We give thanks for all that the twentieth anniversary of our formation has brought us – the amazing gift of the Manchester Gospel, illustrated by adults and children from across the circuit; the many community outreach activities supported by anniversary funding; the worship we have shared. The celebrations have strengthened our awareness of God’s presence in the circuit and brought us closer together in worship and service.
We thank God for all who minister here, and especially for Catharine and Liz, who have begun ministering in new ways over the past year. We pray for them and for all who faithfully serve God’s people with creativity, despite the weariness left by responding to the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis. God is at work amongst us, calling folk in several churches to become members, leading more people to explore Local Preacher training, and resourcing new ways to deepen discipleship through prayer, study and service. We delight in the growth of Bread Church at Withington, and we look forward to renewed work at Trinity Ancoats, now useable once more after extensive restoration.
We pray for those who face change, particularly where churches are merging at Edge Lane and Clayton, and at Didsbury and East Didsbury. We pray too for those taking on new responsibility: Eva as she becomes District MWiB President, and Deacon Jenny who is coming to join the team at Central Hall, along with her husband Ali. We ask God’s blessing on all whose ministry is based in that place and especially on the English/Swahili Methodist congregation.
You call us to yourself, God of living love, and our hearts are restless till we find our rest in you. From our varied starting-points, we are companions on the road that brings us into your presence.
Help us to listen to one another as we share our different experiences of your grace.
Help us to support each other in the opportunities for service which you set before us.
Let your Holy Spirit flow through us as we journey on, inspiring us to deeper love for you and for our neighbours, especially those who face deprivation and crisis and those who are making their homes here for the first time.
Strengthen us through the power of your Son Jesus, who prayed that we might all be one as he is one with you,
Amen.
