Cycle of Prayer08 September 2019 - 11 January 2020

Diocese of Chester

Key:C = Clergy

LM = Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) (Pastoral Worker) (Youth Worker)

Diocesan entries from the Anglican Cycle of Prayer are in italics.

Chester Diocesan Board of Finance. Church House, 5500 Daresbury Park, Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4GE. Tel: 01928 718834

Chester Diocesan Board of Finance is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (no. 7826) Registered charity (no. 248968)

ForewordI’ll never forget, after a long walk with my Dad, in Pendle, Lancashire, sipping a pint in a pub and chatting to the locals. Five minutes later I was surprised to turn to see my Dad placing his arthritic hand into the dirty palms of a particularly burly local farmer as they bowed their heads in prayer. I didn’t quite know where to look or what to do, so I lowered my head and kept quiet. It seemed like the right thing to do, and it helped me avoid the gaze of the growing number of amused boozy onlookers. That was my first and slightly embarrassing introduction to prayer.Since then I’ve travelled a long way, but I still remember the first tentative steps I took for myself. I also remember just how uncomfortable and alien praying felt to me. For those well versed in the lifelong discipline of prayer, it can perhaps be easy to forget just how strange the whole thing can be to start.I am grateful to one good colleague from many years ago who shared with me the William Temple quote: ‘When I pray, coincidences happen, when I don’t they don’t.’ As you pray during this period, please pray for those who are just starting and giving it a go. I pray that they receive the encouraging words they need from those around them.

Jim ButterworthDirector of Communications

WelcomeWelcome to the last part of the 2019 edition of the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer. Since its re-launch as a pocket-sized publication five years ago its circulation has risen exponentially and now stands at 1600. In addition, many people access it via the electronic version on the diocesan website. It is heartening that it is clearly useable and useful to people. It stands as a tangible sign of our mutual care and commitment for the communities in which we are set and for one another as members of Christ’s body.One of the consequences of its popularity is that space is often tight. Occasionally entries received from parishes must be shortened in editing. Unfortunately, it is impossible to increase the number of pages without severely increasing costs, so we ask your understanding. Do keep submitting local intercessions, however, as they are a real enhancement to our shared prayer.Ideas for Sunday entries are also appreciated – especially when they are accompanied by a copyright-cleared photograph.Topics for inclusion, whether for parish or Sunday entries, need to be submitted to jane.hood@chester.anglican.org at least eight weeks prior to the cover date of the edition (for example, by 16 November 2019 for the next edition).The production team hope you continue to find this publication useful.

Christopher BurkettEditor and Director of Ministry

8 September - Church of England SchoolsTwelfth after TrinityChurch schools pride themselves in providing an education for the whole child in a Christian environment. They seek to ensure that all children and young people achieve the best of which they are capable in a caring atmosphere that recognises the special gifts of each individual. The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all is fostered within a Christian environment. Moral teaching is based firmly within the teaching of the Bible. They enable children and their families to explore the truths of Christian faith, to develop spiritually and morally, and to have a basis for choice about Christian commitment. They are places where the beliefs and practices of other faiths will be respected.

The types of church school within the state education sector are voluntary controlled, voluntary aided, foundation schools (all maintained by the Local Authority (LA)) and academies.

Quoted from www.chester.anglican.org/schools/about-church-schools/ where you can find more information.

Pray for the special contribution of church schools to education in our country.Archbishop Ezekiel Kumir Kondo, Province of Sudan & Bishop of Khartoum

9 September - WaltonC: Anita Raggett. LM: Ian Jerrard-Dinn, Stephen Clague.

Bishop Andrew Haruhisa Iso, Osaka (Japan); Archbishop and Rt Hon Justin Welby Canterbury (England) (Primate); Bishop Norman Banks; Bishop

Jonathan Goodall; Bishop Roderick Charles Howell Thomas, Bishop Trevor Willmott, Canterbury (England)

10 September - Aston by Sutton, Little Leigh and Lower WhitleyC: Collette Jones. LM: Jean Davies, Joan Sears, Philip Littlemore.

Bishop James Afolabi Popoola, Osun (Nigeria); Bishop Victor Atta-Baffoe Cape Coast (West Africa)

11 September - Sir Thomas Boteler C of E High School

Bishop Abiodun T Olaoye, Osun North (Nigeria); Archbishop Thabo Makgoba; Bishop Garth Counsell, Cape Town (Southern Africa); Bishop

James Scobie Newcome; Bishop Emma Ineson, Carlisle (England)

12 September - Congleton DeaneryVacant, Osun North East (Nigeria); Bishop Michael Andrew James Burrows,

Cashel & Ossory (Ireland)

13 September - Alsager St Mary MagdaleneC: Michelle Goodrich. LM: Mike Elkin, Christine Redstone.We pray for all in our parish and wider community of Alsager, for all who visit St Mary’s for some peace and reflection. And for our indoor Prayer Labyrinth (23 - 28 September) that it may be a blessing and encouragement to all who journey through.

Bishop John Holland Chapman, Bishop Nigel Shaw, Ottawa (Canada); Bishop Michael Lubowa, Central Buganda (Uganda)

14 September - Alsager Christ ChurchHoly Cross Day C: Daran Ward, Heather Kemball. LM: Andrew Warren, Keith Davies, Matt Brown, Rachel Mason.Please pray for us as we discern the Lord’s vision for Christ Church and seek to be more audacious in our discipleship and witness.

Bishop David Bello Otukpo (Nigeria); Bishop Patrick Wakula, Central Busoga (Uganda); Bishop Lambert Funga Botolome, Kisangani (Congo)

15 September - BiodiversityThirteenth after TrinityNature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely, warns a landmark 2019 report from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

‘The overwhelming evidence of the IPBES Global Assessment, from a wide range of different fields of knowledge, presents an ominous picture,’ said IPBES Chair, Sir Robert Watson. ‘The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.’

Compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries over the past three years, with inputs from another 310 contributing authors, the Report assesses changes over the past five decades, providing a comprehensive picture of the relationship between economic development pathways and their impacts on nature.

Drawn from www.ipbes.net from where the full assessment is available.

Pray for efforts to sustain diversity in earth’s life forms.Archbishop Maimbo Mndolwa,Tanzania & Bishop of Tanga

16 September - AstburyC: Vacant. Pray for God’s grace throughout the vacancy, and for the process of appointing a new rector.Astbury St Mary’s C of E School.

Bishop Cyril Chukwunonyerem Okorocha, Owerri (Nigeria); Bishop Victor Scantlebury, Central Ecuador (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop

Zerubbabel Katsuichi Hirota, Kita Kanto (Japan)

17 September - BarthomleyC: Vacant.Please pray for the need of the parish during the vacancy, especially for church officers and PCC members’ responsibilities.

Bishop Stephen Ayodeji Fagbemi, Owo (Nigeria); Bishop Gregory Brewer, Central Florida (The Episcopal Church, USA)

18 September - BreretonC: Sandi Fisher. LM: Roy Ashton.Brereton C of E School.

Bishop Steven Croft, Bishop Colin William Fletcher, Bishop Andrew Proud, Bishop Alan Thomas Lawrence Wilson, Oxford (England); Bishop Russell

Kendrick, Central Gulf Coast (The Episcopal Church, USA); Archbishop George Takeli, Central Melanesia (Melanesia)

19 September - Holmes ChapelC: Vacant.Please pray for continuing support during the vacancy as we prepare to meet the opportunities and challenges of renewed parish witness with our new incumbent Rob McLaren who joins us in late November.

Bishop Williams Oluwarotimi Aladekugbe, Oyo (Nigeria); Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe, Central New York (The Episcopal Church, USA)

20 September - Congleton St JamesC: Colin Sanderson. LM: Kenneth Hill.

Bishop Joseph Maker Atot, Pacong (South Sudan); Bishop John Watton, Central Newfoundland (Canada); Bishop Samson Tuliapus, Kitale (Kenya)

21 September - CongletonSt MatthewC: Vacant. LM: Geoff Scott, Lesley Smith, Eileen Walker, John Millington, Mike Hutchison.We pray as the parish adjusts to having two rather than four parish churches, we will be mindful of each other, we will grow closer together and we will work together to reach out to those as yet beyond our walls. Mossley C of E School.

Bishop Isaiah Chambala, Kiteto (Tanzania); Bishop Wilson Kitara, Kitgum (Uganda); Bishop Josephat Mule, Kitui (Kenya)

22 September - Intercession and DiscipleshipFourteenth after TrinityIn the late 1960s Gonville ffrench-Beytagh was a prominent opponent of the apartheid regime in South Africa. As Dean of Saint Mary’s Cathedral Johannesburg, he managed humanitarian assistance to local black families. He was arrested in 1971 and accused of furthering unlawful activities. Subjected to brutal interrogation and solitary confinement, he was convicted of subversion. Early the next year he successfully appealed against his conviction and left South Africa on the day of his release. From his exiled London home, he exercised an influential ministry of spiritual direction and wrote movingly of his own psychological and faith struggles.

In his book A Glimpse of Glory (1986, DLT) ffrench-Beytagh wrote of intercession in these terms:‘Your prayers are necessary and if you will not bother to intercede you are refusing someone a source of strength and help. Consider this world in the present day – the fear, the starvation, the many kinds of distress, and our terrifying weakness. Some of the trouble exists because Christians are too damned lazy to pray – and I mean that literally. Jesus loves the whole world and our concern should reach out towards the evil and horror of the whole world.’

Pray for the determined and tenacious intercession of Christ’s whole Church.Pray for the Church of the Province of Uganda. Archbishop Stanley Ntagali,

Uganda and Bishop of Kampala

23 September - Eaton with Hulme WalfieldC: Ian Arch, Anne-Marie Naylor. LM: Howard Lawton, Douglas Weisener, Diane Weisener.Bishop Julio Murray Thompson, Panama (Central America); Bishop Audrey

Scanlan, Central Pennsylvania (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Augustin Ahimana, Kivu (Rwanda)

24 September - ElworthC: David Page. LM: Steven Coppenhall, Colin Eastwood, Michelle Walker, Kate Page, Sue Yarwood, Cathryn Houghton.

Bishop Olumuyiwa Ajayi, Pankshin (Nigeria); Bishop Dixie Copanut Taclobao, Central Philippines (Philippines)

25 September - GoostreyC: Heather Buckley. Thank God for all He continues to do in people’s lives, for answers to prayer and opportunities to share. Help us to always be aware and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Bishop Seme Nigo Abinda, Panyana Area (South Sudan); Bishop Ben Seka, Central Solomons (Melanesia); Bishop Dickson Chilongani, Central

Tanganyika (Tanzania)

26 September - Church LawtonC: Steve Clapham. LM: Margaret Cruxton, John Atkins, Bev Boulton.

Archbishop Allan Migi, Papua New Guinea (Papua New Guinea); Bishop Derek Gary Kamukwamba, Central Zambia (Central Africa)

27 September - Odd RodeC: Philip Atkinson. LM: Robert New.Woodcock’s Well C of E School.

Bishop Peter John Henry Bartlett, Paraguay (South America); Bishop Ignatius Makumbe, Central Zimbabwe (Central Africa); Bishop Augustine Naoaki

Kobayashi, Kobe (Japan)

28 September - SandbachC: Thomas Shepherd. LM: Joan Plowman.

Archbishop Philip Marandih, Patna (North India); Bishop Younas Massey, Chandigarh (North India)

29 September - MichaelmasSt Michael and All AngelsMy mum has a habit of calling people angels, as her mum before her had. ‘Be an angel and bring the shopping through.’ ‘Be an angel and empty the ashes.’ ‘Be an angel and walk the dogs.’ As a child my helping out signified something more than simply helping out!

People and things can become messengers of God to our souls. Do you remember that lovely verse from the last book of the Hebrew scriptures we use in Advent: ‘Behold, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me …?’ That word, ‘my messenger’ is the same as for ‘my angel.’ That word is Malachi – the name given to the whole book – my messenger, my angel.

Like that, we should in faith be brave enough to name some of God’s angels to us – people whose kindness and care touches us when we’re down or least expecting it; the work of artist or poet or musician that bears our spirits up; the delight of place, or flower, sunset that speaks directly to our hearts. Messengers of God, intimations of glory:

Angel voices ever singingRound thy throne of light,Angel harps forever ringing. Rest not day nor night.

Christopher Burkett

Pray that we may reflect here on earth the ministry of angels.Archbishop Michael Curry - Presiding Bishop of TEC

30 September - Sandbach Heath with Hassall GreenC: Bernard Sword. LM: Alan Warburton.Sandbach Heath St John’s C of E School.

Bishop Renato Da Cruz Raatz, Pelotas (Brazil); Bishop Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell, Bishop Peter Hill, Bishop Roger Anthony Brett Morris, Bishop John

Perumbalath, Chelmsford (England)

1 October - SmallwoodC: Vacant. Pray for God’s grace throughout the vacancy, and for the process of appointing a new rector.Smallwood C of E School.Bishop Daniel Gutierrez, Pennsylvania (The Episcopal Church, USA); Vacant,

Bishop Keith Sinclair, Chester (England)

2 October - WheelockC: Vacant. LM: George Wood.

Archbishop Kay Goldsworthy, Bishop Jeremy James, Bishop Kate Wilmot, Perth (Australia); Bishop Robert Ali, Chhattisgarh (North India); Bishop

Jeffrey Lee, Chicago (The Episcopal Church, USA)

3 October - SwettenhamC: Ian Arch, Anne-Marie Naylor. LM: Howard Lawton.

Bishop Jorge Luis Aguilar, Peru (South America); Bishop Martin Warner, Bishop Richard Charles Jackson, Bishop Mark Sowerby, Chichester (England)

4 October - Siddington with CapesthorneC: Ian Arch, Anne-Marie Naylor. LM: Howard Lawton, Douglas Weisener, Diane Weisener, Raymond Rush.

Archbishop Humphrey Peters (Primate), Peshawar (Pakistan); Bishop B. B. Baskey, Chotanagpur (North India); Bishop Felix Odei Annancy, Koforidua

(West Africa)

5 October - MartonC: Ian Arch, Anne-Marie Naylor. LM: Howard Lawton, Douglas Weisener, Diane Weisener, Raymond Rush.

Bishop Donald Spargo Allister, Bishop John Holbrook, Peterborough (England); Bishop William Mostert, Christ the King (Southern Africa)

6 October - Cheshire Agricultural ChaplaincySixteenth after TrinityIn this harvest season of thankfulness, we keep in mind the pressures under which those in the farming and associated food industries work. In particular we focus on the work of the Cheshire Agricultural Chaplaincy Team which covers the whole of Cheshire and Wirral. The team provides 24:7 support to the farming community with a listening ear for as long as required, pastoral support and an ability to bring in supporting agencies when required.

The majority of people seen by the team are suffering from depression, mental health issues or financial difficulties. Team members apart from visiting individual farms, attend local livestock markets, local agricultural shows and preside at church services.

Farming as an occupation has one of the highest rates of suicide, many farmers are suffering with difficult issues like financial pressure, isolation, adverse weather conditions, family disputes, government regulations and inspections, administration, poor harvests and livestock disease all combined with long hours of work. All this contributes to serious levels of depression, and the possibility of self-harm.

This entry is taken from www.agchap.com. You can contact the Chaplaincy on 07967 559594 or via email at talk@agchap.com

Pray for all in the farming sector.Archbishop John Davies, Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Swansea & Brecon

7 October - Marton & District C of E School Bishop Bijay Nayak, Phulbani (North India); Peter Carrell, Christchurch

(Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia); Bishop Sandeep Suresh Vibhute, Kolhapur (North India)

8 October - Malpas DeaneryBishop Dorsey W M McConnell, Pittsburgh (The Episcopal Church, USA);

Bishop Peter Ichiro Shibusawa, Chubu (Japan)

9 October - AldfordC: Julian Beauchamp, Karl Jones. LM: Kath Wentel.

Archbishop Fereimi Cama, Bishop Henry Bull, Bishop Gabriel Sharma, Bishop Afa Vaka, Polynesia (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia); Bishop John

McDowell, Clogher (Ireland); Bishop Baker Ninan Fenn, Cochin (South India)

10 October - BickertonC: Ian Davenport, Helen Molesworth.Bickerton Holy Trinity C of E School.

Bishop Lindsley Ihove, Popondota (Papua New Guinea); Bishop Timothy Ravinder, Coimbatore (South India)

11 October - BickleyC: Richard Diggle.

Bishop Denny Bray Guka, Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea); Bishop Francisco Duque, Colombia (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Oommen

George, Kollam - Kottarakkara (South India)

12 October - BrueraC: Julian Beauchamp, Karl Jones. LM: Kath Wentel.Saighton C of E School.

Bishop Abdu Elnur Kodi, Port Sudan (Sudan); Bishop Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey, Colombo (Ceylon); Bishop Given Gaula, Kondoa (Tanzania)

13 October - Pastoral Workers and ReadersSeventeenth after TrinityExtracts from Resourcing Sunday to Saturday Faith: Readers, Lay Ministers and Everyday Faith (CRC, 2019):

At its heart, the Church of England report Setting God’s People Free, is seeking to bring about a change in culture in the church, one which makes everyday (or Sunday to Saturday) faith central to all we do. In effect, this is saying that we need the whole people of God to be confident in faith and living out this faith in homes, schools, communities and places of work. This is how we engage confidently in society.

We believe that Readers and Lay Ministers are a wonderful gift from God to the church, but an object or a person only becomes a gift as it is received. We want to invite the church to consider afresh how the gift of lay ministry is received.

We believe that Lay Ministers are uniquely equipped to enable all baptised Christians to live out their Christian faith in the places where they spend the majority of their time. As people who daily move between the worlds of work, home, social networks and church, Lay Ministers can teach the faith and play a part in leadership such that all God’s people grow in confident and humble witness to God’s kingdom.

Pray for those admitted to licensed lay ministry in our diocese yesterday.Archbishop Daniel Sarfo - Primate & Metropolitan, CPWA; Archbishop of the

Internal Province of Ghana and Bishop of Kumasi

14 October - BunburyC: Tim Hayward. LM: Tom Crotty, Beth Hayward, Nicholas Sanders, Peter Collinge, Kathy Collinge, Pat Edgley, Michael Verity, Joy Parker, Amber Middlemiss.Bunbury Aldersey C of E School.

Bishop Christopher Foster, Portsmouth (England); Bishop Kym Lucas, Colorado (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Gabriel Thuch Agot, Kongor

(South Sudan)

15 October - BurwardsleyC: Lameck Mutete.

Bishop Allan John Kannemeyer, Pretoria (Southern Africa); Bishop Enrique Lago Zugadi, Concepcion (Chile)

16 October - CoddingtonC: David Scurr. LM: Raymond Moulton, Steve Peaurt.Clutton C of E School.Bishop Rafael Morales Maldonado, Bishop Wilfrido Ramos Orench, Puerto

Rico (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Ian Douglas, Bishop Laura Ahrens, Connecticut (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Alan Francis Abernethy,

Connor (Ireland)

17 October - FarndonC: David Scurr. LM: Raymond Moulton, Steve Peaurt.

Bishop Sharad Yuvraj Gaikwad, Pune (North India); Bishop William Paul Colton, Cork, Cloyne & Ross (Ireland)

18 October - HandleySt LukeC: Lameck Mutete.

Bishop Robert Hardwick, Qu’Appelle (Canada; Bishop Orlando Gomez, Costa Rica (Central America); Bishop Jonah Ibrahim, Kontagora (Nigeria)

19 October - HargraveC: Christopher Deakin.Huxley C of E School.

Bishop Bruce Myers, Quebec (Canada); Bishop Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop John Stroyan, Coventry (England); Bishop George Cornelious

Tantepudi, Krishna-Godavari (South India)

20 October - Health MattersEighteenth after TrinityThe Church of Bangladesh consists of less than 1% of the country’s 152 million people yet its health care work is impressive. Here is how Martyr Chowdhury, financial and administration manager at Rajshahi Hospital, puts it: ‘It is vital that the church is involved in healthcare. Jesus healed, and we carry out the same ministry as Jesus. In this way we can touch people’s hearts.’

Martyr adds: ‘Through the hospital and other social development work, people in this part of the country have great faith in this hospital and in Christian service, and Christians have been able to build a good rapport with neighbours of other faiths. Also, by offering this service, often for free, we have been able to demonstrate our care to those who face economic hardship and cannot afford to pay for treatment, especially tribal people, some of whom have only one meal a day.’

‘Our nurse training programme is also very important. As well as providing job skills and an income for the nurses, many of whom come from very poor families, we are providing Bangladesh with nurses of the highest quality.’

Pray for Rajshashi Hospital and all other places where Christians work for the health of all.

(Source: www.uspg.org.uk from where more information can be found)Vacant, Church in the Province of the West Indies

21 October - Malpas and ThreapwoodC: Ian Davenport, Helen Molesworth.

Bishop Azad Marshall, Raiwind (Pakistan); Bishop Griselda Delgado Del Carpio, Cuba (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Duke Akamisoko, Kubwa

(Nigeria)

Photo supplied by USPG

22 October - MarburyC: Veronica Green. LM: Jane Lunt, Diana Thomas.Pray for the continuation of a renewed interest in faith; for our Alpha Course, through our wedding ministry, and through the commitment of those whom God is stirring.Bishop Darbara Singh, Rajasthan (North India); Bishop Elijah Muteny Awet,

Cueibet (South Sudan)

23 October - ShocklachC: Vacant. LM: Chris Gilbert, Trisha Swift.Pray for St Edith’s Church Shocklach for all the ongoing hard work that is happening during our vacancy. Send us love and support and hope.Shocklach Oviatt C of E School.

Bishop B D Prasada Rao, Rayalaseema (South India); Bishop Enrique Treviño Cruz, Cuernavaca (Mexico); Archbishop Naudal Alves Gomes, Curitiba

(Brazil)

24 October - TarporleyC: Georgina Whatmore, Julian Osborne.Tarporley C of E School. Utkinton St Paul’s C of E School.Bishop João Cancio Peixoto, Recife (Brazil); Bishop Surendra Kumar Nanda,

Cuttack (North India)

25 October - TattenhallC: Lameck Mutete. Bishop Edward Oliver Mathew Tombe, Rejaf (South Sudan); Bishop Nathan Amooti Rusengo, Cyangugu (Rwanda); Bishop Danald Jute, Bishop Solomon

Cheong Sung Voon, Bishop Nelson Ugas Bulang, Kuching (South East Asia)

26 October - Tilstone FearnallC: Tim Hayward.Archbishop Michael Fape, Remo (Nigeria); Bishop Michael Augustine Owen

Lewis, Cyprus and the Gulf (Jerusalem & Middle East; Archbishop Daniel Sarfo, Kumasi (West Africa)

27 October - One Month, One Church, One PrayerLast Sunday after TrinityThe International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) takes place this year on Sunday, 18 November but the organisers are encouraging churches to dedicate the whole month to prayer for persecuted believers under the title One Month, One Church, One Prayer.

Keith Davies, local ambassador for Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), contributes the following:‘They discriminated against us, they swore at us, but I never thought they were going to destroy our houses,’ says Alama an 18-year-old Mexican. In December 2017 Alma’s family was thrown out of their village in Mexico, along with around 60 others because they are a religious minority. They were forced to move to a town many miles away. Alma has always wanted to be a nurse, but she was unable to enrol at the school in her new neighbourhood. Children like Alma all over Mexico are being denied their right to an education, simply because of their faith.

Pray that Alma will be able to resume school soon and pray for others in similar circumstances.You can contact Keith via keithdavies1950@yahoo.co.uk CSW is a human rights organisation specialising in freedom of religion or belief, and as Christians, we stand with everyone facing injustice because of their religion or belief.

Pray for the Church of Ceylon (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of Canterbury); Bishop Dhiloraj Ranjit Canagasabey, Bishop of Colombo,

Bishop Keerthisiri Fernando, Kurunegala

28 October - TilstonSs Simon and JudeC: Vacant. LM: Chris Gilbert, Trisha Swift.Tilston Parochial C of E School.Bishop Joseph Garang Atem, Renk (South Sudan); Archbishop Moses Nagjun

Yoo (Primate) Daejeon (Korea); Bishop Edison Irigei, Kumi (Uganda)

29 October - TushinghamC: Veronica Green. Pray for energy, enthusiasm, and faithfulness for our church family as Jesus continues to make himself known in our community, church school and current Alpha Course.Tushingham-with-Grindley C of E School.Bishop Nicholas Knisely, Rhode Island (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop

George R. Sumner, Jr., Dallas (The Episcopal Church, USA)

30 October - WavertonC: Julian Beauchamp. LM: Kath Wentel, June Hargreaves.Bishop John Daudi Lupaa, Rift Valley (Tanzania); Bishop Yohannah A Audu,

Damaturu (Nigeria); Bishop Jackson Sosthenes, Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania)

31 October - WhitewellC Veronica Green. Pray for thanksgiving for our first Reader here at St Mary’s, Carolyn. May God lead and continue to guide all those who follow him and long to lift his name higher.

Bishop Eduardo Coelho Grillo, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil); Bishop Jonathan Labasan Casimina, Davao (Philippines)

1 November - Knutsford DeaneryAll Saints’ Day

Bishop Michael Vono, Rio Grande (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Kevin S. Brown, Delaware (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Keerthisiri

Fernando, Kurunegala (Ceylon)

2 November - AlderleyC: Jon Hale.St Mary’s Church, Alderley is working with Nether Alderley Parish Council to repair and refurbish Nether Alderley Parish Hall. Both parties are working more closely together than they have done in the past. Please pray for our shared task of serving the parish.

Bishop James Langstaff, Bishop Simon David Burton-Jones, Rochester (England); Bishop Prince Singh, Rochester (The Episcopal Church, USA);

Bishop Samuel Sunil Mankhin (Primate), Kushtia (Bangladesh)

3 November - Fall of the Berlin WallFourth before AdventOn 9 November 1989 euphoric crowds breached the wall that divided the city of Berlin. Earlier in the day the East Germany government had announced the cessation of travel restrictions to the West. Crowds of demonstrators took that to indicated that the hated wall was to be no more and immediately began to dismantle the structure. In the previous 28 years 171 had been killed trying to cross the wall.

Ostensibly built to protect the Eastern Communist bloc from Western interference, in reality it was a way to prevent mass defections; some three million people defected East to West during the Soviet era.

Germany reunification followed less than a year after the breaching of the wall. Its demise was the principal symbol of a positive end to the Cold War. In the years since, US ascendency coupled with Russian resentment have somewhat tarnished the earlier euphoria.

Pray for reconciliation and the healing of old scars in European relations.Pray for the Church of Bermuda (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of

Canterbury) Bishop Nicholas Dill – Bishop of Bermuda

4 November - ChelfordC: Vacant, Fiona Robinson.Chelford C of E School.

Bishop David Robinson, Rockhampton (Australia); Bishop Warris K. Masih¸ Delhi (North India); Bishop Jeremiah Kolo, Kutigi (Nigeria)

5 November - Alderley EdgeC: Robin Pye, Loveday Alexander. LM: Sue Mills.Bishop Francis Loyo Mori, Rokon (South Sudan); Bishop Libby Lane, Bishop

Janet Elizabeth McFarlane, Derby (England)

6 November - High LeghC: Philip Robinson, Trish Cope, Patricia Robinson. LM: Margaret Kitchen, Chris Stanisstreet.As we prepare to launch ‘Open the Book’, please pray for those involved in preparing and leading this initiative. Please pray for our parish who are anxious about the damage HS2 will inflict on families, farms and rural life.

Bishop John Adiema, Rorya (Tanzania); Bishop Kenneth Raymond Good, Derry & Raphoe (Ireland); Archbishop Paul Shishir Sarker, Dhaka

(Bangladesh)

7 November - Knutsford St CrossC: Paul Deakin, Simon Gowler. LM: Mary Daw, Allison Whiteley.

Bishop Joseph Mgomi, Ruaha (Tanzania); Bishop David Hamid, Bishop Robert Innes, Diocese in Europe (England); Bishop Pierre Whalon (The

Episcopal Church, USA)

8 November - Knutsford St John the BaptistC: Nigel Atkinson, Mel Lacy, Dan Young. LM: Chris Johnson, Thain Flowers.Archbishop Alapayo Manyang Kuctiel, Bishop Elizabeth Awor Ngor,Rumbek (South Sudan); Bishop Laish Boyd, The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos

Islands (West Indies); Archbishop Olusegun Adeyemi, Kwara (Nigeria)

9 November - LindowC: Simon Gales.

Bishop Dintoe Letloenyane, The Free State (formerly Bloemfontein) (Southern Africa)

10 November - Remembrance SundayThird before Advent‘Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel,’ said Samuel Johnson (1709-84). My hope is that he was wrong; my fear is that he was right.

We have to prove Johnson wrong. Our patriotism, if it is not to be the refuge of scoundrels, must be tempered by something else – a vision of what is ultimate. Revelation 21.4 puts it like this, ‘Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone’ (Eugene Peterson, The Message). For this vision of loveliness, of God’s ever-presence, is a vision of the end. The world that was has passed away.

Both despair and romance are reformulated in the light of an ultimate purpose that makes them both bearable. Edith Cavell, as matron of the Red Cross Hospital, Brussels during WWI, helped some 200 Allied soldiers to escape to neutral Holland. On the eve of her execution, on 23 October 1915, she said  ‘Standing, as I do, in view of God and eternity, I realize that patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.’

Only a remembrance that strives to renew the world in the light of God’s eternity, that is eager that all may have life in its fullness, — only that kind of remembering draws the sting of suffering and gives us hope.

Pray for all whose lives are blighted by war.Pray for the Lusitanian Church (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of

Canterbury) Bishop Jorge Pina Cabral - Bishop of the Lusitanian Church

11 November - Lower PeoverC: Vacant. LM: Ann Barlow.Lower Peover C of E School.

Bishop Pedaculi Birakengana, Rumonge (Burundi); Bishop J Ebunoluwa Ogunele, On the Coast formerly (Ikale-Ilaje) (Nigeria); Bishop Paul Zamani,

Kwoi (Nigeria)

12 November - MarthallC: Vacant, Fiona Robinson. Please pray for guidance as we try to find ways to grow our church and our benefice at this time of vacancy.

Bishop Geoffrey J Woodcroft, Rupert’s Land (Canada); Bishop Tennyson Bogar, Dogura (Papua New Guinea)

13 November - MobberleyC: Ian Blay. LM: Jean Underhill, John Grainger. Mobberley C of E School.

Bishop Pontien Ribakare, Rutana (Burundi); Bishop Uriah Kolo, Doko (Nigeria); Bishop Moisés Quezada Mota, Dominican Republic (The Episcopal

Church, USA)

14 November - Over PeoverC: Vacant.

Bishop Reuben Kisembo, Ruwenzori (Uganda); Bishop Vadapalli Prasada Rao, Dornakal (South India)

15 November - Over TableyC: Philip Robinson, Trish Cope, Patricia Robinson. LM: Chris Stanisstreet.As we encounter the usual frustrations inherent in making our church building accessible, pray that God will encourage our congregation to keep their vision for the future of the church. Pray for those who are anxious about the damage HS2 will inflict on rural life.

Bishop Melter Jiki Tais, Bishop John Yeo, Sabah (South East Asia); Bishop Harold Creeth Miller, Down & Dromore (Ireland)

16 November - Rostherne with BollingtonC: Philip Robinson, Trish Cope, Patricia Robinson. LM: Chris Stanisstreet, Stewart Jackson.Give thanks for the completion of our re-ordering at St Mary’s Rostherne — that the increased community use will continue and grow. Give thanks for church and community partnership and for the success of the church role in this year’s Little Bollington Festival. Little Bollington C of E School.Bishop Augustine E Ohilebo, Sabongidda-Ora (Nigeria); Archbishop Michael

Geoffrey St Aubyn Jackson, Dublin &Glendalough (Ireland)

17 November - First Woman MPSecond before AdventOf the 1,623 candidates for the 1918 general election, only 17 were women. Not one of the prominent suffragette campaigners was elected. The only successful candidate and first woman MP was Countess Markievicz. As she stood for the Irish Republican Party, Sinn Féin, she did not take her seat at Westminster. Countess Markievicz was later the first female member of the Irish Dáil convened in 1919.

The first woman to take her seat in the Commons was Viscountess Nancy Astor. She was elected at a by-election in November 1919. She held the seat until she stood down in 1945. Although she had never been involved in campaigns for women’s suffrage, she was a great supporter of the women’s movement once in Parliament.

The voting age was equalised for men and women in 1928 by the Equal Franchise Act. Just 10 years after women first gained the vote, the legislation was relatively uncontroversial with only 10 MPs voting against the Bill.

Pray for an equitable gender representation in all sectors of our national life.

Quoted from www.parliament.uk where detailed reports and statistics are available.

The Reformed Episcopal Church of Spain (Extra-Provincial to the Archbishop of Canterbury) Bishop Carlos López-Lozano - Bishop of Spanish Reformed

Episcopal Church

18 November - ToftC: Nigel Atkinson, Mel Lacy, Dan Young. LM: Chris Johnson, Thain Flowers.

Bishop Raphael Hess, Saldanha Bay (Southern Africa); Bishop Daniel Deng Abot, Bishop Thomas Tut Gany, Duk (South Sudan)

19 November - WilmslowC: Caroline Throup, Kirsty Allan, Roger Yates. LM: Sally Mullock, Anne Binnie, Christina Theobald.St Anne’s Fulshaw C of E School.

Bishop Nicholas Holtam, Bishop Edward Condry, Bishop Karen Gorham, Salisbury (England); Bishop Steven Benford, Dunedin (Aotearoa NZ &

Polynesia)

20 November - BirtlesC: Jon Hale.Pray that there may be those among St Catherine’s Church who will be called to train for authorised ministry.

Bishop Pinuel Dip, Sambalpur (North India); Bishop Edmund Dawson Ahmoah, Dunkwa-on-Offin (West Africa); Bishop Probal Kanto Dutta,

Durgapur (North India)

21 November - Altrincham C of E SchoolBishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, San Diego (The Episcopal Church, USA);

Bishop Paul Butler, Durham (England)

22 November - Middlewich DeaneryFather God, we thank you for the churches and congregations of the Middlewich Deanery. Help us all to shine with the light of the new born King this Christmas time. May our witness and our worship share your love with our communities.Bishop David Rice, San Joaquin (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Markus

Yohanna Danbinta, Dutse (Nigeria); Bishop Stephen Takashi Kochi, Kyoto (Japan)

23 November - Byley-cum-LeesC: Simon Drew, Alison Boulton, Lorraine Reed, Thia Hughes, Liz Woode. LM: Anne Latham, Julie Hassall, Steve Broadfoot, Jacqui Briscoe, Christine Hamill-Stewart, Tony Woode, Duncan Goodwin.Pray for our church which is at the heart of this small rural community. That we might continue to show the love of Christ to our neighbours, particularly through the Christmas period.Bishop Hector Zavala Muñoz,Santiago (Chile); Bishop Frenzel Ray P Piluden,

Santiago (Philippines)

24 November - The Reign of ChristChrist the King (Next before Advent)The ‘Christ the King’ designation dates from a declaration by Pope Pius XI in December 1925. With fascism expanding across Europe, the title was meant to assert Christ’s ultimate authority in all things. No doubt the day’s focus on Christ’s universal gracious rule is a powerful counter to overweening human arrogance and folly. Others question whether the very title lays too much emphasis on the very human metaphor of power. In the gospels only those who are Christ’s enemies, or those who have misunderstood him, describe him as a king. The lectionary readings for the day direct attention towards the uniqueness of Christ’s rule and its difference from usual human ways of exercising power. Whatever our opinions about the terminology used, we can all agree that Christ’s rule is particular and different; in itself a disclosure of the loving nature of God.

God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the KingAnd to follow in his service,Whose kingdom has no end;For he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,One God, one glory.

Additional Collects © The Archbishops’ Council 2004.

Pray for the Falkland Islands (Extra-Provincial to Canterbury) Bishop Timothy Thornton - Bishop to the Forces and Bishop to the Falkland Islands

25 November - DavenhamC: Rob Iveson, Ginnie Geraerts. LM: Jim Kemp, Ian Bonner, Dick Clague, Philip Bishop.Please pray for our revamped services and times: a weekly 9:30am formal service, and a weekly 11am flexible service aiming to encourage discipleship for all ages.Davenham C of E School.

Bishop Flavio Augusto Borges Irala, Sao Paulo (Brazil); Bishop Robert Skirving, East Carolina (The Episcopal Church, USA)

26 November - DelamereC: Vacant. LM; Gloria Ackerley.Pray for guidance as the churchwardens strive to keep services running smoothly in the vacancy and for our search for a new incumbent.Delamere C of E Academy. Bishop Blessing Erifeta, Sapele (Nigeria); Bishop Kayalakkakathu George Daniel, East Kerala (South India)

27 November - HartfordC: Mike Smith, Alec Ham, George Agar, Dimitri Allridge, Phil Highton. LM: Jeremy Hunns, David Charlton, Teresa Nixon, Ted Argent-Belcher.Hartford C of E High School. Bishop Michael William Hawkins, Bishop Adam Halkett, Saskatchewan; Bishop George Turyasingura, East Ruwenzori (Uganda); Bishop Brian Lee Cole, East Tennessee (TEC, USA)

28 November - Little BudworthC: Paul Dawson, John Stopford. LM: Pauline Hayward, Joyce Scholefield.Pray for those working in farming in a time of uncertainty and for growing links within our benefice and for community links in our village.

Bishop David Irving¸ Saskatoon (Canada); Vacant, Eastern Himalayas

29 November - Lostock GralamC: Vacant, Deborah Dalby. LM: Roger Kenrick, Graham Sheen, Joyce Kenrick. We thank God for the way he continues to bless our parish and inspire us to boldly step forward to draw others to Christ. Lostock Gralam C of E School.Bishop Paul Kiptoo Masaba, Sebei (Uganda); Bishop Timothy Kwok, Eastern

Kowloon (Hong Kong); Bishop Luke Ken-ichi Muto, Kyushu (Japan)

30 November - MiddlewichSt AndrewC: Simon Drew, Alison Boulton, Lorraine Reed, Thia Hughes, Liz Woode. LM: Julie Hassall, Steve Broadfoot, Jacqui Briscoe, Anne Latham, Christine Hamill-Stewart, Elaine Reynolds, Sue Ikin, Tony Woode, Duncan Goodwin, Jeremy Coles.Give thanks for our growing outreach into the southern part of the town and for a growing partnership in the Gospel with the other churches.

Bishop Alexander Asmah, Sekondi (West Africa); Bishop Todd Ousley, Eastern Michigan (The Episcopal Church, USA)

1 December - Advent HopeAdvent SundaySaints before the altar bending,Watching long in hope and fear,Suddenly the Lord, descending,In His temple shall appear,Come and worship,Worship Christ the new-born King.

Sinners, wrung with true repentance,Doom’d for guilt to endless pains,Justice now revokes the sentence,Mercy calls you, - breaks your chains;Come and worship,Worship Christ the new-born King.

From ‘Nativity’ by James Montgomery, 1771-1854.

Pray for courage in faith and the assurance of sins forgiven.

Watch at all times, praying for strength to stand with confidence before the Son of Man. Luke 21.36

Pray for mission agencies and their work throughout the Anglican Communion

2 December - MoultonC: Mark Green. LM: Grant Davis.Pray that our updated schedule of services, and the growing relationship with the Methodist Chapel, will reach the exanding community in Moulton.

Bishop Peter Lee, Seoul (Korea); Bishop Geoffrey Peddle, Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada)

3 December - Holy Trinity, NorthwichC: Carol Seddon. LM: Phil Baker.

Archbishop James Richard Wong Yin Song, Seychelles (Indian Ocean); Bishop Patrick Bell, Eastern Oregon (The Episcopal Church, USA)

4 December - St Luke, NorthwichC: Dave Mock, Paul Pritchard. LM: Jim Crawshaw, Kenneth Smyth, Malcolm Evans, Sue Renshaw.Please pray that God will keep us creative, loving and hard working so the community around us will discover God’s love and blessing in our midst.

Bishop Pete Wilcox, Bishop Peter Burrows, Sheffield (England); Bishop William Mchombo, Eastern Zambia (Central Africa); Bishop Santosh Marray,

Easton (The Episcopal Church, USA)

5 December - Over St ChadC: Chris Moore, Joe Smith. LM: Christine Keay. We pray for all who come into church this week to share in the Christmas Tree Festival. We pray especially for Mid-Cheshire Foodbank, our charitable partner, for those who work, support and volunteer there, and for the many who benefit from all they provide. Winsford St Chad’s C of E School.

Bishop Johnson Chinyong’ole, Shinyanga (Tanzania); Bishop William Jay Lambert, Eau Claire (The Episcopal Church, USA)

6 December - Over St JohnC: George Crowder.Pray for our links with schools: out of school club, assemblies and lessons in primary schools and lunch club in secondary school; and with the community: street festivals and invitation events.Over St John’s C of E School.

Archbishop Laurent Mbanda, Shyira (Rwanda); Bishop John Armes, Edinburgh (Scotland)

7 December - SandiwayC: Ruth Mock. LM: Hilary Chambers, Sue Hadden, Paul Stevenson, Jo Whittall, Andrew Hardy, Dug Harris, Marian Harris, Nicola Boot. Pray for us as we seek to make progress with our plans to re-order St John’s and for a renewed sense of vision in service and outreach.

Bishop Samuel M Mugisha, Shyira (Rwanda); Bishop Jane Alexander, Edmonton (Canada)

8 December - Road Traffic IncidentsSecond of AdventIn 2018 there were 160, 378 accident casualties recorded on Britain’s roads; 1,782 of these were fatal. In 2018 44% of those fatal road accident victims were car occupants; 25% were pedestrians; 20% motorcyclists; and 6% were cyclists.

In Great Britain, the overall number of fatalities and road casualties has been in long term decline since the mid-1960s, and especially since the mid-1990s. Measures to address drink-driving and improve safety of vehicles and roads have all contributed to this decline which has occurred while road traffic has been increasing.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 1.25 million people die each year as a result of road traffic crashes. Injuries from road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among people aged between 15 and 29 years of age. Between 20 and 50 million more people suffer non-fatal injuries. More than 90% of road traffic deaths occur in low and middle-income countries. Road traffic injury death rates are highest in the African region.

Pray for those living with life-changing consequences as a result of a road traffic incident.Source: House of Commons Library BriefingPray for the work of the Mothers’ Union around the world. Sheran Harper -

Worldwide President Bev Jullien - Chief Executive

9 December - WeaverhamC: Paul Withington. LM: Brian Stevens, Herbert Manley, Linda Jones, Jules Sanders, Mike Sanders, Gilly Latham.Pray that the love of Christ will continue to be the ‘tie that binds us together’, as we develop new initiatives to share the light and hope of Jesus, and especially in the extra events of Advent and Christmas.

Bishop Jered Kalimba, Shyogwe (Rwanda); Bishop Emmanuel Adekunle, Egba (Nigeria); Bishop Godwin A Robinson, Lafia (Nigeria)

10 December - WhartonC: Tim Hanson. LM: Irene Greenhough.Pray for our ongoing work with children and families and for continuing good relationships with local schools. Wharton C of E School. Bishop Alwin Samuel, Sialkot (Pakistan); Bishop Samuel Ajani, Egba West (Nigeria)

11 December - WhitegateC: Paul Dawson, John Stopford. LM: Pauline Hayward, Joyce Scholefield, Teresa Finney.Pray for those working in farming as they face many uncertainties. We ask God’s guidance for our school, work with children and for our revised baptism ministry. Whitegate C of E School.

Bishop Rennis Ponniah, Bishop Low Jee King, Singapore (South East Asia); Bishop Geoffrey Okoroafor, Egbu (Nigeria); Bishop Mouneer Hanna Anis,

Bishop Samy Fawzy, Egypt (Jerusalem & Middle East)

12 December - St Helen, NorthwichC: Vacant, Jane Millinchip, Deborah Dalby. LM: Andrew Mallin-Jones, David Drinkwater, Berenice Kirwan. Pray for our ‘Promising Future’ Vision Project as we seek to reach out to the people of Northwich with God’s love. Witton Church Walk C of E School. Bishop James Min Dein, Sittwe (Myanmar); Bishop Daniel Olinya, Eha - Amufu (Nigeria)

13 December - Macclesfield DeaneryIn the midst of Advent, a quote from the late Sister Wendy Beckett:‘There is no proof, remember. Body and soul may feel we are wasting our time. Hope smiles and ignores them.’

Bishop Moses Tun Pa, Sittwe (Myanmar); Bishop Christopher Tayo Omotunde, Ekiti; Bishop Andrew Ajayi, Ekiti Kwara; Bishop Isaac Olubowale,

Ekiti Oke; Bishop Rufus V A Adepoju, Ekiti West (Nigeria)

14 December - Bollington‘When we pray, we do not step out of the real world. It is only true prayer if we are completely within our own context, in all its grubbiness and incoherence and uncertainty.’ (Sister Wendy Beckett)Bollington Cross C of E School. Bollington St John’s C of E School.

Bishop Peter Eagles, Sodor & Man (England); Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves, El Camino Real (The Episcopal Church, USA)

15 December - Everybody InThird of AdventCommending ‘Everybody In’, Crisis’ 50th anniversary year plan to end homelessness, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury wrote:‘It is a tragedy that today almost 250,000 people in Great Britain are homeless, leaving too many women, men and children vulnerable on our streets or in inadequate accommodation. Many churches support people who are homeless, befriending them and providing a listening ear, as well as offering food, night shelters and other practical help. But there is so much more that we can, and should, all be doing as a society. This plan to end homelessness provides the evidence-based policies and practical solutions that are needed to help ensure that homelessness becomes a thing of the past, so that everyone has access to the kind of safe and stable housing that is so vital to human dignity and society’s flourishing.’

Pray for those experiencing homelessness now, and for policies and actions that will change things permanently for the better.

Read ‘Everybody In: How to End Homelessness in Great Britain’ available at www.crisis.org.uk/

Bishop Augustin Omole, Sokoto (Nigeria); Bishop Juan David Alvarado Melgar, El Salvador (Central America)

16 December - BosleyC: John Harries, Steph Morris. LM: Judith Harries.Pray for the reordering of our church and for our school as they look to becoming an academy. Bosley St Mary’s C of E School.

Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe, South Ankole (Uganda); Bishop Christopher Ruto, Eldoret (Kenya)

17 December - GawsworthC: Vacant. LM: Keith Parrott.

Bishop John Tarrant, South Dakota (The Episcopal Church, USA; Bishop Ismail Gabriel Abudigin, El-Obeid (Sudan)

18 December - Henbury and Broken CrossC: Tim Robinson, Norma Robinson.

Bishop Dharmaraj Rasalam, South Kerala (South India); Bishop Stephen David Conway, Bishop David Thomson, Ely (England); Bishop David Muriithi

Ireri, Embu (Kenya)

19 December - HurdsfieldC: James Gibson. LM: Hellen Watson, Eileen Delight, Jared Brown, Melissa Wearden.Pray that we may share the good news of Jesus faithfully, clearly and enthusiastically to all we meet over the Christmas period.

Bishop Jackson Nzerebende, South Rwenzori (Uganda); Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Enugu; Bishop Sosthenes Eze, Enugu North (Nigeria)

20 December - Macclesfield St Michael & All Angels (Macclesfield Team Ministry)C: Martin Stephens, Andy Williams, Karen Brady. LM: Mike Strutt, Lynne Spedding, Catherine Stephens.Give thanks for the recent growth in discipleship and opportunities for church members to explore a sense of calling. Pray for God’s blessing and reassurance as people grow in confidence. Give thanks for the many opportunities of welcoming people into our Christmas services.Macclesfield Christ the King RC/C of E School.Bishop Matthew Mhagama, South West Tanganyika (Tanzania); Archbishop

Friday Imaekhai, Esan (Nigeria)

21 December - Macclesfield St JohnC: Tim Robinson, Norma Robinson. Macclesfield St John the Evangelist C of E School.Bishop Precious Nwala, Etche (Nigeria); Bishop Jacob Bada, Etsako (Nigeria)

22 December - Incarnation RealityFourth of Advent‘The Incarnation of Christ in time must become a personal reality in us, there needs to be a taking flesh in us if our prayer in Christ is to grow. This is brought out strongly in a Christmas Day sermon by Meister Eckhardt in the fourteenth century:

We are celebrating the feast of the Eternal Birth which God the Father has borne and never ceases to bear in all Eternity; whilst this Birth also comes to pass in Time and in human nature … But if it takes not place in me, what avails it? Everything lies in this, that it should take place in me.

Prayer then is the interiorizing of the Incarnation. The Word is to become enfleshed in me. Bethlehem is here. So Christmas Day is to become all days, and the adoration of Emmanuel, God with us, must be a daily and continuous event.’Kenneth Leech, True Prayer.

Pray for an engaged and engaging celebration of God incarnate.Pray for Christians in other denominations and the work of the ecumenical

movement. His Holiness Pope Francis, Bishop of Rome. His All Holiness Archbishop Bartholomew of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical

Patriarch. Bishop Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches. Bishop Ivan M Abrahams, General Secretary World Methodist

Council. The Reverend Chris Ferguson, General Secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

23 December - Macclesfield St PaulC: Michael Fox. LM: Emma Dennehy.‘Joy to the world!’ Please pray that joy may be deeply felt and widely spread in our parish this Christmas.

Bishop Innocent Ordu, Evo (Nigeria); Bishop Robert Atwell, Bishop Nick McKinnel, Bishop Jackie Searle, Exeter (England)

24 December - North RodeChristmas EveC: Vacant. Bishop John Kereboro Zawo, Ezo (South Sudan); Bishop John Samuel, Faisalabad (Pakistan)

25 December - Pott ShrigleyChristmas DayC: David Swales. LM: John Ryley.Pray that Christ may build his church here — that we may find more ways to share the love of Christ in our community, and beyond it. Pott Shrigley Church School.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem and the People of Bethlehem. Bishop Margaret Brenda Vertue, False Bay (Southern Africa); Bishop Carl Wright,

Bishop James Magness, Federal Ministries (The Episcopal Church, USA)

26 December - PrestburySt StephenC: Patrick Angier, Avril Ravenscroft, Steve Murphy. LM: Keith Ravenscroft, Margaret Tate, Andrea Fitton, Anne Stirling.Faithful God as we prepare to celebrate the building of St Peter’s 800 years ago, strengthen the faith and confidence of your people to use this opportunity to share the good news of Jesus across the parish.

Bishop Gilbert Rateloson Rakotondravelo, Fianarantsoa (Indian Ocean); Bishop John Howard, Florida (The Episcopal Church, USA)

27 December - Rainow with Saltersford and ForestSt JohnC: Steve Rathbone. LM: Jennifer Kendal.

Bishop Matthew Alan Gunter, Fond du Lac (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Scott Mayer, Fort Worth (The Episcopal Church, USA)

28 December - Sutton St JamesThe Holy InnocentsC: John Harries, Steph Morris. LM: Judith Harries.Pray for God’s spirit upon us as we reach out into our community.

Bishop David Edwards, Fredericton (Canada); Bishop Thomas Arnold Ikunika Wilson, Freetown (Sierra Leone) (West Africa)

29 December - Child PovertyFirst Sunday of ChristmasSome four million children in the UK live in poverty – that’s almost a third of all British children and around nine in the average classroom. The situation is getting worse, with the number set to rise to five million by 2020. Two thirds of children living in poverty have at least one parent in work. Thousands more families are living on the cusp of the poverty line. One unexpected setback – like redundancy or illness – could push them into the poverty trap.

A child is said to be living in poverty when they are living in a family with an income below 60% of the UK’s average after adjusting for family size. Growing up in poverty can damage children’s well-being and their future life chances.

A couple with two children living in poverty has less than £58 per day – that’s £15 each – after housing costs to pay for food, bills, childcare, transport, household items, clothes and other expenses like school trips or children’s activities. The same family on average income in the UK has about £96 per day – that’s £24 each to cover these things.

Pray for all families coping with poverty, and wider efforts to change things for the better.

Source: The Children’s Society. See their website for more information.Bishop Alexis Bilindabagabo, Bishop Manasseh Gahima, Gahini (Rwanda);

Bishop James Allen Yaw Odico, Gambia (West Africa)

30 December - Upton PrioryC: Vacant, Avril Ravenscroft. Pray for the church-led Upton Youth and Community Project, and its leader Andrea Fitton.

Bishop Onesphore Rwaje, Gasabo (Rwanda); Bishop Emmanuel Nyitsse, Gboko (Nigeria)

31 December - WildboarcloughC: John Harries, Steph Morris. LM: Judith Harries.Pray for our farming community facing uncertainty in the new year.

Bishop Brian Marajh, George (Southern Africa); Bishop Scott Benhase, Georgia (The Episcopal Church, USA)

1 January - WincleThe Naming and Circumcision of JesusC: John Harries, Steph Morris. LM: Judith Harries.Pray for growing relationships between our church and school.Wincle C of E School.

Bishop Richard Treloar, Gippsland (Australia); Bishop John Nduwayo, Gitega (Burundi)

2 January - Macclesfield St Peter (Team)C: Martin Stephens, Karen Brady, Andy Williams. LM: Judith Gibson, Catherine Stephens.Give thanks for the development of ‘Forest Church’ as a means of drawing more children and families to the worshipping community. Give thanks for our outreach in the run-up to Christmas.

Bishop Gregor Duncan, Glasgow & Galloway (Scotland); Bishop Rachel Treweek, Bishop Robert Wilfrid Springett, Gloucester (England)

3 January - Macclesfield All Saints (Team)C: Martin Stephens, Andy Williams. LM: Liz Varney, Chris Gleaves, Robert Marshall, Catherine Stephens.We give thanks for our Messy Church and 0-5s groups and the opportunities they bring to share with families.

Bishop Abraham Ngor Mangong, Gogrial (South Sudan); Bishop Kadhoro Desire Makanirwa, Goma (Congo)

4 January - Macclesfield St Barnabas (Team)C: Martin Stephens, Andy Williams. LM: Fran Hiles, Glenys Hibbert, Catherine Stephens.We give thanks for our partnership with Cre8 and for the new Project Grow initiative which is helping reduce food poverty and waste.

Bishop Henry Ndukuba, Gombe (Nigeria); Bishop Murray Harvey, Grafton (Australia)

5 January - EpiphanySecond Sunday of ChristmasAfter celebrating but lately the day on which the immaculate virginity brought forth the Saviour of mankind, the venerable feast of the Epiphany, dearly beloved, gives us continuance of joy, that the force of our exultation and the fervour of our faith may not grow cool, in the midst of neighbouring and kindred mysteries. For it concerns the salvation of all, that the infancy of the Mediator between God and humanity was already manifested to the whole world, while He was still detained in the tiny town. For although He had chosen the Israelite nation, and one family out of that nation, from whom to assume the nature of all humanity, yet He was unwilling that the early days of His birth should be concealed within the narrow limits of His mother’s home: but desired to be soon recognized by all, seeing that He deigned to be born for all.

Sermon 31, Leo the Great (400-461)

Pray that the universal call of the Christ child may be more recognized.Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali, Grahamstown (Southern Africa); Bishop Nathan

Tome, Guadalcanal (Melanesia)

6 January - Macclesfield Bollinbrook C of E SchoolThe Epiphany

Bishop Andrew John Watson, Bishop Jo Bailey Wells, Guildford (England), Bishop Jacques Boston, Guinea (West Africa)

7 January - Wallasey DeaneryBishop Silvans Christian, Gujarat (North India)

8 January - LeasoweC: Derek Marshall. LM: Diana Jones.Leasowe The Holy Spirit RC/C of E School.

Bishop John Garba Danbinta, Gusau (Nigeria); Bishop Charles Davidson, Guyana (West Indies)

9 January - Liscard the ResurrectionC: Peter Cooper, Elaine White. LM: Graham Mitchell, Ruth Williams.Bishop Moses Tabwaye, Gwagwalada (Nigeria); Bishop Jean Zache Duracin,

Haiti (The Episcopal Church, USA)

10 January - Liscard St ThomasC: Robert Nelson.

Bishop Alfred Karibongi, Hanuato’o (Melanesia); Bishop Chad Nicholas Gandiya, Bishop Farai Mutamiri, Harare (Central Africa)

11 January - Chester CathedralBishop Robert Fitzpatrick, Hawaii (The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop

Richard Frith, Bishop Alistair James Magowan, Hereford (England)

Diocese of Chester