PRAYING THE WAY July/August 2018

World: Pray for: Christians who are being persecuted for their faith; safety and fair play at the Football World Cup; relations between North Korea and the world and between Russia and the West Our country: Pray for: wisdom and discernment for our government in negotiations over Brexit; all involved with charity work and fundraising for medical research into cancer Diocese: Give thanks for: “Thy Kingdom Come” and the many churches involved; the Pray-ers Quiet Day at St Benedict’s Centre in June; Canon Jean Kerr’s inspirational leading; all who attended Pray for: those who responded to “Thy Kingdom Come”; school staff and students as they prepare for their summer break; students leaving school this year; young people awaiting the results of their examinations; children’s Holiday Clubs and Holidays at Home for the elderly; rest and relaxation during the holiday period; Simon Burton-Jones as he is consecrated Bishop of Tonbridge on 2 July . BROMLEY AND BEXLEY ARCHDEACONRY Beckenham Deanery Beckenham Holy Trinity Pray for: a greater desire to pray; Holiday Club for the over 50’s; the final sessions of Alpha; plans for a Youth with a Mission team visit in October Beckenham St James and St Michael with St Augustine Pray for: grace to be faithful in our calling to be One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic in our witness and service Beckenham St Paul Pray for: our youth work; those being confirmed in July Shortlands Give thanks for: The Revd’s Morag and Richard Finch as they leave us and prepare for ministry in Suffolk Pray: that God will bless them in their new roles; that their congregation will be welcoming Bromley Deanery Pray for: wisdom as we continue to work with issues of dementia ministry; guidance as we find ways to share and encourage one another by means of social media

Bickley Pray: in July for our Year Six school leavers from St George’s CE Primary School; in August for those on pilgrimage to Lourdes with the Society of Mary Bromley Common St Augustine with St Luke Pray for: Canon Katrina Barnes as she steps down as our incumbent; our parish during its vacancy; the practical working out of the combined parish Bromley Christ Church Pray: that a good number will attend our summer Big Day Out and come under the sound of the gospel; that our mission partners will be encouraged in their work of proclaiming Christ by our Mission Beyond Bromley focus Sunday; that young people and helpers will have a great time of fellowship at the many summer Ventures camps and learn more about Jesus Bromley St Andrew Pray for: Kings Meadow Fun Day on 14 July; Old People’s Week from 23 to 27 July; Burnt Ash Community, particularly the shopping parade and our work with it; our Tuesday Pop-In Centre Bromley St John the Evangelist Pray for: our summer evening course on Wednesdays, “Life Lessons from Luke”, finishing on 11 July; St John’s Holiday Club Reunion on 7 July Bromley St Mark Pray for: the opening of St Mark’s Square new development, which has been delayed but is now hopefully imminent; that our church may respond in welcome, outreach and community spirit to the new residents, workers and customers Bromley St Mary Pray for: the building project we have called “Twinkles Go Large” as work begins shortly; development of our young people’s ministry with an afternoon of reflection entitled “Carry on Dreaming”; our plans for a season of invitation in the autumn Chislehurst Christ Church Pray for: Jacob, our new youth minister, who starts this month; Jacob and his new wife, Rebecca, who were married in June; Becky, our children’s minister as she marries another Jacob in our church this month Give thanks: that our children’s and youth teams share names – two Jacobs and two Rebeccas! Chislehurst The Annunciation Pray: that our opening of the church on Saturday mornings will encourage people shopping in the High Street to come in, look around and get to know us as a congregation Erith Deanery Give thanks for: the “Windrush Generation” for enriching our country and local community

Barnehurst Pray: that those away on holiday will have safe journeys, good rest and happy memories Belvedere All Saints Pray for: our “One God, One People” multicultural service on 1 July; our PCC Away Morning on 7 July; the first meeting of the Trustees of the newly-formed Friends of All Saints on 24 July Bexleyheath Christ Church Pray for: outreach through our open-air service on 8 July; blessing on the five couples being married at Christ Church in July and August; our parish outing to Broadstairs on 21 July; Messy Church on 30 July and 6 and 13 August Bexleyheath St Peter Pray for: good audience numbers for the Phoenix Choir concert in church on 28 July; Spark in the Park and other summer outreach events that members of our congregation are involved with during August Bostall Heath Pray for: our parish retreat in July; our Home Groups Falconwood Pray: that the target for our post Grenfell Tower fire fund-raising campaign for the emergency services may be met Slade Green Pray: that our monthly dementia café will be a source of support to those who visit; that those who go away on holiday and those who stay at home may all feel refreshed Welling Pray for: final arrangements for Spark in the Park, a joint churches families’ event in Danson Park from 30 July to 3 August Orpington Deanery Pray God’s blessing on all churches in the Deanery and on the communities they serve Cray St Barnabas Pray for: all the families going on their Summer holidays; everyone to enjoy time together on the Air Show Trip and the Whole Church Picnic; those who are unwell and unable to come to church.

Sidcup Deanery Footscray with North Cray

Pray: that our Demelza House fundraiser on 22 July will bring a shared sense of fellowship among those who support the event; Ladies’ Day afternoon tea on 29 July Sidcup Christ Church Pray: that the works on the west wing of our church will commence soon and be completed uneventfully; for more people to come to faith Sidcup St John the Evangelist Give thanks for: our new priest-in-charge, The Revd Cathy Knight-Scott Pray for: her future ministry with us, with All Saints Footscray, and with our local community; progress with our redevelopment plans ROCHESTER ARCHDEACONRY Fawkham and Hartley Pray for: our parish BBQ; our local retirement groups and their service in July; those getting married and baptised during the summer months Istead Rise Pray: that those going to the New Wine United gathering will connect with God at a deeper level and share their experiences with the rest of the congregation when they return; that Andrew and his family will be refreshed and prepared for the autumn as he comes to the end of his sabbatical; that the whole church will maintain a sense of community through the summer months Longfield Pray for: the Year 6 children at Langafel as they prepare to move on to secondary school; for their leavers’ service; for the head teacher and staff; St Mary Magdalene’s festival on 22 July; those responding to God’s call following the recent “It’s Your Calling Day”; preparations for Longfield’s commemoration of the centenary of the armistice; Alan Strachan as he leads those tasked with planning this event Meopham with Nurstead Give thanks for: wardens and PCC members at both churches; their willingness to serve, their wisdom, and their commitment to their congregations; the work of First Steps and the Lego Club Pray for: the Open Day at Nurstead on 21 July; that people who come will enjoy the opportunity to get to know the church and each other Rural North West Kent Group Give thanks for: Alan Strachan’s vision in encouraging our response to “Called Together”; the pioneering role of John Harding as the first chair of the Group Council Pray for: the Mission to Seafarers as we celebrate Sea Sunday in July; the RNWK Men’s BBQ at Longfield on 14 July; election of officers to serve in the Group Council for the coming

12 months and for our Group Council meeting in July; our July Messy Church; the Messy Roadshow during the summer Southfleet Give thanks for: the appointment of Josh Young as our new incumbent; the appointment of a new Head Teacher at Sedley’s School Pray for: Josh’s ministry with us; that God will be with those hurting and give them courage to face the future Dartford Deanery Give thanks for: the JustOne event with J John Pray: that those who responded will become disciples Crockenhill Pray for: all who need to feel God’s comfort and healing touch; guidance over new beginnings in the Church Room: Active Church and Stepping Stones Darent Valley Give thanks for: those running Messy Church; the successful Acoustics folk concert; the summer fete in June Pray: that families will join us at our Family Praise service; that those who suffer pain or anxiety will have healing Dartford Christ Church Give thanks for: blessing on our community event in June Pray for: our vicar on sabbatical, and those taking extra responsibility in his absence; those going to New Wine from 28 July to 3 August; children’s Holiday Club from 6 to 8 August; our new curate, who joins us at the end of the summer Dartford Holy Trinity Pray for: God’s blessing on all that he is doing in the church and the community in which they serve Dartford St Alban and Dartford St Edmund Pray: that our new priest-in-charge, The Revd Mark Ham, will have the help needed to be at each parish morning or evening; that both churches will grow in numbers and in working together; for the housebound and those alone; that those bent on committing crimes may be restrained Stone Give thanks for: successful Summer Fair in June Pray for: the success of the Mary’s Child project, run jointly with St Mary’s Greenhithe, which seeks to provide practical support for families in need Swanley St Mary the Virgin

Pray for: God’s blessing on all that he is doing in the church and the community in which they serve Swanley St Paul and Hextable St Peter Give thanks for: successful church weekend in June Pray for: both churches as they decide on the way forward; wisdom for Johnny our vicar, the wardens, leadership, and PCC members; wise decisions for our church annexe; Holiday at Home from 9 to 10 August; more volunteer drivers for our Thursday Fellowship Wilmington Give thanks for: the ministry of The Revd Richard Arding as he retires in July Pray for: the church wardens and PCC as they prepare for the interregnum; that God may already be preparing the right person to come to the parish; our Holiday at Home on 27 July; children’s and young people’s work; that we may be salt and light in our ministry to local care homes; a treasurer for the Wilmington Memorial Hall Gillingham Deanery Pray God’s blessing on all churches in the Deanery and on the communities they serve Gravesend Deanery Give thanks for: a way forward for the Christians Against Poverty centre in the Deanery Chalk Pray for: our PCC as they meet on 12 July; our Fete on 14 July Gravesend Holy Family with Ifield Give thanks for: our Café Church and for the young people who participate; the increasing number of families who come to Friday Stars Pray for: our Summer Fair on 21 July; the team dedicated to maintaining our lovely churchyard at Ifield Gravesend St Aidan Give thanks for: our choir and Choir Director Pray for: our wardens and the extra responsibility during the vacancy; those in our congregation who are unwell: The Revd Michael Payne, Amy and their family as they prepare to join us in September Gravesend St George Pray for: all that is planned for the summer months; our congregation and parish Gravesend St George’s School Pray for: building of the new primary school, due to start in the summer months

Gravesend St Mary Give thanks: that The Revd Trudi will become our vicar on 22 July; that our church will continue to go from strength to strength; that mums and toddlers enjoy the toddler group; for all pastoral work being done; that Messy Church is so successful Pray for: our Summer Fair on 14 July; our holiday club; Gravesham Street Pastors Give thanks for: those who support the ministry as Prayer Pastors; for the ministry of School Pastors Pray for: all those with whom the Street Pastors have contact on Friday and Saturday nights Greenhithe Give thanks: that through the work of “Mary’s Child” many are coming to us in need of shelter, food and support Pray for: all who come to us; those who minister to them; that we may work towards transforming the unjust structures that hold them in poverty Milton Christ Church Give thanks for: our choir and music group Pray for: our wardens and their responsibility during our vacancy; those involved in selecting our new vicar; those who find the vacancy period unsettling Milton St Peter & St Paul Pray for: Messy Church; God’s guidance in our plans to repair our church boundary walls Northfleet Huggens College Give thanks for: our beautiful surroundings Pray: that our community will be welcoming to new residents Northfleet and Rosherville Give thanks for: the ministry of The Revd Michael Payne Pray for: our Strawberry Tea on 7 July; Fr Michael Payne’s farewell service on 31 July; Northfleet Nursery and the children soon to be enrolled; that the inspiration of God’s love may inflame our hearts and move us to good works Perry Street Give thanks: for the blessing bestowed on us at Walsingham Shorne Pray for: plans for the summer months; our congregation and parish Swanscombe Give thanks for: a person in our community who has reached the age of 104 Pray for: the elderly who need help and understanding

Rochester Deanery Chatham St Stephen Give thanks for: the success of the Knitted Bible Exhibition at our church to mark the 60th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone; all those whose knitting talents brought the Bible stories to life Pray for: all who have worshipped and served in the parish these past 60 years; the next phase of our church life as the building project gets under way; architects and builders; minimal disruption to church life Strood Deanery Give thanks for: the ministry of our Deanery Coordinator, Linda Pray: that the Lord will raise up someone to take on the role of Deanery Coordinator; for blessing on all that God is doing in our churches and the communities we serve Strood St Francis Pray for: our monthly bereavement group, meeting on a Tuesday TONBRIDGE ARCHDEACONRY Pray for: our Archdeacon, The Ven Julie Conalty Malling Deanery Aylesford Pray for: the church family as another interregnum begins in July; that we continue to support each other in worship and pastoral care Barming Pray for: those completing Christianity Explored; our Ladies’ and Men’s’ Breakfast on 16 and 23 July Snodland with Lower Birling Pray for: Jane and Hugh Broadbent as they prepare for retirement; that the church family’s sense of loss will not be overpowering; blessing on the ministries of those taking over Paddock Wood Deanery Give thanks for: our ministers, lay and ordained; those who minister at Skinners and Mascalls Schools Pray for: Hospice in the Weald; Pembury NHS Hospital and their chaplains; the ecumenical partnership doing “Open the Book” in the primary school in East Peckham on Wednesdays; care homes in our parish

Sevenoaks Deanery Kippington St Mary Pray for: young people’s BBQ and swim on 1 July; Lisa, one of our church family who has been training for ordination, as she preaches here for the last time on 22 July; those attending the Stewards Trust house party at Framlingham from 5 to 11 August; Brian Scully from Open Doors as he preaches on 12 August Knockholt with Halstead Pray for: the Big Picnic at St Margaret’s on 8 July; Holiday Club at St Katharine’s School from 23 to 27 July; special service at St Katharine’s Church on 29 July Sevenoaks St Luke Pray for: parish strawberry tea on 1 July; service celebrating our children and young people and parish BBQ on 8 July; our PCC as they look at ways of working with St Mary’s Kippington and St Mary’s Riverhead; our involvement with the garden party at The Bungalows, next door to our church, on 28 July; the North West Fellowship evening services to be held in August Sevenoaks St Nicholas Pray for: Centrepoint house party for 11-14 year olds from 13 to 15 July; Lady Boswell School leavers’ service on 24 July; Summer Focus on 24 and 31 July and 21 and 28 August, where we look at Psalms 30-34; Holiday Club for primary school aged children from 31 July to 3 August; Contact house party for 14-18 year olds from 12 to 19 August; Rooted, a summer support group for students Weald Pray for: Holiday at Home for seniors from 24 to 26 July; summer garden Tea Party for all seniors in the village on 13 August; showing of the film “Genevieve” in dementia-friendly circumstances on 20 August; continued development of our links with St Francis Strood Shoreham Deanery Give thanks for: God’s blessings in our parishes Pray for: all who minister, both ordained and lay; contact with children and young people in our parishes Tonbridge Deanery Chiddingstone with Chiddingstone Causeway Pray for: our interregnum; the selection of a new incumbent; the candidate who was confirmed in May Crockham Hill Give thanks for: the generosity of many people to the Food Bank in Edenbridge

Pray for: Sue Diggory, our vicar, and her husband; outreach initiatives, including Messy Church; link parishes of All Saints New Cross and St Michael’s Kondoa in Tanzania; increasing links between church and school; healing for the sick and comfort for the bereaved Edenbridge Give thanks for: new junior choristers; enthusiasm of both the organist and assistant choir director Pray for: guidance for the church’s future needs; discipleship among the congregation Hildenborough Give thanks for: the continued success of the Farmers Market and the outreach it affords Pray for: the success of the Farmers Market Leigh Pray for: our vicar, Lionel Kevis, and our youth worker; Craft Zone and Junior Church; those to be married this summer; those to be confirmed; our links with city churches; that our pastoral team may rise to the Lord’s guidance and challenges Penshurst and Fordcombe Pray for: our rector, Tom Holme, our churchwardens and all who serve in the church; all to be married here this summer; the house group and Friday prayer group; the families of all who have died recently Tonbridge St Peter and St Paul Pray for: Andy Page, our Youth Minister; “Beach Party”, our parish Holiday Club, from 30 July to 3 August; parish Quiet Day on 7 July Tonbridge St Stephen Give thanks for: “Who let the Dads Out?” and Refresh Café Pray for: our clergy, churchwardens and PCC; connect groups; youth and children’s work; outreach in local schools Tunbridge Wells Deanery Pray for: all who minister in our Deanery, lay and ordained; God’s blessings Bennett Memorial School Pray for: all staff and students Burrswood Pray for: God’s blessing on our programme of events that they may equip and impact on those who attend.

Prayer topics for SEPTEMBER should be sent to Judith Howard, 10 Mount Pleasant Road, Weald, Sevenoaks, TN14 6QE, Tel 01732 458285, judithhoward@weald.plus.com by 10 August