The £20 million Footprint project at Bath Abbey is so much more than a project. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to work out the meaning of our vision to be a ‘People and Place Fully Alive’, through our buildings our interpretation and our activities.
With building work due to start in September we expect the Abbey’s mission to be a place of worship, hospitality and justice to be truly tested through the challenge of a three year building programme in a very confined and busy city-centre space.
The project will deliver a stabilised Abbey floor, a discovery centre which connects the church today with our roots as a Benedictine Abbey, an education programme in which young people explore medieval Bath and Christian faith, a new song school, heating from the hot springs and much more.
In the process we hope to be formed into a people and place with a dependence upon God, a generous servant heart and an openness to others.
Revd Stephen Girling Bath Abbey Missioner
Jesus in Mark 6:31 said to his disciples: “Come away with me to a quiet place and get some rest”. They had travelled daily from place to place telling others about God and His love religious day, now including any special day of rest or relaxation away from our normal daily work activities. What’s there not to like about summer? The increased daylight and warmth of the sun, the opportunity to venture out into beautiful countryside, the spending of more time with family and friends, the casual pace of the season. The historic county name of Somerset (Sumorsaetan) is even derived from this time of year, a place where visitors could settle for the summer season once the winter floods had receded and opened up the extensive green pastures. Our thoughts may turn to a much-needed holiday, itself a word derived from ‘holy day’ when referring to a special
Nick May Diocesan Secretary Whether choosing to holiday at home or travel overseas this summer, may each of us come away, find rest, and know the love and peace of God. When we take our summer holiday we have an opportunity to set aside valuable time for rest so that we can recharge our batteries, returning refreshed and renewed. We can also come away with Jesus and pray. We can set aside time to communicate with God, to give thanks and praise, to confess sins, to ask for help and to pray for others, to acknowledge who is really in control of our lives. for them, preaching, teaching and healing the sick. They worked so hard that they often didn’t even have time to eat or sleep. Jesus could see how tired they were, so they left by boat to find a quieter place to rest.
Come away with me... August 2016 Focusing on: Bath deanery
Prayer calendar Sharing (for) the Kingdom As a city-wide church we share a vision Resourcing Magnificat parishes – to see hundreds of people become connecting with and resourcing the disciples and our whole city poorest areas of our city transformed. We are working towards seeing everyone a disciple, everyone a Developing the role of the Abbey in the heart of the city – the Abbey’s disciple-maker, every church a ‘Footprint’ plans are more than discipleship community and everyabout reordering parts of a building where a discipleship invitation. and about re-establishing a new Prioritising discipleship as our ‘main vision for the Abbey in the heart of thing’ has been very unifying and the city and the region. energising. We are excited about working together Mission to areas of new housing – and sharing our resources across the like in many other areas there are city for the sake of the kingdom. We hundreds of new homes currently are creatively responding to the being built in the city and we want to challenges we face by establishing a connect with these new areas, plant number of deanery-wide posts to help new churches, and make disciples take our mission forward. We want to in these areas. move to having a deanery plan which Mission to the elderly – with a is constantly updated each year with growing elderly population we want parish input and ongoing review to develop and resource new around some key strategic areas approaches to connecting to the including: retired and elderly in our city.
Church planting – agreeing shared principles underlying a church planting strategy and setting goals for new plants of various kinds.
Making disciples of young people and 20’s to 30’s – Bath is a young city with thousands of students, young adults and families. They are currently under-represented in our church families.
We have set up task groups from across the deanery to work up some goals and plans for how we might make specific impact in these areas. Please pray for how we discern together what God is drawing us into. Revd Rich Wilson Rural Dean of Bath and Team Rector of Bath Marlbrook Team Ministry
A people and place fully alive Welcome to Bath... ‘... a city so beautiful and special that it has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.’ As VisitBath’s website so aptly describes, Bath is indeed a wonderful and delightful place in which to live, so you might be surprised to discover that five of the most deprived areas in the diocese are to be found in Bath. We have chosen to call these special places ‘Magnificat’ parishes in recognition of how God longs to lift up the humble and to fill the hungry with good things. As a deanery, our vision as a city-wide family of churches is to see hundreds of people becoming disciples and our whole city transformed. But we know that this will only become a reality when those living in the poorest areas of our city are included and so we are committed to prioritising ministry and mission to the marginalised and the disadvantaged. We recognise the opportunity for being involved in God’s mission to the poorest of the city as a gift to the wider church – a place of growth, learning and joy. And we have noticed that churches are more likely to thrive in these areas when there are mature and developed links with other better resourced churches across the deanery. So we want to make sure
that every parish has a meaningful and intentional relationship with one of the poorest parishes, especially supporting them in prayer. Of course there are also smaller pockets of deprivation right across our city, so we are encouraging every church to make sure that we are connecting with and sharing our good news with the hidden poor in every community. Please pray that: Throughout our city we will catch the vision to ‘put mission and evangelism at the heart of all we do’ As part of investing in mission in the poorest areas, we will share the load of fundraising and vision sharing across the city and not leave it to the poorest churches to tell their story or carry this burden alone Hundreds of people will become disciples and that we will celebrate together that the humble have been lifted up and the hungry fed Amen. Revd Sally Buddle Curate, Holy Trinity
Mon 1
As a group from St Michael Without attends New Wine this week, refresh us all, Lord. May we always be awakening to your purpose for each of us as fruit of your vine.
Tue 2
Bless the ongoing refurbishment of the hall at Church of the Ascension in Bath, Lord, the weekly holiday club and the hoped-for Baptisms in September. Build us up in courage and renew our faith and identity in you.
Wed 3
Thur 4 Fri 5
Sat 6 Transfiguration of Our Lord
Sun 7 Trinity 11
Mon 8
Jesus Christ, you healed the sick and yet you suffered. By faith in your resurrection, may those at St Philip & St James Church in Odd Down and at Combe Hay Church be filled with your power. Bless Revd Alan Bain there, recently returned from the International AIDS conference in Durban where he was reporting for the World Council of Churches. We pray for the congregation of St Luke’s in Bath and that you continually strengthen the new expression of church in the Moorfields area of the parish, Lord God. Grant that we, as your followers, may reveal your glory to the greatest and the least. Father of all, prosper the work for good in Twerton: The Rec House connecting with adults and young people through music and creative arts; Rose Cottage Café and Community Centre as a place of transformation and hospitality; Life365 reaching out to young people, children and families; and Revd Richard Wilson at St Michael’s, also Rural Dean. In your family, the world is caught up in the love of your Son; may we somehow show that today. Everlasting Lord, you fulfil the law and the prophets by your incarnation and continual outworking. We pray with the Christ Church (Julian Road) community as they come together to discern their future direction. Bless Brenda Wall there, a Reader in training, and Church Wardens Alex Soboslay and Malcolm Wall. Hold all in that place true to their commitment to 'beauty in worship, honesty in doubt and service to our community’. We rejoice in the licensing today of Revd Christopher Hopkins, who was a training curate, as priest in charge at Baltonsborough and West Bradley and West Pennard in Glastonbury deanery. Prompt us, Lord, to daily examine your call to each of us. We thank God for opportunities to know the joy of serving others. Praise you, Lord, for St Saviour’s Church in Larkhall and your guidance for the nearly-completed Community Hub building project. Reward the congregation’s faith with the final tranche of funds as they have stepped out, trusting in the vision you have given, that many local families will come to know you. Their prayer is to channel your blessing on Larkhall and all who live and work
Tue 16
Rock of Ages, true to us at all times of our lives, we pray for the 'Holiday at Home' for Seniors starting today at Holy Trinity Combe Down and St Andrew's Community Church in Foxhill, this month’s children's holiday club and the youth trip to Devon last week; that they all draw leaders and attendees closer to you.
Wed 17
We pray for Widcombe Parish: redevelopment and building work at St Matt’s, replacing the organ at St Thomas à Becket, returning students in September, outreach to local community. May your harmonious power be in this work, God. In the shelter of your compassion, may we join the voice of need to make songs of joy.
Thur 18
Thank you, Father, for Revd Preb Simon Hill’s ministry in this diocese as director of clergy development. Thank you for our clergy and for the universal Church, for Readers and all who respond with willing generosity to your sacrifice and love. Bless Simon as he prepares for his new role as Archdeacon of Taunton; be with his family as they move house and support him.
Fri 19
Day after day, you are always new, Creator God. May the youth of St Barnabas Bath be renewed in faith and vision as parish worker Chris Porter takes a group today to Soul Survivor worship event. Let that renewal be in us and all people; in that church’s new midweek all-age coffee and cake drop and their foodbank, and at St Peter's Englishcombe with Revd Dr Catherine Sourbut.
Sat 20
Thank you for the gift of parish life, Christ our brother, and for neighbours and for strangers. Let the ministry of St Stephen's and St Mary's, and the Charlcombe Churches, and Revd Philip Hawthorn there, be a blessing to all, pointing to your spiritual work in the lives of those living there and in all our lives.
Sun 21
With St Nicholas Bathampton we give thanks for three new home groups, encouraging one another to feed on God’s Word and apply it. We thank you Lord for youth worker Dan Mak who asks for boys and girls to have a growing hunger to know Jesus. May this busy church be blessed with good quality candidates for an admin vacancy. Thank you for the diversity of church families in our diocese, working for your glory, Almighty God.
Trinity 13
Mon 22
Healer and Consoler, influence with wisdom the consultations on the renewal of the ministry of the Magdalen Chapel Holloway. Let its history as a sanctuary for lepers, pilgrims and children in special need be a radical voice in the city. Provoke us all to step up to the cruelty of injustice in some way today.
Tue 23
We pray in gratitude for Revd Jonathan Philpott, becoming priest in charge of Berrow and Brean benefice in Axminster deanery. Keep our eyes on the horizon as we watch for signs of your Kingdom and keep our hearts in the gift of divine contentment as
Tue 9
Your flock, Jesus, is greater than we can imagine. We pray for the meeting tonight of Batheaston Churches in Partnership: St Catherine's and St John's, and your RC Church of the Good Shepherd. We offer thanks for all we take for granted in our communities as Batheaston hopes for someone to take on the Post Office which closes this month.
Wed 24
Bartholomew the Apostle
Wed 10
As All Saints Weston with North Stoke and Langridge say goodbye to Revd Preb Patrick Whitworth after 21 years, we pray for the team there who take up the challenge and that the church would grow during this period. Thank you for Patrick’s dedication, Lord, and may it yield fruit of your love into the future.
Thur 25
Thur 11
We can all pray with St John's Weston: “We are a small church with a big vision. Our aim is to take God very seriously, but ourselves not seriously at all. We love to be in contact with people in our community.” Lord, by your infinite grace, magnify the effect of our efforts that we can keep perspective on ourselves. We pray also for St Nicholas Kelston and the Churchwardens there.
Hear the prayers, merciful Lord, of St Mary’s and St John’s Bathwick: for growth in faith and deepening sense of mission; new relationships and future residents of the new housing development; for Bathwick St Mary CE Primary School where headteacher Kevin Burnett is preparing for retirement and Kevin Purkiss is becoming head. We thank you for our leaders, Lord, as we each lift them to you now.
Fri 26
Fri 12
Freshford, Limpley Stoke and Hinton Charterhouse ask that, along with the refurbishment of churches, their new witness through website and social media is blessed and that the application for a kids and family worker is done with vision and discernment for that area. May we see your revealed love in whatever way we walk today, Lord.
We come to you seeking guidance and encouragement, Father. Bless the new chaplain at the University of Bath, Revd Preb Dr Nigel Rawlinson, and his new ministry there with students, families and staff. Continue to direct and strengthen All Saints Weston in their vacancy. May your church throughout the world point to life-giving truths.
Sat 27
As a diocese we pray for Chilcompton with Downside Church and We give thanks for Bath Abbey’s ministry to hundreds of thousands of tourists each year and pray God’s blessing on all who visit the churches across our diocese. We pray too for those who worship faithfully at the Abbey and for its Footprint project.
Sun 28
We praise you for your generosity and for the love that it has inspired in the people of St Swithun's Bathford, serving as a link church to CMS mission partner Freda Carey. Lord, thank you for Freda’s work in theological education in Pakistan; protect her, keep her wise in understanding your teachings. Give us hearts to learn and to give in return.
Sat 13
Sun 14 Trinity 12
Mon 15
God of brilliant light, answer St Swithin's Walcot prayer that they be a home of grace in the heart of the city: sustain them in their vacancy, be in the fellowship at the Gateway Community Centre in Snowhill, and prosper the Next Step appeal which has been set up to fund an ambitious new building project for the Genesis Trust on Walcot Street. Let every corner of our lives and minds be illuminated by you. Lord, you commanded us to tell your good news, baptising in the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. We pray for CMS mission partners Ben and Katy Ray and their commissioning church, HT Combe Down together with the other churches in the benefice, St Michael’s Monkton Combe and St James the Great South Stoke. May your Spirit equip and inspire us all to show and tell the Good News of Jesus.
Trinity 14
Mon 29
May the strong loving family of St Mary’s Claverton be led by your wisdom, Father, and encouraged by the Spirit’s work in their aim to serve the parish better, especially those who live, work or study on Claverton Down. Be with all who minister to their communities and fortify their intentions with your blessing.
Tue 30
Today we ask for simplicity – to see a glimpse of you, even in what we think of as your absence. In humility we are welcomed before your throne of glory.
Wed 31
Bless, Lord of abundance, Revd Preb Anthony Perris who retires today from Preston Plucknett and Revd Canon Brian Pearson who is retiring from being our Associate Director of Vocations. We give thanks for their ministries and ask you to watch over their transition to new ways of serving you.
Blessed Virgin Mary Bless the ministry, faith and lives of all who worship at St Mary the Virgin Swainswick and at All Saints Woolley. Thank you for their faithfulness, Lord. Grant that our hearts are humble, open and turned towards your voice.
Your friend and servant Bartholomew sowed the seed of your holy and eternal word far from his homeland, Lord. Let the monthly prayer gatherings at St Bartholomew’s Bath plough rich soil of knowing and yield bright grain of truth. You share our burdens as we yolk ourselves to you.
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