“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Pray to the Father through the Son in the power of the Spirit for:
THURSDAY 1 Bierton and Hulcott: For the benefice in vacancy and for the volunteers who have kept it "business as usual" for our congregation over the vacancy. Give thanks for the retired clergy who provide our spiritual uplift on Sundays.
Bierton CE Combined School, Buckingham Park CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 2 Worminghall with Ickford, Oakley and Shabbington: David Kaboleh - Rector. That God would give us leaders that are after his own heart across the benefice. Give thanks for new governors for our schools.
Oakley CE Combined School.
SATURDAY 3 Britwell, Slough: Naomi Hill - Priest-in-Charge. For the VE Day Community Celebration we are hosting on 5 May. For funding applications that are being put forward for both children's work and fabric needs. Give thanks for a good start to Naomi’s time here as Priest-in-Charge, and for a wonderful PCC.
MONDAY 5 Long Crendon with Chearsley and Nether Winchendon: Richard Phillips - Vicar, John Scholefield, Gill Nicholls, Darren Sampson. For the youth Alpha group which is running until the end of June with a view to confirmation. For those considering a call to ordained ministry in our parishes.
TUESDAY 6 Walton Holy Trinity: Andy Johnson - Vicar, Martin Roper, Corinna Johnson. For the parish, as a good number of our PCC will be stepping down this month, and two new churchwardens will be starting. For our away-day in June.
WEDNESDAY 7 Bracknell Deanery: Gareth Morley - Area Dean, Lee Townsend, Caroline Kallipetis, Lesley Philpot, Chris Boutle. Give thanks for Gareth and his willingness to take on the role of Area Dean; for wisdom and grace for him as he gets to grips with the role.
THURSDAY 8 Warfield: David Chislett - Curate, Judy Ridell, Mike Summers. For the ongoing recruitment process for a new vicar for Warfield following the retirement of our Associate Minister at Easter. Give thanks for the recent appointment of Judy Ridell, a part-time Children and Schools Pastor. For guidance as we recruit for other roles to strengthen our ministry to children, youth and families.
Warfield CE Primary School.
FRIDAY 9 Binfield: Luke Taylor - Rector. For our new building project, Welcoming Spaces, which will ensure that our listed buildings can maintain their historic features while supporting our thriving congregation going forward. For a new youth worker.
Binfield CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 10 Bracknell: Robin Sharples - Rector, Beth Quainton, Nicola Shephard. For the development of lay participation and leadership in the parish. For our work as an inclusive church and the development of our open-table meeting.
Ranelagh CE School.
MONDAY 12 Easthampstead: Gareth Morley - Rector, Roy Burgess. For our discernment of ways to live out our vision to nurture faith and grow disciples. For our preparations to launch a renovation project for our Parish Centre complex.
St Michael’s CE Primary School, Jennett’s Park CE Primary School.
Bishop Gavin confirming at St Helen and St Katherine's School in the Dorchester Archdeaconry.
TUESDAY 13 Winkfield and Cranbourne: John Kimbel. For the benefice in vacancy, that a new incumbent will be led to us.
Winkfield St Mary’s CE Primary School.
WEDNESDAY 14 Sunningdale: Jon Hutchinson - Vicar, Dolapo Ogunbawo, Terry Ward-Hall. For the funding and implementation of the church re-ordering project, Transforming Trinity, which we hope will begin in September. For a time of growth and discipleship during the nine months we will be absent from the building and worshipping in the school.
Holy Trinity CE Primary School.
THURSDAY 15 Ascot Heath: Darrell Hannah - Vicar, Sheila Shrigley. For our fundraising for the building restoration project, especially the Hymnathon from 16-17 May. That we would be more effective at outreach into our community.
FRIDAY 16 Sunninghill and South Ascot: Tansley Jordan - Vicar, Michael Francescon, Mary Nichols, Amanda Bourne. For those who help to lead the church, especially for new church officers and members of the PCC following the recent APCM. For the children and young people in our congregations, especially those who come to Toddler Praise or the family service, and for all those who attend our linked schools, that they would grow up knowing God's love for them.
Cheapside CE Primary School, St Michael’s CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 17 Burnham and Slough Deanery: Janet Binns - Area Dean, Javed Gill, Steven Dass, Sheila Warburton. Give thanks for those recently called to serve in Burnham and Slough Deanery. For a smooth settling-in, for spiritual refreshment, and for strong relationships to grow within their parishes and across the wider deanery. That God would anoint them with wisdom, courage and deep joy in ministry.
MONDAY 19 Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Dorney and Boveney: Janet Binns - Assistant Curate. That God would raise up the right person to serve as Priest-in-Charge for the parishes of Datchet, Eton, Eton Wick, Dorney and Boveney. For wisdom and spiritual discernment for all involved in the appointment process. For the congregations in this season of waiting – that they would be sustained by hope, united in purpose and expectant for what God will do.
Churchmead CE School, Datchet St Mary’s CE Academy, Eton Porny CE First School, Eton Wick CE First School.
TUESDAY 20 Iver: Robert Gooding - Vicar, Carole Gooding, Sarah Smith, Jim Dashper. For a new church treasurer and a second churchwarden. For a good uptake for The Bereavement Journey course that we are running for the first time, starting in September, that it will be a blessing to those attending.
WEDNESDAY 21 Upton-cum-Chalvey: Scott Lamb - Team Rector, Andrew Wickens, Linda Hillier, Barry Marsden. For the interfaith Story Tent event in St Mary's, which brings different faith and community groups together using sacred stories to build understanding among school pupils. Give thanks for our two church schools, St Mary's CE Primary and Slough and Eton CE Secondary. For the diversity, energy and faith of both students and staff. For the ministry of Fr Andrew Wickens, interfaith Chaplain in Slough and Eton.
THURSDAY 22 Langley Marish: Chris Ferris - Team Rector, Shola Aoko. Give thanks for the recent away-day and the objectives set for a Listening Café, ministry amongst teenagers and children, and developing new leaders in the church. For the healing of the broken in our community.
FRIDAY 23 Burnham: Josh Cleaver - Vicar, Ian Fordyce, Sue Smith. For Josh as he settles into his role as Vicar. That relief would turn to joy for all those who have given so much during the vacancy.
St Peter’s CE Primary School.
SATURDAY 24 Farnham Royal with Hedgerley: Chloe Thomas-Wilson - Rector, Richard Rooley. For the success of our Alpha course, which starts this month. For youthwork across the benefice, and the Young Church initiative we have begun in Hedgerley church.
St Mary’s Farnham Royal CE Primary School.
MONDAY 26 Manor Park St John the Baptist and Whitby Road St Michael, Slough: Suzanne Johnson - Vicar. For our project to build a new church and community space, and for the fruitfulness of our many outreach projects.
TUESDAY 27 Slough St Paul: Ola Olanipekun, Nadeem Azam, Umair Asif. For the churchwardens and PCC over this time of interregnum.
WEDNESDAY 28 Colnbrook, Horton and Wraysbury, Slough: Patrick Samuels - Priest-in-Charge, Sheila Samuels, Beryl Walters, Mike Miller. For unity as the new benefice comes together. For growth as the church reaches out into the community.
THURSDAY 29 Cippenham, Slough: Neil Popham - Vicar, Angeline Ruredzo, Sophia Popham. For growth in confidence in our children and families work. For our ecumenical relationships locally.
FRIDAY 30 Taplow and Dropmore, Slough: Jane Cresswell - Vicar, Nick Plant. For increasing relationships with the Taplow community through the monthly summer Saturday coffee mornings at St Nicolas. For encouragement and strength for older people continuing to serve faithfully at both St Anne's and St Nicolas. Give thanks for the privilege of running The Bereavement Journey course earlier this year and being alongside those who've been bereaved.
St Nicolas CE Combined School.
SATURDAY 31 Hitcham: Chris Hassell - Vicar, Alan Bignell. For growth in children’s and families’ ministry as a key focus for us this year. For more musicians to join us to support consistent musical provision across our services.
Prayer on Sundays
SUNDAY 4 For all those leading and attending the diocesan Clergy Conference this month.
SUNDAY 11 Bishop Gavin confirming at Drayton and Shiplake College.
SUNDAY 18 Bishop Gavin confirming in Wantage.
SUNDAY 25 For our UKME Chapter and its new Dean, the Revd Serena Tajima.
Links
Prayers from Christian Concern for One World: ccow.org.uk
Topical prayers from the Church of England: churchofengland.org/topical-prayers