Calendar of IntercessionsPassiontide - Trinity

to this edition of the prayer diary, which takes us through Passiontide,

Eastertide finishes with Trinity Sunday. It’s a sizable document, designed to be quick and clear to read, and also to leave space for your own notes. Of course, you do not have to print it all out at once, and you’re welcome to reformat it, if you wish (a Word version is available from my blog, see website below).

Welcome

Sunday entries are designed to look at some of the bigger pictures in our Diocese – sometimes geographical (deaneries, archdeaconries, link dioceses) sometimes issues or activities (Vocations Sunday). If there is an aspect of diocesan life that you’d like included on a Sunday, do let me know. These are followed through the week by daily prayers from all over the diocese, and across the Anglican Communion, including the calendar of saints and other worthy people. Finally, there is space in the daily entries for you to note any prayer requests that have been made to you or your parish, or any special interests you want to remember in your prayers.Please contact me with any comments or suggestions – Lindsay@Rochester.Anglican.org or 01634 814439. I will also be pleased to provide large print copies to any who would find that helpful.The calendar is published on the Diocesan website, and also on www.RochesterWorship.wordpress.com where you can find the next quarter’s intercessions (hopefully) as this quarter starts to come to an end.

Cover photograph courtesy of Katerina Gerhardt ©

Sunday 13 MarchPassiontide begins

Lent 5 Isaiah 43.16-21Psalm 126Philippians 3.4b-14John 12.1-8

Greenhithe Community Café

Since the launch of the Community Café on Easter Eve 2014, it has continued to grow both numerically and as a hub for a range of community activity. We have been blessed with grants to enable us to improve facilities and opportunities to provide to those in our community.

Each Wednesday the café provides a place of refreshment and relaxation, friendship and fellowship for all people, who can not only enjoy homemade food but can get support and advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau, our local town Councillor, Community Wardens and PCSO’s, Sure Start and others.

Please pray for our current volunteers who provide love and care alongside coffee and cake, and for more volunteers to come. Please pray too that all who come to the café may know the love and generosity of God. Please pray as we introduce Table Talk into the café that it may provide greater opportunities for discussion.

Rochester Diocese: Greenhithe Community Café, parish priest: The Rev Andrew Avery

Anglican Communion: PRAY for Hong Kong Sheng Kung HuiThe Most Rev Dr Paul Kwong Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui & Bishop of Hong

Prayer Requests:

Monday 14 March

Rochester Diocese: Joydens Wood, St BarnabasVicar: The Rev Ren Harding

Anglican Communion: Bida - ( Abuja, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Jonah Kolo

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday15 March

Rochester Diocese: Lamorbey, Holy RedeemerPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Colin Terry

Anglican Communion: Birmingham - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev David Andrew Urquhart, and suffragan the Rt Rev Anne Elizabeth Hollinghurst; Blackburn - (York, England) The Rt Rev Julian Tudor Henderson, and suffragans the Rt Rev Philip North and the Rt Rev Geoffrey Seagrave Pearson

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday16 March

Rochester Diocese: Lamorbey, Holy TrinityVicar: The Rev Philip Wells

Anglican Communion: Bo (Sierra Leone) - (West Africa, West Africa) The Rt Rev Emmanuel Tucker

Prayer Requests:

Thursday 17 MarchPatrick, bishop, missionary, patron of Ireland, c. 460

Rochester Diocese: Sidcup, Christ ChurchVicar: The Rev Tom Parsons

Anglican Communion: Boga - (Congo) The Rt Rev Mugenyi William Bahemuka

Prayer Requests:

Friday 18 MarchCyril, bishop, teacher of the faith, 386

Rochester Diocese: Sidcup, St Andrew,Vicar: The Rev Rupert Hankey

Anglican Communion: Bolivia - (South America) The Rt Rev Raphael Samuel

Prayer Requests:

Saturday19 MarchJoseph of Nazareth

Rochester Diocese: Diocesan Synod

Anglican Communion: Bondo - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Johannes Angela

Prayer Requests:

“I bind unto myself todayThe strong Name of the Trinity,By invocation of the same,The Three in One and One in Three.” Attributed to Patrick c.460

Sunday20 March

Palm Sunday

Lit. Psalms: Lit. PassionLuke 19.28-40 Isaiah 50.4-9aPsalm 118.1-2, 19-end Luke 23.1-49

Holy Week

The events of the last days of Jesus’ life form the core of the Gospel narratives and the whole of our faith. By walking with our Lord from the Joyful Entry through the events of the Last Supper and on into his arrest, death and resurrection we can enter deeply into the mysteries of his giving of himself, and of the restoration of the children of God.

By their nature, then, these days can be highly emotive, especially for communities where tensions run high – hence the prayers of the Anglican Communion for the peace of Jerusalem.

Pray that our participation in these holy days may be solemn and joyful, without recrimination or defensiveness.

Pray for our relationships with people of other faiths, particularly our sister Abrahamic faiths, that by our love we may witness to that greater love.

Anglican Communion: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem

All glory, laud and honor, To Thee, Redeemer, King, To Whom the lips of children Made sweet hosannas ring.

Jerusalem - (Jerusalem & Middle East) The Rt Rev Suheil Dawani

Prayer Requests:

Monday 21 MarchMonday of Holy Week

Rochester Diocese: For all Christians as they prepare to keep this week holy.

Anglican Communion: Bondo - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Johannes Angela

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 22 MarchTuesday of Holy Week

Rochester Diocese: For all approaching Easter with faithful eyes for the first time.

Anglican Communion:Bor - (Sudan) The Rt Rev Ruben Akurdid Ngong

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday23 MarchWednesday of Holy Week

Rochester Diocese: For those struggling with faith: for those who cannot believe, or who wish they did not, and for those who rage against the faith of others.

Anglican Communion: Botswana - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Metlhayotlhe Rawlings Belemi

Prayer Requests:

Thursday 24 MarchMaundyThursday

Rochester Diocese: For all bishops, priests and deacons renewing their vows in the Cathedral today.

Anglican Communion: Brandon - (Rupert's Land, Canada) The Rt Rev James Dusan Njegovan

Prayer Requests:

Friday25 MarchGood Friday

Rochester Diocese: For those who feel abandoned by God or who cannot see his face, for the despairing and the broken hearted.

Anglican Communion: Brasilia - (Brazil) The Rt Rev Maurício Jose Araujo De Andrade

Prayer Requests:

Saturday26 MarchEaster Eve

Rochester Diocese: For the bereaved, for all waiting for new life.

Anglican Communion: Brechin - (Scotland) The Rt Rev Dr Nigel Peyton

Prayer Requests:

“For me, kind Jesus, was thy incarnation, thy mortal sorrow, and thy life's oblation; Thy death of anguish and thy bitter passion, for my salvation. Therefore, kind Jesus, since I cannot pay thee, I do adore thee, and will ever pray thee, think on thy pity and thy love unswerving, not my deserving.” J Heerman

Sunday 27 March

Easter Day Isaiah 65.17-endPsalm 118.14-24Acts 10.34-43John 20.1-18

Easter Day

We have walked with our Lord through the days of his Passion. We have placed ourselves into that story – the pain of betrayal, the injustice of a fixed trial, the humiliation of mockery, the jeers of the crowd, the agony of nails, the loneliness of abandonment, the silence of death, the darkness of the tomb. We have waited by that tomb, and now we emerge into the brightness of Easter Day.Today we shout ‘Alleluia’ and we give thanks:- That Life and Light are never quenched;- That fear and death cannot enslave us;- That hope is renewed for all creation;- That life renewed is offered to all;- That forgiveness flows for all who would turn;- That injustice and pain are transformed and healed.

And today we pray:- That the living Lord Jesus walk with us each day;- That lives be transformed through the life-giving power of God;- That we show forth God’s love in word and deed;- That the face of creation be renewed by the grace of God;- That we be united with all who proclaim the resurrection of

Jesus;- That our lives take the shape of the risen Christ.

Lord of all life and power,who through the mighty resurrection of your Sonovercame the old order of sin and deathto make all things new in him:grant that we, being dead to sinand alive to you in Jesus Christ,may reign with him in glory.

Anglican Communion: Jesus Christ is risen today, Alleluia!our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Monday28 MarchMonday of Easter Week

Rochester Diocese: Clergy and lay ministers following the busyness of Holy Week and Easter

Anglican Communion:Brisbane - (Queensland, Australia) The Most Rev Dr Phillip John Aspinall; Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force - (Australia) The Rt Rev Ian Keese Lambert; Brisbane - Northern Region - (Queensland, Australia) The Rt Rev Dr Jonathan Holland; Brisbane - Southern Region - (Queensland, Australia) The Rt Rev Alison Taylor; Brisbane - Western Region - (Queensland, Australia) The Rt Rev Cameron Venables

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 29 March Tuesday of Easter Week

Rochester Diocese:Sidcup, St John the EvangelistVicar: The Rev Stephen Sealy

Anglican Communion:Bristol - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Michael Arthur Hill; Bristol - Swindon - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Lee Stephen Rayfield

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 30 MarchWednesday of Easter Week

Rochester Diocese: Ash, St Peter and St Paul, with Ridley, St PeterPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Canon Ruth Oates

Anglican Communion:British Columbia - (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada) The Rt Rev Logan McMenamie

Prayer Requests:

Thursday 31 MarchThursday of Easter Week

Rochester Diocese: Fawkham, St Mary, and Hartley, All SaintsRector: The Rev Jim Fletcher

Anglican Communion:Bukavu - (Congo) The Rt Rev Sylvestre Bahati

Prayer Requests:

Friday 1 AprilFriday of Easter Week

Rochester Diocese: Cobham, St Mary Magdalene, with Luddesdowne St Peter and St Paul, and DodePriest-in-Charge: The Rev Angela Walker

Anglican Communion:Bujumbura - (Burundi) The Rt Rev Eraste Bigirimana

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 2 AprilSaturday Easter Week

Rochester Diocese: Istead Rise, St BarnabasVicar: The Rev Andrew Vaughan

Anglican Communion:Bukedi - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Samuel Egesa

Prayer Requests:

“Christ our life,you are alive

in the beauty of the earthin the rhythm of the seasonsin the mystery of time and spaceAlleluia!” Cathy Galloway (Iona community)

Sunday Easter 2

3 April Exodus 14.10-end; 15.20 to 21Psalm 150Acts 5.27-32John 20.19-end

Shoreham Deanery

Please give thanks for incumbents newly appointed in the last few months to Ightham, Wrotham and Shoreham.

Give thanks too for faithful work carried on day by day by clergy and lay people in these beautiful and historic churches and villages.

Pray for a monthly Saturday breakfast meeting held by Eynsford to support those working in finance in the City.

The pressing need is for the appointment of a Rural Dean. The Deanery does not have a town of any size and no natural centre and therefore no “lead” parish.

Rochester Diocese: Shoreham DeaneryRural Dean: Vacant; Lay Chair: Mr Charles Willsher

Anglican Communion: PRAY for The Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean: The Most Rev Ian Gerald James Ernest Archbishop, Province of Indian Ocean & Bishop of Mauritius

Prayer Requests:

Monday 4 AprilAnnunciation

Rochester Diocese: Those struggling with parenthood

of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary (transferred from 25 March)

Anglican Communion:Bukuru - (Jos, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Jwan Zhumbes

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 5 April

Rochester Diocese: Longfield, St Mary MagdalenePriest-in-Charge: The Rev Dylan Turner

Anglican Communion:Bunbury - (Western Australia, Australia) The Rt Rev Alan Ewing

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday6 April

Rochester Diocese: Meopham, St John the Baptist, with Nurstead, St MildredPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Alyson Davie

Anglican Communion:Bungoma - (Kenya) The Rev George Mechumo

Prayer Requests:

“Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.” Luke 1.38

Thursday7 April

Rochester Diocese: Addicts and those who live with them and care for them

Anglican Communion:Bunyoro-Kitara - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Nathan Kyamanywa

Prayer Requests:

Friday8 April

Rochester Diocese: Southfleet, St NicholasRector: The Rev David Houston

Anglican Communion:Busan - (Korea) The Rt Rev Onesimus Dongsin Park

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 9 AprilDietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran pastor, martyr, 1945

Rochester Diocese: Crockenhill, All SoulsVicar: The Rev Keith White

Anglican Communion:Busoga - (Uganda) Thr Rt Rev Naimanhye Paul

Prayer Requests:

Sunday10 April

Easter 3Zephaniah 3.14-endPsalm 30

Acts 9.1-6John 21.1-19

Tonbridge Archdeaconry

The Tonbridge Archdeaconry gives thanks for many, many people who came to services in our 107 churches and other congregations over the Christmas period. We pray that those who had less regular links before then may be helped forward in their journey of faith and Church links in the New Year of 2016.

The Archdeaconry has 9 incumbency vacancies (with 16 churches without an incumbent). Please pray for those parishes and for the will of God to be done in new clergy appointments. We also invite your prayers for the 44 Church schools in our Archdeaconry — and, indeed, for other schools too - and for all who are linked with them as students, teachers, staff, governors, parents, families, etc. We give thanks for those who give public service in our area's local authorities. Do pray for them and for the various initiatives by which our churches serve people across our local communities.

Rochester Diocese: Tonbridge ArchdeaconryArchdeacon: The Ven Clive Mansell

Anglican Communion: PRAY for The Church of Ireland: The Most Rev Dr Richard Lionel Clarke Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan

Prayer Requests:

Monday 11 AprilGeorge

Rochester Diocese: Those who seek to create consensus in contentious situations

Selwyn, Bishop, 1878 Anglican Communion:

Butare - (Rwanda) The Rt Rev Nathan Gasatura

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 12 April

Rochester Diocese: Darent Valley: Darenth, St Margaret of Antioch; Horton Kirby, St Mary; and Sutton-at-Hone, St John the BaptistVicar: The Rev Nicholas Williams

Anglican Communion:Butere - (Kenya) The Rt Rev Timothy Wambunya

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 13 April

Rochester Diocese: Dartford, Christ ChurchVicar: The Rev Richard Mortimer

Anglican Communion:Buye - (Burundi) The Rt Rev Sixbert Macumi

Prayer Requests:

Thursday14 April

Rochester Diocese: Dartford, Holy TrinityVicar: The Rev Martin Henwood DL

Anglican Communion:Byumba - (Rwanda) The Rt Rev Emmanuel Ngendahayo

Prayer Requests:

Friday 15 April

Rochester Diocese: Dartford, St AlbanPriest-in-Charge: The Rev David Helms

Anglican Communion:Calabar - (Niger Delta, Nigeria) The Rt Rev Tunde Adeleye

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 16 AprilIsabel Gilmour, deaconess, 1923

Rochester Diocese: Pioneer ministries and those in the distinctive diaconate

Anglican Communion:Calcutta - (North India) The Rt Rev Ashok Biswas

Prayer Requests:

“God has placed us in the world and we are to work for it and in it. We can make our secular work full of his Spirit … If Christ is not in us we are nothing, and can do nothing; if he is, then we can go on in peace and quietness…”

Isabel Gilmour 1886-1923

Sunday 17 April

Easter 4Genesis 7.1-5,11-18; 8.6-18; 9.8-13

Vocations Sunday

Psalm 23Acts 9.36-endJohn 10.22-30

Vocations Sunday

Today is Vocations Sunday in the Church of England, when we remember the breadth of calling and celebrate that each of us are called, diverse individuals joined by our unity as disciples of Christ. We especially remember those in training for Licensed Lay Ministry, for ordination and studying on short courses, and those who are discerning their calling. We bring to mind all who will be challenged to think and pray about where God is calling them through services and events today, and through the Vocation Day next Saturday and the regular “It’s Your Calling” days.

We give thanks for all the gifts and ministries being used today through the Diocese and the wider community, and pray that would all discover and nurture the gifts that we have been given in the service of God and neighbour.

Rochester Diocese: For the Rev Pamela Ive, the acting Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO), for the Assistant DDOs and Vocation Advisors, for all who discern, nurture and encourage the callings of others.

Anglican Communion: PRAY for The Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Communion in Japan): The Most Rev Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu Primate of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai & Bishop of Hokkaido

Prayer Requests:

Monday 18 April

Rochester Diocese: For all who see their vocation being used in the

workplace and in the wider world.

Anglican Communion:Caledonia - (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada) The Rt Rev William John AndersonCalgary - (Rupert's Land, Canada) The Rt Rev Gregory Kerr-Wilson

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 19 AprilAlphege, Archbishop, martyr, 1012

Rochester Diocese: For the Area and Rural Deans, meeting this week.

Anglican Communion: California - (IX, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Marc Andrus

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday20 April

Rochester Diocese: Dartford, St EdmundVicar: The Rev Marcel McCarron

Anglican Communion: Cameroon - (West Africa, West Africa) The Rt Rev Dibo Elango

Prayer Requests:

“The path I walk, Christ walks it. May the land in which I am be without sorrow … A truly good journey! Well does the fair Lord show us a course, a path.” Attributed to Columcille, 7th century

Thursday21 AprilAnselm, Archbishop,

Rochester Diocese: Stone, St MaryRector: The Rev Kenneth Clark

teacher, 1109 Anglican Communion: Canberra & Goulburn - (New South Wales, Australia) The Rt Rev Stuart Robinson, and assistant bishop the Rt Rev Trevor Edwards

Prayer Requests:

Friday22 April

Rochester Diocese: Swanley, St Mary the VirginVicar: The Rev Dane Batley-Gladden

Anglican Communion: Carlisle - (York, England) The Rt Rev James Scobie Newcome; Suffragan Bishop of Penrith - (York, England) The Rt Rev Robert Freeman

Prayer Requests:

Saturday23 AprilGeorge, martyr, patron of England, c.304

Rochester Diocese: Swanley, St Paul, and Hextable, St PeterPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Ray Sammé

Anglican Communion: The Most Rev and Rt Hon Justin Welby Archbishop of Canterbury; Canterbury - Dover - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Trevor Willmott; Canterbury - Ebbsfleet - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Jonathan Goodall; Canterbury - Maidstone - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Roderick Thomas; Canterbury - Richborough - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Norman Banks

Prayer Requests:

Sunday 24 April

Easter 5Genesis 22.1-18Psalm 148Acts 11.1-18John 13.31-35

Tonbridge Deanery

For all those in leadership roles across the parishes to encourage each other in their walk with God.

Building on the Deanery celebration of lay ministry on 30 January to encourage lay ministry and the involvement of the laity throughout the Deanery.

Giving thanks for the attendance at the Easter services and pray that all will take something lasting of what Jesus’ death on the cross really means.

For PCCs across the Deanery in the season of Annual Meetings and that God will call and equip people to serve in this leadership role.

The benefice of Hever, Four Elms and Mark Beech as they enter an interregnum and for all the grace and strength they need during the vacancy, and St Stephen, Tonbridge – for their new Associate Vicar, the Rev Eric Hornbuckle, newly licensed.

Rochester Diocese: Tonbridge DeaneryRural Dean: The Rev Mark Brown; Lay Chair: Mrs Carol Wake

Anglican Communion: PRAY for The Episcopal Church in Jerusalem & The Middle East: The Most Rev Dr Mouneer Hanna Anis Archbishop, Jerusalem & the Middle East & Bishop in Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa

Prayer Requests:

Monday25 AprilMark the Evangelist

Rochester Diocese: Wilmington, St Michael and All AngelsVicar: The Rev Richard Arding

Anglican Communion:

Cape Coast - (Ghana, West Africa) The Rt Rev Dr Victor Atta-Baffoe

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday26 April

Rochester Diocese: People who have recently moved into the area

Anglican Communion: Cape Town - Table Bay - (Southern Africa) The Rt Rev Garth Counsell

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday27 AprilChristina Rosetti, poet, 1894

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, Holy TrinityVicar: The Rev Ann Richardson

Anglican Communion: Cashel & Ossory - (Dublin, Ireland) The Rt Rev Michael Andrew James Burrows

Prayer Requests:

“The merest grassAlong the roadside where we pass,Lichen and moss and sturdy weed,Tell of His love who sends the dew,The rain and sunshine too,To nourish one small seed.” Christina Rosetti 1830- 1894

Thursday28 AprilPeter Chanel, missionary, martyr 1841

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, St AugustinePriest-in-Charge: The Rev Jonathan Jennings

Anglican Communion: Central Buganda - (Uganda) The Rt Rev Jackson Matovu

Prayer Requests:

Friday 29 AprilCatherine of Siena, teacher of the faith, 1380

Rochester Diocese:Gillingham St BarnabasPriest-in-Charge: Vacant

Anglican Communion: Central Ecuador - (V, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Victor Scantlebury

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 30 AprilPandita Mary Ramabai, translator, 1922

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, St LukePriest-in-Charge: The Rev Paul Matthias

Anglican Communion: Central Florida - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Gregory Brewer; Central Gulf Coast - (IV, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Philip Duncan

Prayer Requests:

Sunday 1 May

Easter 6Ezekiel 37.1-14Psalm 67Acts 16.9-15John 5.1-9

Diocese of Mpwapwa

We give thanks for 25 years since the founding of this Diocese. We give thanks for Bishop Simon, the first Bishop of Mpwapwa and for his successor and current Bishop, the Most Rev Jacob Chimeledya, and all who have been, and currently are, part of the team sharing the light of Jesus across the Diocese.We pray for rains, that they will continue, not just in Mpwapwa but across the country, and that the drought will be broken and the harvest plentiful. We ask too, because the ground is dry and the rains may cause floods, that the people will be wise and careful, and stay safe, and we pray for those who lost their lives in the drownings in the Diocese (and in Kondoa and in Dar es Salaam).We give thanks for the early days of the new government in the country; we pray that they will be effective and honourable, and that the situation with Zanzibar will be clarified during further elections in March.And we pray especially for Jacob, who as well as his role in the Diocese, is also the Archbishop of Tanzania. At a time when he carries many responsibilities, we pray for his health, for his family and the diocesan team who see little of him, and all the Pastors and Katikisti in his Diocese. We ask for wisdom as he travels around the country, that he might give good council and encouragement, that he is upheld by the Spirit and remains physically and spiritually strong. Rochester Diocese: Our Link Diocese, Mpwpwa: Bishop, The Most Rev Jacob Chimeledya, Archbishop of Tanzania

Anglican Communion: PRAY for The Anglican Church of Kenya: The Most Rev Dr Eliud Wabukala Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya

Prayer Requests:

Monday2 MayPhilip and James, Apostles

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, St Mark, and St Mary’s IslandPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Saju Muthalaly

Anglican Communion:

(transferred from 1 May)Rogation Day

Central New York - (II, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Gladstone Adams

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday3 MayRogation Day

Rochester Diocese: Farmers and those whose livelihood depends on the land

Anglican Communion: Central Newfoundland - (Canada, Canada) The Rt Rev Frederick David Torraville

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday4 MayRogation DayEnglish Saints and Martyrs of the Reformation Era

Rochester Diocese: Gillingham, St Mary MagdalenePriest-in-Charge: The Rev Ade Lawal

Anglican Communion: Central Pennsylvania - (III, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Audrey Scanlon

Prayer Requests:

Thursday5 MayAscension Day

Rochester Diocese: Readers as they celebrate 150 years of Reader Ministry

Anglican Communion: A hymn of glory let us sing

New songs throughout the world shall ringChrist, by a road before untrodAscendeth to the throne of God.Alleluia

Prayer Requests:

Friday6 May

Rochester Diocese: Rainham, St MargaretVicar: The Rev Judy Henning

Anglican Communion: Central Philippines - (Philippines) The Rt Rev Dixie Copanut Taclobao

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 7 May

Rochester Diocese: South Gillingham: Hempstead, All Saints; Wigmore, St Matthew; Bredhurst, St Peter; and Parkwood, St PaulTeam Rector: The Rev Brian Senior

Anglican Communion: Central Solomons - (Melanesia) The Rt Rev Ben Seka

Prayer Requests:

Sunday 8 MaySunday after Ascension Day

Easter 7Ezekiel 36.24 – 28Psalm 97Acts 16.16-34John 17.20-end

Strood Deanery

Pray for the churches on the Peninsula, as they work together as a Group, and especially now with a vacancy at Cliffe with Cooling, giving thanks there for the ministry of the Rev Jill Wright during the interregnum.

Pray for “Who Cares”, an organisation on the Peninsula made up of folk from churches and other agencies, which seeks to help vulnerable and isolated people.

Give thanks for the completion of the work on the interior of Hoo St Werburgh and pray for God’s blessing on the church and wider community in the new flexibility that has been created.

Pray for the Strood Cluster of churches, giving thanks for our two new Incumbents, the Rev Sharon Copestake and the Rev Nicholas Cooper. Pray for guidance in the ongoing vision and life of this group.

Rochester Diocese: Strood DeaneryArea Dean: The Rev David Green; Lay Chair: Mr Geoff Foord

Anglican Communion: PRAY for The Anglican Church of Korea: The Most Rev Paul Kim Primate of the Anglican Church of Korea and Bishop of Seoul

Prayer Requests:

Monday 9 May

Rochester Diocese: Chalk, St Mary the VirginVicar: The Rev Nigel Bourne

Anglican Communion: Central Tanganyika - (Tanzania) The Rt Rev Dickson

Chilongani

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday10 May

Rochester Diocese: Diocesan Resourcing & Support TeamDirector: Mr Geoff Marsh

Anglican Communion: Central Zambia - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Derek Gary Kamukwamba

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday 11 May

Rochester Diocese: Gravesend, Holy Family, with Ifield, St MargaretPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Richard Martin

Anglican Communion: Central Zimbabwe - (Central Africa) The Rt Rev Ishmael Mukuwanda

Prayer Requests:

“You would know our Lord’s meaning in this thing! Know it well. Love was his meaning. Who showed it you? Love. What did he show you? Love. Why did he show you? Love. Why did he show it? For love.”

Julian of Norwich c.1343-1417

Thursday 12 May

Rochester Diocese: Gravesend, St AidanVicar: The Rev Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy

Anglican Communion: Chandigarh - (North India) The Rt Rev Younas Massey

Prayer Requests:

Friday13 May

Rochester Diocese: Gravesend, St GeorgeRector: The Rev Canon Chris Stone

Anglican Communion: Chelmsford - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Stephen Geoffrey Cottrell; Chelmsford - Barking - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Peter Hill; Chelmsford - Bradwell - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev John Wraw; Chelmsford - Colchester - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Anthony Brett Morris

Prayer Requests:

Saturday 14 MayMatthias the Apostle

Rochester Diocese:Gravesend, St MaryVicar: The Rev Trudi Oliver

Anglican Communion: Madras - (South India) The Rt Rev Dr Vedanayagam Devasahayam

Prayer Requests:

Sunday 15 MayWhitsun;Christian Aid Week begins

PentecostGenesis 11.1-9Psalm 104.26-endActs 2.1-21John 14.8-17

Christian Aid Week

Pray for the workers for Christian Aid as they, with their partner organisations, work in Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Gaza, Iraq, the Philippines, Vanuatu, Thailand, Syria, among others places, to alleviate poverty and rebuild lives.

Pray for them, too, as they keep structures in place to respond to emergencies across the world.

Pray for all those running Christian Aid Church services today, for those who will deliver and collect donation envelopes in house to-house collections this week and all running fundraising events. Pray too, for all considering whether to give money.

Above all pray for all those dependant on this kind of help, whose lives have been devastated by famine, war, wind or flood. That they may know they are not forgotten, not by God nor by his children.

Rochester Diocese: Christian Aid co-ordinators in the Diocese.

Anglican Communion: PRAY for the Anglican Church of Melanesia: The Most Rev David Vunagi Archbishop of Melanesia and Bishop of Central Melanesia

Prayer Requests:

Monday 16 MayOrdinary Time resumes today.Caroline Chisholm,

Rochester Diocese: Greenhithe, St MaryPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Andrew Avery

Anglican Communion:Chester - (York, England) The Rt Rev Dr Peter Robert Forster; Chester - Birkenhead - (York, England) The

Social Reformer, 1877

Rt Rev Keith Sinclair; Chester - Stockport - (York, England) The Rt Rev Libby Lane

Prayer Requests:

Tuesday 17 May

Rochester Diocese: Bishop’s Chaplains gathering today

Anglican Communion: Chhattisgarh - (North India) The Rt Rev Purna Sagar Nag

Prayer Requests:

Wednesday18 May

Rochester Diocese: Milton, Christ ChurchVicar: The Rev Sue Brewer

Anglican Communion: Chicago - (VI, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev Jeffrey Lee; Assisting Bishop of Chicago - (VI, The Episcopal Church) The Rt Rev John Buchanan

Prayer Requests:

“In thee would we lose ourselves utterly; do in us what thou wilt.”

Jacob Boehme 1575-1624 Thursday19 May Dunstan, Archbishop, monastic reformer, 988

Rochester Diocese: Milton, St Peter and St PaulRector: The Rev Graham Herbert

Anglican Communion: Chichester - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Martin Warner; Chichester - Horsham - (Canterbury, England) The Rt Rev Mark Sowerby; Chichester -

Lewes - (Canterbury, England) The Rev Richard Charles Jackson

Prayer Requests:

Friday 20 MayAlcuin, Deacon, Abbott, 804

Rochester Diocese: Northfleet, St Botolph, and Rosherville, St MarkTeam Rector: The Rev Lawrence Smith

Anglican Communion: The Most Rev Hector Zavala Muñoz Presiding Bishop of the Anglican Church of South America & Bishop of Chile; Suffragan Bishop of Chile - (South America) The Rt Rev Abelino Manuel Apeleo

Prayer Requests:

Saturday21 MayHelena, protector of the Holy Places, 330

Rochester Diocese: Perry Street, All SaintsPriest-in-Charge: The Rev Lawrence Smith

Anglican Communion: Chotanagpur - (North India) The Rt Rev B Baskey

Prayer Requests:

Sunday 22 May

Trinity SundayProverbs 8.1-4, 22-31Psalm 8Romans 5.1-5John 16.12-15

Tunbridge Wells Deanery

For the deanery as we revisit the mission and ministry plan in the light of developments in the Diocese and locally. We need something that enables us to be proactive as we consider the opportunities and challenges around us. The need for deeper collaboration is clear, including the working ecumenically.

Several parishes are waiting for a new incumbent. Pray for them as they navigate the interregnum and as they prepare for any changes which lie ahead. Pray particularly for Church Wardens and Licensed Lay Ministers and the extra work which comes their way at such times.

For ecumenical partnerships, especially with establishing a new resource centre to work with the homeless and others. Tunbridge Wells now has an established night shelter operating in several churches from January to early March but needs to be able to take this work forward from a proper centre through the rest of the year. The concern has been around for a number of years with several false starts. It would be good to make some real progress.

Rochester Diocese: Tunbridge Wells Deanery: Rural Dean, the Rev Canon Jim Stewart; Lay Chair, Mr Graham Syms

Anglican Communion: PRAY for La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico: The Most Rev Francisco Moreno Presiding Bishop of La Iglesia Anglicana de Mexico & Bishop of Northern Mexico

Prayer Requests: