May August 2016 They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest

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Clarissa McGee
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1 Prayer Diary May August 2016 Your prayers make a difference to our work They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest PSALM 107:37 (NIV)

Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

In May, June and July we are continuing to ask you to pray for an aspect of BRF s work each week, but also including other events or meetings that will be taking place during that week.

August is a time when many of the staff take a holiday and recharge themselves for the autumn. It is also a time for planning and catching up.

Any farmer knows that the care and tending of the land makes a difference to the harvest. We also know that having the right combination of rain and sunshine make for a successful crop.

As you pray during these next four months for our programmes, activities and staff, please pray for the ploughing, preparation and tending that will go into developing our programmes and activities

2 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:18 (NIV) Karen Laister Head of Sales, Finance and Operations, BRF Dear Friend This edition of the BRF Prayer Diary is taking a slightly different approach, especially during August. In May, June and July we are continuing to ask you to pray for an aspect of BRF s work each week, but also including other events or meetings that will be taking place during that week. The summer sees several major events taking place and we would value your prayers for them. During August and into the first few days of September, we are asking you to pray for the BRF staff team. August is a time when many of the staff take a holiday and recharge themselves for the autumn. It is also a time for planning and catching up. Your prayers for each member of our team are very much welcomed. The Bible verses on the cover and above point to prayer being vital in the production of a fruitful harvest. Any farmer knows that the care and tending of the land makes a difference to the harvest. We also know that having the right combination of rain and sunshine make for a successful crop. Jesus used nature and everyday events to communicate his mission. Reflecting on the nature of harvest, we see the importance that goes into preparation. As you pray during these next four months for our programmes, activities and staff, please pray for the ploughing, preparation and tending that will go into developing our programmes and activities so vital to the outcome of the harvest. This is the last prayer diary I will write. The next edition will be written by the Communications team at BRF. Thank you for your encouragement throughout the years I have been writing this diary and, above all, thank you for your prayers. Reflecting back over these years, it is amazing to see the way that new programmes have become part of BRF. From small beginnings they have flourished and are making a difference in the lives of individuals, communities and schools. Your prayers are vital to the impact of BRF s ministry. With best wishes 2

3 Messy Church This week Lucy Moore is returning to the UK after a visit to meet with Messy Church leaders and Messy Churches in the US. Please pray during this week for those who run Messy Churches there, as they seek to share their Christian faith with the families who attend. Sunday 1 May Lucy Moore s visit to the US this past week and for those Messy Church leaders she will be meeting with today Monday 2 May Lucy Moore returning to the UK today Tuesday 3 May Lucy, Martyn Payne and Jane Leadbetter meeting in Abingdon today and tomorrow Wednesday 4 May the Messy Church team as they spend time finalising the programme for the Messy Church Conference taking place later this month Thursday 5 May Julie Hintz, the Messy Church Regional Coordinator covering the east side of the US Friday 6 May Nicole Reilley, the Messy Church Regional Coordinator covering the west side of the US Saturday 7 May Messy Mission taking place on Holy Island, Anglesey Who Let The Dads Out? The next couple of months see the Who Let The Dads Out? team walking the Four Peaks. The Mountain Dads initiative is providing an opportunity for men to walk, learn and pray about reaching fathers and their children. Sunday 8 May Those who participated yesterday in walking Scafell Pike as part of the Mountain Dads challenge Monday 9 May the Mountain Dads initiative, that those who participate in the walks will be better equipped and enabled to reach fathers and their children in their local community Tuesday 10 May the Who Let The Dads Out? steering group and Andy Glover who chairs it Wednesday 11 May the Who Let The Dads Out? regional representatives Thursday 12 May those who lead Who Let The Dads Out? groups around the country Friday 13 May the Who Let The Dads Out? Ministry to Fathers teaching weekend at Cliff College, praying especially for Tony and Mark leading this course Saturday 14 May those who are participating in the Ministry to Fathers teaching weekend 3

4 Messy Church Conference The Messy Church conference is bringing together those who are involved in leading and resourcing Messy Churches around the world. The conference will provide an opportunity to share stories and new developments for Messy Church. Sunday 15 May Lucy Moore and the Messy Church team as they prepare for the conference Monday 16 May those gathering for the conference taking place over the next three days Tuesday 17 May George Lings, the keynote speaker, Fischy Music leading the worship and others who will be speaking or leading discussions Wednesday 18 May space to reflect on and celebrate all that is happening in Messy Churches throughout the world Thursday 19 May Ray Simpson, leading a Quiet Day on the theme of Our Well Springs at Shepherd s Dene Retreat House, Riding Mill, Northumberland Friday 20 May visitors from Messy Church in Australia and New Zealand, spending time with Lucy Moore during this weekend The Gift of Years During the past two weeks we have focused on praying for the BRF programmes that focus on working with children and families. This week we are asking you to focus on The Gift of Years, which seeks to resource the spiritual needs of older people. Sunday 22 May Debbie Thrower and her leadership of The Gift of Years Monday 23 May the Messy Church team as it meets in Abingdon to debrief after the conference Tuesday 24 May Alex Burn as she works alongside Debbie to provide support for her and The Gift of Years ministry Wednesday 25 May Anna Chaplains and those who are considering becoming chaplains Thursday 26 May The Gift of Years steering group and Bishop Christopher Herbert, who chairs it Friday 27 May the publications and resources we are developing to equip The Gift of Years network Saturday 28 May the elderly in your community and their need for companionship and spiritual care Saturday 21 May people around the world whose lives have been changed because of Messy Church 4

5 BRF trustees The trustees play a vital role in leading the charity and developing its future strategy. This week we are asking you to pray for them in their roles and responsibilities as trustees. Please also give thanks for their work and commitment to BRF. Sunday 29 May Bishop Colin Fletcher, Chair of BRF s Council,and Christina Baxter, Vice-Chair Monday 30 May Jay Green and Peter Lloyd Tuesday 31 May Sarah Hayes, Alastair Booth and Robert Aldred Wednesday 1 June the trustees Budget and Account committee meeting with Richard Fisher and Karen Laister Thursday 2 June Ann Persson, Colin Matthews and Jane Whittington Friday 3 June Lucy Moore as she prepares to lead a day tomorrow on Messy Church for Exeter Diocese Saturday 4 June Those who are participating in the Mountain Dads Four Peaks challenge today, walking Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland Equipping others Much of what BRF is about is equipping others to share the Christian faith with people in their local community. During this week some of the BRF team will be leading workshops and seminars to help others to develop their skills and knowledge. Sunday 5 June those in the BRF team who regularly speak or train others Monday 6 June Chris Hudson, leading an INSET event today for teachers from several primary schools in County Durham Tuesday 7 June Jane Butcher and Chris Hudson as they train the Barnabas in Schools freelance team Wednesday 8 June BRF authors who lead events and workshops about the resources we publish Thursday 9 June Bridget and Adrian Plass, leading a Quiet Day on the theme of Brambles and Blackberries at Scargill House, Kettlewell, North Yorkshire Friday 10 June all those who lead BRF Quiet Days Saturday 11 June the Who Let The Dads Out? seminar for New Wine Churches at All Saints Church, Woodford Wells, led by Mark Chester and Tony Sharp 5

6 Resourcing Alongside the training that BRF provides for individuals, churches and schools, we also resource communities with printed, electronic and online material. Sunday 12 June those who write for BRF authors, Bible reading notes contributors and online content providers Monday 13 June the Content Creation team who edit and proofread all the materials and books we publish Tuesday 14 June those who design books, leaflets and web material Wednesday 15 June those who work on BRF s websites and electronic resources Thursday 16 June the Sales team who promote our resources through Christian retailers and other channels Friday 17 June the Customer Services team and their work in promoting BRF resources Saturday 18 June those who read or use BRF s resources to sustain their own faith or are involved in teaching others about the Christian faith Transforming communities BRF is committed to transforming communities through the Christian faith. This week sees several major events taking place. Chris Hudson will be part of a team running the Brinkburn Lifepath project in Northumberland, an event for local primary schools expecting to attract pupils and their teachers and helpers. BRF is also running a women s conference on Saturday, along with Woman Alive magazine, which will attract 250 people. Sunday 19 June Chris Hudson and his involvement with the Brinkburn Lifepath project this week Monday 20 June Karen Laister and others in the BRF team preparing for the Seasons of the Spirit women s conference Tuesday 21 June Claire Proudman and Jenny Smith, involved in coordinating events and other bookings Wednesday 22 June the BRF trustee meeting taking place today Thursday 23 June the Brinkburn Lifepath project, that energy levels and enthusiasm will be maintained Friday 24 June those preparing to lead and speak at the Seasons of the Spirit women s conference in Woking tomorrow Saturday 25 June the Messy Fiesta at Wydale Hall, Scarborough, and Seasons of the Spirit in Woking 6

7 Barnabas in Schools The Barnabas in Schools team is meeting on Wednesday this week. As we begin to draw to the end of the summer term, we want to ask you to pray for them and the freelance team. Please pray especially that the Barnabas RE Days, INSETs and resources will provide a positive impact in shaping the way Christianity is taught in schools. Sunday 26 June Jane Butcher and Chris Hudson, for their work in helping primary school teachers and pupils to explore Christianity creatively Monday 27 June the Barnabas Schools team and their work in primary schools around the country Tuesday 28 June the work that Jane, Chris and others do in producing training resources for team and teachers Wednesday 29 June the Messy Church and Who Let The Dads Out? seminars at the Diocese of Chester Clergy Conference, The Hayes, Swanwick Thursday 30 June schools that have had or will be having a Barnabas RE Day this term Friday 1 July new developments taking place in Barnabas in Schools this coming academic year Bible reading notes Our Bible reading notes are read by nearly 75,000 people around the world. During this week, please pray for those who write, edit and read our Bible readings. Sunday 3 July Sally Welch, editor of New Daylight, and for all those who write for this series Monday 4 July David Spriggs and Lisa Cherrett, editors of Guidelines, and for all those who write for this series Tuesday 5 July Ali Herbert and Jill Rattle, editors of Day by Day with God, and for all those who write for this series Wednesday 6 July Susan Hibbert, editor of The Upper Room, and for all those who write for this series Thursday 7 July Sally Smith, editor of Quiet Spaces, and for all those who write for this series Friday 8 July Lucy Moore, attending General Synod in York this weekend Saturday 9 July those attending the Festival of Prayer at Ripon College, Cuddesdon Saturday 2 July those who are participating in the Mountain Dads Four Peaks challenge, climbing Ben Nevis today 7

8 Funding BRF s work The work of BRF could not continue without the generous gifts from individual donors, churches and trusts. We need to raise in the region of 750,000 each year to sustain the programmes that BRF provides for churches, schools and individuals. We are very grateful to those who support our work with prayer, time and finance. Sunday 10 July Sophie Aldred and the fundraising team Monday 11 July those who give to BRF on a regular basis, thanking God for their generosity and committed giving Tuesday 12 July those who give their time, gifts and skills to support the work of BRF Wednesday 13 July grant applications that are being considered at the moment Thursday 14 July Bishop Stephen Platten who chairs BRF s Fundraising Board steering group Friday 15 July the BRF trustees and their work with the fund raising team Saturday 16 July Lucy Moore, Jane Leadbetter, Martyn Payne and Debbie Thrower, speaking at Follow a Christian Day Festival for 21st-Century Disciples, a Reader Conference in Leicester Faith in Homes BRF s programmes have an impact on the lives of many children and parents. The home is a vital place for sharing and nurturing faith. Pray especially this week for Christian families who find themselves marginalised because of their faith. Sunday 17 July Jane Butcher and her work developing resources for parents, to help with parenting skills and sharing faith in the home. This is an important aspect of BRF s work in transforming lives and communities. Monday 18 July Messy Churches and their work with families, especially those that are working with families who have problems relating together Tuesday 19 July David Winter, leading a Quiet Day on the theme of Meet the Beloved Physician a Day with St Luke at Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Berkshire Wednesday 20 July Dads who attend Who Let The Dads Out? groups and their role in developing family life Thursday 21 July the resources we publish that enable parents and their children to explore the Christian story together Friday 22 July other organisations with which BRF works to nurture family life in our churches and communities Saturday 23 July the planning and preparation for the Grandparents Day taking place later this year 8

9 Resources BRF s resources enable churches and individuals to be better equipped in their faith and Christian discipleship. Please pray for all those who are involved in this process during this week. Sunday 24 July those who edit and write Bible reading notes for BRF, praying for the impact of these publications Monday 25 July our designers and their skills in creating attractive covers and other materials Tuesday 26 July those who are writing books at the moment for publication by BRF over the next two years Wednesday 27 July those who edit and proofread the content, working with the authors to craft the material into the best it can be Thursday 28 July the BRF team involved in selling the resources to bookshops and other channels Friday 29 July those who read our Bible reading notes and other resources, that their faith would be affirmed and deepened Saturday 30 July those who use our online resources for ideas and programmes for their churches The BRF staff team During August we are asking you to pray for the BRF staff team and their work. Sunday 31 July Richard Fisher Chief Executive Monday 1 August Sophie Aldred Head of Fundraising and Communications Tuesday 2 August Claire Hackwood Fundraising Officer Wednesday 3 August Priscilla Kew Fundraising Administrator Thursday 4 August Martin Gee Web & Digital Manager Friday 5 August Florence Jones Communications Officer Saturday 6 August Karen Laister Head of Sales, Finance and Operations 9

Sunday 7 August Amy Didcock Customer Services Coordinator Monday 15 August Louise Blackmore Designer Monday 8 August Natalie Pollard Customer Services Coordinator Tuesday 16 August Rebecca Hall

10 Sunday 7 August Amy Didcock Customer Services Coordinator Monday 15 August Louise Blackmore Designer Monday 8 August Natalie Pollard Customer Services Coordinator Tuesday 16 August Rebecca Hall Designer Tuesday 9 August Jo Ellis Customer Services Coordinator Wednesday 17 August Alison Beek Designer Wednesday 10 August Olivia Warburton Head of Content Creation Thursday 18 August Madeleine Jane Sales Development Officer Thursday 11 August Mike Parsons Commissioning Editor Friday 12 August Lisa Cherrett Project Editor and Managing Editor, Bible reading notes Saturday 13 August Kristina Petersen Project Editor Sunday 14 August Felicity Howlett Content Creation Administrator Friday 19 August Esther Taylor Promotions, Publicity and Trade Sales Officer Saturday 20 August Sue Fulford Press & Media Officer for BRF Resources Sunday 21 August Claire Proudman Sales Administrator & Assistant to Karen Laister Monday 22 August Debra McKnight Office Administrator 10

11 NEW MEMBER Tuesday 23 August John Chapman IT Support Officer Wednesday 31 August Mark Chester Who Let the Dads Out? Founder Wednesday 24 August Jenny Smith Barnabas Schools Administrator and Visma Project Coordinator Thursday 1 September Tony Sharp Who Let The Dads Out? National Coordinator Thursday 25 August Jane Butcher Barnabas in Schools Team Leader Friday 2 September Debbie Thrower The Gift of Years Team Leader and Anna Chaplain Friday 26 August Chris Hudson Barnabas in Schools team Saturday 3 September Alex Burn The Gift of Years Administrator NEW MEMBER Saturday 27 August Lucy Moore Messy Church Founder and Team Leader Sunday 28 August Jane Leadbetter Messy Church team Monday 29 August Martyn Payne Messy Church team Tuesday 30 August Pia Moriarty Programmes Administrator Women s Conference 2016 Join BRF and Woman Alive as we use the analogy of the changing seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter to explore how God leads us into different phases in our lives. Christ Church, Woking Saturday 25 June BRF is running a women s conference with Woman Alive magazine Booking available now! 25 (price including the workshops) seasonsofthespirit/ 11

The BRF Prayer Almighty God, you have taught us that your word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.

And in so doing may we come to know you more fully, love you more truly, and follow more faithfully in the steps of your son Jesus Christ, who

Amen If you would like to receive our fortnightly update of the prayer diary, please email us at prayer@brf.org.

12 The BRF Prayer Almighty God, you have taught us that your word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. Help us, and all who prayerfully read your word, to deepen our fellowship with each other through your love. And in so doing may we come to know you more fully, love you more truly, and follow more faithfully in the steps of your son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for evermore. Amen If you would like to receive our fortnightly update of the prayer diary, please us at prayer@brf.org.uk or visit the website below for regular updates. BRF, 15 The Chambers, Vineyard, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 3FE Tel: Fax: enquiries@brf.org.uk The Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF) is a Registered Charity (233280). VAT No: GB Photograph: istock/thinkstock

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