We give God thanks on the twentieth anniversary of the formation of the Manchester circuit, as we reflect on how God has worked with us, pruning in some places to enable growth and mission elsewhere, within the great diversity of the city. In celebrating the years of our life together, we put our hands in God’s hand for the next stage of our walk with God as Manchester Methodists.
In this anniversary year, we rejoice in the privilege of welcoming a probationer presbyter into the circuit. Please pray for Catharine and her family as she begins her ministry at Didsbury, East Didsbury and Withington. Please pray too for Rev. Sue Williams as she ‘sits down’ after twenty years in ministry in the circuit.
As the circuit’s eighteen churches face the ongoing impact of the pandemic, we thank God for the courage and love with which people come to renewed fellowship, and we continue to pray for those who do not yet feel able to return. We give God thanks for those who have served the circuit faithfully in various roles over many years, and for all who are exploring or training for new forms of ministry. We pray especially for our six local preachers in training, and for all who are taking up new responsibilities in church or circuit life as we work out where best to engage with issues of justice, dignity and solidarity.
We ask for God’s blessing on all who are working hard to serve their local community as we live with the ongoing impact of the pandemic. We pray for the many pieces of work across the circuit through which we seek to stand alongside those in need. We hold before God especially situations where we find ourselves facing great change: Clayton, leaving their building after 171 years and joining with Edge Lane; Nexus as it explores its charism and mission; Trinity Ancoats as it seeks fresh ways of sharing your love following the rebuilding work there.
God of love,
Thank you for the richly coloured patchwork of gifts and graces you have given us over the last twenty years.
Thank you for all the opportunities to serve and all the resources for growth.
Where we are weary, help us find space to breathe.
Where we are discouraged, help us see just a little further into your purposes for us
Where we are full of enthusiasm, help us share our passion with courage
Where we are longing for change, help us express our vision with sensitivity
Help us to remember that when we walk with you in worship and service, we cannot lose our way, for Jesus goes ahead of us and the Holy Spirit breathes within us to bring us close to you, our God.