pray for Jigsaw Family Church, Sticky Church, Church Club, Open the Book, our children’s workers and our schools’ ministry. Give thanks for our DCC officers, ALMs, Lay Pastors and our visitors. Clergy: Giles Kendall; Readers: Jill Nicholls, Debbie Filgate, David Cousins

Fri 17 St Mark, PensnettPlease pray for us in a time of change, and for those of us worried about our roles and work schedules. Clergy: Ness Tobin; Reader: John Lawrence

Sat 18 St Mary, Hurst HillFor our Places of Welcome initiative, our playgroup, and the Primary Schools we connect with through Open the Book. For our ALM. Clergy: Emma Stanford, Tim Westwood

Mon 20 Gornal & Sedgley Team Ministry At All Saints and St Andrew, please pray for all in leadership, for our Church councils, and especially our Children and Young People’s Hub as we continue to develop our work with young people and families. Clergy: Guy Hewlett, Catherine Mitchell; Reader: Jan Humphries

Tue 21 Gornal & Sedgeley Team Ministry Please pray for all of the people of St Peter’s Church as we prepare for the closure of our current church building and for the development of our church hall. Clergy: Guy Hewlett, Catherine Mitchell; Reader: Jan Humphries

Wed 22 The Evangelical Church in Central GermanyPray for those who nurture the link between the EKM and the Diocese of Worcester, for the parish partnerships and the link committees. Maintain the close bonds of affection between us, particularly at a time of change in the European Union.

Thur 23 Wordsley TeamPlease pray for our relations with schools and other local organisations. Also, for those to be baptised in the coming months. Clergy: Colin Jones, Lyn Rowson; Readers: Terry Blewitt, Chris Geary

Fri 24 Churches Together in Brierley HillPray for all the Christian denominations working together in the Brierley Hill area.

Sat 25 Retired Clergy in Kingswinford DeaneryAs we give thanks today for the Apostle James and for his calling we give thanks too for the small band of retired clergy in Kingswinford Deanery and for their own discipleship and ministry.

Trinity 5

Kajiado (Kenya): Bishop Gadiel Katanga Lenini

Kajo-Keji (South Sudan): Bishop Emmanuel Murye Modi

Kamango (Congo): Bishop Sabiti Tibafa Daniel

Barbados (West Indies): Bishop Michael Maxwell

Kampala (Uganda): Bishop Stephen Samuel Kaziimba Northern Malawi (Central Africa):

Bishop Fanuel Emmanuel Magangani

Northern Mexico (Mexico): Bishop Francisco Moreno

Bari (Nigeria): Bishop Idris Zubairu

Northern Michigan (USA): Bishop Rayford Ray

Barisal (Bangladesh): Bishop Shourabh Pholia

Barrackpore (North India): Bishop Paritosh Canning

Bath & Wells: Bishop Peter Hancock

with Ruth Worsley (Taunton) Northern Philippines (Philippines):

Bishop Brent Alawas

Northern Territory (Australia): Bishop Greg Anderson

Bathurst (Australia): Bishop Mark Calder

Kano (Nigeria): Bishop Zakka Nyam

Kingswinford Deanery Rural Dean: David Hoskin Lay Chair: Anthony Lovesy

Newcastle: Bishop Christine Hardman with Bishop Mark Tanner (Berwick)

Moere (Molde) (Norway): Bishop Ingeborg Midttoemme

Lord, help us to be good stewards of your wonderful

creation and inspire us to adopt new, eco-friendly

ways of living out our faith.

#EverydayFaith as a nurse during the Covid-19 PandemicRachael Ienzi worships at the Cathedral and works as a nurse at Worcester’s Spire Southbank hospital. “My faith is my strength and confidence, particularly at the moment. It’s been really hard at times and wearing full PPE is absolutely exhausting. The first thing I do before work is ask God to support me during the day and pray that others might feel His love through me. If it’s a particularly difficult day I might also pray during my break.“People are very scared. As nurses we’re not allowed to overtly proclaim our faith, but my calmness under pressure can make people curious and if I’m asked, I can explain why I feel that is. Faith is helping me to have confidence for the future and strength to get through these times.“I try to go to work and do my best, helping my patients and my colleagues where I can, accepting it’s not always easy for me or them in the current circumstances.”

Trinity 6Sunday 19 JULY

Northern Uganda (Uganda): Bishop Johnson Gakumba Bauchi (Nigeria): Bishop Musa Tula Kansas (USA): Bishop Cathleen Bascom

Belize (West Indies): Bishop Philip Wright Kanyakumari (South India): Bishop A R Chelliah Northern Zambia (Central Africa): Bishop Albert Chama

Northwest Ankole (Uganda): Bishop Amos Magezi Bendigo (Australia): Bishop Matt Brain

Northwest Texas (USA): Bishop Scott Mayer Benin (Nigeria): Bishop Peter Imasuen Bermuda (Bermuda): Bishop Nicholas Dill

Bethlehem (USA): Bishop Kevin Nichols Northwestern Pennsylvania (USA): Bishop Sean Rowe

Norwich: Bishop Graham Usher with Bishops Jonathan Mayrick (Lynn) & Alan Winton (Thetford) Bhopal (North India): Bishop Manoj Charan Kapoeta (South Sudan): Bishop Isaac Deu Chol

Leeds: Bishop Nick Baines with Bishops Tony Robinson (Wakefield), Helen-Ann Hartley (Ripon), Toby Howarth (Bradford), Jonathan Gibbs (Huddersfield) & Paul Slater (Leeds) Skara (Sweden): Bishop Åke Bonnier

‘And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?’ Micah 6:8

Kingswinford Deanery Rural Dean: David Hoskin Lay Chair: Anthony Lovesy

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If you have a story to feature on a Sunday in a future diary, please do get in touch! Large print copies of the diary are always available – email Sam

Setchell, Communications Officer on ssetchell@cofe-worcester.org.uk, or contact the Diocesan Office reception on 01905 20537

if you or someone you know would like one.

On Sundays we are offering a monthly prayer for you to pray for your baptism families and we also continue to pray for dioceses around the world through the Poorvoo prayer calendar (Sundays) and the Anglican Cycle of Prayer. These are all placed in a column, on the side edge of each page.