Prayer calendar September 2016 Focusing on: Glastonbury and Quantock deaneries
Vitamin of the soul? Mahalia Jackson, the great twentieth century American civil rights activist and singer, who was known as ‘the Queen of Gospel’, once famously said that one of the downsides of singing the blues is that ‘when you finish, you still have the blues’.
I feel very fortunate that I’m reasonably healthy and don’t have to rely on vitamin pills, blood-pressure tablets, regular doses of insulin or other medication to keep me well. But I recognise and am very thankful for my good health.
She went on to say though that that was why she always preferred ‘to sing God’s music because it makes me feel free.’ She added ‘It gives me hope.’
I realise too that for many people, part of the daily routine involves taking a vitamin pill or other medication first thing in the morning, and maybe at other times during the day. They do them good.
Mahalia Jackson was a person of deep faith and was committed to the life of prayer. ‘Faith and prayer,’ she said, ‘are the vitamins of the soul.’ Our seven year old grandson looks forward to being given his daily multivitamin tablet at breakfast time, part of the ritual with which he begins the day. His Mum, our daughter, says that it’s good for him.
Just as vitamins do us good and keep us well, so too can prayer. When we pray, we demonstrate our confidence in God, the hope we have in him and his good purpose. Perhaps prayer is indeed a vitamin for the soul. If so, as we pray each day for our diocese, may our souls be nourished! Ven Andy Piggott Archdeacon of Bath
Working and rejoicing together The Quantock Deanery Synod met in May to reflect on how its working could become better focused to place mission and evangelism at the heart of all we do. We were supported by a colleague from the Taunton Deanery Synod who explained some of the changes made there to achieve a more missional direction of travel.
celebrate our oneness and afterwards to share lunch together and enjoy fellowship.
This month we will set out to plan Synod meetings over the next year with contributions from each of our five benefices. They will each describe the positive and encouraging activities in their patches which encourage ministry for mission and make the best use of the gifts we possess. We anticipate a broad discussion and sharing of ideas.
Although the leaves begin to turn and the nights so obviously draw in we often think about new beginnings at this time of year. For young people it might be a change of school, college or university; and in our church life this often the season we try new initiatives. Mission and outreach is what we are all about! Alongside trying to connect with the wider community in places of war, destruction, famine, terrorism, disease poverty….well, the list goes on.
The deanery is also in the process of establishing a Deanery Mission and Pastoral Group of lay and clerical members which we hope will improve the deanery’s overall organization and mission. Its initial meeting will take place in September. Prayer for this development and the collective workings of our Synod is very much requested. Finally, we are planning a Festival Communion Service at Stogursey Church at the end of October 2016. This will gather all the deanery churches and choirs together to
Revd Jon Rose Rural Dean of Quantock and Associate Priest at Quantock Towers
Autumn
My thoughts this autumn are not earth shattering: although all of this is very commendable, the most productive start to ‘new’ is to spend time reengaging with the Scriptures and spending more time in prayer. Surely this is the most helpful new start so we hear God, pray for God's intervention and then, ourselves, act. Revd David MacGeoch Rural Dean of Glastonbury and Vicar of Glastonbury St John and St Benedict with Meare
Culture shock
Opportunities
Repairs in roof and relationship
A friend defined the phrase 'culture shock' as the effect of moving from one way of life to another. Becoming a member of the clergy is a culture shock. Training for ministry is one, too! The shock is felt by families and friends. Routines are broken, new ones need to be found, privacy is lost, old friends ask what they should call you.
In July, Quantock deanery set up a Taster Day of activities at the Nether Stowey Church Centre for those interested in joining or forming church work with children, young people and their families. An overriding aim was to show what enjoyment and value it can bring.
It should have been the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the life of St Peter’s Combwich when, in 2011, urgent and extensive repairs to the roof were finally finished. However, sometime later, steeplejacks carrying out a routine check of the lightning conductor on the small spire, turned pale and rapidly descended, declaring the bell tower dangerously unsafe. The church and churchyard were closed immediately and have since only welcomed contractors, architects and the otherwise hard-hatted.
Moving, as I did, from suburbia to a small country town carries yet more shocks: unless you drive, nipping out for a pint of milk becomes a half-hour round trip. And then there's the area around Glastonbury. 'Inter-faith' takes on a whole new meaning: the spiritual diversity and openness here encourages people to explore so widely. Or not at all. But the Gospel, the life that flows from Christ, is the real shock; that God poured himself out, that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the only god - the source and fullness of life. Pray for our local churches that we may offer the culture-shocking Gospel with loving boldness, in the Father's love, the Spirit's power and with the grace of the Son. Revd David Fox-Branch Curate at the Abbey Parishes (Glastonbury and Meare )
A talk was also given about Spree, a South West camp of over a 1000 young people with Christian teaching along with heaps of fun packed activities. There were puppet shows led by Robin and Kathryn Popham, an Open the Book (Bible story) performance led by Revd Clive Gilbert with help from his Watchet and Williton team and Revd Nicky Morgan told us about the holiday club in Stogursey. All were designed to show how much we must work as a team where we can each offer different skills and build up our confidence. We also learnt from Patrick Weld (the deanery’s Children and Young People’s Adviser) about other ways in which we can offer our time freely in our local schools by hearing children read and offering to accompany teaching staff on school trips. Please pray for our deanery’s work and growth among the young.
deepened fellowship and cooperation between the parishes. The question now, though, is how to go forward. This month we are restarting organized worship in Combwich with fortnightly Sunday services held in Otterhampton Primary School. We begin to repair not just the building but also the inevitable disconnect that has emerged during the closure between the parish and their church.
We will also start to consider how the reopened building can be used imaginatively, to glorify God and serve In the years which have followed, with the community. And there may be many frustrations and much hard further opportunities on the horizon if a work, plus an HLF grant, the invaluable certain new power station brings help of the diocesan Stewardship planned changes to the village. Before team and the dedicated commitment us is much research, consultation and of St Peter’s small PCC, external repair experiment. In all this we trust in and work should be completed fairly soon, seek God’s vision. We are most with further internal works to come. grateful for your prayers. There have been blessings. During the closure, the St Peter’s congregation Revd Alison Waters has been warmly welcomed by the Rector of the united benefice of other churches in the united benefice: Cannington, Otterhampton with St Mary Magdalene, Stockland and St Combwich, Stockland and Steart Bay Mary the Virgin in Cannington. This crisis of masonry, along with a vacancy and recruitment of a new rector, has
Thur 1
In a world made smaller by communications but more divided by fear of difference, we pray that you bless all humanity, heavenly Father, with the wisdom that we are all your children. We thank you for the benefice of Street with Walton, for its local ministry and for Jane Tompsett there who is now in post as our diocese’s World Mission Adviser.
Fri 2
Lord, you give life and you are life. We join with those in Cannington, Otterhampton with Combwich, and Stockland in giving thanks for the new rector Revd Alison Waters. Bless her future work in opening communities to your transforming presence.
Sat 3
Lord, bless the new family services starting this month in Enmore and Nether Stowey and all the work and worship there, to your glory. Keep us remembering today that we receive faith with the trust of children and must choose to live it with the valiance of warriors.
Sun 4 Trinity 15
Mon 5
Tue 6
Wed 7
Thur 8
Bless Stogumber, Almighty God, and may Bishop Ruth be a dynamising sign of your love in that parish as she preaches at the Festival Evensong there tonight. We pray for people’s minds to be opened to hearts which reach for you. As schools start a new year, we ask you, Spirit of Wisdom, to bless all who teach in schools, businesses, charities and churches. Thank you for their care in helping make possible what everyone who learns from them does. Be with Quantock Coast benefice’s Open the Book team as they start again their service to schools, telling Bible stories. In the village of Meare, Lord, comfort those who faithfully serve the church. Bless their desire to see more fellowship between newcomers and established residents. In relationships we find our true selves and find you at heart of everything. As Bishop's Council and the Board of Education jointly meet today, we pray that authority, acumen, strategy and sensitivity are manifest in the decisions of our dedicated leaders. Refresh their tireless effort, Lord, and energise each of us to work together for your glory. Generous God, thank you for the new rector of the Quantock Towers benefice, Revd Preb Angela Berners-Wilson. Bless her and her ministry team in their outreach to all ages in the community. Holy Spirit, work within and between our work, to proclaim the name of Jesus Christ with every word we speak.
Fri 16
In the joy of church fellowship, we pray for Middlezoy and ask that you bless the home group meeting there on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Give us a sense of your love for us through our knowledge of all who love you.
Sat 17
Father of tender compassion, we thank you for the work of Nicola Sullivan in this diocese as Archdeacon of Wells. We pray that she is blessed today and in the future as she is installed as Dean of Southwell. We ask for your strength to come into her work with the people of Nottingham and that you fortify us in our own work today.
Sun 18
As Bishop Peter opens Larkhall Community Hub today we thank you for churches working to serve their communities. As a humble servant, loving Redeemer, you enjoyed the love of friends despite the hate of those whose hearts were wounded and could not yield to grace.
Trinity 17
Mon 19
Inspiring Spirit, lighten the mystery hidden in ordinary life. Be with the interfaith work in Glastonbury and with Revd Sr Diane Greenfield there.
Tue 20
As Revd Shirley Smith retires today from her role as co-ordinating chaplain at Yeovil Hospital, we pray for all who are sick or who care for loved ones. Father, you hold us closer in your love than our fears and pains can penetrate.
Wed 21
St Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Thur 22
Thank you for the opportunities we have to serve our neighbours and to tell of our love and loyalty to you, Jesus Christ. May the involvement of churches in Stogursey Arts Festival, running til Sunday, testify to the life you give.
Fri 23
Nourish our prayer life as our prayers nourish us, God of the harvest. Amen.
Lord, pour out your blessing, encouragement and excitement on those leading and attending the Inspire Day at The Old Deanery for those working with children and young people. Give us a glimpse of your friendship in a moment of fun today, God.
Fri 9
Thank you for Quantock Coast benefice’s summer holiday club which brought together 35 children and young people. Let us marvel that each one of us knows something unique of your unchanging and eternally unfolding nature, O Christ.
Sat 24
As autumn encroaches, God, we turn our minds to your infinite presence as all else passes before us. Thank you for the gold of the dying leaf, for the endless circling of life around your throne.
Sat 10
Creator of harmony, the cosmos returns its praise of your sustaining glory. Let the 24-hour Musicathon at Over Stowey Church herald your love, raising money for the St Margaret’s Hospice in Taunton. Bless the work of hospices in drawing our eternal souls to rest in a life even wider than before.
Sun 25 Trinity 18
Glory to God! We remember Combwich St Peter where the church is closed for renovation. We give thanks for our buildings, for heritage, for fellowship, and for being counted righteous in the Lord’s sight to come before him, offering praise.
Sun 11 Trinity 16
Mon 12
God of steadfast love, bless the loyalty of those parishes in the Wheathill Priory Group, now in its third year of vacancy: Barton St David, Keinton Mandeville w Kingweston, Lydford on Fosse, Thank you for the work of these congregations in encouraging the young and their continued involvement in village life. Bless our own efforts to hand on what we prize. At West Quantoxhead we give thanks for the important wedding ministry there. We pray that the congregation’s fundraising for a lavatory is prospered and that this enhances the church’s service to the community. Bless all unions, Lord - most of all our own with you. Fit us to be a part of your bride, the Church.
Tue 13
Father, guide and give your creativity at the Quantock Deanery Synod tonight at Fiddington Church. Let your people in all the nations be glad of each other as they are glad in you.
Wed 14
This Holy Cross Day we pray for your abiding love to be known in this diocese and throughout the world. Bless Holy Cross Chapel in Watchet as the congregation continues to pray for the Associate Vicar vacancy in the Watchet and Williton benefice to be filled.
Holy Cross Day
We also pray for Glastonbury Deanery Synod tonight, discussing the diocesan strategy. Lord, you are our map, our guide, our home.
Thur 15
Thank you Lord for all who live and work in Cannington. We pray for reinvigorated children's work – would you bring leaders and helpers there. Let us speak meaningfully in all contexts of your love, given to all.
Mon 26
Lord, bless Quantock Deanery’s support of The Good Shepherd School in Fort Portal, Western Uganda. You came to set the captives free. Free us from attitudes which enslave ourselves and others. Your abundant blessings are celebrated at Burtle’s Harvest Supper. We join them in thanking you, taking time to think on our gratitude.
Tue 27
God, your ways are unknowable. By the earthly example of your Son you have taught us the way for us to be. Thank you for blessed simplicity.
Wed 28
Christ Almighty, our hearts are filled to overflowing when we share our joys with you and our sisters and brothers. We ask that your name is glorified in Glastonbury Town next week as St John and St Benedict churches join Christians Together in a week of accompanied prayer. May this inspire us all to deepen our own prayer and to be brave enough to share with our companions.
Thur 29
Michael and All Angels
Fri 30
We have no rest until our souls find their rest in you, living Lord. Bless your servant Revd Timothy Price as he retires from the Two Shires Benefice in Ilminster today. Enliven each one of us to live and work to your glory.
Michaelmas: we pray with those at St Michael and All Angels at Greinton. Inspire and strengthen us, Lord, to vanquish darkness, acting on the radical grace of your singular sacrifice.
Send your prayer requests to:
[email protected] Anglican Cycle of Prayer: www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/cycle-of-prayer.aspx
