Diocese of Chester

24 December - 21 April 2018Cycle of Prayer

Key:C = Clergy

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

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

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ForewordIn the hustle and bustle of daily life it is easy to forget prayer. We can get so immersed in the ‘doing’ that we forget the why – the beautiful message of love and the gift of understanding that Christ gives us. Our world is so full of challenge that we can feel drained just trying to process it all. We can become overwhelmed by news reports, the demands of work and family life, spiralling technological advances and the continuous onslaught of information and imagery.

This little book is a wonderful reminder to pause – to pause and pray. Prayer enables us to reconnect with the Kingdom of God, to remember others across the world and in our church both locally, nationally and internationally. Our connection is not just with the events of today but about the hope for tomorrow.

The imperative to act and speak in love of others, especially those who are vulnerable or facing injustice is at the heart of our faith. This thread is woven throughout the Old and New Testament as Jesus so powerfully reminds us through the words of Isaiah ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ (Luke 4: 18-19). Yet this takes effort, energy and bravery and may seem beyond us. Prayer can help us discern what we can do and gives us the strength to do it.

Indeed the ‘doing’ is only meaningful and sustainable if prayer is the foundation upon which action is taken. This cycle of prayer guides us to take action together – after we have paused with each other and God!

Debbie Dalby

Director of Social Responsibility

WelcomeGiven the exponential rise in the number of readers this small publication has seen – both in its print and online versions – a repeat explanation of its structure seems appropriate. Within its pages you will find an annual entry for each parish in our diocese. Parishes are usually cited by place name and entries are grouped by deaneries. Lay and ordained licensed ministers are named for each parish. Fuller formal details of each parish will be found in our sister publication, the Diocesan Year Book.

Parishes are encouraged to submit prayer requests to be included within the Cycle entry for each place. As space is limited such requests must necessarily be brief, but they are encouraged as an enhancement to our prayers for each other. Topics for inclusion need to be submitted to jane.hood@chester.anglican.org at least eight weeks prior to the cover date of the edition in which they are to be included.

Entries in italics are from the Anglican Communion Cycle of Prayer and cover every diocese in the 165 different countries where there is an Anglican presence. More details can be found via the Anglican Communion website. The liturgical calendar used is that from Common Worship.

Sunday entries are topics associated with diocesan-wide efforts, anniversaries local, national or international, liturgical themes, and social issues. Indeed, the aim is to include the widest of concerns in these entries. They are often written by the person who suggested the topic, and, like the parish entries, copy needs to be submitted in plenty of time.

The Cycle is edited as part of the work of the Committee for Ministry. It is the prayer and hope of all those involved in its production that readers will continue to find it useful.

Christopher BurkettEditor and Director of Ministry

24 December - Christmas Eve Advent 4Saint Augustine, preaching at a midnight service in Hippo, in the first decade of the fifth century, said:‘Hasn’t God humbled himself enough for you? The one who was God has become man. The inn was crowded and cramped, so he was wrapped in rags, laid in a manger; you heard it when the gospel was read. Who wouldn’t be astonished? The one who filled the universe could find no room in a lodging house; laid in a feeding trough, he became our food.Let the two animals approach the manger, the two peoples. The ox, you see, recognizes its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger (Isaiah 1:3). Be in attendance at the manger, don’t be ashamed of being the Lord’s donkey. You will be carrying Christ, you won’t go astray, walking along the way; the way he is sitting on you. Do you remember that young donkey that was brought to the Lord? Don’t any of you feel ashamed – that’s what we are. Let the Lord sit upon us, and take us wherever he wants. We’re his mount, going to Jerusalem. With him seated on us we aren’t weighed down, but lifted up; with him guiding us, we can’t go wrong. We are going to him, we are going by him, we are not going off the rails.’Essential sermons: The Works of Saint Augustine. A translation for the 21st Century (translation by Edmund Hill). New City Press, New York (2007).

Pray that we may all carry the incarnate Lord every day.Bishop Markus Ibrahm, Yola (Jos, Nigeria)

25 December - DavenhamC: Rob Iveson, Ginnie Geraerts. LM: Philip Bishop, Dick Clague, Jim Kemp.Davenham C of E School.Archbishop Dr John Sentamu, York; Bishop Glyn Webster, York - Beverley;

Bishop Alison White, York - Hull; Bishop John Bromilow Thomson, York - Selby; Bishop Paul John Ferguson, York - Whitby (York, England)

26 December - DelamereSt StephenC: Elaine Ollman. LM: Gloria Ackerley.Delamere C of E Academy.

Bishop Ellison Quity, Ysabel (Melanesia)

27 December - HartfordSt JohnC: Mike Smith, Dimitri Allridge, George Agar, Alec Ham, Phil Highton. LM: David Charlton, Jeremy Hunns, Teresa Nixon, Nathan Phillingham.Hartford C of E High School.

Bishop Larry David Robertson, Yukon (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada)

28 December - Little BudworthThe Holy InnocentsC: Chris Humphries, John Stopford. LM: Pauline Hayward, Joyce Scholefield.Please pray for our recently formed Community Choir, for the development of our work with children, and for the ‘Church in the Pits’ at Oulton Park in February.

Bishop Benjamin Vager, Zaki-Biam ( Abuja, Nigeria)

29 December - Lostock GralamC: Brian Harris. LM: Roger Kenrick, Joyce Kenrick, Graham Sheen.We give thanks for the faith, love and commitment of many in our congregations. We pray for the Spirit’s empowering and God’s resourcing as we seek to continuing in growth, especially through our outreach to families in the new housing in the parish and through the development of Messy Church.Lostock Gralam C of E High School.

Bishop Michael Hafidh, Zanzibar (Tanzania)

30 December - MiddlewichC: Simon Drew, Lorraine Reed, Thia Hughes, Liz Woode. LM: Julie Hassall, Steve Broadfoot, Jacqui Briscoe, Jeremy Coles, Duncan Goodwin, Tony Woode, Christine Hamill-Stewart, Sue Ikin, Anne Latham, Elaine Reynolds.Heavenly Father, give your people in Middlewich the courage and wisdom to proclaim your love to their community both in word and in action. May they truly be ‘all for Christ & Christ for all’.

Bishop Cornelius Salifu Bello, Zaria (Kaduna, Nigeria) Bishop Jacob Kwashi, Zonkwa ( Abuja, Nigeria)

31 December - Translating the BibleOn 31 December, the Church of England lectionary remembers John Wyclif (c.1330-84). Wyclif was an English academic who was born in Yorkshire and spent most of his life in Oxford. He is remembered as someone who prefigured many of the arguments Martin Luther was to put forward over a hundred years later, for example his insistence on the direct relationship between the Christian and Jesus Christ, unmediated by the priesthood. He also believed very strongly that the Bible should be available to everyone in their own language, and did much to encourage the translation of the Latin Bible into English. In this country we take it for granted that the Bible is there for us in our own language, in a multiplicity of different versions. But even today, 1.5 billion people across the world do not have access to the Bible in a language they know well. The work of Wycliffe Bible Translators (named after Wyclif) and others is helping to address this but it is a long and painstaking process. As we continue in this diocese to explore new ways of engaging with scripture in YBible, please pray for the vital work of Bible translation in today’s world.Mike Gilbertson, Archdeacon of Chester

Bishop Monument Makhanya, Zululand (Southern Africa)

1 January - MoultonThe Naming and Circumcision of JesusC: Mark Pickles. LM: Grant Davis, Alison Boulton.

Archbishop Ugochukwu Ezuoke, Aba; Bishop Nathan Kanu, Aba Ngwa North (Niger Delta, Nigeria)

2 January - Northwich (Castle) Holy TrinityC: Vacant. LM: Phil Baker, Jim Crawshaw, Malcolm Evans, Kenneth Smyth.We ask for prayer for our new mission initiatives as we seek to encourage new growth in our church.

Bishop Monday Nkwoagu, Abakaliki (Enugu, Nigeria)

3 January - Northwich (Winnington) St LukeC; Vacant. LM: Phil Baker, Jim Crawshaw, Malcolm Evans, Sue Renshaw, Kenneth Smyth.

Revd Canon Anne Dyer, Aberdeen & Orkney (Scotland)

4 January - Over St ChadC: Chris Moore, Helena Roulston. LM: Christine Keay.Heavenly Father, at the beginning of this new year, we pray for your blessing upon this whole community at Over. We give thanks for your grace and for your love, praying that your wondrous gifts will inspire us to love and serve each other in the way of truth.Winsford St Chad’s C of E High School.

Bishop Daniel Sylvanus Mensah Torto, Accra (Ghana, West Africa)

5 January - Over St JohnC: George Crowder.Pray for our outreach to local schools and the ‘Harambe’ partnership project with churches and schools in South Western Uganda.Pray for people training in one to one discipleship and biblical counsellingOver St John C of E High School.

Bishop Geoffrey Martyn Smith, Adelaide; Bishop Christopher McLeod, Assistant Bishop of Adelaide & National Aboriginal Bishop (South Australia,

Australia); Bishop Tim Harris, Bishop for Mission and Evangelism (Australia)

6 January - SandiwayThe EpiphanyC: John Hughes. LM: Hilary Chambers, Jo Whittall, Sue Hadden, Paul Stephenson, Marian Harris, Dug Harris, Andrew Hardy, Emma Nicholl.

7 January - The Baptism of ChristOur early Christian forebears had real difficulty with the fact that Jesus submitted himself to a baptism of repentance and the forgiveness of sins. He who was sinless makes himself one with the sinful. Hence the appeal in Matthew to the inscrutable will of God: ‘Let it be so for now. For in this way we shall do all that God requires.’ In John’s Gospel there is no direct reference to the baptism at all. Yet this is the moment when Christ’s individual act becomes the falling domino that will lead to so many other acts.The early Christians used characters from the Hebrew Bible to interpret what was going on here, and to make plain the connection between the personal and the social. So, Jesus is the new David, anointed to kingship to ransom his people Israel. Jesus is the new Noah who will bear his people through the destructive waters of death and sin. Jesus is the new Moses, who will lead his people beyond the reach of their enemies through the waters of the Red Sea of despair and power’s abuse. And Jesus is the new Joshua who will lead his people over the troubled Jordan to the promised land of God’s Kingdom. All these things begin in the waters of Jesus’ baptism.

Pray that we may realize the power of Christ’s baptism in our own discipleship.

Archbishop Winston Halapua Bishop of Polynesia and Primate and Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and

Polynesia; Archbishop Philip Richardson, Bishop of Taranaki (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia)

8 January - WeaverhamC: Andrew Brown, Jenny Brown. LM: Linda Jones, Gilly Latham, Herbert Manley, Mike Sanders, Jules Sanders, Brian Stevens.Please pray for Chaos: our Messy Church, as we seek to reach young families in the village. Also please pray for confidence in the faith, that we might share the wonderful Good News we have received.

Bishop Paul Uduogu, Afikpo (Enugu, Nigeria)

9 January - WhartonC: Tim Hanson, Matt Guest. LM: Irene Greenhough.Wharton C of E High School.

Bishop Prem Prakash Habil, Agra (North India)

10 January - WhitegateC: Chris Humphries, John Stopford. LM: Teresa Finney, Pauline Hayward, Joyce Scholefield.Please pray for the children, staff, parents and governors at Whitegate CE School in this new term. Also for our toddlers group ‘Minnows’, and for our plans for a stewardship renewal after EasterWhitegate C of E High School.

Archbishop Christian Efobi, Aguata (Niger, Nigeria) Bishop Clement Ekpeye, Ahoada (Niger Delta, Nigeria)

11 January - Witton (Northwich)C: Alison Harris, Jane Millinchip, Mark Green. LM: David Drinkwater, Simon Gowler, Berenice Kirwan, Andrew Mallin-Jones.Pray for our vision project, ‘Promising Future’, as we progress plans for improvements to the church, for a car park and for an extension, to improve our facilities to be more effective in our mission and ministry.Witton Church Walk C of E School.

Bishop Nathan Ingen, Aipo Rongo (Papua New Guinea)

12 January - Macclesfield DeaneryFor all the God can do within us,For all that God can do without us, Thanks be to God.Extract from The Pattern of our Days from the Iona Community:

Bishop Olugbenga Oduntan, Ajayi Crowther (Ibadan, Nigeria)

13 January - BollingtonC: Veronica Hydon. LM: Anne Coomes, Beverley Nixon.Pray for the head teachers at our two church primary schools: Melanie Walker and Yenson Donbavand. Also pray for the success of our building project aimed at enhancing the hospitality of St Oswald’s.Bollington Cross C of E High School.

Bishop Gabriel Akinbiyi, Akoko (Ondo, Nigeria); Bishop Jolly Oyekpen, Akoko Edo (Bendel, Nigeria)

14 January - Second Sunday of EpiphanyThe Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditional observed in the octave leading to the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul (18-25 January). This year the themes of the daily material produced by Churches Together, based on Exodus 15, raise some of the contemporary issues addressed by the churches of the Caribbean. Abuses of human rights are found across the region and we are challenged to consider our manner of welcoming of the stranger into our midst. Human trafficking and modern-day slavery are huge issues, and addiction to pornography and drugs, continue to be serious challenges to all societies. The debt crisis has a negative impact upon the nations and upon individuals – the economies of nation states and people have become precarious. Family life is challenged by the economic restrictions which lead to migration, domestic abuse and violence. The Caribbean Churches work together to heal the wounds in the body of Christ. Reconciliation demands repentance, reparation and the healing of memories. The whole Church is called to be both a sign and an active agent of this reconciliation.

Pray for united Christian witness that all may be free.Drawn from the website: ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-2018, from where resources may be downloaded.

Archbishop Philip Leslie Freier, Archbishop of Melbourne & Primate of Australia

15 January - BosleyC: John Harries, Kim Quak-Winslow. LM: Judith Harries. Bosley St Mary’s C of E High School.

Bishop Isaac Dhieu Ater, Akot (Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan)

16 January - GawsworthC: William Pwaisiho. LM: Keith Parrott.Give thanks for the unity and cooperation between our the Parish Church and the Methodist Chapel congregations especially in pulpit sharing as well as joint activities in the Community.

Bishop Simeon Borokini, Akure (Ondo, Nigeria)17 January - Henbury and Broken CrossC: Tim Robinson, Norma Robinson.

Bishop John Sloan, Alabama (IV, The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop William Love, Albany (II, The Episcopal Church, USA)

18 January - HurdsfieldC: James Gibson. LM: Eileen Delight, Andy Leary, Hellen Watson, Melissa Wearden.Please pray for us as we seek to engage more deeply with our local community through the new community café, and the local school. Also, we have a few changes in our team coming up in this year, please pray that we may have wisdom and discernment as we seek recruit new people. And finally, please pray that God would continue to use us to build His kingdom here in Hurdsfield.

Bishop Mark Lattime, Alaska (VIII, The Episcopal Church, USA)

19 January - Macclesfield St Michael & All Angels (Part of Team)C: Martin Stephens, Karen Brady, Rob Wardle. LM: Lynne Spedding, Mike Strutt.Give thanks for the opportunities of being a visible and open Christian presence in the centre of town. Pray for our Lent Course ‘Everybody Welcome’, as we seek to transform our church by improving our approach to visitors and newcomers.

Bishop Anne Germond, Algoma (Ontario, Canada)

20 January - Macclesfield St JohnC: Tim Robinson, Norma Robinson.Macclesfield St John the Evangelist C of E High School.

Bishop Saulo Mauricio de Barros, Amazon (Brazil)

21 January - Concorde’s first commercial flightThe Third Sunday of Epiphany

Although the Anglo-French aircraft Concorde completed its first successfully supersonic flight inin October 1969, it wasn’t until 21 January 1976 that the first commercial flight took place – on that day a British Airways’ Concorde

flew from London to Bahrain as an Air France Concorde flew from Paris to Rio de Janeiro. A ticket on the Bahrain flight cost £356, only some £50 more than a first-class ticket on a conventional plane. It looked as if the era of supersonic flight had dawned – at least for those who could afford a premium rate fare. Despite its early promise, just 27 years after that inaugural flight Concorde’s commercial operation ceased.Ever since that last scheduled service just why the plane failed to live up to its promise has been hotly debated. Some say it was simply too noisy and too fuel hungry. Others say the inherently conservative nature of airlines did for it – only 20 commercial versions were built and sold. Yet others point to unrelated incidents and accidents that dogged the plane’s reputation, culminating in a tragic crash in Parish in 2000 which cost 113 lives. Or perhaps it was simply that a plane designed for speed couldn’t compete in a market that more and more is about volume of passengers. Whatever the reasons Concorde stands as a tangible symbol of the difficulties of marrying technological advance and marketability.

Pray for all whose jobs depend on the marketability of advanced technology.Archbishop Paul Shishir Sarker, Moderator, Church of Bangladesh & Bishop

of Dhaka

22 January - Macclesfield St PaulC: Michael Fox. Please pray for the work of our Worship, Community & Refurbishment Mission Groups as we begin to implement the plans for our new 2020 Vision: ‘Living, loving, serving and growing together with God’.

Bishop Ephraim Ikeakor, Amichi (Niger, Nigeria)

23 January - North RodeC: William Pwaisiho.Give thanks for the achievements in providing facilities of a kitchen and toilet in the Church for our use, pray for young families to take a more active role and a sense of family and community who values the Church now and in the future.Bishop Pradeep Samantaroy, Amritsar; Bishop Christopher Paul, Andaman

& Car Nicobar Islands (North India)

24 January - Pott ShrigleyC: David Swales. LM: John Ryley.Pott Shrigley C of E School.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, Primate and Archbishop of All Kenya; Bishop David Mutisya, All Saints Cathedral Diocese – Garissa Missionary Area; Bishop Cleti Ogeto, Suffragan Bishop All Saints Cathedral Diocese

(Kenya)

25 January - PrestburyThe Conversion of PaulC: Patrick Angier, Avril Ravenscroft, Stephen Callis, Michelle Goodrich. LM: Andrea Fitton, Anne Stirling, Margaret Tate, Keith Ravenscroft.Prestbury C of E High School.

Bishop Barbara Jean Andrews, Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (formerly Cariboo) -- (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada)

26 January - Bishop LibbyLibby Lane, consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Stockport (York Minster, 2015). On this anniversary of her consecration, pray for Bishop Libby’s ministry.

Bishop Andre Soares, Angola (Missionary Diocese) – (Southern Africa)

27 January - Rainow with Saltersford and ForestC: Steve Rathbone.

Bishop Sheldon Mwesigwa, Ankole (Uganda)

28 January - National Storytelling Week (27 January to 3 February)Fourth Sunday of Epiphany

National Storytelling Week began in the year 2000 as an initiative to increase public awareness of the art, practice and value of oral storytelling. It is held during the first week of February every year. This week was chosen because it is not too close to

Christmas and it coincides with Candlemas (2nd February). Part of the traditional rituals for Candlemas includes a blessing on the throat, a prime tool in the store of nearly all storytellers of every belief and culture.The week is promoted by The Society for Storytelling. The Society was set up to promote the oldest art form in the world – oral storytelling. Storytelling is at the root of every art form: we think in story form, make sense of our world in narrative – from something we’ve seen, through last night’s television, to what family and folk stories we remember and retell. Performance storytelling can be a powerful experience, both entertaining and moving. Story is also the traditional medium of communication from generation to generation, and a tool for education and therapy.

Pray for story-tellers and for an insightful use of story amongst us.This entry taken from the website of the Society for Storytelling, where more information can be found: https://www.sfs.org.uk/

Archbishop Francisco De Assis Da Silva, Primate of Brazil & Bishop of South-Western Brazil

29 January - Sutton St JamesC: John Harries, Kim Quak-Winslow. LM: Judith Harries, Jennifer Kendal.

Bishop Samoela Jaona Ranarivelo, Antananarivo; Bishop Todd Andrew McGregor, Antananarivo – Tulear (Indian Ocean)

30 January - Upton PrioryC: Vacanct, Stephen Callis, Avril Ravenscroft.

Bishop Theophile Botomazava, Antsiranana (Indian Ocean)

31 January - WildboarcloughC: John Harries, Kim Quak-Winslow. LM: Judith Harries.

Vacant, Aotearoa (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia)

1 February - WincleC: John Harries, Kim Quak-Winslow. LM: Judith Harries. Wincle C of E School.

Bishop Kevin Pearson, Argyll & The Isles (Scotland)

2 February - Macclesfield St Peter (Part of Team)The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)C: Martin Stephens. LM: Judith Gibson.Give thanks for the many people who are involved in the various aspects of church life, from worship and the community gardens to the toddler group and pastoral care. Pray for positive faith conversations to occur in these various settings.

Bishop Kirk Smith, Arizona (VIII, The Episcopal Church, USA); Bishop Larry Benfield, Arkansas (VII, The Episcopal Church, USA)

3 February - Macclesfield All Saints (Part of Team)C: Martin Stephens. LM: Chris Gleaves, Robert Marshall, Liz Varney.Give thanks for an enduringly committed, generous and faithful church membership. Pray for relationships within our church and the wider team ministry, especially as we welcome and work with a new Team Vicar.

Bishop Richard Lewers, Armidale (New South Wales, Australia)

4 February - Living with DementiaThe Second Sunday before Lent

A thought from John Swinton, Professor of Practical Theology and Pastoral Care at the University of Aberdeen provides a focus for our prayers today: ‘If we don’t visit one another, if we don’t take time to be present for one another, we will never see dementia for what it really is. So, my concluding thought would be quite simple: we must visit one another – spend time together and offer friendship, respite, relief, listening, and loving presence to both sufferers and carers. We must give people with dementia the benefit of the doubt, and not allow the stories that we assumed to be so convincing to prevent us from seeing the face of Jesus in these struggling ones. As we do these things, as we practice such ways, God is worshiped and attended to. As we do these things, so a little piece of heaven has revealed on earth.’John Swinton, Dementia: Living in the Memories of God (Cambridge: Eerdmans), page 286.

Pray for those living with dementia, for their loved ones and their carers.Archbishop Martin Nyaboho, Archbishop of Burundi & Bishop of Makamba

5 February - Macclesfield St Barnabas (Part of Team)C: Martin Stephens, Rob Wardle. LM: Fran Hiles, Glenys Hibbert. Give thanks for the vibrancy and discomfort of a recently-started mid-week toddler group, for the new contacts being made, and the effect this is having on Sunday worship. Pray for all church members as we seek to serve our local community with love, integrity and a living faith.

Bishop Johnson Onuoha, Arochukwu/Ohafia (Aba, Nigeria)

6 February - Macclesfield Bollinbrook C of E School

Bishop Georges Titre Ande, Aru (Congo)

7 February - Wallasey DeaneryBishop Justus Mogekwu, Asaba (Bendel, Nigeria)

8 February - LeasoweC: Vacant. LM: Diana Jones.Leasowe The Holy Spirit RC / C of E School.

Bishop Cyril Ben-Smith, Asante-Mampong (Ghana, West Africa)

9 February - Liscard the ResurrectionC: Vacant. LM: Graham Mitchell, Ruth Williams.

Bishop Fraser Lawton, Athabasca (Rupert’s Land, Canada)

10 February - Liscard St ThomasC: Robert Nelson.

Bishop Robert C Wright, Atlanta (IV, The Episcopal Church, USA)

11 February - The Sunday Next before LentIt was potentially foolish of Valentine, whose feast day coincides with Ash Wednesday this week, to perform Christian marriage ceremonies against the command of Emperor Claudius. But his actions, which led to his beating, stoning and decapitation, were a clear Christian witness. They sprang, we can assume, from a love of God and a willingness to be a ‘fool for Christ’ (1 Cor 4:10). Valentine rejected cultural norms in favour of doing what he believed to be right, under God. He may have seemed like a fool, but is remembered as a saint.Lent invites us to reject cultural norms and values, at the risk of being regarded as foolish. We are invited to

recognise the times when lust replaces love, when we worship the creation and not the creator. Lent is a time of reflection and a time of repentance. We remember the foolishness of Jesus, who rejected earthly power and embraced the vulnerability of the cross. We are inspired to be fools, in his name.Which brings us from February 14th to April Fools’ Day, which coincides, this year, with Easter Day. We will be regarded as fools if we believe in resurrection, but ‘the foolishness of God is wiser than any human wisdom.’ (1 Cor 1:25)

Pray for all who seem foolish in others’ eyes when they stand up for Christ.Peter Mackriell, Director of Studies for Pastoral Workers, Vicar of Kelsall.

Archbishop Frederick Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

12 February - New Brighton St James with EmmanuelC: Heather Atkinson. LM: Ron Jones.

Bishop Moses Anur, Attooch (Upper Nile, South Sudan)

13 February - PoultonC: Peter Cooper. LM: Rob Woodburn, Lesley Roberts.

Bishop Ross Bay; Bishop James White Auckland (Aotearoa NZ & Polynesia)

14 February - SeacombeC: Peter Cooper. LM: John Riddiough.

Bishop Abraham Yel Nhial, Aweil; Bishop Michael Deng, Aweil – Abyei Area; Bishop David Akau Kuol, Awerial (Bahr El Ghazal, South Sudan)

15 February - Wallasey St HilaryC: Alan Ward, Calum Piper. LM: Catherine Godfrey, Valerie Sparks, John Tomkins.

Bishop Emmaunuel Ugwu, Awgu / Aninri (Niger, Nigeria)

16 February - Wallasey St NicholasC: Jeff Staples. Louise Jones.Bishop Alexander Ibezim, Awka (Niger, Nigeria); Bishop J Akin Atere, Awori

(Lagos, Nigeria)

17 February - MoretonC: Graham Cousins, Debbie Stott, Jeremy Bentliff. LM: Beryl Blackman.Moreton Christ Church C of E School.

Bishop Joseph Adeyemi, Badagry (Lagos, Nigeria)

18 February - Lent 1Posters advertising The Kite Runner, ten years ago, carried the strapline ‘There is a way to be good again.’ It led to an online phenomenon. People recorded, on a website, reasons they felt shame or guilt. The need to be ‘good again’ seemed somehow overwhelming. More recently, Sara Miles’ book City of God was published. Sara offers ashes to strangers in public places on Ash Wednesday. Incredibly, the ministry is received by most. Apparently it’s a moment of truth that people need – ‘I’m alive, but I’m going to die’, ‘I’m not in control’. Sara sees it as standing against contemporary culture, admitting how things really are.Ash Wednesday is a day of penitence, a day when we come before God and say ‘this is how things are with me.’ It is also a day when we come before God as one of the human race, complicit in our collective wrongs, and say ‘this is how things are with us’. Beginning with this time of honesty, in Lent follows a time of self-examination, when things are foregone to make time for God, and eventually preparation for Holy Week and Easter. The deeper journey with God begins with honesty: ‘this is how things are with me.’

Pray for integrity and honesty in our keeping of Lent.Liz Shercliff, Director of Studies for Readers

Archbishop Albert Chama, Archbishop of Central Africa & Bishop of Northern Zambia

19 February - Mottram DeaneryBishop Garry Weatherill, Ballarat (Victoria, Australia)

20 February - Dukinfield St JohnC: Tim Hayes, Chris Viney. LM: Pat Bradshaw, Stuart Phillips.

Bishop Andrew John, Bangor (Wales)

21 February - Dukinfield St MarkC: Alison Cox, Jenny Dunlop. LM: Chantelle Tunnicliffe.

Bishop Alfred Patterson Worek, Banks & Torres (Melanesia)

22 February - Gee CrossC: Helen Scarisbrick. LM: Wendy Slinger, Wendy Stockton. We give thanks that God has brought Helen Scarisbrick to lead our church. We pray that Helen and her husband, Steve, may quickly settle in and that together we may clearly hear God’s plan for us. Gee Cross Holy Trinity C of E School.

Bishop Idris Zubairu, Bari (Kaduna, Nigeria)

23 February - HattersleyC: Lesley Atkins. LM: David Bentley, Pam Whittaker.

Bishop Shourabh Pholia, Barisal (Bangladesh)

24 February - HollingworthC: Bruce Perrin. LM: Stephen Cook, Janet Malpas.

Bishop Brojen Malakar, Barrackpore (North India)

25 February - Fairtrade Fortnight (26 February - 11 March)Lent 2‘For hundreds of years, we were taught to serve, to be workers. Now with Fairtrade, we are entrepreneurs,’ so says Marcial Quintero, member of Coobana, a Fairtrade banana co-operative in Panama. It’s a scandalous reality that millions of farmers and workers are still being ripped off despite working hard to provide the products we love. Unfairness in global trade is rooted in centuries of exploitation. Yet across the globe, Marcial and hard-working producers like him are unravelling this legacy. They’re fighting for a fair deal, supported by Fairtrade, earning their way out of poverty and transforming their communities.Together we’re stronger, and more people choosing, sharing and shouting about Fairtrade in the UK means more power to producers like Marcial to break the stranglehold of poverty prices. There’s never been a more important time to stand with producers through Fairtrade – to protect the progress achieved alongside them, and to welcome more people – supporters, producers, businesses– into Fairtrade.This Fairtrade Fortnight, we can stand with farmers like Marcial to close the door on exploitation, and welcome more people into Fairtrade. Marcial concludes, ‘Before joining Fairtrade we didn’t see any benefits, development or profit. The price we received per box wasn’t enough to cover our costs and for 17 years it didn’t change. Since starting with Fairtrade, it’s made a mega-revolution in our lives.’

Offer thanks for the benefits the Fairtrade movement brings to poor communities.Extracted from http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/ where more information can be found.

Archbishop Sturdie Downs, Primate of IARCA & Bishop of Nicaragua

26 February - Hyde St GeorgeC: Vacant. LM: Susan Nykorak, Katy Jones, Diane Deakins, David Hollington, Barbara Hollington, Marjorie Trueman.Please pray for us and our school and for the ongoing work of the parish of St George’s. We also ask that you pray for the new minister as we step forward in faith.Hyde st George’s C of E School.Bishop Peter Hancock, Bath & Wells; Bishop Ruth Worsley Bath & Wells –

Taunton (Canterbury, England)

27 February - Hyde St Thomas with Godley cum Newton GreenC: Vacant.

Bishop Ian Palmer, Bathurst (New South Wales, Australia)

28 February - MillbrookC: Tim Hayes, Chris Viney.

Bishop Musa Tula, Bauchi (Jos, Nigeria)

1 March - Mottram-in-LongdendaleC: James Halstead. LM: Callum Boothroyd, Alan Standeven, John Walker.Give thanks for Ruth our Parish Development Worker. Pray that the Holy Spirit will move through our congregation to help people recognise and use their talents. Please pray that the development plans for the church building will progress smoothly. Broadbottom C of E School. Mottram C of E School.

Bishop Philip Wright, Belize (West Indies)

2 March - Newton in Mottram with Flowery FieldC: Vacant. LM: Sara Burgess, Linda Marshall.

Bishop Andrew William Curnow, Bendigo (Victoria, Australia)

3 March - Stalybridge Holy TrinityC: Vacant. LM: Barry Edge, Clive Hustwick. Please pray for the ongoing ministry of Holy Trinity during vacancy and also for discernment in the appointment of a new incumbent.

Bishop Peter Imasuen, Benin (Bendel, Nigeria)

4 March - Frederic Shields and Evangelical Iconography

Lent 3On Tuesday (6th) Professor Philip Alexander is speaking at Hollybank House, University of Chester on the Victorian artist, Frederic Shields. A close friend of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, of Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood fame, Shields (1833-1911) was a well-respected artist in his day and much admired for his consummate draughtsmanship. His most substantial surviving work is the scheme of stained glass windows and mosaics in the Chapel of Eaton Hall, the Chester seat of the Duke of Westminster. Professor Alexander will argue that the depth of Shields’ iconography represents a distinctive Evangelical style that found its inspiration in the Evangelical Bible commentary of his period.The lecture’s theme prompts again consideration of how art and faith relate to one another. Although Bible stories and themes may not find as wide a place in contemporary visual arts as they did in Shields’ day, they nevertheless continue exercise influence of the artistic imagination. Shields’ work illustrates that sources and inspiration is drawn from wider arenas than we may suppose.

Pray for contemporary artists working with the themes of faith.The 7.30pm lecture is open to all for a small admission charge.

Archbishop Zacharie Masimango Katanda, Archbishop of the Congo & Bishop of Kindu

5 March - Stalybridge St PaulC: Emma Handley. LM: John Clements. We thank God for the way in which Messy Church is bringing new families into our church. We pray for the Alpha course, that it will deepen faith and a sense of fellowship and have impact wider than our church.Stalybridge St Paul’s C of E School.

Bishop Sean Rowe, Bethlehem (III, The Episcopal Church, USA)

Copyright: National Portrait Gallery, London

6 March - TintwistleC: Bruce Perrin.Tintwistle C of E School.

Bishop Robert Ali, Bhopal (North India)

7 March - Wirral North DeaneryPray for initiatives in the deanery with children and young people, for good work in schools and church young people’s groups.

Bishop Jonah Kolo, Bida ( Abuja, Nigeria)

8 March - Bishop KeithKeith Sinclair, consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Birkenhead (York Minster, 2007). On this anniversary of his consecration, pray for Bishop Keith’s ministry.

Bishop David Andrew Urquhart, Birmingham; Bishop Anne Elizabeth Hollinghurst, Birmingham – Aston (Canterbury, England)

Bishop Julian Tudor Henderson, Blackburn; Bishop Philip North, Blackburn – Burnley; Bishop Geoffrey Seagrave Pearson, Blackburn – Lancaster

(York, England)

9 March - Barnston C: Peter Froggatt, Chris Murphy. LM: Lynn Alexander, Marjorie Burden, Carol Jordan, Jane McCallum, David Williams, Chrissie Irlam, John Putnam, David Reed, Ann Vassie, Ali Johnson, Eileen Hindley.Thank God for churches striving to make Jesus known and to be salt and light in our communities.

Bishop Emmanuel Tucker, Bo (Sierra Leone) – (West Africa, West Africa)

10 March - BebingtonC: David Vestergaard, Al Rodgers. LM: Helen Thomas, Amy Haigh, Matt Fairhead, Judith Battersby, David Jack, Ian Halliday. Please pray our major roof repair project and other works happening this year; for our developing engagement with the community; and for building our congregations and drawing people to Jesus Christ.Bebington St Andrew’s C of E School.

Bishop Mugenyi William Bahemuka, Boga (Congo)

11 March - Lent 4 (Mothering Sunday) Spare a thought for ministers who have agonised over how to get today ‘right’. Mothering Sunday seems fraught with angst: how do we honour care-givers without excluding others? How do we emphasise the motherhood of the Church while being mindful of those badly damaged by the institution? How do we rehearse old narratives about those in service returning to their mother church, without rehashing last year’s sermon? How do we celebrate love while making space for harrowing stories of abuse that must be heard?‘Parenting is a mirror that forces you to look at yourself,’ writes Mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn. ‘We see in a mirror, dimly,’ writes St Paul. Our relationships are but mirrors, dim and dark: shadowy likenesses of the pure, radiant love we find in the God who mothers us as Her cherished children.If my love for my children is a dim reflection of God’s love, then I know that divine love to be wild and untamed; unceasingly lavish and intensely passionate; always forgiving and endlessly patient. In the frailty and failure of our own broken relationships, we gather today before a God who holds us with ardent, motherly tenderness, and whispers again: All shall be well.

Pray for all observing Mothering Sunday.Jenny Bridgman, Associate Vicar of Timperley

Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury

12 March - Frankby with GreasbyC: Ken Owen. Give thanks that the building of a new church hall is now completed, and pray that it will be a useful asset in our church’s ministry in the local community.

Bishop Raphael Samuel, Bolivia (South America)

13 March - Great MeolsC: Gillian Rossiter, Karl Williams. LM: Chris Branch, David Moss, Julia Johnson, Lesley Young.

Bishop Johannes Angela, Bondo (Kenya)

14 March - HeswallC: Martin Cannam, Jacky Wise, Alan Leach, Lyn Weston. LM: Michael Barritt, Sam Denniss, Arthur Rixon, Peter Twin, Brenda Wilson.Heswall St Peter’s C of E School.

Bishop Ruben Akurdid Ngong, Bor (Upper Nile, South Sudan)

15 March - Higher BebingtonC: Mike Loach, Eunice Blackmore. LM: June Fogg, Ted Jones, Jill Wright.

Bishop Metlhayotlhe Rawlings Belemi, Botswana (Central Africa)

16 March - HoylakeC: Paul Rossiter, Karl Williams, John Harrison. LM: Ruth Calcott, Jill Rawlcliffe, Peter Ham.Hoylake Holy Trinity C of E School.

Bishop William Cliff, Brandon (Rupert’s Land, Canada)

17 March - New FerryC: Andy Greenhough, Peter Chamberlin. LM: Jim Cartwright, Mike Gillam.

Bishop Maurício Jose Araujo De Andrade, Brasilia (Brazil)

18 March - St CuthbertLent 5

Tuesday (20th) is the feast day of St Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, this is part of the Venerable Bede’s account of him from Chapter 26 of his Life and Miracles of St Cuthbert (c. 721) in the translation by J.A. Giles:‘Cuthbert’s manner of life in his bishopric.THE venerable man of God, Cuthbert, adorned the office of bishop, which he had undertaken, by the exercise of many virtues, according to the precepts and examples of the Apostles. For he protected the people committed to his

care with frequent prayers, and invited them to heavenly things by most wholesome admonitions, and followed that system which most facilitates teaching, by first doing himself what he taught to others. He saved the needy man from the hand of the stronger, and the poor and destitute from those who would oppress them. He comforted the weak and sorrowful; but he took care to recall those who were sinfully rejoicing to that sorrow which is according to godliness. Desiring still to exercise his usual frugality, he did not cease to observe the severity of a monastic life, amid the turmoil by which he was surrounded. He gave food to the hungry, raiment to the shivering, and his course was marked by all the other particulars which adorn the life of a pontiff. The miracles with which he shone forth to the world bore witness to the virtues of his own mind, some of which we have taken care briefly to hand down to memory.’Offer thanks for the Celtic saints, and pray for all who draw inspiration from them.

Archbishop Paul Kwong, Archbishop of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui & Bishop of Hong Kong Island

19 March - Upton (Overchurch)C: Graeme Skinner, Nicola Eastwood. LM: Lorraine Williams, Rhonda Anson, Jenny Archer, Laura Arnold, Alison Collins, Peter Davies, Cat Farrell, Malcolm Haigh, Malcolm Kydd, Gaynor Kydd, Rebecca Steele. Please pray for new disciples and growing disciples. New opportunities with new buildings. A unique set of Big Events to mark 150 years.

Bishop Michael Arthur Hill, Bristol; Bishop Lee Stephen Rayfield, Bristol – Swindon (Canterbury, England)

20 March - ThurstastonC: Jane Turner. LM: Alan Jones.Pray that all our services, both church and school, will be a witness to the love and forgiveness found at the wondrous cross and a celebration of eternal life found in the resurrection.Thurstaston Dawpool C of E School.

Archbishop Phillip John Aspinall, Brisbane (Queensland, Australia); Bishop Ian Keese Lambert, Anglican Bishop to the Australian Defence Force

(Australia); Bishop Jonathan Holland, Brisbane – Northern Region; Bishop Alison Taylor, Brisbane – Southern Region; Bishop Cameron Venables,

Brisbane – Western Region (Queensland, Australia)

21 March - Newton West KirbyC: Cheryl Coverley. LM: Anthony Hart, Martin Smith.

Bishop Nigel Peyton, Brechin (Scotland)

22 March - West Kirby St AndrewC: Peter Walsh. LM: Ken Jones.Pray for the keeping of a faithful Holy Week by all the family of S. Andrew’s Church and community.

Bishop Logan McMenamie, British Columbia (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada)

23 March - West Kirby St BridgetC: John Bleazard, David Chester, Emma Speake. LM: Brian Dodd, Graham Crowder, Mary Lynch, John Smith.West Kirby St Bridget’s C of E School.

Bishop Evariste Nijimbere, Buhiga (Burundi)

24 March - Poulton LancelynC: Roger Wiles. LM: Michael Clarkson, Paul Crowther, Alan Jones.Please pray for our Maundy Thursday meal, Good Friday and Easter Sunday services. Pray many people in our neighbourhood who don’t usually come to church may come along and hear the gospel. Pray a good number may sign up for our next Christianity Explored Course and we’d have the joy of witnessing the growth of Christ’s Kingdom as more people submit to His Lordship.

Bishop Eraste Bigirimana, Bujumbura (Burundi)

25 March - Encounters on the Way

Palm SundayUnexpected encounters can be the joy of journeys but preoccupation with getting where I want to go dulls the imagination. The averted eyes, the impatient sighs, the rush to the platform or the boarding gate; are signs that say it all. But God refuses to leave us in our self-absorption. The crowd intent on their Passover pilgrimages that first Palm Sunday suddenly found a shared voice in a wholly unexpected shout: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ The city went wild with excitement. Even the sophisticated urbanites found that something good can come from the backwaters of rural Nazareth.The road of faith overturns our self-concern, lets us leave our burdens aside, and calls us into unlikely, but joyful, company. Ours is a God of the brief encounter on the only journey that ultimately matters – the journey towards God. And, lest the clouds of (Good) Friday obscure the way, we know also of two sad friends journeying to Emmaus who met their Risen Lord, and although they knew him not, it was like a fire burning within them. May our experience also be profound and Godly meetings on the Way.

In the kingdom of heaven is my end and my beginningAnd the road that I must follow night and day.Travel on, travel on to the kingdom that is coming,The kingdom will be with you all the way.Sydney Carter (1915-2004)

Pray for space and time to meet God in our journeys.Archbishop Suheil Dawani Archbishop, Jerusalem & the Middle East &

Archbishop in Jerusalem

26 March - Nantwich DeaneryThe deanery is diverse, from rural to urban in Crewe, with outwardly different needs yet our hope is the same - to share the love of God in ways appropriate to our communities and wisdom to know how we may support each other across the deanery.

Bishop Sylvestre Bahati, Bukavu (Congo)

27 March - ActonC: Anne Lawson.Give thanks that some who come to ‘Tea at the Tower’ are finding their way into regular worship. Please pray for St Mary’s as we continue to explore ways of engaging with the community around us.

Bishop Samuel Egesa, Bukedi (Uganda)

28 March - AudlemC: Helen Chantry, Rachael Griffiths. LM: Anne Draper, Jill Williams.Pray for wisdom as we continue to develop our good links with school, nursing homes and the whole breadth of the community and for us to be good stewards of the beautiful building that both draws people in but demands maintenance.Audlem St James’ C of E School.

Bishop Jwan Zhumbes¸ Bukuru (Jos, Nigeria)

29 March - BaddileyC: Alison Fulford. LM: Cynthia Gorton, Elizabeth Falding, Ron High, Roger Howarth.

Bishop Alan Ewing¸ Bunbury (Western Australia, Australia)

30 March - BurleydamC: Alison Fulford. LM: Cynthia Gorton, Elizabeth Falding, Ron High, Roger Howarth.

Revd George Mechumo, Bungoma (Kenya)

31 March - Church MinshullC: Anne Lawson. Messy Church and Café Church are now well established features of church life in Church Minshull. Give thanks for those who come, and pray for those who took part in an Alpha Course last Autumn. Please pray too for the re-ordering of the church.

Bishop Samuel Kahuma, Bunyoro-Kitara (Uganda) Bishop Paul Moses Samson Naimanhye, Busoga (Uganda)

1 April - Easter Day

The raising of Jesus from the dead is not only the heart of our faith. It is an event which transformed the future of the world. As the power of God’s kingdom broke in through, and Jesus walked out of, the tomb, a whole new world of possibility appeared. The possibility of transformed lives for all who ever since have met the risen Jesus. The possibility of transformed community as Christ lives in his church today. The possibility of transformed creation as death itself is conquered. That a God who has done something so astonishing might yet listen to our prayers is an amazing thought. But he does. As we pray, we pray in this world of new possibility opened up by the resurrection of Jesus. In that sense, every day is Easter Day for the Christian. So, may our prayer be marked by a profound sense of wonder and expectation. In the face of the suffering and frustration of a fallen world, God is on the move.

Pray that we may always be a people of Easter hope.Mike Gilbertson, Archdeacon of Chester

2 April - CoppenhallC: Charles Razzall.

Bishop Nathan Gasatura, Butare (Rwanda)

3 April - Crewe All Saints and St PaulC: Jane Colley. LM: Anne Marshall.

Bishop Timothy Wambunya, Butere (Kenya)

4 April - Crewe St Andrew with St John the BaptistC: Lynne Cullens, Hazel Rugman. LM: Pam Brookfield.

Bishop Sixbert Macumi, Buye (Burundi)

5 April - Crewe St BarnabasC: Ralph Powell.

Bishop Emmanuel Ngendahayo, Byumba (Rwanda)

6 April - Crewe St Peter C: Jane Colley. LM: Jim Shepherd.

Bishop Tunde Adeleye, Calabar (Niger Delta, Nigeria)

7 April - Crewe GreenC: Jules Walker. LM: Linda Clarke, Ron Taylor, Anne Thompson.

Bishop Ashok Biswas, Calcutta (North India)

8 April - Cheshire Wildlife TrustSecond of EasterThe Trust cares for a network of 45 nature reserves with habitats ranging from grasslands and wet meadows to reedbeds, coastal dunes and wetlands. These reserves provide a refuge for rare species including natterjack toads, great crested newts, the bittern and a wide range of dragonflies and butterflies. Mammals such as otters and water voles are also regularly recorded, and the Gowy Meadows nature reserve has one of the largest varieties of aquatic invertebrates found anywhere in the UK.Currently the Trust is working to connect large parts of its reserve network through a Living Landscape scheme. This allows species to move freely along natural corridors like rivers and hedgerows and gives wildlife breathing space under the pressures of development and climate change.Cheshire’s rivers are often at the centre of Trust projects, whether it be managing wildlife sites on the banks of the River Weaver, helping farmers improve water quality and natural flood management along the River Dane, or making sure wetland birds have safe places to feed, roost and breed in the River Gowy floodplain.Over 1,000 volunteers currently contribute to the Trust’s work, and recently more than 4,000 children per year have been part of the education programme.

Pray for the work of the Trust and the protection of natural habitats.This entry edited from the CWT website at www.cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/ where more details of its work can be found.

Archbishop James Richard Wong Yin Song, Province of Indian Ocean & Bishop of the Seychelles

9 April - DoddingtonC: Helen Chantry, Rachael Griffiths. Pray for continuing growth in love for God and each other among our loyal and aging congregation as we welcome new people in.Bridgemere C of E School.

Revd David TJ Lehmann, Caledonia (British Columbia & the Yukon, Canada); Archbishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, Calgary (Rupert’s Land,

Canada)

10 April - HaslingtonC: Jules Walker. LM: Linda Clarke, Ron Taylor, Anne Thompson.

Bishop Marc Andrus, California (VIII, The Episcopal Church, USA)

11 April - Leighton-cum-Minshull VernonC: Phillip Goggin. LM: Elizabeth Morris, Patricia Baker.

Bishop Dibo Elango, Cameroon (West Africa, West Africa)

12 April - NantwichC: Vacant, Stephen Snelling, Bernard Moss. LM: Herbert Rowsell, Dorothy Woods, Sue Caunt, Andrea Clews, Rita Johnson, Lynne Marsh, John Munks, Paul Ramsey, Dot Roxby.

Bishop Stuart Robinson; Vacant, 1 Assistant Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn; Bishop Trevor Edwards 2 Assistant Bishop of Canberra &

Goulburn (New South Wales, Australia)

13 April - WestonC: Michael Leyden. LM: Anna Leyden, Margaret Hodgkinson, Jeanette Lewis.

Archbishop Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury; Bishop Trevor Willmott, Canterbury – Dover; Bishop Jonathan Goodall, Canterbury

– Ebbsfleet; Bishop Roderick Charles Howell Thomas, Canterbury – Maidstone; , Bishop Norman Banks, Canterbury – Richborough

(Canterbury, England)

14 April - WistastonC: Mike Turnbull. LM: Anne Stubbs, David Illing.

Bishop Victor Atta-Baffoe, Cape Coast (Ghana, West Africa)

15 April - Hearing ChildrenThird of EasterWhen the laughter of children echoes in your ear, or when the smile of a shy young person brightens your day, it is easy to love them. It is easy to love them when they’re telling jokes, conscientiously helping or being wonderful in one of a million other ways.It can be more difficult to love children and young people in the face of a screaming tantrum, or sullen silence.Yet, no matter how difficult it is, we are called to do so. Being there for children and young people is a precious and valuable skill. It requires patience, perseverance, commitment and unconditional love.Please pray for those who work with our children and young people, for those who are called to work with them in the future, and for those who train them. Please also pray for those who are preparing the Church Universities’ Certificates in Children’s Ministry and Christian Youth Work, and for any who are thinking of applying.Jonathan Masters, Youth, Children and Families Missioner

Archbishop Richard Lionel Clarke, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan

16 April - WorlestonC: Anne Lawson. LM: Ann Nicholas, Isobel Burnley.Give thanks for an enthusiastic start to a new venture involving a School Community Communion Service with Key Stage 2 children. Please pray for the development and establishment of this new venture.St Oswald’s Worleston C of E School.

Bishop James Scobie Newcome; Bishop Robert Freeman, Carlisle (York, England)

17 April - WrenburyC: Alison Fulford. LM: Ron High, Debbie Rowlands, Roger Howarth, Elizabeth Falding, Cynthia Gorton.Bishop Michael Andrew James Burrows, Cashel & Ossory (Dublin, Ireland)

18 April - WybunburyC: Helen Chantry, Rachael Griffiths.Please pray for the work with young families and teenagers but also for wisdom on sharing God’s love in part of the housing estate at the edge of the parish two miles from the church.Wybunbury Delves C of E School.

Bishop Michael Lubowa, Central Buganda (Uganda)

19 April - WettenhallC: Anne Lawson. LM: Ann Nicholas, Isobel Burnley.Give thanks for the faithful witness of the church in this small village. Pray especially for ‘Coffee and Cake’ which takes place on the first Thursday of each month, giving thanks that this is a place where the lonely can come and find friendship and those new to the community can make contact with their neighbours.

Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Archbishop of Capetown and Primate of Southern Africa; Bishop Garth Counsell, Cape Town – Table Bay (Southern

Africa)

20 April - WarminghamC: Phillip Goggin. Helan Isherwood, Elizabeth Morris, Peter Noden, Patricia Baker.Warmingham C of E School.

Bishop Patrick Wakula, Central Busoga (Uganda)

21 April - Wirral South DeaneryBishop Victor Scantlebury, Central Ecuador (XI, The Episcopal Church,

USA)

Diocese of Chester

Bible