PRAYER DIARY...Meanwhile, in the Diocese of Wyoming, $1 million were allocated by the Diocesan Foundation to be used in support of those most affected by COVID19. All of the forty

PRAYER DIARYJULY - SEPTEMBER 2020

www.laundeabbey.org.uk • 01572 717254 • [email protected] • Charity No: 1140918

Launde Abbey is a retreat house in the heart of the country with God at its centre

Serving the Dioceses ofLeicester and Peterborough

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Retreats July - October 2020at Launde Abbey

For more information and to book please cal l or see our website

Launde Abbey, East Norton, Le icestershire , LE7 9XB

Please note that due to ongoing restrictions, these retreats may not go ahead or may require reduced numbers – please contact Launde Abbey for more information.

B E G I N N E R S R E T R E AT Led by Helen Newman 17th-19th July

C R E AT I V E B I B L E J O U R N A L I N G Led by Jamie Thackray and Karen Herrick 28th-31st July

I N D I V I D U A L L Y G U I D E D R E T R E AT Led by Jane Keller and her team 17th-21st August

C H A R I S M AT I C & C O N T E M P L AT I V E P R AY E R Led by David Newman 31st August-3rd September

G A R D E N I N G W E E K Led by Karen Johnson 7th-11th September

S E E I N G T H R O U G H G O D ’ S L E N S Led by Morna Simpson 14th-17th September

F R I E N D S H I P W I T H G O D Led by Edel McLean 2nd-4th October

F I N D I N G R E S T I N A B U S Y W O R L D Led by Sarah Chabowska and Libby Dobson 19th-22nd October

G A R D E N I N G W E E K Led by Karen Johnson 26th-30th October

At the time of writing, the whole country and much of the world is in lock down in response to the crisis caused by the Coronavirus. There is no way of knowing what the situation

will be by the time this Prayer Calendar is published and distributed. For many of us it’s strange to feel so out of control and uncertain even about the short term future. The virus has pricked the bubble - the illusion of control we may once have had is no longer. The ease with which we used to make plans and fully expect them to go ahead has been greatly challenged.

And perhaps this is no bad thing. One of the things we’ve had to learn during this period is to live with uncertainty and lack of control. The challenge is to do that well and remain whole - to focus more fully on God

as the ground of our being, to retain trust and hope when all around there is turmoil. Some people have known about this for a long time – those who live with debilitating illness or disability, those in countries with oppressive regimes, those who cannot rely on a steady income; and there are many others too. Others of us have much to learn from the experience of those who have long been negotiating the challenging and often painful path of uncertainty.

Embracing our lack of control is not an excuse to do nothing but an invitation to rely more fully on God and return to our primary baptismal vocation to pray, to serve God and God’s people. This favourite prayer of mine seems particularly apt:

God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.

www.laundeabbey.org.uk • 01572 717254 • [email protected] • Charity No: 1140918

FOREWORD FROM THE BISHOP OF LOUGHBOROUGH

WELCOME

Welcome to the new edition of the diocesan calendar of prayer, which takes us through summer to early autumn. If you know of anyone else who would like to receive a paper copy of this document, then please contact the Bishop’s Chaplain as below. It can also be downloaded from www.leicester.anglican.org/everyday-faith/calendar-or-prayer/

Every day we pray for Bishops and our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world using the Anglican Cycle of Prayer and the Porvoo prayer calendar (www.porvoochurches.org) – these are included in italics at the bottom of each day. You will also find one of our own partner dioceses featured every week. The Anglican Communion have changed their practice and now only include the name of the diocesan bishop, asking us to pray for the people, clergy and bishops of the names dioceses.

The key to the parish entries is as follows: C = Clergy; R = Reader; PA = Pastoral Assistant; Pio = Pioneer Minister; Evng = Evangelist; PTO = Permission to Officiate.

Do let the Bishop’s Chaplain know if you’ve got a story to feature on a Sunday in a future edition – with as much notice as possible please! Email Revd Rosie Woodall at [email protected] or phone 0116 270 3390 or send it c/o Bishop’s Lodge.

We are very grateful to Revd Canon Brian Davis for his work on gathering parish prayer requests.

This month thousands of children and young people prepare for a crucial moment of transition in their lives – Year 6 children are moving to secondary school; Year 11 pupils are moving onto sixth form or FE college or into the world of work or apprenticeships; while Year 13 students are leaving education or preparing for university. Others of all ages are moving schools for a variety of reasons.

This year, while those times of transition will still happen, they will not be marked by the usual rituals that take place around them. Even those young people that have returned to schools or college will not have the full experience of leavers’ services, award ceremonies, graduations, or end of year parties or proms. They will not be bale to say ‘farewell and thank you’ to staff, institutions and classmates in the expected way.

In recent years, Leicester Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) has hosted leavers’ services for Year 6 pupils in the Cathedral towards the end of the summer term. As demand for these services has increased, we were due to have two such services in 2020, with senior diocesan staff helping to lead them.

The DBE felt it was still important to offer something, and so have produced a brief online service for 2020, with a welcome from the Director of Education, Canon Carolyn Lewis; a Bible reading; a talk from Bishop Guli; and prayers and a blessing from Bishop Martyn. It will also include a song from Fischy Music. Pupils and staff will be invited to join in either together if they are at school, or can watch it at home with their families.

Please pray for:

• all those students moving through a time of transition at school, college or university

• all educational institutions and their teaching and support staff

• the Diocesan Board of Education and their support of our diocesan family of schools

Pray for the United Church of Pakistan: Archbishop Humphrey Peters - Bishop

of Peshawar & Moderator of the Church of Pakistan

SUNDAY 5 JULY TRINITY 4

CSI School - Woraiyur, Trichy

Bishop Isaiah ChambalaPray for those affected by COVID19 in Tanzania, for good and just governance of the country and for businesses and churches struggling in Kiteto.North Queensland (Australia): Bishop Keith Joseph; Awgu / Aninri (Nigeria): Bishop Emmaunuel Ugwu;Kaduna (Nigeria): Bishop Timothy Yahaya

MON 6 JULY Diocese of Kiteto

Ludger Fremmer (C); Anne Flower (R); Patricia Thompson (R-PTO); Eunice Hayes, Jamie Witcombe (Evng); Theresa Jackson, Jacki Shorley (P-Ast), Ann Perry (P-Ast-PTO).Please pray for the Kibworth Benefice to be effective in its pastoral care and mission during lockdown. Pray for the Well in Kibworth and all its volunteers to continue to be able to effectively meet the practical needs of the poor.North West Australia: Bishop Gary Nelson; Awka (Nigeria): Bishop Alexander Ibezim; Kafanchan (Nigeria): Bishop Marcus Dogo

TUES 7 JULY Kibworth with Smeeton Westerby & Saddingston

Pray for those with leadership in our diocese, especially the Bishop’s Leadership Team, meeting today.Northern Argentina: Bishop Nicholas Drayson; Awori (Nigeria): Bishop J Akin Atere

WED 8 JULY Bishop’s Leadership Team meeting

Barry Hill, Susan Cooper, Andy Giles, Alistair Helm, Pep Hill, Alison Iliffe, Peter Mackenzie, James Pickersgill, Jack Wixon (C); Dawn O’Connell (Families); Liz Allen (P-Ast); Eileen Bangerter, Angela Hill (P-Ast- PTO); Jo Giles, George Marshall, Susan Meadows, Lydia Tebbutt (R); David Palmer (Pio); Rob Leveritt (ordinand) As we work towards six new worshipping communities, please pray for Rob planting into new housing, Dawn and Josh leading with under 18s, Pep leading termly Alpha, Administrator Sue, and Barry as team leader. Northern California (USA): Bishop Barry Beisner; Badagry (Nigeria): Bishop Joseph Adeyemi; Ballarat (Australia): Bishop Garry Weatherill

THURS 9 JULY Market Harborough Resourcing Church Team

Market Harborough CE Primary SchoolPlease pray for our discernment at St Hugh for the way ahead and for our pastoral engagement with families at St Nicholas. At St Di’s, we give thanks for the faculty for major re-ordering work and pray for the financing of the project to proceed in 2021.Northern Indiana (USA): Bishop Douglas Sparks; Bangor: Bishop Andrew John

FRI 10 JULY Transfiguration: St Nicholas & St Hugh / St Dionysius Market Harborough

All Saints’ Lubenham CE Primary School & Gt Bowden AcademyPlease pray for our work with our schools. Pray for our care for elderly congregation members in Lubenham. In Great Bowden pray for the appointment of a new Team Vicar and our outreach to newcomers to the village, including through Cafe Church.Northern Luzon (Philippines): Bishop Hilary Pasikan; Banks & Torres (Melanesia): Bishop Alfred Worek;Kagera (Tanzania): Bishop Darlington Bendankeha

SAT 11 JULY St Peter and Paul, Great Bowden / All Saints, Lubenham

This week we were expecting to welcome our partner bishops for a link meeting preceding “The Big Hello”, the international hospitality period leading up to the Lambeth Conference. That has been postponed until at least 2021 due to the global COVID19 pandemic.

Each of our partner dioceses has had to respond differently to the crisis depending on their local circumstances and resources. All are grateful for our prayers and support. Tanzania has relatively low numbers of reported cases (although the true picture may be more serious). Christian Aid reports that in nations like India and Tanzania, although aid agencies are responding to the immediate humanitarian impact, they also recognise the associated social and economic impacts as well- thus producing a triple impact for countries with fragile health systems. To the right is a photograph of Bishop Chandrasekaran of Trichy visiting a church during the pandemic.

Meanwhile, in the Diocese of Wyoming, $1 million were allocated by the Diocesan Foundation to be used in support of those most affected by COVID19. All of the forty six parishes in the diocese received an initial grant of $10,000 on 1st April 2020, regardless of the size of their community or parish.

Bishop John wrote to the parishes to say “Our hope is that you will dream of ways you can make a love-spreading difference in the lives of those negatively impacted by this crisis... to meet the most pressing needs you discern”. General grant guidelines asked that funds were prioritised for community, family or individual needs in four broad categories: childcare, vulnerable adults, food insecurity,

or to provide non-food-related assistance (e.g. financially with rent/mortgages, other living costs, or emergencies). The grant could not be spent on church operating or capital expenditure. Parishes could then make an application for additional funding by early June to sustain these critical ministries.

Please pray for:

• the projects being supported by the Wyoming grants

• our partner dioceses and their social action projects

• all those affected long-term by this pandemic

SUNDAY 12 JULY TRINITY 5

Bishop D ChandrasekaranThis week Leicester would have been welcoming a visiting group from Trichy.  Please remember our partners in India and pray for a time when we are able to welcome international visitors once more.Kajiado (Kenya): Bishop Gadiel Lenini; Kajo-Keji (South Sudan): Bishop Emmanuel Modi;Kamango (Congo): Bishop Sabiti Daniel

MON 13 JULY Diocese of Trichy

Rob Miles, Tom Devas, Steve Ransley, Helen Bence (C)Giving thanks for opportunities to connect online and in small groups while in lockdown; and for evangelism including Christianity Explored online. Praying for our caring for the most vulnerable in our communities; seeking the Lord’s leading on timing and plans for planting.Northern Malawi: Bishop Fanuel Magangani; Barbados: Bishop Michael Maxwell;Kampala (Uganda); Archbishop Stephen Kaziimba

TUES 14 JULY Cornerstone Benefice

Steve Bailey (C), Mohammad Eghtedarian (C-Pio); Hugh James (R-PTO); Colin Chettle, Karen Johnson (R); Louise McGoldrick (Youth) Maria Jukes (ordinand)Please pray for Mohammad as he settles into his new role; for St Peter’s as they seek the way forward and also need to raise funds to repair their church walls; for our community links and witness. Northern Mexico: Archbishop Francisco Moreno; Bari (Nigeria): Bishop Idris Zubairu

WED 15 JULY Oadby & Great Glen Team Ministry 

Kim Ford, Sarah Collins (C); Angela Allen, Roger Flowers (R); Charles Ford (Evng), Carole Henson (P-Ast) St Cuthbert’s CE Primary School, Great GlenWe give thanks for how our villages have pulled together and shared the love of God to others around them through this difficult time. For the future we are praying to serve the community and the church family through building a missional hub. Northern Michigan (USA): Bishop Rayford Ray; Barisal (Bangladesh): Bishop Shourabh Pholia; Barrackpore (North India): Bishop Paritosh Canning

THURS 16 JULY Glen Magna cum Stretton Magna, Carton Curlieu & Burton Overy

We give thanks for the ministry of Tricia Allsopp, Bernard Baker, Richard Barribal, Fred Brodie, Pip Clements, Jan Collins, Janet Dudley, David Faulks, Ian Gemmell, Martin Hathaway and Bernard Higgins.Northern Philippines: Bishop Brent Alawas; Bath & Wells: Bishop Peter Hancock

FRI 17 JULY Clergy with Permission to Officiate in Gartree deanery

We give thanks for the ministry of Mary Ireland, Diana Johnson, Matthew Joy, Mary Lister, John Morley, Philip Norwood, Chris Oxley, Alan Pyke, Colin Southall, Brian Thompson, and Geoffrey White. Northern Territory (Australia): Bishop Greg Anderson; Bathurst (Australia): Bishop Mark Calder;Kano (Nigeria): Bishop Zakka Nyam

SAT 18 JULY Clergy with Permission to Officiate in Gartree deanery

This week the Church remembers two of the greatest figures of the early Church, Mary Magdalene on 22nd July and James the Greater on 25th July.

All four gospels give Mary Magdalene a unique place among Jesus’ followers, despite their apparent disagreement about her personal history. Along with other faithful women, she stayed beside the cross during the crucifixion and was with the first disciples to discover the empty tomb on Easter morning. She was privileged with the first appearance of the risen Lord, who sent her to take the good news of the resurrection to the other disciples. This commission earned her the title of ‘Apostle to the Apostles’ in the early Church.

James, often called ‘the Great’ was a Galilean fisherman who, with his brother John, was one of the first apostles called by Jesus to follow him. The two brothers were with Jesus at his Transfiguration and with him again in the garden of Gethsemane. They annoyed the other followers of Jesus by asking to sit one on his left and the other on his right when he came into his glory, and they were present for the appearances of Christ after the resurrection. James was put to death by the sword on the order of Herod Agrippa, who hoped in vain that, by disposing of the early Christian leaders, he could stem the flow of those hearing the good news and becoming followers in the Way. James’ martyrdom is believed to have taken place in the year AD44.

As we join our prayers with theirs, we give thanks:

• for the example of their lives and witness and pray that they can continue to inspire us today

• that celebrating the saints gives us a connection with the church across the world and reminds us of our place in the life of the Church through the centuries.

Pray for the Episcopal Church in the Philippines: Archbishop Joel Pachao

SUNDAY 19 JULY TRINITY 6

St James the Greater by Guido Reni

Bishop Stanley HotayPray for Pastors and Evangelists as they serve and minister on the frontline. Pray also for peace and faith for the new believers in the church in DMK.Northern Uganda: Bishop Johnson Gakumba; Bauchi (Nigeria): Bishop Musa Tula;Kansas (USA): Bishop Cathleen Bascom

MON 20 JULY Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro

Area Dean: Rob GladstonePlease pray for the review of the future make up of ministry across the Fosse Team area for the sake of mission; for Birstall, in vacancy with the frustrations of a temporary moratorium on appointments.Northern Zambia: Archbishop Albert Chama; Belize (West Indies): Bishop Philip Wright;Kanyakumari (South India): Bishop A R Chelliah

TUES 21 JULY Goscote Deanery

Pray for those who watch and weep at the grave of loved ones today; and for those who run to bring the good news of the gospel to others.Northwest Ankole (Uganda): Bishop Amos Magezi; Bendigo (Australia): Bishop Matt Brain

WED 22 JULY Mary Magdalene

Rob Gladstone (C); Valerie Joyce, David Wilson (R-PTO) Rothley CE Primary SchoolPray that we would continue faithful to our Lord in prayer, worship, evangelism, discipleship and pastoral care – that through this time the Lord may grow his church and grow his people to the glory of Christ.Northwest Texas (USA): Bishop Scott Mayer; Benin (Nigeria): Bishop Peter Imasuen;Bermuda: Bishop Nicholas Dill

THURS 23 JULY Rothley

Duncan Beet (C); John Dean (R-PTO); Heather Hall, John Harrison (R) Cossington CE Primary SchoolPraise God that we are seeing people come to faith through online services and an Online Christianity Explored Course pray for our new Christians that they grow in faith. Northwestern Pennsylvania (USA): Bishop Sean Rowe; Bethlehem (USA): Bishop Kevin Nichols

FRI 24 JULY Sileby, Cossington & Seagrave

Pray that we may follow Christ without delay when he calls us to be his disciples.Norwich: Bishop Graham Usher; Bhopal (North India): Bishop Manoj Charan;Kapoeta (South Sudan): Bishop Isaac Chol

SAT 25 JULY James the Apostle

We are just at the beginning of the holiday season, although it may look rather different for most of us this year. But perhaps the stresses and strains of recent months make it even more vital that we find space to recharge our batteries and to find rest and refreshment.

In the Ten Commandments we read “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. For six days you shall labour and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God; you shall not do any work...” (Exodus 20:8-10). So the Sabbath is intended as a day of rest but also a day to be considered holy, a portion of the Israelites’ time consecrated to God. Israel’s observance of the Sabbath was to be a sign of their special relationship with God, an imitation of God’s own rest on the seventh day after the completion of creation, and a reminder of the relief God granted his people in delivering them from slavery in Egypt. The only work allowed was that performed to save a human life. On the Sabbath, Jews went to the synagogue for prayer, Scripture readings and educational debates. The Christian Church moved the Sabbath to the first day of the week – Sunday, the day of resurrection.

In a hectic and busy world, it is perhaps more important than ever that we have our own Sabbath time – yes a day of rest, but perhaps even something more: a gift from God for which we should be thankful – time to restore our spiritual selves as well as our physical bodies. And perhaps an opportunity to “do good for God” - some kind of service of the church or the community.

Please pray for:

• safe journeys for all who travel

• rest and refreshment for all on holiday

• all those who work in the tourism and hospitality industry, especially those who have been made redundant in recent months, and for struggling businesses

• a rediscovery of the concept of Sabbath in our busy world

Pray for the Bishops and Archbishops of the Anglican Communion and for the

postponed Lambeth Conference

SUNDAY 26 JULY TRINITY 7

Bishop John SmyliePray for the Native American population who are particularly hard hit by Covid-19. Pray too for all those struggling with unprecedented unemployment and for the economy of Wyoming as our state’s mining and tourism industries are devastated.Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island (Canada): Archbishop Ron Cutler; Bida (Nigeria): Bishop Jonah Kolo;Karachi (Pakistan): Bishop Sadiq Daniel

MON 27 JULY Diocese of Wyoming

Lee Francis-Dehqani (C); Sue Essex (P-Ast), Brian Middleton (P-Ast PTO); Wendy Hardy, Ruthie Leonard, Theresa Morgan (Pio) SS Peter & Paul School SystonPlease pray for Mrs Biddy Saunders due to be ordained to serve in our benefice and all the missional planning for a new phase in the life of our parishes.Nsukka (Nigeria): Bishop Aloysius Agbo; Biharamulo (Tanzania): Bishop Yusuph Vithalis;Karamoja (Uganda): Bishop Joseph Abura

TUES 28 JULY Syston and Barkby 

Tim Day (C); Andrea Day, Stephen Gamble, John Hewer, Sheila Langley (R); Mandy Green (Pio) Church Hill Junior School, ThurmastonPlease pray for the process of reorganisation in the Fosse Team and for discernment in Mission opportunities for Thurmaston and East Goscote.Nyahururu (Kenya): Bishop Stephen Kabora; Birmingham: Bishop David Urquhart

WED 29 JULY Thurmaston and East Goscote

Mary A’Herne Smith, Ian Hill (C); Geoff Dixon (R); Queniborough, Rearsby, & Thrussington Schools.Please pray for our schools at this difficult time; and for the three parishes that we recognize where God is ahead of us, as we seek to discern how best to serve our communities.Nzara (South Sudan): Bishop Richard Aquilla; Blackburn: Bishop Julian Henderson; Bo (Sierra Leone): Bishop Solomon Scott-Manga

THURS 30 JULY Queniborough, Thrussington, Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake, Rearsby

in vacancy; Gill Chester (Pio); Doreen Wilson, Gill Pope, (P-Ast); Pete Chester, Lesley Walton (R)We are in good heart, awaiting a new Rector - appointment has been delayed by the lockdown. We share an online weekly information sheet. We are keeping together by phone, trying to ensure nobody gets lost and praying for one another at 11am every day.Missionary District of Oeste-Brasil (Brazil): Archbishop Naudal Gomes; Boga (Congo): Bishop Mugenyi Bahemuka; Port Elizabeth (Southern Africa): Bishop Edward Daniels

FRI 31 JULY Birstall & Wanlip

We give thanks for the ministry of Joy Chapman, David Cherry, Kerry Emmett, Anne Horton, John Leonard, Robin Martin, Nicky McGinty, Alison Price and Michael Webb with Permission to Officiate.Offa (Nigeria): Bishop Solomon Olusola Akambi; Bolivia (South America): Bishop Raphael Samuel;Karimnagar (South India): Bishop Reuben Mark

SAT 1 AUGUST Clergy with PTO in Goscote deanery

Next Thursday, the Church celebrates the feast of The Transfiguration. In the gospels according to Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus and three of his apostles (Peter, James and John) go up a mountain to pray. Here Jesus is ‘transfigured’ before them, his face and clothes shine with a brilliant light. The prophets Moses and Elijah appear and he speaks with them. Jesus is then called ‘Son’ by a voice from heaven, assumed to be God the Father, as at his baptism. (Although the account does not appear in John’s gospel, some have hypothesised that the prologue of his gospel alludes to it in John 1: 14).

The Transfiguration is one of the five major milestones in the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus – the others being his baptism, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. It is unique amongst the gospel miracles in that it happens to Jesus himself. It immediately follows the confession of Peter “You are the Christ” (Matt 16:16) so acts as a further revelation of the identity of Jesus as Son of God to his disciples.

The Transfiguration is a pivotal moment and the setting on the mountain is presented as the point where human nature meets God, where

the temporal meets the eternal, with Jesus himself acting as a bridge between heaven and earth. The presence of Moses and Elijah, combined with the words of God, indicates to the apostles that Jesus surpasses both the law and the prophets. Furthermore, the appearance of Elijah fulfils the messianic prophecy in Malachi (4:5-6) that Elijah would return to hold out the hope of repentance before judgement.

The feast of The Transfiguration not only encourages us to worship, but also challenges us to consider where we glimpse the glory of God – is it in church? In other human beings? In creation?

Please pray that we may:

• witness to the glory of God in our words and actions

• listen to the words of God’s beloved Son

• hear Christ say to us “do not be afraid”

Pray for the Bishops and Archbishops of the Anglican Communion and for the

postponed Lambeth Conference

SUNDAY 2 AUGUST TRINITY 8St Catherine’s M

onastery, Mount Sinai

SUNDAY 2 AUGUST TRINITY 8Bishop Isaiah ChambalaPray for the health needs of Kiteto, particularly the increasingly urgent need to raise funds to recruit new staff for the dispensary.Karnataka Central (South India): Bishop Prasana Samuel; Karnataka North: Bishop Ravikumar J. Niranjan; Karnataka South: Bishop Mohan Manoraj

MON 3 AUGUST Diocese of Kiteto

Area Dean: Wendy Dalrymple; Lay Chair: Codra Spencer; Asst Area Dean: Lauretta WilsonGive thanks for the variety of ways our churches have continued in mission through lockdown and for the sharing of resources and ideas across the parishes. Pray that recent discussions at Deanery Synod about becoming an Eco Deanery as part of the Diocesan vision would continue to shape our planning for the future.Ogbaru (Nigeria): Bishop Prosper Amah; Bondo (Kenya): Bishop David Kodia; Kasai - Mbujimayi (Congo): in vacancy

TUES 4 AUGUST The Deanery of Akeley East (Loughborough)

Lauretta Wilson, Louise Corke (C); Timothy Aldsworth, Sue Hack (R); Nadine Hawkins, Anne Matravers (R-PTO); Linda Pascoe (P-Ast PTO)Belton, Diseworth, Hathern & Long Whatton CE Primary Schools We give thanks for the kindness and friendship evident in our village communities during lockdown. Praying the church will continue to be part of the hope and light shining in this time, and for all those who are struggling. Ogbia (Nigeria): Bishop James Oruwori; Bor (South Sudan): Bishop Ruben Akurdid Ngong;Umzimvubu (Southern Africa): Bishop Sitembele Mzamane

WED 5 AUGUST Kegworth, Hathern, Long Whatton, Diseworth, Belton & Osgathorpe

Pray that a glimpse of Christ’s glory may encourage us in our journey of discipleship. Ogbomoso (Nigeria): in vacancy; Botswana (Central Africa): Bishop Metlhayotlhe Beleme;Brandon (Canada): Bishop William Cliff

THURS 6 AUGUST Transfiguration of our Lord

Clive Watts, Fiona Cotton-Betteridge (C); Rex Shaw (R); Ron Hetherington, Pam Knowles (R-PTO); David Spencer (P-Ast) Barrow-on-Soar and Wymeswold CE Primary SchoolsPlease pray for Fiona Cotton-Betteridge as she joins the Barrow and Wolds Group as Associate Priest. Please also pray for us as we seek to work together and grow closer as a group of churches and reach out to our villages. Ogoni (Nigeria): Bishop Solomon Gberegbara; Brasilia (Brazil): Bishop Maurício Araujo De Andrade;Brazzaville (Congo): Bishop Molanga Botola

FRI 7 AUGUST Barrow on Soar with Walton le Wolds and Wymeswold and Prestwold with Hoton

Andrew Race (C) St Edward’s CE Primary School, Castle DoningtonPray that God will teach us to swim in the online deep-end in which we find ourselves, and that those who are engaging with our digital presence will encounter the life-giving gift of Jesus in a fresh way.Ogori-Magongo (Nigeria): Bishop Festus Davies; Brechin (Scotland): Bishop Andrew Swift;Katakwa (Kenya): Bishop John Omuse

SAT 8 AUGUST Castle Donington, and Lockington cum Hemington

Community Organising starts with the recognition that change can come about when communities come together to compel public authorities and businesses to respond to the needs of ordinary people. It identifies and trains leaders in diverse communities in civil society (faith groups, unions, schools), bringing them together and building partnerships to voice their needs, and it organizes campaigns to ensure that these needs are met.

Citizens UK have been organising for 30 years, with over 340 churches, mosques, trade unions, schools, faith groups and community associations as dues-paying member institutions working successfully together on campaigns like the real Living Wage, Community Sponsorship of Refugees and the ending of Child Detention for Immigration purposes.

With the Diocese as a principal partner, Leicester and Leicestershire Citizens has developed over the last two years, and the Cathedral and Holy Trinity Leicester are member institutions together with Winstanley School in Braunstone, the Progressive Synagogue, the University of Leicester Students Union, SOCOPA (Somali community groups) and One Roof Leicester:. ‘It gives a practical active way of expressing our Christian faith - to love and serve one another. It links the two things that are core to who I am – a passion for Jesus and a deep rooted thing for injustice. Now I have a way of giving positive expression to that anger. I can ‘act justly’ as it says in Micah 6. ’ (Ann Webster, Holy Trinity).

Please pray into the local issues Leicester and Leicestershire Citizens are working on that have emerged through listening to what matters to the people in our institutions:

• safer streets for young people

• better access to mental health services and for schools in the support they offer

• access to affordable housing and permanent multi-sectoral solutions to street homelessness

• the Real Living Wage for care workers national campaign.

Pray for the Province de L’Eglise Anglicane au Rwanda: Archbishop Laurent

Mbanda – Archbishop and Bishop of Shyira

SUNDAY 9 AUGUST TRINITY 9

Bishop D ChandrasekaranPray for the Church of South India in Trichy, particularly for their work in health care and training of nurses as they respond to the coronavirus pandemic.Ohaji / Egbema (Nigeria): Bishop Chidi Oparaojiaku; Brisbane (Australia): Bishop Phillip Aspinall

MON 10 AUGUST Diocese of Trichy

Michael Broadley, Steven Harvey, Ben Gardner (C); Stephen Barney, Bob Smith, Codra Spencer (R); Ros Barney, Shirley Harris (P-Ast); Alex Howlett, Penny Pullan (R in training) Loughborough CE Primary SchoolPray for us as we continue to discern our calling to plant churches in partnership with the Good Shepherd and St Barnabas.  Pray for us too as we seek to deepen our discipleship through welcome and our small group ministry as well as seek to discern what a post “lockdown” church looks like.Ohio (USA): Bishop Mark Hollingsworth; Bristol: Bishop Viv Faull; Katanga (Congo): Bishop Bertin Subi

TUES 11 AUGUST Emmanuel, Loughborough

Wendy Dalrymple, Mark Carroll, Emily Sharman (C); Martyn Davison (R-PTO), Suzanne Hanson (Pio)Loughborough CE Primary SchoolGive thanks for the deepening fellowship and spiritual life of our existing congregation and pray that we would be able to reopen our church building safely for the whole community; and for the work of Emma Trounson as Director of Mission through Music.Oji River (Nigeria): Bishop Amos Madu; British Columbia (Canada): Bishop Logan McMenamie

WED 12 AUGUST Loughborough All Saints with Holy Trinity

Sue Willetts (C); Tony Harper, Jackie Rotter, Andy Willetts (R) Please pray for our continuing partnership to plant churches that plant churches, as together we endeavour to prepare the ‘ground’, both inside and outside the church, for the next stages of our plans in the light of the lockdown experience.Okene (Nigeria): Bishop Emmanuel Onsachi; Buhiga (Burundi): Bishop Evariste Nijimbere;Bujumbura (Burundi): Bishop Eraste Bigirimana

THURS 13 AUGUST The Good Shepherd, Loughborough

Ben Gardner (C); Paul Chung (R)Please pray for all those who are connecting with STB online, especially those who are exploring faith for the first time. Pray for our STB KIDS team as they continue to produce online resources for young families on the estate to learn more about Jesus. Oke-Ogun (Nigeria): Bishop Cornelius Adagbada; Bukavu (Congo): Bishop Sylvestre Bahati

FRI 14 AUGUST St Barnabas, Loughborough

Pray that we may be strengthened to walk with Mary on the joyful path of obedience.Oke-Osun (Nigeria): Bishop Abraham Akinlalu; Bukedi (Uganda): Bishop Samuel Egesa;Katsina (Nigeria): Bishop Jonathan Bamaiyi

SAT 15 AUGUST The Blessed Virgin Mary

We come to God in prayer not only with words, but sometimes also in silence, or through using our senses.

In the Catholic tradition, the Rosary is used (Latin “rosarium”: garland of roses). This is a set of prayers, accompanied by a string of beads or knots. It is thought that counting beads frees your mind to help you meditate. Pope John Paul II placed the Rosary at the very centre of Christian spirituality and called it “among the finest and most praiseworthy traditions of Christian contemplation.” It has its origins in the knotted prayer ropes used by the Desert Fathers of early Christianity. The prayers begin with the Apostles’ Creed, and then include, in repeated sections, the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Hail Mary’, and ‘Glory be’. There are also twenty “Mysteries of the Rosary” (‘joyful’, ‘sorrowful’, ‘glorious’ and ‘luminous’) which are used on different days and recall events in the life of Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Lutheran Church of Sweden developed a similar aid to prayer in 1995, called the ‘Pearls of Life’ or ‘Wreath of Christ’. Each of the eighteen pearls carries a specific meaning, a question of life, a thought, or a prayer. There are no specific words provided, and the user may meditate or say a prayer on each bead.

Others find a holding cross helpful, often made from olive wood from the Holy Land. The cross beam is deliberately uneven, in order to fit between your fingers more comfortably.

Its plain design is felt to be a reminder of the harsh wood of the cross of Jesus. Sometimes it is enough simply to hold the cross silently (particularly used with those who may be ill). Holding a cross can also be a way of prayer for others, especially those who are suffering, or when making an act of penitence.

Please pray for:

• the enrichment of our life of prayer, as we learn from other traditions

• a deepening of our individual discipleship through prayer

• the unity in difference of the Church across the world

Pray for the Scottish Episcopal Church: Archbishop Mark Strange - Primus & Bishop

of Moray, Ross & Caithness

SUNDAY 16 AUGUST TRINITY 10

Bishop Stanley Hotay Pray for the serious practical needs of the Pastors and other Church Workers. Pray that no-one dies from the COVID 19 pandemic or through lack of food and provisions.Okigwe (Nigeria): Bishop Edward Osuegbu; Okigwe North (Nigeria): Bishop Godson Ukanwa;Okigwe South (Nigeria): Bishop David Onuoha; Kebbi (Nigeria): Bishop Edmund Akanya

MON 17 AUGUST Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro

Adele Adshead (C); Helena Wilkinson (R); Richard Harries, Richard Meredith (R-PTO)Please pray for the fulfilment of our 3 vision priorities - to be an OPEN and CONNECTED church EQUIPPED for mission - giving thanks for our community connections and praying for them to grow.Okinawa (Japan): Bishop David Uehara; Bukuru (Nigeria): Bishop Jwan Zhumbes

TUES 18 AUGUST St Mary in Charnwood, Nanpantan

Colin Resch, Darren Walker (C); Helen Hodson, Gary Lee, Edmund Stacey (R-PTO); Linda Vesty, Alison White (Children & Family) Christ Church & St Peter’s CE Primary School, Mountsorrel; St Leonard’s CE Primary School, SwithlandPray for an openness to the gospel among our toddler group families; that they may truly grasp the love of God. Pray also for our autumn outreach programme and, in particular, the participants on our Alpha Course.Oklahoma (USA): Bishop Edward Konieczny; Bunbury (Australia): Bishop Ian Coutts

WED 19 AUGUST Mountsorrel Christ Church & St Peter; St Leonard’s, Swithland

David Bowler (C) St Bartholomew’s CE Primary School; Rawlins College (Academy)Please pray that, as and when our buildings are re-opened, we will be granted the wisdom to restore fellowship and at the same time keep people safe to benefit from the sterling work done by the NHS. Please pray for Wendy Walker, our Family Worker, as she continues her work with families and schools.Okrika (Nigeria): Bishop Tubokosemie Atere; Bungoma (Kenya): Bishop George Mechumo

THURS 20 AUGUST Quorn

Lydia Humphreys, John Bird (C); Diane Melton (P-Ast) St Botolph’s CE Primary SchoolWe give thanks for the wonderful people who have stepped forward during this pandemic and for those members of our congregation who have enabled us to spread an umbrella of prayer and care through live streamed worship and acts of service.Oleh (Nigeria): Bishop John Aruakpor; Bunyoro-Kitara (Uganda): Bishop Samuel Kahuma

FRI 21 AUGUST Shepshed & Oaks in Charnwood

Lisa Temperley-Barnes (C); Claire Zanker (R); William Leeson, Marion Porter (P-Ast-PTO)St Leonard’s CE Primary School, Swithland; St Paul’s CE Primary School, Woodhouse Eaves We give thanks to God for our communities who have pulled and worked together in such a wonderful way to show Christ’s love to others in word and action. Please pray for our pupils, parents and staff as they continue to sustain the academic side of education. Kentucky (USA): Bishop Terry White; Kericho (Kenya): Bishop Ernest Ng’eno; Khartoum (Sudan): Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo

SAT 22 AUGUST Woodhouse & Woodhouse Eaves

FareShare Midlands (FSM) owes its formal creation to the Diocese of Leicester - in July 2008 the Diocese signed the franchise agreement and FareShare Leicester began.

Since then it has increased the area covered and from very humble beginnings, supports community food members in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, West Midlands as well as parts of Shropshire and Staffordshire, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire.

8.4million people in the UK are struggling to afford to eat. This is equivalent to the entire population of London! Since the Covid 19 emergency began FSM has undertaken to support many other organisations providing emergency aid including local authorities and Red Cross. This pandemic has brought an even higher demand of our services so that we can help fight hunger in the Midlands.

During April FSM provided 818 tonnes of food which is about I,947,300 meals to the most vulnerable in the Midlands!

The organisation is supported by a dedicated team of staff, volunteers and supporters, all of whom continue to show remarkable commitment to the organization, the cause

and ultimately to each other. The high degree of team working has been tremendous to witness, across operations and regions, and the impressive figures set out above could not have been achieved without everyone’s willingness to communicate with and support each other and our members.

A quote from one of the projects supported by FSM, Eyres Monsell Club for Young People. “Our dedicated team of Volunteers have devoted their time during the pandemic to provide food parcels to the most vulnerable members of the community. This work is only possible due to our partnership with FareShare Midlands and their weekly food donations. Their continued support really does make a difference in our community. On 18th May, we hit a huge milestone for the project by providing our 1000th Parcel to a member of the community.”

Please pray for:

• the director, staff and volunteers as they seek to support all those in our country who are struggling to afford to eat

• those who are isolated, quarantined and unable to do their own food shopping; and for the agencies who are supporting them

• all our community Food Members who are providing extra value to the lives of those in need

Pray for the Church of the Province of South East Asia: Archbishop Melter Tais – Archbishop and Bishop of Sabah

SUNDAY 23 AUGUST TRINITY 11

Pray that we may have the grace to, like Bartholomew, truly believe and teach God’s word.Kibondo (Tanzania): Bishop Sospeter Ndenza; Kigali (Rwanda): Bishop Nathan Rusengo;Kigeme (Rwanda): Bishop Assiel Musabyimana

MON 24 AUGUST Bartholomew the Apostle

Bishop John Smylie  Give thanks for the generosity of the Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming who recently committed $1 million to the Covid-19 relief effort in the State of Wyoming.Olo (South Sudan): Bishop Tandema Obede; Busan (Korea): Archbishop Onesimus Park; Kigezi (Uganda): Bishop George Bagamuhunda

TUES 25 AUGUST Diocese of Wyoming

in vacancy, Jenny Bickley (P-Ast PTO) We give thanks for the ministry of Keith Elliot and pray for him and the parish after his retirement. Pray for the wardens and all those who will lead through this time of change.Olympia (USA): Bishop Gregory Rickel; Busoga (Uganda): Bishop Paul Naimanhye

WED 26 AUGUST Thorpe Acre with Dishley

Give thanks for the ministry of Lesley Butler, Martin Charles, Tony Cox, Charles Dobbin, Susan Forshaw, Paul Hackwood, Margaret Harper, Glenn Martin, Geoffrey Mitchell, Simon Richardson, Reg Stretton, Rosie and Eric Whitley, and Peter Yorkstone.Omu-Aran (Nigeria): Bishop Philip Adeyemo Butare (Rwanda): Bishop Nathan Gasatura; Butere (Kenya): Bishop Timothy Wambunya

THURS 27 AUGUST Clergy with Permission to Officiate in Akeley East deanery

Please pray for Jonathan Kerry (Diocesan Secretary), Andy Brockbank (Director of Operations and Governance), Lynn Philips and Ariel Baker.On the Lake (Nigeria): Bishop Chijioke Oti; Buye (Burundi): Bishop Sixbert Macumi

FRI 28 AUGUST Diocesan Secretary and Chief Executive’s office

Please pray for the work of the Archdeacons – Claire Wood and Richard Worsfold – and for Claire Bampton and Wendy Dunnington. On the Niger (Nigeria): Bishop Owen Nwokolo; Byumba (Rwanda): Bishop Emmanuel Ngendahayo;Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh (Ireland): Bishop Ferran Glenfield

SAT 29 AUGUST The Archdeacons’ Office

Creationtide runs from 1st September to October 4th. It will include most harvest festivals, and concludes on the feast day of St Francis of Assisi - remembered for his simplicity of lifestyle and his love of all God’s creatures. He is appropriately the patron saint of ecology and the environment.

Last year, led by Bishop Martyn and the Bishop’s Youth Council, we made a pledge to become an Eco Diocese within two years. On 7 June, we formally registered our intent to work towards this with the awarding body, A Rocha. One of the qualifications for this is for a certain percentage of parishes to be accredited as an Eco Church at bronze, silver or gold status.

In the benefice of Broughton Astley and Croft with Stoney Stanton, caring for the environment has become something of a principle in recent years. Broughton Astley received its Silver Award in 2019; Stoney Stanton was awarded a Bronze in

2019 and has started on its Silver, while Croft is working towards its first award. In Broughton Astley, these changes and initiatives include replacing the heating system for more economical units and replacing the lighting system with LED lights. They have a wildlife area outside the church with bird boxes, bat boxes, a hedgehog house and log piles for insects to use. Messy Church frequently bases its activities around the theme of creation, while each of the three churches follows the season of Creationtide and regularly holds worship themed around the care of God’s planet, often using liturgies from Iona and the Celtic tradition. In all the churches they avoid single use plastics, and think about who produces and makes their food, using Fairtrade products whenever possible and sourcing local, organic produce.

Please pray:

• for a deeper appreciation of God’s gifts to us in creation

• that we may be better stewards of the natural world

• for churches working towards an EcoChurch award and our diocese’s progress towards Eco-Diocese status

• for those suffering as a result of the worsening environmental crisis

Pray for the United Church of South India: Archbishop Dharmaraj Rasalam -

Moderator of CSI & Bishop of South Kerala

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST TRINITY 12

Bishop Isaiah ChambalaPray for a funding solution for the transport problems of the diocese and the Eye Dispensary in particular, so that its outreach work can continue.Kimberley & Kuruman (Southern Africa): Bishop Oswald Swartz; Kindu (Congo): Bishop Zacharie KatandaKinkiizi (Uganda): Bishop Dan Zoreka

MON 31 AUGUST Diocese of Kiteto

Please pray for John Orridge (Director of Finance), Jim Pullen, Karen Issitt, Tracy Brito; and for Sally Bossingham, Hannah Silcock and Phil Leech. Ondo (Nigeria): Bishop Stephen Oni; Calabar (Nigeria): Bishop Tunde Adeleye;Kinshasa (Congo): Bishop Achille Mutshindu

TUES 1 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Finance and Generous Giving departments

Please pray for those exercising leadership in our diocese.Ontario (Canada): Bishop Michael Oulton;Calcutta (North India): Bishop Probal Kanto Dutta

WED 2 SEPTEMBER Bishop’s Leadership Team

We pray for tonight’s meeting of the DBE; for the diocesan education team (Carolyn Lewis, Yolanda Morley-Mackay, Claudia Brockbank, Emma Heesom and Anne Rattigan); and for all connected with our family of schools as the new term gets underway.Ogbomoso (Nigeria): Bishop Titus Olayinka; Caledonia (Canada): Bishop David TJ Lehmann;Calgary (Canada): Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson

THURS 3 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Board of Education meeting

Please pray for Rachael Spiers, Pete Holloway, Rachel Boyes and Julie Foulds, and for all parish safeguarding co-ordinators.Oregon (USA): Bishop Michael Hanley; California (USA): Bishop Marc Andrus

FRI 4 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Safeguarding Team

Please pray for Nicky Caunt, Dinta Chauhan, Lesley Whitwell; Rupert Allen, Gill Elliott, Simon Headley; and Phil Ash. Orlu (Nigeria): Bishop Bennett Okoro;Cameroon (West Africa): Bishop Dibo Elango;Kirinyaga (Kenya): Bishop Joseph Kibichwa

SAT 5 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Property, Church Buildings and IT departments

Next Sunday (13th September) is Education Sunday - a national and ecumenical day of prayer and celebration for everyone in the world of education, which has been recognised in England and Wales for over a hundred years. Resources to help churches and schools mark this can be found online.

Our Diocesan Director of Education, Carolyn Lewis, writes: The Church of England’s Vision for Education is ‘Deeply Christian, Serving the Common Good’. This vision – for all of education and not simply Church schools - embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of children and young people. The Diocesan Board of Education team work to promote this vision of human flourishing for all; one that embraces excellence and academic rigour, but sets them in a wider framework. This is worked out theologically and educationally through four basic elements which permeate the vision:

• wisdom • hope• community • dignity

The vision, in line with the Church of England’s role as the established Church, is for the common good of the whole human community and its environment. It is ‘scandalously inclusive’, respecting freedom of religion and belief, and encourages others to contribute from the depths of their own traditions and understandings.

In Church schools the deeply Christian foundation for this vision will be seen explicitly in teaching and learning both in RE and across the curriculum, and also in the authentically Christian worship and ethos of those schools.

In other schools which are not rooted in an explicit Christian ethos, the vision for education can still be expressed and promoted as one of human flourishing that can inspire what the school is and does.

Please pray for school and academy trust leaders and Governors that they can lead their schools with:

• Wisdom: making wise, prayerful decisions rooted in the school’s Christian vision

• Hope: reminding and reassuring their school communities that the Christian story is one of hope

• Community: inspiring and encouraging children, young people and their families to feel part of Christian community

• Dignity: holding the inherent value and worth of each child and young person at the forefront of all decisions

Pray for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa: Archbishop Thabo Makgoba -

Archbishop of Capetown

SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 13

The Archbishop of Canterbury visits Billesdon School in Nov 2017

Bishop D ChandrasekaranAs schools, colleges and universities start their new academic year, pray for the staff of the Bishop Heber College in Trichy, India, that it may sustain its high reputation, especially in giving opportunities to students from poorer families.Oru (Nigeria): Bishop Geoffrey Chukwunenye; Canberra & Goulburn (Australia): Bishop Mark Short

MON 7 SEPTEMBER Diocese of Trichy

Please pray for Stuart Burns (Director); Beth Cluer, Louise Corke, Jonathan Dowman, Rob Hay, Mike Kelly, Claire Stapleton, and Louise Warner. And for the Resourcing Church project – for Barry Hill and Alastair Michaelwaite.Osaka (Japan): Bishop Andrew Haruhisa Iso; Canterbury: Archbishop Justin Welby

TUES 8 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Mission and Ministry Department

Please pray for our diocesan Communications team – for Jon Barrett, Jo Griffin, Grace McSharry and Gemma Starkings.Osun (Nigeria): Bishop James Popoola; Cape Coast (West Africa): Bishop Victor Atta-Baffoe

WED 9 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Communications Team

Please pray for the BAME project team – for Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, Suzanne Hanson, Luke Fogg and Aletta Carpenter van Barthold - and for our Intercultural Worshipping Community pioneer ministers: Vee Pinto, Kat Gibson and Mohammed Eghtedarian.Osun North (Nigeria): Bishop Abiodun T Olaoye; Cape Town (Southern Africa): Archbishop Thabo Makgoba; Carlisle: Bishop James Newcome

THURS 10 SEPTEMBER Mission and Ministry with our BAME communities

Please pray for Paul Rattigan (DDO) and Assistant DDOS; Liz Rawlings (Discipleship and Vocations); for lay vocations advisers; and those serving as national selectors for ordained ministry. Osun North East (Nigeria): Bishop Ebenezer Okuyelu; Cashel & Ossory (Ireland): Bishop Michael Burrows

FRI 11 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Vocations Team

Please pray for those to be ordained priest this weekend (delayed because of the pandemic). Ottawa (Canada): in vacancyCentral Buganda (Uganda): Bishop Michael Lubowa

SAT 12 SEPTEMBER Ordination of priests

Next weekend, the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming - one of our four international partner dioceses – will gather (virtually or in person) for their Diocesan Convention. One of the most significant elements of this year’s Convention is the election of their new bishop who will become the tenth bishop of Wyoming in February next year. He or she will replace Bishop John Smylie, who was due to have been with us last July for the pre-Lambeth meetings, when we also expected to say farewell to him.

The three short-listed candidates are:

The Revd David L. Duprey has been an active duty US military chaplain for the past twelve years, serving with both the US Marines and the US Navy. He was ordained in 1988 in Laramie and spent his early years of ministry in parishes in Wyoming.

The Revd Mary Erickson currently serves as an Associate Priest at St. John’s Church in Jackson, Wyoming. She is known among the congregation as a force for social justice, servant leadership and spirituality. She has also been a hospice chaplain.

The Revd Canon Paul-Gordon Chandler is currently Rector of the Anglican Church in Qatar in the Middle East. An appointed mission partner with the Episcopal Church, he has lived and worked around the world in leadership roles, including as a peace builder and arts curator.

The candidates would normally spend time around the diocese between May and September, but much of that will have been done virtually under COVID19 restrictions. The elected candidate will begin their ministry as Bishop of Wyoming on 13 February 2021, which is also the date that Bishop John begins his retirement.

Please pray:

• the three candidates and for those who will elect them at next weekend’s Convention

• Bishop John and his wife Jill as they transition into retirement

• the diocese of Wyoming and our other partner dioceses around he world

SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 14

Pray that we may have the grace to glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.Otukpo (Nigeria): Bishop David Bello; Central Busoga (Uganda): Bishop Patrick Wakula;Kisangani (Congo): Bishop Lambert Botolome

MON 14 SEPTEMBER Holy Cross Day

Please pray for the College of Bishops meeting until Thursday.Owerri (Nigeria): Bishop Chukwuma Oparah; Central Ecuador: Bishop Victor Scantlebury;Kita Kanto (Japan): Bishop Zerubbabel Hirota

TUES 15 SEPTEMBER College of Bishops

Please pray for the College of Bishops meeting until Thursday. Owo (Nigeria): Bishop Stephen Fagbemi;Central Florida (USA): Bishop Gregory Brewer

WED 16 SEPTEMBER College of Bishops

Please pray for the College of Bishops meeting.Oxford: Bishop Steven Croft;Central Gulf Coast (USA): Bishop Russell Kendrick;Central Melanesia: Archbishop Leonard Daweas

THURS 17 SEPTEMBER College of Bishops

Bishop Stanley HotayPray for God’s wisdom as to how to lead the Church in DMK at this time and especially the opportunities this provides for the Church to grow and strengthen. Thank God for our partnership in the Gospel.Oyo (Nigeria): Bishop Williams Aladekugbe;Central New York (USA): Bishop DeDe Duncan-Probe

FRI 18 SEPTEMBER Diocese of Mount Kilimanjaro

Pray for the Diocese of Wyoming gathered today for their diocesan convention, where they will elect their new bishop.Pacong (South Sudan): Bishop Joseph Atot;Central Newfoundland (Canada): Bishop John Watton;Kitale (Kenya): Bishop Stephen Kewasis

SAT 19 SEPTEMBER Wyoming Diocesan Convention

Although the Bishop of Leicester has the responsibility for leading and encouraging parish work across the diocese, there are also Synods, Boards and Councils that meet to make important decisions, advise the Bishop and facilitate the work that needs to be done. This week, one of those groups - Diocesan Synod - is scheduled to meet on Tuesday evening.

Every diocese has its own Diocesan Synod. Its role is similar to the national Church of England’s General Synod but at the regional diocesan level. 

The role of Diocesan Synod is to:-

• consider matters affecting the Church of England in the diocese

• act as a forum for debate of Christian opinion on matters of religious or public interest

• formulates diocesan policy on a wide range of issues

• advise the Bishop of Leicester where requested

• deal with matters referred by General Synod

The Diocesan Synod keeps Deanery Synods informed about matters of concern. Deanery Synods also have the opportunity to submit matters for discussion at the diocesan level. Six people from the Diocesan Synod are also elected members of the General Synod, and elections had been due this year but have been postponed as a result of COVID19.

In the last couple of years, the Synod has adopted a new interfaith strategy “Confident Engagement” and made the commitment to become an “Eco Diocese”. The Synod has also heard presentations on our pioneering and fresh expressions; the diocesan budget; the national “Living in Love and Faith” resources (around human relationships); and stories from our Social Responsibility panel.

The Diocese of Leicester’s Bishops and Archdeacons, along with elected laity and clergy from across the diocese, make up the members. Sessions are usually chaired by Bishop Martyn, or by the Chairs of the House of Laity (Canon Prof David Wilson) or Clergy (Revd Canon Peter Hooper). The Synod is advised by relevant diocesan staff, where appropriate.

Please pray:

• for the members of Diocesan Synod in their discussions and decisions

• that the membership of Synod (and of other boards and Councils) may come to reflect the diversity of our diocese

Pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan: Archbishop Justin

Badi Arama – Bishop of Juba and Archbishop

SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 15

Pray that we may have the grace to lay aside our love of possessions and riches to follow in the way of Jesus.Kiteto (Tanzania): Bishop Isaiah Chambala; Kitgum (Uganda): Bishop Wilson Kitara;Kitui (Kenya): Bishop Josephat Mule

MON 21 SEPTEMBER Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist

Please pray for the members of the Diocesan Synod, meeting this evening.Panama (Central America): Archbishop Julio Thompson;Central Pennsylvania (USA): Bishop Audrey Scanlan;Kivu (Rwanda): Bishop Augustin Ahimana

TUES 22 SEPTEMBER Diocesan Synod

Bishop John SmyliePray for Bishop John and Jill as they begin to transition into the next chapter of their lives and give thanks for their ministry of presence to the Dioceses of Wyoming and Leicester.Pankshin (Nigeria): Bishop Olumuyiwa Ajayi;Central Philippines (Philippines): Bishop Dixie Taclobao

WED 23 SEPTEMBER Diocese of Wyoming

Area Dean: Gill Pinnington; Lay Chair: Noreen MewiesWe continue to pray for all of our churches, for their vision and safety as we face a different future together.Panyana (South Sudan): Bishop Seme Abinda; Central Solomons (Melanesia): Bishop Ben Seka;Central Tanganyika (Tanzania): Bishop Dickson Chilongani

THURS 24 SEPTEMBER Deanery of North West Leicestershire

in vacancy, Chris Haywood (C); Christine Hall, Trevelyn Hodson (R-PTO); David Hitchcock (Pio)We pray for all those exercising ministry and leadership in the benefice during the extended vacancy; and pray for the people and communities we serve.Central Zambia: Bishop Derek Kamukwamba

FRI 25 SEPTEMBER Hugglescote with Donington, Ellistown & Snibston

Please pray for those to be ordained deacon this weekend in our diocese.Paraguay (South America): Bishop John Bartlett;Central Zimbabwe: Bishop Ignatius Makumbe;Kobe (Japan): Bishop Augustine Kobayashi

SAT 26 SEPTEMBER Ordination of deacons

In this diocese, we normally ordain our new priests and deacons at Petertide (around 29th June), but this year the ordinations in all dioceses had to be postponed due to the COVID19 pandemic. We hope and pray that two weeks ago (13th/14th September), we will have been able to celebrate their ordination with our new priests. This weekend it is the turn of our new deacons. Obviously the delay has been frustrating for the ordinands, and for their parishes, and we are grateful for the grace and patience they have shown. Our new deacons have been able to minister as licenced lay workers for the last few months, as they begin to get to know their new contexts.

With some restrictions likely to still be in place, we pray for them in this time of transition as they begin their ministry in a very different world. We pray too that their ordinations may still be a time of encouragement and inspiration for them, even if they may look rather different to usual.

Those to be ordained deacon are:

Nick Baker, Wigston Matthew Creber, Cornerstone TeamPauline Cummins, Earl Shilton with ElmesthorpePaul Emberton, Thurnby LodgeRos Harper, Burbage cum Aston FlamvilleMaria Jukes, Oadby Great Glen TeamRob Leveritt, Market Harborough and

The TransfigurationDawn Matthew, Hinckley St JohnCrystal McAllister, Upper WreakeBiddy Saunders, Syston and Barkby

Those to be ordained priest are:

Hazel Aucken, Newbold de Verdun, Barlestone and Kirkby Mallory with PeckletonIvan Bennett, Leicester, Church of the NativityJon Berry, Hinckley St JohnWilma Colley, The Woodfield TeamSarah Collins, Oadby Great Glen TeamMark Cooper, Hinckley Holy TrinityMatthew Gough, KnightonAnn Hall, Bosworth Laura Jackson, Broughton Astley with Croft and Stoney StantonEmily Sharman, Loughborough, All Saints with Holy TrinityChris Szejnmann, Leicester, Holy Trinity with St John the DivineJon Tearne, Leicester, St John the Baptist Clarendon Park

Please pray for:• these ordinands in their new ministries• their families, friends and colleagues• their training incumbents and contexts

Pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan: Archbishop Ezekiel Kumir Kondo -

Archbishop & Bishop of Khartoum

SUNDAY 27 SEPTEMBER TRINITY 16

Bishop Isaiah ChambalaPray for the training of pastors and teaching of the churches and the development of the centre at Namelock. Pray for the well-being of schools run by Kiteto Diocese. Patna (North India): Bishop Philip Marandih; Chandigarh (North India): Bishop Younas Massey

MON 28 SEPTEMBER Diocese of Kiteto

Pray that our worship may join with the host of heaven.Pelotas (Brazil): Bishop Renato Raatz; Chelmsford: Bishop Peter Hill (Acting)

TUES 29 SEPTEMBER Michael and All Angels

Gill Pinnington (C); Geoff Pinnington (R)All Saints CE Primary School, Coalville We give thanks that we have continued to minister to our church congregations and the wider community through social media. Please pray for those who are feeling lonely and may be struggling through the pandemic, that they may know the presence of Jesus. Pennsylvania (USA): Bishop Daniel Gutierrez; Chester: Bishop Mark Tanner

WED 30 SEPTEMBER Coalville with Bardon Hill & Ravenstone

in vacancy, Jenny Holland (P-Ast) We pray for the ministry team maintaining the life of the church through the vacancy.Perth (Australia): Bishop Kay Goldsworthy;Chhattisgarh (North India): Bishop Robert Ali;Chicago (USA): Bishop Jeffrey Lee

THURS 1 OCTOBER Broom Leys

Andrew Hartropp (C); Carole Oswin (R); Judith Coleman (P-Ast)St Denys CE Infant School, Ibstock Pray for the new Rector Andy, and his wife Claire: for wisdom in leading the churches out of lockdown. For the church communities to gain confidence in the gospel, helping others to see the relevance and truth of Christ and come to faith.Peru: Bishop Jorge Luis Aguilar; Chichester: Bishop Martin Warner

FRI 2 OCTOBER Ibstock with Heather

in vacancy; Jeannette Bulmer (R); Carol Albrighton, Barry Albrighton (R-PTO) Swannington CE Primary School & St John the Baptist CE Primary School, Whitwick We pray for all those exercising ministry and leadership in the benefice during the extended vacancy; and pray for the people and communities we serve.Peshawar (Pakistan): Archbishop Humphrey Peters; Chotanagpur (North India): Bishop B. B. Baskey;Koforidua (West Africa): Bishop Felix Annancy

SAT 3 OCTOBER Whitwick, Thringstone & Swannington