PRAYING THE WAY November 2018 World: Pray for: Remembrance services worldwide; those who seek the way of peace; that the lesson of peace and negotiation will speak louder than war and aggression; a serious approach to the dangers of climate change; safety from terrorism and cyber attack Our country: Pray for: the November Brexit Summit, that with God s help good and wise decisions will be made Diocese: Pray for: all services commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War; that the dead of two World Wars will be worthily celebrated; All Saints Day services; a readiness to mourn, but also to hope, in this month when we remember our loved ones who have died; the success and wide use of the Christian PrayerMate app for those who like to access their prayers on the go; preparations for Advent and Christmas BECKENHAM Deanery BROMLEY AND BEXLEY ARCHDEACONRY Beckenham Christ Church Give thanks for: a recent talk on Sunday Conservation Pray: for the impact of the talk on Sunday Conservation; that the new drop-in youth club for Year 7 and older will give us good interactions with teenagers locally; for the continued work with our children and young people; our ongoing building project and the planning group; plans for Christmas celebrations Beckenham Holy Trinity Pray for: YWAM team visit this month and last; our Remembrance Day service; that our time together will be a source of solace for the bereaved Beckenham St James and St Michael with St Augustine Pray for: St James s Preschool; St Michael s as it seeks to grow after extensive building works Beckenham St Paul Give thanks for: the eight-week Theology Course started in September and has received wide interest Pray: that our Theology Course will be useful and encouraging; for our children s and youth work as we seek to discern God s vision; good health for our parishioners as we enter the winter months Eden Park St John the Evangelist Pray for: our Thanksgiving Service on 11 th ; our associate minister and ministry team as they prepare for the interregnum Shortlands St Mary Give thanks for: those commemorated on our War Memorial who gave their lives for our freedom Pray for: our community Remembrance Service, where many veterans and serving Forces personnel will be present
BROMLEY Deanery Bickley, St George Pray for: our There But Not There installation in commemoration of the centenary of the First World War; all who will visit Bromley: Christ Church Give thanks: that our youth members had fun learning more from God s word at their weekend away Pray for: our current Christianity Explored course; Jesus to be clearly proclaimed and understood; our church family to be blessed in spiritual growth, boldly encouraging one another and proclaiming the gospel Chislehurst: Christ Church Pray for: ministry and mission among our older members in this month of remembrance; Service of Remembrance on Advent Sunday afternoon Chislehurst: The Annunciation Pray for: continuing fruitful collaboration between ourselves and St George Bickley; the health and wellbeing of our more elderly parishioners as winter approaches; good attendance at our Masses on 1 st (All Saints Day) and 2 nd (All Souls Day) ERITH Deanery Give thanks for: the Bexley Interfaith Forum Pray for: the Bexley Faith in the Community Awards on 15 th Barnehurst Give thanks for: the team of workers involved in our recent church spring clean Pray for: our vicar Gareth, for successful operations and a speedy recovery; preparations for our Christmas Fair on 1 st December; and good attendance on the day Bexleyheath: Christ Church Pray for: World War I Flower Festival: 2 nd to 4 th ; Bereavement Service on 4 th ; Christmas Fair on 24 th Bexleyheath: St Peter Pray for: our Remembrance Sunday services, including a service for the bereaved in the afternoon Bostall Heath, St Andrew Pray for: our PCC as it moves forward with outreach; our choir as it leads worship; that it will grow; coffee afternoons and social events Welling Pray: that our Jesus-shaped people adventure will challenge and change every member of our church to become more like Jesus; that our Prayer Room will be completed before Christmas
ORPINGTON Deanery Orpington All Saints Give thanks for: the lives of those buried in All Saints military graves, especially Canada Corner Pray for: those who feel the loss of loved ones through violence or war; the health, wellbeing and unity of our church; that we may build a community where new generations feel safe and where all may encounter Christ through the mystery of the sacraments SIDCUP Deanery Sidcup Christ Church Pray for: the completion of our new annexe, now being built Sidcup St John the Evangelist Pray for: our united benefice with All Saints Foots Cray; a combined outreach into the local community; Cathy and Ali, our vicar and associate vicar ROCHESTER ARCHDEACONRY Cobham Deanery Pray for: those being confirmed this month; Bishop Simon as he leads us Rural North West Kent Group Pray for: our special services for All Saints, All Souls, and Remembrance Sunday; our Group Council Meeting, Youth Group, and Messy Church; The Revd Helen Reeves and her family as she is licensed at Ash and Ridley; all that she will bring to the parish and group Ash and Ridley Pray for: the final Deanery prayer meeting of the year at St Peter & St Paul Ash on 21 st, where we will welcome the Project Managers for The Sanctuary shelter for the homeless in Gravesend Fawkham and Hartley Pray for: those organising our Christmas Fair; that many will attend; our Tearfund Quiz Night; awareness of Tearfund s work; our PCC meeting Longfield: St Mary Magdalene Pray for: The Remembrance Parade on 11 th ; Alan Strachan and the team planning this; the residential homes in our parish; the PCC, meeting this month Cobham and Luddesdowne Pray for: Alpha course, which started last month; finances to be forthcoming for the refurbishment of St Mary s Church room; new lighting project at Luddesdowne starting this month Meopham with Nurstead Give thanks for: all his goodness to us; provision of funds for building works Pray for: the building company repairing the tower ceiling at St Mildred s; that the work is completed in time for Christmas worship; preparations for Advent and Christmas; that the housebound, carers
and dementia sufferers will have opportunities to worship with us; new Treasurer & Organist at St John s DARTFORD Deanery Crockenhill Pray: that we be careful stewards of God s wonderful creation; that we will become the most loving place in Crockenhill, responding to the needs of others; that the Church Community Room will be a space where everyone feels comfortable Darent Valley Pray for: blessings on all those who help with Messy Church and Mother and Toddler Group, and on families who attend; those suffering pain and ailments Dartford: Christ Church Pray for: joint Church Birthday and Shoebox service on 4 th ; that Frosty Air on 24 th will be a blessing and witness Dartford: Holy Trinity Pray for: God s blessing on all he is doing in the church and the community which we serve Dartford: St Edmund and St Alban Pray for: more people to seek and follow the Christian way and show thought for others; those caught up in disasters; that the housebound and those having to travel to many hospitals will know Jesus presence and consolation Stone: St Mary the Virgin Give thanks for: the work of Mary s Child Pray: that the circumstances of those who are helped will change for the better and that they will know God s love Swanley: St Mary the Virgin Pray for: God s blessing on all he is doing in the church and the community which we serve Swanley: St Paul and Hextable St Peter Give thanks for: the Amazing Ladies Conference and the Light Party for Kidz Klub Pray for: Confirmation Service on 18 th ; blessing on the spiritual journey of those being confirmed; helpers and leaders of Kidz Klub; the way forward for the next phase of our church annexe; blessing in financial giving Wilmington Give thanks for: Holiday at Home Pray for: Remembrance Day services at Wilmington War Memorial; special evening service for those who have lost loved ones in the last year
GRAVESEND Deanery Give thanks for: the Cross of Nails service at St Mary Wrotham Road in October Pray for: the long-term strategy of encouraging licensed and lay ministry; The Revd Lawrence Smith who retires on 25 th ; Nigel Bourne, Area Dean; progress in establishing a C.A.P. centre in the Deanery Chalk Pray for: those who have been widowed this year; more to be visibly involved in our prayer life Gravesend: Holy Family with Ifield, St Margaret Pray for: our exploration of Jesus-shaped People ; service in November to remember loved ones who have died Gravesend: St Aidan Pray for: the growth of our Sunday School and All Age Service; that children and young people will develop their faith with us; our new vicar, Michael Gravesend: St George Pray for: our congregation and parish; all that is planned for this month Gravesend: St George s School Pray for: the new primary school; new staff Gravesham Street Pastors Give thanks for: the ministry of the Schools Pastors and for the support of the Prayer Pastors Pray for: those with whom the Street Pastors make contact on Friday and Saturday nights Greenhithe: St Mary Pray for: those working with Mary s Child project at and St Mary Stone; lives to be changed through this ministry Milton: Christ Church Give thanks for: those in the parish who gave their lives in World War I; the bereavement group and their ministry to those who mourn Pray for: new members for the bereavement team Milton: St Peter and St Paul Pray for: Who Let the Dads Out ; those leading and those attending; the Big Breakfast charity fundraiser; Children s Film Club Northfleet: Huggens College Give thanks for: those in our community who work so hard caring and supporting those in need Pray for: those who mourn; those in failing health Northfleet: St Botolph with Rosherville; St Mark Pray for: God s guidance for the future; The Revd Lawrence Smith as he retires; the Armistice weekend on 10 th and 11 th ; open days; Service of Reflection on 11 th Perry Street: All Saints Pray: that our activities will be well attended and will encourage others to join us
Wrotham Road Give thanks for: our ever-growing Messy Church; the families who come and enjoy the afternoon Pray: that they may get a glimpse of Jesus Shorne: Pray for: our congregation and parish; all that is planned for this month Swanscombe: St Peter & St Paul Pray for: God s help in finding ways to open our parish to God s word; guidance as we are asked to make decisions regarding our parish boundaries that respect the age of our parish and its long history ROCHESTER Deanery Borstal: St Matthew Give thanks for: the growing number of young families attending Sunday morning services; the children who come regularly to Sunday School and Messy Church Pray for: our World War I Exhibition from 4 th to 11 th ; those contributing to the Exhibition; those who come through the doors to see it Rochester: St Peter with St Margaret Pray for: our Open Church initiative; growth in discipleship, especially for young people, families, and new members; prayer and discipleship through our monthly Lectio Divina STROOD Deanery Pray for: God s blessing on all that He is doing in the Deanery & the communities the parishes serve. MALLING Deanery TONBRIDGE ARCHDEACONRY Aylesford Pray: that people will hear the many stories told by soldiers in times of conflict Barming, St Margaret Pray for: the launch of our evening praise service on 4 th ; safety in Barming at our Remembrance Service on 11 th as we process from the church to the new memorial; our Time to Remember service on 18 th for those bereaved in the last two years; The Revd Wil North as he represents the diocese at the annual Sports Conference in London Snodland, All Saints with Christ Church Give thanks for: all ministers who are in place to preach during our interregnum Pray for: God s blessing to be upon the ministers who are helping us; our church as we enter a time of vacancy; all our remembrance services; our evening bereavement service; those in the community who are personally invited to attend
PADDOCK WOOD Deanery Give thanks for: all our ministers, lay and ordained; the groups from St Andrew s Paddock Wood and St Peter Pembury who have visited their link parishes in Tanzania Hospice in the Weald and Pembury Hospital Pray for: all staff, chaplains and patients SEVENOAKS Deanery Brasted: St Martin Pray for: God s blessings on our community and congregation Kippington: St Mary Give thanks for: church weekend away at the beginning of October Pray for: annual service of thanksgiving and remembrance on 4 th of people whose funerals have taken place over the last three years; David Kitley as he speaks to the young people s group in Eynsford on 4 th ; the great nephew of two men named on our war memorial as he lays a wreath in their honour at our Remembrance Service on 11 th Knockholt with Halstead Pray for: blessings on our church activities and special services Sevenoaks: St Luke Pray for: All Souls service on 4 th ; our PCC meeting this month as we consider our priorities; the clergy of St Luke s, St Mary s Kippington and St Mary s Riverhead as they meet with the Archdeacon to discuss the future of the parishes Sevenoaks: St Nicholas Pray for: retired men s lunch on 2 nd, the testimony of a Christian in Sport; Creation Care lunch on 4 th on how we should be caring for God s creation; We will remember them on 8 th ; afternoon service of Thanksgiving and Remembrance on 11 th for those who have lost loved ones recently; Women s evangelistic evening on 16 th ; Evangelistic outreach on 30 th at the Sevenoaks lights switch-on Weald Pray for: showing of War Horse in dementia-friendly environment on 5 th ; dementia awareness training on 8 th ; Remembrance Sunday services on 11 th, There But Not There silhouettes in church; a special new film and other events commemorating the 1918 Armistice; annual charity lunch on 24 th ; service of remembrance on 25 th for those we have loved but see no more SHOREHAM Deanery Give thanks for: all God s blessings in our parishes; Pray for: all who minister
Ightham: St Peter Give thanks for: the success of Breakfast Church Pray for: Christianity Explored course, just started; approval of plans for enlarging our Parish Centre; that the transparent silhouettes in church on Remembrance Sunday and the special service There But Not There will be a meaningful and fitting tribute to those who fought in the First World War Kemsing: St Mary with Woodlands Pray for: God s guidance and blessing on all in our parish Platt Pray for: children s church Explorers, first Steps for per-schoolers, and Open the Book TONBRIDGE Deanery Pray for: our Deanery Quiet Day with Bishop Simon on 29 th ; our Archdeacon The Ven Julie Conalty; Light Parties and services taking place at Halloween Crockham Hill Pray for: God s blessing on our vicar and her husband as he supports her; those preparing for confirmation, two adults and three young people; couples who have recently been married; those preparing for marriage; new Quiet Prayer time once a month; regular monthly daytime group; guidance for a new mums or carers and toddler group; continuing discussions on reordering our church; guidance for the way forward Hildenborough Give thanks for: the flower helpers and wonderful display at Harvest thanksgiving Pray for: Remembrance Day service and Remembrance Supper; ringing of bells and lighting of the beacon in the evening Leigh Pray for: our minister; guidance and the Lord s protection; All Saints Day - 1 st ; There But Not There exhibition; service of remembrance & thanksgiving - 4 th ; Remembrance Sunday service - 11 th Penshurst Pray for: our Rector and all who minister; Messy Church; Tuesday morning coffee; staff and children of the village school Tonbridge: St Peter and St Paul Pray for: Time to Remember, Time to Give Thanks service on 4 th ; 90 s night outreach on 17 th ; outreach lunchtime concert on 22 nd ; appointment process for a new Associate Vicar; Step of Faith evening at Pizza Express on 26 th Tonbridge: St Stephen with St Eanswyths Give thanks for: our clergy, youth and children s workers; big numbers at Who Let Dads Out? Pray for: clergy and youth workers; Miriam as she is commissioned as Area Dean; helpers for Who Let Dads Out? ; more volunteers to man the church for Open Church; the team visiting Romania Tudeley-cum-Capel with Five Oak Green
Pray for: our new toddler group; more volunteers for this growing group TUNBRIDGE WELLS Deanery Pray for: God s richest blessings on all the worship and services in our churches Burrswood Pray for: all guests and staff; a performance of La Boheme by Matchbox Opera on 10 th Prayer topics for DECEMBER/JANUARY should be sent to Judith Howard, 10 Mount Pleasant Road, Weald, Sevenoaks, TN14 6QE, Tel 01732 458285, judithhoward@weald.plus.com by 10 th November