Our Vision:

We believe the Christian faith is fostered in communities of love where Christ is at the centre.  We have a desire to work with God’s Spirit to see our Churches grow, to foster new communities of faith, to enable passionate worship, intentional faith development, loving service, and caring mission.

Join us in prayer today as we look to Jesus the true vine, that we may stay close to him, and together produce fruit worthy of his calling.   Please pray  for our Methodist Church communities, for Alderley Edge, Knutsford, Mobberley, Mottram St Andrew, Plumley, Snelson, and Zac’s Kingdom Community in Northwich as each seeks to share the love of God in their area.

We pray for the staff serving these communities, our ministry team:  Rev Alan Bradley, Rev Nick Thompson, Rev Neal Stanton; Supernumerary ministers Rev Pam Butler and Rev Rod Hill.  Along with our lay workers Peter Freeman (children & families) and Liz McGrath (pastoral worker for older people).

Loving and gracious God, this day

May we see a glimpse of your glory,

May we stumble across the treasure of your kingdom,

May we have opportunity to serve you as we love one another.

In the name of Christ.  Amen.

Our team consists of Revd Simon Sutcliffe, Alison Ball, Melody Clarke, Rev Dr Jasmine Devadason, Alison Hulse, Dr Kristie Legg, Dr Edel McClean, Brec Seaton, Jasmine is the aligned officer to Manchester and Stockport District. Through our work, we aspire to equip Circuits to be places of lifelong learning—whether that is about your focus and mission, how you resource yourselves, prayer, worship, evangelism and service, learning together or caring for each other.  We draw on the wisdom and experience amongst the whole church and beyond as well as offering what we bring in our own areas of skill, knowledge and experience.

We invite you to give thanks:

For the many opportunities we get to stand alongside Methodists – whether ordained, lay or volunteer – and offer support in a continued context of shifting uncertainty.

For the privilege of developing peer support networks, signposting to helpful resources, developing facilitated sessions for circuits to explore vision and imagining new ways of being church with those God is calling to pioneer.

For all those who equip others.

Please pray for:

Each team member and safety, health and wellbeing as they serve the region

Wisdom in prioritising our resources to develop learning circuits enabled to fulfil ‘Our Calling’

Appreciation of God’s creation and exploration of ways to reduce our carbon footprint and impact on the natural world.

Imagination to overcome challenges of communication, distance and relationship to enable learning and development.

Sensitivity to the emerging needs of circuits and churches who continue to experience change and uncertainty.

We pray for all the lay employees in the District, and all who join you God in your work and play.

A heart for the gospel of Jesus Christ in all we do.

Prayer

Creator God, you have made each one of us different to give the world beauty, to celebrate the diversity in your creation. Enable us to reach for new horizons to form a just world where your image is unscathed, sustained and celebrated.

Liberator God, Help us be your prophets today to imagine an alternative future and be prophetic in our thinking and in our actions.

Jesus our friend, you are the One in whom we see justice and service exemplified, Love personified, help us to follow your practice to love one another and help us to fulfil your purpose to break down the barriers in our church/community and to experience the Kingdom of God, where justice and peace flow like an ever-moving stream. Amen

A prayer for Chaplains

Caring for those beyond the walls of church

Holding sacred space in the strangest of places: lift, field, towpath, café, corridor

Alongside those who might never go near church, yet know their need of God

Praying with some who surprise themselves in asking

Listening. Always listening. Then listening some more.

Asking awkward questions: Who? Why? Would you? Could you?

Interested: you could say nosy!

Never judging, but seeking the divine in us all

Sharing: troubles, joys, hopes, fears, questions and cake

Gracious God, we pray for chaplains, in all their rich variety, making your presence visible, your word heard and your love known. Amen

A prayer for Greater Manchester Community Chaplaincy

Being a Chaplain for ex-offenders comes with some victorious highs and some devastating lows.

Remembering that God is always in the room with us can be a challenge at times. When someone is relentlessly tormented by grief and pain or triggered by hauntings of the past there are no words to describe the utter helplessness we feel as we offer prayer as support. But prayer does change things. We see hope glimmer in the eyes of the suffering as they stretch their hands out to receive from God.

Pray for us as we continue to witness the pain inflicted on those in our care and pray that our hearts are not hardened. Pray that we see God’s redeeming light in all of the dark places we visit. Pray that we continue to witness miracles that only God can bring and pray that as we hope for those we love, we have hope for ourselves too.

While this prayer request does show some of the negative aspects of being a Chaplain, we do have the privilege of witnessing some amazing transformations. I am grateful for a young man in my care who previously would refuse to pray out loud and now he confidently speaks to God out loud in a group setting. We have people who would not engage with the Bible, reading passages from the Gospels aloud for all to hear and we have those previously in so much pain with the boldness and confidence to speak freely about the work God is doing in their lives. We thank God for His goodness towards us, every day.

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We give thanks for the supernumerary ministers and their families in the district. We give thanks for their support and ongoing ministry they continue to offer in these years.

We pray and remember any who are facing health issues or other difficulties.

We give thanks for collective wisdom, enriched experience and learning that can be shared.

At all stages of our lives may we know ourselves to be loved and , valued, knowing we belong to your care and grace. Amen

Peter M Brant
R Edward Gordon
Robert A Richards
Robert Davies
Robert J Davies
Rod Hill
Roger L Walton
Sheila M Bishop
Sheila Parnell (D)
Susan Rowe
Susan Williams
Thomas M Witham
W Andrew J Palmer

In our District we have several Lay Employees. They work in a variety of roles. Pastoral work, administration, communications and pioneer mission are included. Some work in repair shops to recycle reclaimable household goods. Some help provide meals and demonstrate a ministry of hospitality. Messy church, craft work and art engage others. Some care for our property and ensure that we comply with good procedure. Some seek to rally support for works of social justice. Many visit the sick and encourage them through prayer. Our lay employees often work with friends on the fringe of our churches. Often they seek to make intelligible the deep things of God amongst those who would not naturally use religious language.

Please PRAY for our lay employees. Let us thank God for the distinctive ministry that they bring. Let us thank God for their opportunities to accentuate and highlight the presence of God. Pray for those who sometimes feel isolated and at times not fully appreciated. Let us thank God for the imaginative ways that our lay employees can pioneer new forms of mission. Please also pray for Liz Stuart our District Lay Employee Supporter.

Prayer
Almighty God our heavenly Father we are mindful that we are called to proclaim the good news of your indestructible love that is supremely revealed in Jesus Christ. Help us to be co-workers with Christ and each other as we seek to be your hands and feet and mind in the world today. Amen.

Rev Paul Stringer – Chaplain to the District Lay Employees.

Mei Yuk Wong
Oliver Hill
Paula Collins
Penny Langham
Peter Freeman
Peter Webb
Rachael Bate
Rachel Foster
Rachel Pennells
Rachel Humphreys
Saffy Blackmore
Sarah Hooks
Sarah Rose
Sharon Heginbotham
Shermeen Shoaib
Sid Walker
Susan Jackson
Susie Metcalfe
Tamsin Conyers
Tori Allen