CPADear Friend

Welcome to the CPA’s March e-news broadcast.

Update‘[Wisdom] is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.’ (Proverbs 3:18, NLT)

MARCH 2014

Get wisdom!In our work places, homes and communities we are faced with multiple decisions on a daily basis. Seemingly small choices can have immense consequences. How are we to steer a course that aligns with our values and leads to life? The writer of the book of Proverbs urges us to ‘Get wisdom’ (Proverbs 4:5). In doing so, two alternatives are laid out – the way of wisdom and the way of folly – with no middle path between the two, no grey area. And both wisdom and folly are portrayed as calling out to us in public places – offi ces, factories, schools and marketplace.

Wisdom’s blessings are summarised in Proverbs 3:13–18. We are told that wisdom is ‘more precious than rubies’, and nothing we desire ‘can compare with her’. Also that getting wisdom is ‘more profi table than silver and yields better returns than gold’. She is ‘a tree of life to those who take hold of her’. But by far the greatest blessing of wisdom is, as Paul prays, that we might know God better: ‘I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better’ (Ephesians 1:17).

Which of us would not welcome a Wisdom Self-Help Manual or a Wisdom App for our phone, where we could key in the current dilemma – be it ‘time pressures’, ‘lack of resource’ or ‘diffi cult colleagues’ – and download the relevant instructions? Yet in our work places we can struggle with an avalanche of data and information. Quantity of knowledge does not necessarily equate to wisdom. True wisdom is relational. It’s a way of thinking – and living – which results in harmony with God and with others in every arena of life. Biblical wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).

On 3 March 2014 we launch our sixth prayer pathway, ‘Get Wisdom!’, focusing on developing the wisdom we need for all areas of life, not least our work. As on other journeys, those signed up will receive a short prompt to pray every morning. There is additional teaching material on our website and a journey wall to share your experiences and insights with others.Bev ShepherdPrayerWorks project leader and associate speaker with LICC.

MARCH 2014

Derbyshire Police donate food to help people in need. Staff at police headquarters and surrounding police divisions have donated unwanted food from their cupboards to help feed people who have very little. The Christian Police Association organised the collection and set up points in police buildings where staff could leave food. The response was overwhelming and staff donated food ranging from pasta and biscuits to soup and peas. The food was then collected and presented to the Salvation Army who arrange for it to be distributed to families who require emergency food. Kevin Wibberley from the Salvation Army in Ripley said: ‘We would like to thank the police for organising this collection and giving so generously. The food will be gratefully received by those who require emergency help. The food will also be shared by local charities that help similar people in need.’Photo: Kevin Wibberley and Liz Baines from the Salvation Army being handed a selection of the food by Jacque Dawson and Sgt Phil Booth from the Christian Police Association.

GMP Prayer WeekBranch Leader Mike Russell, and members of our Greater Manchester

Branch, invite us to join with them in their week of prayer from Sunday 9 March to Sunday 16 March.

Mike says, ‘The aim is to give people the opportunity to pray for Greater Manchester, Greater Manchester Police Service, and for the families of those offi cers killed in the line of duty and those offi cers that have been injured. Go straight to the link to sign up for a slot.www.24-7prayer.com/signup/358b2b

Other side of the worldAt the beginning of February I had a brief stop-over in Australia on my way back from the Pacifi c Islands. I met with Gary Raymond, the President of the Christian Police Fellowship in New South Wales (Gary is 2nd from left) and other members of the Branch.

The Branch has about 300 members and amongst its initiatives it has a confi dential prayer line. One of their members, Danny Forster and his wife will be visiting the UK next year.

I then popped up to Brisbane where I had a coffee break meeting with some of the Queensland Branch based at Police Headquarters. Rob McColl, Chairman of the Branch will also be in the UK next year with his wife. He is at present involved in the G20 meeting in Brisbane in November.

Earlier I had been with the Pointman Leadership Institute in Tonga, Vanuatu and Samoa where there is a large number of Christian Police offi cers, and whose singing would give our Welsh colleagues a good run for their money. All the meetings started and ended with a hymn and prayer. I also had the opportunity to meet with the Chaplain General of the Fiji Police and I am hoping to return to Fiji after the elections being held in September. Richard Wiggins

Eastern Region ConferenceOur thanks go to Rob Hance and the Essex team for a fantastic one-day conference for the Eastern Region on Saturday 22 February. Held at Essex Police HQ, the event was attended by police offi cers, staff, CPA associate members, retired members, Street Pastors and representatives from the SOS bus. Speakers Paul Cooper and Rob Joy gave very inspiring testimonies and teaching in the morning. Paul talked about our identity in Christ and the fact that if everything was stripped away we could never lose our identity in him. He talked about the fact that churches should be the centre of the community and not just open on a Sunday. Rob, ex-drug addict and convict turned church leader, spoke passionately about his conversion and the need for compassion for the criminal fraternity. He gave teaching on Matthew 24 – time for weeping and the importance of prayer. His mother prayed for him tirelessly and he attributes that to his conversion. He talked of looking for opportunities to be salt and light in the work place. He asked, ‘Do you want to be PC Private Faith, Constable Compromise or Sgt Set-Apart?’ – admitting that it may sound corny but would be diffi cult to forget. Food for thought for us all and a challenge we should all consider about our everyday witness. Lionel Ball – ex-City of London chaplain to the police and theatres from London City Mission – talked of his experiences as a chaplain and the many opportunities he had to lead others to Christ, just by being obedient and allowing himself to be in the right place at the right time. He stated that a good morning prayer is ‘Lord, what will we do together today?’ Teaching from Romans Chapter 1, he talked of the need to be available, accessible and accountable, stating that we need to be consumed with a sense of obligation and eagerness to share because we are proud of the gospel. Finally, we heard from Phil Martin from the YMCA. After a short time of leading us in the YMCA dance whilst wearing a hard hat (!), he talked about the many positive aspects of partnership working and how a programme they currently have of police working with them in a training capacity enables people to meet the police in a ‘normal’ context, ie no uniform and being seen as a human being rather than an authority fi gure. Five out of the six Eastern Region Forces were represented at the event, the sixth only being absent through work commitments. We are delighted at the way the Eastern Region is working together and the opportunities to build each other up (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Praise the Lord! God is good! Hallelujah, AMEN Rachel Foster – Eastern Region Coordinator

MARCH 2014

‘Faith In Action’ Day ConferenceOur Humberside Branch is presenting a ‘Faith In Action’ day conference on Saturday 15 March 2014. Are you concerned about the state of our society? Do Christians have a role in■ fi ghting modern day slavery? ■ protecting vulnerable children? ■ keeping the streets safe in our cities and towns?■ helping women escape from lives of prostitution? ■ helping the Police Service?

The Faith in Action Conference will help you think more clearly, pray more effectively and serve in all these areas. Key presentations by: ■ Hope for Justice: fi ghting modern day slavery and human traffi cking.■ Safe Families for Children: Local Church volunteers help provide support for

families in crisis. ■ John Gaughan: a personal story and music by former singer with

Herman’s Hermits. Also featuring: ■ Street Angels: keeping people safe in our cities and towns. ■ Bridges Hull: helping youth and families.

This will be followed byAn evening with Robin OakeWhen CPA Vice-President Robin Oake’s son, Special Branch offi cer Stephen, was killed by a terrorist while on duty, a press conference was called. A journalist asked, ‘Mr Oake, what do you think about the man who killed your son?’ He received a startling reply ‘I don’t know the man or the circumstances but from my heart I forgive him.’ Another journalist said, ‘What?!’ and our response may be the same. Robin shares his moving story and the reasons for his amazing forgiveness. VENUE:New Life Church Bridlington AveHull HU2 0DUSaturday 15 March 20141:30 pm to 6:00 pm and 7:30 pmAfternoon conference £5 including buffet (at 6:00 p.m.) or £2 without the buffet. Booking essential to enable catering. cpahumberside@gmail.comThere is no admission charge to the evening event to which everyone is welcome.

MARCH 2014

Do you have a comment?I would love to include some short comments from members and friends as to how they have been positively affected by the CPA. A sentence will do, but if you wanted to make it a very short paragraph, that’s OK as well!Send them to me direct at don.axcell@CPAuk.net

Why not donate to CPA on line?You can do so securely through give.net via the link opposite

CPA Update is a monthly digest of news and testimony, with prayer diary, that is intended to inform, encourage members/other contacts and keep the communication fl ow going. NB. Views expressed are not necessarily that of CPA Council. Please submit items for Update, including key prayer items. Deadline is the 20th of the month; it will be as good as the material that comes in. Thank you. Items should be forwarded to offi ce@CPAuk.net

Belsey Bridge 2014 Plans are well under way for our next National Conference which is due to take place at Belsey Bridge Conference Centre, Ditchingham, on the Norfolk/Suffolk border 2–4 May 2014. Book the dates in your diaries!

The theme will be Rest and Fellowship based on Psalm 37:7, ‘Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him’ with an emphasis on family, fun and fellowship, with a few speakers thrown in!

The centre will be occupied only by CPA, so will be a completely safe place for the children. There is an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, children’s play area, and lots of space around for walks. Watch out for further details.National CPA Key Dates 2014■ 1 February Council Meeting Leicester Police HQ.■ 2 May Council Meeting Belsey Bridge■ 2–4 May National Conference Belsey Bridge Norfolk/Suffolk border.■ 29 May CPA National Day of Prayer for Police■ 10–12 November Leaders’ Conference, High Leigh, Hertfordshire

MARCH 2014